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

With the physique of a tiger and the waist of a bear, Li Linfeng had already stood up, towering a full head taller than Shen Qing at nearly six feet three inches, looking down at him and putting immense pressure on him.

Shen Qing even had the illusion that what stood before him was not a person, but a wall.

Li Linfeng asked in a deep voice, "Have you practiced before?"

"I've practiced some Nine Skills."

"To what extent?"

"I can already feel a warm flow of Qi Sensing in my Dantian."

"Hmm? You've cultivated Qi-Blood?"

Li Linfeng's gaze shifted over Shen Qing's body, and suddenly, the corners of his mouth curled up in an intriguing smile, as if his interest had sparked unexpectedly.

He poised his hands like claws and, in an instant motion akin to catching the wind, he clasped Shen Qing's arms and jerked them outward.

The movement was so fast, as swift as a gust of wind, that Shen Qing could not react in time.

Shen Qing's heart shook, but he saw Li Linfeng gently exerting strength with his hands, a warm yet irresistible force transmitted from his arms, seeming like a small stream entering his body, wandering through his veins and muscles.

He involuntarily stood upright following Li Linfeng's movements, his muscles exhibiting a subtle tension under the influence of that invisible force.

Fear and excitement surged in Shen Qing's heart.

"Is this a true martial master? So powerful!"

The air around seemed to solidify; Shen Qing could only hear his own slightly rapid breathing.

He stared at Li Linfeng's face, his thoughts whirling, worried about his Bone not being outstanding enough, yet longing for approval.

Time stretched at that moment, anticipation and anxiety continuously interweaving in his heart.

Seeing Li Linfeng's brows slightly furrowed, Shen Qing's heart felt as if it had been lifted to his throat.

However, just as he was on tenterhooks, he suddenly felt lighter, his feet left the ground, and he turned around in an odd posture.

When he landed, he staggered forward two steps and nearly fell to the ground.

In that brief moment, Shen Qing distinctly felt Li Linfeng had touched his spine, both sides of his waist, and shoulders.

A tingling soreness surged within his bones, making Shen Qing involuntarily gasp in a cold breath.

Li Linfeng's gaze gradually softened, and then a glINT of satisfaction flashed in his eyes, "You really have cultivated Qi-Blood, more vigorous than most people, and your Bone is good, a fine martial material."

A simple sentence, yet it struck like a spring thunder, easing the heavy stone in Shen Qing's heart, his joy overflowing.

"Thank you, Uncle."

With a population of three hundred thousand in Taiping County, eight or nine out of ten are commoners who cannot eat their fill, let alone have abundant Qi-Blood; even if there are some good seeds, their foundations are too poor.

Better martial talent usually belongs to the prominent families within the county.

These people lack no channels for practicing martial arts.

They say entering into martial arts training is challenging, and choosing the right seeds in these martial arts halls is equally demanding.

Li Linfeng regarded Shen Qing anew, his eyes carrying a hint of satisfaction.

It's just a pity he's a bit older.

Therefore, he could only say he was good martial material, not a perfect seedling.

But the issue wasn't too serious.

Miss Qi's relative, with a clear background, plus such qualities and astuteness, had somewhat stirred his interest, so he asked, "Can you read?"

"I can recognize some characters," Shen Qing turned and respectfully replied.

"Good, if you want to practice martial arts here, you need to know how to read," Li Linfeng casually said.

Shen Qing picked up on the implication in Li Linfeng's words. He had agreed to let him train at Linfeng Hall, a glINT of excitement flashing in his eyes, his joy unmistakable.

He had found a patron!

Without a second word, he bent his legs and his knees heavily fell to the ground.

"Disciple pays respect to Master."

Shen Qing extended his hands forward, palms up, his forehead touching the ground.

"You've got nerve; I haven't yet agreed to take you as my apprentice. You will stay in the inner sect, where a martial master will teach you," Li Linfeng stated as he accepted the silver taels Shen Qing offered. "Consider this as your tuition for now."

"I'll listen to all Uncle's arrangements."

Shen Xiu, standing to the side, saw that Li Linfeng was pleased with Shen Qing and couldn't help feeling overjoyed.

If Shen Qing performed well, he could even be transferred to the martial arts register in the future.

Her family could finally produce someone noteworthy, and could also lend her a helping hand.

Li Linfeng turned to Shen Xiaohu and said, "And the other one; let me see."

Unlike with Shen Qing,

Li Linfeng didn't make any significant movement but merely grasped Shen Xiaohu's wrist to feel it.

A moment later, he said, "The bone structure is not bad, but the Essence Qi inside is too weak, training in Martial Arts might be somewhat challenging. Considering that you are relatives of Miss Qi, give seven silver taels and start by tempering your Qi-Blood in the outer gate for three months. Let's see if you can cultivate any Qi-Blood, and we can discuss further thereafter."

Shen Xiaohu's face brightened at first, but then quickly dimmed.

Compared to Shen Qing, he was indeed lacking a lot.

However, his family had not originally planned for him to practice Martial Arts, but having this opportunity now was already quite fortunate.

He didn't dare to ask for too much, repeatedly giving awkward thanks.

Shen Qing recalled something and asked, "Uncle, I'm registered as a hunter and need to go up the mountain to hunt and pay my taxes. I wanted to ask, when training in Martial Arts later, is it necessary to be in the Martial Arts Hall every day?"

Shen Xiu beside them answered for Li Linfeng, "Being in the Martial Arts Hall every day is the treatment for true disciples. Whether it's the inner or outer sect, Linfeng Hall is free to come and go, it's just that the martial masters are different. How much one trains depends entirely on oneself."

"I see," understanding the gist, Shen Qing expressed his intent to leave: "It's getting late now; we should head back to the village early and not bother Aunt and Uncle here any longer. I'll return another day."

"Alright, go ahead. Next time just find the martial master directly; I won't see you out," Li Linfeng said calmly.

Shen Qing bowed and turned to leave.

After Shen Qing and Shen Xiaohu had left, Shen Xiu, with lively eyes, hurriedly gave a deep bow and said, "Thank you, husband, for giving Qingzi this opportunity. He will certainly work hard in the future, not to fail the grace of your recognition."

Li Linfeng waved his hand and said, "Just take care of yourself and don't worry about these matters."

He made a casual remark of concern and walked out of the pavilion.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered something.

"I forgot to ask that boy which Martial Arts Hall he had practiced the Nine Skills in; cultivating Qi-Blood must have taken a lot of effort."

"Never mind, I'll ask him next time."

Martial Arts have many subtleties.

The Nine Skills is a basic, general martial art, mainly aimed at nurturing Qi-Blood; it's not difficult to practice.

However, this doesn't mean that blindly practicing it will lead to success.

Some of the subtleties involved, if not pointed out, can lead one on many detours.

Li Linfeng thought, Shen Qing must have sought someone to train under.

Li Linfeng walked down from the pavilion and had not gone far before gradually stopping.

His face appeared as though he was quite troubled.

Moments later, Li Linfeng leisurely turned and walked towards the entrance, murmuring to himself, "Today's task should be completed today. The boy hasn't gone far; better to ask now, rather than waiting until next time."

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