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

Chapter 215 41 Thirteen Lines Rich Young Master's Circle

As evening approached, Shen Qing, after completing his patrol of his section, returned to the government office.

After handing over his duty token, he followed Dong Jing, and the two headed towards Xinyi Square.

Dong Jing and Shen Qing rode side by side on their horses.

"Brother Shen, do you know how we as officers can aim higher?"

"I'm not quite sure," Shen Qing replied, shaking his head.

In Yongzhou, with no backing or roots, no one guided him, and he acted solely on his instincts.

Despite joining the Guardian Martial Department for three or four months and doing much work, he still felt restrained, with seemingly no progress.

Currently, the Guardian Martial Department and the Military Department operated in parallel.

One had the General of Military Department, the other the Commander of the Military Guard, each overseeing several officers, who in turn managed several patrol officers.

Among them, the power of the General of Military Department was somewhat greater, compared to the Commander of the Military Guard, overseeing not just officers but also clerks, ledgers, and patrol officers.

It was said that initially, both departments combined had over a thousand people.

After personnel losses, they were never fully staffed again.

In other words, there was still significant room for advancement.

This was precisely what Dong Jing wanted to know.

"Frankly speaking, our Guardian Martial Department doesn't have so many twists and turns. The main thing is to look at each person's cultivation progress, not just how many achievements they have."

Shen Qing was taken aback, "Cultivation progress?"

Dong Jing elaborated, "That's right. In fact, it's not just our Guardian Martial Department. Most of the Great Zhou Court operates this way. Consider this, if you achieve many merits and get promoted, gaining many Wish Power Pearls and spiritual elixirs, what if you are just a martial inept?"

"If given so many resources for cultivation, yet you can't even reach the Qi Cultivation Realm, wouldn't that become a joke? If you don't cultivate at all, and still get so many resources, what would happen?"

Shen Qing thought of Wu Sheng's business and frowned, "Would you sell it off or leave it for the next generation?"

"Exactly. Regardless of whether it's sold or left for descendants, both shake the foundation of the Ji Family and hinder their ancestral industries. So, advancement is still judged by the level of one's Martial Arts cultivation."

"The level of Martial Arts cultivation is the most direct measure. You either have it, or you don't, and it's clear at a glance."

"So we must focus on Martial Arts first, achievements second; merely working hard won't do," Dong Jing added with some depth, "You are just starting out; don't seem too impatient, for rigidity easily breaks."

Shen Qing frowned slightly, seemingly enlightened.

He realized that Dong Jing was intentionally giving him pointers before he attended gatherings.

"I appreciate the guidance," Shen Qing said with his hands cupped in respect.

"We've arrived," Dong Jing remarked, looking at the crowded Shen's Restaurant ahead, "Your business is booming. I had to book a spot three days in advance and even then had to raise the price."

"Next time, if you folks come, just give me a heads-up. I can't make decisions elsewhere, but here, my word carries some weight."

The two arrived at the entrance, where a waiter, recognizing Shen Qing, respectfully came forward, "Boss, you've arrived."

Shen Qing handed the reins to the waiter and led Dong Jing through the restaurant's main entrance.

Passing through the lobby, they went straight to a private room on the second floor.

At this time, several figures were seated inside, chatting quietly.

All dressed elegantly, even without engagement, it was evident they belonged to noble families.

Shen Qing followed behind Dong Jing to the side of these people.

Dong Jing stepped forward and introduced Shen Qing to the group one by one.

In the room, there were a total of three men and two women who had arrived early.

Among them, four were surprised to learn Shen Qing owned the restaurant and also worked at the Guardian Martial Department.

A woman wearing a hairpin remarked, "If I remember correctly, there are no major Shen families in Yongzhou, right?"

The man beside her nodded, "Perhaps there were long ago, but not anymore."

At these words, Shen Qing immediately sensed that their interest in him waned significantly.

In the Great Zhou, one's status and family lineage had become ingrained prejudices.

Despite holding a martial arts register and being an official, he was still deemed unworthy by these prominent family members.

Like a nouveau riche lacking refinement, he remained looked down upon by other proprietors.

Shen Qing's expression remained calm as if he had somewhat anticipated this.

After some casual chatter, three more individuals arrived shortly after.

Among them was someone Shen Qing recognized: Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group.

The latter showed slight surprise upon seeing him, then smiled and nodded.

Dong Jing said, "Since everyone is here, why not take a seat and order? I've heard that Brother Shen's restaurant serves dishes that can't be found elsewhere, a rarity that we should definitely try today."

"Haha, we came here today precisely for the unique dishes, so let's find our seats quickly."

These people were familiar with each other, and each took their seats in order of arrival.

Shen Qing found himself silently placed at the end, with Xi Shaoqin from the fourth group similarly situated towards the back next to him.

The man at the head of the table looked at Shen Qing, "Since it's Lord Shen's restaurant, why not let Lord Shen order for us, to see what's special?"

Shen Qing smiled, "I'm not particularly knowledgeable about the dishes; my family just uses my name. How about we go with the signature dishes for everyone to try? I find them quite good."

"Then it's decided; bring out each of the signature dishes."

Shen Qing called a servant over and gave the order for the dishes.

Before the dishes arrived, there was idle time, and the group began chatting in clusters.

Sitting at the end for the first time, Shen Qing found no one intending to engage him.

Once finished with other conversations, Xi Shaoqin noticed this.

He asked Shen Qing, "Is this your first time attending such a gathering, Officer Shen?"

Shen Qing had not expected Xi Shaoqin to initiate conversation.

At the government office, they merely acknowledged each other, speaking perhaps only three sentences in total.

Unsure of Xi Shaoqin's intentions, he replied, "I haven't attended before."

"No wonder," Xi Shaoqin glanced surreptitiously at the man at the head of the table, "Do you know who he is?"

"I don't."

"That's the second in the Thirteen Lines, the legitimate young master of the Sun Family. At merely twenty, he has already reached the Yu Luo Realm, extraordinarily gifted. Everyone believes he might become a future innate of the Sun Family."

A martial master at twenty and of the Yu Luo Realm?

Shen Qing raised his eyes to scrutinize the young master of the Sun Family, noticing his sharp brows, eagle-like eyes, and graceful demeanor.

He wore a deep blue Cloud Brocade Robe, a jade belt inlaid with gems at the waist, his hair tied up high with a jade hairpin.

He indeed seemed extraordinary.

"And then there are the Wu Family, Zhao Family, Qian Family, Dong Family... each one either a young master or a young lady, of noble birth, mostly hovering around the edges of the Yu Luo Realm, and at worst, at the Great Perfection of the Qi Sea Realm."

Shen Qing suddenly realized he seemed to be the one with the lowest cultivation and the least privileged background among them.

Xi Shaoqin keenly observed Shen Qing's expression change, feeling slightly satisfied.

This young officer, climbing from a small place to reach here, had indeed slain multiple demons and was quite remarkable, but compared to them, still fell short.

He didn't want Shen Qing to disrupt the atmosphere at the government office, causing trouble, and intended to use this to temper his arrogance.

Not long after, the dishes were served, with the guests continuously toasting each other.

"Oh, these dishes are really wonderful. I've never had such unique flavors. Lord Shen genuinely has something special."

Shen Qing obliged with a smile, "As long as you all enjoy them."

After a few more drinks, the atmosphere became more lively.

Knowing each other well, the group engaged in animated conversations in pairs and trios.

Shen Qing noticed he seemed to be forgotten, left unnoticed.

He increasingly found the gathering dull and a total waste of his time.

Devoting this time to cultivation might have moved him along in his progress.

Shen Qing griped to himself internally but chose not to disrupt the others' enjoyment and ultimately decided to leave the gathering quietly.

Xi Shaoqin, who was mingling cheerfully nearby, glanced at him but paid no mind and continued to joke with the others.