(^o^) Beating Linghu Chong for the Second Time (1)
In a pavilion beneath Jade Maiden Peak on Mount Hua, the pines roared in the wind as the setting sun slanted across the sky, bathing the training ground halfway up the distant mountainside and the entire Mount Hua Sect compound in golden red.
"..."
At that moment, Linghu Chong was hiding here all alone, lying back with one leg crossed over the other as he drank wine and gnawed on a goose leg.
Its crispy skin, golden as the sunset, was rich and greasy on his tongue. Juice flowed with every bite, and when he followed it with a mouthful of fragrant pear-blossom wine, the taste spoke for itself. Those who drank it knew!
Behind him, the stone steps led up to the forbidden cliff where they went to reflect on their mistakes, while in front of him, down beyond a stretch of sheer cliff, lay the Mount Hua Sect compound. He knew both places well, and he also knew his master and mistress wouldn't come here at this hour. So this was the perfect place to hide and drink.
The wine and meat had naturally been brought back that afternoon by his junior sister, Yue Lingshan. After briefly giving her a few instructions, he'd come here to drink. He'd been at it since midafternoon, and had gone through more than half a large jar of wine. He'd also eaten half a roast goose weighing at least three or four jin. He couldn't have been more content!
"Drink!"
"Ha—"
"Heh!"
"Ha—"
By now, the twenty-odd formal disciples of the Mount Hua Sect—the whole motley handful of them—had begun their evening practice on the training ground. Their shouts carried faintly over, and they looked and sounded rather impressive.
Gollum! Gollum!
"Ha!"
"Good