Chapter 230: Myriad Blossoms’ Wine

“When did maids start giving orders to their masters?” Meng Qi said in a mocking tone, never missing a chance to tease Gu Xiaosang.

Gu Xiaosang smiled brightly, her eyes like crescent moons: “Isn’t this servant girl merely helping the master ease his burdens? If you were targeted by the disciple of Xuan Nu, and this matter was reported to the Immortal Realm of Su Nu, you’d soon have one Outer Scene expert after another lining up at your door. They possess peerless divine weapons but are unable to wield them effectively. Their longing for the disciple of the Thunder God is beyond ordinary comprehension. Haha, speaking of which, more than eighty percent of the Outer Scene experts from Su Nu’s sect are exquisitely beautiful women, as graceful as fairies and as enchanting as fox spirits. Master, are you perhaps impatiently waiting?”

Her tone was cheerful as she added in mock seriousness: “Unfortunately, the first to come will likely be that medicinal dregs fellow. He has only mastered the Seven Purple Thunder Cuts, and he’s bound to long for the Overlord Six Cuts and the Divine Xiao Nine Annihilations. Besides, killing you would further solidify his status.”

Meng Qi gave a calm chuckle: “So what? Even if I can’t defeat the disciple of Xuan Nu, I still have options. At worst, I can retreat to Shen Du, stay indoors, and after enduring trials and tribulations, unlock the mysterious passageway between life and death, advance to the Outer Scene realm, and then challenge the world again, sharpening my blade against them.”

Yedu was a county city, a prefectural city, and the most prosperous place in the southwest, the core of control over the region. Therefore, there were many Nine Orifice experts here, and the Six Gates had many high-level experts stationed here as well. Besides each of the three counties having a Nine Orifice chief constable, both the prefectural and state-level Tiger and Leopard Constables had their share of Nine Orifice experts. As for Outer Scene experts, besides the Silver Seal constable, there were also Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon constables in Huan State. Among them, the Golden Seal constable was a top-tier expert.

Even so, such a number of Outer Scene experts barely made a ripple in Zhou County. This was the home territory of the Wang Clan of Zhou County, which had thirty or forty Outer Scene experts and several Supreme Masters, dominating the southwest. Only the Huanhua Sword Sect could rival them. Therefore, the Six Gates had to frequently dispatch one of the Eight Divine Constables to patrol Zhou County. As for the prefect’s and inspector’s offices, with their complex mix of aristocratic forces, including members of the Wang and Huang families, they had to blend in with the mundane.

This was still Yedu. If one entered Shen Du, one would find powerful aristocratic families everywhere. The Six Gates’ Chief Constable was a half-step Dharma Body expert, five of the Eight Divine Constables were experts at or above the seventh Heaven level, and there were also imperial family members and powerful Outer Scene experts from influential families like the uncle of Wang Ce, who had come to the capital to serve in important posts like Minister of Revenue. In Meng Qi’s words, this was the place where Outer Scene experts were most concentrated and densely gathered in the entire world. With the Emperor’s Sword and the Nine Dragon Seal, two divine weapons, and the Shen Du Grand Formation, even a Dharma Body expert would have to be cautious. Would the Outer Scene experts of the Su Nu Sect dare to cause trouble in Shen Du?

However, due to his own background, Meng Qi was unwilling to go to Shen Du.

Gu Xiaosang was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Meng Qi to be able to say such words. Soon, her face once again displayed her innocent yet enchanting smile: “But who would want to stay indoors? Who would want to be hunted down across the world? If there’s an opportunity to resolve things, of course it should be cut off at the root.”

She clearly understood that the trials Meng Qi mentioned were the Cycle Tasks, so she continued: “Trials can enhance one’s strength, and reality can too. They complement each other and are indispensable. Relying solely on trials without real-world experience will make things increasingly difficult in the future.”

Meng Qi said calmly: “I’m just telling you that I’m not without options, so don’t try any tricks.”

He deliberately brought up the issue of choices to make Gu Xiaosang believe that he had no other preparations and could only threaten her.

Gu Xiaosang smiled sweetly: “How dare this servant girl play tricks in front of the master? Everything I do is for the master’s own good.”

“Then we’ll proceed according to the original plan. Tomorrow you’ll fight Huang Zi, the day after challenge a member of the Wang Clan, and then challenge Wang Zai. I’ll take the opportunity to kill Shan Xiumei in my true identity and track down the disciple of Xuan Nu. Hmm, the latter two matches will involve members of the Wang Clan, so Wang Ce will inevitably be concerned, and concern may lead to recklessness.”

…

The next day, leaden clouds hung low, and the moon was obscured, but torches illuminated the back of the Wan Hua Building, making it as bright as day.

After the previous battles against Jin Jinxian and Luo Youfeng, everyone was convinced of Meng Qi’s strength and eagerly anticipated the match, making the Wan Hua Building packed to the brim.

“Except for the Sword of Integrity, the ‘Flower-Falling Young Master’ has defeated all the young experts in Zhou County and possesses Outer Scene techniques. He definitely has the strength of a ranking expert!” a martial artist voiced his support for Huang Zishi.

“No, Huang Zishi wins mainly because of his superior cultivation method. In terms of techniques, the application of true energy, and the subtle control of his physical body, he still lacks refinement. But ‘Sword-Mad’ Young Master Su is almost a master in these aspects. This is true ranking strength. It will be hard for Huang Zishi to win!” There were supporters, and naturally, there were also dissenters.

The previous day’s battle left a deep impression, and most people believed in the profound and unfathomable ‘Sword-Mad’ Su Meng.

Inside the Wang Clan’s private chamber, Wang Ce stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the empty lotus pond corridor outside, and chuckled: “I wonder how many moves Huang Zishi can last today? And how far he can push Su Meng?”

He seemed to be asking Wang Zai, but in reality, he was waiting for his old servant to send him a secret message through voice transmission, showing off in front of the fair lady.

“He should be able to force Su Meng to use the A-nan Breaking the Precept Blade Method or the Golden Bell Cover,” Shan Xiumei replied with interest.

Wang Zai hesitated for a moment before saying: “That would be the surface strength. However, after last night’s battle, I fear Huang Zishi’s momentum has been broken, and seeds of self-doubt have been planted in his heart. If that’s the case, we might not even see the A-nan Breaking the Precept Blade Method tonight.”

After he finished speaking, Wang Ce nodded slightly: “What you said, Fourth Brother, makes sense. Yesterday, Huang Zishi was initially full of fighting spirit, eager to fight, but later he passively waited for the challenge, and there was clearly a crack in his spirit. Moreover, since he mastered his martial arts, he has always had a smooth path without encountering any setbacks, so it might be difficult for him to recover his spirit and regain his momentum in just one day.”

His words seemed to show an intimate understanding of Huang Zishi, as if he were reading a book in his palm.

Shan Xiumei listened with great interest, about to ask a question, when suddenly there was a knock on the door—knock, knock, knock.

“Who is it?” another member of the Wang Clan asked.

“The boss sent me to bring wine for all the honored guests,” came the familiar voice of a waiter from outside.

The Wang Clan member opened the door and chuckled: “Why is Master Xue so generous today?”

The waiter carried a jar of wine inside and flattered: “If it weren’t for the Wang Clan’s protection of Huanzhou, how could the Wan Hua Building flourish so much? With several young masters of the Wang Clan gracing us with their presence, the Wan Hua Building is truly honored. This jar of fine wine is offered as a token of respect. Hehe, these aren’t my words, but what the boss said. He wasn’t here yesterday and missed the opportunity to show proper courtesy, so he’s making it up today and will come personally later to offer a toast.”

Politeness never offends, and Wang Ce nodded with satisfaction: “Thank Master Xue on our behalf.”

The waiter bowed respectfully and then whispered a few words into the ear of the familiar Wang Clan member.

The Wang Clan member’s expression turned odd, half-smiling, and finally suppressed a laugh: “Master Xue’s hospitality is truly hard to refuse.”

“What did he say?” After the waiter closed the door and left, Wang Ce asked in confusion.

“This jar of wine is the ‘Wan Hua Wine,’ which the Wan Hua Building brews only a hundred jars of each year…” The Wang Clan member glanced at Shan Xiumei, his smile somewhat lewd, and then switched to voice transmission.

Wang Ce’s mother doted on him and protected him, so he rarely frequented such places. Upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but blush, secretly glancing at Shan Xiumei and then at his brothers—whose expressions were all ambiguous.

“Brother Wang, what kind of wine is this?” Shan Xiumei asked in confusion.

Wang Ce coughed twice, unsure how to answer.

Wang Zai spoke calmly: “Wan Hua Wine has a rich aroma, strengthens yang and the body, and is actually not indecent. Drinking it won’t cause loss of self-control. It’s just for nourishing the vital energy.”

Fourth Brother, why are you always so straightforward… Wang Ce’s expression was awkward.

The old servant opened the jar of wine, sniffed its fragrance, his eyes showing unusual brightness, and scanned the room before saying in a low voice: “This wine is normal.”

“Seventh Brother (Seventh Senior), let’s drink it. Just for nourishing the vital energy.” Several Wang Clan members began urging him to drink.

Wang Ce couldn’t refuse the hospitality, glanced at Shan Xiumei, saw that she showed no disdain, relaxed, and began drinking the Wan Hua Wine.

This wine indeed had a rich aroma, a sweet aftertaste, and he couldn’t help but drink several cups in succession.

In a quiet room on the second floor, Master Xue of the Wan Hua Building looked slightly dazed at the person before him: “The Wan Hua Wine has been delivered to each room.”

Before him, Gu Xiaosang exuded an ethereal and transcendent aura, yet also gave a sense of warmth and tranquility, as if she were an unchanging sanctuary, the hometown of a wanderer, and a peaceful land free from calamity, resembling the legendary Wusheng Laomu.

Her eyes were deep as the sea before a storm, with swirling whirlpools within, absorbing the soul, their depths brimming with strange brilliance.

“Wan Hua Wine has a rich aroma, strengthens yang and the body, and benefits the kidneys and urination.” A faint smile appeared on her face as she turned away with the teapot and left the room, murmuring, “Urination…”

The moment she pushed open the door, her aura abruptly changed, returning to that of a maid once again.

Returning to Meng Qi’s side, she teased with a smile: “Master, just now, when this servant girl went to fetch hot water, she met Master Xue of the Wan Hua Building. He wanted to invite the master to drink Wan Hua Wine, but I politely declined.”

“Why refuse?” Meng Qi asked casually.

Gu Xiaosang covered her mouth and laughed: “Wan Hua Wine strengthens yang and the body. I was afraid the master wouldn’t be able to focus during the match or might get up to no good with other bad women afterward.”

Meng Qi’s lips twitched slightly, and he decided not to respond, closing his eyes and focusing on regulating his breath, his aura becoming inwardly restrained.

After a while, Huang Zishi gracefully leaped down from the private chamber, his posture elegant, like a falling flower, his appearance excellent and drawing cheers.

Meng Qi, with his sword on his back and his saber in hand, took one step forward and seemed to cover great distance instantly, stepping out the window and landing on a rockery, drawing continuous exclamations of astonishment.

“Please, Young Master Huang,” Meng Qi drew out “Whisper,” and the desolate lotus pond suddenly came alive, filled with laughter and chatter.

Huang Zishi’s weapon was a fan made of thousand-year-old silk threads in his hand. He gently opened it and said softly: “Since you insist, I shall oblige.”

The folding fan snapped shut and shot forward, aiming at seven major acupoints on Meng Qi’s body, resembling falling petals in a flurry.