223: Chapter 223: Drinking is tasteless

Top floor, private room.

The three top courtesans were already there.

Master Su sat by the window, stroking an ancient zither; the music flowed like water, carrying a hint of faint melancholy.

Master Liu reclined on a chair, toying with a chess piece in her hand, utterly bored.

The chess piece twirled between her fingertips, emitting a soft clicking sound.

Master Hua stood before the drawing desk, holding a brush and painting.

Seeing Xiao Ran enter, the eyes of the three women lit up simultaneously.

Master Su put down the zither and stood up; the sorrow on her face instantly dissipated, replaced by a touch of joy.

"Young Master Xiao, you have finally come."

Master Liu tossed the chess piece aside, walked over, reached out to grab his sleeve, and chided him playfully.

"Do you know how long we have waited for you? Three days? Five days? Count it yourself!"

Master Hua put down her brush, turned around, and a trace of resentment flashed in her purple eyes, yet the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Young Master Xiao, have you forgotten about us?"

Xiao Ran hurriedly cupped his hands and smiled apologetically: "My three sisters, it is my fault. I have been too busy lately and have neglected you all."

"The Patrol Guard has had too many matters these past few days, one after another; I really could not get away."

"Look, as soon as I was not busy, I came right over."

Master Su gave a light huff and crossed her arms.

She was clearly not very satisfied with this excuse.

Xiao Ran immediately raised his hands in surrender.

"My three sisters, I admit my fault."

Afterward, he took three brocade boxes from his robes and handed them to the three women respectively.

"These are gifts for you, as an apology."

"I specifically selected them from the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce; each piece is unique."

Master Su took the brocade box and opened it to find a jade pendant inside, emerald green in color.

It was warm and smooth, emitting a faint spiritual light.

An orchid was carved on the jade pendant, vivid and lifelike, with a dewdrop on the petals that looked real.

Her eyes lit up; she picked up the jade pendant, held it up to the light to examine it, and could not put it down.

"This is... Warm Jade? And it can nourish the Divine Soul?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Sister Su has a good eye. This is Warm Jade; wearing it on one's body can nourish the Divine Soul and resist the Heart Demon."

"I noticed you have been restless lately, so I specifically chose it for you."

Master Su blushed slightly, hung the jade pendant at her waist, and said softly.

"You are quite thoughtful."

Master Liu opened her own brocade box; inside was a ruby bracelet. Each gemstone was crystal clear and radiated a warm aura.

The clasp of the bracelet was made of pure gold, with a Phoenix carved onto it.

Master Liu's eyes shone; she put it directly onto her wrist and shook it under the light. The glow of the rubies made her face appear even more rosy.

"This bracelet... is it a fire-attribute Spirit Treasure? Can it amplify fire-type Spells?"

Xiao Ran nodded.

"Sister Liu is clever. This bracelet can amplify the power of fire-type Spells by thirty percent, and can also release a protective flame to block a fatal blow in critical moments."

Master Liu smiled from ear to ear, linking her arm with Xiao Ran's: "You are sensible."

Master Hua opened the brocade box; inside was a white jade hairpin. A lotus flower was carved on the head of the hairpin, with layered petals, each as thin as a cicada's wing.

In the center of the lotus flower was a pale purple gemstone, emitting a faint, subtle glow.

Master Hua inserted the hairpin into her hair, a trace of tenderness flashing in her purple eyes. She walked to the bronze mirror to check, nodding with satisfaction.

"This hairpin... can it calm the mind and focus one's thoughts, and also amplify the Divine Sense?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "Sister Hua is correct."

"This hairpin is carved from ten-thousand-year cold jade. Wearing it can calm the mind and focus thoughts, prevent the Heart Demon from invading, and amplify the Divine Sense, allowing you to see further and hear more clearly."

Master Hua turned around, looking at Xiao Ran, her purple eyes filled with tenderness.

"Young Master Xiao, you certainly know how to coax people."

Xiao Ran chuckled: "As long as my three sisters like them."

Master Liu grabbed his hand and acted coquettishly: "Since you are here, do not leave."

"Accompany us for drinks tonight. When you are not here, we cannot even drink."

Master Su also walked over and linked her arm with his other one.

"That is right, we shall not return until we are drunk. No one is allowed to leave tonight."

Master Hua nodded, walked to the table, picked up the wine pot, and filled all four cups with wine.

"Tonight, we will accompany you."

Xiao Ran laughed and wrapped an arm around each of them: "Alright, we shall not return until we are drunk."

The four of them sat around the table, exchanging cups and drinking, three rounds of wine having passed.

The wine was Wan Hua Pavilion's hundred-year-old vintage, Drunken Immortal Brew. The amber-colored liquid rippled in the cups, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

The wine entered the mouth, sweet, crisp, and mellow. A warm, smooth Spiritual Qi circulated within his body, dispelling the fatigue of the past few days.

Xiao Ran drank a few cups and felt warm all over; even his mood improved significantly.

Master Su was flushed from drinking and leaned on Xiao Ran's shoulder, her hair brushing against his neck, tickling him.

"Young Master Xiao, do you know how much we missed you during the days you were away?"

"Every night the three of us sat here staring at each other, not knowing what to do."

Master Liu also leaned over, resting her head on Xiao Ran's lap, looking up at him, her eyes filled with mist.

"Exactly, and you did not even come to see us."

"We thought you had found a new lover and forgotten your old ones."

Master Hua sat opposite him, her purple eyes watching him without speaking, but the tenderness in her eyes could not be hidden.

She took a gentle sip of wine, and two red clouds appeared on her cheeks.

Xiao Ran reached out, wrapped his arms around Master Su and Master Liu's waists, and smiled: "I missed you all too. Was I not busy? Once this period of busyness is over, I will come every day."

Master Su looked up at him: "Are you done being busy?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "I am done."

Master Liu asked: "Then tonight..."

Xiao Ran laughed: "Tonight, I will accompany you."

The three of them looked at each other and smiled.

The night was deep.

The wine was finished, and many words had been spoken.

The dishes on the table had long since gone cold, and several wine pots were empty.

Xiao Ran held the three top courtesans and walked toward the bed.

The candlelight flickered, and the night was filled with intimacy.

The next morning.

Sunlight spilled into the room through the lattice windows, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

On the street outside the window, people had already begun setting up stalls; the sounds of hawking, laughter, and bargaining intertwined, making for a lively scene.

Xiao Ran opened his eyes, looking at the three top courtesans still fast asleep beside him.

Master Su was curled up on his left, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, a hint of a smile still on her lips as if she were having a sweet dream.

Master Liu was lying on his chest, breathing evenly, the flush of last night still remaining on her face.

Master Hua was leaning on his right shoulder, her purple hair scattered across the pillow like a blooming violet.

Last night, they had been at it for a long time.

It was fortunate that Xiao Ran had strong abilities; otherwise, he truly would not have been able to handle the three of them.

He rose gently, without disturbing them.

He walked to the window and pushed it open.

The morning air carried a hint of chill, blowing against his face and making him feel refreshed.

"Young Master Xiao."

Master Hua's voice came from behind him.

Xiao Ran turned around and saw her sitting on the bed, her purple hair draped over her shoulders, her face still showing signs of sleepiness.

She rubbed her eyes and yawned like a lazy cat.

"Are you awake?"

Master Hua nodded, walked barefoot to his side, leaned on his shoulder, and closed her eyes.

"Young Master Xiao, there is something I want to tell you."

Xiao Ran asked: "What is it?"

Master Hua hesitated for a moment, then opened her eyes, a trace of seriousness flashing in her purple eyes.

"The President of the Wanhua Society wants to see you."

Xiao Ran was stunned: "The President of the Wanhua Society?"

Master Hua nodded: "Yes. He said you are a capable person and wants to chat with you."

"He has been sending people to inquire about you these past few days and is very interested in you."

Xiao Ran was silent for a moment.

Wanhua Society, a top-tier force in the Sword Qi Great Wall, second only to the Sword Sect, the Zhao family, and the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce.

Their President is at least a powerful expert of the Body Integration realm.

Being able to control such a large force, he is certainly not a simple character.

"When?"

Master Hua said: "He said anytime is fine, depending on your convenience."

"If you are free today, I will have someone send a reply."

Xiao Ran thought for a moment: "Then let us make it this afternoon; I still need to go to the Patrol Guard in the morning to check on things."

Master Hua nodded: "Alright, I will have someone send a reply."

She turned around, walked back to the bedside, and began to get dressed.

Her movements were slow, as if she were stalling for time.

After getting dressed, she walked back and leaned on Xiao Ran's shoulder.

"Young Master Xiao, the President is a very good person; you do not need to worry."

Xiao Ran smiled: "I am not worried; I am just curious why he wants to see me."

Master Hua looked up at him: "Because you are a capable person, and the President appreciates capable people the most."

Xiao Ran nodded and did not ask further.