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

Chapter 324 10 Huang Furo

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Outside the inn, on the main street, Huang Furo and Shen Qing walked side by side.

After parting ways with Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, Huang Furo finally couldn't hold back her anxiety and whispered to Shen Qing, "You were a bit impulsive just now. Those words, there really was no need to say them, they do you no good."

Her tone carried a slight hint of reproach, yet also subtly concealed a trace of unnoticeable care.

This matter was something Shen Qing did intentionally, but it was a matter that could only be kept in his heart. He couldn't tell anyone, or it would surely bring trouble upon himself.

Naturally, Huang Furo would not know the reason behind it.

Shen Qing sighed with a bitter smile and said, "I just spoke the truth, I didn't expect Eunuch Cui to react so strongly."

A gentle breeze brushed through Huang Furo's hair as she gently shook her head, sighed, and said, "You, you're too honest. In this ever-changing Jianghu and court, being too candid often harms both oneself and others."

Hearing the word "honest," Shen Qing almost burst into laughter.

If he hadn't remembered incorrectly, Huang Furo was present when he killed several of the old relics of the Zhou Family and the two great demons.

No matter how he thought about it, the word "honest" had nothing to do with him.

Not to mention, it was indeed Xue Yan whom he killed, and he did it using the martial arts of the Huangfu family.

He really didn't know how the usually clear-headed Huang Furo could be a bit brainless at this moment.

Shen Qing didn't plan to explain unnecessarily. He remained silent for a moment and then nodded, saying, "Lord Huangfu is right; it was my lack of consideration."

Seeing Shen Qing being so compliant made Huang Furo feel a bit proud, for some reason.

She continued thinking deeply, "This matter, the imperial envoy has their eyes on Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou, so let's leave them to handle it and not get too involved. In my opinion, they aren't entirely united, and this matter might end up as a confused mess in the end."

"I understand."

"Hmm."

They continued to walk shoulder to shoulder on Yongzhou's main street, remaining silent all the way.

...

Inside the Huangfu Mansion.

The night was already deep, but the main hall was still brightly lit.

Having been busy at the Military Department Office all day, Huang Furo returned home.

She gently pushed open the door, and a warm and familiar scent greeted her.

Suddenly, she frowned slightly, noticing that servants were coming and going in the main hall, and they were using whale oil candles that were rarely used, which puzzled her. Why were there still visitors at home?

Entering the main hall, she saw her father, Huangfu Chuan, sitting upright, with a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious official robes beside him. It was none other than Eunuch Cui Jin.

A serious yet slightly smiling expression was on Cui Jin's face, indicating that he had important matters to discuss.

"Daughter, you're back." Huangfu Chuan's voice held a slight, almost imperceptible ease upon seeing his daughter return.

Huang Furo nodded, her eyes pausing on Cui Jin for a moment, and she asked perplexedly, "Eunuch Cui, visiting so late, is there something urgent?"

Cui Jin smiled slightly, stood up, and after scanning Huang Furo up and down, said, "Miss Huangfu, His Majesty has an order, commanding you to head to the capital soon, to gather the world's Spirit Mechanism for His Majesty at the Mountain Sea Department."

Huang Furo was shocked upon hearing this.

She knew all too well about the Mountain Sea Department.

The Mountain Sea Department, which oversaw the Imperial Armory, gathered intelligence and was responsible for collecting Martial Mechanisms for His Majesty. Its predecessor had deep ties with the Huangfu family.

Seeing this, Huangfu Chuan gently patted his daughter's shoulder, signaling her to remain calm, then turned to Cui Jin, "Eunuch Cui, this matter is of great significance. Could you allow us father and daughter to discuss it for a moment?"

Cui Jin nodded with a smile, "Of course, Huangfu Family Patriarch, please go ahead."

Huang Furo and her father retreated to the side, speaking in low tones.

"Father, our Huangfu family has been away from the temple for some years, and we know nothing about the happenings in the court. His Majesty suddenly summoning us to the capital at this time, I…" Huang Furo's tone held some hesitation, unsure of her own footing.

Huangfu Chuan sighed, his gaze profound, "Daughter, I understand your thoughts. But the Huangfu family is now in decline. The old people of the court are gradually fading away, and this opportunity is crucial for us. If we seize this chance, we might restore our family's honor. Moreover, you've always been exceptionally intelligent and possess abilities beyond ordinary people. Joining the Mountain Sea Department might not be a bad thing."

Huang Furo was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in her heart.

Indeed, the Huangfu family had been declining in recent years, and if they could turn things around with this opportunity, it would be a perfect chance for the family to rise again.

Plus, deep down, she had always wanted to climb higher and was not content with stagnating in such a small county.

If there was a chance to enter the Imperial Armory or receive some support from the Ji Family's Martial Mechanisms, her cultivation might advance further.

"Father, I understand." Weighing her options, Huang Furo finally nodded, her gaze turning firm.

The two returned to stand before Cui Jin. Huangfu Chuan cupped his hands and said, "Eunuch Cui, my daughter and I have discussed this and are willing to obey His Majesty's decree and let the young lady join the Mountain Sea Department."

Upon hearing this, Cui Jin showed a satisfied smile: "Good, Lord Huangfu is truly understanding of the greater good. His Majesty will surely be pleased. Miss Huangfu, once the matters in Yongzhou are settled, you shall follow me to the palace to meet His Majesty."

Huang Furo slightly bowed, "Very well."

As the night deepened, Cui Jin didn't linger longer and promptly took his leave.

Huang Furo watched her father's aging face, noticing his gaze was fixed ahead, deep in thought, which left her with mixed emotions.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say, ultimately returning to silence.

Days went by, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou had been investigating, tracing Xue Yan's movements in Yongzhou City, even uncovering his secret murder of a merchant.

However, they could not find out who killed Xue Yan.

If truth be told, Shen Qing was highly suspicious of the murder, but he cooperated with communication and investigation proactively, leaving no evidence.

Coupled with his prestige in Yongzhou, and being in the same camp as Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou.

Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou dared not speak out or make any accusations; they could only continue investigating with gritted teeth.

As they investigated and stalled, the time gradually dragged on until Shi Wenbo and others needed to return to the capital to report.

Through their relentless efforts, Xue Yan's death became like a stone cast into a lake, causing waves but eventually calming down.

The Xue family in the capital, under Shi Wenbo and others' deliberate control, only just learned about Xue Yan's death and received his body.

Immediately, the Xue residence was in upheaval.

However, Xue Bai, upon hearing the news, showed no sorrow; instead, he was pleased to have lost a powerful competitor, and he quickly shared this news with Zhou Su.

Zhou Su was dumbfounded.

With an almost instinctive reaction, he said, "Young Master, it's Shen Qing. This matter must be related to Shen Qing."

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