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

"Thud," a sound fell to the ground.

Shen Qing frowned, as if realizing something.

The blade was still the same one.

It wasn't that the blade had become heavier; it was just that the power of his Primordial Spirit weakened with the extension of the distance.

He wasn't discouraged and continued to try.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

...

After countless attempts, Shen Qing finally concluded that the current limit of his Primordial Spirit's object-taming technique was within the five-meter radius.

Within five meters, he could control the Treasure Blade; beyond five meters, he could only look on in despair.

Shen Qing felt that this range was a bit small, somewhat dissatisfied, he couldn't help but long for the Kongyou Realm where swords could slash enemies from a thousand miles away and travel freely in all directions.

In reality, what he didn't know was that other martial masters in the Primordial Spirit Realm would take at least three to five years to reach this five-meter distance, whereas he attained such a level on the first day after breaking through, which was already quite astonishing.

Suddenly, Shen Qing noticed something unusual coming from his bosom.

It was Xiao Hu sending a message.

Shen Qing reached out and took the Spirit Communication Mirror, examining it in front of him.

Under his gaze, a few words appeared on the mirror's surface: "Xue Zhao returns to the capital today."

Looking at these words, Shen Qing's expression involuntarily became solemn.

He didn't expect Xue Zhao to return to the capital so soon.

For certain reasons, he had killed two of Xue Zhao's sons.

People like Xue Zhao, experienced in battle and killing countless, at this moment, surely had an uncontrollable desire to kill him.

Although there was the awe of imperial power in the capital, the Xue family was also a prestigious family there, with considerable influence.

If they truly wanted to kill him, they would find a way.

Considering it, it had already been more than a month; his aunt and them should have arrived near the capital.

He needed to pick them up and avoid bringing them into the capital for the time being, lest the Xue family uses them to write an article, putting him on the defensive.

Better wait until the situation stabilizes before taking action.

Time was of the essence, after thinking it through, Shen Qing casually waved his hand, removing the formation.

With a cracking sound around him, the disposable array flags he brought turned to dust under the Spiritual Power and dissipated with the wind.

Shen Qing walked out of the abandoned temple, soared into the sky, transforming into a Rainbow Light and disappearing into the horizon.

...

Under the Danzhou City Wall, as the smoke of gunpowder gradually dissipated, a scene of devastation remained.

After capturing the city, Xue Zhao's army, following ancient custom, allowed the soldiers to raid for three days, ending today.

In the depth of the main tent, General Xue Zhao sat solemnly before the desk, surrounded by a strong Evil Qi.

This was the result of his long experience in battle and excessive killing.

At the moment, he was meticulously arranging the details of the garrison and withdrawal.

No one knew how much time had passed, but Xue Zhao finally decided on the matter of returning to the capital.

At this time, the tent's curtain lightly lifted, and a young man silently entered, holding a heavy scroll in his hand as he quickly walked over.

This person was Xue Manzi, a trusted confidant of Xue Zhao within the family, brought into the army by him and accumulated significant merit.

"Sir, these are all the intelligence regarding Shen Qing."

"Bring it over."

"Yes."

The detailed information about Shen Qing, meticulously sorted, was spread out in front of Xue Zhao by Xue Manzi.

Xue Zhao's gaze slowly swept over those words: Shen Qing, Southern Chief of the Capital Military Department, personally appointed by Your Majesty, with free access to the Imperial Armory, valued by Lan Gongliang...

This information, like a cold wind, inadvertently rippled the calm lake in Xue Zhao's heart.

"Shen Qing...this boy..." Xue Zhao softly uttered the name, a complex expression appeared on his face, his eyes reflecting both scrutiny and contemplation: "To earn such trust from Your Majesty, he must not be spared."

A scene of Lan Gongliang stopping him flashed in his mind, igniting a trace of anger in his heart.

Now, Shen Qing had already gained some reputation, it would not be so easy to eradicate him.

Especially with the attention of Ji Zikong, moving against him under the Capital's presence would be even harder.

He needed to find a way to lure him out, away from the Capital, and then deal with him quietly.

Last time, Lan Gongliang intervened; this time, if the boy was alone, he could crush him effortlessly.

Xue Manzi, hearing this, stood beside Xue Zhao awaiting the next instruction.

"Besides matters in the capital, does Shen Qing have anything else?" After a while, Xue Zhao finally asked.

"There is, General." As he spoke, Xue Manzi respectfully clutched his fists and said: "I have already investigated thoroughly. Shen Qing was born in Taiping County, a hunter, his parents passed one after another when he was about ten, relying on his elder sister for survival. With the aid of his uncle Shen Er, the siblings lived in the village, later moved to the city to learn martial arts, and somehow obtained appointment documents to enter Yongzhou as an officer. Along the way, he excelled in slaying demons, gaining recognition."

"When eliminating a Huangtian Sect traitor, he rendered considerable service, thus being appointed as Chief Officer of both departments, until he participated in a rebel suppression meeting where he killed Young Master Xue Bai, by chance winning the top honor, and returned to the capital."

Xue Manzi recited all the information he had gathered about Shen Qing in one breath.

"He's truly a talent; it would be a pity not to kill him," Xue Zhao sincerely remarked and asked: "You mentioned he has family, where are they now?"

"I have also checked, General. They left Yongzhou heading to the capital and are now near the capital."

Hearing this, Xue Zhao's eyes brightened, having found a breakthrough, he said: "Just what I needed, they have brought me a reason to draw him out of the capital."

"In that case, I won't hold back."

Xue Zhao donned his armor and stood up, patting Xue Manzi on the shoulder, reminding: "The final wrap-up here is yours to oversee."

"I obey, sir."

After giving orders, Xue Zhao no longer lingered; he tapped his toe, Rainbow Light emerged, enveloping him as he shot out of the tent, racing towards the direction of the capital.

...

Outside the capital, southwest direction, on the official road eighty miles from the city wall, a convoy of carriages leisurely advanced.

At the front of the procession, a banner bearing the "Shen" character swayed in the breeze atop a simply decorated carriage.

Inside the carriage, Aunt Wang gently lifted a corner of the carved wooden window, poked her head out, and tiredly asked: "Xiao Hu, can you estimate how far we are from the capital?"

Tian Xiaohu, riding a horse, looked back, then rode the horse alongside the carriage, leaning over from the saddle, he said: "Aunt, I asked Yang just now, he said at this speed, we can reach in one or two days at most. Traveling with family and many belongings naturally slows us down. If we traveled light, we could arrive in a day."

"Oh."

Hearing this, Aunt Wang gently replied, then lowered the curtain, her hand rubbing her sore waist.

The long journey had taken its toll on her aging body, her eyes reflecting a trace of helplessness.

"Auntie, let me give you a massage."

In the carriage, the considerate elder sister Shen Fang volunteered to help Wang with her back.

Outside the carriage, Shen Er and Shen Shan, father and son, glanced inside silently.

At this moment, someone in the convoy suddenly pointed to the sky, exclaiming excitedly: "Look! There's a Rainbow Light!"

Upon hearing this, everyone raised their heads, looking in the direction he pointed, towards the vast blue sky.

They saw a brilliant streak of Rainbow Light cross the sky, rapidly approaching, its speed astonishing.

"There seems to be someone in the Rainbow Light!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief.

"That person... seems to be heading toward us!" another shouted in amazement.

No sooner had the words left his mouth, that Rainbow Light landed right in front of their convoy.

"Whoa!!!"

Everyone reined their horses to a stop, their eyes locked on that Rainbow Light, filled with vigilance.

They saw the Rainbow Light fade, revealing the figure of a middle-aged man fully armored.

"Everyone, show your weapons."

Clang.

People in the convoy unhesitatingly drew their blades, ready for battle.