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

After enduring several tribulations, Tang Wanrou appeared pale, but a hint of color finally returned to her cheeks after Shen Qing agreed to help her.

She moved to Zhuifeng's side and was steadily pulled onto the horse's back by Shen Qing, sitting in front of his chest.

"Go!"

Zhuifeng, sensing his master's urgency, started to stride vigorously without waiting for the whip, racing along the winding path toward Taiping County.

The sound of horse hooves was crisp and forceful, echoing through the forest and startling the birds perched along the way, causing them to take flight and leave behind a trail of sharp chirping.

Shen Qing, with Tang Wanrou, galloped all the way and managed to arrive smoothly at the majestic city gate of Taiping County within half an hour.

As they approached the city gate, Shen Qing hastily pulled the reins to slow Zhuifeng down.

He then habitually took out twenty wen from his bosom and threw it to the guard at the gate.

The soldier, noticing Shen Qing riding a tall horse with a noble demeanor, recognized him as someone not to be trifled with and quickly stepped aside to let them pass.

Shen Qing then spurred his horse and headed straight for the Taiping Escort Agency.

He looked around and noted that the street's former prosperity was no more; only scattered hawkers' cries and some pedestrians haggling could be intermittently heard.

With each preoccupied with their own concerns, neither Shen Qing nor Tang Wanrou had time to pay attention to others.

"Go!"

After entering the Inner City, Shen Qing cracked his whip forcefully.

Zhuifeng, suddenly accelerating, left a series of hurried shadows along the main street.

In a moment's time, Shen Qing and Tang Wanrou saw the solemn entrance of the Taiping Escort Agency.

Tang Wanrou realized that Shen Qing had brought her to the entrance of the Taiping Escort Agency, not the government office, and knew what that implied.

This powerful direct disciple of Linfeng Hall did not want to involve himself further in the disaster at the Taiping Escort Agency.

Tang Wanrou did not complain or say much.

She dismounted with swift and agile movements, unlike a delicate young girl, but with the bold spirit common among those familiar with the Jianghu.

"Mr. Shen, wait for me a moment."

With that, Tang Wanrou stepped up to the door's staircase and knocked on the door.

Suddenly, a gatekeeper opened the door, and upon seeing Tang Wanrou, he exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, aren't you—?"

"Greet Mr. Shen; I need to retrieve something."

"Yes, Miss."

The gatekeeper stepped aside, and Tang Wanrou rushed in.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Tang Wanrou returned, pulling out a stack of silver notes from her bosom and offering them with both hands: "Our Taiping Escort Agency has undergone such a change and our hands are tied. Take these five hundred taels for now, and once our agency recovers, we will repay you generously."

Shen Qing looked at Tang Wanrou's solemn face and calmly replied, "No need, I didn't kill that man merely to save you; he wanted my life as well. These silver notes might be very important to your agency; it would be a shame to waste them on me. Keep them for now, and we can talk about it later."

Upon hearing Shen Qing's response, Tang Wanrou unexpectedly looked up at him.

Shen Qing, not wishing to explain further, added, "Miss Tang, if there's nothing else, I will take my leave now. Farewell!"

After speaking, Shen Qing tugged forcefully at the reins in his hand.

Zhuifeng neighed softly and galloped away under Tang Wanrou's complex gaze.

Watching Shen Qing's gradually disappearing figure, Tang Wanrou silently lowered her raised arm and let out a self-deprecating laugh: "Ha, I didn't fancy him then, and he doesn't fancy me now, such is fate."

A deep sense of loss continually surged from within her.

"However, relying on others alone will not accomplish anything. I still have a blood feud to avenge; now is not the time for self-pity."

"Without him, can I not avenge this wrong, shall I not avenge it? I don't believe so."

Tang Wanrou's eyes became resolute as she regained her composure.

She gathered her thoughts and called an old servant in the house, "Tell Housekeeper Chen to come here and bring some silver and golden leaves. Accompany me to the government office."

...

At the entrance of Taiping County government office.

Tang Wanrou hastened towards the imposing doors of the county government, her furrowed brows exuding an undeniable determination.

The old servant from the Taiping Escort Agency followed closely behind her.

She approached the gatekeeper without preamble, saying, "Please announce that I am Tang Wanrou from the Taiping Escort Agency in the city, and I urgently need to meet with Lord County Magistrate on official business."

The gatekeeper glanced at her disdainfully, tilted his chin upward, and said, "Do you see the petition drum at the entrance? You should go and beat the drum; the Lord County Magistrate will summon you if he hears it."

Tang Wanrou couldn't wait.

The petition drum was well known throughout the city, and whether the Lord County Magistrate would summon her after she beat it was still a question.

It's always easier to meet the king of hell than to deal with his little minions.

Today, she had learned this firsthand.
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The gatekeeper, responsible for opening and closing the entrance to the government office, controlled who was allowed in. His main duty was to inform the officials about visitors and decide whether they could enter.

Though his position was lowly, his power was not trivial; the decision to report a visitor could significantly impact their fate.

"A small token, no great honor. This matter concerns your master's future, extremely urgent. I hope the sir will announce it."

The gatekeeper accepted the "Delivery Package" Tang Wanrou handed over, and his eyes dazzled at the sight of the silver. His attitude immediately turned obsequious, "Ah, Miss Tang, please wait a moment. I will announce you now."

Shortly after, the gatekeeper came out and allowed Tang Wanrou inside, leading her to another room.

Tang Wanrou had no choice but to use the same tactic again, another round of greasing palms.

Thus, one gate after another, Tang Wanrou's hundreds of taels of silver flowed away like water.

Finally, after a series of "please waits" and "let's accommodate a little more," she was led to a modest but imposing study.

The door was gently pushed open, and a stable aura came forward. County Magistrate Du Yuntong was sitting upright behind the desk, his eyes sharp.

"I am Tang Wanrou, with urgent official business that needs to be reported to the magistrate!" Without waiting for the complete announcement, Tang Wanrou stepped in, her voice clear and striking to the heart.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong looked up, his eyes scrutinizing Tang Wanrou. Before she arrived, he had already received the 'announcement' from below.

"Oh? Miss Tang, what is so urgent that you come in such haste?" The voice of County Magistrate Du Yuntong was deep and powerful, revealing a hint of authority.

"Sir, someone is smuggling military armory supplies!" Tang Wanrou enunciated each word heavily, her voice echoing in the study.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong's expression immediately turned solemn. He stood up and slowly walked up to Tang Wanrou, "This matter is no trivial issue. Do you have conclusive evidence?"

"The evidence is conclusive. Today my family was escorting..." Tang Wanrou straightened her back, her gaze firmly meeting the magistrate's. She laid out the day's events, each word sounding like a vow, resounding with conviction, "I am willing to stake my family and life on it, please issue an order to thoroughly investigate! The criminals are currently in Zhangzi Forest, and if you dispatch troops now, you will catch them red-handed."

County Magistrate Du Yuntong pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "Very well, I understand. I will immediately gather my men and verify with you. If it is true, they shall be severely punished!"

Tang Wanrou, overwhelmed with relief, cried out, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate!"

"You stay in the back room and wait for a moment while I make arrangements." County Magistrate Du Yuntong called an officer, "Take Miss Tang to the back hall for a short rest."

"Yes," an officer stepped forward and led Tang Wanrou away.

After sending off Tang Wanrou, County Magistrate Du Yuntong paced back and forth in the study, contemplating deeply.

"Soon, officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department will arrive from the county town to deal with the tiger demon and the Huang Tian Sect. It is not suitable to foster any turmoil during this sensitive time. One wrong move, and I might not even be able to save my own position."

"In these troubled times, it's better first to get past this immediate situation," County Magistrate Du Yuntong decided resolutely, "After the officials from the County City Guard Martial Arts Department arrive, if this matter can be pushed onto them, then do so."

"If that's the case, the Taiping Escort Agency cannot be spared..."