Inside the Shang Camp's command tent—
Grand Tutor Wen hosted Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan and the other fellow disciples of the Interception Sect.
"Haha! This time, we owe it all to Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan's righteous assistance. Otherwise, with the disciples of Jade Void swarming us, our army would have struggled to withstand them! Come, come—Wen Zhong offers you a toast!" With that, he tipped back his head and drained his cup. Wine trickled down through his beard, and his heroic spirit was overwhelming.
Kong Xuan also raised his cup with a smile and met him frankly. "You're too modest, Fellow Daoist. My master and Sect Master Tongtian share a deep friendship, as close as brothers. Besides, seeing how narrow-minded the disciples of Jade Void were in their conduct, and how at odds the Westerners were with them, my master specifically sent me down the mountain to lend assistance. It was merely a small matter. Why mention it?"
Grand Tutor Wen lifted his wine cup, his gaze as sharp as a torch as he looked toward the distant end of the East Sea. In a deep voice, he said, "Wen Zhong offers his thanks here for Sage Su Yang's immense kindness!" Before his words had even faded, he had already poured the wine into the dust, where it rippled faintly and clear.
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. "Now that we have Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan's wholehearted assistance, the debts owed for the deaths of my junior brothers and sisters will surely be repaid in blood!"
Kong Xuan smiled indifferently and returned the salute. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."
Everyone exchanged cups and toasts, chatting and laughing at ease as the fragrance of wine grew ever richer.
Suddenly, the tent flap was thrown open, and