Finding a Place to Sober Up

Although Mu Xiangli had taken first place, the impression he gave others was not one of arrogance. An arrogant person wouldn't pull up a small stool to sit in the shade, cracking melon seeds while watching them practice martial skills.

He was considered the leader of Group Two, and everyone wanted to get to know him. After a brief discussion, they chose a tavern.

The most expensive tavern with the best wine was Bafang Guest. Mu Xiangli certainly wouldn't have been willing to pay for it, but surprisingly, among them was a wealthy young master. His family were imperial merchants in the silk trade, responsible for supplying silk to the royal court.

This man was named Lu Yuwen, the second son of the Lu family. Originally, he wasn't highly regarded until he showed significant talent in martial arts. Now that he had passed the Longwu Academy assessment, the Lu family had sent someone with a stack of banknotes that very day, specifically for him to build connections.

Impressive. Looking at the Lu family's generosity and then thinking about the 100 taels Chu Yi had approved earlier, it was embarrassing—truly embarrassing.

Entering the Bafang Guest tavern, it wasn't as grand as Mu Xiangli had imagined. The group went upstairs to a private room, and Lu Yuwen immediately ordered two large jars of the famous "Drunken Marquis" wine.

Mu Xiangli asked curiously, "How much does a jar of this wine cost?"

Lu Yuwen laughed. "No matter how much it costs, just drink your fill."

The others had varying family backgrounds, and Mu Xiangli didn't press further, simply nodding. "Fair enough."

Hou Yuhong, sitting beside him, whispered in his ear during a gap in the conversation, "I heard it's eighty taels a jar."

Mu Xiangli clicked his tongue inwardly; ordinary people truly couldn't afford this.

The wine was expensive, and the food wasn't cheap either. Lu Yuwen arranged a banquet and actively filled everyone's cups. He stood up and said, "We are fellow disciples from now on. I won't say much, but I hope we can look out for each other and stand together in the future. I'll drink first."

"We must stand together."

"Why are you drinking first? Everyone together!" The others clamored, picking up their bowls and draining them in one go.

Mu Xiangli had tasted other wines before, and their alcohol content wasn't even as high as beer. This Drunken Marquis was much stronger, but only about twenty percent alcohol. For a northerner like him, whose natural tolerance was quite high, it was no challenge at all.

Confident, he began to toast everyone in turn, trying to get them all to talk. The more they chatted, the more key information he could gather to find clues.

The topic everyone talked about most was the Longwu Academy assessment.

"At first, I wasn't convinced, until I went over to Group One yesterday. Honestly, if our martial skill assessment was like Group One's, I really wouldn't be sure I could learn it in a month."

Lu Yuwen said, "I saw it too. I feel that except for Brother Mu, the others wouldn't make it."

Mu Xiangli tapped his wine bowl on the table, saying displeasedly, "Hey, hey, hey, you're going to flatter me to death!"

Lu Yuwen, hearing this, patted his slightly flushed face. "I've had too much, too much. I don't know how to talk. But we are all warriors; strong is strong, there's no need for convoluted nonsense. I admire Brother Mu's talent."

Hou Yuhong nodded and picked up his wine cup. "The fact that Brother Mu mastered 【Infernal】 on the first day gave us a lot of pressure."

Mu Xiangli clinked cups with him. "I met someone from Group One today named Shangguan Ping. He holds his head so high his nose points to the sky."

Someone didn't catch the meaning: "What does that look like?"

Hou Yuhong explained, "Brother Mu means he looks down on others."

Mu Xiangli nodded. "Exactly. He looks down on our Group Two. So, there's no point in us flattering each other here. It's better to work hard after school starts and find a chance to take those Group One people down a notch."

"Makes sense."

"I heard that in a month, when the Longwu and Wenhua Academies open, the Crown Prince will personally attend the ceremony."

"It'll definitely be lively then."

Hearing this news, Mu Xiangli made a mental note. A lively event was good, but it was also when things were most likely to go wrong. Chu Yi couldn't possibly not know this; since he hadn't mentioned it, he probably didn't need Mu Xiangli to do anything.

In high spirits, the group was soon stumbling drunk. Lu Yuwen, his face flushed, suggested, "Shall I take everyone somewhere to sober up in a bit?"

"Where?"

Lu Yuwen: "Heh heh heh."

The others understood immediately and responded, "Heh heh heh heh."

Mu Xiangli lamented inwardly. This day was truly miraculous—a free saber, free wine, and now perhaps something else for free. It was too much. Since he hadn't gathered any suspicious information yet, he had planned to leave, but hearing there was more to the party, he decisively agreed.

After paying, Lu Yuwen led the stumbling group toward Jinchua Courtyard. However, they didn't enter Jinchua Courtyard, but Huanxiang Pavilion across the street.

As they entered, Mu Xiangli looked righteous: "Wine is poison that rots the gut, and lust is a blade that carves the bone. One cannot come here often, cannot come here often."

Mu Xiangli's act made Bao'er, who was welcoming guests, burst into laughter.

Lu Yuwen handled the arrangements. With money, everything was easy. Bao'er led them to a resting area, serving tea and snacks first. After a short rest, the girls would come to greet them. If they liked someone, they could go to a private room.

Mu Xiangli held his tea, his heart pounding.

While he was resting, a woman dressed as a maid quietly entered a certain room in the building. she reported, "Some Longwu Academy candidates have arrived."

This room was booked by Shen Hongyue and her companions. Although brothels were crowded and complex, the most dangerous place was often the safest.

Shen Hongyue sneered, "Longwu Academy candidates? Coming here at this time, they must be the ones who passed. The first thing they do after passing is come to a place like this. If these people are the future of Hiyu, is that good news for us?"

Just as she finished her sarcasm, a companion beside her said at an inopportune moment, "You can't say that. I'd go too."

Shen Hongyue: "Get out!"

The person didn't care and asked with great interest, "What do you say? Should we take the chance to kill one or two?"

Shen Hongyue snorted. "And then? Risk having Huanxiang Pavilion investigated and exposing our hiding spot just to kill one or two people?"

"Pointless. I was just speaking casually."

"You'd better shut up," Shen Hongyue said rudely. "I'm going out to take a look."

After disguising herself, even an acquaintance would find it hard to recognize her. But she was a woman after all; moving around a brothel was inconvenient, and it would be troublesome if patrons misunderstood her.

So she didn't stay out long. She moved carefully and observed from a distance, recognizing Mu Xiangli at a glance.

"It's him!" Shen Hongyue was suddenly tempted by her companion's earlier suggestion. She truly wanted to lure this fellow into a room and then carve him up blade by blade, starting from below.

Mu Xiangli was originally very excited, but he suddenly felt a chill crawl up his back. He shivered and turned around abruptly, but found nothing.