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

Atop the dragon chair in the Imperial Study Room, Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, clad in his dragon robe, exuded authority tinged with a hint of unrestraint.

The Emperor had reigned for over a hundred years and was at least a hundred or two hundred years old, yet Ji Zikong appeared very young, looking almost as if he were in his twenties or thirties.

Only his eyes, which seemed to have weathered through ages, revealed a sense of twilight.

As if he were making a joke with Shen Qing, Ji Zikong suddenly subdued his formidable aura, and with his deep, magnetic voice, he laughed heartily and said, "Indeed a talent."

Shen Qing's demeanor became even more humble, his expression even more submissive, too wary to make any sudden moves.

Ji Zikong continued, "I am already aware of most of what transpired at the Jing Luan Assembly. According to the rules of the assembly, the achievements you've earned deserve great rewards! I ask you, do you desire anything else in your heart?"

Shen Qing looked around at the people beside him, his gaze inadvertently falling on Lan Gongliang at his side.

Lan Gongliang added, "This is an extra reward from His Majesty, if there's something you want, just say it. As long as it's not too excessive, His Majesty will fulfill it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing fell into deep thought, recalling that he had heard about the Ji Clan owning the Imperial Armory while he was in Yongzhou.

This armory, the Ji Clan had scoured the world for the essence of all Martial Mechanisms, confiscating them and investing a countless effort to build it. It was the ultimate place every martial master aspired to reach.

Reportedly, the Martial Arts contained in the Imperial Armory were all of the highest techniques.

Even the most inconspicuous one, when cultivated to the ultimate realm, could unleash overwhelming power enough to easily erase a city and cause mountains and rivers to change color.

Such things inevitably captured one's imagination.

However, access to the Imperial Armory was extremely strict.

According to the court's regulations, only the noble sons of the Ji Family and high-ranking officials were allowed entry.

All others were strictly forbidden.

After considering for a while, Shen Qing tentatively said, "Your Majesty, when I practiced Martial Arts, I made a grand vow to one day peruse the finest Martial Techniques in the world, climb to the pinnacle of Martial Arts, and attain enlightenment. If Your Majesty permits, I wish to glimpse the Imperial Armory, to fulfill my long-cherished wish."

Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong burst into hearty laughter, his voice booming so loudly it seemed to shake the roof tiles, "I did not expect you to be such a devotee of Martial Arts. I shall fulfill your wish! From today onwards, you may freely enter and exit the Imperial Armory."

Shen Qing hadn't expected Ji Zikong to agree so readily, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Moreover, according to the rules of the Jing Luan Assembly, I will further grant you ten thousand Wish Power Pearls to aid your cultivation and appoint you as the Southern Chief Officer of the Military Department, hoping you will protect the peace and establish further merits!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

The Military Department of Great Zhou was divided into five regions: East, West, South, North, and Central.

Yongzhou was part of the Southern region.

He hadn't expected that in just a few short years, he had already climbed to this position. Continue your adventure at empire

The speed was startling.

It was no wonder that those noble sons were so enthusiastic about the Jing Luan Assembly, striving to achieve results from it.

And ten thousand Wish Power Pearls, at his current position, would require a hundred years of official salary to acquire.

The thought alone was astonishing.

Everything was going so smoothly that it felt almost unsettling.

Yet, faced with the ironclad reality, Shen Qing knew this was not a dream.

Shen Qing quickly knelt to express his gratitude, "Your Great Grace, Your Majesty, this humble servant shall do his utmost to meet Your Majesty's expectations!"

"Rise." Emperor Ji Zikong waved his hand and said, "Hereafter, you will serve in the Military Department's government office in the Capital City, assisting Lord Lan with various affairs."

"For the remaining handover matters, you can discuss them with Lord Lan. He is your direct superior and will surely settle you in well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Seeing Ji Zikong return to processing his decrees, Lan Gongliang and Shen Qing consciously exited the Imperial Study Room.

Upon reaching the door of the Imperial Study Room, Shen Qing felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, suddenly letting out a sigh of relief.

In the Imperial Study Room just then, Ji Zikong's presence was overwhelmingly strong.

Just a slight display was enough to make him feel an immense pressure, as if he were carrying a mountain.

"Let's go," said Lan Gongliang, patting Shen Qing on the shoulder, "What are your plans now?"

Shen Qing hadn't expected the unremarkable middle-aged man before him to suddenly become his immediate superior, seemingly having known all along, as if he had preemptively won over people's hearts for allegiance.

Such deep and calculating schemes.

He revealed his thoughts frankly, "I plan to take up my post first, settle down in the Capital, and then go back to Yongzhou to bring my family here."

Lan Gongliang nodded, "That is indeed what should be done. The matters on the post are rather straightforward; should you have any uncertainties, you can always come to me. Your official appointment letter should be issued within three to five days; then you can take up your post directly with the document."

Shen Qing clasped his hands together and said, "I understand."

After speaking, Lan Gongliang did not linger in the palace, swiftly leaving with Shen Qing.

The two exchanged pleasantries along the way, and after Lan Gongliang explained some of the unspoken rules of the Capital's officialdom, they parted ways at the palace gates.

As Lan Gongliang's figure gradually disappeared at the end of his sight, Shen Qing paused slightly, his gaze lingering briefly on the palace gates behind him.

Without further thought, he stepped directly into the bustling streets of the Capital.

On both sides of the street, prosperity flourished like brocade, with the calls of various vendors rising and falling in succession.

Children frolicked and played, the air filled with the enticing scent of wine and freshly baked bread.

The street was full of life and festivity.

The Capital had seventy-two districts in total, and each district's main street was spacious enough to allow two carriages to drive side by side.

Shen Qing wandered aimlessly along the street for a while, pondering inwardly. He vaguely remembered that Wu Sheng had a secret base in the Capital.

The "Never Forget" skill activated.

Soon, memories surged in his mind, and he quickly recalled the exact location of that base.

Shen Qing weaved through the bustling crowd and arrived in front of an unremarkable-looking tavern.

The tavern was doing brisk business, filled with guests.

Shen Qing strode in and approached the shopkeeper, asking softly, "Do you have any wine and dishes from Yongzhou here?"

The shopkeeper, who was tallying accounts, paused and replied, "We have donkey meat from Yongzhou, how much would you like?"

"Three jin, six taels, and five qian."

Hearing this, the shopkeeper's eyes flickered slightly, then calmly led him towards the inner room, "This way, please."

Inside the inner room, the lighting was dim.

Light filtering through the window lattice fell on a familiar yet slightly weary face.

It was Wu Sheng himself.

He had just arrived from Yongzhou, his face still bearing the weariness of travel, appearing heavily burdened.

Currently, Lord Shen was transferred to the Jing Luan Assembly, faced with great dangers, his life and death uncertain.

Moreover, many restless individuals in the city sought to take over the Shen Family's properties again.

If Lord Shen were to fall in the Jing Luan, those from Yongzhou would surely swoop in to ravage their group into oblivion.

Now, his fate tied with Shen Qing's, his situation was honestly quite precarious.

While he was lost in his thoughts, a knocking sound came from the door.

"What is it?" Wu Sheng asked irritably.

The shopkeeper at the door said, "Brother Wu, an acquaintance has come calling."

The 'acquaintance' mentioned by the shopkeeper referred to some of the noble sons in the Capital, exclusively dealing in businesses that couldn't be exposed to daylight.

Wu Sheng's expression immediately turned serious, "Let him in."

"Yes."

With a creak,

The mottled wooden door opened.