Chapter Seventy-Five: The Night Banquet

As night descended, the courtyard shone with bright lights. For tonight’s feast, Master Pang had specially brought out four crystal lamps, placing them in different corners of the yard. The gentle, luminous glow revealed every detail of the space.

He next drew from his spatial ring a massive jade table and four matching white jade stools, even having the bowls and chopsticks set out in advance.

Soon, plate after plate of delicacies were brought to the table by Locust Blossom, flowing like a stream.

Fang Xiao had intended to help, but the young girl wrinkled her nose and declared that such tasks belonged to women, not to a man like him. Master Pang heartily praised Locust Blossom, saying she had the makings of a virtuous wife and mother, no less than Lady Qin herself, causing the girl’s cheeks to flush red.

Fang Xiao, meanwhile, was wholly absorbed by the array of sumptuous dishes before him: steamed pork belly, crispy fried pig skin, stir-fried intestines, charcoal-grilled ribs, braised liver, stewed trotters—except for one plate of wild greens sautéed in pork fat, all the rest were pure meat dishes.

Since mastering the Dragon Tiger Stance, Fang Xiao’s height and build had increased significantly, and his appetite had doubled. He craved meat above all else. Though he enjoyed special meals at the Liuhe Academy every day, none could compare to this feast.

Lady Qin’s culinary skills were clearly not just idle boasts from Master Pang. Each dish was vibrant in color, aroma, and flavor, tempting anyone who saw them. Fang Xiao barely glanced at the food before swallowing hard.

“Let’s start,” Master Pang said with a grin, picking up his chopsticks. “Eat while it’s hot, don’t waste Lady Qin’s hard work.”

Lady Qin, who had just brought over a pot of stewed pig lung soup, shot him a playful glare that nearly swept Master Pang’s soul away.

“Brother Fang,” Locust Blossom, sitting beside Fang Xiao, picked up a rib and offered it to his lips. “Try this!”

Her eyes sparkled brightly, a subtle light dancing within them.

“Alright,” Fang Xiao replied without hesitation, taking a bite and chewing. “Delicious!” The rib was fragrant and crisp, juicy inside, not dry at all, and most importantly, free of any gamy taste.

Back in his village, Fang Xiao had eaten wild boar meat when rations allowed, but without seasonings, the flavor was always lacking. This demon pig’s meat, however, was entirely different.

Lady Qin had somehow managed to roast even the bones to a crisp, making them fragrant and easy to chew. Fang Xiao devoured three pieces in quick succession, then urged Locust Blossom, who watched him eat with delight, “You should eat too.”

“Mm,” she replied sweetly, carefully picking up a piece of meat and placing it in her mouth.

Just as Fang Xiao was about to encourage her to eat more, Master Pang smiled faintly and reached for a wine jar. He shattered the clay seal with a palm, poured three bowls, and with a wave, said, “Fang Xiao, try this Ten-Year Blossom Wine, brewed by my own hand!”

At his words, a bowl of wine silently floated to Fang Xiao. He quickly set down his chopsticks and caught it with both hands. The rich aroma filled his nostrils, intoxicating him even before he tasted it.

Master Pang handed a bowl to Lady Qin, then downed his own in one gulp. Fang Xiao followed suit, sipping the wine. Though he’d rarely tasted alcohol before, he found this wine smooth and gentle, sliding down his throat and warming his belly—a deeply pleasant sensation.

With alternating sips of wine and bites of meat, Fang Xiao ate with utter satisfaction. Master Pang, however, consumed his food far faster: a single bite devoured half a trotter, and with a draw of his lips, drained a bowl of wine.

Lady Qin and Locust Blossom ate much more delicately by comparison. Lady Qin, having had some wine, her already beautiful face now tinged with a rosy glow, looked especially enchanting in the lamplight.

Though the Blossom Wine couldn’t intoxicate Master Pang, a single coquettish glance from the widow left him utterly entranced, not knowing where he was.

The wine jar emptied and another replaced it. As the drinking grew more fervent, Master Pang’s face took on a wild expression. He clapped his hands and sang:

“A hall of drunken blossoms hosts three thousand guests,
One sword’s frost chills all the immortal realms!”

“Bring the zither!”

With a sharp command, a Jiaowei zither appeared instantly. Master Pang shifted three feet back on his jade stool and placed the instrument across his knees. His ten fingers pressed the strings, and the resonant music rang out.

A moment later, a raspy, weathered voice full of emotion echoed through the courtyard:

“The sea laughs, surging tides on both shores,
Rising and falling with the waves, only today counts.

Heaven laughs, the world’s tides swirling,
Who triumphs, who falls, only Heaven knows!

The land laughs, misty rain stretches afar,
Waves wash away the dust of mortal life, leaving but a few proud souls.”

The stirring, heroic song lingered in the courtyard, echoing into the dark mountain woods.

A gust of wind rustled countless leaves, as if the mountain itself were responding.

Fang Xiao was stunned. Though he’d known Master Pang for some time, he’d never seen him so wild and unrestrained. Moreover, the song was masterfully sung.

As Fang Xiao listened, he imagined himself as a hero about to retire from the martial world, washing his hands of past glories.

“Passion remains in foolish laughter…”

Zheng! Zheng! Zheng!

Three strings snapped. The drunken Master Pang finished his song, burst into laughter, and pushed the zither forward. “That’s the height of my inspiration—now it’s gone!”

No sooner had he spoken than his head tilted, and he fell into a deep sleep, still sitting.

“Master Pang?” Fang Xiao called out, realizing what had happened and hastily trying to rouse him, but there was no response.

“Brother Fang,” Lady Qin rose gracefully and said, “It seems the master is drunk. Please look after him. I’ll take Locust Blossom home now—it’s already late.”

There was a mysterious light in her beautiful eyes.

Fang Xiao quickly replied, “Let me walk you down the mountain.” It was indeed late, and though the moon was bright and the path short, accidents could happen.

Lady Qin did not refuse. “Thank you, young man.”

Fang Xiao escorted mother and daughter down the mountain. At their parting, he slipped Locust Blossom two pieces of milk candy, then hurried back to the temple.

Just as he was about to help Master Pang to his room, the master suddenly opened his eyes, grabbed Fang Xiao’s arm, and urgently asked, “So, did Lady Qin seem moved by me just now? Was she worried about me? My song was impressive, wasn’t it? I practiced for two and a half years! And…”

He chattered on, eyes shining, completely sober.

Fang Xiao breathed a deep sigh of relief—this was the Master Pang he knew best, unchanged.