His gaze fell on the bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups on the tables on both sides, then he retracted his gaze.

At this moment, Wang Jin was clearly in a good mood.

His face was rosy, and his eyes were lively.

"I really didn’t expect to see you tonight, kid."

Jiang Ning smiled faintly, "It’s the year-end night, I had to come have a few drinks with Master!"

"What about your family? Did you leave them behind?" Wang Jin asked.

"Not at all!" Jiang Ning smiled warmly and continued, "After having New Year’s Eve dinner with my family, I came over!"

After having New Year’s Eve dinner?!!

Hearing these words, Wang Jin was momentarily stunned.

The chopsticks in his hand paused in mid-air, and his expression became incredulous.

"The Royal Capital is... tens of thousands of miles away from Luoshui County, isn’t it?" he slowly said.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled but said nothing more.

At this moment, Wang Jin’s gaze at Jiang Ning became quite complicated, with a mix of amazement and sighs.

Then he swallowed.

"Come, let’s drink!"

"Alright, let’s drink!" Jiang Ning nodded.

After several cups of wine, Wang Jin’s spirits were even higher.

His face was glowing, like a spring breeze had swept over him.

"Master, has everything been well at the martial arts school recently?"

"Very well!" Wang Jin nodded and continued, "But now I no longer take in disciples, so it’s a bit quiet."

As he spoke, the glow on his face grew more pronounced.

"Back then, I accepted many students to avoid being helpless in my old age and getting beaten to death on the streets due to the decline of my Qi-Blood! Now that I’ve encountered new opportunities, with the possibility of further advancement, I’m too lazy to take in students anymore!"

"Then congratulations to Master, I wish you further success this year!" Jiang Ning raised his glass.

"Of course!" Wang Jin beamed with a broad smile.

Then the master and disciple continued drinking together; several rounds passed, and the dishes on the table gradually reached the bottom.

Wang Jin’s face showed a hint of drunkenness, but his eyes were exceptionally bright as he rambled about the changes in the martial arts school this year, mentioned the whereabouts of those disciples who had long left the school, and occasionally couldn’t help but lament the swift passage of time and Jiang Ning’s changing fortunes.

Most of the time, Jiang Ning just listened quietly, occasionally responding, his lips carrying a faint smile.

Outside the window, it wasn’t clear when light snow had started falling again, softly landing in the courtyard, making the lights inside seem even warmer.

When a pot of wine ran out, Wang Jin’s words gradually slowed down.

He looked at Jiang Ning with eyes full of comfort and a touch of melancholy: "Now you are a dragon soaring in the sky; this small town of Luoshui cannot hold you anymore."

Jiang Ning put down his wine cup and said softly, "Today’s achievements are also due to Master’s guidance at the beginning!"

Hearing this, Wang Jin waved his hand and continued, "A person like you is destined to soar above the nine heavens."

Jiang Ning smiled and shook his head, not arguing further.

After sitting quietly for a moment longer, Luoshui County outside the window also gradually became silent.

"Master, it’s late, I should head back."

"Alright!" Wang Jin nodded.

Seeing Jiang Ning rise, he also stood up.

"Master, please stay here!"

Jiang Ning walked to the door but suddenly remembered something, taking out a palm-sized jade bottle from his bosom and handing it over.

"Master, this bottle contains three Nourishing Root and Firming Essence Pills, gentle yet rich in effect, most suitable for nurturing Qi-Blood and solidifying one’s foundation. Now that Master is at the juncture of Qi-Blood transformation, these pills might be of some help."

Wang Jin received the jade bottle, feeling its smoothness and delicate jade quality, clearly no ordinary item.

Though he hadn’t heard of this pill’s name before, considering Jiang Ning’s high level now, anything he gave must be extraordinary.

He felt grateful in his heart, but did not refuse, just solemnly accepted it and said in a deep voice, "You are thoughtful."

"I wish Master will ascend further soon." Jiang Ning clasped his fists in salute, then his figure moved slightly, like a wisp of blue smoke, silently merging into the snow-filled night outside the door, disappearing in an instant.

Wang Jin held the still-warm jade bottle, standing quietly at the door for a moment, gazing in the direction Jiang Ning had left, his expression full of emotion.

"The Royal Capital from here is more than tens of thousands of miles away! After having New Year’s Eve dinner at home, he could still come drink with me; I really wonder how far he has come now!"

He then shook his head, turned around, and closed the door.

Inside, the charcoal fire remained warm, and the wine in the cup was still warm.