Volume 1, Chapter 29: Celebration

Pink Melody Pavilion.

The pink lights illuminated half the sky, casting a rosy glow. Countless women in flowing garments moved gracefully through the pavilions and courtyards, their hair fragrant. They carried fine wine, exquisite dishes, fresh fruits, incense burners, and delicate trinkets. Melodies drifted through the air, merging into a cacophony that echoed throughout the pavilion. The robust laughter and shouts of men, mingled with the clinking of cups, reverberated so loudly it seemed to shake the entire Xifang district.

In the courtyard where Xiahou had previously battled Xiangliu Rou's subordinates, the pavilions and kiosks had disappeared, revealing a flat area paved with smooth green jade tiles. Streams meandered around, flowers and trees were abundant, and the scent of blossoms mingled with the sounds of fish splashing in the water. A refreshing breeze blew from all directions, making it an idyllic and delightful place. The ground was covered with thick exotic animal pelts, exuding a cool vapor that dissipated the heat completely.

Seventy-two green jade long tables were arranged in a square on the carpet, each table seating two to five people, all raising their cups and drinking heartily. The aroma of fine wine filled the air. In the center of the square, dozens of graceful young women danced to the music, their movements like butterflies flitting among flowers, their delicate singing soaring to the sky. Their exposed white skin incited the onlookers, causing their blood to boil.

High-ranking officers from the Heiyan Army and the Xuanbiao Army were enjoying themselves in the courtyard. The pavilion's smaller rooms were occupied by lower-ranking officers and trusted soldiers. Even the neighboring establishments, which were similar in nature but operated under different names, were bustling with soldiers seeking pleasure.

True to their word, Xingtian Dafeng and his men had taken over the entire Xifang district for their celebration.

Laughter and cheers resounded, shaking the courtyard. The only one not enjoying himself was Xiahou. Sitting tensely, he was helpless against the caresses, kisses, and teasing of six young women with peach blossom eyes and pink skin. Some were bold enough to touch him inappropriately, causing Xiahou to nearly lash out and send the beauties flying with his powerful fists.

"I don't mind having romantic encounters in this world, but my first time won't be with courtesans. Do they think I'm just like those guys who take whatever comes their way?" Xiahou thought, glancing at Xingtian Chao and Xingtian Xu lying comfortably in the arms of women.

He then noticed Heiming Sen sitting at a long table, looking dejected with a dark expression. Xiahou nudged Xingtian Dafeng beside him, signaling him to look at Heiming Sen's face. Xingtian Dafeng, who was forcefully trying to feed wine to a girl no older than thirteen, looked up, saw Heiming Sen's grim face, and slammed his wine pot onto the table, shouting, "Hey!"

The courtyard fell silent, and all the officers of the Heiyan and Xuanbiao Armies turned to their leaders.

Xingtian Dafeng let go of the girl beside him, stood up, and pointed at Heiming Sen, laughing, "Today is a day for the brothers to celebrate. What's with the sour face? Did someone die in your family?"

Hei Mingsen glared fiercely at Xingtian Dafeng and cursed, "You're the one in perpetual mourning! Xingtian Dafeng, I've never wronged you. You bring your brothers here to have fun, and I welcome you with open arms. But you forced me to cut the expenses in half, and now you want me to cover all the costs too?"

Xingtian Xuanzhi smiled, twirling a delicate wine cup between his fingers, and chuckled, "Well, today we finally see your true colors, Hei Mingsen. It's just that our brother doesn't have cash on hand, so you cover the expenses first. It's not like we won't pay you back! Damn, you were so generous to lend the palace training grounds to the Xiangliu family."

Xingtian Dafeng sneered, striking a pose of a rough and tumble soldier, and stomped his foot on the table in front of him. "Speaking of which, we haven't even settled that score! You lent the palace grounds to Xiangliu Lao Liu, letting him make a fool of us. How do you explain that? If my brother Chihu hadn't fought hard and taken down Cang Feng, you'd be watching us get humiliated at the city gates of Anyi."

Hei Mingsen rolled his eyes and cried out in mock indignation, "Oh please, Xiangliu Lao Liu isn't my son. Why would I help him? He gave our family head a string of pearls from the Eastern Sea and four beautiful maidens. You know my grandfather's temperament; he saw the girls and immediately agreed, forgetting how hard it would make things for me. I'm innocent!"

Xingtian Pan jumped up, pointing at Hei Mingsen's nose, "Did you really get nothing out of it?"

Hei Mingsen raised his right hand, placing it over his heart, and shouted, "By the spirit of King Yu the Great, I swear, Xiangliu Lao Liu gave me nothing. If I took any benefits, may the heavens strike me down!"

After hesitating for a moment, Hei Mingsen looked at the sky nervously and mumbled, "Well, he did give me a maiden with hair like gold and skin like white clouds. Does that count?"

The officers of the Xingtian family roared with laughter. Some of those sitting next to Hei Mingsen reached out to mockingly pat his face. "Come on, let's see how thick your skin is. A noble maiden from the sea doesn't count as a benefit?"

Xingtian Chao let out a guttural laugh and spat a glob of phlegm onto the pristine white fur carpet, leaving a large hole. "Hei Mingsen, we knew you took Xiangliu Rou's bribe and helped him scheme against us. No more talk, you're covering the cost of today's celebration at Fen Yinzhe."

Another spit, and another hole in the expensive fur carpet appeared under Hei Mingsen's furious green glare.

Xiahou shook his head repeatedly, feeling speechless about Xingtian Dafeng and his comrades' behavior. To Xiahou, they seemed more like freeloaders than noble officers. "May the gods have mercy on poor Hei Mingsen," he thought.

Hei Mingsen's eyes turned red with anger as he cursed, "Fine, fine, you win. I misjudged and got tricked by Xiangliu Lao Liu. I'll cover today's expenses at Fen Yinzhe, but what about the other courtyards? I don't have that much money!" He spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness, glaring defiantly at Xingtian Dafeng and Xingtian Xuanzhi while patting his neck.

Xiahou chuckled, taking a long drink from his wine jug, which a nearby maiden promptly refilled.

Xingtian Xuanzhi let out a dry laugh, shrugged, and said coldly, "Alright, we'll let this go for now. You can cover Fen Yinzhe's tab for our enjoyment. As for the other courtyards, do you think we can't afford it? It's all coming out of Xiangliu Lao Liu's pocket anyway. Why worry?"

Hei Mingsen's spirit lifted immediately. He stood up, raised a wine jug, and with a soft laugh, swayed his hips, toasting everyone around him. "Alright then, brothers, let's enjoy ourselves today. I toast to you all!"

With an exaggeratedly feminine demeanor, Hei Mingsen downed the jug of wine in one go. The surrounding officers cheered and lifted their jugs in response, drinking heartily.

Hei Mingsen slumped back into his seat, breathing heavily as he patted his chest. He leaned against the embrace of a beautiful woman behind him and sighed, "Oh, Xiangliu Lao Liu, this time you've really messed up!"

Xingtian Dafeng laughed coldly, "Serves him right for courting disaster. He toyed with us for years, thinking we were afraid of him. But this time, it was our brother Chihu who came through for us."

He gave Xiahou a few pats on the shoulder and sneered, "After years of clashing with Xiangliu Rou and his odd assortment of followers, he even brought out a Qi Refining master this time. Luckily, our brother Chihu is a true hero and knocked Cang Feng down. Xiangliu Rou's schemes all came to nothing, and we ended up benefiting."

The more Xingtian Dafeng spoke, the more delighted he became. He suddenly pulled Xiahou up and with a wave of his hand, two jars of strong liquor appeared. He handed one to Xiahou and shouted, "Come, brother Chihu, it's thanks to you that we saved face this time. From tomorrow, you don't need to stay in that new barracks. With your skills, take a few days to enjoy Anyi, and then join us in the Black Armor Army."

Xiahou smiled modestly and nodded, raising his jar to clink it against Xingtian Dafeng's. Both men laughed heartily, and with their mouths wide open, they drank deeply. The wine, red and fiery under the sunlight, seemed to have layers of mist swirling around it. As it hit their stomachs, it burned intensely, like an explosion in their guts. Xiahou felt a surge of heat rising from his belly to his head, instantly breaking out in a sweat.

Meanwhile, Xingtian Xuanzhi, hearing Xingtian Dafeng's words about Xiahou leaving the new barracks, had already grabbed Xingtian Chao to carefully discuss it. They were planning how to fabricate a stellar record for Xiahou from his entry into the camp to his departure, ensuring he would leave with the highest praise. This way, even after less than half a month in the new barracks, Xiahou could join the Black Armor Army as an outstanding new recruit.

Xingtian Dafeng, now quite drunk, passionately pulled Xiahou to sit beside him and began to complain.

He recounted how he and his brothers, Xingtian Xuanzhi and the others, were chosen to represent the Xingtian family in Anyi, serving as the public face of their generation. From there, they had numerous disputes with representatives of other great families, attacking and sabotaging each other, trying to destroy each other's reputations and achievements. Xiangliu Rou, with his numerous advantages, had bullied them for years. Xingtian Dafeng poured out all his grievances.

Holding Xiahou's hand, Xingtian Dafeng sighed deeply.

The Xingtian family had very strict rules. He and his brothers were often so broke they couldn't recruit civilian Wu warriors and Wu scholars to their cause. In contrast, Xiangliu Rou had plenty of money and time to recruit experts from all over, while the Xingtian brothers had to adhere to their duties, often leading their troops on missions.

The Black Armor Army and the Xuanbiao Army they led were newly formed under their command, lacking any high-level experts. All the top warriors had been reassigned to their fathers', uncles', and grandfathers' armies. And the exceptional members of the Xingtian family were all secluded in the Wu Temple for intense training, bound by the rules of Anyi, unable to assist in personal conflicts.

On the other hand, Xiangliu Rou had no official duties and plenty of money, allowing him to spend his days recruiting experts to his side. Compared to the Xingtian brothers, who had regular duties and missions, it was no wonder Xiangliu Rou's followers always had the upper hand.

"Brother Chihu, when I saw you fall from that high cliff in your hometown and survive, I knew you were destined for greatness! Just eleven or twelve years old, and already so resilient. Your potential is limitless! Truly, I recognized your talent and brought you to Anyi, and you've certainly avenged us," Xingtian Dafeng said, brimming with pride. He raised his wine jar and downed another hearty gulp.

"No doubt about it, Xiangliu Rou brought this upon himself. He has humiliated himself in front of the king and all the great Wus and Tianhous. How dare he challenge us in Anyi again? Now everyone knows the Xingtian family is superior, the second greatest Wu family in the land!" He pounded Xiahou's granite-like chest a few times, laughing loudly. "We've won so much money from Xiangliu Liu. Once he delivers the bet, you can pick a cart of your choice! Over a hundred carts of treasures! Ha!" Xingtian Dafeng was so overjoyed that he was practically drooling. Clearly, for someone who had always been strapped for cash, the prospect of immense wealth was a dream come true.

Xiahou shook his head, understanding the youthful exuberance. He had once gone through a wild phase himself in his previous life. However, he was curious about something Xingtian Dafeng mentioned. Scratching his head, he took a swig from his wine jar and asked, "Second Wu family? Who's the first?"

Xingtian Dafeng looked at Xiahou in surprise, then burst into laughter. "I forgot, you don't know these things. The greatest Wu family is, of course, the descendants of the Great Yu King, the current royal family. Didn't you know? The highest-ranked Wu in our nine halls, the most powerful Wu nearly godlike, is the current king's uncle!"

Before Xiahou could react, a delicate, fair arm wrapped around his neck from behind. Annoyed, Xiahou swatted the arm away and glared at the frightened girls, snapping, "Do you still intend to bother me?"

Xingtian Dafeng laughed helplessly, having no idea how to handle Xiahou. If he didn't know Xiahou was a genuine southern barbarian unfamiliar with romance, he might have been offended. In Anyi, only someone who refused to acknowledge the host's goodwill would reject the women offered. "Perhaps Chihu doesn't even understand a woman's charm? Should we get him drunk and have the girls from Fenyinze take care of him one by one?"

He gave Xiahou's muscular frame a peculiar look, thinking, "I might have to ask Hei Mingsen for payment later; after all, his girls would benefit."

Sensing Xingtian Dafeng's mischievous intentions, Xiahou glared fiercely at him and then the girls. He quickly took a few more gulps from his jar but didn't say a word. Having experience with certain unscrupulous friends, Xiahou knew all too well that getting drunk and being thrown into a group of women was something these friends enjoyed doing. He certainly didn't want to fall into Xingtian Dafeng's trap and wake up surrounded by dozens of women. "That would be like being a breeding animal! Maybe Bai would enjoy something like that," he thought.

Glancing over, he saw Bai lying on his back on a soft animal pelt, enjoying the attention of several beautiful women who were carefully scratching his scales. Bai seemed thoroughly content, drooling from the corners of his mouth.

Xingtian Dafeng followed Xiahou's gaze and laughed, "Brother Chihu, there's no female Pixiu in Anyi to pair with Bai. Only the king's palace has two Pixiu, but they're both males. Haha!"

Realizing that Xiahou's lack of interest in women might make him less susceptible to bribery, Xingtian Dafeng thought, "This makes Xiahou very promising to train. Before I consolidate more power in the family, Xiahou should be my top enforcer. Once I gain more influence, a talented Wu like him can be a valuable confidant."

"Hmm, didn't the current head of the family's most trusted elders also start as his companions in their youth?" Xingtian Dafeng mused, feeling quite pleased.

Amidst the revelry, a few girls suddenly called out sweetly, "Greetings, Lord Huntianhou!"

Xiahou, Xingtian Dafeng, and Xingtian Xuanzhi turned to see Huntianhou, clad in a majestic purple robe and exuding an aura of power like a deity, striding down the winding corridor with several attendants. His voice boomed like thunder, "Hahaha, Brother Xingtian, you've really made a name for yourself this time. In front of the king, the great Wus, and the Tianhous, you left Xiangliu Rou speechless."

Xingtian Dafeng chuckled, standing to greet him with a bow.

Xingtian Xuanzhi subtly shook his head and stood up to greet him, forcing a smile on his usually cold face. "Lord Hou, you're too kind. It was just luck. Xiangliu Liu brought this upon himself by placing such a heavy bet against us."

Huntianhou warmly grabbed Xingtian Xuanzhi's hand and chuckled, "Isn't that right? He must have had too much faith in that Qi practitioner, Cang Feng. By the way, is warrior Chihu here? Didn't your brother's men take Cang Feng away?"

Xiahou blinked and just sat there, grinning foolishly at Huntianhou. As a southern barbarian, this was the most fitting behavior. If Xiahou had adopted the refined manners of his previous life, appearing aristocratic and engaging in polite conversation with Huntianhou, he would have been immediately seen as an oddity.

Xingtian Xuanzhi smoothly maneuvered through the conversation, maintaining a polite smile. "Cang Feng, the Qi practitioner? We felt sorry for him and have already sent him back to recover." He looked curiously at Huntianhou and suddenly asked, "Is Lord Hou interested in having that Qi practitioner serve you?"

Huntianhou waved his hand dismissively, laughing heartily. "I was just curious. Though Cang Feng is skilled, my ranks are not short of such talent. Besides, he was defeated by Chihu. If I were to recruit anyone, it would be Chihu himself. What do you think, Xingtian brothers?"

Xingtian Dafeng frowned, while Xingtian Xuanzhi maintained a neutral expression, nodding and guiding Huntianhou to the main table.

Xiahou smirked inwardly, sensing Huntianhou's probing for information from the Xingtian brothers. These political games were of no interest to him. Following his past life's training, his sole focus was on completing tasks assigned to him, ignoring all else.

Feigning ignorance, Xiahou suddenly grabbed a white-clad woman beside him, his large mouth moving toward her face. "Hahaha, today is a day to celebrate. Let's have a kiss!"

The girl giggled and subtly turned her head, but Xiahou's kiss landed right on her lips. Her agile tongue quickly parted Xiahou's lips, playfully darting around his teeth and tongue.

Xiahou froze, nearly throwing the girl off. "My first kiss!" His eyes widened, veins bulging under his skin, and his heart raced. He was annoyed, having intended to put on a show, but instead, this girl had taken advantage of him. Her skilled kiss hinted at extensive experience, likely with numerous men.

Thinking about the possibility of her lips having been kissed by dozens or even hundreds of men, Xiahou felt a wave of revulsion. He jerked back, their lips parting with a loud smack that drew everyone's attention.

He grabbed his wine jar and took a swig, intending to rinse his mouth with the strong liquor.

As he was about to spit it out, he noticed the smiling girl beside him. Feeling a bit guilty, Xiahou thought, "It would hurt her feelings to do this in front of her. After all, no girl willingly ends up in a place like this."

Reluctantly, Xiahou swallowed the liquor. "Fine, I'll let it go this time," he thought, feeling both exasperated and disgusted by the situation.

Meanwhile, Huntianhou had taken a seat, warmly greeting the Xingtian brothers, the two military leaders, Hei Mingsen, and others. Before he could speak, another group of people entered. These young men, wearing high crowns and long robes, with an air of arrogance, were scions of noble families. Xingtian Dafeng stood up to greet them courteously.

The newcomers laughed and congratulated Xingtian Dafeng and his brothers on their significant victory over Xiangliu Rou, praising them for striking a blow against the Xiangliu family's arrogance in Anyi. They also celebrated the addition of a brave warrior to the Black Rebellion Army, predicting future battlefield successes. The group continued to chatter as they were led to the main table.

Xingtian Aolong eagerly approached to introduce Xiahou to the leader of the newcomers. The man with a hooked nose, thin lips, and eyes like sharp blades exuded a sinister aura. He was Fangfeng Dayuan, a representative of the Fangfeng family's current generation, known for his meticulous and trustworthy nature among the Fangfeng elders.

Next to him sat a group of exceptionally talented young men from the Fangfeng family, exuding arrogance. Like Xingtian Dafeng and his brothers, they possessed the power of a First Cauldron Wu. Surrounding them were members from over twenty other noble families, eager to join in the festivities.

Huntianhou, not one to miss an opportunity to build alliances, quickly joined Fangfeng Dayuan and his entourage for some friendly conversation.

Meanwhile, the celebration's main hero, Xiahou, found himself somewhat neglected. Rather than feeling offended, he welcomed the respite and looked around for a secluded corner where he could rinse his mouth with some strong liquor. Although he had swallowed the previous mouthful, he still craved the psychological comfort.

Unfortunately, the young women clung to him like glue, following him even to the restroom to assist with his belt. There was no escaping their presence.

Just then, more guests arrived. Shigong Kun and Shigong Bao, brothers leading another group of friends, entered with the pretense of enjoying themselves at Fen Yin Ze. Xingtian Xuanzhi's eyes lit up, and he quickly went to greet them. In a flash, they disappeared into a private room, leaving the others to assume it was just business as usual, as if Shigong Kun's recent involvement with Xiangliu Rou against the Xingtian brothers had never occurred.

Xiahou propped his arms on the table, resting his chin in his hands, watching the cheerful noble scions. He couldn't help but sigh internally. "Noble families are the same everywhere. They're all hypocrites." The celebration meant to honor Xiahou's victory over Cang Feng and the substantial winnings quickly turned into a social gathering for Anyi's aristocracy to strengthen bonds and form alliances. Xiahou muttered to himself, "Damn, this is boring!"

Seeing that it was still early and the sun was up, Xiahou decided to make a bold move. Taking advantage of the distraction, he discreetly knocked out the women clinging to him and slipped away unnoticed from the lively courtyard.

"Going for a walk is better than staying here with nothing to do. I might as well check out the street scenes."

Knowing the crowd would eventually scatter, each man selecting a beautiful woman to accompany him to the rooms, Xiahou felt confident no one would miss him. Preferring the tranquility of a jasmine garden over the raucousness of a brothel, he decided to head back to the Xingtian family estate to visit the severely injured Cang Feng.

The thought of Cang Feng's peculiar techniques, the immensely powerful true energy, and the familiar Daoist fluctuations intrigued Xiahou. His heart raced with excitement as he strode out of Fen Yin Ze.