Soul Emperor Martial God-Chapter 171 - 170: The Gathering of Five People

In the evening, Xiao Yi went to see Lin Jin and the other three.

They hadn’t seen each other for a long time and enjoyed a good chat.

Lin Jin, the guy, even carried a Qiankun Bag full of liquor.

The five of them started drinking.

The liquor was strong, and according to Lin Jin, it was a kind of spirit he often drank when he was a Demon Hunter.

Demon Hunters, in order to hunt demon beasts, often had to dine outdoors and sleep under the stars.

Such strong liquor really warmed the body.

But one couldn’t drink too much of it. Otherwise, even a man with a high tolerance would easily get drunk.

As was to be expected, by the late night, all five were utterly plastered.

Lin Jin, gripping a bottle of liquor, said to himself, "I don’t have many friends, but it’s really nice to know you guys."

"Me too," Tie Niu, his words slurred, said earnestly as he rubbed his head.

"You bunch of oddballs," Qin Feiyang, his face flushed with drunkenness, said, "knowing you guys was the biggest misfortune for this young master."

Then Qin Feiyang swayed and leaned on Xiao Yi’s shoulder.

"Xiao Yi, do you know? In these nearly 10 months, suffering in the company of these two blockheads..."

"What suffering?" Xiao Yi, also somewhat tipsy, asked curiously.

"Damn calf," Lin Jin cursed with a laugh, "Xiao Yi, don’t listen to this bastard."

"This guy, whenever he has free time from practicing, insists on dragging me and Tie Niu to have fun in Four Seasons City."

"That place has so many women," Tie Niu said with a buzz.

"Idiot, that’s a brothel, of course there are many women," Lin Jin chided, still laughing.

"If I hadn’t quickly pulled Tie Niu away, who knows, he might have been devoured."

"After that, I never fell for Qin Feiyang’s tricks again," said Lin Jin, clearly annoyed.

"Hahaha," Xiao Yi laughed heartily for a few moments.

"Pah, a bunch of lechers," Liu Yanran, who was nearby, chided angrily.

Realizing there was a lady present, the men chuckled awkwardly.

"Come on, cheers," Xiao Yi raised his bottle and smiled.

The crisp clinking of bottles followed as four of them guzzled down their drinks.

By the way, Yanran," Lin Jin suddenly said, "a few days ago, you received a letter from home and then you suddenly became downcast."

"What’s the matter?"

"Oh?" Xiao Yi put down his bottle and looked towards Liu Yanran.

"I... it’s nothing," Liu Yanran’s previously joyful smile suddenly faded.

"After drinking so much, I’m feeling a bit stuffy. I’ll go get some fresh air."

Liu Yanran smiled, then walked away by herself.

But it was clear to anyone with eyes that she was forcing a smile.

"Idiot, why bring up the very thing that’s bothering her," Qin Feiyang knocked on Lin Jin’s head.

Tie Niu also buzzed, "Lin Jin, you always call me dumb, but now you’re dumber than I am."

Lin Jin gave a wry smile, "Are women’s thoughts always this complicated? I was just asking casually."

Xiao Yi looked at these three oddballs and shook his head.

"I’ll go have a look," Xiao Yi said, and went after Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran sat leaning against a large tree not far ahead.

Her flushed face proved she was quite drunk.

But her expression as she looked up at the moon was filled with dejection and sorrow.

"Why follow me here?" Liu Yanran didn’t turn her gaze, still looking at the moon.

She sensed who the newcomer was and spoke without turning.

Xiao Yi shrugged and replied with a smile, "I just saw you forgot your liquor, so I brought it for you."

Saying this, Xiao Yi handed her the bottle.

Liu Yanran took it blandly, "Thanks."

Xiao Yi sat down beside her and, mimicking her, looked up at the moon.

"Why are you looking at the moon?" Liu Yanran asked without turning her head.

"Why are you looking at the moon?" Xiao Yi asked back.

"I just think it’s beautiful, and looking at it is comforting," Liu Yanran said, taking a swig of her drink.

"Comforting?" Xiao Yi took a swig as well, "But do you know, it’s fickle, waxing and waning."

"When full, it’s flawless; one glimpse and you’re enchanted by it."

"When crescent, though still a curved moon, the shapes are different."

"Sometimes, it looks just like a scimitar, a murderer’s blade."

Liu Yanran finally turned to look at him, surprised, "Xiao Yi, if I’m not mistaken, you came to comfort me, right?"

"Is this how you comfort someone?"

Xiao Yi chuckled softly, "At least, I made you turn your head, and now, on your face, besides the gloom and sorrow, there’s also surprise."

"You..." Liu Yanran shook her head, "You men, when you drink alone under the moon with a beautiful woman nearby, isn’t it always sweet talk? How come you speak in such a depressing manner?"

Liu Yanran with each phrase spoken, took another gulp of wine.

"I can’t help it, I’m not really good at sweet-talking people," Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders.

Liu Yanran seemed not to hear and kept drinking on her own.

After a while, she finally said, "Xiao Yi, did your parents cherish you?"

Without waiting for Xiao Yi to answer, she talked to herself, "My father cherished me very much."

She finally showed a hint of a smile, yet she didn’t mention her mother.

"Were you ever bullied as a child? The kind that happens often."

She was just about to answer her own question.

Xiao Yi hurriedly said, "That’s bold, who dares to bully our Yanran? Tell me, and I’ll have Lin Jin and the others take care of him."

"Pfft," Liu Yanran suddenly laughed.

She hadn’t noticed that her continuous drinking was making her more and more drunk.

"Xiao Yi, didn’t you just say you’re not good at sweet-talking?"

"After chatting with you for so long, how come I think you seem like someone who’s extremely good at charming girls?"

Saying so, she leaned towards Xiao Yi on her own and reached out with her delicate hand to pinch his face.

"Look at this face of yours, prettier than a woman’s."

"You must have captivated quite a few girls who fell for you."

Liu Yanran had always been a gentle and soft woman.

How should one put it? She was that kind of woman filled with a classical beauty, knowledgeable and reasonable, making one feel comfortable at first sight, as if bathed in the spring breeze—a stunningly beautiful woman.

Like today, making such a frivolous gesture, it was Xiao Yi’s first time seeing this.

"Is that so exaggerated?" Xiao Yi gave a bitter laugh.

"Yanran, you’re a bit drunk, let’s go back to the others."

"Who says I’m drunk?" Liu Yanran took a large swig of alcohol, imitating the boldness of men.

After she drank, she looked at Xiao Yi again, "I once promised you that within two years, I would definitely make Gu Changkong be expelled from the Inner Hall."

"Now, with the sect’s grand competition ahead of schedule, I’m not sure, will you blame me?"

"Idiot," Xiao Yi patted her head, "I’ll take care of Gu Changkong myself."

"Don’t lie to me," Liu Yanran didn’t believe him, "You’re only at the Mysterious Profundity Fifth Layer and have the Fire Control Beast Martial Soul; how could you possibly be a match for Gu Changkong?"

"Do you know?" Without waiting for Xiao Yi to speak, she continued, "Previously, during the Sword Sect assessment, although I concealed my strength."

"But you were the first one willing to step out and protect me."

"I want to protect you, too."

With that, Liu Yanran stared at Xiao Yi, her beautiful eyes filled with affection.

Her cheeks grew even redder. But it was not the flush of drunkenness, but rather the bashfulness of a young woman.

"Yanran, you really are drunk," Xiao Yi shook his head and steadied her, preparing to walk back.

"Do you dislike me?" Liu Yanran let go of Xiao Yi’s hand and asked with a complex expression.

"Of course not, we’re very good friends; how could I dislike you?" Xiao Yi said with a light smile.

"Good friends..." Liu Yanran’s face was complicated, and after a long moment, she forced a pathetic smile, her flushed face turning pale.

Somehow, Lin Jin and the other two, all tipsy, came waddling over.

Meanwhile, Liu Yanran left on her own, pouring herself more wine.

Lin Jin seemed to be much less drunk than Qin Feiyang and Tie Niu.

"We heard some of what was said earlier."

"We’ve always been well aware of Yanran’s feelings for you."

"Do you know, the number of disciples in the Sword Sect who pursue her, that could line up from the Inner Sect all the way to the mountain gate?"

"She’s always been disdainful of them. We originally thought that the two of you might become..."

Lin Jin sighed and said, "Never mind, Xiao Yi, do you have someone else in your heart?"

"Yes," Xiao Yi honestly replied, "She is a girl who listens to everything I say. All I want now is to find her and be indulgent in front of her for once."

"What are you talking about, Brother Xiao Yi?" Tie Niu asked with a wobbly head, "I don’t understand a word."

Xiao Yi recalled the past memories, saying with a smile, "She’s the silly girl who would rather go hungry herself to take care of me; she..."

Tie Niu interrupted, "Brother Xiao Yi, were you really poor before? Why would you go hungry?"

"I... didn’t mean that," Xiao Yi stopped reminiscing.

"Fool," Qin Feiyang said with a mischievous grin, "The romance of a man, a beautiful lady to embrace, neck to neck in bed, entwined, tsk tsk, Tie Niu with your blockhead, don’t understand squat."

Xiao Yi gave him a look, "That’s not what I meant either."

...

In the middle of the night, the five of them drank themselves into a stupor.

The next day, as everyone was slightly sober, they all went their separate ways.

However, when departing, Liu Yanran evidently had a look of dejection.

Xiao Yi shook his head; his True Qi stabilized the discomfort of the hangover, and he headed towards the Inner Sect.

"The Extreme Boundary Stele, I am confident I can comprehend more than 80 percent," Xiao Yi said with self-assurance.

...

...

The first update, still owing one more. Including today’s two Chapters, I’ll post them together tonight. Apologies, apologies.

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