"To seek eternal life, where would there be any shortcut?" Xia Wufeng interjected. "If such a method truly existed, then throughout history, only a mere handful would have achieved immortality."

Li Muzhan nodded; that much was true.

Xia Wufeng chuckled, "Lad, be content. To have been imparted such a profound technique, with the promise of longevity in sight—dwelling on shortcuts is unbecoming!"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Senior Brother, you are unmatched in handsomeness, your aptitude absolute—truly heaven's favorite. It's enough to inspire envy."

Xia Wufeng laughed heartily, shaking his head without reply.

Li Muzhan said, "Senior Brother, I shall go procure some wine and victuals. Shall we drink to our hearts' content?"

"Agreed!" Xia Wufeng nodded.

Li Muzhan soon descended the mountain. It happened to be the hour when breakfast was served, and his purse was heavy from the prize money he’d won in the martial arts contest, so he bought the meat and wine without a second thought.

He acquired four pounds of beef, half a pound of mutton, and two crystal pork knuckles. The food here was even more lavish than what was available outside, and the flavors even richer.

Meat in one hand, a massive jar of wine in the other—the dark, earthen jar reached his thigh and could hold over fifteen pounds of the finest Shaodaozi liquor.

He set the provisions on the cliff edge. The two sat directly on the ground, one on the east side, one on the west. Before each man was a large bowl, and Li Muzhan, with one hand, lifted the jar to pour.

"Come, Senior Brother Xia, to all lovers in the world finally uniting—down the hatch with this bowl!" Li Muzhan raised his large bowl.

Xia Wufeng lifted his, smiling, "A fine toast to lovers uniting across the world. I take your auspicious words. May it truly be so. Cheers!"

The two clinked bowls and tilted their heads back, draining the contents in one gulp.

The Shaodaozi surged into his stomach like a ball of fire, his entire esophagus burning as if scorched. He felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration and burst into loud laughter, "Good! This has spirit!"

Xia Wufeng’s eyes gleamed, and he chuckled, "Not bad, truly spirited! We must drain three bowls in succession to call it truly satisfying. Come, refill them!"

Li Muzhan took the wine jar in his left hand and filled both bowls to the brim. The two clinked and emptied them again. Li Muzhan said little more, immediately lifting the jar again to refill, and once more, both bowls were emptied after a clash.

Having downed three bowls of Shaodaozi in quick succession, their blood heated, and both faces flushed deeply. They found each other immensely agreeable, possessing a closeness, as if they were long-lost, good friends.

They ate and talked, often dissolving into roaring laughter, utterly overcome with mirth. Even words that were not particularly funny struck the other as hilarious, leading to broad, unrestrained guffaws.

…………………………

In a short while, the wine was finished. Li Muzhan, having tempered his internal organs through the practice of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, possessed powerful physiological functions, especially his liver, which quickly metabolized the alcohol.

Although Xia Wufeng possessed deep internal energy, having not used his skills judiciously, he became drunk. His eyes narrowed slightly, hazy and unfocused, as if his gaze had lost its target.

As they conversed and drank, Xia Wufeng recounted how he met that woman from the Hai Tian Palace. He had heard of a notorious, thoroughly evil bandit whom he intended to slay. Unexpectedly, a young girl also sought to kill the same bandit. Their confrontation resulted in the bandit escaping.

Having no other recourse, they cooperated, pursuing the fugitive for a thousand li, finally capturing the great thief. In the process, feelings developed between them.

In the end, he discovered she was a disciple of the Hai Tian Palace, and thus, they parted ways.

After separating for a time, they could not bear the agony of longing and met in secret again. But knowing they could never truly be together, they separated once more. This cycle of parting and reunion left his mind in turmoil.

Li Muzhan listened, shaking his head. This Senior Brother Xia, though a prodigy in martial arts, had failed in matters of the heart. One should sever what needs severing; after all, romantic attachment is merely one facet of life, not something to be valued above all else.

However, those just stepping into the maze of love often fail to see clearly, believing that without romance, life holds no meaning, no reason to draw breath. How many fail to grasp this point, ultimately perishing for love? He sighed inwardly, wondering what this "love" was that could command men to pledge their lives unto death, shaking his head repeatedly.

Seeing his expression, Xia Wufeng snorted, "Lad, you haven't encountered a woman you truly love. Once you do, you’ll understand the flavor of it. You’ll know what you ought to do, yet find yourself utterly unable to control it. Have you ever tasted this feeling?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "Senior Brother, you are drunk."

"Nonsense!" Xia Wufeng waved his hand, shaking his head. "I am not drunk!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "Feelings like that—one shouldn't hold them too dearly."

"What a heartless brat! Easy for you to say. Once you fall, you'll be worse off than me!" Xia Wufeng glared at him, sneering coldly.

Li Muzhan asked, "Senior Brother Xia, what have you decided to do?"

"I don't know!" Xia Wufeng shook his head, sighed, and gulped down the remainder of the wine in his large bowl: "Tell me, what should I do?!"

Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, picked up the wine jar, and refilled his bowl again, sighing, "In my view, you should just forget her. Treat it as a spring dream; dreams must eventually end!"

"You little wretch, didn't you support me earlier?" Xia Wufeng shot him a sideways look, displeasure written on his face.

Li Muzhan replied, "If Senior Brother insists, I will naturally support you. But I see you wavering. It would be better to forget her and use the Sword of Wisdom to sever those silken threads of passion!"

"Forget her...?" Xia Wufeng tilted his head back to gaze at the sky. After a long pause, he shook his head. "I can't do it. I simply can't..."

"Then, Senior Brother, marry her!" Li Muzhan retorted somewhat sharply.

"That's impossible. The Lake Master would never agree," Xia Wufeng shook his head, his expression filled with distress.

………………

"Senior Brother, let's stop drinking here. Go back and sleep soundly; you'll forget all your troubles by morning!" Li Muzhan said with a gentle smile.

Senior Brother Xia, usually so spirited and an unmatched genius, was now reduced to a common man entangled by emotion. This, Li Muzhan mused, was true human nature.

Xia Wufeng put down his bowl and let out a couple of dry chuckles, shaking his head repeatedly. "Drowning sorrows in wine only makes the sorrow deeper. I wish to forget, but how can I? How can I forget!"

His last few exclamations were piercingly loud, echoing throughout the entire Star Lake Pavilion.

Li Muzhan was startled and quickly whispered, "Senior Brother Xia, keep your voice down!"

Xia Wufeng’s handsome face was flushed crimson, and he roared with laughter, "Why should I keep quiet? Who am I afraid of!"

Li Muzhan lowered his voice. "Senior Brother Xia, don't disturb the others!"

Suddenly, Xia Wufeng shouted loudly, "I am truly useless, indecisive and weak. I am utterly ashamed, unworthy of being a Ninth-Rank disciple!"

Li Muzhan sighed. "Even heroes fall for the charms of beautiful women, Senior Brother Xia. Why blame yourself!"

Suddenly, a clear, cool voice cut through the air: "Even heroes fall for the charms of beautiful women? What charm is this?"

Li Muzhan jumped, turning his gaze toward the clouds. The Lake Master, Leng Wushuang, stood silently behind him, dressed in flowing white robes, observing Xia Wufeng.

"Lake Master!" Li Muzhan quickly put down the wine jar and stood up to salute.

Leng Wushuang waved her hand, her eyes fixed on Xia Wufeng. "Wufeng, what is the meaning of this?"

"Lake Master..." Xia Wufeng sat on the ground, lazily looking up at Leng Wushuang, then suddenly let out a hiccup and chuckled.

Leng Wushuang frowned, turning to Li Muzhan. "What is happening?"

Li Muzhan quickly smiled, "Lake Master, Senior Brother Xia and I were enjoying a good conversation and drank a bit too much. Please forgive us."

"Tell me, what is truly going on?" Leng Wushuang glared at him coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "It's nothing, really."

Xia Wufeng suddenly spoke up. "Junior Brother Li need not keep secrets for me. Indeed, Lake Master, I have found someone I love. Are you going to interfere?"

Leng Wushuang asked calmly, "I presume this person of yours is not ordinary. Tell me about her."

"I don't wish to speak of it," Xia Wufeng shook his head.

Leng Wushuang said, "You are always so selective. Anyone who captures your eye must not be an ordinary woman. Which sect or school does she belong to?"

Xia Wufeng only shook his head.

Leng Wushuang turned to Li Muzhan, who shook his head. "Lake Master, I cannot say."

Leng Wushuang frowned. "Wufeng, when did you become so timid, daring to act but not to claim responsibility? Are you truly refusing to tell me?"

"If I tell you, will you agree?" Xia Wufeng let out a dry laugh.

……………………

"I must know who she is," Leng Wushuang stated flatly.

Her expression remained unmoved, her gaze cool, yet her tone was gentle and intimate, as if she were very familiar with Xia Wufeng. For some reason, Li Muzhan felt a sting of jealousy.

It was as if something that belonged to him was being encroached upon. He had never held any romantic notions toward Leng Wushuang, yet he felt this way—a clear sign of man's inherent possessiveness.

Xia Wufeng considered this, then cast a sidelong glance at her. "A disciple of the Hai Tian Palace."

Leng Wushuang’s expression shifted slightly. She looked at him coolly. "Wufeng, are you saying the one you love is a disciple of the Hai Tian Palace? Is that right?"

Xia Wufeng nodded. "Yes, she is a disciple of the Hai Tian Palace!"

Leng Wushuang gave a slight smile. "You should know what to do now, shouldn't you?"

"Lake Master, I will never give her up!" Xia Wufeng shook his head, his expression resolute.

Leng Wushuang asked, "Do you think this is acceptable behavior?"

Xia Wufeng shook his head and looked up, remaining silent.

Leng Wushuang pressed, "You know it’s impossible, yet you allow yourself this indulgence, is that it?"

Xia Wufeng declared proudly, "The Hai Tian Palace is the Hai Tian Palace; she is she. They cannot be conflated! Lake Master, I cannot live without her!"

Leng Wushuang observed him, shook her head, and stated, "You are clearly not lucid now. I should bring you back to your senses!"

She flicked her sleeve, and Xia Wufeng suddenly shot up, flying off the cliff edge, plummeting straight down like a stone dropped from a height.

Li Muzhan was aghast. "Lake Master!"

Leng Wushuang stood at the cliff edge, looking down, and said calmly, "He won't die!"

Li Muzhan leaned over the edge and saw that mid-air, Xia Wufeng’s descent suddenly checked, as if something cushioned his fall. His speed slowed dramatically, causing him to drift downward gently, like a feather.

Li Muzhan breathed a sigh of relief. He remembered that Xia Wufeng's martial arts were peak tier; his Qinggong skills could not be poor either. For an ordinary person, falling from such a height would be fatal, but Senior Brother Xia would be safe.

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