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

Chapter 213 39 Greedy and Insatiable

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"Yes."

On the way back to report, Shen Qing had already pondered his wording carefully.

He paused for a moment, then slowly began to recount the story of the Zhou Family in Changqiao Town colluding with demons.

In his narration, he conveniently attributed the deaths of Guan Yunjian and others to the Wolf Demon, ensuring no one could dispute it.

Shen Qing speculated in his mind that as a hidden member of the Huang Tian Sect, Zheng Yuanqiu probably wished for nothing more than the deaths of his subordinates, as chaos in Yongzhou would suit him just fine.

After all, the officers were merely regular Martial Artists to the Guardian Martial Department, and losing a few was hardly a concern.

Martial Artists were plentiful outside.

Just as he had speculated, Zheng Yuanqiu showed no concern for the death of the officers.

"Outrageous!" After hearing Shen Qing's story, Zheng Yuanqiu slapped the table and stood up, "As a local village chief, to dare collude with demons and wreak havoc, death is too light a punishment."

Seeing Zheng Yuanqiu's righteous stance, if he hadn't known his identity beforehand, Shen Qing would have thought he was a truly upright official.

Now, Shen Qing merely thought his acting was excellent.

He stepped forward and said, "My Lord, they've heard that the village chief of Changqiao Town is a branch of the Zhou Family. I wonder..."

Zheng Yuanqiu waved his hand and said, "The Zhou Family is large and prosperous. Who knows how many branches they have? The Changqiao Zhou Family left the main family so many years ago. Our Great Zhou has its laws, and since they colluded with demons, this act is enough to conclude their case according to reason."

With feigned delight on his face, Shen Qing said, "With your words, my Lord, I am relieved."

Zheng Yuanqiu gave a cold snort and said, "Don't be too happy just yet."

Hearing this, a barely discernible vigilance flashed in Shen Qing's eyes, as he quietly awaited the continuation.

"I said 'according to reason'... There are so many trivial matters in this government office that sometimes even the temperature of a bowl of tea can affect the progress of a case, let alone matters involving prominent figures like the Thirteen Lines."

Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu lightly caressed the intricately carved Jade Pendant at his waist. His gaze subtly lingered on Shen Qing, carrying a few hidden meanings: "This matter can be big or small; it all depends on whether the Zhou Family wants to make it a big deal. If they decide to pursue it, I can't say whether you'll live or die."

Shen Qing had an inkling of Zheng Yuanqiu's intentions, and with a somber expression, he asked, "What does my Lord think I should do?"

Zheng Yuanqiu wasn't very satisfied with Shen Qing's performance. He had said so much, yet Shen Qing still didn't get it.

"We need to take preventative measures and make arrangements with the Zhou Family in advance, establishing good relations." He tapped the table, speaking with a worldly and sly tone: "Don't you know the rules of our government office?"

His gaze intentionally or unintentionally skimmed over Shen Qing's money pouch, the meaning in his eyes unmistakable.

Shen Qing understood in his heart—he was asking for money!

He had long heard from other colleagues that Zheng Yuanqiu had a special fondness for amassing wealth, as mentioned in the Huang Tian Sect's secret ledger.

Today, he witnessed it firsthand, openly asking for it without any pretense.

Shen Qing, grasping the nuances, said, "The Chief Officer makes a valid point."

Saying this, he took out a bundle of silver notes from his bosom and presented them with both hands: "To the Lord, these are the silver notes and gains I confiscated from the Zhou Family. I hope they bring you joy."

Zheng Yuanqiu's fingers formed a slight cup.

Shen Qing only felt a force pulling the silver notes from his hands into Zheng Yuanqiu's grasp with a rustling sound.

"I recall you mentioned you also slew three Wolf Demons?" Zheng Yuanqiu asked with a hint of anger in his voice.

Shen Qing nodded, "To the Chief Officer, there were indeed three Wolf Demons. I've stripped their pelts and left them outside."

"What about the Demon Cores? Do you intend to keep them?"

Zheng Yuanqiu's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried an undeniable authority.

As he finished speaking, a mighty presence surged from within Zheng Yuanqiu, filling the space like an invisible wave.

More accurately, it fell upon Shen Qing.

Instantly, Shen Qing's face changed dramatically.

He felt an indescribable weight descend from the heavens, as if ten thousand mountains pressed down upon his shoulders, causing his spine to groan under the immense burden, bending slowly.

Shen Qing's feet sank deeply into the ground's stone slabs, which couldn't withstand the force and emitted faint, clear cracking sounds.

He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly as his nails dug into his palms, with all his True Qi involuntarily circulating to resist the mighty force.

The candlelight on the long table flickered violently, as if it might extinguish at any moment, and a tense atmosphere of ready conflict pervaded the space.

Shen Qing knew Zheng Yuanqiu's strength was formidable. Already at the Dan Realm, his True Qi had taken form, becoming a True Elixir, far beyond what he could contend with.

He hadn't expected the man to turn hostile so suddenly.

Shen Qing took a deep breath, looking gravely at Zheng Yuanqiu, and after some deliberation, he tremblingly took out two Demon Cores, offering them in his hands: "To the Chief Officer, here are the Demon Cores."

As he spoke, Shen Qing slowly opened his palm, where a faint glow gathered—a Demon Core obtained from slaying two Wolf Demons.

Zheng Yuanqiu saw this and finally looked satisfied.

He nodded slightly, the oppressive force that enveloped Shen Qing dissipating as if it had never existed.

"Shen Chasi indeed knows what's important." Zheng Yuanqiu's voice returned to its usual calmness: "You're just an ordinary civilian, incomparable to those sons and daughters of nobles. You have only me to rely on. In the future, you must be more self-aware, understand the rules, and don't force me to be so blatant with you. It makes things difficult for both you and me."

"Yes, my Lord, I shall remember."

Shen Qing carefully raised the Demon Cores with both hands, and Zheng Yuanqiu waved a sleeve to take them.

"Rest assured, I won't take your things for nothing. In the future, when facing these prominent figures, you need not be anxious; I will bear the burdens for you."

Unable to bear it, Shen Qing inwardly mocked, that's only if I survive, right?

He had no real interest in Zheng Yuanqiu's empty promises, but he maintained his subordinate's instincts, appearing "grateful" and saying, "Thank you, my Lord."

"It's getting late. Do you have any other matters?"

"No, I don't."

Zheng Yuanqiu said, "Then you may leave. I'll compensate you for the matter of your officers another day. For now, manage on your own."

"Yes, thank you, my Lord. I take my leave."

"Leave the Wolf Demon pelts outside."

Shen Qing nodded in agreement, bowing out the door with large steps.

"Truly ungrateful," Zheng Yuanqiu grunted coldly at Shen Qing's departing figure, "At least, he's someone without a background and easy to handle. If he were one of those high-ranking family sons, I would have to waste more effort."

...

Under the night sky, Shen Qing's expression gradually turned cold, remaining silent.

"Zheng Yuanqiu is truly insatiable. Other people have high-ranking family support to cope, but I have no one and must rely on myself. With such an appetite, I fear peace will elude me under him."

"Moving forward, I must focus on progressing my Martial Arts cultivation. With strength to rely on, I will be secure."

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