CHAPTER 252: CHAPTER 252: FINE WINE AND A YOUNG GIRL

Blocking the Phoenix Cauldron would halt the invasion of the three great imperial dynasties into the Heaven Martial Continent, ensuring the safety of his two delicate junior sisters.

With such a great opportunity, how could he leave?

The young man, seeing his persistence, chose not to say more.

"Innkeeper, bring out the dishes!" Lan Xiuzhi’s eyes twitched as she bellowed.

The sixteen or seventeen-year-old imperial princess lacked all the mannerisms of a well-bred young lady, let alone dignity and grace, or being well-read and reasonable.

Instead, she was more like a boorish man straight out of the military, plunking herself down on the chair, hoisting her slender legs up high, and slapping the table while shouting orders. Full of bluster!

The maidservant following her had an even darker expression, whispering a reminder, "Your Highness, please mind your image!"

"So annoying, always this talk about image! Meals are such a fuss, walking must be done carefully and poised, and whenever you meet someone in the palace, you have to greet them with proper etiquette..." Lan Xiuzhi glared at her, complaining incessantly. "We’re out now, not in the palace. Who cares about image?"

The maidservant was speechless.

"If you’re eating, then join me; if not, step aside!" Lan Xiuzhi declared. "And another thing... those people outside, dressing so ostentatiously—can’t they keep it simple?"

"I’ll take care of it right away!" The maidservant nodded.

"Innkeeper, Innkeeper, where’s my wine?" Lan Xiuzhi clamored.

The innkeeper, aware of her status, dared not neglect her and immediately instructed the kitchen to get to work. Hearing her call, he also brought over several pots of fine wine.

Lan Xiuzhi’s eyes lit up upon seeing the wine pots, looking like a connoisseur who had just discovered a rare treasure. She eagerly uncorked one and sniffed it carefully under her nose.

Completely enthralled, she remarked, "General’s wine, sorghum, fifty-two percent alcohol by volume, and at least ten years old. Good stuff!"

She rushed to take a swig. "Exhilarating! HA HA HA! After all the etiquette practice in the palace, I felt like I was being stifled. Finally, I can enjoy a good drink."

Seeing her pleased, the innkeeper too breathed a sigh of relief, although the way she was drinking made the corners of his mouth twitch slightly.

You’re the Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty’s little princess, not some boorish man. Could you at least use a cup?

"Since ancient times, fine wine has accompanied beautiful women, and indeed that saying holds true..." Chen Pingping said with a smile.

Lan Xiuzhi set down the wine pot and looked at him. "Huh? I’m no beauty; I’m still young."

Chen Pingping replied, "Fine wine suits a young lady."

TEE HEE HEE! She suddenly burst out laughing. "You’re quite the talker. Tell me, do you drink?"

Chen Pingping remained silent.

He had an ominous feeling.

Seeing him silent for so long, Lan Xiuzhi had her answer. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she chuckled, "Come on, join me for a drink."

You don’t drink? That’s even better. In the military, she was always the first one to get drunk, which was truly embarrassing! Back in the palace, with all the etiquette practice, she couldn’t even catch the scent of wine. Having come out this time, she wanted to drink to her heart’s content. Having someone to accompany her in drinking would be perfect. Of course, it would be even better if the person didn’t know how to drink. That way, her own tolerance would seem impressive.

AHEM!

Don’t get the wrong idea! She just liked to drink, not that she could hold her liquor indefinitely.

"This... isn’t a good idea, is it?" Chen Pingping said, his face dark.

"What’s not good about it? Come on... let’s have a drink first," the little princess grumbled. "You’re such a fussbudget, just like those people in the palace."

"Fine!" Chen Pingping agreed helplessly.

"Let’s agree on one thing: you can’t use your cultivation realm to dispel the alcohol, otherwise... hmph..." she threatened.

Of course, this wasn’t just any ordinary wine; it was brewed specifically for Cultivators and wasn’t something that could be easily dispelled by one’s cultivation realm alone.

One cup, two cups, three cups...

Chen Pingping’s face was flushed red. His stomach churned violently, as if he were about to vomit, but he managed to suppress it. Intoxication clouded his mind, and his vision began to blur.

For a moment, the person before him seemed to transform into Wen Yuqing.

He shook his head, and the image of Wen Yuqing reverted. The little princess was looking at him with a smile. "Fellow Daoist? Are you alright?"

"Oh, I’m fine," Chen Pingping answered, his voice thick with drink.

"Tell me, Fellow Daoist, are you deliberately trying to get close to me?" Lan Xiuzhi seized the chance, while he was drunk, to ask.

"Oh?" Chen Pingping sobered up a bit. "No, not at all!"

"Good!" Lan Xiuzhi grinned. "Come on, let’s drink more!" With her suspicions allayed, she cast aside her reservations, heartily eating meat and downing wine.

The maidservant standing nearby was speechless.

Before long, both were thoroughly intoxicated, starting to sling their arms over each other’s shoulders.

Lan Xiuzhi complained, "There are too many rules in the palace, so annoying. It wasn’t easy for me to get out this time; I absolutely have to have some fun."

"You bet!" Chen Pingping hiccuped. "We absolutely have to have fun!"

"Mhm, I, this princess, have decided to befriend you. After I deliver the Phoenix Cauldron, I’ll come back and find you," she declared.

Chen Pingping paused, sobering up a little more. He remembered that he had deliberately approached Lan Xiuzhi to stop the Phoenix Cauldron.

Can’t get drunk!

Just then, the maidservant approached and whispered, "Princess, Gold Cicada from the Purple Gold Divine Clan requests an audience."

Lan Xiuzhi tilted her head, her eyes hazy with drink. "Oh? What’s he doing here?"

"The Phoenix Cauldron..." said the maidservant.

Gold Cicada had attempted to make a move several times, only to be thwarted by the Heaven Martial Continent. If not for others dissuading him, he might have charged in directly.

Once calm, after long deliberation, he knew he shouldn’t act rashly.

The Spatial Barrier between the two realms was something even Sages dared not easily tamper with. If he were to forcibly enter the Heaven Martial Continent, it would undoubtedly cause a major incident.

The Phoenix Cauldron is an opportunity.

However, after waiting for several days without any sign of Lan Xiuzhi, Gold Cicada had come looking for her.

The maidservant had barely finished speaking when Gold Cicada barged in. Upon seeing Lan Xiuzhi completely inebriated and carousing with someone, his expression darkened. "The Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty dispatched you to escort the Phoenix Cauldron, not for you to come out and get drunk!"

His deep voice simmered with suppressed anger.

He had launched attacks multiple times, been repelled multiple times, and had even faced a Sword Dao strike.

Gold Cicada was already at the end of his patience.

Naturally, he hoped the Phoenix Cauldron would arrive swiftly to breach the Spatial Barrier, allowing him to charge in against that chicken and dog, and wash away his shame in blood.

"Why are you in such a rush?" Lan Xiuzhi shot him a sidelong glance. "Isn’t this princess in the process of escorting it? I merely got hungry along the way, so what’s wrong with stopping for a bite to eat?"

"You are a Cultivator," Gold Cicada said, his fists clenched.

"And Cultivators can’t eat?"

"Very well. If you wish to eat, then eat slowly. Just trouble yourself to hand the Phoenix Cauldron over to me," Gold Cicada said, suppressing his anger.

"Not giving it to you!" She rolled her eyes. "The Phoenix Cauldron is a foundational treasure of my Heavenly Phoenix Imperial Dynasty. Why on earth would I hand it over to you?"

"You!" Gold Cicada was livid, his anger flaring.

Nearby, Chen Pingping couldn’t help but chuckle. This girl is certainly feisty, he thought.

However, after observing Gold Cicada for a moment, his smile froze. This fellow... the aura fluctuations from his body, how come they’re just like that golden creature from the cave? No way... It can’t be, can it?

Chen Pingping sobered up instantly.

Just as this thought struck him, Lan Xiuzhi raised her cup and leaned over. "Don’t mind him! Let’s keep drinking!"

WOOF! Hei barked loudly, showing hostility.

This is bad!

Chen Pingping felt his thoughts thrown into complete disarray, like leaves scattered in a chaotic wind.