475: drunk

Liu Airu sat beside Li Xuan, her eyes shimmering and a gentle smile playing on her lips. She spoke softly with the female family members beside her, appearing to be fully immersed in the revelry of the palace banquet. However, from the corner of her eye, she occasionally glanced at Situ Jun at the end of the hall, her gaze flickering with a hint of scrutiny.

Seeing him drinking with Cang Wu, the drunkenness in his eyes grew deeper, yet it still couldn't hide his handsome features.

Her fingertips lightly traced the rim of her cup as she mused to herself that this Situ Jun was truly not simple. Even a Soul Transformation powerhouse from the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty looked upon him with favor; he would likely be even harder to deal with in the future.

Liu Wenshu, the Minister of Revenue, sat among the ranks of officials. His eyes were fixed on Situ Jun at the end of the hall, and a thin layer of sweat actually broke out on his forehead.

He had previously thought of using the palace banquet as an opportunity to join several officials in submitting a memorial against Situ Jun to Li Xuan. But now, seeing that even the Soul Transformation powerhouse of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty appreciated Situ Jun so much, his apprehension grew even stronger. Those small schemes had long since been cast to the back of his mind—Situ Jun was someone he absolutely could not offend, or he would be seeking his own death.

Xia Guanglin sat in the back row of the center of the hall, watching Situ Jun at the end of the hall with a complex expression, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Seeing Situ Jun so highly regarded by Elder Cang Wu, he couldn't help but wonder if his daughter going to the Northern Border with Situ Jun was a blessing or a curse.

If they could establish a connection with Situ Jun, the Xia family might reach new heights by leveraging Cang Wu's appreciation for him. However, Xia Wei's personality had always been stubborn; she might not be willing to win Situ Jun over for his sake.

The envoys of various nations and Sect messengers also lowered their heads and discussed in hushed tones. Their gaze toward Situ Jun had long since shifted from initial indifference and contempt to deep awe.

They all understood that with a City Lord so highly regarded by a Soul Transformation powerhouse, Tianqi's status on the Divine Beast Continent would likely rise. In the future, they would have to be more cautious when interacting with Tianqi and would never dare to be as dismissive as they were in the past.

This drinking and chatting continued for about an hour.

The palace banquet in the hall remained lively. The dancers' movements became more graceful, and the musicians' melodies more cheerful. However, the hearts of everyone in the hall were no longer on the banquet; they were all tied to the two people at the end of the hall.

Cang Wu raised his hand to check the sky outside. Seeing the sun leaning toward the west, he raised his hand to drain the last cup of Moon Dew Brew. He slowly set down the wine cup and smiled, saying:

"This old man still has important matters to attend to and must head to the Dayue Dynasty, so I cannot stay here long. Drinking with you today, young friend Situ, was very pleasant. If fate allows, we shall gather again another day to drink Spiritual Wine together."

Situ Jun also set down his wine cup. By now, his cheeks were flushed with a faint red hue, and his eyes were hazy with obvious drunkenness. Yet, he still maintained basic etiquette, slowly rising and nodding slightly:

"Safe travels, Elder."

Cang Wu nodded slightly and said no more. He stood up and walked toward the exit of the hall, followed by his two Disciples.

His steps remained steady, without a hint of drunkenness. The aura around him also returned to its initial peaceful state the moment he stood up.

Seeing this, Li Xuan hurriedly rose to see them off. The officials and envoys also stood up one after another, following Li Xuan all the way to the gates of Taiqian Hall.

Only after the figures of Cang Wu and his two Disciples turned into three streaks of light and disappeared at the horizon did Li Xuan let out a long sigh of relief. The massive weight in his heart finally lifted.

With Cang Wu's departure, the invisible pressure that had shrouded Taiqian Hall also dissipated.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became lively again. The music of strings and flutes resumed, the dancers' flowing sleeves fluttered once more, and the guests' laughter and toasts were even louder than before, even carrying a hint of relief as if they had survived a disaster.

Li Xuan returned to the main seat and picked up his wine cup, but his eyes unconsciously drifted back to Situ Jun at the end of the hall, a flash of surprise in his gaze.

He had thought that once Elder Cang Wu left, City Lord Situ would use some excuse to take his leave. He hadn't expected him to stay, still sitting at that side table, drinking alone.

And Situ Jun indeed had no intention of leaving.

The drunkenness grew stronger, washing over his limbs like warm water, making him feel lazy all over. Even his nerves, which were usually tense at all times, finally relaxed.

Since coming to this Divine Beast Continent, he had planned every step and acted with caution, constantly worrying about future dangers and never relaxing for a single moment.

But today, amidst the prosperity of this hall, having drunk Elder Cang Wu's Moon Dew Brew, he felt incredibly relaxed in his hazy state. He only wanted to cast everything aside and simply enjoy this rare indulgence.

He sat at the table, pouring wine for himself using that same mutton-fat jade cup. The liquid was the imperial wine of Tianqi; though not as mellow as the Star Dew Brew, it was sweet and refreshing.

Cup by cup, he drank slowly, no longer thinking about the intrigues of the court, the law of the jungle in the cultivation world, or Li Xuan's suspicions and schemes. He simply enjoyed this moment of peace and intoxication.

He occasionally looked up at the scene of singing and dancing in the hall.

The dancers' skirts fluttered like falling flowers; the musicians' melodies were as cheerful as gurgling water. Li Xuan, on the main seat, smiled warmly as he exchanged toasts with the foreign envoys. Liu Airu sat on the phoenix throne, gentle and dignified, accepting congratulations from the ladies. The officials and envoys toasted and celebrated with laughter and smiles, a scene of complete harmony.

Light and shadow played across their faces, reflecting joyful expressions and forming a vivid picture of a prosperous age.

In Situ Jun's eyes, the usual coldness and detachment were gone, replaced by a hazy drunkenness that softened his features and his state of mind.

He knew he had drunk too much today.

This was the first time since coming to this continent that he had indulged himself like this, the first time he had truly gotten drunk.

But he did not regret it.

During these days, he had planned every step, acted with extreme care, and worried about his future, not daring to relax for a second.

During this time, he had not only taken control of Northern Border City and East Lin City but had also made a Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage right under the nose of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and even recruited a great Cultivator at the Late Nascent Soul Stage like Li Zhong.

With Elder Cang Wu's arrival today, and with the help of this top-tier Moon Dew Brew and this drunkenness, he could finally lower all his guards and be his true self for once, rather than the calculating and meticulous City Lord Situ.

The palace banquet continued.

Delicacies and fine wines were served in an endless stream, and the dancers' movements became even more enchanting, their sleeves nearly touching the palace lanterns on the ceiling as they spun.

The musicians' melodies grew more cheerful, the clear notes of strings blending with the drumbeats to strike at everyone's heartstrings.

The prosperity of the hall was like a richly colored painting of a golden age, slowly unfolding within Taiqian Hall, so thick it could not be dispersed.

Situ Jun just sat there at the side table at the end of the hall, drinking alone. He was solitary, seemingly out of place with the prosperity of the hall, yet also as if he had long since merged into it.

Occasionally, officials would come forward to toast him, all with the intention of currying favor.

He didn't refuse, simply drinking them down. The drunkenness grew heavier, making even his movements to raise his hand a few beats slower, yet it still couldn't hide his innate handsomeness and the coldness etched into his bones.

That post-intoxication laziness, rather than detracting from his temperament, added a touch of humanity to him, making him no longer seem as unreachable as before.

Li Xuan would occasionally look at him. Seeing that he was just drinking alone without any other actions or conversations with anyone, he gradually relaxed and continued to drink with the envoys and Sect messengers. However, a hint of vigilance and doubt remained in his heart.

Situ Jun's drunken appearance seemed harmless, with hazy eyes and a touch of softness, yet Li Xuan still didn't dare to let his guard down.

He always felt that this City Lord hid too many secrets, and Elder Cang Wu's arrival today and his pleasant conversation with Situ Jun were things he couldn't quite figure out.