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

Shen Qing smiled at the woman and said, "You go ahead; I'll just direct from behind."

"..."

Shen Qing wouldn't make the foolish mistake of turning his back on a stranger.

Shen Qing asked, "Is that not okay?"

The Zhou Family woman took a deep breath and replied, "Then I appreciate your effort."

Shen Qing signaled with his eyes, "Let's go."

The Zhou Family woman nodded, her hands hidden in her sleeves, and walked out beside Shen Qing.

Shen Qing turned back to Tian Xiaohu and said, "I leave the rest to you."

"Yes, rest easy." Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and whispered, "Qingzi, I feel that woman is always hiding something from you."

"You feel that too? Seems I wasn't overthinking it." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and said, "Alright, I got it."

"Hmm."

Having said that, Shen Qing turned and followed the Zhou Family woman.

"Turn left at the alley ahead, then turn right and go straight." Once out of the courtyard, Shen Qing spoke to remind her.

Upon hearing this, the Zhou Family woman followed the direction Shen Qing indicated and walked on, head down.

Standing behind, Shen Qing tilted his head and glanced at the corpses piled in the corner, then looked again at this Zhou Family woman, his eyes narrowing into a long line. Discover tales on m_vl_em_p_yr

He increasingly felt this woman was extraordinary.

An ordinary woman, seeing the ground littered with corpses and a bloody scene, would likely have collapsed, unable to walk.

But this woman seemed unaffected.

This indicated, either she had an unusually strong demeanor unlike normal folk,

or she was used to seeing such scenes and it had become customary for her.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be so.

What was even more frightening was that, as a member of the Zhou Family and facing such a significant upheaval, she displayed no signs of emotional collapse, just like someone unaffected.

Such a reaction was all too glaring.

Shen Qing quietly increased the distance between them.

The two walked on without saying a word, their clear footsteps resonating between them.

After a while, the Zhou Family woman at the front, unable to stand the chilly silence, asked, "Sir, how may I address you?"

"Li Feiyu."

"Then what is Qingzi?"

"That's my nickname," Shen Qing deflected and asked, "What about you? What's your name?"

The Zhou Family woman said, "Zhou Qiaoji."

Since the conversation had started, Shen Qing directly asked, "I heard that the Zhou Family started from the shoes and silk business, from the county town over there. Can you tell me about your family?"

Zhou Qiaoji did not avoid the question but softly smiled and said, "Which aspect would you like to hear about?"

"How many people are in the Zhou Family, and who has the highest cultivation?"

These were not secrets and held no value in hiding; Zhou Qiaoji replied, "Definitely more than a hundred. I haven't counted exactly. Just from the direct line of the Zhou Family, there are nine people, two legitimate sons, and three legitimate grandchildren. The eldest son married the County Magistrate's legitimate daughter, and the second son married Miss Li. Recently, it came out that the eldest son would likely manage the Zhou Family's properties in the future."

"Regarding cultivation, of course, the strongest is Old Master Zhou, who already reached the Qi Hai Realm ten years ago. Next would be the second son, who broke through to the Qi Cultivation Realm last year. Inside the Zhou Family Mansion, there are also Martial Masters in the Qi Cultivation Realm slightly stronger than the second son, but they are practitioners invited by the old master, not surnamed Zhou."

After listening, Shen Qing asked, "So above the Qi Cultivation Realm, there's the Qi Hai Realm?"

"Yes, and after that, there are the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, and several levels up to the Innate Realm. However, in our small county town, such important figures don't come by. Our old master's cultivation is pretty much the limit here."

With one statement, Zhou Qiaoji instantly broadened Shen Qing's horizons, causing his heart to pound.

Shen Qing asked, "I've heard masters in the Martial Arts Hall say they all aim for the Qi Cultivation Realm; no one thinks of going further, why is that?"

"Because the chasm between the Qi Cultivation Realm and the Qi Hai Realm requires the methods of the court to cross," Zhou Qiaoji said slowly. "Although Qi Cultivation Realm and Qi Hai Realm share a word, the difference between the two is immense. Crossing it makes one a cultivator, failing to cross leaves one a mere common martial master."

Speaking, Zhou Qiaoji paused and turned back, "Our Zhou Family has been operating here for many years, naturally, we have ways to obtain this breakthrough from the court. As for you heroes... reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm is quite an achievement, and all the masters in the martial arts halls understand this."

Zhou Qiaoji's words had a somewhat condescending tone, which made Shen Qing somewhat uncomfortable.

But he also knew that what Zhou Qiaoji said was the truth.

It appeared that for those who weren't part of Great Zhou's system, no matter how hard these lower-class people fought, breaking their socio-economic bounds was incredibly difficult.

It might take the efforts of three generations to have a chance.

One generation accumulates wealth through business, the next generation strengthens its power through martial arts, and the third generation secures its position by entering officialdom.

In this process, three generations must not produce any prodigals and must proceed methodically.

"I just wonder, if I use the Water Ink Panel, could I cross that chasm she spoke of?"

Shen Qing quietly pondered.

Through his continuous practice, the Water Ink Panel had been increasing in proficiency, cultivating a myriad of skills.

With a thousand hammerings, a skill nears art, and with a hundred refinings, art nears dao.

He could try it out later.

Shen Qing put aside these thoughts and continued asking, "What about the other Bosses?"

"You mean the Wang Family, Song Family, and Li Family?"

"Yes."

"All more or less the same. Among the four, the Wang Family is the most low-key, the Li Family has the strongest power, and the Song Family is the weakest and also the most anxious."

"What do you mean by that?"

Zhou Qiaoji continued as he walked, "Didn't you all hear recently? The Song family has been searching everywhere for rare treasures to lay the foundation for their Third Young Master and Young Master."

Upon hearing this, a grin almost escaped Shen Qing's face.

Could he not have heard?

Those three rare treasures were currently in his possession.

"That is indeed the case," Shen Qing said, restraining his emotions and speaking calmly.

"They are in such a rush purely because their family's old ancestor has died and they lack a Qi Hai Realm figure," Zhou Qiaoji said indifferently.

At this, Shen Qing suddenly saw the light.

"No wonder."

The two chatted sporadically as they walked.

In a blink, they reached the main road, passed through the city gate, and entered the Inner City.

They walked in the Inner City for a while, spending nearly half an hour, and Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing to the vicinity of the Zhou Family Mansion.

Looking from afar, the grand entrance of the Zhou Family was majestic and awe-inspiring.

The beam over the gate was embedded with a golden plaque bearing the great letters of "Zhou Family," written with vigorous and extraordinary strength.

On either side of the gate, two stone lions were intricately and beautifully decorated, quite unlike many others Shen Qing had seen, displaying even greater grandeur.

The Zhou Family Mansion covered a vast area, with deep courtyards and many buildings inside the compound.

Shen Qing, who had never been here before, suddenly felt quite intrigued.

Zhou Qiaoji explained, "The fifth chamber is in the West Entrance Courtyard, we need to walk this street around to another street."

Shen Qing, unfamiliar with the place, said, "Since you know the way, you lead. Once you deliver me there, just fulfill your promise."

Zhou Qiaoji responded, "Don't worry, our Zhou Family is known for keeping promises, we will not go back on our word. Let's go."

As he spoke, Zhou Qiaoji headed towards the other side of the Zhou Family Mansion.

Shen Qing followed a few steps behind.