OUTSIDE OF TIME

518 Everything Follows the Environment (2)

The Deputy Governor’s eyes were filled with encouragement as he looked at everyone who was deep in thought in the hall.

“This is the framework I am imparting to you. With this as the foundation, you’ll be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort if you study the Dao of plants and vegetation.”

“I will explain some of this knowledge to you for the next seven days. If you can’t fully comprehend it by then, you can spend your military contributions to come to my office and continue learning from me.”

With that, the Deputy Governor rose from his seat and walked out of the hall.

Everyone stood and bowed respectfully to the Deputy Governor.

Xu Qing was the same. He found this lesson to be greatly inspiring.

With the departure of the Deputy Governor, today’s class came to an end. Everyone walked out of the hall one after another.

At that moment, dusk had passed and the bright moon had risen.

The moon today was very beautiful. There were no clouds in the sky and the moon shone brightly.

Xu Qing, who was about to return to the branch sect with the captain, had just left the main hall when Kong Xianglong’s hearty voice rang out from behind him.

“Xu Qing.”

“We’ll all be comrades in the future, so let me treat you to a drink. I won’t beat around the bush – I want to make friends with you.”

“These friends of mine are also curious about you. You’ve just arrived in the county capital, so you might not know much about the Sword Holding Palace. I’ll explain it to you later.”

“What do you think?”

When Xu Qing heard this, he halted in his steps and turned his head to look at Kong Xianglong who was walking over. The other party had a sincere expression on his face, and his smile was warm. Behind him were Shan He and the others.

Xu Qing hesitated. The other party was so sincere in inviting him and he indeed planned to understand more about the Sword Holders. However, it seemed that the other party didn’t like the captain.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, if you don’t have time…” Kong Xianglong appeared carefree, but that was simply his personality. It was just that he couldn’t be bothered to use his brain. However, this didn’t mean that he was stupid. At this moment, he could naturally perceive the source of Xu Qing’s hesitation.

Hence, he suppressed the vigilance he had against Chen Erniu and calmly spoke.

“I have time!” The captain coughed. He was very satisfied with Xu Qing’s way of taking care of him.

Xu Qing nodded.

Kong Xianglong didn’t care too much if there was an additional person. Just as the group was about to leave, Night Spirit grabbed Qing Qiu, who was about to leave.

Qing Qiu had no choice but to tag along.

Just like that, the seven of them flew out of the Sword Holding Palace.

Behind them, Zhang Siyun walked out of the Knowledge Hall. When he saw this scene, he let out a cold snort and left alone.

Kong Xianglong and the others had grown up in the county capital and were naturally very familiar with taverns and restaurants. However, they didn’t choose a luxurious place, but rather an ordinary tavern.

There weren’t many customers inside. The owners were an old couple and were clearly familiar with Kong Xianglong’s group. When they came out with the dishes and saw them, they immediately smiled

“Little Kong is here. You made new friends?”

“Uncle Zhou, Auntie Zhou.” After Kong Xianglong arrived, he hurriedly ran over and took the plates of dishes, helping to deliver them to the next table. The customers at the table weren’t intimidated by the presence of a group of Sword Holders and instead teased.

“Little Kong, are you here to help again?”

“That’s right. I’m drinking while doing miscellaneous chores.” Kong Xianglong chuckled. After putting down the plates, he took some wine pots and walked over to Xu Qing.

“Why are you all standing there? Sit down. I brewed the wine here. It’s not mixed with water at all.” Kong Xianglong pulled everyone to a table and sat down. He placed the wine pots down, looking like the owner.

Qing Qiu was amazed by this scene. Xu Qing also took a few more glances at Kong Xianglong, while the captain seemed to have been aware of it all along.

Just as Kong Xianglong was about to speak, another table of customers shouted for the bill. He hurriedly got up and ran over. His movements were very familiar, and he didn’t seem to be the same person as back then at the Sword Holding Palace.

“Big Brother Kong has lived in poverty since young. He used to work as a laborer in the Sword Holding Palace and also took on a few odd jobs outside to earn spirit coins.” Night Spirit glanced at Xu Qing and the others and explained.

“He worked as a server for three years in this tavern. He only resigned after he started cultivating and had more missions outside. However, every time we gather, he still chooses this place because Uncle Zhou and Auntie Zhou have been very kind to him.”

“Brother Kong is a nostalgic person.” Shan He instinctively maintained a gloomy expression and spoke coldly.

Xu Qing looked at the busy Kong Xianglong. He had never encountered such a person before.

Very soon, Kong Xianglong ran back. After he sat down, he picked up a wine pot and laughed at everyone.

“I’m happy today to have made new friends. Come, let’s drink!”

Shan He and the others lifted the wine pots. Xu Qing, the captain, and Qing Qiu also picked up the wine pots. After everyone looked at each other, they drank it together.

They were all young people and drank quickly. Although alcohol was nothing to cultivators, it could still liven up the atmosphere, especially with Kong Xianglong’s hearty laughter and enthusiasm.

Kong Xianglong’s boldness was also reflected in his drinking habits. It was clear that he was a person who loved wine, as he continued to empty one pot after another.

Gradually, Xu Qing and Qing Qiu relaxed. However, the two of them still couldn’t stand each other and ignored each other.

As for the captain, he was very sociable and kept drinking with Shan He and the others.

“Little He, Night Spirit, and Wang Chen, I know the three of you aren’t convinced about Xu Qing being appointed by the Emperor, but let me tell you, the greatest taboo among the heaven’s chosens of the human race is jealousy. You’ve heard the history of the human race today. Our human race isn’t as strong as it used to be, and if we still fight among ourselves, our future will be bleak.”

“I don’t care what you guys think, but I’m convinced by Xu Qing. A hundred thousand feet is a hundred thousand feet.”