Volume One: Kingdom of the Eternal Night Chapter Sixty-Four: The Libationer of the Grand Imperial Ministry of Rites

Unexpectedly, though Lady Bai was exceptionally beautiful, her speech was remarkably vulgar.

Unlike me, who was even more handsome, yet filled with a righteous and awe-inspiring aura.

Jiang Wang snuggled comfortably into the reclining chair, saying calmly, "Since you could hide in Hun City and remain completely safe, you naturally possess extraordinary methods. However, Hun City is no longer peaceful, and cultivators of higher realms may arrive at any moment. If there is something you need to do, do it quickly, or you will lose your chance."

Sitting opposite him, Bai Chuanling raised an eyebrow and asked, "Trying to frighten me?"

Jiang Wang replied, "Since you chose not to kill me while we were in the painted boat, you have forever lost the chance to take my life. Guard yourself well."

Reluctantly, he got up from the reclining chair and pushed the door open to leave directly.

In the blink of an eye, he caught sight of Ning Shisi.

His expression froze.

"Brother Jiang, isn't there a latrine over on this side?"

Seeing that Jiang Wang had not returned for a long time, Ning Shisi had searched everywhere. Though he only harbored a slight suspicion when he came up to the third floor, he never expected to actually find Jiang Wang here.

Jiang Wang gave a dry cough and said, "It is my first time at the Chunyi House. Not knowing the way, it is inevitable that I took a wrong turn. But may I ask why Brother Ning is here?"

Ning Shisi was utterly shocked. He was shifting the blame onto him instead?

At that moment, Bai Chuanling swayed her hips as she stepped out, playfully and coquettishly pounding Jiang Wang's chest. "Young master, you are so bad. You must come find me again next time."

Jiang Wang felt a secret surge of resentment. This was clearly a petty act of revenge!

With a deadpan expression, Ning Shisi said, "Brother Jiang is truly dishonest. I originally thought you were as righteous and awe-inspiring as I am, yet it turns out you use the excuse of hunting demons to listen to music in pleasure quarters, and even specially dragged me along to act as your shield. I am truly ashamed to be associated with you."

Watching Ning Shisi's retreating back as he walked away directly, Jiang Wang anxiously called out, "Brother Ning, you have misunderstood!"

Bai Chuanling sneered, "The young marquis is indeed righteous and awe-inspiring."

Jiang Wang glared at her and said, "I am also quite understanding and considerate of others."

Bai Chuanling froze for a moment, and her face instantly flushed bright red.

...

Kutan, Shangyang Commandery, Yinxing City, Yuyuan Academy.

The dim room was exceptionally quiet.

Cai Tanggu sat upright on a straw mat.

Dong Chongyang, holding his saber, leaned his back against the door frame and gazed at the scenery outside.

Shangyang was one of the premier commanderies in Kutan, with a population of over ten million. Because Yinxing City housed Yuyuan Academy, it was extremely representative of the region. To say nothing of its prosperity, its land area alone surpassed that of six Hun Cities combined.

Naturally, its scenery was exceptionally picturesque.

"Libationer, are we really just going to swallow the matter of Su Lingyi being murdered like this?"

Before Cai Tanggu stood a blurred figure—the regular libationer of Yuyuan Academy.

"The matter of the great demons ravaging Kutan has yet to be resolved. According to the calendar, the Sages Worship Ceremony is also drawing near, but it can only be pushed back slightly. Hopefully, the Sword God can stabilize the situation as soon as possible, since there has never been a precedent for postponing the Sages Worship Ceremony."

Hearing this, Cai Tanggu frowned tightly and said, "I have been keeping a close eye on Hun City. I recently received news that a large-scale horde of demons attacked Hun City, but it seems to have been resolved by two Bathing Snow Realm cultivators."

"Except for the Libationer, all the Bathing Snow cultivators in Kutan are scattered everywhere slaying demons and subduing devils. How could two of them suddenly emerge in Hun City for no reason?"

A rustling sound rang out. Cai Tanggu raised his eyes and said helplessly, "Libationer, stop eating for a moment. I am discussing serious matters with you."

Regular Libationer said, "Living in this world, being able to enjoy good food is the most delightful thing. A mouth is not only used for speaking. Would you like a bite as well?"

Cai Tanggu was silent for a moment, then sighed, "I have no appetite."

The rustling sound rang out once more, and Regular Libationer said somewhat indistinctly, "That is why you do not know how to enjoy yourself. Your natural talent is indeed very low, so it is normal for you to want to work hard and be diligent, but you must also know how to balance work and rest; otherwise, your body will break down."

Cai Tanggu said with a muffled voice, "The Libationer possesses supreme talent. Even if you did nothing every day besides eating and sleeping, it would not matter at all. But I am already quite old. If I cannot break through the barrier of the Cave Underworld Realm, I will inevitably meet my end of natural life. Regarding this, I am deeply unreconciled."

Regular Libationer said, "I heard that you were humiliated in Hun City, and it is reasonable that you want revenge. But the matter of the Sages Worship Ceremony is greater than a city god temple fair; it is meant to pay homage to the sages of the past. Therefore, everything else appears far less important."

"The Sages Worship Ceremony in Kutan has always been presided over by our Yuyuan Academy and must not suffer any mishaps. Before that happens, you should endure it for now."

Cai Tanggu said in a deep voice, "I understand this reasoning, but why is the Libationer so calm? Su Lingyi was your personal disciple, murdered by a vicious scion. Even if we cannot exact revenge for the time being, we cannot simply let that Jiang Wang continue to act so arrogantly, can we?"

Accompanied by the rustling sound, Regular Libationer said, "Then what do you propose to do? The Marquis of Xunyang is an orphaned survivor of the Qi royal family. No matter how much His Majesty dislikes the descendants of the former states' royal families, on the surface he still bestows boundless imperial grace. Are you trying to slap His Majesty in the face?"

Cai Tanggu said in a panic, "I would never dare!"

Regular Libationer continued, "You are also quite advanced in years; what does it matter if you are ridiculed by a mere child? When the appropriate time comes, you may take your revenge as you please, but at this very moment, absolutely not."

With those words, the rustling sound rang out again.

Cai Tanggu fell silent for a long time, then cupped his hands and said, "Please continue eating, Libationer. I shall take my leave."

Regular Libationer merely waved a hand.

Cai Tanggu withdrew from the room.

Dong Chongyang glanced inside before following Cai Tanggu away.

"This Libationer of yours indeed somewhat exceeds my expectations."

Cai Tanggu looked at Dong Chongyang and asked, "Is the discrepancy with what you imagined quite large?"

Dong Chongyang nodded.

Cai Tanggu smiled and said, "Do not be fooled by the Libationer's rather unreliable appearance. In reality, he is one of the Imperial Preceptor's most valued right-hand men. All the world says the Kutan Sword God stands uniquely supreme. While that is true, apart from that monster of a Sword God, looking across the entirety of Kutan, there is absolutely no one who can match the Libationer in a single exchange."

Dong Chongyang was very surprised. "Are neither the Commander of the Kutan Qingxuan Bureau nor Luo Xianshan a match for the Libationer in a single exchange?"

Cai Tanggu smiled and said nothing.

Upon returning to his own quarters, he invited Dong Chongyang to be seated and said, "Back then, you refused to enter the Martial God Shrine and also spent a period of time cultivating in Yuyuan Academy. Instead of heading to the Divine Capital, you chose to wander the Kutan martial world. I am naturally very grateful that you are willing to accompany me to Hun City."

"Since you have grown weary of the martial world, you must find a place to settle down. I have already asked the Libationer, and Brother Chongyang may stay in the academy as an instructor."

Dong Chongyang said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Cai."

Servants brought in fine wine and delicacies. After three rounds of drinks, Cai Tanggu was slightly intoxicated and stammered somewhat, "Although because of the Sages Worship Ceremony I cannot truly take action, Hun City was attacked by demons, and an unfamiliar Bathing Snow Realm cultivator appeared. I have every reason to make another trip to Hun City. Is Brother Chongyang interested in accompanying me?"

Dong Chongyang's capacity for alcohol was clearly far superior to Cai Tanggu's. Retaining a completely calm complexion, he said softly, "When I encountered Luo Xianshan in Hun City, I already harbored the intention of fighting him. But there is one thing I must remind Brother Cai of: do not ruin yourself."

Cai Tanggu wore a gloomy expression as he said, "I understand. As the saying goes, a gentleman takes his revenge even ten years later; I can still afford to wait that long."

Dong Chongyang said, "This person Jiang Wang definitely has issues. It is best to avoid him where you can."

Thinking that Jiang Wang might possess the treasures left behind by the Qi state, Cai Tanggu's eyes lit up. Perhaps the opportunity to break through to the Bathing Snow Realm lay right there. Buoyed by the alcohol, his thoughts grew increasingly active.

...

"Regular Libationer."

The rustling sound suddenly ceased. Seeing the figure appear outside the door, Regular Libationer smiled and said, "I have waited for you for quite a while. Please, take a seat."

The newcomer possessed a profound and sharp demeanor, clad in black brocade with a golden belt around her waist, a treasured sword hanging at her side. Her cascading dark hair fluttered, and her features were cold and aloof, with curved willow eyebrows. Her eyes were narrowed on purpose, exuding a biting, bone-chilling aura.

"Have you eaten?" Regular Libationer asked naturally.

"Not yet." Looking down at the scraps of pastries scattered all over the floor, the newcomer purposely selected a clean straw mat to sit upon and said coldly, "Does the Libationer enjoy a dim atmosphere?"

Regular Libationer said, "If there is light, it hurts the eyes."

The newcomer said, "Then the Libationer should have his eyes properly examined; I fear there might be something wrong with them."

Regular Libationer smiled and said, "It is only you. If anyone else spoke such words in such a tone before me, the moment their voice fell, they would be swept right out the door with a broom."

This "sweeping out" carried a profound and deep meaning.

"My visit today is because there is a matter requiring the Libationer's assistance."

Regular Libationer said, "Please, speak."

"While great demons are running amok, the Qingxuan Bureau has detected the presence of mountain-and-marsh spirits wandering within Kutan, suspecting they intend to stir up trouble. I wish for the Libationer to dispatch someone to guide the way."

Regular Libationer smiled and said, "Since you suffer from a poor sense of direction, why must you insist on handling everything personally? When you arrived here, someone must have guided you. Why make me find someone all over again?"

"Along the way, I encountered demons, and the people who came with me all died. In truth, it took me a very long time just to find Yinxing."

Regular Libationer truly had not expected this.

He said helplessly, "Whenever you have a mission, you always bring only a guide. But if you had found a guide who can cultivate, wouldn't you have been able to avoid such incidents?"

"My poor sense of direction is something only three people in the Xia state know of."

Regular Libationer dawned in realization and said, "You do not wish for your peers to learn of this. If you merely sought an ordinary guide, word would not have spread. You young lasses care greatly about your pride, but having a poor sense of direction is not exactly a shameful thing, is it?"

Seeing the other person remain silent, Regular Libationer relieved the tension once more, saying, "You hold an important position and are deeply trusted, which likely makes you a thorn in the eyes of many peers. Those fellows would blow a sesame-seed-sized matter up to the scale of a collapsing sky, so it indeed adds unnecessary trouble."

Although the newcomer possessed a sharp and profound presence, she had not expected Regular Libationer to be so adept at answering his own questions.

"Monsters attacked Hun City, and even Bathing Snow Realm cultivators appeared there. If they are outsiders, their appearance in Kutan must have a reason, and we always need to inquire into the situation. You can just head over there together."

Regular Libationer pondered and said, "And this matter is not urgent. I will give proper instructions for someone to assist you in tracking down the mountain-and-marsh spirits, and your poor sense of direction will never be leaked."

"Thank you, Libationer."

"What is there to thank? Since you have not eaten, you might as well have a bite with me. The delicacies of Yinxing City are truly wondrous; I doubt you have ever tasted them back in the Divine Capital. I will have someone buy them one by one right now."

Looking at the debris before Regular Libationer, was this really about wanting me to taste fine food? Weren't you simply not full, and using this as an excuse?

Yet she said nothing. Having journeyed all the way here, she was indeed very hungry.