Chapter 148
Chapter 148: Strong Wine
Murong Xiao Ya had no reason to guard herself against a little girl. Startled slightly, she glanced downward and saw the wine cup already tumbling towards the ground.
Yet the cup never touched the floor. Mid-fall, an unseen force gently caught it, leaving it floating quietly in the air.
“Behave yourself,” the Hemp Robed Elder softly scolded the Pink Clad Girl.
The floating cup slowly rose again, setting itself back on the table before Murong Xiao Ya. Throughout this, not even a single drop spilled.
The Pink Clad Girl glanced back at the elder, who only shook his head gently.
Murong Xiao Ya knitted her brows slightly, looking briefly at the elder, then back to the cup, confusion flickering across her face.
Before she could react, a hand reached out from beside her, snatching the cup and swiftly drinking it dry.
Turning sharply, she saw Li Mu Sheng nodding with satisfaction. He glanced at her and remarked, “This wine is rather fine. It seems Murong young lady doesn’t appreciate it. Honestly, you’re a bit too picky.”
Murong Xiao Ya’s eyelids twitched slightly at this. She wanted to protest that she’d said no such thing, but embarrassment held her back. With flushed cheeks, she could only lower her head in silence.
Meanwhile, the Pink Clad Girl turned suddenly, seeing Li Mu Sheng drinking Murong Xiao Ya’s wine. Her dark, ink-like eyes twinkled mischievously, a cheerful smile spreading across her face as she returned happily to nibbling her roasted pigeon.
Hu Rui An had noticed the elder’s subtle display of martial prowess, sensing something odd about it. However, distracted by other worries, he didn’t dwell on it.
Soon enough, the jug of Spirit Deer Wine was emptied by the group. Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, lovers of fine drink, wished for more. But Spirit Deer Wine was rare, unique to Deer Slaying Manor, and couldn’t be purchased outside no matter how wealthy one might be. Reluctantly, they suppressed their cravings.
Li Mu Sheng thought the wine was good, yet he wasn’t particularly fond of drinking. He smacked his lips lightly, idly watching the Pink Clad Girl continue her lively feasting.
Feeling Li Mu Sheng’s gaze upon her, the Pink Clad Girl pouted. Chewing the pigeon, she muttered quietly, “Bad people get bad things.”
Li Mu Sheng chuckled softly, paying her no mind.
After their meal, battles still continued fiercely upon the lake’s central platform, with no victor yet decided. Li Mu Sheng heard martial artists at neighboring tables discussing excitedly; apparently, some highly promising seeded contestants had yet to appear. Yet he had no interest in staying any longer.
By the time they finished eating, dusk began settling gently. Li Mu Sheng returned with Hu Rui An and the others to the courtyard Deer Slaying Manor had arranged for their rest.
When night fully embraced the sky, Hu Rui An gathered Wu Shang and the others in Li Mu Sheng’s room, quietly saying:
“Your Highness, the tall man beside Shen Lian Cheng today was an elder from Fallen God Peak. It seems Shen Lian Cheng has deep ties to both Fallen God Peak and the Sheng Province garrison.”
“So I plan to secretly investigate Deer Slaying Manor tonight. There might be hidden secrets affecting our Heavenly Brocade Guard’s mission against Fallen God Peak.”
Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong naturally voiced no objections, even praising Hu Rui An’s foresight in choosing to visit Deer Slaying Manor. Whether or not the rare Spirit Deer Wine influenced their enthusiasm was something only they knew.
Li Mu Sheng merely waved his hand, leaving Hu Rui An free to decide as he wished. However, his gaze held deeper meanings.
Li Mu Sheng knew Hu Rui An surely had other motives beyond his stated reasons. The investigation was only one purpose; the man certainly kept more important goals hidden.
But to Li Mu Sheng, as long as Hu Rui An remained with them when it was time to depart, he didn’t particularly care about other matters.
Having gained Li Mu Sheng’s approval, Hu Rui An arranged for Wu Shang and others to remain behind to protect Li Mu Sheng and Murong Xiao Ya. Then, with a swift movement, he silently slipped away from the courtyard, disappearing into the night like a shadow.
The night was cloudy, the moonlight dim and misty.
About an hour passed. Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, guarding the courtyard, began to feel the strong effect of the wine creeping upon them. Their eyelids grew heavy.
Initially, they fought off drowsiness by channeling their martial qi. But soon, exhaustion overcame their resistance, their thoughts becoming muddled and hazy.
Finally, unable to hold out any longer, they shook their heads, mumbling:
“This wine is too strong. Brother Cao, you keep watch for a moment.”
Then, they fell into deep sleep, snoring gently.
Cao Gao Shan saw this and felt a strange unease rising. Frowning, he leaped swiftly onto the rooftop, scanning the surrounding night cautiously. Finding nothing suspicious, he returned to the courtyard.
Kneeling beside Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, he tried to rouse them. But no matter how he called, they remained unconscious. Cao Gao Shan’s expression changed sharply. Checking carefully, he found nothing amiss except a faint scent of wine lingering around them.
Realizing something very strange was happening, Cao Gao Shan hurried towards Li Mu Sheng’s room to warn him. Yet suddenly, his own consciousness blurred rapidly, overwhelmed by powerful sleepiness. He struggled fiercely but to no avail. His vision darkened, and with eyes rolling upward, he collapsed onto the courtyard stones, deeply unconscious.
Moments later, several figures emerged silently from the nearby darkness.
Five wore black night-robes. Leading them was a sinister man, eyes sharp and icy. He wore gloves woven from silver threads, shimmering coldly in the faint moonlight.
Another man was the steward of Deer Slaying Manor. Bowing respectfully beside the sinister man, he said:
“Hall Master Jing, rest assured. Whether they drank the wine or not, simply inhaling its fragrance is enough to implant the poison called ‘Drunken Immortal Poison’ within their bodies.”
Pointing towards a graceful Bright Moon Violet Orchid in the courtyard, he added:
“When combined with the orchid’s scent, the poison awakens and deepens over time. Even Heavenly Union experts find it difficult to resist.”
Hall Master Jing Cheng Luo nodded faintly, eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint. He declared softly yet chillingly:
“Well done. Anyone who dares touch those belonging to our Alliance Under Heaven will never escape, even if they flee to the ends of the earth.”