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

Shen Qing stepped into the room and the first thing that caught his eye was a stretch of blue-gray brick flooring,

the surface of the bricks was somewhat worn and there were signs of undulation and twisting, clearly due to the passage of years.

Beyond that, there were some simple wooden furnishings in the house, not luxurious, but each one exuded an ancient charm.

They seemed somewhat out of place in the room, as if they had been haphazardly put together by someone.

Shen Qing withdrew his gaze and walked forward two steps before looking up.

Zhao Ba was sitting on a tall wooden chair with a back covered by a wolf skin that emitted a faint glow. He was looking at him with a half-smile, exuding the unique oppressive aura of someone in a high position.

Xiao Zhi, who was following behind him, felt like a rabbit that had stumbled into a tiger's den, and a sense of unease and anxiety welled up within him.

He took a deep breath trying to appear more composed.

Still, his demeanor didn't escape the watchful eyes of others, prompting laughter.

Zhao Ba's gaze swept over everyone behind Shen Qing, his eyes deep and sharp.

Seeing that Shen Qing had brought more than just himself, his eyebrows knitted together.

He had clearly sent for only Shen Qing; how come so many people had turned up?

Wouldn't that let too many people know, making it impossible to plant a spy?

Just a small hunter, did he really need to win him over?

"Two incompetent fools, can't even invite someone properly."

Zhao Ba was displeased, but fortunately, he was experienced in dealing with tough situations and quickly adjusted himself. His voice was loud and strong, "You are Shen Qing?"

Shen Qing quickly stepped forward, cupped his fists respectfully, and replied, "Boss, it is indeed me. May I know why you have requested my presence?"

In just that moment, he, with his Never Forget ability, noticed a slight emotional fluctuation in Zhao Ba when he saw Xiao Zhi and the others.

Shen Qing knew that bringing more people with him was the right move.

At the very least, the momentum was much stronger than if he had been alone, and it also disrupted the opponent's original plans, giving himself a bit more of an initiative.

Zhao Ba gestured for Shen Qing to sit down.

Shen Qing looked at the high chair covered with wolf skin, and without demur or courtesy, carefully sat down in a wooden chair beside it.

His followers like Xiao Zhi and Ouyang Tie Niu followed suit.

At this moment, Ouyang Tie Niu sensed that something was off about the atmosphere.

He had thought Zhao Ba simply wanted to ask Shen Qing some questions or extort something from him.

It now seemed to be much more troublesome than he had thought.

With so many people around, it would not be easy to escape.

When he circled behind Shen Qing, he leaned in close to his ear and whispered emphatically, "You've really dragged me into this, you owe me extra now!"

Shen Qing glared at Ouyang Tie Niu, silently cursing him for making trouble and motioning for him to shut up.

Ouyang Tie Niu, however, pretended not to see and glanced around distractedly, planning his escape route in case of conflict.

Zhao Ba picked up a cup of tea, gently blew on it, and then slowly sipped it.

He set down the teacup and once again turned his gaze towards Shen Qing, "I hear you're a hunter from Hongshan Village and now practice Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall. Today, I've asked you here because I need your help with something."

Shen Qing tensed up, knowing they were getting to the crux of the matter.

Although his heart was turbulent, his face retained a calm demeanor as he said, "Boss, please speak. If it is within my capabilities, I will do my utmost to help."

Zhao Ba then asked, "Have you heard about the matters between Mi Gang and Linfeng Hall?"

Shen Qing replied without hesitation, "I have heard a little, but I am not very clear on the specifics. I don't know much."

"You don't need to know too much. You just need to know that Mi Gang does not get along with Li Linfeng, and that Mi Gang is very strong. That's all," Zhao Ba said earnestly. "In recent days, the first and fourth disciples of Li Linfeng have been injured by Mi Gang, and Li Linfeng has been too busy to care for the rear. Honestly, in my view, Linfeng Hall won't last much longer."

"So, what does this have to do with you finding me this time, Boss?" Shen Qing vaguely guessed Zhao Ba's purpose, but he continued to play dumb and probe.

Zhao Ba spoke in a lofty and somewhat patronizing tone, "Although my place is not big, I have some connection with Mi Gang. The medical prescriptions, Martial Arts, and Training Methods that Linfeng Hall can give you, I can offer as well, and you only need to help me with a small favor in return."

"Oh, not just you," Zhao Ba's eyes gleamed with cunning as he continued, "Coincidentally, there are two managerial positions available in my Yihe Square on the west side of the city. If you agree, I might just give you those two positions."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, got excited, poked Shen Qing's back, and said in a low voice full of envy, "Quickly agree to him. With two managerial positions, you could earn fifty or sixty taels in a year easily. This is Boss appreciating you."

But Shen Qing remained unmoved.

On the contrary, upon hearing these words, his heart tightened.

If such an enticing offer was on the table, then the task Zhao Ba intended for him must be no small feat.

Shen Qing pondered for a while before carefully asking, "Boss, let's hear it. What exactly do you want us to do? I'm just a common little hunter, and I might not be up to this important task."

Zhao Ba stood up, walked down from his high seat to the middle of the hall, and looked directly at Shen Qing and his group, saying, "What I need you to do is very simple. You just have to report everything that happens inside Linfeng Hall in great detail, keep a close eye on Li Linfeng. When the opportunity arises, either get him to come out or add a little something to his food.

You see, very simple, right?"

Simple?

Simple your old mother!

Shen Qing was not a fool, and neither was Li Linfeng.

If Shen Qing showed any signs of doing such things, the first person Li Linfeng would want to kill would be him.

It also indicated, indirectly, that Linfeng Hall was indeed in danger.

Shen Qing inhaled a breath of the crisp air, with his heart surging like tumultuous waves.

Zhao Ba watched Shen Qing and his group with a relaxed and comfortable expression on his face.

If he remembered correctly, Shen Qing had been in Linfeng Hall for less than a month, just a greenhorn who had just stepped onto the path of Martial Arts.

A little hunter like Shen Qing, popping up from some obscure place, wouldn't have many choices and could only be manipulated by him.

Just when Zhao Ba felt assured of his victory, Shen Qing, who was standing opposite him, suddenly stood up and met his gaze.

After a long moment, the little hunter spoke resolutely, "What if I refuse?"

Shen Qing's words resounded like thunder in the modest hall.

Refusal!

He actually refused!

Zhao Ba's smile suddenly froze on his face, turning to uncontrollable anger, "What did you say?"

"I said, what if I refuse?" Shen Qing repeated, with his voice clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

Ouyang Tie Niu, standing behind Shen Qing, said anxiously, "Stop talking, Boss will kill you."

Shen Qing remained completely unmoved.

Ouyang Tie Niu, with a very unsightly expression, muttered, "Madman, he's gone mad!"

"Very well, very well," Zhao Ba, infuriated, said with mockery, "Then don't blame me for serving the punishment wine after you refuse the toast."

At that moment, Shen Qing shouted to someone outside the room, "Uncle, take action!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than an arrow whistled through the air, heading straight for Zhao Ba's back.

Zhao Ba was taken aback.