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

"Is this really true?"

"Absolutely!" Zhou Su said solemnly, "This is the latest news I got from home, and it's correct."

Lord Xue, Xue Bai, was excited.

An absolute opportunity.

Now, His Majesty was not only integrating the Martial Mechanism across the realm but also methodically collecting the Spirit Essence from beyond the domains.

If this could be done well, it would be a great achievement for the Xue Family and would greatly aid Father's Martial Arts advancement.

Thinking of this, Xue Bai grew more excited. He made up his mind and grabbed Zhou Su's wrist, saying, "Come, let's go see my father and tell him about this so that he can decide."

Zhou Su hurriedly said, "That's not possible."

Xue Bai was surprised.

Zhou Su quickly thought and explained, "It would be impolite for me to see General Xue rashly. Besides, if Lord Xue learns about the matters between you and me, it may not be a good thing."

Xue Bai hesitated slightly and said, "You make sense, but..."

"You should tell the General directly, my lord," Zhou Su insisted. "I guarantee with my life that it's absolutely true. If the General wants to advance in Martial Arts and win His Majesty's favor, this matter cannot wait."

"More importantly, if this information comes from you, my young lord, it will certainly earn you newfound respect from the General and solidify your position within the Young Master Mansion."

Hearing this, Xue Bai was invigorated, finding Zhou Su's words very reasonable.

"Alright, then there's no time to delay; I'll go tell my father right now."

Xue Bai hurried out. Explore more stories with empire

Watching Xue Bai's retreating figure, Zhou Su's expression turned solemn, his hands involuntarily clenching into fists, his thumbnails digging deeply into his flesh, even drawing blood from the force.

Early today, he had received shocking and terrible news.

The Yongzhou's Zhou Family was obliterated because of the Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department!

The Ancestors and the Family Head were all dead, and all the sons and daughters of the family were slain.

The moment he heard this news, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice pit, his entire body chilled, nearly fainting.

With the Zhou Family gone, and without support from his family, his life in the overpriced Capital City would undoubtedly become extremely difficult, perhaps even unsustainable.

He knew he couldn't just sit and wait for death; he had to act.

Over the years, he had consistently delivered substantial sums of money to Xue Bai, solidifying his position as the Princely Heir within the Xue Mansion, thereby opening opportunities for himself.

Now, without the support of his family and lacking real scholarship, this relationship would surely become untenable over time, and his influence in the Capital City would diminish. Thus, he must capitalize on these relations before they wore thin to accrue merits for himself and tighten their bonds.

Even better would be to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating those responsible for the disaster at Zhou Family, potentially turning the crisis around.

He might even have a chance to gather the remaining assets of the Zhou Family, revive and firmly attach himself to the Xue Family.

In the Xue Mansion study.

The vermilion-painted door creaked as it turned, its sound especially clear in the silent study.

Xue Bai rushed into the study in haste, shouting anxiously as he entered, "Father! Something's happened in Yongzhou! They say there are many demons."

Before him sat a man over fifty but still vibrantly vigorous, a middle-aged man. He was sitting at the desk, fiddling with an ancient Jade Pendant, bearing a strong resemblance to Xue Bai.

This man was none other than the Great General of Zhou Country, Xue Zhao.

"What's the rush?" Xue Zhao's expression was composed; he looked up at Xue Bai and calmly said, "Demon affairs have always been occurring. A few days ago, the Yongzhou Governor also reported to the court, and His Majesty is already discussing countermeasures with the Qintian Bureau and Bailu Academy. The results should be out in a couple of days, and it won't affect our proceedings."

Xue Bai stepped forward a few paces, his determination unquestionable, and confidently declared, "But this time it's different, Father! Over in Yongzhou, not only are there demons, but also a celestial Spirit Essence has appeared, triggering a Spirit Mechanism. It is said that the scene is spectacular, with the entire Yongzhou enveloped in an extraordinary Rainbow Light. This is a rare opportunity for your cultivation!"

Hearing this, Xue Zhao's Jade Pendant involuntarily slipped from his hand, and he stood up abruptly, a flash of shock in his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, "Where did you hear this news?"

Just as Xue Bai was about to spill everything, he recalled Zhou Su's words just now and paused before changing his response, "I am not just idling outside, Father. I have my own sources. In any case, this matter is absolutely true, I have checked it multiple times."

Xue Zhao paced back and forth in his study, deep in thought.

He held a high position and was privy to many secrets.

For some unknown reason, in recent years, Spirit Essences would occasionally fall from beyond this realm, triggering Spirit Mechanisms.

These Spirit Mechanisms were immensely beneficial to cultivators, with some even breaking through bottlenecks because of them.

Even he had fortuitously encountered one a few years ago. A Spirit Mechanism within a radius of three meters had transformed him entirely, advancing his cultivation significantly.

No one understood the benefits of a Spirit Mechanism better than him.

Now, having been stuck in the Primordial Spirit Realm for some years, and with the current Martial Mechanism of the court, it was impossible to break through to the Kongyou Realm, let alone achieve the Unity Realm cultivation of Your Majesty.

As Spirit Mechanisms appeared more frequently, and demons proliferated, the Huang Tian Heresy also began to take shape. Signs of great chaos loomed, and the future was unpredictable.

Like rowing upstream, if one didn't advance, one would fall back. This opportunity could not be missed.

"If this is true, it is indeed no trivial matter," Xue Zhao said gravely. "I must get involved."

Seeing this, excitement sparkled in Xue Bai's eyes, feeling he finally had a place to apply his martial skills and gaining his father's acknowledgment.

"Father, when do you plan to visit Yongzhou?"

Xue Zhao replied, "Now that Jinzhou has fallen and the Huang Tian Sect has begun attacking Danzhou, I need to lead the troops there soon to quash the rebels. His Majesty will not allow me to leave the Capital City at this critical time."

"But this opportunity for my father..." Xue Bai anxiously said.

Xue Zhao smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry. If I cannot go, I'll let your third brother take the Spiritual Mechanism Jade and join the envoy. For now, I will go to the palace to discuss strategies with His Majesty and secure your third brother's place in the delegation."

Xue Bai's expression soured, unprepared that his efforts might end up benefiting someone else.

If his third brother gained from the Spirit Essence and his cultivation improved, he wouldn't be able to catch up even at a gallop, and it was uncertain whether he would have any share in the great family business in the future.

"Father, let me go please? I promise I won't hoard anything for myself and will bring back the Spirit Essence intact for you."

"Hmph!" Xue Zhao cast a stern glance at his eldest son and coldly chided, "Tuck away those crooked thoughts, focus on your training. What's the rush? If I end up at a disadvantage in the battle, His Majesty will likely convene the Jingluan Assembly earlier next year. By then, I will find a way to send several Innate Martial Masters with you. There will be plenty of opportunities."

Jingluan Assembly?!

At those words, Xue Bai's heart blossomed with joy.

The Jingluan Assembly was a frightening prospect for many, but not for the sons of noble families like them.

They were passionate about participating in the Jingluan Assembly.

To them, entering the Jingluan Assembly was akin to a precursor to entering the temple hall, and most who participated in the Jingluan Assembly would likely survive and enter the temple hall.

Now that his father promised to escort him into the Jingluan Assembly, how could he not be elated?

"Thank you, Father."

Xue Zhao said nothing further, rising to change his clothes in preparation to enter the palace.

"Have someone prepare the sedan."

"Yes, Father."

Xue Bai hastily went to make arrangements, sending Xue Zhao off in the sedan and watching him enter the palace. His heart couldn't help but fill with anticipation for the future, and he decided he really must thank Zhou Su.