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

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The winter evenings always grew darker a bit earlier than usual.

When Shen Qing arrived at the courtyard of his house, two red lanterns had already been hung at the door, exuding a joyful atmosphere.

He rode his horse to the gate, where Shen Xiaoshan, hearing the hoofbeats, opened the door and took the reins.

"Brother, did you practice late again today?"

Shen Qing dismounted and said, "Yes, I gained some insights outside and lost track of time. Have Tian Xiaohu and the others returned?" Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

"They have. With the cold weather and the year-end approaching, business at the restaurant is slow. We're preparing to close as you suggested."

"That's okay. We've been busy long enough; it's time to take a break as the year ends."

Shen Qing handed the reins to Shen Xiaoshan and strode inside.

The house was bustling with activity.

Elder sister Shen Fang, his uncle and aunt, along with Tian Xiaohu and the others, were in the courtyard, sticking spring flowers under the faint light of the snow.

The inside and outside of the house were filled with a festive atmosphere.

Seeing Shen Qing return, everyone in the courtyard exclaimed, "The boss is back, Chef Xiao, you can serve the dishes you've prepared."

"Alright then."

Shen Qing laughed warmly and walked into the main house.

He saw his sister, uncle, aunt, and others no longer wearing yun robes but all donned in new cotton clothes, faces beaming with happiness.

In no time, plates of hearty fish and meat dishes started to arrive on the table.

It was hard to imagine that just a year ago, during a similar winter, they were worrying about their livelihood, and he himself was troubled over a few arrows.

Yet a year later, life had undergone dramatic changes.

Indeed, such drastic actions bring golden rewards as the saying goes: "Building bridges and roads results in no corpses."

The ruthless always have their fortune.

After a somewhat casual dinner, Shen Qing, as usual, rested promptly.

The next morning, he arose early, dressed neatly, and hurried to the Guardian Martial Department Office.

The thought of distributing the annual salary made him instinctively quicken his pace.

For the officials of the office, this was the most joyous day.

Not for any other reason than the annual distribution of the Wish Power Pearl would occur today.

Just one Wish Power Pearl could enhance cultivation as much as hundreds of spiritual elixirs; it was a treasure that no martial master would refuse.

Even if one didn't use it, it could fetch at least hundreds of taels on the black market, a windfall indeed.

Not to mention other silver taels and elixirs.

The Ji Family Court's accumulation after acquiring the Martial Mechanism far exceeded their imaginations.

When Shen Qing arrived at the Guardian Martial Department Office early in the morning, he found the generally sparse group of officers had arrived even earlier.

The courtyard was abuzz with chatter, lively and bustling.

"Over here, Lord officer."

Hearing the call, Shen Qing turned, seeing Ji Youwu and others had already secured a spot for him.

He walked over without hesitation and took his seat.

"Has it not started yet?" Shen Qing asked casually.

Ji Youwu replied with a smile, "Not yet, the first group hasn't been distributed yet. It'll be our turn after a few groups ahead."

Shen Qing nodded in acknowledgment, patiently waiting.

At the same time, in the rear hall, Zhao Guanglu, a minor officer of the Military Department, was delivering the salary to the Guardian Martial Department Office, checking it in front of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu.

"This is the salary for the year, Mr. Zheng. Please take a look to see if everything's in order. If so, kindly sign off, and I will report back."

"Thank you, Officer Zhao. Allow me to look it over carefully," said Zheng Yuanqiu, the Military Department's chief officer, taking the account book.

"Take your time, sir, there's no rush."

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu flipped through page by page, calculating silently how much he should appropriate.

Noticing the names of deceased officers like Liu Sangui still on the list, he glanced at Zhao Guanglu.

The latter gave him a knowing look and said with a smile, "We're accounting based on last year's records, so there's no error, everything as usual."

He emphasized the words "as usual" with deliberate pronunciation.

Zheng Yuanqiu nodded with a smile, saying nothing, and continued flipping through the pages.

Suddenly, Zheng Yuanqiu paused and said, "Officer Zhao, isn't there a mistake here?"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Guanglu asked curiously, stepping closer to have a look.

"I remember this officer was appointed barely six months ago. Why receive a full year's salary? And the Wish Power Pearl shouldn't be awarded. Don't you agree?"

Zhao Guanglu focused his eyes to see Zheng Yuanqiu pointing at a name, 'Shen Qing,' with a serious expression.

"It shouldn't be. It's always been less than a year, counted as a full year..." Zhao Guanglu stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing, "Look at me, I forgot to update it."

He pulled out a brush from his sleeve, applied his strength, and with a flick of his wrist, added the word "half" under 'Shen Qing' and a "none" in the Wish Power Pearl section in the account book.

After he finished writing, Zheng Yuanqiu blew gently, instantly drying the ink to match the original handwriting in the account book.

Afterwards, the two exchanged smiles, understanding each other perfectly.

Zhao Guanglu couldn't help but feel sympathy for this 'Shen Qing' officer.

If he remembered correctly, this person was from out of town in Taiping County, appointed with a piece of paper and a commission document passing through his hands.

Both his background and cultivation were unremarkable.

Having collaborated with Zheng Yuanqiu for some time, he knew Zheng greedily pleased himself, requiring the department's salary to pass through his hands each year—a well-established routine.

One could only say this 'Shen Qing' had bad luck and was a bit unfortunate.

After reviewing the account book to ensure no issues, he cheerily said, "I've finished my inspection, everything's in order."

Saying this, he took out his seal and stamped his approval on the document.

"Alright, then the handover here is complete, I'll take my leave."

"Thank you, Officer Zhao, for making the trip. Later, I'll have someone send spring gifts to your residence."

"No need, Chief Officer. Farewell."

"Safe travels."

After Zhao Guanglu left, Zheng Yuanqiu summoned Chang Sui and pointed to two boxes, instructing, "Keep these, distribute the rest, and ensure they sign off."

"Yes, sir."

...

"They're coming, it's starting."

As the miscellaneous officers carried a box into the courtyard, a commotion arose among those waiting.

Chang Sui set the box down and the officer announced, "First group, Dong Jing."

Dong Jing, the one called, stepped forward to receive his due.

Upon feeling the smoothness of the Wish Power Pearl, he couldn't help but smile and accepted it quietly.

"First group officer, Liao Congbing..."

One by one, the names were called. Some received their salary with joy, while those aware of the underlying rules silently cursed inside.

Soon, it was the turn of the fourth group.

"Fourth group officer, Shen Qing."

Shen Qing, happy inside, stepped forward to collect but received only three bottles of Qi Blood Pill and five taels of broken silver, not even a Gathering Spirit Pill.

His face darkened, and he couldn't help but ask, "Where is my Wish Power Pearl?"

"I don't know, next."

A gleam flashed in Shen Qing's eyes as he glanced at the people behind him, noticing that those officers and officers aware of the inside story were showing expressions of schadenfreude.

He immediately understood that Zheng Yuanqiu had embezzled his Wish Power Pearl; his heart filled with fury.

Did they think he was an easy target?

If that's the case, he wouldn't mind starting a confrontation.

Shen Qing quietly collected his salary, his face dark as he headed towards the rear hall of the Guardian Martial Department Office.

That was where Zheng Yuanqiu's office was located.

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