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

Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, and Ji He glanced at Xue Yan but said little, seemingly having anticipated such a situation.

"The day is getting late; let's enter the city and quietly gather information to have a clear understanding," Ji He began, "As for contacting people from the county, it can wait until later. What do you all think?"

"I have no objections."

"Za Family will follow Lord Ji."

"There's no time to lose, let's head into the city."

Nodding to one another, they stepped onto the ancient road and walked towards Yongzhou City.

Before long, the outline of a towering city gate became gradually clear in the distance.

On the city gate avenue, crowds bustled and surged, lively and extraordinary, with throngs of passersby. Where was there any sign of demons rampaging?

The group couldn't help but stop in their tracks, exchanging puzzled looks, baffled by this tranquility. Continue reading at empire

A few merchants emerged from the city, carrying items on their shoulders, their faces brimming with joy.

Two of the merchants, feeling the unusual gaze from the side, glanced sideways, with their gazes briefly sweeping over Ji He and his companions.

Seeing their luxurious and dignified clothing, it was clear they were no ordinary folk.

The merchants, now wary, lowered their heads and unconsciously quickened their pace, maintaining distance, wishing to avoid trouble.

It was only when these merchants passed by Ji He and the others that they took notice of what the merchants were carrying on their backs.

It was a thick, furry, human-shaped arm, its skin dark and glistening, all the hair stained with blood, clumps of dried blood congealed among the strands.

The arm was so large it far surpassed the size of a human thigh.

Clearly, it was the remains of some powerful demon.

Shi Wenbo, Ji He, and the other four's faces flashed an instant hint of shock.

"There's been a change inside Yongzhou City."

Shi Wenbo stepped forward to directly stop one of the merchants, demanding, "Stop!"

The merchant's muscles tensed immediately, but he managed a forced smile, "What can I do for you, sirs?"

Having traveled extensively, these merchants had developed a knack for recognition, instantly realizing these individuals were wealthy and privileged, far beyond their standing to provoke.

"Where did you all get these demon remains?" Shi Wenbo asked sternly.

Trembling, the merchant replied, "We bought them in the city, sir. It's said that these demon remains are tremendously beneficial, particularly for enhancing Martial Arts Cultivation, invaluable and highly sought. We all purchased them upon hearing the news."

"Bought them? Do you take me for a three-year-old child? Where can one buy demon flesh and blood?"

With a bitter expression, the merchant insisted, "I'm not deceiving you, sirs. Just go into the city and you'll see. There's an abundance of these demon remains in the city. What I have here are just human-like remains, which don't fetch a high price. The really precious ones are the remains of Pig Demons, Bull Demons, Sheep Demons, and others!"

"Besides demon flesh and bones, there's an abundance of various furs, Demon Cores, and demon blood."

Hearing this, Shi Wenbo was utterly stupefied, staring blankly at the merchant.

Ji He and the others beside him couldn't react in time either; they were all thoroughly confused.

Wasn't this place overrun by demons?

Wasn't the city in grave danger?

Why was everyone looking so delighted, and why were they trading demon remains?

What in the world had happened?

Cui Jin's voice rose, "Za... we're from out of town. Didn't we hear that there were many demons causing trouble here?"

The merchants waved their hands dismissively, "Not anymore!"

"What do you mean gone?"

"The demons are all gone! Slain cleanly by our Great Qingtian of Yongzhou!" boasted the merchants, puffing out their chests with pride.

"Great Qingtian of Yongzhou?"

Shi Wenbo, Cui Jin, Ji He, and Xue Yan became even more bewildered as they listened.

Seeing that Ji He and his companions were approachable and not the kind to resort to violence at a disagreement, the merchant let down his guard considerably and spoke in a relaxed tone, "Forgot you're not locals. This Great Qingtian of Yongzhou is our Lord Chief Officer of the Guardian Martial Department, Shen Qing! Just three days ago, he single-handedly eliminated all the demons in the city, none of the rampaging demons were spared."

"Even the rumors among the people say that two Great Demons with sky-high cultivation were also taken down by Lord Shen; he's truly remarkable."

Ah, that impressive?

Upon hearing the conclusion, everyone turned their gaze to Shi Wenbo.

As part of the Military Department, this Chief Officer named Shen Qing was technically a subordinate to Shi Wenbo, according to regulations.

Shi Wenbo shook his head and said, "I have no recollection of this man."

"Do you sirs have any other questions?" asked the merchant, clutching the demon remnants behind him.

Shi Wenbo, impatiently waved his hand.

Like receiving a pardon, the merchant hurriedly bowed and took his leave without looking back.

The four men exchanged glances and saw confusion in each other's eyes.

From what they've gathered so far, the calamity caused by the demons in Yongzhou City seemed to have been resolved.

But as for what exactly happened, they were completely in the dark.

"Let's go and take a look inside the city."

Shi Wenbo beckoned his companions, quickly showing their identities under the city gate, and entered the city.

Among them, Xue Yan trailed at the very end, taking one last look at the merchant, his eyes narrowing, and silently followed the others.

Entering the city, there was none of the expected corpses strewn everywhere, nor was there the anticipated chaos and gruesome fighting.

On both sides of the streets, merchants set up their stalls together, colorful canopies fluttering in the wind.

They were shouting with an enthusiasm that was beyond ordinary, with an air that was almost celebratory.

In the shops, they were all selling demon remains, including furs, meats, and bones.

Residents stood beside the streets, skillfully dismantling the enormous bodies of demons.