Nangong Zhen extended a hand, inviting Xu Qingtong to sit. Once they had taken their seats as host and guest, the waiter brought out wine and dishes, filling the table.
Nangong Zhen picked up the wine jug and poured Xu Qingtong a cup, then filled his own. Setting down the jug, he raised his cup and said, "What a pleasure to meet you today, fellow Daoist. May I ask your name and where you reside?"
Xu Qingtong hurriedly raised his cup and said solemnly, "My name is Chen Yu, a rogue cultivator! Fortunately, you lent me a hand today, Brother Nangong. Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to clear myself of involvement!"
"Oh? Brother Chen, you're actually a rogue cultivator! That puppet of yours looked quite extraordinary. I'm afraid even the Heavenly Mystery Palace might not have anyone capable of crafting it! I thought you were the accomplished disciple of some mighty cultivator!"
Xu Qingtong was inwardly startled. Nangong Zhen had actually recognized how extraordinary his puppet was. His expression unchanged, he said, "I happened to obtain that puppet through a chance encounter!"
Nangong Zhen seemed to realize that he had been somewhat presumptuous and said apologetically, "You misunderstand, Brother Chen. I was merely curious, nothing more! Come, let's drink!"
With that, he refilled both Xu Qingtong's cup and his own, then raised his cup and drained it in one gulp!
Xu Qingtong set down his cup and asked, "From what you said, Brother Nangong, you serve as an instructor at Juxian Academy. Forgive my ignorance, but could you tell me what Juxian Academy is?"
Nangong Zhen chuckled and said, "Even if you hadn't asked, Brother Chen, I would have told you! Juxian Academy is a major power in Central Province, but it isn't a sect. It has