I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 160: Granny’s Tavern

Wang Zhuoyong glanced at Xiao Zongting, noticing Xiao Zongting’s cold expression as he sat there silently.

Xiao Zongting’s gaze swept over the large puddle of vomit by Liang Wu’s feet, and the disgusting stench of alcohol was carried by the wind. Xiao Zongting furrowed his brow, thinking: Could it be that Liang Wu was still drunk, his steps unsteady, allowing Duan Rong to easily evade his attack?

Earlier, Duan Rong had barely moved twice, and he hadn’t seen clearly.

"Perhaps it was just a coincidence." Xiao Zongting finally concluded, glancing at Duan Rong standing alone in the ring, and brushed the matter off his mind.

Wang Zhuoyong noticed Xiao Zongting’s gaze change, and immediately asked with some embarrassment, "Elder Xiao, shouldn’t we draw again? As for Liang Wu, I’ll make sure to give him a heavy punishment when this is over!"

At this moment, Wang Zhuoyong felt a bit awkward. He originally thought that even if Liang Wu had consumed some alcohol, he wouldn’t have lost to an intern escort master. He hadn’t anticipated that Duan Rong, much like Sun Huang, had already achieved the Inner Breath Realm Second Level during his internship.

Xiao Zongting mused, "Drawing again would likely not comply with the procedures."

From Xiao Zongting’s words, it seemed that this round was settled.

Duan Rong belonged to the Second Escort Team, and Sun Huang was in no place to comment. But Li Gu, sitting next to Sun Huang, laughed, saying, "Liang Wu, being at the Inner Breath Second Level, even if he was not fully awake from his hangover, getting knocked out in one move speaks volumes!"

Besides echoing Xiao Zongting, Li Gu had his own motives. If they redrew and picked someone from his Fifth Escort Team, and his escort master lost to Duan Rong, the embarrassment would be his.

"I also think there’s no need to continue." Zhao Meng evidently shared Li Gu’s thoughts.

Wang Zhuoyong glanced at Sun Huang, but Sun Huang remained tight-lipped, showing no intention of speaking, sighing, "Then... let it be..."

Wang Zhuoyong felt quite regretful now; when Xiao Zongting initially challenged Liang Wu, he shouldn’t have intervened. Back then, after Xiao Zongting disciplined Liang Wu, there would certainly have been a redraw. Now that Liang Wu had entered the ring, the bout had taken place, redrawing posed procedural issues.

Wang Zhuoyong wished he could slap himself, turning to Liang Wu with a gaze that seemed to shoot fire.

Liang Wu, full of remorse as he stood there, noticed Wang Zhuoyong’s gaze and wished he could find a hole to crawl into...

A few servant disciples quickly cleaned up the puddle created by Liang Wu’s vomiting, and while they swept, Liang Wu slipped away...

Thus, Duan Rong had passed this martial assessment.

Next, the martial assessments for Zong Yong and Zhao Mu proceeded normally, without unexpected incidents, and both passed after evaluations.

Hence, this internship escort master’s promotion assessment on May 15th came to an end.

Following this, Duan Rong, Zong Yong, and Zhao Mu stood in the ring. Xiao Zongting issued them the complete Five Tigers and Sheep Blade Secret Manual and exchanged their apprentice badges for official escort master badges!

Duan Rong and Zong Yong remained relatively composed, but Zhao Mu was already unable to contain his joy.

Afterward, the crowd dispersed, Xiao Zongting left limping, and only then did the three leave the ring.

Just as Duan Rong stepped down, Sun Huang approached with a smile, saying, "Congratulations!"

"Thank you for the guidance, Leader!" Duan Rong said happily.

"It was Elder Xiao who mentored you, along with your mentor Xiao Yu from the escort team. I just picked the fruits of their labor," Sun Huang laughed heartily, adding, "Also, it’s traditional for newly promoted escort masters to treat everyone to a meal."

Duan Rong replied, "That sounds great; I was just thinking of having a gathering with everyone."

Sun Huang chuckled, "We usually go to Granny’s Tavern in the nearby alley. The food and drinks are good, and the prices are fair."

Duan Rong had a notion; he knew the place, although it was somewhat humble and run-down. He had originally planned to treat everyone to something nice, but seeing Sun Huang’s subtle smile, he understood his intention—to keep it simple and avoid showing off.

"Then Granny’s Tavern it is," Duan Rong said with a smile.

Sun Huang noticed Duan Rong’s expression and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "I’ll lead everyone over at the beginning of the evening."

With that, Sun Huang turned and left.

Duan Rong watched Sun Huang leave, his eyes falling on the Cow Tail Saber at Sun Huang’s waist, muttering to himself, "I’ve heard Leader Sun doesn’t handle his liquor well..."

By twilight, just as evening fell, Duan Rong was already in Granny’s Tavern, in the dingy alley, ordering food and drinks, waiting for his colleagues from the Second Escort Team.

Though the food hadn’t been served yet, eight large jars of strong liquor were already placed beside the table. Duan Rong sat there, having tea by himself. Before finishing his cup, Sun Huang had already led the group inside.

"Escort Master Duan Rong, congratulations!" The porters Tang Dejin and Ren Tiewa were the first to congratulate Duan Rong.

Everyone else quickly gathered around Duan Rong with congratulations.

Duan Rong smiled, clasping his fists in salute.

After settling down, Duan Rong noticed that nearly everyone from the Second Escort Team was present, except for Xiao Yu.

Sun Huang saw Duan Rong’s gaze sweep over the crowd and explained, "When I informed Xiao Yu, Elder Xiao stopped me, saying that next March, Xiao Yu will participate in Taiyi Sect’s triennial registered disciple selection, and needs to make the most of his time for diligent training. All social engagements are to be avoided."

Duan Rong felt a jolt. "Next March?"

The speaker may have spoken inadvertently, but the listener took it to heart. Duan Rong had already intended to participate in next year’s Taiyi Sect registered disciple selection assessment because if missed, he’d have to wait another three years.

Yao Liangrong added, "Apparently, the shopkeeper is arranging for Xiao Yu and Luan Bao to each have a selection spot by the end of the year."

Shao Yongping remarked, "The shopkeeper is really going all out this time; apparently, each spot requires a head fee of thirty thousand silver coins to Taiyi Sect."

"Alright! Let’s not discuss the shopkeeper behind his back," Sun Huang suddenly said.

Upon hearing, Yao Liangrong and Shao Yongping immediately stopped talking. Duan Rong sighed inwardly; he had hoped to hear more on this matter.

The group had settled down, and the food was quickly served: roasted lamb legs, sautéed beef, pig head meat—each dish was hearty.

Duan Rong unsealed the liquor and first poured a bowl for Sun Huang.

Then, he went around, pouring a drink for everyone from Sun Huang down.

Though the tavern was humble, Duan Rong had given plenty of silver coins beforehand and specially instructed the tavern to serve the best food and drinks.

After the toasts, everyone began eating and drinking freely.

During the banter, Duan Rong found another opportunity to toast two more bowls to Sun Huang. Seeing Duan Rong’s enthusiasm, everyone else dared not shy away and found opportunities to toast Sun Huang as well. Sun Huang, naturally not good with alcohol, soon drank himself into oblivion.

The food and drink were potent, and everyone was quite tipsy. Luo Fanglong grabbed Duan Rong’s hand, sighing, "Duan Rong, being an escort master is a good thing. I just want to tell you, making a living through fighting isn’t easy!"

Saying this, Luo Fanglong took a gulp of strong liquor... almost choking into tears...

The hardships of these Jianghu men were often buried deep in their hearts, not easily revealed, only to vent when drunk.

The eight large jars of liquor were emptied, and the food on the table finished. The gathering ended, leaving it to Duan Rong and Luo Fanglong to escort the drunken Sun Huang home.