CH 31

Chapter 31: Drinking Together

February 4th, 2023

Fang Li turned his head back as if there was no one around and prepared to keep watching the performance, but the dancing courtesans on stage had all withdrawn. In the blink of an eye, all five floors of the restaurant had been emptied, and he couldn’t help but sigh ruefully.

The people here had had it nice and quiet for too long. Wasn’t it just someone making a ruckus?  Was it so bad that they had to act as if faced with some great foe?

It really spoiled the mood.

Just when Fang Li was a bit bored, a red figure suddenly arrived by sword, and an elderly man disembarked onto the Gilded Tower. The old man wore dark red Daoist robes and a jade band around his waist. From the look of his attire, he was a law enforcement elder of Cinnabar Gate.

The Cinnabar Gate law enforcement elders all had Soul Formation level cultivation, and they weren’t the kind of Soul Formation cultivators who were waiting for death like Shan Qingyang. Each and every person who could enter Cinnabar Gate and become an elder was a high-level cultivator with powerful martial strength, and even killing normal Soul Formation cultivators was a piece of cake for them.

The red-robed elder looked at Fang Li, his face heavy. Just when he was about to strike and capture this wild little brat, his gaze suddenly fell onto Xie Huai’s face, and his expression changed drastically.

Yuyi-jun!

Ten days ago, the demon lord had brought Yuyi-jun with him and destroyed Night Sky Palace on Mt. Wanxun.

This rumor suddenly appeared in the elder’s mind. He felt a chill rise from his feet, and as he looked at the sickly, pale young man in front of him, the hands in his sleeves began to tremble faintly.

This person’s identity was evident even without being said.

No wonder, no wonder, no wonder.

The disciples behind the elder saw that their master wasn’t moving and were a bit surprised. Just when they stepped forward, about to reprimand Fang Li, they suddenly heard their master yell fiercely, “Everyone, stop!”

The elder slowly took a step back and looked deeply at Fang Li, saying in a heavy voice, “Sir, why did you not notify the Gate Master that you were coming to stay as a guest at Cinnabar Gate so that we could prepare?”

Fang Li laughed leisurely and said in a languid voice, “It’s not too late to pass on the news now.”

The elder took a deep breath and said, “Please wait a moment, sir.”

When he was done speaking, he turned left without any hesitation. Only when he had flown a thousand li by sword did he realize that in that brief period of time, his entire back was already soaked through with cold sweat.

The elder didn’t have time to explain to his disciples and rushed inside to meet with the sect leader.

Chong Wanshan was in his residence dining with his guest. He looked to be middle-aged with a long beard and a scholarly bearing. At this moment, he was stroking his beard with a slight smile, speaking to the green-robed man beside him. “This tea came from the tea trees of Mount Cinnabar, which can only be harvested once or twice a century.”

Fu Junling smiled faintly and said, “The Gate Master is too generous. In that case, I must give it a try.”

The teacup on the table was lustrous and translucent, the tea clear as water without the slightest trace of impurities, and its fragrance seeped into one’s heart. It truly was a top-quality product.

Fu Junling lifted up his sleeves and gently raised the teacup, holding it beneath his nose to sniff. Just when he was about to taste the tea—

The red-robed elder rushed inside and said urgently to Chong Wanshan, “Gate Master, I have important news to report.”

Chong Wanshan frowned. Elder Gan was usually very steadfast. For him to come here even though he knew that Chong Wanshan was dining with a guest meant that the news truly was urgent, so he said in a heavy voice, “Speak.”

“Today, there was someone making a fuss at the Gilded Tower, and he even attacked and injured the law enforcement disciples. When I received word, I personally went to investigate and discovered, discovered……” Elder Gan paused and said, “It was Yuyi-jun and the demon lord.”

Chong Wanshan’s expression changed.

Fu Junling’s movements also paused.

Elder Gan was also under a lot of pressure and said fearfully in hindsight, “I didn’t act against the demon lord on the spot, nor did I reveal his identity. I only said that I was going to return to report this matter to the Gate Master. He didn’t stop me and let me come back.”

Chong Wanshan muttered to himself for a moment, then said slowly, “You did very well.”

Elder Gan finally relaxed a bit, then asked, “What should we do next? Gate Master, please instruct.”

Chong Wanshan knit his eyebrows tightly.

Actually, he was completely surprised to learn that the demon lord had come.

Recently, Heaven’s Summit had continuously been very high-profile, going around everywhere to appeal to the righteous sects to unite and establishing the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance to attack Hollow Ridge. It was rumored that the demon lord had been infuriated and had already ordered Du Meng to eliminate Heaven’s Summit.

Everyone believed that Hollow Ridge was on the brink of war with Heaven’s Summit.

Yet at this critical time, the devil had come all alone to Cinnabar Gate.

Cinnabar Gate was far, far away from Hollow Ridge, and they hadn’t had any conflict before. Why had the devil come all the way here? It couldn’t be that the devil had been creating a diversion and was seizing the opportunity to attack Cinnabar Gate?

But if that was the case, why had he not concealed his identity, and had even allowed Elder Gan to return to report? This sort of attitude didn’t seem like he was about to start a war with Cinnabar Gate……

He couldn’t really be here to take a tour of the scenery, could he?

Chong Wanshan couldn’t make sense of the devil’s thoughts.

In his heart, he didn’t actually want to clash outright with Hollow Ridge. They were far away from Hollow Ridge, and there was absolutely no need for them to be the nail that stuck out. Even if all of the sects before them declared war on Hollow Ridge, Cinnabar Gate could preserve their strength and make self-defense their primary strategy.

But not only had the devil come here personally, he’d even publicly challenged Cinnabar Gate’s laws. If he left things alone, wouldn’t he be mocked for being afraid of the devil? How would he show his face in the future?

But if he made a move against the devil, would the devil really have come here all alone? Did he have any other scheme? Would Chong Wanshan just happen to fall for his schemes and walk into his trap?

Chong Wanshan was immediately stuck in a dilemma.

If he could think of all of this, then Fu Junling could, too.

Fu Junling put down his teacup and said slowly, “Regardless of what goal the devil has, since he dares to come here all alone, then he must have some insurance. Before understanding the situation with him clearly, it’s not convenient to act without thinking, or I’m afraid innocent people will be affected.”

Chong Wanshan didn’t want to act against that devil either, and Fu Junling’s words just happened to provide him with a way out. He said, full of concern, “This one was also worried about the same thing. There are hundreds of thousands of people living in Mountainview City. If the devil starts to slaughter people, I’m afraid that hundreds of thousands of lives will suffer at his hand……”

Fu Junling pondered for a moment, then said, “Seeing as the devil hasn’t announced his identity yet, he might not have the intention to attack, either. As Cinnabar Gate’s Gate Master, if you make an appearance now, if things aren’t handled appropriately, there won’t be any room to mend things. On the other hand, I’m not of Cinnabar Gate. Regardless of how the discussion ends up, there will still be grounds for mediation…… I’m willing to represent the Gate Master to meet with this devil.”

Chong Wanshan was thinking the same thing, but he had no way to bring it up. He hadn’t thought that Fu Junling would suggest it on his own, and he couldn’t help but say with gratitude, “Then, I’ll be bothering Tower Master Fu.”

Fu Junling smiled faintly. “You and I are both righteous sect cultivators, it’s natural to join hands when facing this devil. No need for the Gate Master to be so courteous.”

………………………………

All of the people in the Gilded Tower had fled, and there were few witnesses at the scene. Most people were outside spectating, and they only saw that someone had been thrown outside, and then later, a few more law enforcement disciples were also thrown outside……

For many of them, this was the first time in their lives seeing something like this.

Someone had attacked the law enforcement disciples in Mountainview City, and the law enforcement elder had come, yet he actually hadn’t captured that person right away, but had turned around and flown back……

The crowd felt dazed as if in a dream.

Just what status did this person have?

It wouldn’t be one of the five great sects’ sect masters, would it?

But all of the five great sects’ sect masters were virtuous, well-respected, and capable elders. How could they do such flippant, tyrannical things?!

Then other than them, who could make the law enforcement elder afraid to make a move?

Fang Li leisurely poured himself a cup of tea, a smile in his eyes, and shook his head at Xie Huai, saying, “Wife, this husband had wanted to take you to see a good show, but it looks like that won’t be possible now. But there are other good shows to see, so don’t be disappointed, wife……”

A good show.

Xie Huai thought, it was indeed a good show.

He knew this person always made up his mind on his own, and no one could interfere with his decisions, so he simply stopped speaking. He was going to see just what kind of good show was coming up next.

Fang Li had just finished making a fuss and wasn’t the least bit anxious.

At present, the righteous sects were scattered like loose sand. More than a few were hoping that someone else would charge in front so that they could sit behind and reap the benefits. Chong Wanshan had always been extremely cautious and was the best at looking after his own hide, so not only would he not make a move against him, he wouldn’t even make an appearance. Fu Junling would represent Chong Wanshan to come meet with him.

And the more exaggeratedly Fang Li swaggered about without any restraint, the more suspicious Chong Wanshan would become and instead not dare to act recklessly.

Fang Li’s gaze couldn’t help but fall onto Xie Huai. The sword cultivators of Cloudbank Keep always regarded all evil as their own foes, unable to tolerate a speck of dust in their eyes. Each and everyone of them took slaying demons as their personal duty, and they would strike whenever they saw demonic cultivators committing evil. Although they’d saved lives, they’d offended Yan Sui and attracted that calamity back in the beginning…… But faced with the devil’s threats, each and every one of them had ignored the cost of their own lives and would rather die than compromise……

That was why Yan Sui didn’t actually really want to do anything to Cloudbank Keep. He only smeared Cloudbank Keep’s reputation and snatched away Xie Huai before returning.

But Cinnabar Gate wasn’t like that flock of fools at Cloudbank Keep.

Even more so, Chong Wanshan was full of schemes and calculations, and he wouldn’t get up early if there was no benefit to him.

So, he wouldn’t come.

Fang Li pinched his teacup and smiled faintly.

Not long after, a clamor arose from downstairs.

Fang Li lifted his head to look outside.

A man in green robes walked over, his features handsome and bright, gentle like jade, elegant as bamboo, his movements as he walked like a clear breeze skimming past.

More than a few people recognized him and called out to him respectfully one by one. “Tower Master Fu.”

Fu Junling smiled and nodded, then said to the richly dressed young master downstairs who was the victim of the case, “The person upstairs is this one’s friend. It might have been a misunderstanding earlier. Young master, I’ll apologize to you on his behalf. This shark spirit pearl is a compensation gift.”

The richly dressed young master’s face was deathly pale, his legs trembling. He’d already received a confidential message earlier, and he was so scared he was on the verge of collapsing paralyzed onto the ground. Right now, he only wanted to immediately run for his life, and he laughed awkwardly. “It was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Actually, earlier, that young master said he was willing to pay me double for my spot. I was the one who spoke harshly to him in discontent, so he had no choice but to act. I was really the one who was at fault first, so how could I accept your compensation gift! It’s all water under the bridge, Tower Master Fu, please apologize to your friend in my place for me.”

Fu Junling said with a smile, “So that’s what happened.”

The richly dressed young master said, “That’s what happened! This matter really was my fault at first, I hope the tower master’s friend won’t take offense!”

Hearing the conversation, the crowd was enlightened. Seeing as both sides were at fault, then it wasn’t someone one-sidedly raising a fuss and injuring someone. If both sides came to a reconciliation, then everything was fine…… But, that person had also tossed around the law enforcement disciples. How was that to be explained?

Fu Junling looked at the spectators and said, “This one’s friend is at fault in this matter. Everyone, please be at ease, this one will go with him to Cinnabar Gate to ask forgiveness.”

Since Fu Junling was here to act as guarantor, saying that they would personally go up the mountain to apologize, then there truly was nothing more to say.

Very quickly, some law enforcement disciples came over to disperse the crowd.

A couple of words from Fu Junling had diverted the disaster.

How powerful.

Fang Li watched the whole scene completely unperturbed. Only when Fu Junling arrived upstairs did he give a teasing laugh from far away. “How come I didn’t know that I had a friend like Fu Junling?”

Fu Junling’s manner was relaxed, and he smiled at Fang Li. “I’m good friends with my lord’s wife, so naturally, I also consider myself friends with my lord.”

As he spoke, he said openly to Xie Huai, “Long time no see.”

He actually didn’t hide the fact that he and Xie Huai were old acquaintances at all, his attitude completely relaxed and unpressured.

Xie Huai had originally been a little worried that Fang Li wouldn’t be able to retreat after making a fuss. Seeing Fu Junling resolve things easily, Xie Huai nodded at him.

It looked like Chong Wanshan didn’t want to make a big deal out of things either, so he’d had Fu Junling come to mediate. It wasn’t unexpected for Chong Wanshan to act this way; although it wasn’t quite upholding the pride of the righteous sects, it wasn’t impossible to understand, either.

In the end, it was better if less killing was involved.

Next, Fu Junling said courteously to Fang Li, “I’m afraid it will spoil the mood to continue to stay here. This one has prepared a sky-touring ship for enjoying the scenery of Mountainview City. I’d like to invite my lord and Yuyi-jun aboard the ship to partake in the view. What does my lord think?”

This was leading Fang Li away from places with lots of people, in order to avoid another incident.

Fang Li answered cheerfully, “Alright.”

Xie Huai turned to look at Fang Li. Seeing him answer so quickly, he wanted to speak, but stopped.

For you to agree so straightforwardly, aren’t you afraid there might be a trap?

This is Cinnabar Gate’s territory.

But Fang Li was extremely at ease.

The likelihood that there was a trap was very small. Fu Junling had come forward because they didn’t want to make a big deal of things. Besides, the person he was waiting for had already arrived, so why bother with those lackeys? Of course, he was going to go happily to his appointment.

Up to here, the plot was progressing extremely smoothly.

Fu Junling smiled and said, “Sir, you’re very straightforward.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a large, magnificent ship came towards them from the horizon. The ship was at least a hundred meters long, and it was carved with numerous flowery engravings, slowly traveling amidst the rosy sunset.

Mountainview City’s regulations were extremely strict, and normally, even flying spiritual devices were prohibited from use inside the city. Being able to use this sky-touring ship to enjoy the scenery was a privilege that only a tiny few could have. Enjoying the scenery of Mountainview City from above was bound to be an experience out of the norm.

A banquet was already prepared on board, and musical courtesans lightly plucked at the strings of their instruments, the sound of classical music greeting one’s ears.

Neither following the script nor enjoying the vacation could be neglected. Fang Li was in good spirits.

Fu Junling was very tolerant. Other than that one sentence at the beginning, he didn’t exchange any more words with Xie Huai. From a distance away, he lifted a cup toward Fang Li and said, “Sir, you’ve come far to be our guest. This one will raise a toast first as respect.”

Fang Li also drank the fine wine, pensive.

In the original story, Fu Junling had also taken Chong Wanshan’s place in coming to see Yan Sui. As a result, he’d seen Yan Sui’s recklessness and harassment toward Xie Huai and had been extremely infuriated, resenting that his good friend had to suffer this kind of humiliation. Later, he’d entered the Thousand Immortals’ Alliance to attack Hollow Ridge.

So, what he had to do was very simple. He just had to humiliate Xie Huai a little in front of Fu Junling, that was all.

He was already way too experienced at doing something like this. Piece of cake.

“Good wine,” Fang Li narrowed his eyes slightly. When the servant girl filled his cup, he suddenly pinched the wine cup and turned to look at Xie Huai, holding the cup he’d already drank from to Xie Huai’s lips, giving a soft, amused laugh as if no one else were present. “Wife, try some?”

Xie Huai looked at Fang Li’s eyes full of laughter and his intimate posture and couldn’t help but furrow his brow. Fang Li hadn’t acted like this in a long time. The last time…… had been at Hollow Ridge, when he’d put on a show for Du Meng to see.

Then what about this time? He was putting on a show for Fu Junling? Why?

The rim of the wine cup was sparkling translucent and slightly moist. It was precisely where Fang Li had just drank from…… Xie Huai’s eyes darkened a bit. He and Fang Li had never been this intimate before……

You…… Do you know exactly what you’re doing?

No, you know.

But you think I won’t drink.

What? You think that a mere cup of wine is enough to make things difficult for me?

A trace of soft laughter leaked out of Xie Huai’s throat.

Fang Li watched Xie Huai’s seemingly displeased cold laugh and purposefully got a bit closer.

How frivolous was he being right now?! Drinking from the same cup right in front of his friend’s face and even calling Xie Huai wife…… Tsk, tsk, tsk, just thinking about it made one angry. If he were Xie Huai’s wide, he’d immediately want to beat himself to death!

Hurry up and rescue Xie Huai from the devil’s grasp!

Don’t let him suffer the devil’s humiliation any longer!

Xie Huai would never drink the wine that he’d drank…… When that happened, should he use a little force?

When Fang Li thought up to here, he was a little nervous, as well as a little…… excited……

Just as he was psyching himself up for it, about to act out a “tyrant forcing wine,” he saw Xie Huai lift his hand and wrap it around Fang Li’s, tipping the entire cup into his mouth, then say blandly, “It’s alright.”

Fang Li: “?”

……………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Fu Junling: Tower master here live on-site, I don’t feel like there’s any coercion, I only feel like I’ve been stuffed with dog food.

Fang Li: ……