Chapter 62 Chapter 62: Drink Until We're Drunk
Chapter 62: Drink Until We're Drunk
"Those two look unfamiliar?"
"Yumen City is full of hidden talents. It's normal for some unfamiliar faces to suddenly appear whenever the market opens. I'm not sure about the man, but that female warrior always gives me a feeling like I've seen her somewhere before."
A martial artist below the stage pondered thoughtfully.
It seems... from when I was a child?
"No, no, no, how could that be? I must be remembering wrong..."
The martial artist quickly shook off this absurd thought. How could there be someone whose appearance doesn't age over decades?
Having guarded the border for a hundred years, Ling actually didn't appear in Yumen as frequently as her elder brother. She usually lived a secluded life, only going out to find some taverns to replenish her supply when she ran out of wine.
She would only lend a hand if there were problems the garrison couldn't solve, so over the past century, not many people had an impression of her.
Probably only Yumen's successive generals were somewhat familiar with her.
The battle on the stage had now developed to a point where it no longer had anything to do with the martial artists watching. The greatsword clashed with the lantern staff, their unimaginable skills almost surpassing human comprehension, each move executed with exquisite precision.
Their movements created afterimages; those with poor eyesight might see thousands of people striking simultaneously.
This was a battle beyond human scope!
Thud! Clang!
The greatsword collided with the lantern staff one last time, scattering sparks like stars.
Kevin turned his head to dodge the lantern's inertial hammer strike, twisted his wrist, and suddenly thrust the greatsword forward.
Swish!
Ling's blue-gray hair cascaded down—it turned out the small crown used to tie up her hair had been cut by the greatsword.
Victory was decided!
The two exchanged a glance and withdrew their weapons in mutual understanding.
"It seems you are ultimately superior, Kevin."
Ling wasn't someone who couldn't accept defeat. With a carefree smile, her long dragon tail caught the falling small crown, which still had a few strands of blue-gray hair attached.
Without any visible action, just a gentle stroke of her slender hand, the small crown was restored to its original state.
Gathering her blue-gray hair, she wrapped it around her fingertips and casually tied it into a high ponytail. The heroic and spirited Miss Ling was back.
"You're not bad either. At least in my memory, there aren't many who have reached your level of skill."
Kevin rarely lied. In fact, Ling was the most skilled combatant he had encountered since coming to this world.
It gave him a feeling of meeting his own kind—the scent of a long-lived species...
Having witnessed such a miraculous battle, the martial artists below the stage had forgotten to cheer or applaud. Simultaneously, an inexplicable sadness welled up in their hearts.
Even if one practiced martial arts their entire life, could they ever achieve even one ten-thousandth of what this battle displayed?
The gap was too vast, so vast it was despairing—a chasm that mortals were destined never to bridge.
Huai Tianpei stood dumbfounded, his mouth agape. The fervor in his eyes ignited for just a moment before quickly extinguishing. He clenched his fist, feeling confused for the first time in his life about what he had always believed in.
"That's Miss Ling... but who is that man fighting against her?"
A male Forte wearing Yumen military armor frowned deeply. He ranked fifth on Yumen's arena leaderboard and had just wanted to go up and teach Huai Tianpei a lesson, to show him that Yumen wasn't lacking in talent.
But someone had beaten him to it.
And in such an effortless manner against that Feline man. However, having witnessed this battle, this trip wasn't wasted.
Don't misunderstand—he meant Kevin and Ling's battle.
What? You say Huai Tianpei? Too fast. Didn't react at all. Couldn't see clearly in that instant.
"Forget it. I'll go report to General Zuo first."
He quietly withdrew from the crowd and soon disappeared into the streets, heading toward the general's residence.
Someone who could exchange blows with Miss Ling—such a troublesome figure was already beyond his ability to handle.
Reporting to the general first would never be wrong.
On the stage,
"No more, no more. Let's stop here."
Ling used her dragon tail to support herself, crossing her legs and drinking wine.
She wasn't some battle maniac or martial arts fanatic; she just hadn't fought in too long and felt an itch to test her skills.
"Mmm."
Kevin accurately threw the steel greatsword back onto the weapon rack.
"Want to go drink together? Meeting such a skilled opponent—not drinking heartily with you would be a great regret."
Ling comfortably closed one eye, shaking the wine pot in her hand twice as a gesture.
"Alright."
"Let's go. I know a good place."
Receiving his agreement, a smile spread across Ling's lips. She used her lantern staff to lift the wine pot and leaped off the arena.
The two walked away side by side, with no one daring to stop them.
Seeing them leave, some quick-witted people eagerly turned their gaze toward the weapon rack and rushed over.
"Hey! How can you be like this!"
"I touched it first! Don't fight me for it!"
"This is Yumen public property! Public property, understand?! Ahem! Now I, as a member of Yumen's City Appearance and Environment Department..."
Everyone frantically crowded toward the greatsword. Finally, someone broke through and touched it, but before he could show joy—
The greatsword shattered into countless fragments, clattering onto the ground.
Just like their fragile hearts...
——————
Atop Yumen's city wall,
"Try this."
Her dragon tail coiled around the wine pot, filling both their cups.
"This Yumen Qiongjiang is good stuff."
A slight smile appeared on Ling's face. This was one good thing about guarding the border here—at least Yumen's generals wouldn't let her run out of wine.
"I'll finish mine; you take your time."
They clinked cups. Ling drank hers in one gulp, revealing a comfortable expression.
Kevin didn't stand on ceremony either, also drinking his in one go. At least her behavior made it hard to feel any dislike.
Who could dislike a carefree, straightforward, heroic female warrior-type person?
Clang! A jar of wine appeared out of thin air beside them.
"Reciprocity is proper etiquette... you Shenzhou... no, Yan has this saying, right?"
Kevin patted open the jar's seal. The aroma that wafted out was intoxicating, making Ling—an expert in this field—her eyes light up.
"Oh my! A flavor I've never tasted before! A specialty from Kazdel?"
"No, not exactly. Just a gift from a friend."
Ling was already getting impatient. She wanted to pour herself some but hesitated after glancing at those two small cups.
Her dragon tail swept the two small cups onto the ground. Then, as if performing magic, two large bowls appeared in her palms.
She poured for Kevin first, then herself.
"Ha—! Indeed! Drinking fine wine requires this to truly enjoy it."
Ling let out a long sigh of relief.
A few drops of wine wet her collar. Ling glanced at them somewhat regretfully.
"No need for regret. There's plenty of wine."
Kevin smiled, seemingly infected by her bold spirit.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dozens of wine jars piled up atop the city wall.
"Hahaha! Good! Tonight we drink until we're drunk!"
"Mmm. Drink until we're drunk."
——————
[Heirloom Greatsword Fragments]
Effect: Each attack has a 15% chance to convert damage type to True Damage.
Description: An heirloom object from a martial arts family in Yumen. Judging by quality alone, it's merely made from Yumen's standard forged steel material. Yet it was carefully preserved because it once passed through that person's hands.
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