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

County Magistrate Du Yuntong lowered his eyes and said, "All these things were purchased by you, Wang Family, why offer them to me?"

Wang Sanbao pushed the tiger bone forward and said, "Just as Shen Shaohua said, Lord County Magistrate is the provider of food and clothing for the people of Taiping County, and the well-being of every plant and tree here depends on your grace. I want to thank you on behalf of the citizens of Taiping County, how could I keep it all to myself?"

Seeing the opportunity, Li Heqing also placed the tiger skin beneath County Magistrate Du Yuntong, smiling as he said, "Indeed, I share the same sentiment, and I hope you won't decline."

After several rounds of polite refusals, County Magistrate Du Yuntong finally "reluctantly" accepted the treasures from the demon tiger's body.

Shen Qing witnessed the entire scene, understanding it clearly in his heart.

It was just as he had anticipated.

After this roundabout process, although somewhat bothersome, Du Yuntong had received the desired treasures from the tiger demon, while the two bosses had incurred only a minor expense to strengthen their relationship with the county government. He himself had gained the benefit of silver taels, making everyone quite satisfied.

Not only that, Du Yuntong even acquired a good reputation and won over the hearts of the people towards him, a newly emerged martial master.

If Shen Qing had been a naive youngster, he might have been moved to pledged his loyalty on the spot.

Those in high positions not only have profound cultivation but also have their ways with manipulating people's hearts.

Shen Qing remained silent, watching with calm eyes, the picture of an innocent youth who doesn't understand.

After several rejections, County Magistrate Du Yuntong reminded them leisurely, "It just so happens that you two are here, let me share some news. In a few days, the Guardian Martial Department from the county town will come to investigate the matter of the tiger demon and pursue the remnants of the Huang Tian Sect. I hear that accompanying them will be people from the Zhou Family checking on their side businesses."

"The Zhou Family is a prominent household in the county town, and your businesses often deal with the county town. You'll need to be careful and restrained in these times," he added.

Wang Sanbao and Li Heqing exchanged a glance, a flash of relief crossing their faces as they said in unison, "Thank you, Lord County Magistrate, for the advice."

"It's all trivial matters," said County Magistrate Du Yuntong, then glancing at Shen Qing, he turned to Wang Yanjun and asked, "Did I not previously say that the one with the most merit in slaying the tiger demon would be granted a martial title?"

"Lord County Magistrate, there was such a matter," Wang Yanjun said.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong nodded and said, "Once a word is spoken, it's like water poured out. As the parental official of the county town, I cannot break my promise, and I should fulfill the earlier commitment."

With that, County Magistrate Du Yuntong turned and signaled to a maidservant behind him.

The attendants immediately came forward and presented items that had been prepared in advance.

A registration certificate yellowed with age, and the heavy silver promised by the two bosses.

"Shen Shaohua, these are now yours," County Magistrate Du Yuntong handed the registration certificate to Shen Qing, his tone full of sincerity.

Shen Qing took the certificate and opened it to see that his place of origin was now recorded as being in the martial arts register.

In that moment, Shen Qing was filled with a multitude of emotions.

The people of Great Zhou were divided into classes.

Emperors, nobles, officials, doctors, martial artists, farmers, craftsmen, merchants, slaves.

Hunters belonged to the class of despised households without land, although they were classified under farmers, they were still looked down upon.

According to the customs of Great Zhou, these people were not qualified to purchase land, not allowed to marry into families of property owners, not permitted to enter the court as officials or clerks, and there was no way for them to even become officers.

Today, by changing to a martial status, his identity rose by a level, breaking free from the despised class and thus everything became different.

The significance of this rise should not be underestimated; many would knock their heads in vain and still not achieve such an opportunity.

Changing to a martial status also meant that he was no longer confined to one place; he could go anywhere in Great Zhou.

Moreover, as a martial artist, he had the chance to enter the court and strive for a position.

Without exaggeration, this was the first step towards becoming a person of higher status.

Many practice Martial Arts for this reason.

If it weren't for this opportunity, obtaining a martial title would have been exceptionally difficult for him.

Not to mention the amount of money that would need to be spent, just paving the necessary connections could take a whole year or even longer.

Once the relationships up and down the ranks were well greased, he would have to be recommended to take the martial examinations, where only one in ten would succeed.

This step would again consume countless funds, and without toiling away for three to five years, he shouldn't even think about it.

Now having acquired it without exerting much effort, he indeed felt much more at ease.

"Thank you, Lord County Magistrate! I will treasure these rewards as if they were my life, and not fail to meet your expectations," Shen Qing said gratefully as he put away the Registration Certificate in his hand.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong smiled and nodded, praising him once more, "Shen Shaohua, so young and promising, you are bound to have limitless prospects in the future. I look forward to the greater contributions you can make to the county town."

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"Certainly, certainly," Shen Qing said with a face full of smiles.

Now that the martial title was in his hands, as to whether he would contribute to the county town or not, that would depend on his mood.

The next moment, Shen Qing had already cast aside Du Yuntong's words.

Suddenly, County Magistrate Du Yuntong spoke up, "By the way, Shen Shaohua, you haven't taken a wife yet, have you?"

"Not yet married," Shen Qing said, his face calm.

County Magistrate Du Yuntong smiled and said, "I remember Team Leader Wang is also single. Why don't you pair up? I think you're quite suitable for each other; you two would be well-matched."

Standing beside him, Wang Yanjun glanced at County Magistrate Du Yuntong and remained silent.

Shen Qing instantly became vigilant, firmly stating, "Lord County Magistrate, I am still young and have no thoughts of marrying yet. Besides, marriage is not child's play—I am but a humble commoner, how could I possibly aspire to match Team Leader Wang?"

"Haha, you have a point. It's mainly because you are not acquainted with each other, familiarity breeds fondness over time," County Magistrate Du Yuntong said. "It's a pity that there is currently no vacancy in the county government; otherwise, you two could get to know each other better."

"..." Shen Qing felt that there was an insinuation in Du Yuntong's words, as if he was being strung along, so he replied, "It's my bad luck, I cannot blame Lord County Magistrate."

"Let's drink," County Magistrate Du Yuntong said, deftly changing the subject.

An hour later, the banquet finally came to an end.

Shen Qing still could not ride a horse, so for the time being, he tied the horse to the back of the carriage, which A Fu drove, bringing it back with him.

After everyone had left, an officer hurried in and whispered something to Du Yuntong. Du Yuntong's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

Wang Yanjun asked, "What happened, Lord County Magistrate?"

"The Boss of Mi Gang is dead, killed by Shen Qing," Du Yuntong said nonchalantly, wiping his hands with a silk handkerchief.

Wang Yanjun frowned and said, "Doesn't that mean that your lordship has lost an arm?"

"It doesn't matter, he was just a dog," Du Yuntong said indifferently. "There are so many people in Taiping County sharpening their heads to get ahead, I never lack for people to do the work; I won't miss one or two."

"If Mi Gang doesn't work out, we'll just replace it with another one."

"What do you think of Shen Qing, can he be made to work for me?"

"He's just a kid fresh out of the mountains. The measures you took today must have surely won his sincere allegiance," she said.

Du Yuntong nodded and said, "It's just a pity he didn't take the bait at the end. Otherwise, in order to marry you, he would have been bound to work himself to death for me."

Wang Yanjun didn't say anything, just lowered her head.

"Let it be for now; next, prepare to deal with the Guardian Martial Department from the county town," Du Yuntong said as he casually discarded the silk handkerchief and left the main hall.

Wang Yanjun slightly bowed her head, watching him leave.