Chapter 8

In the city of Wuxi, at the Songhe Tower, at noon, in a corner on the second floor, a young man sat facing outward, pouring and drinking wine by himself.

The young man was Li Wuching, who had been in Wuxi for some time, staying at an inn in the city, not far from the Songhe Tower.

Every noon, Li Wuching would come to the Songhe Tower early, always occupying a corner seat, ordering simple wine and dishes, and drinking alone.

Li Wuching's behavior was a form of waiting for a rabbit to come to the tree stump. The reason he had the motivation to wait was not only to meet Qiao Feng, who had the demeanor of a hero from Yan and Zhao, but also because he had expectations for the Six Pulse Sword Technique.

Li Wuching believed that the Six Pulse Sword Technique was not out of reach. Duan Yu's character was such that he did not place much importance on martial arts, and with Li Wuching's prior instruction, he had some confidence.

After drinking a cup of wine, Li Wuching's gaze habitually turned to the staircase. At that moment, a tall and robust man walked up. He was in his thirties, wearing a gray, slightly tattered robe. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, and a broad mouth, with a square, guozi-shaped face, weathered by the elements. His gaze was powerful and commanding.

"What a fine man."

The moment Li Wuching saw him, he was amazed.

As Li Wuching observed the man, the man's gaze also turned to him, like a pair of cold lightning bolts striking his face.

Although the man's gaze was sharp, as if it could see through a person, Li Wuching remained calm, smiling at him in a friendly manner. The man was taken aback and nodded slightly.

At that moment, without any reason, Li Wuching was certain that this man must be the current leader of the Beggar Sect, the great hero Qiao Feng.

Indeed, in Li Wuching's understanding, in the world of "Demigods and Half-Devils," the only person who could be called a great hero was Qiao Feng.

He wanted to go and meet him, but Li Wuching believed it was not the right time yet, lacking a catalyst, and that catalyst was undoubtedly Duan Yu.

Sure enough, after a short while, Duan Yu finally arrived. Sensing him coming up the stairs, Li Wuching immediately lowered his head so as not to be noticed.

Duan Yu came up the stairs, and a waiter came to greet him. He ordered four dishes and wine, leaned against the railing, and drank alone, suddenly letting out a long sigh.

Qiao Feng, who had come up earlier, was sitting at a seat on the west side. Attracted by Duan Yu's sigh, his gaze, like lightning, swept over Duan Yu's face.

Duan Yu, born and raised in Dali, rarely saw men like Qiao Feng, who exuded the spirit of the north. Impressed, he called the waiter over and pointed to Qiao Feng's back, saying, "Add this gentleman's bill to mine."

After a few rounds of drinks, the sound of footsteps was heard on the stairs, and two people walked up. The first man limped, using a cane, but still moved quickly. The second was an old man with a worried expression. They walked to Qiao Feng's table and bowed respectfully. Qiao Feng only nodded, not getting up to return the bow.

The limping man whispered, "Brother, the other side has agreed to meet us at the Huishan Pavilion tomorrow morning."

Qiao Feng nodded and said, "It's a bit too soon."

The old man said, "Brother, I originally suggested meeting in three days. But they seem to know we are short-handed and mocked us, saying that if we dare not show up, we don't have to go tomorrow."

Qiao Feng said, "Very well. Pass the word that we will gather at Huishan at midnight tonight. We will arrive first and wait for them."

The two bowed and turned to leave.

Their voices were very low, and no one else on the floor could hear them, but Li Wuching knew he had heard everything, and he also knew that Duan Yu had heard it too.

Li Wuching could hear because he was deliberately listening, while Duan Yu, with his abundant internal energy and keen senses, naturally heard every word, even though he did not intend to eavesdrop.

Qiao Feng glanced at Duan Yu, seeing him deep in thought, clearly having overheard. Suddenly, his eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he grunted heavily.

Duan Yu was startled, his left hand trembling, and with a clatter, the wine glass fell to the ground, shattering.

Qiao Feng smiled and said, "Brother, what are you so frightened about? Would you like to come and drink a cup with me?"

Duan Yu laughed and said, "That would be great, that would be great."

Moving to Qiao Feng's table, Duan Yu asked his name. Qiao Feng laughed and said, "Brother, why ask when you already know? Let's drink a few bowls without formalities. It will be much more fun. Once we know each other's identities, the fun will be gone."

Duan Yu laughed and said, "Brother, you must have mistaken me for an enemy. But I like the idea of 'no formalities.' Please, please!" He poured a cup of wine and drank it in one go.

Qiao Feng smiled and said, "Brother, you are quite straightforward, but your cup is too small." He called out, "Waiter, bring two large bowls and ten pounds of sorghum wine."

The waiter and Duan Yu were both startled by the words "ten pounds of sorghum wine." The waiter smiled and said, "Sir, can you finish ten pounds of sorghum wine?"

Qiao Feng pointed to Duan Yu and said, "This gentleman is treating us. Why save money for him? If ten pounds are not enough, bring twenty."

The waiter laughed and said, "Yes, yes!" After a short while, he brought two large bowls and a large jar of wine to the table.

Qiao Feng said, "Fill the bowls to the brim."

The waiter did as he was told. The two large bowls of wine, once filled, made Duan Yu feel the strong smell of alcohol, which was a bit hard to bear. In Dali, he only occasionally drank a few cups and had never seen such large bowls of wine, so he frowned.

Qiao Feng laughed and said, "Let's start with ten bowls, how about that?"

Duan Yu puffed out his chest and said loudly, "I will drink to the bitter end. If I lose my composure later, don't blame me." He picked up a bowl of wine and gulped it down.

Qiao Feng laughed and said, "Very straightforward." He picked up his bowl and drank it in one go, then refilled both bowls.

At this moment, Li Wuching knew it was time for him to make his appearance. He stood up and walked over, laughing loudly, "The two of you are truly straightforward and generous. By chance, I have a dry mouth and would like to ask for a bowl of wine. May I?"

Qiao Feng and Duan Yu were in the middle of a drinking contest and were about to continue, but Li Wuching's sudden appearance made them pause and look over.

Qiao Feng's eyes were like bright lamps, filled with curiosity and scrutiny. Not knowing Li Wuching's background, he did not speak rashly.

It was Duan Yu who, upon seeing Li Wuching, immediately showed a joyful expression, stood up, and said excitedly, "Brother Leng, how, how are you in Wuxi?!"

"Haha, I said I would come to Jiangnan. The scenery of Suzhou is the best in Jiangnan, and Wuxi is a city of a thousand years. How could I not come to see it?"

Li Wuching laughed.