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

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"Now that demons are running rampant in the city, we cannot sit idly by and remain indifferent. We need to come up with a plan."

On the high platform, Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang stood majestically, his voice as resounding as a great bell.

Someone agreed, "So, in Senior Zhou's opinion, what should we do?"

Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu said seriously, "I see that the invading demons are powerful, not inferior to our cultivation, and perhaps even stronger. Our families and the government office have suffered significant losses, and the matter of demons cannot be ignored."

"But as far as I know, the situation in Yongzhou City is due to Shen Qing of the Military Department secretly colluding with the demons."

Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu pondered and continued, "As the General of the Army, he knowingly broke the law and secretly conspired with the demons, causing chaos in the city. Therefore, we should first execute this villain, then form alliances to eliminate the demons in the city. Otherwise, this will always be a hidden danger that could lead to a major problem."

Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui followed with agreement, "Indeed, with the Prefectural Governor in trouble and the Qian Family in distress, even when the Family Heads went to catch the culprit, they were all killed. This person is simply lawless and must be removed quickly."

"Exactly so."

After Dong Changhui spoke, others expressed their agreement.

In their original plan, when the chaos of demons reached its peak and the city's people fell into despair, they would step forward and, together with the government officials, slay the reckless demons, aiding the faltering power.

This would establish their prestige in the city. By means of both grace and power, they would both undermine the authority of the government office and elevate their status in Yongzhou.

However, when the news that all the Family Heads were killed by Shen Qing came back, everything changed.

Shen Qing had already learned of their schemes and completely tore off all pretenses with them, making it impossible to recruit him.

Keeping him would be a hidden danger, with no saying when it might explode.

If he was not removed, the government officials they had allied with would likely have other thoughts.

This might attract the attention of the court and the Ji Family, and the secret of Spirit Mechanism Land could not be kept.

Undoubtedly, Shen Qing's killing of the nine Family Heads had already stirred their fear and anger, making each family realize the seriousness of the issue.

Shen Qing became their greatest worry so that they had to temporarily set aside the matter of the demons.

As the most powerful among them, Zhou Guangyu nodded and said, "Since everyone thinks this way, we should next take Lord Jia Zhiping as the leader, assist him in eradicating the traitors, and then eliminate the demons. Internal stability must come before external threats! What do you think?"

Jia Zhiping, sitting in the main hall, had a serious expression upon hearing this.

He was clear that the chaos caused by the demons in Yongzhou City was inseparable from these people.

Now they were placing this universally condemned crime onto Shen Qing's head, absolving themselves.

However, what did this have to do with him?

If he wanted to achieve political success in Yongzhou, he had to learn to coexist with these powerful figures.

This was an unavoidable step.

Perhaps with the Prefectural Governor's death, he could further himself by taking credit for suppressing the demons in Yongzhou and become a significant official in the Great Zhou Court.

For him, going along with the flow was all benefits and no harm.

It was just a pity for a good seed like Shen Qing.

"Lord Jia, as the Commander of the Military, a significant official of the court, holds the military power of Yongzhou. Today, with the chaos in Yongzhou, we must take Lord Jia as the leader. Our Dong Family has no objection." Dong Family Ancestor Dong Changhui supported with clasped hands.

"Our Sun Family has no objection either."

"We Xiao Family are the same."

"..."

Soon, one Family Head after another expressed their support.

"Good, since this is the case, I will gather the personnel now. Everyone, let's go outside the West City Gate to eliminate the traitors and give everyone an explanation." Jia Zhiping stood up, clasping his hands, and said indignantly.

In the face of absolute interest, the so-called love for talent was thrown aside by him.

"Lord Jia is noble!"

At this point, someone reminded, "Lord Jia should act swiftly; otherwise, with demons running rampant in the city, dragging on might incite a people's uprising."

Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Yuguang responded, "Hahaha, you worry too much. The demons entering the city merely wish to devour some people; how many can they eat with their stomachs? A few hundred people in the city would be enough for them to eat for decades. Relax, suffering the people a bit is harmless."

"Oh, indeed, I overthought it."

Commander Jia Zhiping laughed and said, "Everyone, there's no time to lose. I'll prepare first, gather outside the West City Gate after a pot of tea!"

"Thank you, Lord Jia. We will also gather personnel to cooperate with Lord Jia."

Commander Jia Zhiping cupped his hands and left the main hall in large strides.

Following him, the others from the government office gradually took their leave, leaving with Jia Zhiping.

In no time, a third of the people in the main hall were gone, with only a few high-ranking families in Yongzhou remaining.

"Didn't that old man Huangfu Chuan come?" Zhou Family Ancestor Zhou Guangyu squinted his eyes, letting out a cold snort, "Even at this time, he is still immersed in the old dreams of the Huangfu family, not realizing that a fallen phoenix is incomparable to a chicken. Despising us now, after this matter concludes, we won't let the Huangfu family stay in Yongzhou any longer."

As his words fell, the sky suddenly darkened.

The vast main hall plunged into darkness.

Everyone was startled, "What happened?" Continue reading stories on empire

Zhou Guangyu seemed to realize something, abruptly got up from his seat, and rushed outside.

Moments later, his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

"This is... Spirit Mechanism explosion!"

Rumble!

A deafening roar came from afar, shaking the ground and mountains.

...

Deep in a mansion in Yongzhou City, a man dressed in black, with a face twisted to the extreme and eyes wide open.

His mouth tore open at an angle beyond human limits, like a gaping abyss, slowly swallowing a live person, filled with primal wildness.

The room reeked of an indescribable stench.

Moments later, faint chewing sounds emerged in the damp and dark space, making one's hair stand on end.

The man opened his vertical eyes, glowing like two lanterns in the dark, with blood light surging.

He mumbled, coughed twice, and spat out a heap of government official uniforms and bones, burping contentedly.

"The taste of this Innate Realm martial master is quite good."

Bang!

The door was forcefully kicked open, revealing a charming silhouette.

The man in black exposed two fangs, smiling as he said, "I wondered who it was, turns out to be the Mountain Lord Goddess. What brings you here?"

The enchanting woman's face was full of anger, coldly saying, "Chang Junzi, you and I have always minded our own business. This prey was mine; it's too much for you to snatch it."

"It's just some rations, why care. Spirit Essence is descending soon, and its spiritual wealth is much stronger than these rations. How about I give you a share then?" The man in black said with a half-smile.

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