Chapter 55: Almost Bewitched Again! He Probably Hasn’t Been Drunk…

The night hung with a canopy of stars, coinciding with a full moon.

Qing Tang City blazed with lights. Surrounding hills ringed the city, ancient trees towered, and the Protect City River floated with countless river lanterns. Tall pavilions and towers dotted the landscape, shops stood wide open, and throngs of people bustled about, carrying flower lanterns with faces full of smiles.

Unlike the desolation of Water Town, this place brimmed with extreme liveliness.

As soon as they entered the city, Gu Changhuai caught the aroma of wine wafting down the long street, stirring his cravings. He hadn’t had a drink since leaving the Demon Realm—he missed it terribly.

He pulled Rong Ye along, following the scent to a modest wine shop. A stall stood at the entrance, where a few scattered guests sat drinking and admiring the flower lanterns, their collars loosened to bare much of their chests.

This wasn’t like the Jiangnan region; the local customs were bold and unrestrained, such displays perfectly normal. Earlier, as Gu Changhuai walked by, he had even seen a woman half-jokingly, half-angrily pressing a man to make a promise.

However, his gaze swept over the guests for just a moment before a tall, slender figure in deep blue-green blocked his view.

Gu Changhuai blinked and looked up, meeting Rong Ye’s indifferent glance. In a cold tone, Rong Ye said, “Don’t look where you shouldn’t.”

“The folk customs in Qing Tang City are like this anyway,” Gu Changhuai replied, a curve lifting at the corner of his lips as he smiled and explained, “Besides, I was looking at the signboard.”

He pointed behind the guests to the shop’s sign—Qingke Wine.

Even after he spoke, Rong Ye continued to stare at him, his tall and upright figure unmoving as a barrier, his aura aloof and chilly, silent.

Damn it!

Gu Changhuai couldn’t help cursing inwardly at the other’s rigidity, then tugged at Rong Ye again, persuading him, “We’re out to have fun—relax a bit. Come on, let’s go drink.”

“You’ve come to the right place, guests!” The waiter greeted them with a beaming smile. “Judging by you two young masters’ extraordinary bearing, you’re from out of town, right?”

Gu Changhuai smiled faintly. “How did you tell?”

The waiter waved it off with a ‘hey.’ “In Qing Tang City, we’re full of rough fellows. I’ve grown up here, and I know all the proper, upright folks. You two are new faces—must be travelers from afar.”

With that, he ushered Gu Changhuai and Rong Ye inside to the second floor, finding an empty window seat. He quickly wiped down the table and stools, chattering enthusiastically as he did, “Have a seat, sirs. The Wandering God Ceremony will start soon—this spot has a clear view of everything below.”

“Wandering God Ceremony?” Gu Changhuai raised a brow. “No wonder the city’s so lively. Which god are they parading?”

“Well…” The waiter coughed primly a couple of times.

Gu Changhuai understood and smiled. “Four jars of Qingke Wine, plus three or four signature dishes.” He glanced at Rong Ye across from him. “This young master will pay.”

At those words, the waiter’s face lit up with joy. “Right away!” He called to other passing waiters to prepare the food and drinks.

Gu Changhuai propped his chin on his hand and said casually, “You can tell us now, right?”

“Of course.” The waiter grinned. “The Wandering God isn’t anything special—it happens every spring on the full moon night.” He leaned in mysteriously. “But this god isn’t one of the Twenty-Eight Constellations or any heavenly immortal or Buddha.”

That piqued his interest.

Gu Changhuai grew curious and followed up idly, “Then who is it?”

The waiter lowered his voice. “The War God from the previous dynasty.”

“But the previous dynasty ended five hundred years ago with a change of rule,” Gu Changhuai whispered back. “Qing Tang City parades him so openly—aren’t they afraid of offending the current emperor?”

The waiter replied, “I heard there was a big dispute about it a hundred years ago. Things got heated, but that year, Qing Tang City had a prime minister who fought to preserve it, and the emperor issued a decree permitting the ceremony.”

As the waiter spun the tale, Gu Changhuai stole a glance at Rong Ye. The other’s expression remained unchanged, utterly indifferent to everything around him.

Hmph.

Boring.

He turned back to the waiter, curious. “Just how formidable was this War God for the people of Qing Tang City to revere him so?”

“It’s not about being formidable—it’s his kind heart,” the waiter sighed. “When I was a kid, Grandma often told us stories. Five hundred years ago, Qing Tang City suffered a famine—people resorted to cannibalism, the land lay barren.”

He continued, “The War God passed through with his army, saw the plight, executed the corrupt officials of the neighboring city to open their granaries, and left half his military supplies behind, saving countless lives in Qing Tang City. Afterward, a great rain fell, everything returned to normal, and the spring Wandering God Ceremony began, praying for a year of good weather.”

Gu Changhuai nodded in understanding. “So it’s a tale of one who saved the world.”

The waiter reminded him, “That’s true, but over the years, the ceremony’s become a matchmaking event for handsome youths and maidens too. If a girl fancies someone, she sends a red silk ribbon. If he’s interested, he sends one back; if not, a flower.”

He teased, “You two young masters better watch out—don’t let some young lady carry you off!”

“…” Gu Changhuai and Rong Ye exchanged a glance. Gu Changhuai said earnestly, “We’ll be careful.”

By then, the four jars of wine and several dishes arrived one after another. Gu Changhuai took two jars for himself, handed one to Rong Ye, and opened the last for himself.

Outside the window, several girls gathered on the opposite pavilion, glancing shyly their way. Two met Gu Changhuai’s eyes and immediately burst into giggles.

“…” He poured Rong Ye a bowl of wine and teased, “The Immortal Lord’s looks draw attention—see, the girls on the opposite building have their eyes on you.”

Rong Ye: “…” His gaze, neither light nor heavy, fell on Gu Changhuai. In a low voice laced with inexplicable chill, he said, “Not necessarily.”

Someone else was the one drawing eyes.

Yet Gu Changhuai remained oblivious and leaned in deliberately. “If we stood together, they’d only notice you.”

Having entered the Mortal Realm, Rong Ye had mostly restrained his sword intent. Without that piercing edge, his features stood out even more.

Gu Changhuai thought to himself—aside from the aloof, isolating aura Rong Ye naturally exuded, which deterred casual approaches, he had perfectly blended into the mortal world.

Setting that aside, Rong Ye now resembled a dashing knight-errant: tall and graceful, with handsome, aloof features like an ancient sword sheathed—restrained and serene, flawless!

As he mused, Gu Changhuai’s gaze suddenly met Rong Ye’s. Those deep eyes stared intently, and for a fleeting moment, Gu Changhuai had the illusion that the other had placed him deep in his heart.

“…”

He had almost been bewitched again!

Good thing he wasn’t a girl, or he really would have fallen! Gu Changhuai quickly snapped out of it, taking a sip of wine to cover, his eyes lighting up. “Delicious!”

Qingke Wine was sweet on the tongue with a slight tangy aftertaste—perfect for quenching thirst. He took two more gulps and urged Rong Ye, “Try it quick—it’s really good.”

The alcohol content was low, though—not very intoxicating…

Hm… A thought suddenly rose in Gu Changhuai’s mind—

What would Rong Ye be like drunk? This immortal, revered by all and ever resplendent—had he ever even been drunk?

With the thought, he acted!