Sun Sihai followed Great-Uncle Ban Zhua straight toward the rear courtyard, where he saw his master and several guests seated together, drinking.
None of the guests were strangers—
Daoist Miaofa of White Cloud Temple of Rao Mountain.
Daoist Hongyuan of Embracing Unity Temple of Twin Dragons Mountain.
Ban Ya, the "Iron Palm King," and Jin Shenggu, the "Golden Eagle King," among the "Eight Kings" of Meishan.
The first two were his master's close friends.
The latter two were his master's subordinates and disciples.
They were all family.
"Master."
"Two Daoist elders."
"Second Uncle, Brother Jin."
Sun Sihai was considered a junior here. After greeting each of them, he was pulled down to sit by his Second Uncle Ban Ya. The latter had drunk quite a bit and spoke with a thick tongue. "You came back late. Drink three cups first!"
"Second Uncle—"
Sun Sihai knew Ban Ya's temperament. Over the years, he had stayed on Golden Wind Mountain, usually cultivating the Six-Gate Sand Palm taught by his master, and occasionally descending the mountain to uphold justice and teach petty villains a lesson.
He had made quite a name for himself as well, recognized by martial arts masters of the greenwood and mountain spirits alike as one of the Eight Kings, honored as the Iron Palm King.
Ban Zhua was a tiger spirit, with a powerful physique.
He did not need to concern himself too much with the "three essentials," "five taboos," and "seven injuries" his master had laid down as key principles of cultivation. He could drink to his heart's content.
Seeing that he could not refuse,
Sun Sihai could only down three cups in a row.
Ban Zhua was senior in rank, and also Ban Ya's elder brother, so Ban Ya did not dare urge him to drink. Ban