Gentlemanly Ward lay due south of the Jing'an Directorate. Following one of the Eastern Capital City's five landmark Heaven Streets south, one passed Chengfu Ward, the New Central Bridge over the Luo River, Daode Ward, and Zeshan Ward in succession before arriving there.
Heaven Street was over a hundred paces wide; the particular stretch directly before Ziwei Palace's south gate was nearly three hundred paces across. Traffic jams were out of the question. Thus, after going home for a shower, cooling himself with Ice True Qi, and changing into everyday clothes, Zhang Xing soon arrived outside Gentlemanly Ward's east gate with Qin Bao, who had not yet had time to move.
The bronze bowls announcing the clearing of the streets had only just sounded, but here in Gentlemanly Ward, the crowds were actually beginning to grow.
As for what Gentlemanly Ward did, and why it had special permission to remain open after curfew-
Wouldn't asking that question be just as embarrassing as being Zhang Xing?
Indeed, Zhang Xing had seen with his own eyes that Qin Er had tucked a little red flower behind his ear. He had looked at it countless times along the way, yet stubbornly held back from asking.
"Which house are we visiting today?" Qin Bao had clearly been here a couple of times. Seeing several colleagues waiting there, he blurted out, "Madam Xu's or Su Wu's?"
"Qin Er, showing your ignorance again, aren't you?" Li Qingchen, whose everyday clothes were still brocade and who had a fine horse with its mane divided into five sections beside him, immediately expressed his disdain. "Brother Hu isn't treating us this time. Since Sister Si is paying, it'll have to be one of the upper-ranked houses. My guess is either Madam An's or Du Zhi Han's... Du Zhi Da Lin and Du Zhi Xiao Lin at Madam An's, along with Du Zhi Han, are universally acknowledged as the top three du zhi!"
At these words, the Patrol Cavalry erupted, then launched into an even more heated discussion. Even Qin Bao joined in, eyebrows dancing and spittle flying.
Zhang Xing alone looked like a country bumpkin. He paid two copper coins at a stall inside the ward gate for a cup of extremely weak sour plum tea, borrowed a stool, and held his cup while adding his own ice, listening to these city folk prattle on about du zhi this and du zhi that.
Only after listening for some time did he understand. Du zhi had originally been an official title-a classic case of an official title finding its way into drinking houses and pleasure quarters, the same throughout history and across the world. It probably meant a currently celebrated courtesan, or at least a particular establishment's star attraction. Of the three du zhi they were discussing, two had yet to set up independently and remained at Madam An's, letting her take a cut, while one had already struck out on her own, renting a building and bearing her own profits and losses.
He finished his chilled sour plum tea and chilled another cup for Qian Tang along the way. As the bronze bowls announcing the street clearing rang less and less frequently, Bai Yousi finally rode up. She still wore close-fitting martial clothes, deerskin boots, and a sword at her waist, but had dispensed with the Warrior Cap. Her hair was simply gathered into a man's topknot and wrapped in a headcloth. She remained a picture of martial elegance.
With the guest of honor here, Qian Tang abandoned even his chilled sour plum tea and unobtrusively stole ahead to take his superior's horse. Qin Bao and Li Qingchen, by contrast, fell behind. The gulf in their skill was obvious.
"We're going to Madam An's today. I've already sent someone to let Du Zhi Xiao Lin know." Bai Yousi dismounted, gave Qian Tang a slight nod, and announced the news directly.
Naturally, another cheer went up.
Here, such cheering was not remotely out of place. No one even gave them a second glance, rather like primary school children in Zhang Xing's former world cheering on campus at the announcement of a holiday.
The group of twenty or thirty entered the east gate and followed the central road with practiced familiarity to the very middle of the ward. There was actually a temple to Lord Azure Emperor there, occupied by a dozen or so potbellied Daoists of this world. Neither the other patrons ahead nor the Patrol Cavalry paid these Daoists any attention. They merely saluted before the temple, each tossed two copper coins beneath a tree in front, and took a red paper talisman on a red string from beneath it to tie around their wrists. Only then did they stride off in different directions.
Zhang Xing had no choice but to follow local custom.
Next, the Patrol Cavalry clustered around Inspector Bai and turned south. They had almost reached the far end of Gentlemanly Ward when they suddenly turned again, arriving before a spacious courtyard with a three-story building in its center. They raised their hands in greeting, announcing that old friends of Du Zhi Xiao Lin had come to visit.
At their greeting, a servant naturally came forward, calling out that Du Zhi Xiao Lin had twenty or thirty colleagues visiting, with five or six horses and mules... He had the animals led away and ushered the guests into a hall inside the building.
Couches and low tables had already been arranged in the hall. They had barely seated themselves according to rank and age when a woman's laughter rang out upstairs. "Inspector Bai, it's been so long since you last came. Your sister has missed you terribly... Look at that face of yours! How is it so fair and lovely? All your sister can do is envy you; I know nothing of cultivation to preserve my looks."
Only after these two remarks did a graceful woman of twenty-seven or twenty-eight, wearing a dangling hair ornament, descend with measured steps. She approached, took Bai Yousi's hands in both of hers, and pressed them to her chest.
Quite a few of the Patrol Cavalry around them were already watching with wandering eyes and fluttering hearts, though it was hard to say which woman they envied.
"I've missed you too, Du Zhi Xiao Lin." At first, Bai Yousi had merely listened attentively. Once the woman came downstairs, however, her eyes likewise rippled and her smile blossomed like an opening bud, as though she too were a veteran of the pleasure quarters. "I've just been terribly busy lately. I went to the Eastern Territories, then came back to one official matter after another and had to account to the court. Today was my first free day, so I hurried straight here to see you, Sister."
Watching dispassionately, Zhang Xing felt that while this du zhi had a graceful figure, her looks fell far short of Bai Yousi's, her bearing could not match the late Madam Feng's, and she lacked even Xiao Yu's youthful freshness. He silently marveled at it.
But he soon caught on, having been fairly worldly in his previous life.
After greeting Bai Yousi, the du zhi made her way around while the bowls and dishes were being laid out. Starting with Qian Tang, she addressed those she knew by name or with affectionate familiarity, always managing to leave them beaming even as they flushed scarlet. As for those she did not know, like Qin Erlang beside Zhang Xing-who had been inexplicably excited earlier but now grew nervous in her presence, and wore only ordinary cloth clothes-once someone nearby offered a brief introduction, she could calmly call him Erlang, lean close of her own accord to pour him tea, inquire after his parents back home, and praise his fine build and his honest, trustworthy air.
By this point, how could Zhang Xing fail to understand? This might be Gentlemanly Ward, but selling flesh was not necessarily all it did. Fine looks were certainly welcome, but most of those who could ordinarily afford to patronize this sort of high-end establishment with its grand hall were probably officials from north of the Luo River. Dozens of colleagues came together for a group outing, wanting good food, good drink, and good fun. Even if the du zhi had a face like a flower and beauty like the moon, could everyone get their hands on her?
Those who couldn't might even end up sulking.
Thus, a du zhi's real skill probably lay in commanding the room and managing the atmosphere, while selling more wine along the way... As for whether anyone slept with her, that was clearly a matter for after the gathering broke up.
Besides, one could guess even with one's backside that the earnings of dozens of women selling nights in bed might not match those of one good du zhi who excelled at managing a room.
Seen that way, it was little wonder they were called du zhi rather than flower queens, and that a du zhi could save enough to open her own pleasure house. A good du zhi truly was the heart of an establishment.
"My respects, Sister Du Zhi."
When his turn came, the country bumpkin who now "understood" had already relaxed. Zhang Xing immediately cupped his hands. "I'm Zhang Xing, a new recruit to Inspector Bai's mounted squad. Though all the brothers, from Inspector Bai down, have been missing you, Sister Du Zhi, today's visit is nominally to celebrate my joining... I'm a country fellow who hasn't seen much of the world. When the fun starts later, sorry for the trouble, Sister, but please help me make less of a fool of myself."
Du Zhi Xiao Lin looked rather taken aback by this speech, but still covered her mouth with a smile. "You say you haven't seen much of the world, yet you're so glib. I don't know whether to believe you."
"You're not the only one, Sister." Bai Yousi, who had followed behind her, laughed with her hands clasped behind her back. "I've had him under me for several dozen days, and I still don't know whether to believe what he says."
Du Zhi Xiao Lin bent down and leaned sideways across the table. First she squeezed Bai Yousi's leg behind her, earning herself a kick in a little private exchange, before turning to Zhang Xing. "Young Brother Zhang, you're a fine-looking fellow. Where do you rank among your brothers?"
"I have no father or mother. I came out into the world alone," Zhang Xing answered readily. "Just call me Zhang Sanlang."
"I understand. Sanlang it is, then. Zhang Sanlang." Du Zhi Xiao Lin took the hint and immediately left the subject alone.
"Yes." Zhang Xing was happy to play along.
"How about this? If you really don't know the games, I'll surely be officiating when we play drinking games later. You can help your sister as the punishment officer who holds the wine..." Du Zhi Xiao Lin leaned against the table, soft breasts half exposed and eyes shimmering, making a show of lowering her voice. "Would you like that?"
Zhang Xing immediately cupped his hands.
Beside him, Qin Bao watched enviously but had no idea how to join the conversation. Li Qingchen, one seat farther away, suddenly rose and called out, "Du Zhi Xiao Lin, we heard every word of your private conversation! Why are you favoring this Zhang Sanlang?"
"What do you know, Shierlang?" Du Zhi Xiao Lin took the opportunity to stand with Bai Yousi's support, first giving Qin Erlang a meaningful glance before chiding Li Qingchen openly. "Do you think being the punishment officer is easy? Every penalty drink and forced cup falls to him. If you want to make trouble, just refuse to drink when the time comes, and he'll have to drink three cups instead."
The room erupted.
Amid the uproar, Du Zhi Xiao Lin turned and signaled for the feast and wine to begin in earnest; Bai Yousi's smile faded slightly as she returned to the seat of honor; Qian Tang hurriedly composed himself and sat upright; Li Qingchen laughed unrestrainedly; Qin Erlang clapped until both palms were red; and the newly minted Zhang Sanlang propped his chin on his hand and watched the side door, waiting to see what the food here was like.
Almost without their noticing, the mood had come alive.
Soon, however, a quarter of an hour after the food and wine arrived, the atmosphere reached a new peak... Once everyone had put a little food in their stomachs, Du Zhi Xiao Lin finished making a round and sharing a private cup with those who liked to drink, then took the opportunity to rise, walk to the center of the hall, and look around.
As though understanding her intent, everyone set down their chopsticks. Only Zhang Xing, intent on sampling the feast, kept eating and reacted a little slowly.
"Gentlemen." Seeing this, Du Zhi Xiao Lin immediately smiled. "Zhang Sanlang knows he's to be our punishment officer, so he's hurrying to fill his stomach first... Zhang Sanlang, stop a moment and fetch your sister a jar of wine."
The laughter grew louder.
Zhang Xing paid it no mind. He actually stood, shouldered a jar of wine from a servant nearby, tore it open on the spot, and set it on the low table before him with one hand resting on it.
Next, Du Zhi Xiao Lin explained the rules in a few words. Sure enough, they were going to play a game with drinking penalties. From the sound of it, it still revolved around wordplay, something like a drinking verse game.
Throughout history, across two lives and three realms, it seemed things were always much the same.
As the game began, Zhang Xing's understanding of a du zhi deepened further... A good du zhi apparently also needed to be fair in rewards and punishments, know everyone thoroughly, and possess substantial knowledge and literary cultivation.
If someone gave a good answer, what made it good? Others might not understand. If such a proud contribution to the game could not be properly appreciated, wouldn't it have been offered in vain?
That was where the du zhi had to step in with praise.
If an answer was poor, what made it poor? Which rule did it break? She had to explain so the person accepted the verdict wholeheartedly, while also accounting for his capacity for wine and his temperament, making the punishment moderate enough not to anger him.
Fortunately, this was a gathering of colleagues, and Bai Yousi sat above it all without needing to be catered to. Had their leader been someone petty, with all the considerations of rank that entailed, even Zhang Xing, whose only responsibilities were chilling and pouring wine, would have wanted to thank this du zhi for her hard work.
After two rounds of drinking verses, most were tipsy, and the atmosphere had reached a marvelous pitch. Even those who had not drunk were swaying their heads.
At that point, the game came around to Li Qingchen again.
"North Mang Mountain?"
Already half drunk, Li Qingchen heard the requirements and pointed questioningly toward North Mang Mountain, faintly visible through the hall's window.
"That's right. You turned the spoon north yourself, and I chose North Mang Mountain. Shierlang, just recite a line of ancient poetry containing North Mang Mountain. A classic or a history will do as well. So long as it has a source, you pass." Du Zhi Xiao Lin repeated the rules with a smile. "If it also carries a meaning of urging those present to drink, you win and can pick anyone here to match cups with you. But if it's a repeat, or poor, or wrong, you'll be punished heavily!"
As everyone waited expectantly, Li Qingchen nodded, then immediately slapped the table. "I've got it! Beneath North Mang Mountain, the azure dragon rises!"
Everyone froze for a moment, then remembered that this was a line from the Great Mystery Scripture handed down by Lord Azure Emperor, and nodded in succession.
Li Qingchen smiled without speaking, until Du Zhi Xiao Lin stepped forward in praise. "That's a winning answer... 'Beneath North Mang Mountain, the azure dragon rises' is not merely a scriptural allusion. The poet Wang Du quoted it in an old poem long ago, and that poem ends with 'Let us raise this wine to toast the eastern wind.'"
There was even that connection! The Patrol Cavalry all applauded and accepted Li Qingchen's winning answer.
Having won, Li Qingchen was entitled to pick someone to challenge. Looking around, he spotted Zhang Xing staying out of it and felt a stir of competitiveness. "Zhang Sanlang, you've been hiding all night. Do you know any literature at all? If you do, I'll give you a handicap. As long as your answer is correct, you win. How's that?"
Zhang Xing looked up at Li Qingchen. He knew the man's family background was probably quite good and that, like Qian Tang, he was among the leading figures in Bai Yousi's squad, merely regarding Zhang Xing and Qin Er as rivals. But understanding that was one thing; why would he get angry with the man over such a rotten affair?
He simply answered, "I'll drink three penalty cups! Shierlang, do as you please!"
With that, he began pouring his own wine, setting out three of the largest wine bowls.
Everyone found this rather dull. Li Qingchen felt somewhat stifled too, but did not know what to do.
Just then, Bai Yousi, who had somehow taken a small jar of wine and seated herself sideways on the distant stair railing, suddenly spoke teasingly. "Zhang Xing, Zhang Sanlang, I've always admired you: first for your loyalty, second for your bold spirit, and third for your natural literary talent... Now you won't even display that talent before your own brothers, which rather betrays both your boldness and your loyalty. Could it be that you look down on your colleagues?"
Every colleague in the hall turned to look. Li Qingchen's eyes almost spat fire, and even Du Zhi Xiao Lin could hardly intervene. Only Qin Bao grew nervous and prepared to awkwardly say something.
How could Zhang Xing fail to realize that the old bitch on the stairs had drunk too much and was letting her petty streak show? Speechless, he waved Qin Bao reassuringly quiet while slowly pouring wine that gave off wisps of cold. "It's not that I look down on my colleagues. It's simply that my reading truly hasn't been in the classics and histories, so these rules don't suit me."
Bai Yousi immediately curled her lip, and Li Qingchen and several others were about to rebuke him.
But just then, Zhang Xing changed tack. Raising a bowl of chilled wine, he turned to face everyone. "How about this? Count it as my loss, and I'll recite a lyric in uneven lines that doesn't fit the rules, by way of apology."
Everyone was startled, then understood, then grew excited... Unlike Bai Yousi, they hardly believed this young colleague had any real literary talent. They merely wanted to see Zhang Xing make a fool of himself.
Only Qin Bao, being rather more honest, felt uneasy.
As for Zhang Xing, he too was a little tipsy, and instinctively recalled that ironclad rule... As the saying went, if you transmigrated without plagiarizing poetry, hadn't you transmigrated for nothing?
He had to plagiarize.
Of course, this world's culture provided a foundation for plagiarizing poetry and lyrics-as noted before, apart from its classics and histories, this world had no shortage of contemporary literature. Its crowning achievement was naturally novels such as Biography of the Heroine Li Yue, but the development of literary wordplay followed a pattern: short folk ballads generally gave rise to poetry; once poetry existed, lyrics in uneven lines followed; then came short fiction and drama, and finally long novels.
However, because its allusions and material foundations differed completely, this world's poetry and lyrics were destined to diverge from those of the other world Zhang Xing knew.
Thinking this through, Zhang Xing raised a bowl of wine, then slowly drank while using true qi to cool it.
He drank extremely slowly, because his head was a little muddled. A suitable lyric had flashed through his mind just a moment ago, yet once he raised the bowl, he forgot it again. All he could do was stall like this.
Bai Yousi, Li Qingchen, and the others seemed to notice his stalling, but for their different reasons, they merely watched teasingly in silence and waited.
Fortunately, after finishing one bowl, Zhang Xing did recall the lyric he remembered in broad outline because one of its lines was famed through the ages.
"Through ages past, the road beneath North Mang; in yellow dust, all heroes have grown old." Finishing his bowl, Zhang Xing turned it upside down on the table and began to recite.
Most present actually knew little of the art, but Li Qingchen instantly noticed something and sneered. "Zhang Sanlang, isn't your tonal pattern wrong? It should be 'Through present and past, the road beneath North Mang.'"
"Good." Zhang Xing caught on and gave Li Qingchen a thumbs-up from across the room. "Li Shierlang qualifies as my teacher for that one word..."
With that, he actually lowered his head and began drinking the second bowl.
Li Qingchen continued sneering. Bai Yousi lay back on the railing, tilted her head up, and raised her wine jar. As though coming alive, the wine inside formed a thread that flowed unhurriedly and precisely into her throat.
After finishing the second bowl, Zhang Xing turned it upside down and recited anew, his low voice weighted with emphasis, rising and falling in measured cadence:
"Through present and past, the road beneath North Mang; in yellow dust, all heroes have grown old.
Life's long regrets, like waters, flow forever east.
With whom can I share these hidden thoughts? Far as I gaze, homeward-bound geese fill the sky."
Those who understood a little were already stunned. Those who did not instinctively looked toward Li Qingchen, only to find him sitting on his couch with a blank face and hollow eyes. They looked next at Du Zhi Xiao Lin, who seemed about to speak but stopped, her eyes actually reddening.
They turned back to look at their inspector, only to find Bai Yousi craning her neck, holding the jar high in one hand, its wine pouring in a silken thread without a moment's pause.
By then, Zhang Xing had raised the third bowl he had prepared earlier as his own punishment. This time, he did not hesitate, pouring it into his mouth like a splash of water. Then, with a single wipe, he held the bowl upside down in one hand, pointed upward to the north with the other, and recited again:
"Through present and past, the road beneath North Mang; in yellow dust, all heroes have grown old.
Life's long regrets, like waters, flow forever east.
With whom can I share these hidden thoughts? Far as I gaze, homeward-bound geese fill the sky.
What use is glory that eclipses the world? In days gone by, I wrongly blamed Heaven.
One mighty song, a thousand goblets of wine.
Wherever a man goes is his rightful place; speak not of hardship or success."
Having finished the lyric, Zhang Xing stole a glance at the silent Li Qingchen and Du Zhi Xiao Lin, who was covering her face, and secretly sighed in relief. Knowing he had not botched the plagiarism, he was about to put on a little more of a show.
"What a line: 'Life's long regrets, like waters, flow forever east'!"
But just then, a young man's voice suddenly resounded through the hall. Its tone was calm, yet could not conceal its fervent admiration; it rang loud, yet its source was impossible to distinguish. "And what a line: 'One mighty song, a thousand goblets of wine'! Better still: 'Wherever a man goes is his rightful place; speak not of hardship or success'!"
Everyone searched in surprise for the source of the voice, but could find no clue. Bai Yousi, meanwhile, merely kept her head tipped back and continued drinking.
The voice naturally continued without pause:
"In literary terms, 'Life's long regrets, like waters, flow forever east' truly displays natural talent. No wonder even Du Zhi Xiao Lin lost her composure. I imagine anyone with a few more years behind them would find much to savor in it. Being young myself, I think only of 'one mighty song,' which inevitably leaves me on a lower plane! Sister Sisi, where did you find such a man?"
"Sima Zheng, shut your dog mouth!"
Hearing this, Bai Yousi merely swept her sleeve and flung the wine jar high. It flew through an opening upstairs and hurtled deeper into the building, yet no crash of shattering pottery followed. Curiously, Bai Yousi's voice became as ethereal and elusive as his. "Sima Zheng! Poaching my man in front of your own colleagues in the Crouching Dragon Guard-do you think your own people are no good? Such heartlessness! Even I feel your subordinates deserve better!"
By the final sentence, she had quite clearly exposed the fact that someone's behavior after drinking was apparently poor.
"I was wrong to interrupt without permission, but please forgive me, Sister Sisi. I had absolutely no intention of poaching your man, much less of making you angry." The young male voice continued, still courteous and composed. "It's just that this Zhang Sanlang among your talents truly astonished me... Thank you for the wine, Sister. I'll shut up now."
With that, the voice suddenly vanished into thin air.
Bai Yousi sneered. With a mere lift of her hand, she swept another jar of wine from somewhere and resumed drinking without restraint.
Du Zhi Xiao Lin, however, could only steel herself and offer a brief explanation. "That was Sima Erlang. He happens to be entertaining his subordinates at my elder sister's tonight."
This Sima Erlang seemed enormously famous. Many of those present fell silent. The rest, like Zhang Xing, might have felt as though five claws were scratching at their hearts with curiosity, but could hardly ask just then.
Afterward, Du Zhi Xiao Lin used every trick she knew and managed to revive the atmosphere somewhat. She also clearly gave Zhang Xing an extra measure of attention, but he kept thinking about the matter.
Finally, when three rounds of drinking games were over and the dancing and music began, everyone was slumping this way and that. Zhang Xing at last found an opening, immediately rose with his wine, and went to ask Li Qingchen just who this Sima Zheng was.
"Sima Erlang?"
Hearing this through his drunken haze, Li Qingchen shook his head repeatedly. "You'd do better to call him Sima Invincible, or Sima Second Dragon..."
"Come up."
Just as Zhang Xing was about to ask more, a familiar voice suddenly sounded beside his ear. Understanding at once, he nodded to Li Qingchen, left the singing and dancing with his wine in hand, and headed up the stairs.
"You want to know Sima Zheng's background?"
Bai Yousi sat on the railing with her legs bent, her face slightly flushed. Three wine jars lay overturned at her feet, yet unexpectedly, she seemed far less drunk than before. The strong smell of alcohol from the liquid seeping out of her fingertips revealed everything clearly.
With her high cultivation, she could drink as much as she liked. Once she felt uncomfortable, she could "pour" the alcohol out anytime, anywhere.
"Yes." After one glance, Zhang Xing leaned against the opposite railing and asked earnestly, "That brat Li Qingchen said he's Sima Invincible or Sima Second Dragon... May I ask, Inspector, what's behind those names?"
"Nothing special. They're simply statements of fact." Bai Yousi glanced behind her through several walls and openly explained, heedless of whether the man could still hear. "That fellow is the strongest fighter under thirty in the Eastern Capital, and probably the strongest under thirty in the whole world... Doesn't that make him Sima Invincible? As for Sima Second Dragon, that refers to the popular saying about attaining a position and becoming a dragon. Even when he was little, everyone felt that, with the world gradually settling into peace, if anyone could break through the shackles of the Great Grandmaster realm before everyone's eyes, defy common reason, and attain a position to become a dragon, it would have to be him."
Zhang Xing fell silent for a moment, then asked seriously, "May I ask, Inspector, are even you no match for him?"
Reeking of wine, Bai Yousi said nothing, merely fixing her subordinate with a cold stare.
Zhang Xing understood. He nodded and asked again, "May I ask, Inspector, how old is this Sima Second Dragon?"
He did not ask about Sima Zheng's family origins, because there was no need. The emperor whose throne the late emperor had usurped had borne the surname Sima, and the Sima ancestor had been the foremost of the Eight Pillars of State. When he raised his army, there had been a full dozen close and distant Sima clansmen at his side.
In other words, whether or not he belonged to the former imperial family, he was in any case a core member of the Eight Pillars of State system.
"A year and a half younger than me. About your age." After a moment's thought, Bai Yousi gave a rather terrifying answer.
Zhang Xing fell silent.
"Now it's my turn to ask questions, Zhang Sanlang of the natural literary talent..." Bai Yousi suddenly raised a hand and pointed at him.
"Yes." Holding his wine cup, Zhang Xing answered seriously, with no unnecessary expression. "Speak freely, Inspector."
"What's going on with your true qi?" Bai Yousi poked his wine cup, her face full of incomprehension. "Do you know how much wine and tea you've chilled between that sour plum tea at Gentlemanly Ward's gate and now? Why aren't you so exhausted you can't stand? You've only opened five Orthodox Meridians..."
Zhang Xing froze slightly, then answered with a smile, "Just like my natural literary talent, perhaps I'm unusually gifted in this area too... Of course, I can't compare with you or that Sima Second Dragon."
Bai Yousi smiled, then suddenly grew serious. "A proper question for you. Do you know why Brother Hu Yan didn't come?"
"I hadn't thought much about it until you asked, Inspector. Now that you have, I do have a rough guess." Zhang Xing answered immediately. "But I don't know if it's right... Is it because of Li Shu?"
Bai Yousi, who had been drinking so boldly only moments earlier and whose face was still flushed, nodded. Then she sat upright on the railing, filled Zhang Xing's bowl with wine, and finally spoke in a low, earnest voice. "Zhang Xing, teach me in secret. What should I do?"
PS: Once again, wishing everyone a merry Christmas!
Exorcising the Dragon, Zhang Xing and Bai Yousi, by the great author Water-Fearing Grenade, provided for you.
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