Chapter 576: I Can't Help You With This Favor!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
"I know that Lord Supreme Cloud is a national hero, an earth-shattering figure of legend. He must have his reasons for borrowing my name, something he can't help, but at the same time, I can't abide this indignation."
Feng Xiange said, "Therefore… I only need you to find him and punish him lightly."
The middle-aged man clad in black chuckled bitterly and sighed. He suddenly stood up and began to retrieve several items from within his embrace. There were gold and silver banknotes, jade essence, spiritual crystals…
Then, he opened his spatial ring and poured out a pile of treasured gems and resources, speaking calmly, "Feng Xiange, do take a look. Is there anything that strikes your fancy in here?"
Feng Xiange was taken aback by the man's actions as he stuttered, "What do you mean?"
The middle-aged man replied, "Just let me know if there is anything here that Brother Feng likes. There, I have Mystifying Rattan, Ecstasy Herb, Specter Fruit, and Thousand-Year Wild Orchid… These are things that you can use to brew exquisite wine. How about I give them all to Brother Feng?"
"Whatever do you mean? Do explain yourself," Feng Xiange asked with chagrin.
The middle-aged man in black said, "I don't know if these can make up for Brother Feng's wine. If they can't, I'll figure something out."
Feng Xiange paused in shock before he suddenly lashed out in anger, "Ling Xiaozui! What do you mean? This old man has never met you, but you don't have to humiliate me like this!"
His voice was much louder than before, due to his agitation. The innkeeper who had been eavesdropping felt his mind explode in shock the moment he heard the name. He was so stunned that he came close to passing out.
Ling Xiaozui!
'Ling Xiaozui!'
'I was just thinking, who would be so bold as to knock on Dugu Chou's door and brazen enough to ask the latter to guess who he was! So, it's the Unrivaled Expert the world has acknowledged in recent years!'
Of the four people who were drinking, three of their identities had been confirmed now – Dugu Chou, Ling Xiaozui, and Feng Xiange!
They were all pinnacle experts that belonged to myths and legends. They were the fantasies of their time! These three people's stories had been circulating around the world for a long time. Their stories had long become folk tales in the Tianxuan Continent.
Who then was the last person?
Ling Xiaozui was not angered when he heard Feng Xiange's question. Instead, he explained patiently, "I'm helpless and I won't be able to assist you."
Feng Xiange was stunned.
"I can't help you, but I have consumed wine that can only be consumed in return for helping." Ling Xiaozui said faintly, "So I have to compensate for it, with double the value."
Feng Xiange mumbled, "Why?"
"Because… not only am I unable to help you, I will have to stop the person that actually can…" Ling Xiaozui chuckled.
Feng Xiange's eyes widened in surprise. Now, here was a plot twist. He could not help being dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. With Ling Xiaozui interfering in his efforts, the matter would be tricky to complete.
Then…
When the innkeeper heard Ling Xiaozui's words, he suddenly felt his blood surged within him. Filled with passion, he bolted over and knelt down in front of Ling Xiaozui.
"This lowly one thanks Lord Ling for your care towards Lord Supreme Cloud! This lowly one bows to Lord Ling!"
Bang, bang, bang!
Under everyone's astonished gaze, the innkeeper made three heavy bows continuously. He wanted to continue his obeisance, but was pulled up by Dugu Chou who wore a sharp gaze and asked, "What is this for?"
The innkeeper was only an ordinary citizen; despite his insignificant cultivation base, he was composed when he faced the questioning of Dugu Chou, an expert who was above the very clouds and answered with pride, "Lord Supreme Cloud is Yutang's pillar, a deity everyone worships. We ordinary citizens can only wish that Lord Supreme Cloud will have a peaceful life without pain and ailments. As long as Lord Supreme Cloud lives on, we have our rock! We have hope!"
"We lowly ones don't have many abilities. Other than wishing Lord Supreme Cloud well, we curse Lord Supreme Clouds' enemies. Let them all experience the worst of deaths, the sooner the better!"
The words from this trivial character silenced the four pinnacle experts.
"Why?" Dugu Chou asked after a moment of silence.
"No reason." The innkeeper was rather afraid, a little timid and quivering, but he still replied proudly, "Other than the fact that it is Lord Supreme Cloud and because this lowly one is born a man of Yutang!"
"Very well!"
The skeletal person expressed his compliments and turned to look at Feng Xiange, saying, "I can't help you in this as well, but having drunk your wine… I can point you towards the path three times. This three hints can allow you or the person you choose to escape three fatal threats!"
Feng Xiange grew increasingly baffled, and more than a little lost.
Looking at the embarrassed expression on Ling Xiaozui and the skeletal person, he felt even more exasperated.
What was going on? For people on par with Ling Xiaozui, they would never make a casual promise; once they did, there would be no backing out. For them to be willing to drink with him, it was basically saying, "Whatever you ask, we will do it for you!"
This was truly the case, but now… it was wholly different.
A mere Supreme Cloud had caused the both of them to change their minds! Even if it had gone against their usual principles, even if they would be in a larger debt, they refused to comply!
What? What had he missed?
Feng Xiange chuckled bitterly and said, "What about you, Dugu?"
Dugu Chou was silent for a bit before he replied, "I don't mind. However, if this Lord Supreme Cloud is indeed a hero that serves the country and people selflessly… I can only warn him against you. I won't be able to do anything more either."
Feng Xiange chortled and said, "Very well! If so, why am I still finding fault with this Supreme Cloud? Forget it, forget it. I'll let this slide. As long as this Lord Supreme Cloud doesn't barge into me in the future, I won't find fault with him."
He smiled and continued, "However, I am the one who has taken the initiative to cancel this, so none of you owes me any favors. Instead, I should buy all of you wine, for being so fickle."
"That makes sense, makes sense indeed." The other three guffawed.
At this moment, a hasty galloping could be heard from the outside. It sounded very far away but with the four experts here, there was basically no one who breathed any louder for several miles around. It was silent and peaceful. Under such circumstances, the galloping sound was harsh and clear.
Four pairs of eyes gleamed.
"A magnificent steed!"
The skeletal person was full of praise, "Such a sound! This is my first time seeing such a thing!"
Ling Xiaozui took a sip of wine and said, "Such speed… This is my first time seeing this as well!"
Dugu Chou tweaked his ears and listened to the incessant galloping. A strange expression of longing adorned his face as he commented faintly, "This is a horse king! I didn't expect that after Crimson, there is still such a majestic steed that exists in this world!"
Before his words could echo in the air, a horse suddenly stopped in front of the inn's entrance.
It was red all over!
It was burning like a ball of flame. It had galloped throughout the night, yet it seemed like it had always been here. It came to an abrupt halt.
Dugu Chou's eyes grew large and wide.
The skeletal person's pupils contracted as he glanced at the person mounted on the horse before a mysterious smile surfaced on his lips.
Ling Xiaozui sighed.
Why was this fellow here?
Although just being here was a huge opportunity for this fellow, it was Feng Xiange's most indignant moment, as his intentions to seek revenge had been suppressed by the other three men collectively.
Of all people, this man should not be here at this time!
A purple-robed youth could be seen astride the horse. He was handsome and graceful, his eyes oozed delight. Right as he hopped off the horse, he cried out, "Brother Ling! You're here! Why didn't you tell this young brother that you've come, I almost broke my legs running here…"
The quartet pursed their lips.
'You obviously came riding a horse. How could you break your legs running here?'
The youth was already rushing in, making himself at home. Dropping himself down on the bench by the table, he sat close to Ling Xiaozui and laughed, "Brother Ling, let's not go back until we're drunk today!"
He then picked up a pot of Feng Xiange's wine and broke the seal with a strike of his palm. Extending both of his arms, he chuckled saying, "Brother Ling, I don't have any more of the wine from the God of Wine, Feng Xiange. However, our brotherhood is strong, any wine we drink is Feng Xiange's wine. Come, come, let me give a toast to you with this pot of wine!"
He then raised his chin and gulped down the entire pot of wine. Wiping his mouth, he showered his praises upon the vintage, "Great wine!"
Lifting his head, he saw the handful of people around the table looking at him like they were looking upon a deity.
He was thrown off-guard. Wiping his mouth again, he asked, "What?"