Li Yeh was stunned, but he could only see the endless tenderness in Xiao Bai’s eyes, her gaze as deep and glistening as dew-laden water, reflecting his very image and stirring his heart.
“You are drunk,” Li Yeh murmured, a fine sheen of sweat on his brow.
Xiao Bai, now completely unable to stand, leaned her full weight against him. She bit her red lip gently, exuding a languid yet coy charm, and let out a soft moan that seemed to ensnare his soul. Slowly, she rested her head on his shoulder. “You…” she whispered, her voice tinged with a delightful, inebriated allure.
Perhaps due to the potent wine, she turned her head and softly rubbed it against Li Yeh’s shoulder, likely soothing a burgeoning headache. Her voice, still sweet and gentle, whispered into his ear, “You live such a weary life, do you know? You silly goose!”
The endearment of “silly goose” nearly sent Li Yeh’s heart racing. The words were drenched in tenderness, and the faint, lingering fragrance from her body was utterly captivating. Her incomparable beauty, so languorously resting on his shoulder, made him almost afraid to move, paralyzed by her proximity.
If this scene were taking place in the Central Plains, it would surely have drawn countless rumors and whispers. But in the Southern Frontier, where customs were more open, the local Miao people did not find it strange. Instead, they assumed them to be a couple, especially after Xiao Bai’s earlier, earth-shaking proclamation, which had truly left the Miao village in awe.
Only a few young Miao men who harbored feelings for Xiao Bai felt a twinge of jealousy.
Lost in the complexity of the moment, Li Yeh pondered Xiao Bai’s words, “living too wearily,” resonating within his mind, causing a sense of bewilderment.
Just then, a familiar “chirp chirp” sounded beside him—it was Xiao Hui, the little grey monkey. He had forgotten about the playful creature, who had been amusing himself nearby. The sight of the intense drinking competition had been too captivating, and he had momentarily lost track of Xiao Hui. Now, he turned to look.
To his shock, what he saw next almost rendered him speechless.
Xiao Hui, having run back from the riverbank, was perched not far from Li Yeh and Xiao Bai, his three eyes darting around with great curiosity. With the drinking bout concluded, the villagers were busy tending to the fallen warriors, and Li Yeh was at a loss, holding the semi-conscious Xiao Bai.
The scene was chaotic, with inebriated warriors sprawled everywhere, their long spear handles and other weapons scattered about. Empty wine bags, some still leaking the potent liquor, filled the air with a strong, intoxicating aroma.
Curiosity piqued, Xiao Hui, being a naturally mischievous and curious creature, took advantage of the distraction to sneak over to a fallen Miao warrior. After a quick, cautious glance, he carefully picked up a wine bag near the warrior, deeply inhaling the potent scent, his eyes wide with confusion.
Sitting on the ground, Xiao Hui cautiously sipped the wine, his eyes swirling with delight. He loved the taste and let out a happy “chirp chirp.”
Hearing the sound, Li Yeh turned, shocked to see even the monkey partaking in the drink. This era, he thought, was truly mad, with even foxes and monkeys indulging in alcohol.
“Xiao Hui, come here!” Li Yeh shouted. Startled, Xiao Hui looked up, seeing Li Yeh’s stern face, and scratched his head, dropping the wine bag and scurrying over.
But after a few steps, Xiao Hui paused, turned back, and dragged the half-empty wine bag back with him. Li Yeh, exasperated, watched as the Miao people laughed heartily, finding camaraderie with the mischievous monkey. Some even threw bananas and fruits, clearly fond of the little creature.
Xiao Hui, initially startled by the sudden deluge of fruit, soon realized it was a bounty and happily devoured a banana. He still clutched the wine bag, occasionally sipping from it.
Watching Xiao Hui, Li Yeh noted his contentment, alternating between bites of fruit and sips of wine. Despite several drinks, Xiao Hui showed no signs of drunkenness, impressing Li Yeh with his tolerance.
Li Yeh, turning to look at Xiao Bai, who was still nestled against him, sighed and held back his words.
Xiao Hui, with a cheeky grin, noticing Li Yeh’s gaze, reached out and handed him a banana, showing a sense of camaraderie. Li Yeh, though, shook his head and turned away, leaving Xiao Hui to his own devices.
Chief Tuma Gu, emerging from the shrine, was greeted by the sight of his elite soldiers, all drunk and sprawled on the ground. Laughter and merriment filled the air, and the two Central Plains visitors, the man looking somewhat disheveled and the woman, Xiao Bai, leaning heavily on him, her face flushed and beautiful.
Even their peculiar three-eyed monkey, Xiao Hui, was sitting contentedly, eating fruit and sipping wine.
Tuma Gu, no fool, quickly discerned that the blame lay not with the visitors but with his own incompetent men. As he approached, someone hurried to explain the situation. Seeing the mess, Tuma Gu was livid, thinking these guards had forgotten their duty to protect the sacred shrine. It was humiliating that a mere woman had outdrunk so many men, potentially tarnishing the Miao reputation if word spread.
Deciding to deal with his men later, Tuma Gu forced a smile and approached Li Yeh, acknowledging the chaos without a word.
Li Yeh, seeing Tuma Gu, braced himself. Though the drinking contest was not a physical fight, the sight of the drunk Miao warriors was a clear embarrassment. Tuma Gu, visibly annoyed, approached, and Li Yeh stammered, “Sir, my friend, she, she didn’t mean to… create such a…”
Tuma Gu shook his head. “I understand. It’s my men’s fault.”
Li Yeh, silent, cautiously asked, “Can we see the Great Sorcerer?”
Tuma Gu, glancing at Xiao Bai, smiled wryly. “Go on, he will see you.”
Relieved, Li Yeh thanked him. “Chief, I thank you.”
“Tuma Gu is sufficient,” the chief replied, leading them to the shrine. Li Yeh, supporting the inebriated Xiao Bai, followed.
Entering the dark, foreboding shrine, they found it eerily quiet, the walls adorned with red stains and ominous animal skulls. Xiao Hui, now more curious, clutched his wine bags, following closely.
As they reached the Great Sorcerer’s chamber, Li Yeh hesitated, feeling a strange, icy aura from the Blood Jade. The sorcerer, an old, hunched figure by the fire, spoke in fluent, elegant Central Plains language. “Come forward, young man.”
Li Yeh, moved by the request, supported Xiao Bai as they approached. The sorcerer, speaking again, asked, “What brings you here?”
Li Yeh, recounting the story of his friend Bi Yao, who had sacrificed herself to save him, pleaded, “Great Sorcerer, please, save her.”
The sorcerer, his voice laden with sorrow, replied, “You speak of a disciple of the Demon Sect, using the Heartbreak Curse. Is that correct?”
Startled, Li Yeh confirmed, hoping the sorcerer could help. The sorcerer, after a pause, said, “I know of the Soul Reclaiming Spell, but I cannot guarantee success.”
Li Yeh, heart pounding, agreed to any condition. “Who told you I could help?” the sorcerer asked.
Li Yeh, glancing at the sleeping Xiao Bai, and the snoring Xiao Hui, chuckled ruefully. “A wise and mischievous ally.”
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