Chapter 142: The banquet at Huang Jing’s mansion (Part 2)
Huang Jing could only sigh, fully understanding Fan Lan’s situation. To cheer her up, he suddenly told her about a rumor.
“As far as I remember, I was recently told about a rumor that a certain alchemist who can purify pills to 90% and above has visited the southern continent. His name is… let me see… Gu Heng, right?” Huang Jing raised his eyebrows and nodded, “Yes, that’s right, I remember. Gu Heng.”
“Never heard of him,” Fan Lan replied and tilted her head to the side, asking, “What about you?”
“I’ve never heard of him either. It can also be said about my intelligence networks. It seems that this is one of those cultivators who were in seclusion and decided to come out into the world,” Huang Jing suggested and, looking at Fan Lan, offered, “Why don’t you try to contact him? They say he’s quite friendly and if you offer him favorable terms, he’s likely to agree.”
“I’d be glad to… but, judging by my current financial situation, making deals with such people would be too expensive.”
“That’s also true. Do you want me to lend you some money?”
“Everything is fine.”
Huang Jing could only shrug his shoulders. He and Fan Lan were acquainted thanks to Xie Qing and they had good relations. Therefore, he was not against helping his acquaintance.
But it seemed that Fan Lan was currently not in such a desperate state as to take money from someone in debt. Moreover, judging by everything, her business was somehow, but prospering.
In such matters, Huang Jing was not versed. He was knowledgeable in politics, building relationships, and combat, but not in alchemy, let alone business.
These two talked on various topics, and mainly they revolved around their specialties. Huang Jing still could not bypass Fan Lan’s problem and promised to help her by allocating several of his acquainted alchemists to her aid.
And while they were discussing something, a man appeared in front of the gates of the estate.
He looked, however, unparalleled. With his tall stature, he could easily eclipse other people.
His black, long hair was tied in a high ponytail, while his dark, like the night, eyes gave off coldness.
He was dressed in a luxurious white robe with gold embroidery. A regular-looking sword was resting on his belt.
“Oh, what a huge estate Huang Jing has. Although it’s not surprising, he’s rich after all,” Xie Qing thought with a smile.
The cultivators who guarded the entrance, noticing the presence of Xie Qing, slowly approached him. And then, after throwing a short glance at his face, they bowed.
“Young master, by the order of Mr. Huang Jing, we ask you to allow us to escort you into the estate.”
“Oh? It seems that Brother Huang has taken care of it so that his brother can pass without any problems,” Xie Qing nodded and said, “All right, I permit it.”
“Many thanks. Please, follow me.”
Xie Qing nodded, and the cultivator was able to sigh in relief. He was only at the Foundation Building stage, so even though no drop of Qi was emanating from the young man…
As a cultivator, he could sense the danger.
“Feels like I’m near the mouth of a tiger,” one of them thought.
Unconsciously for himself, even though he was restraining himself – Xie Qing was emitting an aura that repelled people weaker than him.
This was not related to any technique. When a person kills their kind, they accumulate negative karma, even if the one killed is a criminal.
Therefore, around Xie Qing, who had killed more than two hundred bandits and troublesome pursuers, there was a sharp aura of blood.
***
The maids in the estate gasped and swooned, watching as an attractive young man entered the main entrance. Fan Lan and Huang Jing, who were sitting with their backs to him, did not notice him right away.
“Oh?”
Xie Qing smiled and decided to have some fun. He maximally muted the sound of his steps, and then stealthily approached Fan Lan from behind.
Of course, by that time, Huang Jing had noticed him, but he pretended not to see anything. He was also not against teasing the serious and downcast girl.
And so, while the girl was lively telling him something…
Pinch.
“GHIIIIYA!”
She let out a strange cry and sharply turned her head back. Xie Qing was slightly surprised by such an exaggerated reaction, but there was a mischievous smile on his face, like a child who had made a prank.
“X-Xie Qing? Why did you pinch me?” Fan Lan finally came to her senses and puffed up her cheeks in annoyance.
“You were so concentrated that it seemed to me that it would be fun. I’m sorry,” Xie Qing replied with a laugh.
Huang Jing was friendly smiling, like a father watching his children… oy, wait, that doesn’t sound right.
“You must have overcome a long journey. Chen Hui, bring a chair for our guest,” Huang Jing said, but then he fell silent and continued, “…although, I think our guest will do without it…”
The reason for his reaction was simple…
“A-a-a?! B-but I’m in a dress!”
“Not a problem. I have a blanket with me. It’s a bit chilly in the estate, you won’t catch a cold.”
“Uuu…”
Huang Jing shook his head. A second earlier, Xie Qing had simply picked up Fan Lan, sat on a chair, and placed her on his lap.
“Brother Xie, I must bow to your skills in communicating with women.”
“What do you mean?” Xie Qing looked at him in confusion, “I just didn’t want to bother the servants.”
“Oh, so you do it unconsciously… that sounds even worse.”
Poor Huang Jing could only sigh, sincerely not understanding how Xie Qing’s brain was wired. And, seeing his genuinely confused face, one could only trust the young man’s words that he had done it accidentally.
However, one way or another, Huang Jing decided not to pay attention.
***
After the servants brought Xie Qing a glass of wine (he didn’t particularly like tea), Fan Lan also managed to get used to her position, and Huang Jing successfully changed the topic.
“You’re saying you have problems, Lan?” Xie Qing raised his eyebrows and smiled, “If this problem is related to pills, then it’s not a problem at all!”
“Oh? Tell me more. I also want to help,” Huang Jing said with interest.
“Well…”
Xie Qing looked at the servants. Huang Jing noticed his gaze and waved his hand. This was a signal for the servants to leave.
Two minutes later, there was no one around who could eavesdrop. Therefore, Xie Qing told them something.
“You must have heard of the alchemist Gu Heng, right? The one who can easily purify pills up to 97% purity,” Xie Qing began to speak, and, seeing that these two nodded, he continued, adjusting the hem of Fan Lan’s dress, “Well then… let’s say that I know this person well…”
“‘Well’?” Fan Lan asked.
“How ‘well’ do you know him?” Huang Jing added, narrowing his eyes.
However, Xie Qing only smiled and pointed with his chin to his empty glass. Huang Jing was at a loss for words.
“You’ve already drunk it all? Maybe part of your pseudonym ‘Destroying’ refers to wine reserves?”
“Maybe it does, haha…”
Xie Qing laughed loudly, and Huang Jing and Fan Lan smiled.
There was nowhere to go – Huang Jing took out spiritual wine from his spatial ring and poured it into the glass himself.
“Here you go. And now, our alcoholic, tell us more about it. If you introduce me to this person, I’m not against giving you 5 boxes of spiritual wine.”
“Really?” Xie Qing’s eyes sparkled, “If so, there’s no turning back.”
“I swear by the honor of the Huang family!”
Xie Qing was silent for some time, and then he smiled.
“Then, meet, Brother Huang…” Xie Qing began to speak, making the man feel something strange. And then the young man pointed to himself with his index finger, “The esteemed Mr. Gu Heng greets the young master Huang Jing.”
“Hm?”
***
It took several minutes for Huang Jing and Fan Lan to come to their senses. And when they did, they asked the same question simultaneously.
“Are you kidding?”
“Hahaha… that’s rude, you know. I never lie.”
This was a weighty argument. Huang Jing shook his head and couldn’t help but clutch his heart.
“M-my precious collection…”
“Hehe, there’s no turning back!”
“You sound like a villain…” Fan Lan rolled her eyes.
Xie Qing only shrugged his shoulders. If he could get wine for free, he would get wine for free. And, technically, he didn’t deceive them.
“I studied alchemy just so I could make pills for myself while traveling, but it turns out that this can be a source of income,” Xie Qing said with a smile, “And recently, I’ve signed a contract with a large trading organization. So, even though I have to make pills for them within a limited time frame, I still have time to help you, Lan.”
“Oh, well…”
Fan Lan hesitated and, after thinking for a moment, nodded with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”
“It’s all good. You helped me during the inheritance war, after all.”
Xie Qing was casually smiling, sipping wine, and Huang Jing was limited to tea – he had principles about drinking only in the evenings.
And Fan Lan… well, she didn’t particularly like wine. To be more precise, she didn’t like getting drunk.
So, it turned into a peculiar tea party. One was drinking wine and telling stories, and the others were drinking tea and asking about something.
***
An hour later, the banquet successfully began. Xie Qing had changed into more formal attire, and his noble appearance attracted attention.
It was the same hanfu, but not the usual white, but red with gold patterns. The difference was the long sleeves and the wide belt with dragon patterns. The robe reached down to his feet.
Of course, you couldn’t wear such an outfit for combat, but for banquets and official meetings – it was quite suitable. This set of clothes Xie Qing received as an imperial censor, but he had not yet worn it.
And his noble appearance instantly won the hearts of the guests.
