A few days later, at the Eight Immortals Restaurant.
Li Xian brought Brother Xin and Wan Cai, two of his subordinates, and settled into a private room overlooking the street to enjoy a little wine and unwind.
Brother Xin and Wan Cai had followed Li Xian ever since he joined the Cao Gang.
They had even followed him through life-and-death struggles.
Now that Li Xian had become the Cao Gang's new Dragon King, his trusted subordinates naturally rose with him.
Before this, Li Xian had told them that, if they were willing, he could give each of them an outlying branch to lead as Hall Master.
Moved by the new Dragon King's generous offer, Brother Xin and Wan Cai had then rejected it without hesitation.
They had their own calculations, and they were shrewd ones.
With their strength as mid-grade Martialists, they might not even be able to establish themselves as bosses at an outlying branch.
Of course, for Li Xian's sake, they could serve as comfortable figurehead managers at one of those branches.
But how long would that last?
Once they left, someone else would soon fill their places at Li Xian's side.
By then, the bond they had forged with the Dragon King through life-and-death struggles would gradually fade, until they were forgotten altogether.
After thinking it over, they decided it was best to stay by Li Xian's side.
Lording it over others in the Dragon King's shadow, cutting a fine figure—wasn't that better than getting rained on and sunburned at some outlying branch?
"Dragon King Li, please try our Eight Immortals Tower's Drunken Immortal Brew."
When the proprietor of the Eight Immortals Tower learned that the Cao Gang's new Dragon King had graced the place with his presence, he hurried over to curry favor.
Li Xian took the drink and downed it in one go.
It didn't burn fiercely on the way down. It was smooth and mellow, warming his belly with a pleasant glow.
"Not bad!" Li Xian set down his cup and praised it.
At those words, the proprietor's chubby face blossomed into a grin.
Now he could advertise the Drunken Immortal Brew far and wide.
"The wine even the Dragon King praised!"
With the new Dragon King's reputation and prestige behind him, the brew would likely sell out as soon as he put up that sign.
The excited proprietor poured a few more cups. Once he felt he'd done enough, he tactfully withdrew.
"That proprietor's a sly one. He came right over hoping to cling to the Dragon King's coattails."
After the proprietor left, Brother Xin shut the door and sneered.
Wan Cai chimed in, "When we leave later, we should remind him that the Dragon King doesn't like outsiders disturbing him while he drinks."
Li Xian said nothing. With a placid expression, he poured himself another cup, watched the crowds flowing along the street below, and took small sips.
In his previous life, he had never cared for alcohol. Even at social gatherings, he rarely touched it.
But now, as his cultivation grew deeper and his body stronger, his attitude toward fine wine had changed.
He had gone from never touching a drop to being willing to give it a try.
Still, the main reason he drank was that he wanted a little amusement, something to help him relax amid the relentless demands of cultivation.
Staying cooped up on that Dragon Ship at the Cao Gang headquarters was stifling.
Keep a string pulled taut for too long, and it will snap.
But the chance to unwind that he'd been hoping for today was destined to slip away.
Before he could finish his second cup, the private room's door was pushed open again.
Li Xian looked up. He didn't recognize the man who entered.
Why hadn't anyone from the Eight Immortals Restaurant stopped him? Did they have no sense at all?
His brow had just begun to furrow when he caught sight of the proprietor through the half-open door, standing outside and bowing with a fawning smile.
The man's cringing posture left Li Xian a little taken aback.
It seemed the newcomer was no ordinary person.
Li Xian put aside his initial disdain and gave the newcomer a closer look.
He wore neat, plain clothes and had a strikingly handsome face, framed by a well-trimmed full beard. He wore no expensive jewelry, yet carried the intimidating air of someone long accustomed to power.
Were there really people like this in Yangzhou City?
Li Xian wondered.
"And you are?"
Someone outside shut the door.
The newcomer stood with his hands behind his back and smiled. "Everyone says the Cao Gang's Dragon King is exceptionally handsome. Now that I've seen you for myself, I can say it's true!"
Li Xian narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased by the man's refusal to answer his question.
The newcomer noticed his mood and introduced himself.
"My name is Yuan Benyu. I'm the Commander of the Demon Suppressing Division in Qingzhou Prefecture!"
Well, it seemed Li Xian's guess had been right. This was a big shot.
Li Xian gave a mild nod. "So you're Lord Yuan."
Yuan Benyu didn't seem to mind his indifference. He sat down at the table without ceremony and poured himself a cup.
"The Eight Immortals Tower's Drunken Immortal Brew is pretty good, but I prefer their osmanthus wine."
Li Xian could tell the man hadn't come just to say hello and make an acquaintance. He had something to discuss.
"I don't know much about wine. I just drink whatever takes my fancy."
As he spoke, he glanced at his two subordinates in the room.
Brother Xin and Wan Cai understood that he wanted them to leave, and tactfully withdrew.
Once the door was shut again, Li Xian got straight to the point.
"Lord Yuan, what brings you here to see me?"
Yuan Benyu didn't answer at once. Instead, he stood and walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling traffic and crowds in the street below, lost in thought.
Li Xian didn't know what he was staring off into space about, so he said nothing and let him be.
After quite some time, Yuan Benyu finally let out a heartfelt sigh.
"Dragon King Li, do you think Yangzhou City is prosperous and lively right now?"
"Of course," Li Xian replied.
Yuan Benyu turned around. "What if I told you that before long, demons and rebels would overrun Yangzhou City, leaving it awash in blood and heaped with corpses? Would you believe me?"
Li Xian frowned, puzzled. "What do you mean, Lord Yuan? Have you learned of some plot?"
Yuan Benyu shook his head. "No!"
"Then what did you mean by what you just said?"
Yuan Benyu replied, "Demons are running rampant throughout Qingzhou Prefecture. Rebels are rising everywhere. The whole region is beset by turmoil, and refugees are flooding the roads. I don't know how much longer Yangzhou City can hold out."
Li Xian was shocked.
"Lord Yuan, is that true?"
"Why would I joke with you about something like this, Dragon King Li?"
Li Xian still couldn't believe it. "Then how has Yangzhou City managed to hold out until now?"
Yuan Benyu said, "Because Yangzhou City is the Demon Suppressing Division's headquarters—and because I'm here!"
Li Xian's heart jolted.
It seemed the Commander of the Demon Suppressing Division in Qingzhou Prefecture was no ordinary man.
Only now did Li Xian realize that, from the moment Yuan Benyu entered until now, he hadn't been able to discern the man's cultivation level at all.
One possibility was that Yuan Benyu had a unique technique for concealing his aura.
The other was that Lord Yuan was stronger than Li Xian was now.
The second possibility seemed far more likely.
At the thought, Li Xian's wariness and respect for Yuan Benyu deepened.
"Dragon King Li, you're so young, yet you've achieved such cultivation. It's truly impressive."
Yuan Benyu spoke with a grave expression. "Even I, at your age, hadn't accomplished what you have!"
"Lord Yuan is too kind," Li Xian replied.
"I'm only speaking the truth."
As he spoke, Yuan Benyu headed for the door.
"If Yangzhou City ever faces danger, Dragon King Li, I hope you'll lend a hand."
"Of course!"
Just before leaving, Yuan Benyu tossed out one last remark.
"When you have time, Dragon King Li, you can go back and take a look around Nanfeng City."
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