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

Chapter 218 44: Transformation in Body Size, Xi Shaoqin Dies

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After practicing the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing's muscles, which swelled like mountains, seemed to come alive and began to squirm under the stimulation of True Qi.

His physique also underwent subtle changes amidst the squirming.

This transformation was unlike the simple swelling and piling up he experienced when practicing the Blood Dominance Technique or the Wind Defying Finger. Instead, it began to refine and reshape.

Shen Qing's swollen muscles started to compress inward, becoming like cast bronze with smooth lines, and the power also seemed more restrained.

After about ten breaths, this change finally ceased.

Shen Qing looked down to examine himself, finding that his clothes had become loose and baggy.

He knew that it was not the clothes that had grown larger, but that his physique had shrunk slightly and was no longer as robust and sturdy as before.

Shen Qing sat up from the bed and raised his arm to clench his fist.

He discovered that the explosive power hidden within his flesh and blood had not weakened in the slightest. Instead, it had been unprecedentedly strengthened during this transformation.

Generally speaking, being more robust was not always better for a martial master, nor were bigger muscles preferable.

Larger muscles meant more energy needed for daily maintenance, higher consumption, and therefore more difficulty improving one's cultivation.

Most people practicing Martial Arts did not rigidly train their muscles, aiming only for size.

Some martial masters, upon reaching depths of their practice, would deliberately reduce their physique to conserve True Qi and energy.

Shen Qing hadn't expected that the Small Success of the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique would directly bring his body to such a status.

It was an unexpected joy.

A slight smile appeared on his face.

At that time, the eastern sky brightened, and the courtyard was bustling with activity.

Having not slept all night, Shen Qing did not feel the slightest bit tired. On the contrary, he felt better than ever, energetic, as if he had boundless strength.

He pushed the door open and walked into the courtyard, as usual, to instruct Tian Xiaohu and the others in Martial Arts.

During this period, after he provided them with Imperial Martial Arts, the three progressed swiftly in their cultivation.

Xiao Zhi had begun Skin Forging, Tian Xiaohu was at Bone Refining, and even Shen Shan, who learned martial arts the latest, was at the Great Perfection of Qi-Blood and could stretch and strengthen his bones at any moment.

In the serene courtyard bathed in the first light of dawn, the three rose early and practiced diligently facing the morning glow.

Upon seeing Shen Qing, the three, as usual, began to take turns consulting him about their cultivation puzzles.

"Boss, in my practice of the Mixed Element True Technique, which emphasizes the unity of the inner and outer, with True Qi circulating freely, I find an obstruction in my True Qi since Bone Refining. Do you know why?"

Shen Qing's figure stood as a gentle jade in the morning glow of the courtyard. Hearing this, he smiled faintly and said, "Xiaohu, the Mixed Element True Technique is profound, and True Qi obstruction might be due to an unsettled mind. Before practicing, you might try calming your mind in meditation, bringing your soul to peace, like a still lake, then True Qi can flow freely."

Tian Xiaohu realized the truth upon hearing that.

"Do you have anything else to ask?"

"No." The three shook their heads in response.

Shen Qing directed Tian Xiaohu, "Xiaohu, I've been patrolling several districts alone recently and am quite busy. Go into the city to see if you can find a reliable person to patrol the districts under my jurisdiction and inform me immediately of any signs of trouble."

In recent days, he found that Zheng Yuanqiu had no intention of restructuring his subordinates, so he had to figure out a way during this gap period.

Tian Xiaohu's expression became stern as he replied, "Got it, I'll take care of it today."

Shen Qing reminded, "Money isn't the issue, but the person must be reliable and not ruin things."

Tian Xiaohu nodded heavily in agreement.

...

In the following days, Shen Qing returned to his usual life of patrols and practice, living simply and steadily.

However, beneath this serene life, Shen Qing keenly noticed that since that gathering, Dong Jing seemed to distance himself, intentionally or otherwise, from him and was no longer as enthusiastic as he had been.

On ordinary occasions, when they met in the government office, it was always just polite nods and maybe a few formal exchanges at most.

At first, he was puzzled, but upon hearing that Dong Jing now excluded him from gatherings with Xi Shaoqin and others, it became clear to him what was happening.

He did not mind.

People have their own aspirations, and relationships come and go—it's the norm.

Different circles need not force integration.

Instead of being caught up in the whirlpool of human warmth and coldness, he focused on enhancing his cultivation.

Shen Qing quickly put the matter aside and devoted all his energy to practice.

In no time, November arrived, and the weather grew colder.

After completing his patrol, Shen Qing walked back to the Guardian Martial Department Office in warm cotton clothes and a large cloak, intending to hand over his duty token and leave.

As he entered the office, he noticed a large group of people gathered in the courtyard, gesturing at something.

Curious, he grabbed the arm of an officer and asked, "What's going on?"

The officer initially wanted to lose his temper, feeling a bit impatient, but upon seeing Shen Qing, he swallowed his complaints.

"The officer of the fourth group died."

Shen Qing's expression changed: "You mean Xi Shaoqin, Officer Xi died? How did he just die like that?"

"I'm not sure either. Everyone says it was the Cat Demon," the officer replied, pointing ahead. "The body is right here in the courtyard. Officer Shen can see for yourself. Do you have anything else, Officer Shen?"

Shen Qing released his grip, his expression grave.

The officer, released, cupped his hands and quickly departed.

"Excuse me, let me through," Shen Qing said as he pushed forward, looking ahead, his face changing.

The scene before him was startling and somewhat horrifying.

The person who had recently sat beside him now lay on a makeshift wooden board in an indescribably gruesome posture.

His innards had almost been entirely removed, leaving a hollow emptiness with only a large intestine hanging out.

His entire body appeared to have been chewed up by something, with his face being almost unrecognizable, truly a pitiful sight.

The assembled officers and colleagues of the Guardian Martial Department were all shocked by this tragic sight, filled with surprise, fear, conjecture, and bewilderment.

For a time, discussions were rampant among the crowd.

"How did Lord Xi end up this way?" an elderly officer asked in a trembling voice, disbelief filling his eyes.

"Yes, I heard he was fine last night, so how did he end up like this overnight?" another colleague chimed in, his eyes wandering over Xi Shaoqin's body. "Could it really be... that the Cat Demon harmed him?"

"Nonsense! How can there be demons in this city? Besides, Officer Xi's cultivation was strong; it must have been a person!"

"... "

Shen Qing stood among the crowd, saying nothing, observing coldly.

Yongzhou no longer seemed as peaceful as before.

"What do you think, now that the fourth group lacks an officer, what will happen? Will they promote from within or recruit someone from outside?"

"That's for the Chief Officer to decide; how would we know?"

As they discussed, a underling came forward, found Shen Qing, and said, "The lord requests Officer Shen to come over."

"The Chief Officer wants me?" Shen Qing recognized the underling as someone under the Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. He did not slack off and directly cupped his hands, saying, "Lead the way."

The underling nodded, "Officer Shen, please follow me."

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