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

Chapter 340 23 Division, Individual Choices_2

"Truly a sharp tongue."

Shen Qing didn't know Xue Bai's purpose, but at this moment, he was more certain that Xue Bai didn't have a complete grasp of the situation.

The Jing Luan Assembly hasn't started yet, and with a Great Power presiding in the camp, no one dares to act recklessly.

If Xue Bai were truly sure that he was the one who killed Xue Yan, he would wait until after the Jing Luan Assembly starts to mention it.

At that time, they could act and seize the opportunity to take his life.

Bringing it up now would only alert him and make him more prepared.

And indeed, just as Shen Qing thought, Xue Bai didn't actually know who killed Xue Yan.

Nor did Xue Bai want to know.

In his view, everyone from Yongzhou must die, and who killed whom was no longer important.

He had another purpose in pointing it out now.

Xue Bai straightened his back, stood tall, and turned to look at Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou, among others, and said loudly, "I presume you all know the reason you're here today. Today, I can show you a path to survival, how about it?"

Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou's eyes lit up as they asked, "What path to survival does Mr. Xue speak of?"

"I have found out that the real murderer of my third brother is none other than Shen Qing. If today you are willing to take the initiative to cut ties with him, then after the Jing Luan Assembly begins, I will only kill Shen Qing. And you, I will spare."

After saying this, Xue Bai's gaze slowly swept over each person's face, seeing their varied expressions, feeling somewhat smug.

"The Jing Luan Assembly is about to commence, you don't have much time. Consider carefully whether life is more important or so-called honor. When the time comes, after the Jing Luan Assembly begins, give me your answers."

With that, Xue Bai turned sharply and walked away.

Prefecture Chief Dou Wenxi and County Supervisor Yan Xushou exchanged a glance, and like the others, couldn't help but feel some hesitance.

To them, their relationship with Shen Qing was not one of life-and-death solidarity.

Even if there were difficulties in the future, Shen Qing might not definitely help them.

If they could secure a way out, wouldn't that be better?

On the side, Shen Qing witnessed everything, and in his mind, the words "sow discord" immediately came to mind.

So this was the purpose.

This young master of the Xue family deliberately stirred trouble after seeing so many people gathered here in Yongzhou.

On the one hand, it made the people of Yongzhou hesitate, and on the other hand, made those Jianghu martial artists and officials from other counties newly associated with Yongzhou aware of the grudge between Yongzhou and the Xue family, prompting them to reassess the pros and cons.

With just a few words, he skillfully shifted the balance, saving them much trouble.

A clever trick.

Zhang San and the others who had just joined Shen Qing looked at each other.

They hadn't expected Shen Qing to have such a history with the renowned Xue family, lamenting in their hearts.

This was no reliable backing, but clearly a calamity.

And this great calamity was something they sought out themselves.

Martial artist Zhang San recalled how Shen Qing hadn't accepted him when he pledged allegiance, and he hurriedly said, "My cultivation is lowly, and earlier when I sought refuge, the lord remained silent, surely thinking little of someone like me. In that case, I won't impose myself. Farewell!"

Zhang San clasped his fists and, with a look of loss, distanced himself from Shen Qing.

With him taking the lead, other martial artists quickly followed suit, each finding similar excuses to leave.

In the blink of an eye, Shen Qing was once again left with no one behind him, the rapid change leaving one stunned.

A Da and Xiao Man exchanged a glance.

Xiao Man couldn't resist tugging on Shao Hongling's sleeve, whispering, "Miss..."

His meaning was clear, hoping Shao Hongling would leave and not court trouble.

Shao Hongling remained unmoved, saying, "Sharing in good fortune, not in hardship, where in the world is such a good deal? Do you think these people can hide forever? It's just a matter of time."

"If we are all to die, why trouble ourselves? When I, Shao Hongling, say one thing, I mean one thing; I've pledged my life and won't take it lightly. If you want to leave, then go."

"Since I implicate you, I already feel guilty, and I'm not in a position to demand anything. If you can live a few more days, that's good too."

A Da and Xiao Man's expressions became anxious, quickly saying, "The young lady saved our lives, how can we live on with our heads hung low? Wherever the young lady is, we are there."

Shen Qing, hearing the conversation between Shao Hongling and her servants, couldn't help but look at Shao Hongling with newfound respect.

He thought Shao Hongling would be like the others, but she turned out to be of such temperament.

But of course.

If she weren't of such a steadfast character, she wouldn't have ended up in this plight.

In contrast to Shao Hongling's firmness, Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou were clearly wavering.

Dou Wenxi coughed lightly, speaking with a calculating tone, "Shen Qing is no ordinary man, and to give him up easily might bring disaster upon us. Moreover, our small group is just forming, and if we hastily cut ties with him, it might make us appear disloyal."

"So, what does Lord Dou think we should do?" Yan Xushou asked quietly, stepping forward.

Dou Wenxi said, "Before the Jing Luan Assembly begins, we should first stabilize Shen Qing and the martial artists from the other cities, maneuvering in the middle. Once the assembly starts, we can play the good cop, then secretly find someone to play the bad cop. We can claim to 'follow the will of the people' and cut ties with him. This way, we can stabilize the martial artists without making enemies with the Xue family."

"Wonderful. This approach is indeed not to be rushed. A good strategy."

"Then let's go, we shall seek out Shen Qing and offer reassurances."

Yan Xushou nodded, and with their plans set, he and Dou Wenxi walked over to Shen Qing together.

"Lord Shen."

Shen Qing lifted his eyes and said, "Are you two here to cut ties with me?"

"How could that be?" Dou Wenxi quickly clasped his hands, saying, "Though we have no grand ambitions, neither are we such heartless and unscrupulous people."

Yan Xushou followed closely, saying, "Xue Bai's words are merely meant to break our trust. How could we, having traveled with Lord Shen, be shaken by mere rumors? We are determined to weather the storm with Lord Shen, through thick and thin."

Shen Qing's gaze drifted between the two men's faces.

During the demon incident in Yongzhou, both had taken a detached stance as if it didn't concern them. He couldn't believe they had changed their nature after joining the Jing Luan Assembly.

"You two... truly won't sever ties with me as the young master of the Xue family suggests?" Shen Qing asked with a half-smile, "After all, as he said, the Xue family is willing to offer you a way out."

"Who can say if the Xue family's words are true?" Dou Wenxi stepped forward, lightly placing his hands on Shen Qing's shoulders, "We will not fall for their tricks. Rest assured."

Shen Qing's eyes flickered to Dou Wenxi's hands on his shoulders as he played along with a smile, "Your generosity is commendable; this Jing Luan Assembly is perilous. Whatever happens, I, Shen Qing, will do my utmost."

"Good." Dou Wenxi said, "Lord Shen, attend to your matters; I will console the others."

"Do as you wish."

Watching Dou Wenxi and Yan Xushou leave, the smile on Shen Qing's face gradually faded, not believing a word they said, treating it as nonsense.

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, another seven days went by.

Martial artists from all around gradually stopped arriving.

At this time, each person was given a simple map, inscribed with various routes leading directly to Danzhou and those cities seized by the Huangtian Sect.

According to the soldiers distributing the maps, the people in the camp could choose different routes to advance and engage, until only a hundred remain as the final count.

At that time, the record stones in the hands of the survivors will emit a pillar of light, signaling the imperial court to fetch them.

Boom!

The Great Power sitting in the middle of the camp leaped into the air, with a blinding light emerging in the sky.

Everyone's hearts surged; they knew the Jing Luan Assembly was about to begin.

The oppressive atmosphere in the camp reached its peak.

Out of tens of thousands of martial artists, only a hundred would remain; no one knew whether they'd survive.