Chapter 74

Chapter 73. It seems something about Huashan has changed. (3)

"Here you go!"

"Oh, Young Master, you've come again. Please come this way. I'll show you to a good seat."

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh, what could possibly be wrong? Thanks to your frequent visits, business is booming and life is good. Hahaha."

Qingming followed the waiter's lead to a seat by the window.

"Here's a cool towel. I'll bring you the usual red wine shortly. What would you like for your appetizer today?"

"Bring me a couple of decent ones."

"Yes, I'll talk to the chef and make sure to prepare the best dishes for you today."

The best, not just the most expensive!

Who do they think they're fooling!

But the waiter, without giving him a chance to protest, hurried to the kitchen and brought out two bottles of chilled red wine.

"Here you are."

"Thank you."

Qingming immediately took the wine, opened the bottle without delay, and poured it into a glass.

The sound of the wine flowing into the glass was incredibly satisfying.

'People live for this taste.'

No matter how much of a renegade Qingming might be, as a third-generation disciple, he couldn't drink alcohol in Huashan.

While drinking wasn't completely forbidden, it was strictly prohibited within the mountain gates.

But who is Qingming?

If he's told not to do something, he must do it; if he's told it's impossible, he must make it happen. That's the nature of a person born in the Year of the Frog.

'Strangely, the more you tell me not to do something, the more I want to do it.'

The two bottles of wine he brought from the cave ran out long ago, and now, thanks to the special privileges given by the Sect Leader, visiting the tavern and changing into civilian clothes whenever he comes down to Huayin has become a routine.

How often has he come? Now the waiter greets him first, making him feel a bit embarrassed!

"Ah."

Qingming gulped down the wine in one go and leaned back in his chair, looking as if he had reached paradise.

"Why do they say so many things are forbidden when they claim everything flows naturally? People should be consistent!"

Those damn Taoists!

What?

You're a Taoist too?

Ah, I'm a bit different.

Qingming poured another glass of wine and brought it to his lips, but instead of drinking, he stared at the glass. As he gazed at the rippling wine, he smiled slightly.

"It's not like before, Senior Brother."

The best part of drinking was sneaking it while avoiding the eyes of the senior brothers who were always on the lookout.

"I'm here, and yet..."

There's no one around.

Qingming finally chuckled as he looked at the wine glass.

It's strange.

He had never yearned for someone to sit across from him at the table, but now he found himself looking beyond.

"Tsk."

But he didn't get lost in deep reflection.

The past is just the past. If his senior brothers saw him moping, they would laugh their heads off.

They are that kind of people.

In the world, they were called enlightened Taoists or living immortals, but in reality, they were just playful old men.

Qingming was no different.

"Here's the Sanpi Si and Daliedaipazhu."

Sanpi Si is a dish made from chicken, pork, and jellyfish skin, and Daliedaipazhu is a braised pig's trotter. Both are traditional dishes from Shaanxi.

"Where's the Dongpo Pork?"

"It will be out soon."

Qingming picked up his chopsticks and savored the food.

Old memories are nothing compared to the delicacies on the table. He took a long sip of red wine and picked up a cold dish, feeling as if he had reached paradise.

'This is the realm of immortals.'

The Peach Blossom Immortal Realm is freezing.

I'm not going there. You all be happy there.

At that moment, the door opened, and a group of people entered.

"Welcome, welcome!"

The waiter hurried to the door.

The people who entered were all young men and women.

'Or are they a bit too mature to be called young?'

The men looked to be in their early twenties, and the women, though younger, were still quite mature... Anyway, to Qingming, they were just a bunch of brats.

They looked around and took seats at the table next to Qingming. Qingming ignored them and busily ate with his chopsticks.

"It's been a while since we've had a proper meal."

"We can't eat the Biquedan anymore, Senior Brother."

"That's why we came here. Although we should hurry to the mountain to greet our uncles, they will understand this much."

Senior Brother? Uncles?

Qingming slightly raised his head and glanced at the people who were taking off their packs. They were all wearing black martial robes, and on their chests was the plum blossom symbol of Huashan.

'Are they the Bai Zai Pei?'

Since they were wearing martial robes with the plum blossom, they must be from Huashan. Qingming had never seen them before, so they must be the Bai Zai Pei. They were about the right age.

Qingming bowed his head deeply.

He hadn't done anything wrong, but he didn't want to be seen. He didn't want to get involved. Fortunately, he was wearing civilian clothes, so as long as he didn't draw attention, there shouldn't be a problem.

'They're even stopping me from eating properly. Ah, I need to finish and leave quickly.'

There's no joy in meeting juniors.

Anyway, this one is a headache, and that one is a headache too. The best thing is to avoid getting involved.

"But where is Senior Sister Liu?"

"She seems to have gone to Huashan first."

"Didn't we agree to meet in Huayin?"

"When has Senior Sister Liu ever listened to anyone?"

"Hmm. Then our masters must know we're here."

"It's fine. Everyone knows Senior Sister Liu is special."

"That's a relief."

The young man in the middle called the waiter and placed a simple order. Then he ordered wine and filled the glasses of his senior brothers.

'Oh, oh.'

Qingming frowned.

'Now these second-generation disciples are drinking in the middle of Huayin. If the sect were to turn upside down, it would still have its limits!'

These young people these days!

What?

Me?

Ah, I'm different. I'm almost a hundred years old...

Move on, move on.

"Everyone has worked hard. You've all done well in your training."

"Who else could have worked as hard as Senior Brother? We just followed you."

"That's right. Senior Brother worked the hardest."

The tall young man in the middle smiled.

'He's handsome, isn't he?'

Even as a man, Qingming could feel the charm. With the black martial robe, he looked like a character from a legend.

"Among those who trained with us, I know you worked the hardest. This wine is my personal treat, so don't feel burdened and enjoy it."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"But don't get too drunk. We need to go to Huashan in the evening."

"Of course."

Laughter filled the air.

So, they finished their training and are having a drink in Huayin on their way back. The one called Senior Brother is probably the chief disciple of the Bai Zai Pei, and the others are the key figures.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be drinking so openly where other senior brothers might see them.

'The sect is running well.'

Qingming snorted.

When he was a second-generation disciple, they never imagined drinking together. If they did, they would be locked in the penitence room for a week, practicing swordsmanship.

So Qingming drank in secret!

What?

Oh, I did drink. Ah, how could I not?

But I drank in a proper way, in secret, not like this!

The others, unaware of his thoughts, began to clink their glasses and share the wine. As the appetizers arrived and the table filled, the atmosphere heated up.

'I just need to eat quickly and leave.'

Amid the lively chatter, Qingming quickly ate. As he finished a glass of red wine, a voice he couldn't ignore reached his ears.

"Senior Brother Baichuan."

"Speak, Junior Brother."

"Since we've worked so hard, we should get good results at the Huazong Assembly, right?"

Baichuan crossed his arms and slowly nodded.

"......Hmm."

"Right, Senior Brother?"

"Junior Brother, to be honest, I don't know. But there is one thing I do know."

"What is it?"

"Effort never betrays you."

Baichuan's eyes shone with clarity.

"We've worked hard enough. We've overcome the difficult training and constantly pushed ourselves. Even if we don't win, we've made significant progress during that time, haven't we?"

"That's true, Senior Brother."

"Don't get too caught up in winning or losing. We're in a long game. If we focus too much on the immediate results, we might lose sight of the future."

"Ah... I see. I was shortsighted."

"But I also want to win."

Baichuan smiled softly. His handsome face lit up, and everyone looked at him with trust.

But there was one person with a sour expression.

'Is he buttering up?'

Qingming, feeling a bit queasy, gulped down the red wine. Qingming didn't like such smooth talk.

'This is different from the senior brothers.'

The senior brothers also gave lectures, but this felt different. He hadn't done anything wrong, but...

"Then, how good are our skills now? Can we face the disciples of Zhongnan?"

"Hmm."

Baichuan spoke with a serious face.

"Zhongnan is strong. They are one of the Nine Great Sects, aren't they?"

"Yes, that's true."

"In the past, we were also one of the Nine Great Sects, but to be honest, the gap between us and Zhongnan has widened significantly."

Baichuan's words darkened everyone's faces.

"But that's just in reputation."

Baichuan's voice rose slightly, as if trying to lighten the mood.

"Reputation and skill don't always match. We lost at the last Huazong Assembly, but the gap wasn't that large. We've been training tirelessly, reducing our sleep. Now we can compete with Zhongnan."

"Zhongnan?"

"Was Zhongnan always Zhongnan? Was Huashan always Huashan? Nothing is set in stone. If we keep striving, we can surpass Zhongnan and look to the world in our generation."

His powerful voice and determined gaze were truly inspiring.

Just as everyone was looking at Baichuan with moved eyes,

"Ha!"

A low laugh came from behind.

The six people at the table turned their heads in unison.

"Ah..."

Qingming, realizing the attention was on him, awkwardly covered his mouth.

'Oh, I didn't mean to.'

He couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of what he heard.

Receiving everyone's gaze, Qingming quickly thought of a way out.

'I'll play it off naturally.'

And he started coughing violently.

"Phew! Phew! Oh! Coughing! Did I catch a cold? Phew!"

"......"

Qingming frowned at the intense gaze.

'Why don't they believe me? My acting is perfect!'

A bit more violent coughing...

"Junior Brother."

"Yes?"

Baichuan slowly stood up. He looked at Qingming and spoke.

"Who are you, Junior Brother? I haven't seen your face in Huayin before. May I ask your family and name?"

"......"

This is bad, isn't it?

Right?