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

Chapter 332 16 Sense of Crisis, Hard Cultivation

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"Gentlemen, you're not gathering us here today just to engage in idle chatter, undermine our confidence, and create anxiety, are you?"

An official knowledgeable about the history of the Jingluan Assembly stepped forward and said, "I remember that the last Jingluan Assembly concluded less than 60 years ago, and now it's suddenly come early. You officials in the Capital are well-informed; do you know anything more? If so, please share everything with us so we can think of countermeasures together."

Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a glance and said helplessly, "Speaking of it, this matter is indeed related to the Xue Family."

"Recently, General Xue's campaign against the Huang Tian Sect was unsuccessful, and because of this, His Majesty was displeased, which is why the Jingluan Assembly was called early to destroy the Huang Tian Sect."

"Isn't it about mutual slaughter? How did it involve the Huang Tian Sect?"

County Supervisor Yan Xushou explained, "Nowadays, the Great Zhou Country has existed for nearly a millennium, and the Jingluan Assembly has gradually undergone many changes."

"With the increasing scale, the Great Zhou Fourth Emperor Taiyuan Emperor found such pure slaughter too wasteful of manpower. Thus, starting with him, every Jingluan Assembly was done under the guise of crusading against barbarian tribes, used to expand borders. Later, for all rebellious, enemy suppressions, and other difficult, larger wars, the contemporary emperor would choose to initiate the Jingluan Assembly."

"Constrained by the development speed of martial masters worldwide, the frequency of opening is still controlled around a full cycle, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer."

An official questioned, clinging to a sliver of hope, asked, "Then if after quelling the rebellion, it ends in great victory, with minimal losses, what then?"

"Then we continue to conquer and continue to kill. Once you enter the Jingluan Assembly, we are just expendables until completely exhausted. Additionally, don't forget that many noble sons aim for meritorious service, and everyone is a competitor. So besides attacking enemies, you must also guard against colleagues. Surviving is not that easy."

The atmosphere in the county office became increasingly oppressive.

After listening, everyone remained silent.

County Supervisor Yan Xushou clapped his hands and said, "After hearing so much bad news, let's listen to some good news."

"What good news?"

"His Majesty has issued a decree. It is said that the one with the greatest merit in this Jingluan Assembly can be appointed as a general and made a marquis, which is akin to ascending to the heavens in a single step."

After County Supervisor Yan Xushou finished speaking, a glimmer of light appeared in the eyes of some present.

"If all goes well, the Jingluan Assembly will be initiated shortly before spring, which is in a month or two. We are to make our way to Dan Prefecture. Currently, we have sufficient time, which is perfect for us to discuss strategies. Everyone, if you have any insights, feel free to speak your minds."

At this moment, a middle-aged official stepped forward and said, "There are thirty-six of us being conscripted this time; perhaps we could try forming a team to cooperate with each other and advance and retreat together."

The officials present nodded in agreement, believing such words made sense.

After all, in the chaotic domain of the Jingluan Assembly, an individual's strength is ultimately limited. Coming from the same place, they could trust and cooperate with each other, which would, in turn, increase their survival chances.

"What Lord Li said is absolutely right. I think among us, Lord Shen is the most outstanding. His achievements in slaying demons are well-known; we should take him as the leader."

"Indeed, Lord Shen has extraordinary cultivation skills and should lead us."

The officials present were discussing fervently, focusing their gaze on Shen Qing.

Shen Qing looked around, gazing at everyone.

He found that most of these people were officials from the county city, with almost none being his confidants or subordinates.

Such a group seemed highly capable in appearance, but in reality, they only cared about their own survival, thus making it hard to coordinate.

If he stood at the forefront, upon entering the battlefield, he might be used as a shield.

This was certainly not a good thing.

Shen Qing thought for a moment and still refused, saying, "I merely possess some martial skills and truly don't understand the art of leading troops. I can fight, but I'm afraid leading men is not for me, unlike Lord Dou and Lord Yan. Today's affair is hosted by the two lords, and they are also well-informed. Why not let them lead instead?"

Shen Qing's suggestion made Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou's eyes light up.

Even though they had never harbored any ambition, facing power so easily within reach tempted them.

In reality, during this gathering of everyone, deep down they couldn't help but have some thoughts.

Dou Wenxi gently stroked the sparse beard on his chin, revealing a hint of longing in his eyes, and feigned humility, "Eh? Compared to Lord Shen's bravery, our little skills are nothing."

"Although we both have a heart, we fear we won't have the strength. It's still better for Lord Shen to lead us."

Seeing this, Shen Qing guessed their intentions even more.

He continued, sincerely saying, "Lord Dou, Lord Yan, it's not that Shen Qing is shirking responsibility, but I know my limitations. With the two of you, we can truly exert strength. Colleagues, what do you think?"

The officials present saw nothing wrong with this and found no difference for them, so they all agreed as well.

After a moment of silence, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou took a deep breath and said excitedly, "Since everyone trusts us so much, we will no longer be modest. Brother Yan, let us take up this responsibility for now, and we'll discuss other matters when the time is ripe."

"Alright."

After shaking off the leadership responsibility, Shen Qing and everyone discussed the upcoming strategies.

This continued until late evening when it finally ended.

Upon returning to his residence from the county office, Shen Qing became increasingly worried.

Having learned some details about the Jingluan Assembly, he felt a great sense of urgency.

'Time waits for no one, I must quickly improve my skills. There's a month left, I must strive to break through to the Spiritual Void Realm. Additionally, the Great Evade Art for escaping and archery skills for long-range attacks both need to be strengthened.'

Shen Qing secretly had a direction and decision in mind.

In the following time, he delved deeply and emerged sparingly, investing all his energy into cultivation, and using the resources available to enhance his martial arts.

Besides, he also sent Wu Sheng to the Capital to purchase two hundred of the finest bows, just in case.

Time flew by, and a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the training room of the Shen residence.

Shen Qing sat on an ancient meditation mat, eyes shut in concentration, breathing long and deep.

In front of him, a Wish Power Pearl and a jade talisman floated, glowing brilliantly.

The lines inscribed on the jade talisman continuously emitted radiance, with endless spirit energy gushing out.

The Wish Power Pearl contained countless devotees' sincere beliefs, like streams converging continuously, drawing the surrounding spirit energy into his body.

With each breath Shen Qing took, the spirit energy around was drawn by an invisible force, transforming into strands entering his body through pores, circulating along meridians, nurturing every inch of flesh and bone.

His aura began to climb incessantly.

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