"Are you kidding me? I'm the 'Little Drunkard' here! How is your nose for wine keener than mine, you stinking beggar?" As soon as the first voice rang out, another followed right behind it.
"Brother Hong, Brother Meng?" Huang Xiao turned toward the stairs and saw Hong Yi and Meng Jiu coming up to the second-floor hall one after the other.
There were quite a few people of the Jianghu in the second-floor hall, and many recognized Hong Yi and Meng Jiu. The two paid them no heed, however, and strode over to Huang Xiao and Du Ge.
"Mmm! Fine wine. It really is Daughter Red, and the very best Daughter Red at that. Brother Huang, you wouldn't mind sparing me a cup, would you?" Without waiting for Huang Xiao's reply, Hong Yi sat on an empty stool beside them.
Huang Xiao smiled. "Why would I mind? Brother Meng, sit down too!"
"Beggar, you certainly don't stand on ceremony. Did Brother Huang invite you to drink? You've already made yourself comfortable!" Even after sitting down opposite Hong Yi, Meng Jiu did not forget to take a jab at him.
"I've known Brother Huang longer than you have," Hong Yi said with a chuckle. Then he looked at Du Ge beside them and asked, "And who might this be?"
"I am Du Ge, a first-class constable of the Yellow Gate. My respects to you both, honored retainers!" Du Ge hastily rose and bowed to them.
Du Ge naturally recognized Hong Yi and Meng Jiu. Both were experts on the Young Eagle Ranking and, like Tuoba Xing, were well known to the constables of the Six Gates.
"There's no need for such ceremony. This isn't the Six Gates, and you must be Brother Huang's friend. Let's forget rank and just be friends