Why am I the one being won over?

"Speaking of which, what's Yunli throwing a tantrum about this time?"

After explaining the situation to Lingsha, Huai Yan turned his gaze to Yunli, who had a cold expression on her face. She was intentionally or unintentionally keeping a certain distance from Bai Jun, but in the eyes of others, her distance from Lingsha, which was less than half an inch, seemed to be just her being petty.

"It was Grandpa's imagination; I didn't throw a tantrum."

Hearing her grandfather's concern, Yunli said it was nothing, but her reproachful gaze secretly drifted towards someone beside her.

Bai Jun felt the gaze staring at his face beside him, but he didn't react at all, ignoring it and pulling out a chair to sit down.

"Alright, alright, let's eat quickly, or it'll get cold."

Faced with this all-too-familiar scene, one he had witnessed countless times in Zhuming, Huai Yan once again acted as a peacemaker, separating the quarreling Bai Jun and Yunli. He couldn't help but give a bitter smile on his aged face, but there was a hint of nostalgia in Huai Yan eyes.

Since Huai Yan had already spoken, Yunli couldn't say anything more. With a look of resentment in her eyes, she pulled out a chair and sat down to Bai Jun's right. As for Lingsha... she had already taken her seat to Bai Jun's left when he sat down.

"Then let's have a drink to welcome Elder Yan and Miss Yunli."

Jing Yuan raised his hand and led the way in a toast, followed by everyone clinking their glasses together. The crisp sound of glasses colliding filled the air, and the previously somewhat stiff atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed up. Bai Jun also raised his glass and Huai Yan with Lingsha, and Jing Yuan.

Yunli, being underage, was not allowed to drink alcohol. Although she was somewhat tempted by the taste of alcohol, Bai Jun had always forbade her from drinking, so she could only sit on the side, sipping her Luofu milk tea while watching others enjoy their fruit wine.

"A-Bai, let me pour you some wine, please."

Bai Jun wanted to maintain his pace and continue eating, but he knew he would be affected. Lingsha's condition had been strange since the afternoon. Perhaps she was a little tipsy, she gradually lost her self-control, and with her pretty face slightly flushed, she moved closer to Bai Jun, as if seizing the opportunity to enhance their relationship and refill his wine.

Feeling the faint fragrance and soft touch on his arm, Bai Jun was at his wit's end and couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Hmm, thank you, Senior Sister Dan Zhu... But you just poured wine into my cup at an unusually fast pace. And speaking of which, I've felt particularly hot since earlier. Dan Zhu, did you add something to the wine?"

"Hehe, A-Bai, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you drunk already?"

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the flickering lights, Bai Jun was repeatedly plied with alcohol by Lingsha, who was unusually proactive for some unknown reason. Meanwhile, Jing Yuan and Huai Yan chatted idly on the sidelines. Incidentally, the food and drinks placed in front of Bai Jun were all made by Lingsha, but whether anything was added to them was unknown.

One cup after another, one cup after another...

Lingsha was like a middle-aged man in Tavern trying to get a young girl drunk and do whatever he wanted, constantly refilling Bai Jun's glass with wine, trying to get him drunk and knock him to the ground in the next second. However, the other party was like a gourmet appreciating delicious food, calmly sipping the cider, his fair face not even showing a trace of redness.

Bai Jun tilted his head back and downed the cider in his glass in one gulp. This was his twelfth glass. Even though the cider wasn't very strong, drinking so much alcohol in such a short time would definitely make most people dizzy and lightheaded, not to mention that Lingsha had added some powder that helped with "sleep quality."

With such a large dosage, according to Lingsha's expectations, it should be enough to knock out at least several elephants, if not one. Soon, Bai Jun's calm reaction made Lingsha begin to suspect that there might be something wrong with the medicine she had prepared.

"A-Bai, your alcohol tolerance seems a bit too high..."

"The alcohol content isn't high; I feel fine."

After Bai Jun calmly put down his seventeenth empty glass, Lingsha was about to refill his glass when she suddenly noticed six empty bottles beside her, and the cider in her hand was less than half full.

Hearing Bai Jun's explanation, Lingsha couldn't help but doubt whether there was a problem with her medicine. So, taking advantage of the fact that there was less than half a cup left in the wine bottle, Lingsha simply took some medicine powder for herself, a small amount, just about half of what Bai Jun had.

Lingsha tilted her head back and gulped down the wine in her cup, then-

"I was careless..."

Her crimson eyes widened in apparent shock, and then she collapsed headfirst onto the table. The moment her forehead hit the wooden surface with a dull thud, the spacious dining room fell into complete silence.

"There's definitely something wrong with this wine..."

Seeing Lingsha lying on the table, reaping the consequences of her actions, Bai Jun's lips twitched.

In fact, Bai Jun had already sensed something was wrong the moment he tasted the wine for the first time. However, the negative effects of drugs and curses were no longer effective against him. The moment those things invaded his body, they were dissipated and melted away by the power of the "Sun," including the effects of alcohol.

That's why Bai Jun didn't say anything more. He just hadn't expected that Lingsha would be knocked unconscious by the medicine he had concocted. Should he say she was adorably silly?

"Hehe, Qing Yan, you've gone too far! You actually got Miss Lingsha drunk right in front of us. Are you so desperate for sex that you're practically bursting with cravings? In that case, I can't drink with you anymore, or I might be in danger myself."

"Ah, I won't interfere in the affairs between you young people, but you brat, you must take responsibility for your choices and live up to Dan Zhu's expectations. If you dare to do something that only brings you momentary pleasure and then abandons her afterwards, don't blame me for breaking your limbs."

With a wicked grin, Jing Yuan closed his eyes and sighed. Huai Yan, who spoke last, stroked his beard and complained softly. However, the smile on his aged face was exactly the expression of a parent who felt gratified to see their children grow up.

Unlike the two elderly people who were overjoyed and filled with emotion, Bai Jun's expression was mostly one of disdain and surprise. "Is it possible that you two are the most irresponsible people? Is this really something you elders should say?"

"Qing Yan, you're being a bit... Oh? Elder Yan, the moonlight is lovely tonight and the breeze is quite refreshing. How about we go to the balcony of the attic to enjoy the moon and some wine? What do you say?"

"Hmm, I think it's good. I'll leave this place to you, you brat. But you still need to watch your step and don't cause any trouble here, okay?"

Just as Huai Yan and Jing Yuan were about to refute Bai Jun's point of view, their eyes widened slightly. After exchanging a glance, they consciously picked up their wine glasses and walked towards the balcony.

Just as Bai Jun was deeply puzzled by their sudden actions, he first looked down at his own face and suddenly realized that his wine glass was gone. A very ominous premonition rose in his heart, so he immediately turned his head towards Yunli and saw the empty wine glass in front of her—the wine glass that Bai Jun had lost.

Taking advantage of the moment when Bai Jun was chatting with Huai Yan Jing Yuan, she secretly drank Bai Jun's apple cider, even though there was less than half a glass left. The problem was that the glass of cider contained the drug Lingsha.

"Whoosh~ Little Junzi, you really smell so good, even better than Sister Lingsha."

The tipsy Yunli's cheeks were flushed, and one hand was placed on her chest, rising and falling with her rapid breathing. As if attracted by something, she couldn't help but take a step forward, and like a little catnip, she quietly hugged Bai Jun's arm, gently feeling Bai Jun's breath.

Seeing that she really only intended to sleep with her arms around his, Bai Jun's stiff expression finally improved a little. He thought that as long as he could coax her to sleep, everything would be fine. However, to make matters worse, Lingsha, who should have fainted, woke up at some point.

"Hehehe... A-Bai, how come you've become two?"

Lingsha slowly propped herself up on the table and raised her head. Her fair and delicate cheeks flushed red all the way down to her slender ears. She raised her bewildered crimson eyes and stared straight at Bai Jun's neck, or more accurately, Bai Jun's collarbone and the skin that ran straight down.

"Dan Zhu!? Wait, you should calm down. This isn't the time to do something like this!"

"A-Bai, I really like you so much~"

Numbed by alcohol and drugs, Lingsha lost her usual calmness and gentleness, turning into a complete fool driven by desire. Then, Lingsha reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning forward slightly—burying her face deep in Bai Jun's neck, and biting him with her small mouth.

Lingsha's soft, hot body sat on Bai Jun's lap. The fragrance lingering in her nose almost set off alarm bells in Bai Jun's mind, constantly warning him, "If this continues, things will get worse." However, he found that he couldn't move Lingsha.

Rather than saying he couldn't push her, it was more accurate to say that Lingsha's arms around Bai Jun's neck were too strong, and the moment she touched her body, her fingertips would sink into her soft and beautiful skin, which made Bai Jun afraid to touch her forcefully.

"In the end, A-Bai is just an innocent young man. Hehe, isn't that what A-Bai said last time? He can come and collect his debt from you anytime he wants, right?"

Lingsha then released her wrist from Bai Jun's neck, gently cupped his cheeks, tilted her head slightly forward, and lightly kissed his lips, returning almost exactly what Bai Jun had said to her last time.

Just as Bai Jun, his face flushed, was wondering if Lingsha was pretending to be confused, Lingsha's eyes, which had cleared up for a moment, returned to their infatuated and confused state, and she hugged Bai Jun's face and kissed him indiscriminately.

"Hey? What are you doing? I want some too!"

Bai Jun and Lingsha's interaction quickly attracted Yunli's attention. She got up from Bai Jun's arm, propped herself up, put her right leg on Bai Jun's leg, and stood on tiptoe to try to kiss Bai Jun's cheek.

Then, the scene before them became even more chaotic.

Chapter 170 The Long-Awaited Master and Disciple

--This is absolutely terrible

Exhausted, Bai Jun sighed and thought to himself. The two women who had been acting crazy just moments before had now completely calmed down. Lingsha was clinging to his arm, her fair cheeks flushed crimson as she leaned against Bai Jun's shoulder, her face softening into a soft shape. The tipsy Yunli lay on Bai Jun's lap, quiet and adorable like a spoiled cat.

No one knows what Bai Jun just went through, but the hickeys and teeth marks on his cheeks and neck give a glimpse.

Although to outsiders this might seem like a rather alluring and blissful kind of trouble.

"Did you get them to sleep? You look exhausted, it must have been tough for you."

"Sigh, speaking of which, Zhuming's group of kids seem to be like that too. I'm really getting old; I can no longer understand the things that happen between you young people."

Having finally managed to fool them, Jing Yuan and Huai Yan, who had cleverly disappeared early on after sensing something was amiss, stepped back into the dining room through the glass door of the balcony, carrying empty wine glasses. Looking at Bai Jun's situation, Jing Yuan feigned surprise and shook his head with a sigh, while Huai Yan couldn't help but let out a sigh.

The dinner didn't last long. The three people sat down, ate a simple meal, chatted about whatever came up, and then started to deal with the aftermath.

During his stay in Luofu as a celestial general, Huai Yan was provided with all the necessities of life by the Shence Mansion. Yunli, who came with him, also had her own room. So, naturally, Huai Yan picked up Yunli and took her back to her room to rest.

When Huai Yan lifted Yunli off Bai Jun's lap, she was clearly completely drunk, but her unconscious movements showed considerable reluctance. Huai Yan complained, "Girls really are hard to keep at home once they grow up," and with a mix of amusement and exasperation, he finally managed to lift her off Bai Jun's lap.

"What about Senior Sister Dan Zhu?"

Looking at the beautiful woman still Vidyadhara against him, Bai Jun asked Huai Yan. He didn't know Lingsha's exact address, only that she worked in the Alchemy Commission. But given the current situation, Bai Jun couldn't possibly let her go back to the Alchemy Commission.

"That's true. In that case, why don't you take Miss Lingsha back to your home to rest? That way, everyone can relax, and I'm sure Miss Lingsha will blame you when she wakes up tomorrow and learns the whole story."

"Jing Yuan's words make sense. I'll leave Dan Zhu to you then."

The moment Jing Yuan uttered those words, Lingsha, who was quietly leaning on Bai Jun's shoulder, seemed to nod almost imperceptibly, Huai Yan also nodded in agreement with Jing Yuan's suggestion. The two of them naturally trusted Bai Jun's character and knew that he was not the kind of person who would take advantage of others in distress. No, it should be said that the person who would truly take advantage of others in distress was still uncertain.

"That's why I said you two are the most irresponsible people. Is this really something you, as elders, should say?"

As expected, Bai Jun strongly opposed the suggestion and ultimately decided that Lingsha would stay with Yunli for the night. The two had a good relationship, and he believed they wouldn't say anything afterward.

"Alas, my body is too frail to carry Yunli anymore. You, as her junior brother, should take good care of her. I'll just show you the way."

Huai Yan glanced at Bai Jun with a resentful look of disappointment, pushed the drunken Yunli to Bai Jun, and then walked towards the room in the corridor with his hands behind his back.

Bai Jun quickly supported Yunli with one hand, while placing his other hand firmly on Lingsha's waist. Seeing that Huai Yan had already walked far away, he also headed in that direction to follow.

With Jing Yuan watching them leave, the group departed.

"Hehehe... A-Bai, I like you so much."

"I know, senior sister, you really were drunk today..."

Bai Jun had to keep an eye on Yunli beside him while also responding to Lingsha.

Perhaps because she was drunk, Lingsha was different from her usual reserved self. On the way, she kept hugging Bai Jun's neck and whispering in his ear in a sweet and gentle voice that sounded like she was being coquettish. The content was mostly about things like "A-Bai, you smell so good", "A-Bai, I like you so much", and "Will you marry me?"

Yunli was slightly better; she simply hugged Bai Jun tightly around the waist, her drunken face pressed against his chest, and her eyes glazed over as she stared at his profile, muttering things that were completely unintelligible—she looked completely drunk.

After helping the two women through the most difficult part of his life, Bai Jun entered Yunli's room and immediately placed them on a large bed that could comfortably accommodate three people. He tidied their clothes, removed Lingsha's high heels, and covered them with blankets before Bai Jun out a long sigh of relief and leaving the room, declaring that the day's events were over.

"They rely on you a lot, but having someone they can completely trust and confide in is a blessing for girls like them. You don't need to run away from this; just openly accept their feelings."

As Huai Yan returned alongside Bai Jun, he looked up at his disciple, who had grown taller without him noticing. As if moved by what had happened that day, he spoke with a deeper tone than usual.

"I never expected you to be such a master of relationships, old man... Uh, just kidding, just kidding. I was just thinking about how I should make amends for the mistakes I made in the past and apologize to you and the other senior brothers and sisters—oh dear!!!"

Bai Jun, who had intended to laugh it off, trembled slightly when he saw Huai Yan's serious gaze. To avoid being beaten by the old man again, he put his right hand behind his head and frankly spoke his mind. As a result, he was met with another hard punch from the other party, which landed accurately on his thigh, causing Bai Jun to cry out in pain on the spot.

"Fool, do I need the concern of a mere junior? Your senior brothers and sisters only need a simple response. As for the things you're thinking about, you should consider them later. Besides, what kind of behavior is it for a man to be so indecisive and hesitant?"

Huai Yan scolded the other party in a tone of disappointment, while Bai Jun remained silent for a moment, standing there in a daze until Huai Yan's footsteps completely left him far behind.

No one will blame you. Remember, Zhuming will always be your home.

Huai Yan suddenly stopped, turned around and looked back at Bai Jun's figure, a slight smile playing on his lips hidden beneath his pale beard.

"However, I'm very pleased that you can so readily recognize and acknowledge this. You've truly grown up, not just in terms of height, but also in your way of thinking. I was initially a little worried about whether you could handle those girls, but now it seems that such worries were unnecessary. Speaking of which... it's truly unbelievable that that clueless, blockheaded boy has transformed into a playboy in just a few years. Ah, perhaps this is the carefree Short-lived species?"

Even without the second half of that sentence, I would still be truly moved.

Upon hearing Huai Yan's sarcastic remark at the end, Bai Jun responded with a wry smile, then quickly caught up with Huai Yan's pace.

Bai Jun had no worries or concerns while with Huai Yan. The two walked and talked. In front of Huai Yan, he was like a child returning to his hometown to confide his troubles to his relatives, venting all the troubles that had happened in the past few years. Huai Yan listened quietly with a kind smile on his face, responding from time to time.

This also included Bai Jun's experiences at the Herta Space Station. The Herta Space Station was handled by Huai Yan, who naturally knew that the lifespan problem that had been troubling Bai Jun had long been resolved. However, what he didn't expect was that the cause of all this was not the Flint Emperor fragment in Bai Jun's body, but the Abundance Elixir used at the beginning.

"That's really strange. Has the Flint Emperor within you shown any unusual activity?"

"No, the Flint Emperor within me has remained completely still since then, and even actively communicating with it now is futile."

Bai Jun shook his head. The fragment of the Flint Emperor's consciousness within him had been in a coma ever since he first used "The Favor of the Sun," and it remained completely unresolved, just like the system panel that was showing an update status.

"I understand. I will investigate this matter at the Flamewheel Forge after I return to Zhuming."

"How long does the old man plan to stay in Luofu?"

"About two weeks. The marshal's orders are to investigate the situation after the Luofu catastrophe. There are no other special requirements. Zhuming Ming has your senior brothers and sisters from the 'Flame Wheel Eight Leaves' sect, as well as Flamecourt Lord's care, so I plan to stay here for about two weeks. It's also a good opportunity to bring Yunli here to relax."

"Speaking of which, I remember a few years ago you specifically mentioned wanting to step down from the 'general' position. So many years have passed, hasn't a suitable successor been found yet?"

Seeing Huai Yan growing older, Bai Jun felt a pang of heartache. Huai Yan, who had been silently watching Bai Jun's profile, slowly spoke:

"Whether it's a general or Hundred Refinements Master, these are just titles bestowed upon me when the time is right. I've resigned countless times, but now the situation has changed, and the marshal has summoned me again, so I have no choice but to take up the post. In the end, it's also my fault; I've lived too long, and it's inevitable that I'll be criticized."

"Don't listen to those old guys' nonsense; they're just jealous of you."

Huai Yan was the longest-lived person on the Xianzhou. His long lifespan allowed him to witness countless stories that others had only heard of in legends. Because he had experienced so much, he had restrained his sharpness. When facing children, he was just an ordinary, gentle and kind old man.

Huai Yan his life to selflessly passing on his skills and devoted himself to the future of Zhuming and Xianzhou, so Bai Jun would never allow anyone to slander him.

"Haha, my eyes aren't that blurry. Having held the position of general for so long, I naturally see things very clearly. Zhuming needs someone who can keep things in check, and I am the most suitable candidate. Once the storms have passed, it will be time for me to enjoy my retirement."

Unlike Bai Jun, whose brows were tightly furrowed, Huai Yan's expression was unusually calm, as if he had already seen through everything. He calmly stroked his pale beard and looked at Bai Jun: "And you, Bai Jun, do you plan to return to Zhuming, or continue to stay in Luofu? Or will you continue to travel to other places like before?"

"I, I..."

This question sounded like both a question and an old man's earnest expectation, leaving Bai Jun frozen in place. His lips moved slightly, but he hesitated to say anything. After a while, Bai Jun, having made up his mind, revealed the various entanglements and relationships he had formed in Luofu, as well as the various dilemmas that troubled him.

Huai Yan remained silent, quietly staying by Bai Jun's side, listening to his innermost thoughts, neither affirming nor denying, simply accompanying the child as he immersed himself in the surging tide of mixed emotions.

"I have no intention of making things difficult for you. Think it over carefully; it's not too late to make a decision after you've thought it through. However, you can rest assured that whatever decision you make, I will respect it."

These were also Huai Yan's heartfelt words. He did want Bai Jun, his most outstanding disciple, to return to Zhuming and inherit his mantle, but if this had to be based on his pain and struggle, Huai Yan would rather choose to give up voluntarily.

Who could be more proud of Bai Jun than his most beloved disciple?

The atmosphere this time was different from that at the restaurant. Neither the master nor the apprentice spoke, and they silently enjoyed the moment of tranquility.