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

Suddenly, after Shen Qing left the gathering, Dong Jing and Young Master Sun realized and looked towards the end of the table.

That end was empty; Shen Qing was long gone.

Dong Jing approached Xi Shaoqin and quietly asked, "Where's Shen Chasi?"

"Oh, he left a while ago," Xi Shaoqin said nonchalantly.

Dong Jing's drunken face cleared up somewhat, "I invited him today; at our gathering, I should have involved him more. Ignoring him like this makes me seem a bit rude."

Xi Shaoqin raised his eyebrows slightly.

He was from the Xi Family of Yongzhou. Though not from the direct line, he was still from a high-ranking family and had attended many such gatherings.

In his eyes, gatherings like theirs weren't meant for someone as plain as Shen Qing.

He already had some reservations about Dong Jing inviting Shen Qing, and the importance given was even more displeasing.

"You think highly of him and have a good relationship with him in private?" said a young woman, sensing the tension.

The woman speaking was in her blossoming youth, with shoulders like carved statues and a waist as slender as a thread. Her legs were straight as chopsticks, revealing an elegant curve shaped by years of training.

"No, not really," Dong Jing shook his head, "I saw he's without parents, an outsider who managed to settle in the county town and even squeezed into the government office. Quite some skill, and I wanted to make his acquaintance."

"What's so good about befriending someone like that? Even as a Chasi, with that meager official salary, he can't compete with us in cultivation resources. The gap in cultivation will only widen; he's destined not to be one of us."

"Exactly. Why bother reaching out to someone like that? Once you've improved your cultivation and achieved success, he'll naturally try to curry favor with you; you don't need to be so courteous."

Xi Shaoqin had long admired the ladies of the Wu Family and the Qian Family.

These two had decent martial skills and looks. Strengthening ties could potentially lead to further developments, greatly aiding his future ascent.

Hearing one of them speak, he agreed, earning the approval of many.

Young Master Sun, sitting at the head, said, "Xi Chasi speaks wisely. I once knew someone with decent talent but low standing. Initially, he was quite aloof towards me, even dismissively of my status. Later, when he saw I kept breaking through in cultivation, surpassing him, his attitude changed, wanting to get close to me."

"That was when I understood; people from such backgrounds respect power over virtue, have small manners, and lack greater principles. You must train them as you would train a dog, never letting them overstep."

"That's precisely true," everyone nodded, "After all, our interests and habits from a young age differ greatly from theirs. Forcing a friendship can easily lead to envy if our cultivation surpasses theirs or disdain if it's less, making them difficult to please."

"Yes, indeed," another woman said, "I have a relative like you who enjoys associating with those from lower backgrounds. Initially, they got along well, but later, neglecting cultivation, his level fell behind the person he befriended. Once, on an outing, he got humiliated and couldn't endure the hostility, leading to a quarrel and, ultimately, his death. It's truly lamentable."

"..."

Hearing his friends share real-life examples around him brought Dong Jing back to sobriety.

During his time with the Guardian Martial Department, he had seen many people and events, knowing that what they said wasn't entirely false.

Many from humble beginnings have perspectives completely different, often getting excited over minor issues and disagreeing with them in views.

However, observing over time, Dong Jing found Shen Qing somewhat different from those he had encountered.

If his guess was correct, Shen Qing had somehow silently broken through to the Qi Sea Realm, keeping pace in cultivation.
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To sever such ties so abruptly seemed a bit too wasteful.

Young Master Sun, seeing Dong Jing's hesitation, smiled and said, "If Dong Cha doesn't want to break it off like this, just reduce the interactions; occasionally offer some benefits to maintain it. Over time, as your cultivation rises, he'll naturally seek you out. No need to trouble oneself."

Dong Jing glanced at everyone, then outside the private room.

On one side were longtime friends, on the other, a low-born "Lone Rider."

There was almost no comparison between the two.

Dong Jing made up his mind instantly, pouring himself a full glass, and laughed loudly, "Forget about this 'Lone Rider,' let's drink."

"Come on, cheers."

When curfew time approached, the gathering finally wound down.

"Waiter, come over and settle the bill," Dong Jing shouted with a wave.

Before long, a servant came running with a large smile, "Gentlemen, this is on behalf of our Boss, in honor of Dong Cha."

"On behalf?" Dong Jing was slightly taken aback.

...

"Qingzi, are you back?"

As the small courtyard's door opened, Shen Qing stepped in from outside.

Turning to close the door again, he casually asked, "Sister, weren't you at the restaurant today to help?"

"Uncle and Aunt are at the restaurant; they don't need me. Without someone at home, no one would take care of you when you return, so they let me come back."

His elder sister, Shen Fang, sat on a chair, embroidering by the light of a lantern. As she stitched, she spoke, "Have you eaten? If not, I'll heat some food for you."

"I ate at the restaurant. You should rest," Shen Qing leaned over to see Shen Fang embroidering a pair of mandarin ducks, surprisingly well-crafted, "Sister, when did you learn this embroidery skill?"

Shen Fang's face turned red, "Hey, don't concern yourself with that."

By the candlelight, Shen Qing noticed even the roots of Shen Fang's ears were red, so he stopped teasing.

After doing some mental math, his sister was already twenty, considered old enough for those thoughts in this place.

Shen Qing didn't ask further questions and turned to his own room.

Tonight's gathering hadn't been particularly enjoyable, but it wasn't entirely fruitless.

"Improving cultivation is still the right path."

With a thought, Shen Qing saw a drop of ink fall from above, forming lines of text.

[Skill: Blood Dominance Technique (Mastery)]

[Progress: 403/900 points]

[Status: Cannot be enhanced]

This cultivation technique, Blood Dominance Technique, was derived from breaking through nine types of stance training, primarily to strengthen Qi-Blood and restore strength.

Before reaching the Qi Sea Realm, it's worth noting this technique was excellent, offsetting the side effects of using the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Skill.

However, after breaking through to the Qi Sea Realm, it seemed somewhat inadequate, unable to restore True Qi, making it somewhat redundant.

Perhaps finding a similar technique benefiting True Qi would be better, refining away the progress points of Blood Dominance Technique.

Shen Qing began pondering, assessing the options.