Chapter 422: Rivers and Lakes in the Night Rain

Chapter 422: Rivers and Lakes in the Night Rain

Madame Xiao Luan and her party of four took their seats, which were predictably the closest to the threshold of Snow Vast Hall—perfect for enjoying the night view outside the door.

As for Madame Xiao Luan's personal maidservant, the one known as Little Water God to all the mountain and river spirits within the eight-hundred-mile jurisdiction of the White Crane River, even she was not granted a seat here within Ziyang Manor.

The maidservant had no choice but to stand behind Madame Xiao Luan, her pretty face as cold as frost.

Ever since she had drowned and become a water ghost, over the course of two hundred years, Madame Xiao Luan had personally promoted her step by step to the position of Patrol Envoy of the White Crane River Water God's Palace. Any cultivator of the Lower Five Realms or spirit creature that caused trouble within the jurisdiction could be executed first and reported later. Never had she suffered such humiliation. This visit to Ziyang Manor had allowed all the glory she had accumulated over two centuries to fall to the ground, and there was no hope of picking it up again in this manor.

Fortunately, having been by Madame Xiao Luan's side for so long, she had learned by osmosis to know what was important. Without needing the lady to remind her to mind the occasion, she had already lowered her eyes early, doing her best to keep her expression natural, not daring to show the slightest displeasure. Earlier, after the lady had finished discussing important matters alone with the current Ziyang Manor Master, Huang Chu, her mood had still not been light. She had warned the four of them that before they could truly return to the Water God's Palace by boat, there would still be twists and turns, and she pleaded with everyone to endure a little longer.

At that time, Madame Xiao Luan had been quite remorseful, her expression bitter, and her words carried a hint of supplication. It had pained the maidservant so much that she nearly shed tears.

At this moment, from her appearance, clothing, to her seated posture, Madame Xiao Luan was nearly flawless—except for her eyes, which were somewhat dim and unclear.

She was the one who defended the White Crane River, maneuvering and expanding its territory from the original six hundred miles to nearly nine hundred miles. Her authority was even greater than that of a feudal lord in a secular court. She maintained close relations with many registered celestial masters from various factions in the Yellow Court Kingdom, as well as with martial grandmasters like Sun Dengxian. Naturally, this was not something achieved by mere fighting and killing.

She was the first of the two groups to enter the banquet. The hall was full of guests, immortals gathered in droves, leaving only two empty spaces. Since the guests from the inner White Crane River Water God's Palace had been notified beforehand that their seats would be the cool spots near the threshold, then the remaining most honored seats to the left, directly below the host, were reserved for someone else—Madame Xiao Luan knew in an instant.

As expected, when she saw Chen Ping'an enter Snow Vast Hall, Wu Yi, who had been lounging lazily in the host seat and whom even Madame Xiao Luan did not wish to meet—this founding ancestor of Ziyang Manor—

actually rose with a smile, walked down the steps, approached Chen Ping'an and his party, took Chen Ping'an's arm, and said with a laugh, "If Young Master Chen had not arrived at Snow Vast Hall, we would not have dared to start the feast and serve the dishes."

Chen Ping'an, whose fist intent had long become as natural as heaven and earth, suddenly found his arm taken by a woman he barely knew. For the first time, his body stiffened somewhat, and he could hardly break free from her affectionate gesture in front of everyone. It was truly an ordeal.

Inside, the great cultivators of Ziyang Manor, including the master Huang Chu, were all shaken. They became increasingly convinced that this young man surnamed Chen was either the ancestor's paramour—though that possibility was slim, as the ancestor had never had a Dao companion since founding Ziyang Manor, being devoted to the Great Way and utterly indifferent to romantic affairs—or else he was some imperial relative of the Great Li Song clan traveling incognito.

Otherwise, the ancestor Wu Yi's various behaviors at this banquet were far too strange and abnormal.

Fortunately, after Wu Yi led Chen Ping'an to his seat, she released his arm without a trace, walked back to the host seat, sat down, and still maintained that familiar demeanor of favoring Chen Ping'an. She announced loudly, "Young Master Chen, our Ziyang Manor may not boast much, but this Old Flood Dragon Drool Wine is renowned far and wide. It's no exaggeration. Even an emperor of the Great Sui Ge'yang Gao clan once secretly begged the Hong clan of Yellow Court Kingdom to procure sixty jars from us every year. The wine is already prepared on the tables now. When you finish, servants will bring more, so no one here need have an empty cup. Drink to your hearts' content—tonight, we do not leave until we are drunk!"

Dozens of beautiful young female cultivators from Ziyang Manor, serving as maids to carry the wine and dishes, emerged from both sides of Snow Vast Hall, dressed in splendid new colorful robes, fluttering like butterflies—a truly striking sight.

Wu Yi was the first to stand and raise her cup. "This first cup of wine is to welcome Young Master Chen to our Ziyang Manor, bringing great honor to our humble abode!"

With that, everyone had no choice but to stand and raise their cups together, toasting Chen Ping'an.

In the Yellow Court Kingdom, this was a greater honor than heaven itself.

Even if the Hong Emperor personally visited Purple Qi Palace, it might not have prompted Wu Yi to use such words.

Sun Dengxian, after Chen Ping'an's party had taken their seats, took a moment to come back to himself, sitting dazed. Fortunately, a friend kicked him, and he quickly stood up.

Chen Ping'an had no choice but to say a word of thanks and drink his cup dry.

On the most delicate little table in front of Pei Qian were also two jars of Old Flood Dragon Drool Wine, but Ziyang Manor was very considerate and had prepared a sweet, clear jar of fruit nectar for the little girl early on. Pei Qian, who had stood up with her cup, was overjoyed.

Ziyang Manor—now this was a good place!

Pei Qian made up her mind: later, she would pester her master properly, talk his ear off, and make sure they visited Ziyang Manor often. That Wu Yi might not be the prettiest—far less than Huang Ting or Yao Jincha—but she was a good person and a warm hostess. There was really no fault to find! Anyway, it wasn't like they wanted the master to marry her and make her his mistress. Looks didn't matter much, after all.

Afterward, Wu Yi did not focus too much on Chen Ping'an. The banquet proceeded like a typical lavish feast on the mountain.

All kinds of exotic delicacies and fine dishes were brought in by the graceful young female cultivators flitting like butterflies, adorning the bustling Snow Vast Hall.

Master Huang Chu, as the second-in-command responsible for representing Ziyang Manor, was indeed eloquent. He led the toasts to Wu Yi, his words sparkling like pearls, winning rounds of applause from the hall.

Wu Yi did not speak much, but compared to her usual demeanor at Ziyang Manor banquets, tonight she was much more approachable—like a completely different person. She even voluntarily told a few interesting anecdotes from the mountains, which naturally drew laughter from the Ziyang Manor crowd. In truth, Wu Yi was not one to smile easily. If Huang Chu had told those same stories, he might well have rivaled a professional storyteller. But coming from Wu Yi's mouth, Chen Ping'an didn't find them particularly amusing. Yet the laughter and cheers in Snow Vast Hall were all delivered with genuinely sincere eyes and natural smiles.

Perhaps this, too, was part of the rivers and lakes.

Actually, the first time Chen Ping'an had felt something similar was back in that illusory Lotus Flower Blessed Land, after the great battle ended, when he encountered that Nanyuan Kingdom emperor in a tavern.

Madame Xiao Luan held her wine cup and slowly stood up.

Everyone, with perfect tacit understanding, ceased their noise. For a moment, all was silent.

Madame Xiao Luan smiled and said, "I, Xiao Luan, on behalf of the White Crane River Water God's Palace, toast to the Yuanjun Ancestor."

Wu Yi acted as if she hadn't heard, but her gaze lingered on Madame Xiao Luan.

This posture made it clear: Wu Yi had no intention of giving the White Crane River Water God's Palace any face at all. Madame Xiao Luan herself should not expect to gain the slightest dignity here in Ziyang Manor.

Sun Dengxian was so furious he almost exploded. He clenched his fists tightly on the table, his whole body trembling.

Wu Yi, seemingly casually, cast a sidelong glance at Chen Ping'an. He was turning to speak softly with Pei Qian, apparently admonishing her to sit properly and eat properly when visiting someone's home, not to get carried away. Fruit nectar was not wine, so there was no excuse for getting drunk and ignoring everything. Pei Qian straightened her back but shook her head, grinning and saying she knew, she knew—only to receive a flick on the forehead from Chen Ping'an.

Seeing that Chen Ping'an had no intention of interfering, Wu Yi quickly withdrew her gaze, yawned, twisted the neck of a special jar of Old Flood Dragon Drool Wine in one hand, gently shook it, rested her cheek on the other hand, and asked lazily, "White Crane River? Where's that?"

Then she turned to Huang Chu and asked, "How far is it from our Ziyang Manor?"

Huang Chu quickly stood up and replied respectfully, "Reporting to the Ancestor, this White Crane River Water God's Palace is only separated from our Ziyang Manor by the Iron Covenant River—a three-hundred-mile waterway."

Wu Yi pretended to realize, "Not far at all, then."

Not far meant close neighbors. As the common saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. For registered celestial masters and mountain-and-river deities, three hundred miles was indeed a distance that could be covered in an instant—comparable to an ordinary mortal's after-dinner stroll. Since that was the case, the White Crane River Water God's Palace had, over the centuries, adopted a stance of never interacting with Ziyang Manor, which, in Wu Yi's eyes, was no different from Madame Xiao Luan's provocation.

However, Wu Yi had her own calculations in this matter, so she had allowed the White Crane River Water God's Palace to expand its territory freely without instructing Ziyang Manor's cultivators or the Incense Accumulation Temple at Iron Covenant River to obstruct them.

The once harmonious Snow Vast Hall was instantly filled with murderous intent.

Madame Xiao Luan stood there holding her wine cup in front of her, a serene smile unchanged on her exquisite face. "I beg the Dongling Yuanjun's forgiveness. In that case, I, Xiao Luan, will punish myself with a drink."

Just as Madame Xiao Luan raised her arm, Wu Yi suddenly stretched out her hand and pressed down twice in the air. "Xiao Luan, this humble Ziyang Manor is hardly worthy of a proper River God's self-punishment drink. Huang Chu, how are you managing as manor master? Since Madame Xiao Luan doesn't come to visit, shouldn't you have taken the initiative to call on her at the Water God's Palace? Must you make the River God Lady come to you? I think your manor master's airs can rival those of the Hong Emperor. Quickly now, what are you gaping at? Take the initiative to toast the River God Lady. Actually, never mind—Huang Chu, you punish yourself with three drinks."

Without a word, Huang Chu faced Madame Xiao Luan and drank three cups in succession.

The atmosphere in Snow Vast Hall was so tense that a pin drop could be heard.

Madame Xiao Luan, still holding the cup of wine she never had a chance to drink, bent down to set it aside before making an odd move. She went to the tables of the two elderly men on either side and Sun Dengxian and retrieved two jars of wine, placing them in front of herself. With the three jars lined up, she lifted one, removed the clay seal, held the jar—which must have held three catties—and said to Wu Yi, "The White Crane River Water God's Palace has consumed Master Huang's three toasts. That shows Ziyang Manor is magnanimous and does not quibble with a woman like me. But I also want to drink three jars of self-punishment wine to apologize to Dongling Yuanjun and, at the same time, wish the Yuanjun an early breakthrough to the Upper Five Realms and the founding of the Ziyang Manor!"

Then, Madame Xiao Luan deliberately suppressed the operation of her golden body, essentially stripping away her power as the White Crane River God and temporarily using the body of an ordinary pure martial artist. In one go, she drank all three entire jars of wine.

Madame Xiao Luan's face turned crimson. Three times she raised the jar high and tilted her head back to drink, inevitably spilling some wine. Her magnificent palace dress was slightly soaked at the chest. She turned her head away and covered her mouth with her hand.

Pei Qian's mouth fell open as she watched that heroic woman in the distance. If it were herself, never mind three jars—she couldn't even down a small jar of fruit nectar.

She quickly grabbed her cup, poured herself some fruit nectar, and planned to steady her nerves.

Chen Ping'an said softly to Pei Qian, "That's about enough."

Wu Yi, who was studying Chen Ping'an again, narrowed her eyes. Then she turned her gaze to the White Crane River Water God, who still didn't dare sit down. Wu Yi nodded. "The toast wine has been drunk, and the punishment wine hasn't been skimped on. Good. People of a feather flock together. From now on, your Water God's Palace and our Ziyang Manor can be considered half-kin. During festivals and holidays, remember to visit often. But I'll remind you once more, Madame Xiao Luan: today you have this opportunity thanks to Young Master Chen. Won't you show some gratitude?"

Madame Xiao Luan was clearly already quite uncomfortable, breathing rapidly, which gave rise to a heaving bosom. Yet she still smiled and said, "It should be so. Then I'll drink another jar. As the Dongling Yuanjun said, opportunities are rare. Let's not leave until we're drunk! I dare not disappoint such a fine moment, fine wine, and valiant heroes. I only ask that if I behave disgracefully after drinking, the Yuanjun not laugh at me..."

As she spoke, Madame Xiao Luan picked up another jar. Her fingers trembled slightly as she removed the clay seal.

Chen Ping'an rose to his feet, wine cup in hand. He looked toward the doorway where the White Crane River God Lady held a wine jar, then lowered his head to glance at his own cup. Suddenly, he turned his head toward Wu Yi on the host seat and said with a smile, "Yuanjun, my tolerance for alcohol is mediocre. How about both the River God Lady and I drink only by the cup? If I drink a single cup while she drinks a whole jar, that wouldn't be proper in either sentiment or reason. If I come to disturb Ziyang Manor again in the future and pass by the Water God's Palace, I wouldn't dare call on the River God Lady."

Wu Yi's eyes deepened. She swirled her wine jar and chuckled, "Young Master Chen, that won't do. Xiao Luan toasted me with three jars but only drinks one cup with you? What kind of nonsense is that? What, have you taken a fancy to her? If so, it's a coincidence—wine can be a matchmaker. Our Madame Xiao Luan here has been alone for many years, and you, Young Master Chen, are a dragon among men..."

Chen Ping'an quickly interrupted Wu Yi as her words grew more and more outrageous. He lifted a wine jar, removed the seal, and said as if begging Wu Yi for mercy, "Yuanjun, I can't outtalk you. I'll accept the punishment too: half a jar of penalty wine, and the remaining half will be my return toast to the River God Lady."

Wu Yi burst into sudden, loud laughter.

The hall once again erupted with thunderous, hearty laughter.

Chen Ping'an faced the host seat, drank half a jar of wine in one go, then turned to Madame Xiao Luan, raised the remaining half of the jar high, and said, "To the River God Lady."

Madame Xiao Luan drank it all in one go.

This time, regardless of decorum, she quickly sat down, turned her head away, and pressed her arm hard against her mouth.

After this farce, the banquet became lively once more.

One colorful-robed female cultivator after another bustled about busily.

Some people had already left their seats to go back and forth toasting one another.

After all, this time Ziyang Manor had gathered cultivators from the Middle Five Realms, many of whom had come from nearby cultivation caves around the manor. For those in the Observing Sea and Dragon Gate realms, cultivation was especially about persistent effort, like water dripping through a stone. Such cultivators, who had truly entered the hall of mastery, might not see each other for decades or even longer—it was quite normal. If one reached the legendary Nascent Soul realm, the peaceful seclusion was even more like a hidden dragon in the clouds.

The maidservant bent down and gently patted Madame Xiao Luan's back, but was repelled with a jolt. She quickly withdrew her hand and fell silent, trembling.

Madame Xiao Luan, her eyes hazy with drunkenness, grew even more stunningly beautiful, radiant and dazzling. She said softly to Sun Dengxian, "Dengxian, won't you go have a drink with your friend?"

Sun Dengxian's face showed difficulty.

Madame Xiao Luan, perhaps due to intoxication, was quite different from her usual dignified composure. Now she appeared almost coquettishly naive, gazing pitifully at Sun Dengxian.

Sun Dengxian felt somewhat helpless. He truly had only respect for the River God Lady, not affection. But what hero in the world could remain stone-hearted when faced with a beautiful woman's knitted brows and captivating glances?

Sun Dengxian had no choice but to nod, rise with his cup, and prepare to go toast Chen Ping'an.

Sun Dengxian was a stubborn man. If he hadn't known that Chen Ping'an was the most esteemed guest of Ziyang Manor, someone even the ancestor Wu Yi had to flatter; if he had only remembered Chen Ping'an as that young wandering knight of the third or fourth realm from years past, when they had met in the rivers and lakes, then meeting again now, even if Chen Ping'an hadn't approached him, Sun Dengxian would have sought him out himself to clink cups and chat a few words. But now, knowing Chen Ping'an's status, Sun Dengxian instead felt completely ill at ease, all his heroism gone.

Sun Dengxian froze.

He saw that young man in white robes with a sword on his back, followed by a bouncy little charcoal-girl.

Chen Ping'an walked up to Sun Dengxian. "Hero Sun, a toast to you."

Sun Dengxian, though a bit awkward earlier, was still somewhat pleased now that Chen Ping'an had come. He felt it was an honor, and a rare comfort during this frustrating, humiliating trip to Ziyang Manor. He smiled as he stood facing Chen Ping'an. They clinked cups and each drained their wine. When they clinked, Chen Ping'an deliberately lowered his cup slightly. Sun Dengxian thought it improper and lowered his own a bit too, but then Chen Ping'an lowered his further. Sun Dengxian finally let it go.

After drinking his cup, Sun Dengxian, who had been drinking morosely alone all night, was slightly tipsy. Some words slipped out before he could stop them: "Chen Ping'an, where did you learn these table manners? So stuffy! Besides, I'm not worthy of such courtesy."

Madame Xiao Luan had already stood up. The two Water God's Palace friends, including the elderly man, were speechless to see Sun Dengxian so informal.

Chen Ping'an's eyes were bright. "Hero Sun, you are worthy!"

Sun Dengxian laughed. "I only caught a fox spirit. Is it worth you remembering me so fondly?"

Chen Ping'an didn't say the heartfelt words about his feelings for the rivers and lakes. Instead, he picked up a wine jar from someone's nearby table, poured himself a cup, refilled Sun Dengxian's cup, and said with a smile, "The paths of the world are narrow, but a wine cup is wide. Let's have another, Hero Sun!"

Again they both drained the strong wine. Sun Dengxian laughed heartily and said, "Good one! You're quite good at persuading people to drink."

Chen Ping'an grinned. Having drunk an entire jar of the potent Old Flood Dragon Drool Wine earlier, his face was also flushed red.

He bid farewell to Sun Dengxian without lingering in long pleasantries.

He did not exchange a single word with the White Crane River God Lady.

Before leaving, Chen Ping'an looked toward the entrance.

That steward, who could only stand guard outside the threshold, had been straining his eyes toward Chen Ping'an and Madame Xiao Luan's side. When he finally caught Chen Ping'an's gaze, he immediately bowed and scraped.

Chen Ping'an smiled and raised his empty cup before returning to his seat.

The steward, who had been terrified for a long time, received this gesture and was so moved he nearly wept with joy.

Madame Xiao Luan sat in her seat, lowered her head, and gently wiped the wine stains from her dress. She quietly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and alcohol.

What was worse than being forced to drink punishment wine to the death was wanting to drink thousands of catties of it and not being given the chance to raise a cup for even two or three taels.

The maidservant watched the young man's retreating figure, pondered for a moment, and felt some gratitude in her heart.

Pei Qian tilted her head up and asked curiously, "That old man was a real snob, Master. Aren't you angry?"

Chen Ping'an smiled. "What's there to be angry about?"

Pei Qian lowered her voice. "Master is thinking of Hero Sun and the others, right?"

Chen Ping'an patted her head. "You're too clever."

They were only a few steps from their seats. Pei Qian suddenly grabbed Chen Ping'an's warm hand. He asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Pei Qian grinned. "Soaking up some of good Master's immortal aura and rivers-and-lakes spirit."

Chen Ping'an chuckled. "Right, being able to mooch meals and drinks all the way—where would you find a master like that?"

Pei Qian asked cautiously, "Master, could I have just a tiny bit of that Old Flood Dragon Drool Wine? It smells so good—I'm dying for it."

Chen Ping'an asked, "What do you think?"

Pei Qian nodded. "I think I could have a small cup. I want to experience 'the paths of the world are narrow, but a wine cup is wide' too."

He tugged her ear and plopped her down onto her unique little embroidered stool and small table. "Drink your fruit nectar."

As Chen Ping'an was about to sit, Wu Yi had already descended from the host seat and come before him. She waved her hand, signaling the now-silent Snow Vast Hall to continue drinking. Once the banquet had returned to its clamor, Wu Yi spoke via heart voice: "Young Master Chen, have you killed many creatures of the flood dragon lineage?"

Chen Ping'an shook his head.

In the Battle of Flood Dragon Gully, he hadn't personally killed that Nascent Soul old flood dragon.

Then he remembered the eel monster on the border of the Great Spring Kingdom in Tongye Continent, which Chen Ping'an had beaten to death from start to finish. He frowned and asked, "Has the Primordial detected something?"

Wu Yi was a bit displeased when Chen Ping'an shook his head, but recalling those two family letters that were more effective than imperial edicts, she suppressed her irritation and explained, "I won't pry into your past, but I can tell that you carry quite a bit of karmic hindrance on you."

Chen Ping'an asked curiously, "How so?"

Wu Yi smiled. "Some creatures in the world, if killed, bring you merit. Others may cause karmic entanglement. The Confucians have always been tight-lipped about this unusual rule, so you might not be clear on it, Young Master Chen."

Chen Ping'an asked directly, "Is there a way to resolve and remove it?"

Wu Yi held back. "No rush. Since you'll be staying at Ziyang Manor for another day or two, I'll tell you after you've sobered up. Tonight, just drink. Don't spoil the fun."

All good things come to an end.

Wu Yi left first.

Chen Ping'an soon led Pei Qian and the others out of Snow Vast Hall and back along the same path.

Pei Qian was still very excited. She hadn't forgotten to take her walking staff. Along the way, she hummed a self-composed song made up of bits of folk sayings she had heard from her master about his hometown in Dragon Spring County: "Today the Thunder Lord sings a tune, tomorrow there won't be much rain. Swallows fly low, snakes cross the road, ants move house, mountains wear caps... The moon grows fuzz, heavy rain fills the gully. The sky is hung with carp scales, tomorrow you can dry grain without turning..."

She wouldn't stop.

Zhu Lian had heard this song so many times his ears were calloused. He pleaded, "Lady Pei, have mercy and spare my ears, okay?"

Pei Qian sighed. In high spirits tonight, she decided to indulge the old cook. She dashed forward a few steps on the quiet path and swung her walking staff. "Wild dogs run rampant all over the world, jackals block the way—that's what makes these rivers and lakes so dangerous and everyone so fearful. But I haven't yet mastered peerless sword or blade techniques. Blame me, it's all my fault."

Zhu Lian kicked her in the backside.

Pei Qian stumbled a few steps but still landed gracefully. She spun around angrily. "What gives?"

Zhu Lian was about to mock her when he suddenly let out a "huh?" and looked up, extending his hand. "Is it raining?"

Chen Ping'an hummed in acknowledgment.

It really had begun to drizzle.

The group quickened their pace back to Treasure Pavilion.

Shi Rou, being a yin creature, didn't need sleep, so she stayed on the first floor.

Zhu Lian and Pei Qian stayed on the second and third floors respectively.

Chen Ping'an stood alone in the corridor on the fourth floor. The rain tonight was light.

He practiced walking stakes in the corridor for half an hour, dispelling all the alcohol fumes from inside and out.

Then he returned to his room to sleep, keeping one eye open—after all, he was still in Ziyang Manor, under the unpredictable host Wu Yi.

In the latter half of the night, a soft knock suddenly sounded.

Chen Ping'an dressed and opened the door to see someone he absolutely hadn't expected.

The White Crane River God, Madame Xiao Luan.

Her expression was complex, bashful, as if she wanted to speak but held back. She seemed to have changed into a more form-fitting dress. She turned her head aside, bit her lip, gathered her courage, and murmured, "Young Master Chen..."

Chen Ping'an slammed the door shut.

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