"So it’s to find the Snow Lotus to save a life; if that’s what you’re after, it’s not difficult. I may not have it on hand, but the Xiao Family’s treasures are nurous. Once my house guards arrive, we will certainly gift it generously to repay Mr. Liu’s life-saving grace."
Xiao Baoqin from Lanling was not only unmatched in beauty but also eloquent and graceful, lacking the haughty arrogance of nobles and gentry, and appeared well-bred.
In contrast, Princess Shi Gui of Kan Country sat by the table, her blue eyes glaring at Tie Dan in silent anger.
Perhaps she thought that despite having revealed her noble lineage, Tie Dan, the house slave of Snow Mountain Palace, still wouldn’t imdiately kneel at her feet, swear loyalty, and escort her to the Three Constellations. Truly incomprehensible...
All in all, these two being sheltered ladies of high upbringing were naturally not inclined to wander barefoot in the icy snow. So now they were temporarily stuck in this Treasure Boat, waiting for the house guards that had gotten separated during a demon attack to reunite, and employed Mr. Liu to continue ensuring their safety.
Tie Dan sat across a screen in the cabin, coldly saying,
"I’ve been searching for my Junior Sister in vain in Yin Mountain. If I could get the help of the Xiao Fa, I would certainly repay Your Excellency’s kindness."
Xiao Baoqin smiled elegantly and said,
"We rely on Mr. Liu’s protection; there’s no talk of repaying. If anyone is to express gratitude, it should be us.
This is Yangquan Immortal Brew made by my family. It warms the body, shields against cold winds and frost, equivalent to ten years of hard cultivation, just to express our thanks. Please, enjoy."
Two servants brought snacks and fruits, along with this Immortal Brew for everyone to savor.
The Yangquan Immortal Brew indeed had an enticing aroma. Xiao Baoqin first took a sip, but due to her insufficient cultivation, couldn’t absorb the astonishing Spiritual Qi within the wine. It quickly caused her body to perspire lightly, soaking her robe and skirt, rging the room’s wine aroma with a delicate, lingering fragrance.
Xiao Baoqin blushed, worried about embarrassnt, and slyly glanced around. Her face beca even more radiant, like a blooming peony, vibrant and arresting.
Fortunately, no one was staring at her. The two Death Soldiers stood before the screen, focusing their gaze inwards, fully vigilant against any disrespect by Tie Dan towards their master.
Shi Gui covered her face with her hand, silently drinking. However, her constitution was clearly superior; she showed no signs of sweating or blushing, remaining as cold as ice, as serene as snow, unchanged in deanor.
Tie Dan, too, drank cautiously, simultaneously infusing a sip of Xuanming Ice Qi, solidifying the Immortal Brew in his mouth, and wrapped it with Daoist energy before swallowing, guarding against any potential poison.
Shi Gui, though expressionless, started speaking with the help of the wine,
"Our King treats your Snow Mountain Palace generously, rewarding you plentifully. Why do you ignore ? Is it because you think Princess Bao Qin is prettier, or have you sided with that Zhongshan Wolf?"
Tie Dan looked at her,
"Indeed, not only has Snow Mountain Palace betrayed Kan Country, allying with Stone Dragon, but they’ve also opened the Demon Suppression Seal to join forces with the Demon Clan to venture south into the Central Plains."
"What! You’ve truly sided with the traitor!"
Shi Gui abruptly stood up,
"Are you here to harm !"
Tie Dan, "..."
Xiao Baoqin glanced at Tie Dan’s face and pacifically advised,
"The Princess probably misunderstood. If they were pursuers, would they have assisted us, then sat for a drink? Hearing Mr. Liu call the Marquis Zhongshan by na, it seems he is also displeased with the traitor’s rebellion, the Snow Mountain Palace’s abetting evildoers. Otherwise, why would he save our lives here? He’d likely already be aiding the rebel army, wouldn’t he?
Young Master Liu is discerning and informs us of such a sect secret, a conspiracy of rebels and demons. I must write quickly to inform the Three Constellations and Twelve Countries to prepare. I, a humble woman, toast to you on behalf of the realm."
What qualification do you have to represent the realm...
Forget it, he notified them anyway. Let’s hope these people of the Gate Valve do so preparations, lest they keep losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to demon invasions, leaving bodies scattered across the land.
Tie Dan, unfazed, drank a cup, still containing it with Ice Qi.
Shi Gui coldly snorted,
"You think notifying and washing your hands clean is easy? Isn’t it all you n who caused this chaos? If you are a hero, shouldn’t you slay the culprits harming the world with a single sword? How can drinking with won save the realm!"
She stord off in anger, entering the inner cabin.
Tie Dan didn’t bother with her, simply drank another cup.
Xiao Baoqin gave a signal, one of the maids followed to guard, while another removed the screen.
"Mr. Liu, don’t mind her. Those of noble birth, vassal princesses, have such tempers.
And I suppose you already guessed it, the situation in Kan Country is grave. Every official in the court fears joining the enemy, and the situation is irreversible.
The Zhongshan traitor is flagrant in rebellion, claiming emperorship is imminent. I ca here under orders to rescue the Princess from danger."
Tie Dan looked at her,
"I heard the Duke of Kan is capable; today’s strength of Kan Country is his ticulous build-up, and the military drives are all crafted by his hand. Why then, is everything succumbing to rely a Stone Dragon?"
Xiao Baoqin sighed,
"As an outsider from Zhenzhou, it isn’t my place to say much. Perhaps the Kan Country Master is just too old now.
The Lord and Princely Heir are dim-witted and inept, unfit for leadership, and naturally, subordinates would follow the strongest leader. The world over is like this.
Ah, the dishes have gone cold, please enjoy. These are Zhenzhou dishes, slightly sweet, I’m unsure if they suit your taste."
Xiao Baoqin was quite talkative, not ntioning the dire matters and continued to drink with Tie Dan, with flushed cheeks saying,
"Mr. Liu, you really have a vast capacity, the Yangquan brew is potent, paired best with green dates. Try so."
Tie Dan, having sothing to ask, politely said,
"Thank you, Lady, for your hospitality."
Xiao Baoqin playfully scolded,
"Calling Lady makes sound old; I’m ranked Thirteenth at ho, please call Thirteenth Lady."
Tie Dan was a bit puzzled, why call her Thirteenth Lady when they’re strangers...
Xiao Baoqin, noticing his silence, softly continued with a shy apology,
"Forgive , I can’t take my liquor well and spoke rashly, I’ll punish myself with a drink."
Since the other punished herself with a drink, Tie Dan saw no reason to decline, accompanying her with a drink.
Little did he know Xiao Baoqin was quite prepared, holding her wine cup, with a flushed face approaching him,
"Mr. Liu, you really can drink. Unfortunately, I’m dizzy and might pass out from more; forgive for not being able to drink with you.
This shall be our last cup. Please enjoy these dishes."
Having been persuaded with several drinks, Tie Dan realized he’d been tricked into it.
The Immortal Brew that was tempered into ice gradually thawed in his belly, his power unable to suppress it, the wine mingled with True Qi digesting in his stomach, carried by True Breath Essence Blood throughout his body. For a mont, Tie Dan felt a bit dizzy and lightheaded.
I must admit, this Yangquan Wine is quite sothing, deservedly dubbed an Immortal Brew, a delight to the palate indeed, flowing down smoothly in an unguarded mont, Tie Dan unhesitatingly glugged another full cup.
Xiao Baoqin observed Tie Dan’s authentic enjoynt of the wine, her eyes gleaming with delight, took the Jade Pot from the maid, leaned in to pour the wine herself,
"Mr. Liu, you truly have a vast tolerance, I’ve been fond of drinking since young but lack the prowess to drink much, thus I admire drinkers heartily, no matter how good the Immortal Brew is, it needs an appreciator. Since you like it, have another drink."
Tie Dan, having tasted real Immortal Brew for the first ti, suddenly felt that everything he’d drunk before was nothing compared. Once again, without realizing it, he repeated the process of downing three more cups.
Xiao Baoqin, increasingly delighted, sat closely next to Tie Dan, brushing against his arm, pouring wine, whispering fragrant musings,
"Mr. Liu is imnsely talented, achieving the Golden Core Path, a rare remarkable man indeed, risking life for a Daoist companion, signaling warnings for the sake of others, deeply honorable and gallant, with such a vast capacity, truly a hero. Little Sister drinks with you a tea-simulated toast."
Tie Dan unabashedly drank, Xiao Baoqin pouring beside him, seemingly unending Jadescent Nectar flowing from the jug.
Xiao Baoqin skillfully used silver chopsticks to serve Tie Dan food,
"Drinking alone can be harmful, these fresh fruits and immortal dishes are exceptional; you must try more, if you like, I’ll pack more."
Though fond of drinking, Tie Dan remained conscious. After being urged to drink one cup after another, he felt sothing was amiss, seized Xiao Baoqin’s wrist, squinting at her,
"Is there sothing you wish to ask? Or are you plotting against ?"
Xiao Baoqin signaled the attendants who nearly drew their swords to calm down, gestured them out, then smilingly leaned into Tie Dan,
"Mr. Liu misunderstood. This Yangquan Immortal Brew is indeed genuine Heavenly Treasure, didn’t you taste it?"
Tie Dan did indeed perceive it. Xiao Baoqin spoke true; every sip bore profound Daoist energy, equivalent to ten years of rigorous cultivation, which explained his unceasing drinking.
Having drunk so many cups, a warm yang energy filled his ridians and acupoints, causing him to feel agitated.
Xiao Baoqin gently placed her hand on Tie Dan’s thigh, dipped her fingers in the wine spilled on him, extended her tongue to lick her fingertip softly, eyes brimming like water, holding a mouthful of delicious nectar, slowly leaned toward Tie Dan,
"Such exquisite liquor, Mr. Liu shouldn’t let it go to waste..."
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