novelblue
Chapter 212 38: Reporting Back
Chapter 212 38: Reporting Back
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The mountains stretched endlessly, draped in the sky's crimson sunset like a brocade, painting the horizon a vibrant orange.
The setting sun, as red as blood, slowly sank among the undulating mountains.
A steed, like a black streak of lightning, raced down the winding path, its hooves clattering sharply and breaking the mountain's silence.
Shen Qing dressed in a tight, muscular outfit, his clothes fluttering in the wind.
He gripped the reins tightly with one hand, his face showing a touch of dusty ruggedness.
At this moment Shen Qing's gaze changed, he noticed a drop of ink falling from above in his vision, spreading into lines of text, popping up a skilled reminder.
[Skill: Riding (Small Success)]
[Progress: 301/300 points]
[Status: Can be Improved]
[Note: After continuous practice, your understanding of riding has been further enhanced. After mastering riding, your riding speed can increase by up to 100%, and you will learn the "technique of concealing oneself while stepping."]
"Huh? Riding speed increases by 100%, the technique of concealing oneself while stepping?"
"An increase in speed means I can travel further with less time, and the 'technique of concealing oneself while stepping' could confuse the perception of ordinary people, not bad."
Shen Qing murmured to himself.
Seeing that the conditions for upgrading were met, he crouched on the horse's back, without hesitation, he focused his consciousness on the Water Ink Panel, "Riding, Upgrade!"
The familiar process occurred once more.
As soon as Shen Qing had this thought, the information on the Water Ink Panel refreshed immediately.
[Skill: Riding (the level of mastery)]
[Progress: 1/400 points]
[Status: Cannot be Improved]
[Note: Your riding has reached the level of mastery. You can ride your steed more skillfully, with a maximum predicted speed increase of 100%, and proficiently perform the "technique of concealing oneself while stepping."]
Riding reached the level of mastery.
Shen Qing skillfully collected his thoughts, holding his breath.
As usual, a vast amount of memories flooded into his brain, making his head instantly heavy.
Shen Qing quickly took a deep breath, steadying his mind.
In the additional memories, he practiced day after day, gradually gaining a deeper understanding of the horse's capability and mastering more advanced riding techniques.
Once all discomfort in his head vanished, Shen Qing slowly sat up, realizing that riding had become even smoother for him without knowing it.
He turned back towards Changqiao Town, now out of sight, and took a warm egg from his bulging chest pocket.
Sitting on horseback, he leisurely peeled the eggshell and took a bite.
He stuffed the remaining egg white into his mouth and ate one more.
Shen Qing's face showed a hint of satisfaction, with a slight smile.
"Giddy-up!"
Unconsciously, Shen Qing tightened his grip on the horse's belly, Zhuifeng shot like a black arrow released from a bow.
After spending two moments, by the time the night fell and all was silent, Shen Qing finally arrived in front of Yongzhou's majestic city gates.
By this time, the entry hours to Yongzhou had passed, and the city gates were closed.
A few lanterns hanging under the city gates swayed in the wind, casting fragmented and variegated shadows.
The guards, who were carrying long spears, noticed the sound of horse hooves, immediately fell silent, and shouted, "Who goes there?"
Shen Qing pulled the reins to slow down and approached the city gate.
He retrieved a token from his chest and showed it to the city gate guards: "Guardian Martial Department dispatch office, Shen Qing. I am here under orders to investigate the demon havoc in Changqiao Town, delaying my entry time. I hope you brothers will do me a favor and open the gate."
The guards quickly exchanged glances; then one of them stepped forward, respectfully took the token, carefully inspected it, and immediately signaled the others with a wave to let him through.
The heavy city gate slowly opened with a low creaking sound.
One had to admit, Yongzhou was indeed a county town; entering the city didn't involve so many trifling rules.
Shen Qing smiled slightly, nodded to the guards in thanks, and then rode into the city smoothly.
At this hour, many offices in the county town had already finished duties for the day.
Yet, as many demons liked to cause trouble late at night, the Guardian Martial Department, like the Military Department, had someone on duty even late at night.
Shen Qing didn't want to leave any excuse for talk, so he went directly to the Guardian Martial Department to report back, changing today's duty token.
County City Guard Martial Arts Department Office.
Compared to the day's busyness and noise, the Guardian Martial Department appeared much quieter at night.
Only a dim candlelight glowed from the duty room, indicating there were still people on duty within the Guardian Martial Department.
The night was like ink, all was silent.
Shen Qing walked briskly through the empty courtyard, sounding rhythmic footsteps.
He stepped into the side chambers, and the weak airflow he stirred made the candlelight flicker within, with the light and shadow scattered.
A minor official inside was leaning against the table, engrossed in reading a yellowed magazine.
Sensing someone entering, the minor official promptly put down the book and, seeing Shen Qing, complained: "Shen Chasi, why did you return so late today? The Chief Officer said he was waiting for your report."
Hearing this, Shen Qing chuckled, pulling out his duty token and handing it over, saying: "When did our Lord Chief Officer become so diligent?"
"Isn't it all because of the Lord Commander?" The minor official took the duty token, saying, "Now, for some reason, the demons around Yongzhou seem to be increasing, and the Lord Commander gave our Lord quite a bit of pressure, leaving the Chief Officer no choice. But since it's quite late, you can report back tomorrow. It won't matter."
Shen Qing lightly patted the minor official's shoulder, smiled, and said, "I'll handle it myself."
After dealing with the duty token, Shen Qing hurried away from the side chambers, returned to his horse, picked up the three Wolf Skin sheets, and headed straight to the Chief Officer's room.
He knew his superior was quite suspicious, plus the superior's affiliation with the Yellow Heaven Sect, he didn't know what tricks might be at hand, so he had better not provoke them to avoid trouble later.
He should just carry out his dispatch office duties step by step.
If told to report back, he would report back without giving anyone any pretext.
The inner chamber of the Chief Officer was brightly lit.
Shen Qing stood at the door, planning to knock, but paused as he heard the sounds of female company inside, deciding to stand quietly outside.
He heard the actions inside growing bolder.
After about less than a stick of incense, following a climactic sound, everything abruptly ceased.
Shen Qing frowned, feeling our Chief Officer seemed a bit weak.
He stood outside for a while longer, confirming all was quiet, before stepping lightly forward and knocking on the carved wooden door, the clear sound ringing suddenly in the silent air.
"Your subordinate Shen Qing, tasked with thoroughly investigating the Wolf Demon issue in Changqiao Town, has come to report."
His voice was not loud, but clear enough to be heard inside the room, reaching the ears of those within.
Inside, a slight and hurried movement arose, seemingly because the unexpected message caused some panic amongst the people inside.
After a while, the rustling gradually subsided, and a low yet authoritative male voice floated out from inside: "Come in."
Hearing this, Shen Qing gently pushed open the wooden door.
Stepping over the threshold, Shen Qing's gaze swiftly surveyed the room's furnishings, finally settling on Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu in an azure robe, whose face showed dissatisfaction.
At this moment, Zheng Yuanqiu was seated at the table before him, candlelight flickering, casting his plump silhouette long against the mottled wall.
Shen Qing took a step forward, bowed, and said, "My lord, fortunately, I did not fail you; I have investigated the Wolf Demon matter of Changqiao Town."
Zheng Yuanqiu looked up and asked, "Tell us, what exactly is the situation?"
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