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

Chapter 339 23: Estrangement, Individual Choices

The noble family heirs in the camp were as dazzling as stars.

Their appearance was like a boulder dropping into a lake, stirring up waves.

A thin layer of frost involuntarily settled on the hearts of the people from Yongzhou, with tense and complex expressions crossing their faces.

Those present were well aware that in the upcoming Jing Luan Assembly, these heirs would be the main players, while they would merely serve as the backdrop.

Once the Jing Luan Assembly commenced, these noble heirs would certainly attack them without hesitation.

If they wished to survive, they would need to step over the bodies of these heirs.

But how could that be possible?

There wasn't a single weakling surrounding the noble heirs.

Most of them were Jianghu martial artists traveling the world, aiming for great achievements, or they were Protectors from their familial backgrounds.

The momentum each person carried was like mountains in motion, making it difficult for others to keep up.

Attempting to defeat these guards with their cultivation was merely wishful thinking.

The atmosphere in the camp suddenly became much more oppressive.

"Miss, what shall we do?" A Da, the young man behind Shao Hongling, said seriously.

Shao Hongling glanced at Shen Qing with implied meaning and said, "With Lord Shen's assistance, we won't be in trouble."

Shen Qing sensed Shao Hongling's cautious probing of his attitude.

Seeing Shao Hongling's candidness, he replied calmly, "When the Jing Luan Assembly begins, stay close to me."

In Shen Qing's view, although the guards by these noble heirs' sides had somewhat high cultivation, most were still at the Innate Realm, which was inferior to him.

There were a few Spirit Void Realm experts, but he was confident he could protect himself.

Taking one or two people with him posed no problem.

Shao Hongling, seeing Shen Qing's attitude, felt a weight lifted from her heart and said excitedly, "Thank you, sir. We are willing to serve you faithfully and follow you to the end."

A Da and Xiao Man behind her couldn't help but show some joy as well.

Many people had gathered in the camp, and Shao Hongling's actions were also noticed by several martial masters who had just joined from Yongzhou.

They regretted not thinking of this earlier and falling behind.

Seeing the arrival of the noble heirs, they worried about their own safety and also wanted to seek shelter from the strong.

Some martial masters, having inquired about Shen Qing's past, came to his side.

"I, Zhang San, have long heard of your great name, sir. Today, I come to pledge my allegiance and wish to follow you through the thick and thin in this Jing Luan Assembly!"

"We are the same, willing to serve you faithfully!"

Shen Qing looked at the martial masters in front of him and furrowed his brow slightly.

He hadn't expected such a result.

He maintained silence, neither agreeing nor making any promises.

Some martial masters, being thick-skinned, assumed Shen Qing agreed and stood directly behind him, with others following suit.

In a mere moment, there were five or six more people around him.

Suddenly, a commotion arose among the Yongzhou crowd, and someone shouted, "Look, the young master of the Xue Family is coming toward us."

With these words, Prefecture Governor Dou Wenxi, County Supervisor Yan Xushou, and others from Yongzhou looked up to see Xue Bai approaching slowly with two guards, and their expressions changed immediately.

Some timid folks turned pale with fear, their hearts pounding like drums.

Xue Bai stood before Yongzhou, looking at the hundreds of people there and more martial masters gathering continuously, feeling displeased.

These were martial masters with cultivation; if they united, it would be quite troublesome to deal with them, impacting the Xue Family's gains in the Jing Luan Assembly.

Xue Bai focused, fixing his gaze on the Yongzhou crowd.

He keenly spotted Shen Qing standing not far away.

Participating in the Jing Luan Assembly this time, he hadn't been arrogant or dismissive, but made ample preparations.

Regarding the prominent figure from Yongzhou, he couldn't possibly overlook him.

In his eyes, Shen Qing, the Two Department Chief, was the greatest threat among the people from Yongzhou.

His rapid rise was remarkably monstrous.

This time at the Jing Luan Assembly, who knows what kind of ace Shen Qing might have up his sleeve? Leaving him in Yongzhou was not a good thing.

However, he had already devised a brilliant plan for these people, his smile widening as he approached.

Wherever he passed, people moved aside automatically, clearing a path.

Xue Bai stopped in front of Shen Qing, speaking condescendingly, "You are Shen Qing, the Two Department Chief of the Guardian Martial Department, right?"

Shen Qing replied calmly, "Yes."

"I've long admired your great name." Xue Bai's lips curled into a sneer and he said, "I've heard of your deeds in Yongzhou even from far in the Capital. If I'm not mistaken, was my third brother killed by you?"

Shen Qing's heart skipped a beat.

Had the other party already found out?

No, that's impossible.

I acted after breaking through with the Da Xu Technique, utilizing the Traceless Skill, and was very careful without leaving any traces.

Yongzhou itself couldn't uncover anything.

It's even more impossible for the Capital, thousands of miles away.

This Xue Family young master is trying to test me!

Shen Qing quickly made his judgment, vehemently denying, "The matter concerning your brother has absolutely nothing to do with me! Without evidence, young master, please don't make baseless accusations!"

"I'm making baseless accusations?" Xue Bai laughed, "Do you think I would have approached you if I weren't fully confident?"

Shen Qing snorted coldly, "I said there's no connection, so there's none. If your assurance is just mere talk, then you might as well say whatever you wish."