Chapter 250: Chapter 211: Drinking with Nishang

Lu Qian’s heart melted, and he quickly embraced her, sitting back on the main seat together, patiently comforting until her sobs subsided.

With red eyes, Jiang Baitao lifted her head, and in front of her appeared a familiar figure: "Taotao, you’ve grown so much now. You’re too big to cry like a baby."

Jiang Baitao made an effort to wipe away her tears, both surprised and joyful, choked as she exclaimed, "Senior Brother Yang!"

Next, several returning disciples stood up to greet her.

The young girl hadn’t been in the sect for long when disaster befell it. However, she was lively and lovable, with a charming personality that easily made her familiar among the senior brothers and sisters, her popularity far surpassing Lu Qian’s back then.

Only then did she realize all those before her were acquaintances, recalling her previous outburst of crying, Baitao’s face flushed and she quickly jumped down from Lu Qian, going to greet them one by one.

After greeting everyone, the little girl returned to her usual self, ready to laugh and chat delightfully until she met Jiang Qingfeng’s stern gaze.

"Sister..." she obediently stood there, calling out timidly.

Jiang Qingfeng’s heart softened, still beckoning her to sit next to her. Taotao cheered and went forward to hug Qingfeng’s arm: "Sister, you’re the best."

Seeing Baitao regain her vitality, Lu Qian was also pleased. But his gaze fell upon the first empty seat on the left below, suddenly feeling hollow inside.

Is Guh Niqiang not coming? Is it because of the closeness between me and my sister?

No, how could that be? She is Guh Niqiang!

Lu Qian felt a bit chaotic and raised his cup again to toast everyone, then swept a hand over the table, greeting Yang Jiye and Jiang Qingfeng: "Senior Brother Yang, enjoy your drinks first, I’m going to invite Elder Guh."

Yang Jiye nodded indifferently, and Lu Qian stood up, leaving through the side door, heading straight for Guh Niqiang’s treehouse.

At this moment, the new moon was high in the sky, moonlight pouring down, painting the dense forest with a layer of silver. Guh Niqiang’s treehouse was hidden among the thick foliage, without any lamps lit inside.

But Lu Qian could clearly sense Guh Niqiang’s presence, so he stood under the tree and softly called out: "Elder Guh, Guh Niqiang!"

After calling three times, a cold voice finally came from the treehouse: "What are you here for?"

Lu Qian remained unfazed: "I’ve successfully established my Foundation, yet you didn’t come to celebrate. I even sparred with you yesterday afternoon, didn’t I? But your presence is significant, so here I am to invite you. How about coming to the banquet hall for a few drinks? Everyone is waiting for you."

"Not going." Guh Niqiang replied tersely.

Lu Qian broke into a laugh and pulled out a vat of wine from his storage pouch: "You don’t want to go? How about we have a drink here then?"

"Get lost, I’m not interested."

"But I’m interested," Lu Qian persisted, "If you don’t agree, I’m not leaving."

With a creak, the treehouse door opened, and Guh Niqiang stood in the doorway, the light from her Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe illuminating her snow-like skin. Her expression was as frosty as snow, watching Lu Qian. Undeterred, Lu Qian shamelessly waved the wine vat in his hand at her, causing the spirit wine inside it to sway with a splash.

After a long pause, Guh Niqiang suddenly asked out of the blue: "What about the Cyan Simurgh Feather I gave you?"

Lu Qian hurriedly opened the sachet at his waist, revealing the feather’s azure and purple glow: "See, I’ve kept it well, always carrying it with me. It’s been quite helpful, contributing to my recent success."

Guh Niqiang’s icy expression softened, and she gave Lu Qian a glare: "Nonsense, I gave it to you because it’s useless. If it really brought good luck, wouldn’t it be a divine artifact?"

Lu Qian chuckled, carefully putting away the feather: "Regardless, it’s your first gift to me, so I cherish it dearly. Let’s celebrate my Foundation Establishment, so I can accompany you in more sparring matches, and let’s have a few drinks, shall we?"

Guh Niqiang pursed her red lips, looked at Lu Qian for a moment, then suddenly turned her head away: "Drink up and leave quickly."

"Alright," Lu Qian replied cheerfully, leaping up into the treehouse.

This treehouse was designed by Lu Qian for Guh Niqiang, minimalist and clean, with only two rooms—a living room and a bedroom. The living room has a simple arrangement of a table and a few chairs. Besides a side window, there’s a skylight, both left open, letting moonlight cascade like water, creating dappled shadows inside.

Without lighting the lamps, Lu Qian thick-skinnedly praised the scenic charm, declaring the moment worthy of celebration with a big drink, while sitting down at the table, placing the wine vat and arranging the snacks he had brought from the banquet in a line.

Pouring a cup for Guh Niqiang and himself, Lu Qian raised his drink: "Elder Guh, let me first toast you. For all this time while I wasn’t in the mountain, it’s thanks to your deterrence of the neighbors that we’ve been spared trouble!"

The two cups clinked, ringing crisply. Guh Niqiang gracefully tipped her head back to down the drink, her elegant and fair neck fully revealed.

Lu Qian raised another cup: "Elder Guh, tracing back, without you, our Yunshan Sect couldn’t have defeated Chaosheng Sect, nor rebuilt so swiftly. Having your assistance is truly my greatest fortune."

Guh Niqiang drank another cup and finally spoke: "You needn’t thank me. This was all arranged by the master; I am merely repaying a favor for him. I... in seven more years, I’ll be returning to the mountain."

She said this, noticing Lu Qian’s immediate somber expression, and felt a sudden surge of irritation within her.

What is wrong with me? Returning to the mountain, enjoying all sorts of cultivation resources boundlessly. More importantly, I can stay far away from the wretched Lu Qian; isn’t that good?

Silence fell between them, then suddenly, as if trying to escape the strange feelings in her heart, Guh Niqiang exclaimed: "Your inferior wine is like water, there’s no pleasure in drinking it. I have my master’s personally brewed Star Brew to let you see!"

While speaking, a Cyan Jade Wine Vat was placed on the table, and with a gentle push and a flash of firelight, the sealed lid was sliced off as if by a blade, releasing an overwhelming aroma.

Lu Qian leaned forward, seeing the vat filled with amber liquid, incredibly vibrant with specks of light flickering, truly resembling stars blended into the brew.

Lu Qian gulped; this was spirit wine for the Golden Core Masters. Having just established his Foundation, could he handle it?

Guh Niqiang didn’t concern herself with such worries, taking out two jade bowls, pouring the liquid and pushing one toward Lu Qian: "Come, cheers!"

Lu Qian hesitated for a moment but ultimately picked up the bowl, clinked it with Guh Niqiang’s, and drank down the contents in one go.

Such sweet and full-bodied liquor flooded down his throat, and in the next moment, the specks of spiritual light within it erupted, waves of spiritual power mixed with strong aroma rushed to his head, Lu Qian couldn’t help but let out a contented moan.

Excellent wine!

Yet just a single sip made Lu Qian feel his body heavy, his divine soul airy, with intoxication lingering, everyday reasoning and etiquette constraints cast aside.

Looking up, he saw Guh Niqiang also overcome by the alcohol, her cheeks flushed, lips slightly parted, her beautiful eyes hazy, cradling her chin in one hand while holding the wine vat to pour more, charmingly adorable, unmatched in the world.

Lu Qian stared, completely forgetting where he was.