Snore, snore.
Behind him, the only sound was Yan Xiangma noisily and ungracefully slurping down his noodle broth.
Li Mu Yang was in no hurry. He chewed thin slices of beef dipped in red oil and chili while holding a cup of warmed Osmanthus Wine.
A lonely city on a cold night, a narrow alley, a wonton stall, and old friends reunited.
Yan Xiangma was right. Today really was a good day for drinking.
"Sip."
As he thought this, Li Mu Yang lifted his cup and took a small drink.
The warm liquid slid down his throat, and a cozy, melting pleasure spread through Li Mu Yang's body. The weariness from traveling day and night for so many days, the ever-present dangers and killing intent, and the pressure of guarding against everyone—three parts caution and seven parts vigilance—all collapsed with a thunderous roar in that instant and vanished without a trace.
Li Mu Yang felt his body grow a little lighter.
As his body grew lighter, his back straightened a little more, and the fragrance of the Osmanthus Wine became even more enticing.
Unable to stop himself, Li Mu Yang drained the entire cup in one gulp. This is truly the best Osmanthus Wine I've ever had, he thought.
Sister Chun carried over a plate of thinly sliced beef and a pot of warmed Osmanthus Wine. Seeing the empty bowl before Yan Xiangma, she smiled and said, "It seems Chief Clerk Yan was truly starving today. You've never eaten this quickly before."
"Sister Chun, you only know one part of the story, not the other. Hunger is merely the surface reason. The main reason is that I'm in a good mood tonight. When you're in a good mood, you eat a little faster." Yan Xiangma beamed.
After Sister Chun set