"Hahaha!" Before the man arrived, his laughter came first. "Fellow Daoist Ge, joyous news, joyous news!"
A middle-aged man dressed flamboyantly yet possessing an utterly ordinary face came striding in from outside, his face brimming with delight and his steps buoyant.
This was Qiu Hu, one of the elders of the Profound Heaven Sect Outer Affairs Hall. Old Daoist Ge had crossed paths with him a few times, but they could hardly be called familiar; they merely knew of one another.
Old Daoist Ge stepped forward to greet him. "Thank you, Elder Qiu. Joy to us both, joy to us both!"
Qiu Hu laughingly scolded, "You old drunkard, you found such a fine disciple and did not even invite me. Could it be that Qiu is not worthy of Fellow Daoist Ge's regard? Whenever I have something good, I always think of you."
Old Daoist Ge laughed heartily. "I did want to invite you, but Elder Qiu handles a thousand affairs each day. Catching you would have been the real feat!"
Qiu Hu pretended to be angry. "Do not make excuses for your mistake. Later, I shall first fine you three cups... No, that is not right. You old man treasure wine as dearly as life itself; that would be a reward instead. I should punish you by making you drink three cups less!"
Old Daoist Ge apologized. "I accept the punishment, I accept it! I shall abstain from wine for the entire day!"
The two were not close, merely aware of each other's existence. One did not visit without cause. Today, he should not touch a drop of wine, lest it ruin the matter at hand.
"That's more like it!" Qiu Hu said with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Ge, the joyous news I spoke of is not merely your