Chapter 1725: Hostility, IOUs

Feisu Chinese.

Connecting Lawrence with the Akaola Kingdom, Laidun couldn't help but ask: "My Lord, are you intending for Lawrence to return from his advanced studies to host art seminars?"

"That is the general idea. What do you think?"

"I think it is feasible. I fear that within the Territory, only Lawrence is capable of handling this task."

"Hmm, then let's do it that way!"

Laidun did not know if it was subconscious or if he deliberately ignored the existence of the Tower of Time members; Xia Duo did not care too much either. Compared to this matter, the Tower of Time members had more important things to do.

Furthermore, when it comes to artistic attainment and the speed of learning and comprehension, the Tower of Time members might not necessarily be stronger than Lawrence.

……

After chatting with Laidun at Code Plaza for a while, a cluster of disorganized figures appeared to the north of the 【Daxia-Saville Passage】, but their marching speed was no slower than the neat formations of the Daxia Territory from before.

Xia Duo even saw Keyaan among the crowd, but he was not prepared to meet Keyaan here. Before the other party's field of vision could extend to this side, he moved his mind to drive the water vapor in the air to create a hazy barrier to the north of himself and Laidun.

"Those fellows haven't received discipline training. Have Meili and the others keep a closer eye on them from the sky; don't let any bad things happen. Of course, don't be too guarded against them either; they are, after all, our own people. Additionally, if Keyaan has any needs, have Ximeng send two instructors to him."

"I understand."

"As long as you understand. I'll leave this place to you; contact me at any time if there are any problems."

After saying this, Xia Duo left Code Plaza and returned to the Tower of Time.

……

One hour later, Keyaan led his troops to arrive at Code Plaza. Laidun stepped forward personally to welcome them: "Commander Keyaan, welcome to Daxia Territory."

"Administrator Laidun, how very rude of me. I should have been the one to greet you first."

Although he said this, Keyaan had no intention of stepping out from the pile of soldiers, and even faintly revealed a sense of hostility.

And this hostility might be something even he himself could not clearly explain—whether it was because the other party came from humble beginnings yet had risen to a status above his own in just a few short years, or if it was aimed at Xia Duo, who wanted the entire Savile Territory.

Laidun, however, did not notice this in the slightest. Despite having experienced many worldly affairs, he still had not learned the art of being two-faced, or perhaps he had seen through it all but still refused to change his original heart.

The so-called "doing things by the book" was nothing more than this.

"Commander Keyaan, the Lord has prepared brand-new equipment for your men at the Training Ground. After you finish collecting the equipment, I will take you to the Linshui Three Villages; barracks have already been prepared there."

As soon as these words were spoken, before Keyaan could say anything, his soldiers began to clamor, especially those few Captains, whose words were quite blunt:

"Is Daxia Territory this rich now? Giving away hundreds of sets of equipment just like that?"

"Weren't they saying that Daxia Territory is still in the middle of development and can't even be self-sufficient in food?"

……

*Cough*—

Keyaan's expression turned gloomy instantly. He coughed heavily, then squeezed out a smile and said to Laidun:

"Thank you for the gift from Lord Xia Duo. I will trouble Administrator Laidun from here on."

"It is no trouble; this is what I should do."

After saying this, Laidun led Keyaan and his party through Code Plaza and walked toward Linshui Village to the south.

During this time, a small episode occurred: when Keyaan's soldiers passed the commercial street at the junction of Linshui First Village and Linshui Village, they clamored to go in for a drink, saying they were exhausted from walking here from Savile Territory.

At this time, only a few days had passed since the Midsummer Festival, which could be counted as the hottest days of the year. It was already quite impressive that these soldiers had managed to endure until now before speaking up.

But everything is afraid of comparison. On the road when they first arrived, Keyaan had seen with his own eyes the Daxia Territory soldiers lined up in two rows with uniform movements.

Although the two sides did not exchange many words, there was no doubt that his soldiers were all Stunned by the other party. Originally rowdy and laughing all the way, when the two sides intersected, they couldn't make a sound at all.

At this moment, with this clamoring to drink, Keyaan's face turned black on the spot. He pulled out his horsewhip and lashed the few soldiers who were clamoring the most vigorously, which finally made them quiet down.

"Commander Keyaan, there is no need to be harsh on the soldiers. It is all my fault. The weather is so hot; I should have prepared some cooling drinks in advance."

Looking at Laidun's appearance, one really couldn't see a trace of acting. Keyaan felt a breath held in his chest, and his face turned a few shades darker.

At this time, Laidun had already taken out the paper and pen he carried with him, scribbled a line of text, left his signature, and then shouted toward the Lier Tavern that the group happened to be passing by:

"Lier, business is here! Hurry and bring out two barrels of light ale, make sure it's cold!"

"Administrator, why have you come?"

A dark-skinned, middle-aged man who had already become slightly plump came waddling out from the back room, sweat still on his forehead that he hadn't had time to wipe away.

Laidun stuffed the note he had just written into Lier's hand and said: "I didn't bring enough money when I came out this time. I'll write an IOU first; come to the Government Hall tomorrow to exchange it for Gold Coins."

"My Lord, it's just two barrels of light ale; consider it my treat." As he spoke, Lier made a gesture to return the note to Laidun's hand. More than half a year of running a tavern had made this once-clueless farmer become slick.

But Laidun did not accept it; instead, he recited a legal code in public, which made Lier's outstretched hand shrink back instantly as if it had been pricked by a needle.

He hadn't forgotten that the last time Laidun recited a legal code, the result was someone being whipped in public, and his current behavior already counted as having one foot on the edge of breaking the law.

His home was in Linshui First Village, only a few minutes' distance from Code Plaza, and he was very familiar with the legal codes related to his own business!

This time when Laidun came over, he had subconsciously thought he had grasped an opportunity, never expecting he had almost walked right into the blade.

Just as he didn't know how to ease the atmosphere, a series of heavy footsteps came from behind. Two tall, sturdy men were working together to move a heavy barrel of ale out from inside the tavern.

Following behind was a thinner young man holding two stacks of wooden cups piled high; this was Lier's eldest son.

Because the second son had caught a good time, he entered the Tower of Time and even became an Official Mage, so the eldest son could only stay at the family tavern to help. Compared to the past, it could be considered a good place to settle down.

Seeing his son come out, Lier suddenly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to order his son: "Still not pouring drinks for the Lords!"

With over a hundred people, it would be too slow if Lier's son had to pour them one by one. Some impatient soldiers had already rushed over, wanting to snatch the cups from Lier's son's hands.

At this moment, Laidun suddenly raised a hand, and a strong Holy Light flashed suddenly under the scorching sun. Everyone in this area who was illuminated by the Holy Light quieted down in unison.

A few people even had a hazy voice emerge in their hearts, seemingly telling them to maintain order and come one by one.