NOVEL WEB Chapter 44: Change in Stature, Xi Shaoqin is Dead
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After finishing cultivating the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique, Shen Qing's muscles, which swelled like mountain ranges, seemed to come alive. Under the agitation of True Qi, they began to wriggle.
In the wriggling, his physique underwent subtle changes.
This transformation was not like the simple swelling and piling up from cultivating the Blood Dominance Technique or the Wind Defying Finger. Instead, it involved refinement and reshaping.
Shen Qing's swollen muscles began to compress inward, becoming like cast bronze with smooth lines and restrained strength.
After about ten breaths, this change finally stopped.
Shen Qing looked down to find that the clothes he wore had become loose and baggy, much larger than before.
He knew it wasn't that the clothes had grown, but that his physique had shrunk somewhat, no longer as burly and robust as before.
Shen Qing sat up from the bed and raised his arm to clench his fist.
He found that the explosive strength hidden in his flesh and blood had not weakened in the slightest. Instead, it had been unprecedentedly enhanced through this metamorphosis.
In general, martial masters were not necessarily better the more burly they were, nor the larger their muscles.
Larger muscles meant more energy was needed to maintain them daily, resulting in greater consumption and making cultivation progress difficult.
Therefore, most martial artists wouldn't train dead muscles, only pursuing muscle size.
Some martial masters who advanced their training would intentionally reduce their physique to restrain True Qi and energy.
Shen Qing did not expect that after achieving Small Success, the Six Paths Whale Swallowing Technique would directly bring his physique to such a state.
It was an unexpected delight.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
At this time, the eastern sky brightened, and the courtyard showed signs of activity.
Shen Qing, who hadn't slept all night, didn't feel any fatigue at all. He only felt unprecedentedly well, energetic, and as if he had endless strength.
He directly pushed the door open and stepped into the courtyard as usual, guiding Tian Xiaohu and others in Martial Arts.
During this time, after he provided them with Imperial Martial Arts, the trio's cultivation also advanced rapidly.
Xiao Zhi had already started Skin Forging, Tian Xiaohu had reached Bone Refining, and even Shen Shan, who learned Martial Arts last, had reached the Great Perfection of Qi and Blood, ready to Strengthen Tendons and Bones at any time.
In the tranquil courtyard bathed in the first light of dawn, the trio had risen early and faced the morning glow, diligently practicing.
Upon seeing Shen Qing, the trio began, as usual, to take turns asking him about their cultivation puzzles.
"Boss, the Mixed Element True Technique I cultivate emphasizes the unity of inner and outer, with True Qi flowing freely. However, after Bone Refining and during recent cultivation, I always feel that my True Qi is stagnant. I don't know the reason."
Shen Qing, standing like a piece of warm jade in the morning glow, smiled slightly and said, "Xiao Hu, the Mixed Element True Technique is profound and extensive. True Qi stagnation might be due to a restless mind. You could try meditating quietly before cultivation to calm your mind. Like a lake without ripples, True Qi then can flow smoothly."
Tian Xiaohu suddenly understood.
"Do you have anything else to ask?"
"No," the trio replied, shaking their heads.
Shen Qing instructed Tian Xiaohu, "Xiao Hu, recently, I've been patrolling several markets alone, and it's a bit overwhelming. Go into the city and see if you can find reliable candidates to patrol the markets under my jurisdiction. Notify me immediately of any signs of trouble."
These days, he noticed that Zheng Yuanqiu hadn't shown any intention to restructure his subordinates, so during this gap period, he had to find solutions himself.
Tian Xiaohu's expression became serious, "I understand. I'll handle it today."
Shen Qing admonished, "Money isn't an issue. The person must be reliable and can't mess things up."
Tian Xiaohu nodded emphatically.
...
In the following days, Shen Qing returned to his usual life of patrolling and cultivating, living simply and steadily.
However, beneath the calm surface, Shen Qing keenly noticed that since the gathering, Dong Jing seemed to intentionally or unintentionally distance himself from him, no longer as warm as before.
When they met in the government office on ordinary days, they merely nodded politely, at most exchanging a few pleasantries.
At first, he was a bit confused, but after occasionally hearing that Dong Jing no longer invited him to gatherings with Xi Shaoqin and others, he understood the situation.
He didn't really care.
Everyone has their ambitions, and meetings and partings are common.
Different circles need not forcibly merge.
Rather than getting entangled in the whirlpool of human relationships, it's better to focus on self-cultivation improvement.
Shen Qing quickly put the matter aside, devoting all his energy to cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, it was November, and the weather turned colder.
After patrolling, Shen Qing returned to the Guardian Martial Department Office, wearing thick cotton clothes and a cloak, intending to hand over the duty token and end his shift.
Just as he walked into the Guardian Martial Department Office, Shen Qing noticed a circle of people in the courtyard pointing and discussing something.
Curious, he grabbed the arm of an officer and asked, "What's going on?"
The officer he grabbed initially wanted to retort, showing some impatience, but upon seeing Shen Qing, he swallowed his complaints.
"The officer of the fourth group has died."
Shen Qing's expression changed, "Are you saying Xi Shaoqin, Officer Xi, is dead? How could he just die out of nowhere?"
"I don't know either. Everyone's saying it's the Cat Demon," the officer pointed ahead, "The body is right there in the courtyard. Officer Shen can see for himself. Does Officer Shen have any other questions?"
Shen Qing released his grip, his face solemn.
The officer whose arm he had grabbed bowed and quickly left.
"Excuse me, make some room," Shen Qing squeezed his way in and looked forward, his face turning pale.
The scene before him was shocking, even somewhat horrifying.
Someone who sat beside him just days ago now lay in a terribly tragic state on a makeshift wooden board.
His internal organs were almost entirely hollowed out, with only a large intestine dangling outside.
His whole body seemed to have been gnawed and eaten, even his face was so chewed up it was unrecognizable, truly heartbreaking to behold.
The numerous officers and dispatch officers of the Guardian Martial Department surrounded by this tragic sight were filled with shock, fear, speculation, and puzzlement.
For a while, everyone talked in confusion.
"How could Lord Xi end up like this?" An older officer trembled, full of disbelief.
"Yes, I heard he was fine just last night. How could he turn like this overnight?" Another dispatch officer chimed in, his gaze lingering on Xi Shaoqin's corpse, "Could it really have been... the Cat Demon?"
"Nonsense. How could there be demons in this city? Besides, Officer Xi had high cultivation, it must have been man-made!"
"..."
Shen Qing stood silently in the crowd, observing coldly.
Yongzhou seemed somewhat unsettled lately.
"What do you think will happen next now that the fourth group has no officer? Promote internally or recruit externally?"
"That's something only the Chief Officer can decide. How would we know?"
As they conversed, a Chang Sui came over, seeking Shen Qing, saying, "The Lord requests Officer Shen's presence."
"The Chief Officer is looking for me?" Shen Qing recognized this Chang Sui as a subordinate of Chief Officer Zheng Yuanqiu. Without delay, he cupped his hands and said, "Lead the way, please."
Chang Sui nodded, "Officer Shen, please follow me."
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