Chapter 54: The Banquet’s Gamble

Ji Wushuang attended to the noble young master beside him, piling food on his plate and refilling his wine. His approachable and attentive manner drew frequent glances from Jin Haofeng.

Ling Yue’er was forthright and bohemian by nature, needing no one to wait on her. She ate with great relish, occasionally urging Feng Junjie and the others to drink more. The feast seemed to be a picture of perfect harmony between host and guests.

Shui Jingxuan ate with his head bowed, his movements elegant. He kept glancing at the middle-aged man who was speaking animatedly beside him, his mind unsettled.

This man’s height and build were strikingly similar to his master’s. Especially those eyes, full of malice last night, they were a perfect match for his master’s.

Yet, seeing how he chatted casually with Ling Yue’er and the others, navigating among them with ease, his smooth social skills were nothing like his master’s.

Still, five years had passed. Many things and many people could change with the passage of time.

His guesses went back and forth, yielding no certainty. Shui Jingxuan lost his appetite. He set down his chopsticks, raised his chin toward Ling Yue’er, and spoke slowly.

“As the saying goes, a smoke after a meal makes you feel like a god. Miss Yue’er, do you have a cigarette on you?”

“A smoke after a meal makes you feel like a god? Good! That’s damn appropriate! That’s exactly how I feel! No wonder I love smoking after meals!”

Ling Yue’er slapped the table, looking enlightened. Laughing heartily, she pulled two cigarettes from her pocket, tossed one to Shui Jingxuan, and put the other in her own mouth, lighting it with a fire striker.

Shui Jingxuan held the cigarette and leaned over to borrow the flame, but Ji Wushuang’s large hand blocked him. His expression was displeased as he said, “Are you full after eating so little? Eat more. Too much tobacco is bad for your health.”

His tone and manner of speaking were exactly like Ji Wushuang’s, yet his face and voice were utterly unfamiliar. If this man was his master, why wouldn’t he acknowledge him? Why pretend to be a stranger?

Jin Haofeng saw that Shui Jingxuan was challenging Ji Wushuang and shook his head inwardly. Just as he thought, a sheltered rich kid who got pushy when others were a little nice to him. Too bad Ji Wushuang was not a pushover.

But to his surprise, Ji Wushuang did not flare up. Instead, he smiled faintly, patted Shui Jingxuan’s shoulder in a comforting, affectionate manner, and said gently,

“Fine, I won’t interfere. But men and women should not touch each other. If you ask Miss Yue’er for a light, it’ll be awkward for her. I’ll light it for you.”

With that, he flicked his fingertip, and the cigarette was lit by a wisp of inner energy he released. To convert inner energy into Samadhi True Fire with such perfect control was something only a supreme expert could do.

Everyone stared at the middle-aged man who smiled lightly, dumbfounded. Shui Jingxuan also turned his head in surprise and fixed his gaze on him.

In the present world, the only person he knew who could control inner energy to such a degree was Ji Wushuang. Was this man him? Or some hidden master?

Shui Jingxuan’s mind was in turmoil. He took a deep drag from the cigarette, slowly exhaled the smoke, and forced himself to speak calmly. “Thank you.”

With that, his eyes flickered behind the hazy smoke. Suddenly, he put one arm around Ji Wushuang’s shoulder, leaned close to his face, and brought the cigarette to his lips, asking slowly, “Want to try?”

As he spoke, he subtly examined Ji Wushuang’s hairline and behind his ears, looking for signs of a human-skin mask.

The man’s handsome face was right beside his own, and his slightly husky, cool voice seemed to hold some kind of magic that Ji Wushuang couldn’t resist.

Even if they were standing at the edge of a bottomless abyss and the man pointed down, asking, “Want to jump?” Ji Wushuang would jump without a second thought.

“Mm, I’ll try.” Ji Wushuang’s voice was hoarse, with a hint of being flattered. He took a deep drag through the noble young master’s hand.

A first-time smoker shouldn’t inhale too hard, or they’d make a fool of themselves. Ji Wushuang was now in an awkward position.

The smoke scorched his throat; he couldn’t swallow it or spit it out. His eyes reddened, and finally he couldn’t hold back his coughs.

The coughing contorted his facial muscles, veins bulging on his temples. Shui Jingxuan’s eyes traced those veins. Seeing no signs of disguise at his hairline or behind his ears, he was now certain this was his real face.

Seeing him in such a disheveled state, choking with tears and mucus, Shui Jingxuan quickly hid his disappointment, threw his head back, and laughed heartily, patting his back as he did.

Ling Yue’er also slapped the table and roared with laughter. The others, seeing Ji Wushuang so embarrassed, with none of his previous air of a master, couldn’t help shaking their heads and chuckling. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.

“It’s fine, as long as it makes you laugh.” Ji Wushuang waved his hand, his eyes still a little red, but his pitch-black pupils were fixed on Shui Jingxuan.

With just these words and that look, Shui Jingxuan’s wariness toward him lessened a few degrees, and he began to feel fond of him.

Jin Haofeng, watching from the side, thought bitterly: The cold, ruthless Ji Wushuang, just to please the noble young master, had become as docile as a kitten in his hands?

When he snapped back to himself, he was about to offer his farewells, but quickly spoke up: “Meeting is fate. I have a banquet at the seventh hour. I was thinking of finding an excuse to arrange another meeting.” He looked at Shui Jingxuan with reluctant, expectant eyes.

“Fine. I’ll be waiting in the inn’s hall on time.” Since this man was sincere in his friendship and was himself exceptionally powerful, Shui Jingxuan did not refuse. He accepted neatly and then left leisurely.

Ling Yue’er and the others, having eaten and drunk their fill, took their smiling leave, leaving Ji Wushuang staring after the noble young master’s retreating figure and Jin Haofeng with a mysterious smile.

***

At the seventh hour, the sky was dark. In the bustling areas of the town, red lanterns were already lit here and there. Shui Jingxuan, accompanied by Black Tiger, Azhuang, and the maid-dressed girl, appeared in the inn’s hall.

The innkeeper spotted them and immediately came over deferentially, ushering them into a luxurious large room at the end of the corridor.

The room was carpeted with thick wool, and in the center, eight ornate screens enclosed a circular space for performances. Ji Wushuang, Jin Haofeng, and a few unfamiliar martial artists were already seated, drinking, clearly waiting for his arrival.

“I’m late. Apologies.” Shui Jingxuan stepped across the threshold and cupped his hands.

“Not late!” Ji Wushuang quickly stood up and pulled him to sit beside him. Azhuang and the others automatically stood behind him in guard.

“Let me!” When the pretty young girl moved to pour wine for Shui Jingxuan, Ji Wushuang covered the cup with his large hand and shot her a sinister glance.

The girl bit her lip and shrunk back, fear in her eyes, thinking how frightening this man’s presence was.

Shui Jingxuan glanced at the girl and gestured for her to withdraw. He turned to Ji Wushuang and said warmly, “Then I’ll trouble you, Boss Jin.”

This man before him was unfathomable. Shui Jingxuan intended to keep on good terms with him and didn’t want to fall out unless necessary.

“Not at all.” Ji Wushuang smiled, filled a cup, and placed it by his hand.

Jin Haofeng watched their interaction from the corner of his eye. Seeing Ji Wushuang’s undisguised possessiveness toward the noble young master, his estimation of the young master’s value soared.

A smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he asked Shui Jingxuan, “Young master travels widely; I assume you’ve been to brothels and pleasure houses?”

Shui Jingxuan had no good feelings toward the uncle’s nephew, detesting his calculating eyes. He just glanced at him and replied flatly, “I have not.”

Hearing this answer, Ji Wushuang was overjoyed, and his face softened further.

Jin Haofeng wasn’t bothered by his cold attitude, thinking it was better that he hadn’t been, easier to handle. Smiling, he continued,

“No matter. I’ve prepared some special entertainment different from the usual brothels. Perfect for broadening young master Shui’s horizons.”

With that, he clapped his hands. The eight screens slowly parted to reveal a delicate and handsome young man sitting on the floor.

With a graceful wave of his hand, he played a tune of ‘Spring Snow.’ Behind him were several more young men in gauze, singing and dancing, their postures extremely alluring, no less than professional dancers.

The guests were captivated by the moving music and the swaying beauties in the hall, all showing expressions of enchantment.

Only Shui Jingxuan’s phoenix eyes curved slightly, an ambiguous smile on his face, as still as a mountain. Ji Wushuang also seemed distracted, occasionally stealing a glance at the person beside him.

Several performances passed. The retainers invited as guests had already pulled some young male entertainers into their arms for pleasure, but the noble young master remained seated, showing no sign of curiosity or excitement.

Jin Haofeng’s eyes darkened. He glanced at the attendant beside him. The girl nodded and slowly closed the screens.

“Everyone, this is the highlight of the evening, a rare sight in a lifetime. You must watch carefully.” Jin Haofeng announced loudly with feigned mystery.

As he spoke, a rich incense was lit in the room, and from behind the screens came the rustling of clothes and the smacking sounds of kissing.

As soon as the scene was revealed, it immediately drew everyone’s attention. Sounds of swallowing saliva filled the room. Even Ji Wushuang’s heart raced. He stared unblinkingly at the two men’s actions, but his mind conjured the erotic dream from this morning.

The object of his desire was right beside him. Ji Wushuang’s cheeks burned. Guiltily, he didn’t dare look at him even once, and could only watch the front with a stiff expression.

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