Wine Banquet

Chen Shipu's attitude had changed drastically, going from arrogance to deference. Many disliked it—Xiao Huanhun, Li Wuzhen, Bo Buping, the Tiger-Head Flood Dragon, and others.

But Liu Xiaolou had no such prejudice. He was good at taking people's strengths; Chen Shipu's present respectfulness, for instance, was excellent, and Liu Xiaolou appreciated precisely that. He immediately had A Zhen receive him. "Sect Master Chen ran fifty-six li and nearly ran his legs off. We can't just stand here talking. We must show some hospitality. How about finding a place..."

Chen Shipu said, "Sect Master Liu, I know there is a Sun Gazing Pavilion northeast of Xiushan. The view is broad and the scenery pleasant. It is in that direction, hidden by the woods. Go around them and you will see it."

Liu Xiaolou made the decision. "Then we'll go to the Sun Gazing Pavilion. A Zhen, could you prepare some wine and dishes?"

How could A Zhen say no? She hurriedly called on her senior and junior sisters to help. These female cultivators of Xiushan had just encountered such a great upheaval and had no experience with it; they were so flustered their hands and feet had gone weak. At A Zhen's call, they immediately bustled off to work.

Before long, Eldest Senior Sister Qian Hongyue came over and asked, "A Zhen, does Sect Master Liu eat meat?"

A Zhen said, "Of course. When he eats, he has no taboos whatsoever."

Qian Hongyue agreed, muttering, "He can cultivate that high while eating anything at all?" as she went off to arrange it.

Fourth Senior Sister also came over to ask, "Should we give Sect Master Liu cicada sloughs to eat?"

A Zhen considered it. "He can eat them, but they have to be fried."

"That settles it!"

Seventeen Junior Sister cried