Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

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"Junior Brother, today you should just practice this movement technique," Ouyang Tiezhu said to Shen Qing with a smile. "When you can handle it as easily as I can, I'll teach you an even more complex technique. I have other matters to attend to now. If you have any questions, you can ask the other senior brothers."

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother."

Ouyang Tiezhu waved his hand and took a few steps away, then as if he remembered something, he came back and said to Shen Qing, "Right, after you finish practicing today, have A Fu fetch you another set of Shiquan Dabu Decoction."

Shen Qing was somewhat surprised.

Ouyang Tiezhu continued, "Miss Qi bought it for you earlier. She's already paid for it."

"Alright."

Watching Ouyang Tiezhu's retreating figure, Shen Qing couldn't help but sigh.

He had not expected his aunt Shen Xiu to be so kind to him, and now he owed her a great deal of gratitude.

After finishing today's practice, he needed to visit his aunt and thank her in person.

Shen Qing gathered his thoughts, became serious, and began to practice at the Wooden Dummy as if no one else was present.

Without the distraction of the Water Ink Panel, his focus became extremely intense, and he struck the Wooden Dummy forcefully.

Thump, thump, thump...

His speed increased.

It wasn't until he reached a certain limit that he was interrupted.

"Again."

He kept practicing for nearly two Shi Chen.

Shen Qing became more skillful, pushing the limit of his endurance higher and higher.

"Phew!"

After finishing the last sequence, Shen Qing instinctively protected his shoulder, taking one more hit before officially ending today's session.

With a thought, Shen Qing's eyes sparkled, rippling with waves.

The familiar Water Ink Interface appeared before him.

[Skill: Wind Defying Finger (Entry Level)]

[Progress: 18/100 points]

[Status: Cannot Improve]

The progress had increased.

Shen Qing wiped the sweat off his face, feeling that it was all worth it.

After an afternoon of training, his whole body was incredibly sore, especially his back and shoulders which had been struck and were now bruised.

They burned and throbbed, and even a light touch would increase the pain.

Fortunately, he was robust and resilient, so it didn't affect him too much.

Just then, A Fu came in and found him, saying, "Junior Brother, someone is looking for you outside."

Shen Qing guessed that it might be Tian Xiaohu and replied, "I'll be right there."

When he reached A Fu, he paused and, with a gesture of respect, asked, "I heard from Senior Brother Ouyang that my aunt had prepared a Shiquan Dabu Decoction for me, may I know..."

He was interrupted by A Fu before he could finish, "I've already packed it for you; just let me know when you are leaving, and I'll get it for you."

"Many thanks," Shen Qing repeatedly cupped his hands in gratitude. "I would like to see my aunt and thank her in person."

"It's unfortunate. The Hall Master has taken Miss Qi out, and they haven't returned yet."

"Where have my aunt and the others gone?"

"They should be staying at Jifu Temple for a few days; they should be back the day after tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll find my aunt in person next time," Shen Qing said, deciding not to press further: "Thank you for your trouble, Brother A Fu. Please give me the medicine; it's getting late, and I need to leave."

"Okay, let's do it together."

After speaking, Shen Qing and A Fu left the Second Court through the Outer Gate and went to the Outer Court where A Fu efficiently entered the pharmacy and handed the Shiquan Dabu Decoction to Shen Qing.

"The flatbed cart and horses are at the stable over there. You can go and collect them when you leave," A Fu said, pointing to a room in the Outer Court.

Shen Qing nodded and quickly thanked him.

After A Fu left, Shen Qing went to where Shen Xiaohu was training in the Outer Court.

Shen Xiaohu looked like a drowned rat, his hair plastered to his scalp, sitting collapsed on the ground with an utterly despondent look on his face.

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Shen Xiaohu saw Shen Qing walking over and struggled to stand up, saying weakly, "Brother Qingzi..."

"How's the training going?"

Shen Xiaohu said with some regret, "Can I get a refund for the silver I paid this morning?"

"Can't you be a little more ambitious, be brave like a man."

"I'm not... It's just... I feel..."

"Do you still want to continue practicing martial arts?"

"Yes!"

"Then keep training, otherwise you'll never get anywhere. I suspect with your temperament, you'll start crying over every little thing that happens."

"Impossible," Shen Xiaohu said, his neck stiff and his face flushed.

"That's enough," Shen Qing didn't continue to scold Shen Xiaohu, turned around, and said, "Tian Xiaohu should be here to pick us up. Let's go back and rest."

Shen Xiaohu hurried to follow, saying defiantly, "I definitely won't cry when I face problems. It's just that I'm too tired today, and I'm not used to it yet."

Shen Qing didn't respond.

This attitude unwittingly ignited a fire in Shen Xiaohu's heart, vowing to train hard in the future and never let Shen Qing look down on him.

They arrived at the gate outside Linfeng Hall.

Shen Qing indeed saw Tian Xiaohu pacing at the entrance, waiting for them. When he saw the Shen brothers come out, his eyes brightened, and he hurried over to Shen Qing, lowering his voice to say, "That thing you had me look into..."

Shen Qing said, "We'll talk on the road."

"Alright."

"Did you find a good inn?"

"Yes, I did," Tian Xiaohu said while pulling out a pouch, "The inn charges only two hundred wen a night, including meals and lodging. I spent some of the money you gave me on handling the matter, but there are still 500 wen left, all here."

At this moment, Shen Qing realized Tian Xiaohu was a person with principles.

Compared to the villagers of Hongshan Village who only knew how to take advantage, he truly was an exception.

However, he had already spoken his piece and couldn't go back on his word.

Shen Qing climbed onto the cart and said, "You keep it. We might need you to handle more things in the future."

"But this is a lot."

"It's getting late, let's go. Stop dawdling," Shen Qing said impatiently.

Seeing Shen Qing's attitude, Tian Xiaohu gave up on insisting and boarded the cart with Shen Xiaohu, one after the other.

"Go!"

Shen Qing cracked the whip, and the old horse slowly began to walk down the street.

Tian Xiaohu moved up behind Shen Qing, leaning in to speak in a lowered voice, sharing the information he had gathered.

After listening, Shen Qing nodded and said, "Alright, I got it."

Tian Xiaohu, seeing Shen Qing's calm demeanor, couldn't figure out what he was planning.

After a while, Shen Qing and the others arrived at a flat house district.

Following Tian Xiaohu's directions, they made their way to a place called "Yuelai Inn."

The doorkeeper recognized Tian Xiaohu, took the initiative to lead the horse, and ushered Shen Qing and the others inside.

The inn was very ordinary, just some Octagon tables and chairs, with various guests scattered around.

Linfeng Hall did not provide meals and lodging, and since Shen Qing and the others had barely eaten all day, especially after a day of training, they were extremely hungry.

Upon entering the inn, Shen Qing immediately asked the waiter to serve all the house specials.

Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu devoured the food voraciously, like starving ghosts reborn, and in a short while, they had finished all the dishes.

After being sated with food and drink, Shen Qing called over the waiter and asked, "Can we prepare medicine in your inn?"

The inn's waiter replied, "Yes, we can. Would you like us to do it, or will you prepare it yourself? The former is ten wen, the latter five wen."

Shen Qing laid down five large coins on the table and said, "Take me there, I'll do it myself."

"Sure thing, this way please."

Taking the medicine, Shen Qing told Tian Xiaohu and the others, "You eat up and rest first; I'll come up later."

After giving instructions, Shen Qing followed the waiter toward the back yard.