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

Shen Qing and his company hurried along and finally arrived at Hongshan Village by evening.

By this time, most of the villagers who had gone up the mountain to hunt had come down, and the village was much livelier than during the day.

The cart rumbled over the stone-paved path at the village entrance, kicking up a layer of muddy soil as it passed through the entrance of Hongshan Village.

A villager clad in dog skin poked his head out and, seeing Shen Qing and his group, said, "Yo, isn't that Qingzi and his crew? They've finally come back!"

With his call, other idle villagers also gathered around.

"Qingzi, why didn't you come back yesterday?" One villager said teasingly with a smile, "Everyone was joking that you had exchanged your mountain goods for money to enjoy yourself in the city and weren't going to come back."

Shen Qing let go of the rigid ropes, jumped down from the cart, and said, "Last night I practiced Martial Arts at Linfeng Hall until late, so I stayed in the city overnight and was delayed."

"That's what I thought, Qingzi is a fair dealer. How could he run off? They just didn't believe it. Heh heh..."

Shen Qing, aware of the petty thoughts of the villagers, said with annoyance, "Stop babbling, your money hasn't been shortchanged. Get Zhang Batou over here to see me."

"Alright, alright."

Not long after, Zhang Baqing, who was eating dinner when he heard of Shen Qing's return, hastily wolfed down a couple of bites, put down his bowl, wiped his mouth, and ran out.

When he arrived at the entrance of the village and saw Shen Qing and the others, he immediately called out warmly, "Shen Family nephew, did you call for me?"

"Zhang Batou, I do have something for you indeed."

In front of everyone, Shen Qing took out more than six strings of large coins and handed them to Zhang Baqing saying, "Here is the money from this sale of goods. Take the account book and tally it for the villagers, and settle their payments."

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The onlooking hunters eagerly watched the large coins in Shen Qing's hands, rubbing their hands together, impatient to receive their share.

What they busied themselves with every day, they were now counting on this.

Zhang Baqing slapped his chest in assurance and said, "Sure, leave it to me. I know exactly how much each family owes."

Shen Qing then continued, "After that, tell everyone that once this payment is settled, I won't run a tab next time. Cash for goods, to avoid any confusion in the middle."

"Ah..." Zhang Baqing said in surprise, "There are so many families in the village, that will require quite a sum of money."

"That's not for you to worry about," Shen Qing dismissed.

As Shen Qing spoke, his tone neither warm nor cold, Zhang Baqing instantly felt a sense of distance.

Zhang Baqing understood internally; now that the Shen Family's eldest son had learned Martial Arts and was achieving something, he might even become a gentleman in the city one day, naturally not in the same class as him.

He silently reminded himself not to be carried away, "Okay, I'll visit each family and tell them today."

"I appreciate it, Uncle Zhang," Shen Qing said, and he took a candle from the cart and handed it to Zhang Baqing, "It's dark and the roads in the village are slippery. I have a candle on my cart for you, Uncle Zhang, to light your way."

In the city, high-quality candles could sell for a hundred to four hundred wen each and were very expensive.

Even the cheaper, ordinary candles used by the common folk were priced at ten to thirty wen each.

For the villagers, these were rare items.

Thus, those in the village would typically light oil lamps at night and rarely would anyone afford to use candles, such extravagant items.

Shen Qing's gesture was akin to giving Zhang Baqing a modest benefit, stimulating his enthusiasm, ensuring he wasn't working for nothing.

Villagers, unencumbered by the elaborate courtesies and rules of city dwellers, Zhang Baqing simply expressed his thanks and gratefully accepted the offer.

After receiving the candle, his wrinkled old face blossomed into a wide grin, and he eagerly got to work for Shen Qing, filled with vigor.

After dispersing the crowd of villagers, Shen Qing and Tian Xiaohu returned to their respective homes.

After several turns, Shen Qing arrived at the mud-brick house with its pale yellow walls; the large doors were wide open.

Shen Qing moved aside to tether his horse next to the house.

Elder Sister Shen Fang, hearing the noise outside, hurriedly came out and, seeing Shen Qing in a new set of clothes, happily exclaimed, "Ah, Qingzi has returned!"

She quickly went forward to help.

Seeing a bundle on the handcart, Shen Fang, without a second thought, went up to it and lifted, only to find it remarkably heavy.

"What's inside this, Qingzi? It's so heavy."

"Let's talk about it after we get back inside."

Shen Qing removed the handcart from the horse, laid it against the wall,

and took down a sack of stuff, following Shen Fang into the house.

After putting down the various items, Shen Qing sat on the edge of the bed and, upon noticing Shen Fang still eyeing the bundle, said, "If you want to look, just open it. What's with the hesitation?"

All mysterious.

Muttering to herself, Shen Fang deftly unwrapped the bundle.

Whoosh! A cascade of silver grains and blocks flowed out like a waterfall, spilling before her.

She was immediately stunned.

She had never seen so much money in her life.

Feeling like a thief, Shen Fang quickly rewrapped the bundle and asked in a trembling whisper, "Where did you get all this money from?"

"I helped some people in the city, and they, being kind-hearted, gave it to me," Shen Qing explained with an earnest look.

Shen Fang was somewhat incredulous.

With a smile, Shen Qing said, "Elder Sister, the lords in the city dine with chopsticks made of gold, so this is merely pocket change to them."

Chopsticks made of gold?

Shen Fang took in a sharp breath and said, "Then you should help those lords more in the future. Be careful though and don't let them find any fault in your work. Understand?"

Elder Sister Shen Fang now seemed like an old mother hen, constantly nagging with her endless chatter, "Once we've saved up enough money, we can buy a house in the city and you can marry a wife from there. Then you'll have truly made something of yourself."

Shen Qing shook his head helplessly, thinking that the idea of getting him a wife had turned into his elder sister's obsession; she brought it up every few days.

"We're just making ends meet right now; it's still too early for that. But from now on, we don't have to skimp and save every day. Eat what you should, wear what you should, drink what you should. Our most difficult times as siblings are behind us."

Seeing Shen Qing's somewhat frivolous attitude, Shen Fang frowned and said, "Qingzi, it was thanks to Auntie and Uncle that you could learn martial arts and make something of yourself in the city. If you ever make it big one day, you can't forget them; we must be grateful and repay their kindness."

"I know."

Shen Qing stood up from the bed, looked around and asked, "What are we having for dinner tonight?"

Shen Fang secured the bundle tightly and handed it to Shen Qing; she dusted off her hands and said, "We still have some lamb meat at home. I see you brought back some vermicelli, so I'll cook that for you."

"Alright then," Shen Qing replied with a smile, adding, "I've bought quite a few spices and salts from the city, remember to use them generously."

In the few months he had been in this world, he felt that he was starting to live more like a human being.

Life was finally becoming comfortable.