Yu Furen returned to Haoyun Mountain.

The Emei Sect had already moved into Fulian Residence. It was said that Tang Lici had hosted a vegetarian banquet that night, which greatly satisfied Master Wenxiu and all the women of the Emei Sect. While the vegetarian banquet was in progress, all the living necessities for the Emei Sect members had been prepared, which earned even more praise from Master Wenxiu. In the following days, Tang Lici discussed formation methods in detail with everyone, and divided the more than seven hundred people on Haoyun Mountain into teams for training. Everyone cooperated and divided work according to their strengths, greatly improving their combat abilities.

Although Tang Lici absolutely refused to mention where the Wind and Moon Shop’s lair was located, everyone knew he had it all figured out. Haoyun Mountain had fine delicacies daily and constant training. With many masters on the mountain providing guidance to others, quite a few people were overjoyed. Many difficult problems they had pondered for years suddenly became clear, and their martial arts progressed daily.

Morale was high and confidence increased. Meng Qinglei became more excited amid his busy work, and even Cheng Yunpao’s face showed some signs of relaxation. Yu Furen hadn’t seen Tang Lici for several consecutive days, hearing that he was accompanying the various sect leaders. After four straight days, he finally saw Tang Lici at the wine banquet welcoming the Songshan Sect leader.

He still looked radiant, his face flushed red after drinking, appearing intoxicated yet not intoxicated. Now everyone on Haoyun Mountain knew that although Young Master Tang had a ruddy complexion, he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, but there were always people eager to try competing with him in drinking capacity. Songshan Sect leader Zhang Hemo considered that he could normally drink over fifty catties of fine wine – surely he couldn’t be outdrunk by this refined-looking young man? He had always been indignant. Although the Songshan Sect had its own secret techniques, because Shaolin Temple was located on Mount Song, the martial world rarely heard of the Songshan Sect’s name. Whenever people mentioned Mount Song, they would say “Shaolin Temple of Mount Song,” never mentioning the Songshan Sect. Therefore, when this Central Plains Sword Assembly was to battle the Wind and Moon Shop, he had traveled dust-covered to participate, hoping to make a name and become famous in the great battle, surpassing Shaolin and creating an unprecedented milestone for the Songshan Sect. Upon reaching the mountain and seeing Tang Lici’s elegance, he looked down on him even more, thinking to himself that hundreds of heroes on the mountain obeyed such a pampered young master – it was utterly disgraceful. When Tang Lici invited him to the banquet, he slapped the table in agreement, then made up his mind to compete in drinking.

Today’s evening banquet had set thirty-three seats for the Songshan Sect members. Tang Lici, Meng Qinglei, Cheng Yunpao, Yu Furen, and Dong Hubi accompanied them. Although the Songshan Sect didn’t have many people, the Central Plains Sword Assembly treated everyone equally, with full accompaniment for all visitors. Zhang Hemo felt his status had doubled, his bronze-colored face full of satisfaction. After three rounds of wine, Meng Qinglei asked everyone to eat freely. Just as everyone picked up their chopsticks to begin eating, Zhang Hemo suddenly said, “I hear Young Master Tang has amazing drinking capacity. Zhang has loved wine since childhood, and whenever I meet someone who drinks well, if I don’t compete with them, my whole body feels uncomfortable. Since Young Master Tang has such capacity, I wonder if Zhang might have the honor of competing with Young Master Tang?”

Meng Qinglei and others looked sideways upon hearing this. Tang Lici had already drunk too much wine recently. With so many people on the mountain, accommodation, food, water, and even the garbage and waste everyone discarded all required careful handling. Many sects had old grudges and needed him to mediate between them. The current morale and atmosphere on Haoyun Mountain had cost him countless efforts and energy. He was already very tired and shouldn’t drink heavily. Meng Qinglei laughed heartily and said first, “Young Master Tang has other important matters and shouldn’t drink much. If Brother Zhang wants to drink, I’ll accompany you.”

Zhang Hemo chuckled, “In that case, I’ll respectfully accept rather than decline.” He patted the wine jar beside him. This jar wasn’t strong liquor. “Change it to ‘Green Snake Intoxication.'”

Green Snake Intoxication was a medicinal wine made by soaking venomous snakes in strong liquor. The snake’s venom mixed with the alcohol, adding an extra layer of stimulation beyond ordinary strong liquor. Many people drank Green Snake Intoxication to strengthen their bodies, sipping just one cup, but Zhang Hemo had been drinking it for years and especially loved its unique flavor.

Meng Qinglei frowned. Green Snake Intoxication was the strongest of strong liquors. Drinking too much could cause the venomous snakes in the wine to harm people, but since Zhang Hemo had issued the challenge, how could he not accept? Servants brought in ten jars of Green Snake Intoxication and placed them beside the two men. Tang Lici smiled slightly without stopping them.

Zhang Hemo opened a wine jar, poured a bowl of Green Snake Intoxication, stood up and said, “Today we’re fortunately gathered together for this grand martial world event. Those who live and die together in the future are brothers. I’ll drink first as a toast.” He drained the bowl in one gulp and flicked the rim twice with his fingers, making clear ringing sounds.

Meng Qinglei also stood up, toasted everyone around him, and drained a bowl of Green Snake Intoxication in one gulp. He had actually never drunk this medicinal wine before. Upon tasting, it was both bitter and spicy with a strange rotten flavor – he almost spat it out immediately. Zhang Hemo laughed loudly, “This wine is quite strong, but drinking more strengthens the body and is actually very beneficial. Hero Meng probably hasn’t drunk it before?” Meng Qinglei coughed, “The flavor is quite unique.”

Yu Furen smiled bitterly. Meng Qinglei wasn’t fond of drinking. Looking at Zhang Hemo’s attitude, he probably wouldn’t let this go easily. Yu Furen himself had mediocre drinking capacity, Cheng Yunpao almost never touched alcohol except for occasionally accompanying a few drinks at this Haoyun Mountain gathering – he never drank otherwise. Dong Hubi was advanced in years. If Zhang Hemo showed them up today, he would inevitably become arrogant and unmanageable in the future.

Zhang Hemo poured another bowl of wine. “This cup honors Hero Meng for our instant friendship. I hope Hero Meng will achieve great deeds in the martial world and become famous. Hahaha.” He drained it in one gulp again. Meng Qinglei had to drink another bowl. The medicinal wine’s flavor was truly strange. With two bowls down, he already felt quite dizzy and was secretly alarmed.

Zhang Hemo saw this and struck his bowl with a clear ring. “Hero Meng isn’t used to Green Snake Intoxication. Why not change to Daughter’s Red? I’ll use snake wine as tea to toast everyone.” When he said “toast everyone,” he didn’t mean one bowl for the whole table, but one bowl per person, toasting each individually. By the time he finished the table, he had drunk over thirty bowls, his expression unchanged.

Meng Qinglei held his bowl with a bitter smile. He wasn’t naturally domineering, but facing Zhang Hemo’s aggressive approach, he truly didn’t know what to do. If he changed wines, he would lose face, and besides, he couldn’t drink thirty-some bowls of Daughter’s Red either. Just as he couldn’t gracefully back down, a snow-white, warm hand reached over and took the wine bowl from his hand. Meng Qinglei smiled even more bitterly and sighed. The person who took the wine bowl smiled slightly, “Tang will first drink a few cups with Leader Zhang. Qinglei isn’t used to Green Snake Intoxication – he’ll taste ‘Jade Blood’ with Leader Zhang later.”

Zhang Hemo was secretly startled. “Jade Blood” wine was more precious than gold. He had heard of it long ago but never tasted it. Tang Lici’s single sentence saved face without leaving a trace. He watched Tang Lici lift a jar of Green Snake Intoxication while clever servants set out empty bowls. Tang Lici held the wine jar, pouring one bowl, then another bowl. The servant, reading his expression, didn’t dare stop, continuing until over thirty bowls were set out before Tang Lici stopped.

Everyone looked at him in shock – not amazed by his pouring technique, but that such a refined young master would actually drink over thirty bowls of Green Snake Intoxication. These wines together amounted to two full jars. Zhang Hemo’s large build and barrel-like stomach was one thing, but Tang Lici was supremely elegant – how could he drink it all?

“The Songshan Sect is known for boldness. Tang first toasts all of you with a cup of humble wine to comfort everyone’s hard journey.” Tang Lici picked up Meng Qinglei’s bowl of wine, first toasted Zhang Hemo, smiled slightly, and drained it in one gulp. He easily flushed when drinking – with one bowl down, his face was already red as if drunk. Zhang Hemo felt contempt rise, but saw him calmly drink person by person. After finishing the circle, exactly thirty-seven bowls.

Thirty-seven empty bowls sat on the table. His complexion was the same as after the first bowl – no change. His eyes remained clear. “Another cup – Tang toasts everyone on behalf of the common people, honoring the Songshan Sect’s willingness to brave fire and water for the people, not fearing life or death.” He lifted the wine jar again, filled thirty-seven bowls, smiled at Zhang Hemo again, and drank bowl by bowl as before.

Zhang Hemo drank one bowl. Everyone was silent, watching Tang Lici drink the second round of thirty-seven bowls. The Songshan Sect members stared at Tang Lici in shock, stiffly drinking their own bowls. Some with low tolerance were about to vomit, but Tang Lici remained the same, completely unchanged.

So much wine – who knew where it went in his body? Zhang Hemo lifted his wine bowl, wanting to say something, but it seemed all possible toasting words had been said by Tang Lici. He simply poured and drank himself, gulping bowl after bowl. After drinking over twenty bowls, he smashed his bowl on the ground and laughed loudly, “Young Master Tang truly has amazing capacity! I admit defeat. This is the first time I’ve seen someone drink four jars of Green Snake Intoxication. Lost, lost! The Central Plains Sword Assembly truly has abundant talent – even drinking talent is unmatched under heaven. Eat, eat!”

Tang Lici smiled slightly, had servants remove the empty bowls, picked up chopsticks, and quietly ate. Meng Qinglei and others breathed with relief. The banquet atmosphere relaxed, and everyone began discussing Wind and Moon Shop matters in detail. Tang Lici had drunk so much wine yet remained eloquent, clear, and rational without the slightest intoxication. Zhang Hemo was a drinking veteran but rarely saw anyone drink so much while remaining normal. He couldn’t help but admire Tang Lici, and his arrogance unknowingly dissipated considerably. He secretly thought Tang Lici was truly remarkable.

At the second watch of night, the banquet finally ended. After the Songshan Sect members dispersed, Yu Furen finally had a chance to speak with Tang Lici. “Lici, may I have a word?”

Meng Qinglei and Cheng Yunpao had other matters. They nodded to him and left together. Dong Hubi chuckled, “Young people are so spirited, drinking wine like water. When you’re old you’ll know that good wine is a deadly habit. Better drink less in the future.” Tang Lici smiled and thanked him. Dong Hubi went west on his own.

Seeing no one around, Yu Furen said, “Miss A’Shui and Yu Tuan’er have been safely delivered to Jihe Manor. The journey was peaceful – you can rest assured. However…” He smiled faintly, “I saw Liu Yan’s expression wasn’t good. He seemed completely unwelcoming.”

“Rest assured,” Tang Lici smiled lightly. “He may not welcome them, but he’ll feel at peace.” He looked at the table full of dishes. “With so many people on the mountain, the Wind and Moon Shop couldn’t fail to hear news. If my guess is correct, soon… there will be changes.”

Yu Furen was startled. “What changes?”

“Someone… is about to return.” Tang Lici stood very close to Yu Furen, who could feel the warm breath containing wine as he spoke, as if deliberately speaking each word intoxicatingly to bewitch the soul. “Miss Tao is about to return.”

“Miss Tao is returning?” Yu Furen was startled again. “Isn’t that very good?”

“Very good.” Tang Lici smiled softly, waving his sleeves. “Truly very good.” Without farewell, he turned gracefully and walked toward his room. Yu Furen knew his temperament and didn’t ask more, but his heart was full of doubt. If Xifang Tao returned to the Central Plains Sword Assembly, their momentum would be even stronger – what could be wrong with that?

Tang Lici returned to his room, casually closing the door and lighting the oil lamp.

He still didn’t sleep, just sat by the table, quietly watching the oil lamp.

The flame flickered, light and shadow danced. As wine’s effects gradually rose, he dimly saw many figures in the lamplight again, even faintly hearing voices – Fang Zhou’s voice, Chi Yun’s voice, Shao Yanping’s voice…

Everyone was talking.

Only he seemed to hear every sentence yet couldn’t understand any.

The wine’s effects continued rising. Green Snake Intoxication was poisonous wine. He felt dizzy and stood up, retching up most of the wine he’d drunk and the evening’s food. After resting briefly, he vomited again. Soon, those four jars of strong liquor had been almost completely expelled.

Strange wine vapors rose, intoxicating him then sobering him. He cleaned the filth from the floor, bathed and changed clothes, tidying everything in the room without trace. Only when sitting down to rest did he realize he was drunk.

Tonight he could finally sleep.

Because he was drunk.

No need to keep the oil lamp burning, no need to see the many figures in the lamplight; no need to fear darkness either – no matter how many ghostly shadows were in the darkness, he couldn’t see them.

Drunk was drunk. When drunk, he needn’t force himself to think clearly about anything. He could have scattered, fragmentary wild thoughts, or think of nothing at all. He could treat strange fantasies as real.

Sending A’Shui to Jihe Manor – would A’Yan be happy? He actually didn’t know. It was just… there was nothing else he could give him anymore. Besides A’Shui, what else could he give him? Sending her away – was it because he’d finally grown tired, or for the antidote to the Crimson Ghost Nine Hearts Pill? He actually couldn’t tell clearly. Often he wasn’t as clear and calm as he appeared on the surface. If A’Yan could transfer his affections to Yu Tuan’er, that would be good for everyone. Only pity that little girl Yu Tuan’er… understood nothing.