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

"I have always preferred to win people over with virtue, as I'm sure you all have witnessed," Shen Qing silently set down the teacup in his hand, looked up at everyone, and said slowly.

"I don't know how you got along with the previous Chief Officer, but this is my style of doing things. If you're not used to it, you'd better start adapting now."

At this moment, Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian's faces were as pale as paper, devoid of any color. When Shen Qing's gaze swept over them, they quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Struggles and reluctance flashed in their eyes, but in the end, they resigned themselves to their fate and fell silent.

They were martial masters who had climbed up from the lowest ranks, not just some decorative pillows without substance.

With their cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm and their hard skill, they were confident they couldn't be beaten, but with their skills, they could move freely.

However, Shen Qing's movements were too swift, almost instant, giving them no time to react.

In just one encounter, they were forced to take a strike.

The power that bore down on them was overwhelming, like an avalanche. The fierce and hot breath it carried felt almost on par with a martial master of the Qi Hai Realm.

The two of them couldn't even take one strike.

They even felt that the new Lord Officer Shen had held back when he struck, thinking they were useful and therefore didn't kill them.

This young Lord Officer Shen was far from the harmless appearance he presented.

It was hard to tell where this freak had sprung from.

If they kept opposing him, their fates were uncertain.

Thinking of this, both Uncle Shu and Guan Yunjian couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.

"Starting today, the affairs of the Sixth Group will officially be under my charge. Who agrees and who opposes?"

"Your subordinates have seen the Lord Officer."

Lao Liu was the first to speak up and immediately responded loudly.

Following him, Jiang Dacong, Guan Yunjian, and Uncle Shu also called out one after another.

Shen Qing was quite satisfied with everyone's performance: "I am still familiarizing myself with the affairs. Everything will continue as usual for now. I don't need to say more, as we will have plenty of time to adjust to each other."

"Go on with your work. Lao Liu, stay behind for a moment."

Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu limped out of the room after Jiang Dacong, even politely closing the door behind them for Shen Qing, as docile as sheep.

Shen Qing took in this scene, satisfied with his own decisive action.

Most martial artists have a certain proud and unruly air about them.

If you don't beat them into submission and show them your strength, they will never be convinced.

Over time, they will only try to dominate you, bypassing your authority.

This is why, since ancient times, the reason new officials set fires upon taking office, to intimidate and overawe, is a lesson learned by predecessors.

Only by establishing authority can he freely get things done in the future.

Fortunately, Guan Yunjian and Uncle Shu, these two greenhorns who didn't know his background, came knocking on his door, giving him an opportunity to establish his authority.

Otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to assert himself.

Having witnessed Shen Qing's strength, Lao Liu, the old officer, became even more respectful. He waited quietly for Shen Qing to speak.

"Lao Liu, what is your real name?"

Officer Lao Liu laughed and said, "It's just a humble name, Shen Chasi can just call me Lao Liu."

"You should still tell me your real name."

"I'm the third child in my family, my full name is Liu Sangui." Officer Liu Sangui, seeing he couldn't deflect Shen Qing's question, reported his real name and then asked, "Does Shen Chasi keep me here to inquire about something?"

Shen Qing nodded, "There is something I would like to ask you."

"Please ask, my lord."

"I want to know how one can advanced their cultivation within the court, and how this differs from training at an external Martial Arts Hall."

Shen Qing asked a question that concerned him greatly.

It was well known that the Great Zhou Court had consolidated all the Martial Mechanisms of the world. Profound Martial Arts and various efficient methods that could aid in cultivation were all in their hands.

He had joined the court, largely for the sake of these Martial mechanisms.

Liu Sangui pondered for a moment and organized his thoughts, "My lord, we all receive our official salary every month, which, in addition to the standard Silver Tael, includes various spiritual elixirs like Qi-Blood Pills that aid in Martial Arts training. The elixirs distributed are adjusted based on your cultivation realm. For instance, those below the Qi Hai Realm receive mostly Qi-Blood Pills, while those at or above the Qi Hai Realm receive Gathering Spirit Pills."

"These pills can all advanced your cultivation, but of course, the most important is the once-a-year Wish Power Pearl, which is an unparalleled tool for advancing one's cultivation."

Shen Qing's eyes narrowed, "What exactly is the use of the Wish Power Pearl?"

"It can help you condense the sparse Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, assist you in using Martial Arts to enter the path and refine supreme Divine Skills!" Liu Sangui quickly explained.

Using Martial Arts to enter the path, refining supreme Divine Skills?

Shen Qing's expression changed.

"Of course, as an officer, I have not seen it myself. But, Shen Chasi, if you want to break through to the Qi Hai Realm, you will definitely need to use the Wish Power Pearl."

"Why is that?"

"Humans are nurtured by the heavens and earth, and the spirit contained within flesh and blood is ultimately finite. If one wishes to cultivate further, one must snatch Spiritual Energy from the heavens and earth to strengthen oneself, and the Wish Power Pearl is the best magic skill for doing so."

Shen Qing felt like he had gained a significant amount of knowledge all at once and pressed on, "I've heard that using the Wish Power Pearl also requires the Refining Pearl Technique?"

Liu Sangui nodded, "Indeed it does. But you don't need to worry, Chasi. Generally, once you have been in the government office for three full months, and after you are registered and listed in the court's Ministry of Personnel, the Lord Chief Officer will tell you the Refining Pearl Technique."

Just three months' time, that seemed manageable.

"There's one more thing," Shen Qing said, "There are many profound Martial Arts within the court, I wonder how I can obtain them?"

"That's simple. Our government office has a specialized Martial Arts Hall, which houses a collection of training magic skills. Lord officers can exchange Qi Blood Pills or Silver Taels for the opportunity to read them. Our county town's collection only includes Martial Arts up to the Innate Realm; for anything more profound, one would have to go to the Imperial Armory in the Capital."

Liu Sangui spoke respectfully, "Does Lord officers have any other questions?"

"No, that will be all. You may go back to your duties."

"If there is anything you need, Lord officers, you can call me at any time. Acquaint yourself with the environment of our Human Government Office, and later in the afternoon, I will take Lord officers to patrol the defense area of our Sixth Group. I shall take my leave now."

Watching Liu Sangui leave the building, Shen Qing remembered something important and hastily said, "Wait a moment."

Liu Sangui's footsteps halted, and he asked, "What is it, my lord?"

"I forgot to ask, what is the name of our Lord Chief Officer?" Shen Qing asked with a smile.

It was important for him to learn about his immediate superior; it would be quite impolite not to even know the man's name.

Liu Sangui promptly responded, "Our Chief Officer's surname is Zheng, Zheng Yuanqiu."

A shock ran through Shen Qing, and suddenly, an image unbiddenly surfaced in his mind…