Dining Table (Part 1)

"Grandpa Jack, no need to see us off, we're leaving now."

Ten miles away from Holy Soul Village, Zhou Qing saw Old Jack, Wang Shi, and Wang Shi's son still following behind, and once again advised, "And Auntie Wang, you're pregnant! Brother Wang, why don't you take your mother back?"

"Yes, Grandpa Jack, you're so old, and Auntie Wang too, you should both go back," Tang San advised.

"Then we'll take it here."

After much persuasion from the two, Old Jack, Wang Shi, and Wang Shi's son finally stayed and stopped insisting on seeing them off. However, the three of them waited until Zhou Qing and the others had disappeared from sight before turning back...

"Let's go, let's speed up."

Zhou Qing turned around and, after losing sight of Old Jack, said to Tang San, Xiao Wu, Romantina, You Hui, "There are no carriages now, we have to run Falling Star City."

"With our speed, we should be able to reach our destination in half a day if we don't rest."

Tang San estimated the time.

However, when the group arrived Baili outside of Falling Star City, the sun was already setting and dusk was approaching.

"Let's take a break. We should be able to enter the city before the gates close," Zhou Qing suggested, seeing You Hui panting.

Along the way, Zhou Qing and Tang San recovered their Soul Power quickly, while Xiao Wu and Romantina had good stamina. Only You Hui was a bit weak, with poor physical fitness and slow Soul Power recovery, which caused her to waste a lot of time.

However, none of the four said anything to her because of this. Instead, they deliberately took care of her speed and stopped to rest many times along the way so that You Hui could recover her physical strength and Soul Power.

Half an hour later, You Hui had almost recovered, and Zhou Qing and the others had also finished their meditation and returned to their best condition. They then continued their journey towards the North Gate of Falling Star City, finally entering the city before the gate closed.

Upon entering the city, the steward of the City Lord's Mansion personally led guards to greet Zhou Qing, Tang San, Romantina, Xiao Wu, You Hui, and others, and led them to the City Lord's Mansion.

"Haha, you young talents are truly sincere! Please come in!" Dales came out to greet them, grabbed Zhou Qing's hand, and led him into the dining hall.

A round table was already laden with all sorts of steaming delicacies—pickled vegetables and egg drop soup to whet the appetite, fresh fish and tender chicken, and tofu carved with dragon patterns—truly a luxurious and extravagant feast.

After Tang San confirmed the medicinal properties of each herb and that they were harmless, he gestured to Zhou Qing, Xiao Wu, Romantina, and You Hui that it was safe to consume them.

"Tomorrow, I hope everyone will cooperate in giving a speech in the square to raise funds to eradicate the Fallen Ones..."

No rush.

Before Dales could finish speaking, Zhou Qing interrupted him, "We haven't eaten enough yet, let's talk after we've eaten."

"Uh... Hahaha." Dales inwardly cursed, but smiled awkwardly on the surface. He then ordered his servants to continue serving the dishes so as not to neglect the distinguished guests. "Eat, eat more. Being able to eat is a blessing."

You Hui kept her head down, not daring to look at Dales, because the etiquette of the nobility told her that Zhou Qing's behavior was actually very impolite. However, considering that Zhou Qing was her friend and Dales was their common enemy, she could only bury her head in her food and make up for the part that Dales owed her.

But Romantina was different. She maintained the elegance of a noblewoman's dining, appearing dignified, though her heart was already restless—

Although Dales is an enemy, they haven't completely broken ties yet, and the fact that she's with such a "rude" guy might get out and even reach Nuoding City in the meantime.

How will the nobles of Nuoding City view her then?

[Wow~ Just imagining those disdainful, contemptuous looks is exhilarating!]

Tang San ate his meal silently, expressionless. After all, in his eyes, Dales was already a dead man, and what thoughts could a dead man possibly have?

Don't worry about it.

Xiao Wu, who has the most carefree personality, even Taunt, "Exactly! With so little food, who's going to get enough? We're all Soul Master!"

Dales sighed and continued to order the food to be served. He glanced at Xiao Wu without making a sound, wondering if he had been wrong about the Long-Braid Girl —with this personality, she didn't seem to come from a wealthy family at all! Could she be a commoner? But commoners don't have time to take care of such long hair.

However, Dales did not intend to investigate Xiao Wu's true identity. He waited until Zhou Qing had finished eating before getting down to business. "I wonder if everyone has eaten?"

"Mmm, I'm full." Zhou Qing, with a seven-tenths full belly, picked his teeth with a toothpick, casually leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, and even let out a satisfied burp. "Lord City Lord, during this time, I wonder if you have found out where that Fallen Ones and his accomplices escaped to?"

"I have found it. It's located at Falling Star Slope, fifty miles South Gate," Dales said confidently.

"Oh? Lord City Lord is really efficient. You found out in such a short time. Our Lord of Nuoding City still doesn't know that the thieves who raided his mansion were actually accomplices of the Fallen Ones." Zhou Qing put down the toothpick, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

This kid!

At this moment, Dales was 100% certain that although Zhou Qing was young, he was not weak, and he was not the kind of Soul Master who only showed his fists; he was also very sensitive.

"This is naturally because my Star Luo Empire has produced many talented people!" Dales Attaining the Dao.

"Then I presume that the City Lord has already made all the preparations today, and can set off for Falling Star Slope tomorrow to wipe out the Fallen Ones and restore peace and order to Falling Star City and the surrounding towns?" Zhou Qing asked.

"Sigh~"

Dales sighed, "That will take time. After all, there's a Soul Ancestor among the Fallen Ones, and it will cost a lot of money to get the Soul Master in the city to join..."

"I've heard that the city lord comes from Star Luo City. He must be very wealthy and generous to the people of the city. I admire him greatly!" Zhou Qing quickly stood up, interrupted Dales, and clasped his hands in congratulations.

Tang San and Xiao Wu also followed suit.

Romantina and You Hui, however, were still immersed in their own "worlds"...

"... Actually, I have no money." Dales was furious inside, but he still kept his temper in check.

"No money?"

Zhou Qing's attitude and expression changed abruptly. Pointing to the messy dining table, she said, "You're not going to make us pay, are you?"

"Ahem, that's not the case..."

Worried that Zhou Qing would ramble on again, Dales said directly, "Tomorrow, I will hold a tax donation speech at the Falling Star City Square. In order to eradicate the Fallen Ones, I want all the people in the city to donate money. But in order to ensure that they believe that we can eradicate the Fallen Ones, you young people who won the championship in the Friendly Tournament need to show your strength."

Zhou Qing rubbed his chin, scrutinized Dales for a while, and asked with a strange look, "Are you sure that if we show our strength, the people in the city will pay?"