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Although the voice was old, it was exceptionally forceful. It lingered and echoed for a while before fading, clearly backed by formidable Internal force. Wang Anfeng slightly raised his head and looked toward the seat of honor. Ever since he had arrived at the foot of the mountain that morning, he had been rather curious about the Manor Lord of Willow Catkin Villa.
Willow Catkin Villa was enormous, yet everywhere one could see the signs of sudden wealth after long poverty.
He could not understand why an old man who had endured so many years in his youth and lived to eighty still could not see through such things.
After all, he was an eighty-year-old senior. Everyone rose to welcome him. Yet the people approaching were not old men, but a group of young, handsome youths—thirteen or fourteen of them. Behind them came several middle-aged men, each steady and composed. Only at the very end did an old man appear, his face covered in wrinkles and his hair white as snow. He had his left arm around a charming beauty and his right hand gripping the arm of a handsome middle-aged man. He strode forward, laughing uproariously at something, his brows and eyes crinkled together. He looked utterly wretched and disgusting.
When they reached the center, the handsome youths lined up on either side and attended to the old man as he took the seat of honor. The charming beauty went limp in his embrace as though she had no bones, the seductive allure in the corners of her eyes and brows almost flowing out like water. This provoked another burst of laughter from the old man. The handsome man beside him rose, only to be pulled back down. The old man said:
"Ziyang, where are you going? Hahaha! Back then, I once roamed the jianghu with your grandfather. Sit down. I'm happy today, so you'll sit beside me and watch these outstanding young talents of mine."
Xu Ziyang could not argue with him and could only sit down with a bitter smile. When he saw Wang Anfeng below, he smiled and gave a slight nod. Wang Anfeng returned the gesture with a clasped-fist salute. At that moment, the old man had already raised the wine cup beside him and smiled at the noble family youths below.
"Heaven and Earth are a transient journey, and time passes like a traveler. I am already eighty-three this year. Who knows how many springs and autumns I have left? But today, with the bright moon hanging high, fine wine at my side, and all of you youths so handsome, hahaha—even this half-ghost of a guest has found a little vitality again. Everyone, there is mellow wine on the tables. Drink as you please. These delicacies are also greatly beneficial to your cultivation, so do not stand on ceremony."
Laughing, he tipped back his neck and drained the entire cup in one go. His manner remained quite bold and unrestrained, drawing sidelong glances from the others. After finishing the wine, he laughed again. "The worthy men of old drank to the accompaniment of prose and qin music. This old man may be untalented, but I wrote a poem myself. I ask all of you worthy nephews to appraise it."
Everyone below was slightly taken aback. The old man did not seem to be joking. Instead, he pursed his lips, tightened his face, and tried his best to put on the air of a scholar. Yet to those below, it was merely an affectation of sorrow spread across his face. In a hoarse voice, he intoned:
"Within the lone city, no heavenly rain or mist is seen; Drunk, I seek wine beneath the night-rain pavilion; Cold spring waters flow beneath True Lord Hall; Where is Old He, who once steadied the gathering? Illness nurtures the spirit beyond medicinal draughts; A heart longing for home resembles clouds thrown into chaos; The Great Dao has ever been hard for men to comprehend; Better to return to the old Green Mountain."
The mute man instinctively smacked his lips, then felt that this did not suit the image of an elder scholar. He stopped himself, shook his head, and burst out laughing. "My worthy nephews, drink your own wine, drink your own wine. Pay no mind to this old man!"
Everyone thanked him and took their seats. Wang Anfeng was somewhat astonished. "This Senior Liu can actually compose poetry?"
Xiahou Xuan gave a cold laugh beside him. "The Great Dao has ever been hard for men to comprehend; better to return to the old Green Mountain. That is the state of mind of a recluse. Just look at that old man upstairs with a beauty in his arms. How could he have written it? He probably paid some hack scholar to compose a poem for him, just to put on a respectable front."
Huangfu Xiong took a sip of mellow wine and joined in with a low chuckle. "Look at him. His sons and grandsons have piled up into a whole heap, yet he is still the Manor Lord at over eighty. That alone tells you he could never write something like this. Enough of that, enough of that. The wine here really is excellent—they must have spared no expense. The dishes are exquisite too. Hahaha, we can eat our fill."
Rarely did Xiahou Xuan contradict him. He gave a slight nod. "It is no inferior to Lou Wai Lou."
Wang Anfeng's stomach stirred at those words. He had eaten only a little that morning and was already desperately hungry. He immediately picked up some food and put it in his mouth. It was tender and soft as soon as it entered, clearly meat yet remarkably refreshing. He ate quite a lot before finally setting down his chopsticks. His abdomen seemed to hold a ball of fire, radiating warmth, and even the circulation of One Zen Skill seemed to have quickened slightly.
Just then, a fragrance drifted over from the side. It was somewhat like the scent of flowers and fruit, yet he could not identify the flower. It seemed to contain countless variations, making him feel as though he had fallen into a sea of blossoms. Looking over, he saw that the wine cups in Xiahou Xuan and Huangfu Xiong's hands held amber-colored liquor. That alluring fragrance rose from within. Wang Anfeng's heart stirred, and he turned to look at the wine jug on his own table, his index finger itching to move.
What if I drank a sip?
If it was only one sip, would Master really mind?
At that thought, he reached out toward the wine jug. It felt slightly cool to the touch, jolting the youth whose body was hot from the medicinal dishes. His mind instinctively recalled Uncle Li tugging at him and mumbling about writing a marriage document. His body shuddered, and his hand immediately withdrew an inch. He thought:
"This thing may be good, but it can make people lose their senses and behave wildly. I'd better listen to Master and leave it alone."
"Otherwise, what if I lose control and say something I shouldn't?"
He withdrew his hand from the wine jug and focused on eating the dishes. He did not even glance at the fine wine, chatting idly with the two youths beside him as he ate. When the bright moon gradually sank toward the center of the courtyard, Huangfu Xiong had drained even the jug on his table. Seemingly two parts drunk, he braced himself against the table and staggered to his feet with a laugh.
"My two brothers, we—we should head back first. We'll meet again tomorrow..."
Wang Anfeng nodded and replied, "Indeed..."
Thud!
Before he could finish speaking, the carefree smile on Huangfu Xiong's face stiffened, and he collapsed directly onto the banquet mat. Wang Anfeng was slightly stunned, assuming he had simply drunk too much. But at that very moment, the noble family youths around them also began collapsing one after another. Xiahou Xuan staggered slightly, yet managed to retain two or three parts of his awareness. Supporting himself with one hand against the table, large beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said:
"Poison?!"
"How could that be? I checked. There was nothing wrong with the wine or the dishes..."
"Hahaha! The Xiahou Noble Family has passed down its legacy through qin music, but it has also achieved some attainments in the lower arts. How could I, an old man, be so foolish? The wine is fine wine, Heavenly Mountain Snow River Child. Mysterious Yin Three-Inch Ginseng was added to the wine and meat, which further assists Taoism in refining essence into qi. Together, they form a superior brew called 'No Return on the Road.' What do you think, Young Master Xiahou?"
The old man's aged laughter rolled across the hall. Xiahou Xuan's face grew even paler. The white-clad Xu Ziyang suddenly rose, but the old man pulled him back down. His body swayed, unable to hold on, and he collapsed onto the table. Seeing the noble family youths sprawled across the floor, he struggled and shouted furiously:
"What are you trying to do?! Liu Wuqiu!"
"Hahaha! What am I trying to do? As the Left Emissary of the Four Symbols Pavilion Branch, what else could I possibly do?"
"You're being outrageous! The Young Masters of the Xiahou Noble Family and Huangfu Noble Family are here. Don't think you can run rampant!"
"Hahaha! It is precisely because the two young masters are here that this old man treated them to fine wine and food—so as not to alarm the experts they drove away, who remain in the commandery city!"
Liu Wuqiu threw back his head and laughed, his white hair whipping wildly. He truly resembled a demon. The moment the name Four Symbols Pavilion was spoken, Xu Ziyang's face turned deathly pale. The old man straightened his robes and directed his descendants to bind everyone. Then he faced the distant darkness, cupped his hands from afar, and shouted:
"We respectfully welcome the Altar Master!"
His voice rolled away. Liu Wuqiu stood with his loose robes and sash fluttering, his white hair flying in the wind. Moonlight cast shadows over his deeply wrinkled face, creating an indescribably eerie and terrifying sight. Although everyone's bodies had gone limp, most remained conscious. Their faces grew increasingly pale, as though they had fallen into the netherworld's ghost domain. The oppressive atmosphere made their hearts tremble instinctively.
At that moment, Wang Anfeng's body suddenly erupted into motion. The earlier chaos, along with Xiahou Xuan drawing everyone's attention, had allowed the handsome youth carrying ropes over to fail to notice that Wang Anfeng had not been weakened. He was still smiling as he said, "Brother Wang, I was the one who delivered that invitation to you earlier. I never expected that today I would also be the one to take you away."
His voice had not yet ended when a figure suddenly sprang up. The youth's face stiffened, and he instinctively tried to retreat. But Wang Anfeng's right hand swept up the long sword on the table, yanked it free, and thrust with tremendous force. There was no variation in the technique—only fierce, merciless power. A cold gleam flashed from the Dragon Roaming Moon Gazing Sword before it plunged straight into the youth's chest.
Wang Anfeng's pupils contracted to a dangerously narrow size. His heart pounded at its limit, yet beside his ears he faintly heard thunderous, furious roars. Within his memories of all the stories Uncle Li had told him, each sentence rang out like spring thunder, deafening and enlightening, echoing without end!
Fail to kill the tiger, and it will turn around to harm you!
When fighting for life and death, you must not hold back in the slightest!
Either the enemy dies, or I perish!
A cold gleam flashed through his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Anfeng suddenly pulled back his sword, twisted at the waist, and turned. The blade's icy edge swept across the youth's throat. A line of blood burst forth, and the youth cried out as he collapsed. Wang Anfeng sprang upright, seized Xiahou Xuan with one hand and Huangfu Xiong with the other, then leaped and charged away. His blood burned hot, but his mind had never been calmer.
There were many enemies, but they were scattered across the platform, while the strongest among them was still welcoming the Altar Master. They could not possibly strike with all their strength!
This matter was of great consequence. Surely, very few people knew of it.
He immediately surged forward and sprinted at full speed. He had first drunk Xiahou Xuan's tea, then eaten the medicinal dishes of Willow Catkin Villa. His Internal force was now abundant, and he burst forward like a ferocious tiger descending the mountain. The surrounding noble family youths cried out one after another for help. Some young women pleaded sweetly and earnestly; others tried to tempt him with rewards. More than a few were utterly sincere. Yet Wang Anfeng, who had previously behaved like a refined gentleman, was now cold enough to make one's heart tremble. He did not even spare them a glance as he charged straight into the woods.
Liu Wuqiu's expression changed drastically. He shouted angrily and struck Wang Anfeng's back with a palm from across the air, only to cry out in surprise. "Qi-Protecting Armor?!"
By then, Wang Anfeng had already borrowed the force of that palm and charged into the woods like a ferocious tiger descending the mountain. The decisiveness of his attack and the speed of his escape were heart-stopping. In the blink of an eye, he had seized a thread of life and broken free.
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