1127 From Past to Present
Spring brought a hundred flowers, autumn had the moon, summer had cool breeze, winter had snow.
This verse was originally an extremely good description of beauty, but at this moment, under the sunlight outside the Prison Department, it became ordinary. Only the smile of the beauty in the plain robe with dimples was the most beautiful scene in the world.
Zi Xuan couldn't help but laugh.
Her pretty face turned slightly red from this smile, like a blooming peony. A ball of gentle flames appeared in the depths of her eyes. After she cast a deep glance at Xu Qing, she slowly walked forward.
After taking seven to eight steps, Zi Xuan suddenly turned and stared at Xu Qing.
"Xu Qing, you've learned bad things."
Xu Qing remained silent, not knowing what to say.
Looking at Xu Qing's appearance, Zi Xuan's eyes that were as clear as blue waves were filled with warmth. The corners of her mouth gradually curled up like a perfect crescent moon. The emotions contained in them chased away all the gloom, causing her state of mind to become clear.
This change in her mind spread throughout her body, causing her elegant and lofty temperament to appear once again.
It was a beauty that made people feel ashamed and unworthy in its presence, a state of the soul blending calmness and agility, a charm that irresistibly drew people toward its captivating allure.
It was also the Fairy Zi Xuan in Xu Qing's memories.
"What are you still standing there for?"
Xu Qing's heartbeat suddenly sped up again. He instinctively lifted his feet and silently arrived beside Zi Xuan. Under Zi Xuan's smile, the two of them walked toward the city.
It was unknown if it was the breeze or the fluctuations of her mental state, but Zi Xuan's long black hair fluttered behind her beautiful figure. As she moved forward, a few strands intertwined with Xu Qing's ponytail and swayed together.
Amidst the wind, Zi Xuan's gentle voice swayed.
"Xu Qing, I don't remember my previous life. Even though I experienced the view before, I don't have many memories. Hence, I don't know if I was the daughter of the Ancient Sovereign Mystic Nether or the wick of that lantern."
"If I have a choice, I hope it's the latter."
"So, let's define everything we saw previously like this, okay?"
"I can also sense that that lantern… is very, very far away from us. That direction should be the human race's Grand Imperial Capital Region."
"In the future, I will take it back."
"I'll help you!" Xu Qing's sound echoed.
Time slowly passed just like that. In the next half a month, Xu Qing was very busy.
Although he had the experience of being a Sword Holder and the help of Old Master Seventh, Marquis Yao, and the others, Fenghai County was too big and there were too many things he needed to do as a County Governor. There were also many things Xu Qing needed to learn.
Hence, in this half a month, Xu Qing spent most of his time immersed in dealing with official business and reports from various sources.
At that moment, in the County Governor's residence, the Observance Palace's Palace Master and the deacon he delivered had just ended their report. After they left, Xu Qing picked up his teacup and only took a sip before a Sword Holder came to report.
The Palace Master of the Law Palace had come.
Xu Qing organized his thoughts and personally walked out to welcome her.
The Palace Master of the Law Palace had delivered a woman with him. Under the guidance of a Sword Holder, they appeared in Xu Qing's vision.
The current Palace Master of the Law Palace was the former Deputy Palace Master of the Law Palace. She was an ordinary-
looking old woman with a resolute personality and was meticulous.
Xu Qing had seen her before but he wasn't familiar with her. However, the instant he saw her, he couldn't help but think of the former Palace Master of the Law Palace.
The former Palace Master had died on the battlefield together with the Palace Master of the Observance Palace. Their corpses were made into puppets by Bai Xiaozhuo. After Fenghai incident, the souls of the two puppets were released.
They were willing to continue protecting Fenghai County in their puppet form, and were one of Fenghai County's trump cards.
Xu Qing sighed inwardly. His expression was solemn as he bowed to the Palace Master.
Even though her cultivation was only at the Spirit Repository realm, as the County Governor, this bow represented enough respect for the Palace Master. When she saw this, she quickened her pace and bowed as well.
"Greetings, County Governor."
"Please!"
Xu Qing spoke politely and entered the main hall. The moment he sat down, a natural air of dignity and composure enveloped him. His eyes sparkled with a divine aura, portraying the majesty befitting a county governor.
This was the aura of being the county governor.
However, not everyone could have it. Also, Xu Qing's aura didn't seem to be deliberate.
He sat there and everything was natural.
Xu Qing naturally wasn't born with it. The reason why it was like this was because of the understanding and gains he had made in the trip to the Moon Offering Region.
Very few people could compare to the experience of coming into contact with many Soul Accumulations, let alone saving them. As the master of the Moon Rebel Hall, he also participated in the Divine Son battle and the battle of Crimson Goddess.
How could someone who had slaughtered a god not be composed?
The Law Palace's Palace Master was shocked. This was the first time she had seen Xu Qing alone in half a month. Originally, there were some changes in her thoughts. However, now that she saw Xu Qing's calmness, she fell into deep thought and suppressed all her thoughts. She then reported the work of the Law Palace in a low voice.
Xu Qing listened attentively. After a long time, the Palace Master finished her report. Xu Qing's understanding of the Law Palace became even more thorough.
"County Governor, please review the new list."
After the Palace Master finished speaking, she glanced at the woman beside her.
This woman was Yao Yunhui.
She was now a deacon of the Law Palace and was quite important to the Palace Master. Hence, she had followed the other party here to meet the County Governor.
Throughout the entire process, she appeared both nervous and complex. On one hand, this was because she was not unfamiliar with Xu Qing. In fact, the first conflict that arose in Fenghai County upon Xu Qing's arrival was initiated by her.
The matter of the world was unpredictable. Even in her dreams, she couldn't imagine the events that had happened in Fenghai County. Xu Qing was able to soar into the sky to the point where she could only look up to him.
At the same time, her heart was also filled with endless waves of emotions about Xu Qing. She really didn't know why but every time she thought of Xu Qing, she couldn't help but think about how good he was.
Over the years, it had long been deeply ingrained.
After hearing the Palace Master's words, Yao Yunhui took a deep breath and tried her best to suppress the fluctuations in her heart. She respectfully stepped forward and handed a jade slip to Xu Qing with both hands.
Xu Qing lifted his head and his gaze landed on Yao Yunhui.
Yao Yunhui had clearly made some preparations in her makeup. A cascade of beautiful black hair flowed down like a waterfall. Delicate willow-shaped eyebrows, a straight and elegant nose, slightly rosy cheeks, and cherry-like lips—all exuded an enticing charm.
Her oval face, akin to a blooming flower, was clear and jade-like, with smooth, snow-white skin as delicate as ice and snow.
However, her expression was solemn. Her black and white Daoist garment that represented the seriousness and justice of the Law Palace added to her solemnity.
However, it was also because of this that the contrast was even greater. Because her Daoist garment couldn't hide her figure, it actually gave off some forbidden beauty.
However, Xu Qing wasn't moved. He lifted his hand and took the jade slip, checking it with his divine consciousness.
Yao Yunhui felt even more complicated. Looking at Xu Qing in front of her, her brain was a little chaotic.
Xu Qing didn't understand her thoughts. What he was paying attention to now was the jade slip list.
This list contained the cultivators who had joined the Law Palace in the past few years. There were 30 of them every month and they came from various sects. There were also some who were nurtured by the Law Palace.
The three palaces of Fenghai County had autonomy in the recruitment but in the end, they still had to be inspected by the County Governor.
After checking the list, Xu Qing was about to put it down. However, shortly after, he exclaimed inwardly as he noticed that a year ago, there was a month when 29 people joined the Law Palace instead of 30.
This was especially so since there was a name Xu Qing was familiar with.
Ding Xue.
"Last July, there was one less person?" Xu Qing lifted his head and looked at Yao Yunhui.
When Yao Yunhui heard this, she hurriedly put away the complicated feelings in her heart. She recalled the reason and remembered that there were people from the Seven Blood Eyes among them. Hence, she understood the reason why Xu Qing asked.
However, when she thought of the absence of one person, her expression couldn't help but turn peculiar, and she spoke in a low voice.
"County Governor, there were originally 30 people in July last year. One of them was called Zhao Zhongheng. This person could have passed but in order to be in the same division as a female cultivator named Ding Xue, he openly bribed the supervisor. It was an attempted bribe."
"Ding Xue reported this matter and Zhao Zhongheng was disqualified… He's still in the assessment period."
Xu Qing shook his head. Previously, when he saw Ding Xue's name, he thought of Zhao Zhongheng.
When he heard that the reason was actually because Ding Xue had reported him… Xu Qing felt sympathy for Zhao Zhongheng.
However, he naturally wouldn't interfere in such a matter. Hence, he handed the jade slip back to Yao Yunhui.
He then chatted with the Palace Master of the Law Palace. After about fifteen minutes, the Palace Master stood up and left.
Xu Qing personally sent her off. Outside the main hall, Yao Yunhui, who was following beside the Law Palace's Palace Master, couldn't help but turn her head after she was far away and glance in the direction of the main hall.
Xu Qing's slender figure stood there, silhouetted against the azure sky, appearing eternal in her eyes.
In the following days, Xu Qing's workload decreased a little. He finally had time to catch up with his old friends.
The first person he went to see was Zhang San.
With the bustle and prosperity of the county capital, Zhang San, who had good business acumen, naturally would arrive here. In the past few years, he had used the profits from the Seven Blood Eyes' port to open a few flying ship shops in the city.
The Seven Blood Eyes' flying ships had long been modified and divided into two versions. One was for the disciples to use for cultivation, and the other was to be sold to outsiders as a magic artifact.
Due to Old Master Seventh and Xu Qing's identities, the sales of the Seven Blood Eyes' flying ship in the county capital and other provinces were very impressive. Hence, these shops had booming business.
Zhang San was extremely excited about Xu Qing's arrival but he couldn't help but feel reserved. He led Xu Qing to the backyard.
It was only after they reminisced about the past that Zhang San's reservedness eased a little. However, it couldn't dissipate. In the past half a month, he would wake up laughing in his dreams.
The investment back then had long soared by countless times…
"Coun… Senior Brother Xu Qing, the captain also came a few days ago with a great charm beside him."
Zhang San rubbed his hands and spoke in a low voice.
Xu Qing smiled. During this period of time, the captain had disappeared without a trace. Even with his toes, he could imagine that the other party was definitely with Li Shitao. He must be very happy.
Upon seeing Zhang San's appearance, Xu Qing simply squatted beside him like he did back then.
Zhang San's physique trembled as he looked at Xu Qing. He took out his tobacco pipe and took a deep breath. After he exhaled the smoke, he sighed with emotion. Vaguely, he seemed to have seen the youth who had followed the captain carefully when he was in the Seven Blood Eyes.
"I didn't expect this, I really didn't expect this…"
