Chapter 339: Drunkenness

Chapter 339: Drunk Talk

After listening to Yang Xiaoyun's words, Wei Ziyi finally cooled off.

She looked at Yang Xiaoyun and gave a deep bow:

"Thank you for your sound advice, Sister Yang. This matter indeed cannot be rushed."

"That's exactly right."

Su Mo sighed as he looked at Wei Ziyi:

"Truth is, I didn’t intend to tell you about this today. Based on various signs, Ren Xiongfei might have his eye on your Fallen Phoenix Alliance’s coming leadership meeting.

"It’s possible he’ll appear then.

"But if I didn’t give you the heads-up now, I’d worry that even if you were on guard, you might not anticipate how serious this is involving him.

"You might let your guard down and allow the mastermind to get away clean.

"So just giving you fair warning—don’t let him get away easy.

"After you return tonight, inform your grandfather about this. I trust he will have his own plans."

"Alright."

Wei Ziyi nodded and sat back down, still visibly shaken.

This matter had always weighed heavy on her heart.

Not just hers, but also Wei Ruhan’s and Hua Qianyu’s.

Back at Jade Willow Villa, Wei Ziyi had gone out of her way to befriend Su Mo, recognizing that he was someone special.

She had hoped that if he ever came across any information related to this matter while roaming the jianghu, he would give her word.

Yet not only had he found relevant clues, but he had also uncovered the real culprit behind everything.

Even if it was by accident, Wei Ziyi couldn’t help but feel genuinely touched.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun noticed her preoccupied state and quickly changed the subject, chatting with her about lighter topics.

Wei Ziyi was no ordinary person either and soon shook herself out of her contemplations.

At this point, Su Mo chimed in:

"A meal in exchange for you asking your grandfather about Da You Bank.

"Now I’ve given you two more bits of intel…

"How does Young Miss Wei plan to repay this favor?"

"Huh?"

Wei Ziyi was caught off guard. "Well, you tell me. Whatever you say, I’ll do it."

Yang Xiaoyun perked up, but after a moment’s hesitation, she remained silent.

Su Mo then said:

"Actually, nothing else is needed. Once the Fallen Phoenix Alliance’s big event is over, I’d like your help with something."

"Go ahead, just say it."

"Zhaodi and Xu Lu’s initiation ceremony can’t be too casual, after all.

"I intend to get the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, the Heavenly Blade Sect, and Wusheng Hall involved, and also inform my great master, asking the seven major sects of East City to jointly issue invitations to gather martial artists from across the Eastern Wasteland in Sunset City to witness this event."

"!?"

Wei Ziyi was stunned:

"Does it have to be this extravagant?"

"It does."

Su Mo nodded:

"Because it’s not just the initiation ceremony—there’s another matter. Xiaoyun and I are getting married soon, so it’s the perfect opportunity to invite martial friends from all over the Eastern Wasteland to join the celebration."

"Married..."

Wei Ziyi murmured, her head buzzing faintly.

For a moment, she didn’t know how to react.

After a brief daze, she managed a smile:

"Good, that’s wonderful!

"So it’s such happy news. No wonder you’re going all out like this!"

As she spoke, she stood up and clasped her fists:

"Congratulations, Chief Escort Su, congratulations, Sister Yang. A match made in heaven—how enviable..."

Yang Xiaoyun, however, frowned slightly and glanced at Su Mo before standing and walking over to Wei Ziyi, taking her hand:

"Thanks, Miss Wei."

Wei Ziyi smiled and said, "I’ve been looking forward to your wedding feast forever. Now it’s finally here... Good, really good."

After that, whatever else was said, Wei Ziyi felt she could barely hear it.

Though she continued chatting idly, she was sitting on pins and needles.

Before nightfall, long tables had already been set up in the escort agency’s courtyard.

Now, the Purple Sun Escort Agency had grown significantly. Once Su Mo and the others arrived, everyone took their seats.

Su Mo raised a bowl of wine and toasted everyone, kicking off the night’s festivities.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the group began daring each other to drink.

Zhen Xiaoxiao’s bowls were larger than most—not bowls, but basins.

She’d finish one basin and grab another.

Within a two-meter radius, no one dared sit near her.

The only one who could stand against it was the white tiger not far away.

Uncle Fu humored it by preparing an entire cow.

The cow was butchered and simmered in clear broth.

The white tiger seemed quite satisfied with its meal.

It was like a contest between the two—Zhen Xiaoxiao stuffed a meaty bone into her mouth, crunched down with her iron jaws, shattering it instantly, then ground the fragments into powder before swallowing.

As for the white tiger, it didn’t so much as chew—it swallowed the cow’s head, horns and all, in one gulp.

Xiaoxiao made a point of eating opposite the tiger, and the tiger likewise stared at her while devouring its meal.

The onlookers grew uneasy.

Might these two, in their competitive fervor, suddenly lunge at each other and start biting?

That would indeed be a fearsome spectacle.

For a moment, even those matched in drinking contests couldn’t help but steal glances at the pair.

The only one untouched by the spectacle was Wei Ziyi.

She had never found wine so delicious—sip after sip, then switching from cups to bowls, knocking them back in quick succession.

Suddenly, someone caught her wrist. Squinting through the alcohol fog, she looked up to see Yang Xiaoyun.

Wei Ziyi smiled. "Sister Yang..."

"Miss Wei, you should drink less."

Yang Xiaoyun spoke softly, gently taking the bowl from her hand. "Drinking like this harms your health."

"Mmm..."

Wei Ziyi nodded. "I’m just... happy for you.

"Chief Escort Su is noble of character, comely of feature, and unmatched in martial arts...

"His future is limitless.

"And you, Sister Yang... you are a woman who puts men to shame.

"Laugh if you will, but as a woman, I often hold you up as my mirror, seeing my own flaws revealed.

"For the two of you to unite is a heaven-sent match, an ideal union.

"How could I not raise a cup to such happy tidings?

"But rest assured, Sister Yang, I’ll mind my cups—I won’t cause any trouble...

"Mmm..."

She paused, glancing around before continuing,

"But tonight, I believe I’ve reached my limit.

"Wine-sated and well-fed, wine-sated and well-fed..."

"Finally mooched a full meal off Chief Escort Su."

She grinned and stood up, saying:

"Sister Yang, I... I’d better get going."

"I still have urgent business to report to Grandfather tonight, so I can’t... stay any longer."

With that, she stood and made for the door.

Seeing this, Yang Xiaoyun gave Su Mo a quick nudge:

"Xiao Mo... she’s had way too much to drink—it’s not safe out there. You should see her home."

Su Mo gave a slight frown but nodded:

"I’ll walk her back and won’t be long."

"Alright."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded immediately.

Su Mo sighed but kept his distance from Wei Ziyi, simply following quietly behind her.

Seeing her step out of the Ziyang Escort Agency and still knowing the way to the City Lord's Mansion, he felt somewhat relieved.

By now, the sky had long darkened, and night enveloped all of Sunset City.

The streets were all but deserted, and though Wei Ziyi swayed a little, she kept her footing steady.

Years of martial arts training meant a few drinks wouldn’t make her stumble.

Su Mo followed at a distance, his thoughts a mess.

He’d always thought things between him and Wei Ziyi were simple.

Neither had ever felt anything for the other.

But today, Wei Ziyi’s behavior made him question that.

Ever since he brought up his wedding to Yang Xiaoyun, she’d been out of it all afternoon.

If she was really happy, why act like this?

At dinner, using ‘happiness’ as an excuse, she downed drink after drink.

She didn’t so much as look at him.

This wasn’t like her at all.

She was always teasing him, and if she had come to the Ziyang Escort Agency for a meal, she’d have rubbed it in his face—not acted like this.

It hit Su Mo then.

He wasn’t sure about his own feelings.

But... Young Miss Wei might not be as unaffected as she let on.

Otherwise, why act like this?

Trailing behind Wei Ziyi, Su Mo’s brow furrowed tighter with every step.

Finally, he sighed and was about to step forward when a razor-sharp killing intent sliced through the night.

An icy blade flashed—not aimed at him, but at Wei Ziyi ahead.

Even drunk, Wei Ziyi’s instincts were razor-sharp. She pivoted, narrowly dodging the killing blow, and in one fluid motion, drew her famed Star-Plucking Sword. With a flick of her blade, she unleashed 'Splendid Star and Autumn Moon.'

The move epitomized her skill—its blade ruthless and exact, the sword’s tip gleaming like a star, its arc carving a crescent moon.

Under normal conditions, the strike would have pierced straight through the opponent’s heart.

But heavily intoxicated, though Wei Ziyi could still move, her head spun, vision blurring.

The blade's momentum was fierce, yet it missed its mark.

Giving her head a shake, she steadied herself—only for another glint of steel to streak toward her from a nearby rooftop.

Wei Ziyi knocked the dart aside.

Yet, to her surprise, a figure blurred—the already-deflected dart curved midair and returned to her.

"Hmm?"

With a light step, she leaped back, her sword shifting to a defensive stance before her chest, clearing thirty feet in one leap.

She landed unevenly, wobbling briefly before taking a deep breath and steadying herself. Her eyes snapped up to her attacker—a chain-linked dart in hand.

No wonder the damn thing came back after being deflected.

The figure tugged the chain, retracting the dart for another strike.

Her eyes swept the area, and her brow furrowed.

"More hiding? Show yourselves..."

"Young Miss Wei truly lives up to her reputation as a disciple of Cold Moon Palace," a voice remarked from the shadows as another figure emerged. "I take pride in my stealth, yet I never expected you’d see through me..."

Wei Ziyi chuckled, her words slightly slurred from drink.

"Your concealment technique is indeed extraordinary.

Any other night, I might have noticed you. But tonight, I’m way too drunk.

So, I had no idea someone else was actually here.

But... not long ago, I spent time with a scheming bastard, listening to his warnings about the dangers of the martial world.

So I took a shot in the dark... and who’d have thought it’d actually work?

Pity. With your skill, if you’d stayed hidden and ambushed me, I’d have been a goner."

"..."

The man was momentarily speechless, never expected to fall for such a petty trick.

He sighed and said:

"Friends of Young Miss Wei are naturally no ordinary individuals.

"Pity that, even though Young Miss Wei has detected my presence tonight, you'll still die here tonight."

Wei Ziyi nodded, scowled at them.

Though the alcohol slowed her thoughts,

she knew that the Fallen Phoenix Alliance had always protected her.

The fact that these people could appear here unnoticed meant something must have gone wrong with her protectors.

With a sigh, without another word, she raised her sword, lunged at the last arrival.

Her swordsmanship was extraordinary after all—a single starlike thrust brought her right before him.

Unfortunately, her opponent was no ordinary man either. With a flick of his wrist, a short blade intercepted the strike.

Clang!

Steel clashed against steel, sending sparks flying, while another glint of starlight shot toward her from afar.

A shadowy figure then swooped down from midair, launching a deadly assault.

Wei Ziyi blew out liquor-laden breath, her footwork shifting abruptly as she dissolved into a whirl of afterimages!

Feixing Sword Technique, Chaotic World Flying Star!

In an instant, Wei Ziyi seemed to be everywhere, making it impossible to distinguish the real from the fake.

Faced with this sword technique, the three of them had no way to counter it and could only dodge.

They saw sword marks appearing on their bodies one after another, causing them all to turn pale with shock.

They knew that Wei Ziyi came from the Cold Moon Palace and naturally understood that her martial arts were extraordinary.

Especially the Feixing Sword Technique!

However... when Su Mo was a guest at the Cold Moon Palace, he once commented on Wei Ziyi's Chaotic World Flying Star.

He said it was nine parts illusion and one part reality.

Therefore, when she used this move, they did not take it seriously.

After all, how could Su Mo's words be false?

But now, it seemed not just false...

It was as false as it could possibly be!

Nine parts illusion and one part reality?

Then were these sword marks on their bodies also illusions?

Feeling helpless and about to close their eyes to await death, they heard a muffled groan.

The sky full of flying stars disappeared in an instant.

Wei Ziyi had already fallen to the ground, limping backward unevenly—her ankle had given way.

The move *Stars in Turmoil* actually relied on the Cold Moon Palace's *Moonlit Immortal Steps* footwork.

It was a seamless blend of footwork and swordplay that created the breathtaking display of a sky full of stars.

Thus, the most crucial aspect of this move was not the sword but the footwork.

Wei Ziyi was dead drunk, her steps already unsteady. Walking was barely manageable, but executing *Stars in Turmoil* was beyond her.

She had thought she could power through and take down these three assassins.

Yet, in the end, a single misstep wrenched her ankle...

As she stumbled backward, she burst into furious curses:

"Total bastard... Su Mo, you’re a total bastard!

"If I die here today, it’s all your fault..."

The three assassins, spared from death, saw this as a golden opportunity and weren’t about to waste it.

Though they didn’t understand why Wei Ziyi was cursing Su Mo in her final moments, they wouldn’t pass up such a chance.

They went straight for the kill, aiming to take the woman’s life.

But just as their attacks were about to land on Wei Ziyi, a deafening bell roar resounded through heaven and earth.

It was as if a primordial golden bell had descended, encasing Wei Ziyi within its protection.

The three assassins’ weapons hung frozen mid-air, unable to advance an inch despite every ounce of strength they exerted.

The short blade shattered, its fragments snapping back and ripping straight through the assassin’s chest and abdomen.

The chain dart paused briefly before snapping back like a whip. Its wielder barely let go in time as the entire weapon slammed deep into the wall of a nearby building with a sharp *thud*.

The last assassin, wielding a longsword, coughed up a mouthful of blood and was sent flying.

His sword shattered into countless pieces, leaving nothing intact. Even after landing, he tried to stand, but every meridian in his body burned with agony—there was no way he could rise.

Wei Ziyi gazed up, bewildered, at the giant bell above her.

All she saw were raindrops falling from the sky, gliding harmlessly along the golden bell’s surface without touching her.

When she turned her head, Su Mo was looming right in front of her.

She fell silent. "The hell are you doing here?"

"If I hadn’t shown up, how would I have heard you cursing me?"

She stared blankly at him.

Wei Ziyi was momentarily speechless: "You’re kind of petty... I only cursed you once, and you still hold a grudge."

"Obviously."

Su Mo pondered for a moment, glancing at her foot: "Can you walk?"

"...Yeah."

"Really?"

"Just kidding... It’s killing me."

Su Mo sighed: "Why act tough when you're drunk?"

As he spoke, he walked up to Wei Ziyi and crouched down.

"Even if I didn’t act tough, I didn’t see you coming to my rescue."

Wei Ziyi pouted but still climbed onto Su Mo's back, then asked:

"Would Sister Yang get mad if she knew you were carrying me?"

"If she were mad, she wouldn’t have let me come out to see you home."

"You've been following me the whole time?"

"Yeah."

"Then why didn’t you walk with me? If you had, they wouldn’t have tried anything."

"Who are they?"

"How would I know?"

"Want me to spare any?"

"Tch... So petty. Won’t help. Even the Painful Mantra wouldn’t get anything out of them. They only know how to kill—what would they know about the real story?"

Hearing this, Su Mo nodded and suddenly snapped his fingers.

The autumn rain falling from the sky was sent flying at his command. The raindrops remained intact but suddenly emitted shrill whistling sounds.

Two assassins, who had been knocked back by the rebound force of the Golden Bell Shield, were just about to get up and flee.

But the two raindrops had already pierced through their chests.

A bright spray of blood erupted from their chests before their bodies collapsed to the ground.

"Dang impressive."

Wei Ziyi, resting on Su Mo’s back, quietly watched the scene and couldn’t help but be genuinely impressed.

"See how good I am now?"

Su Mo sneered: "Still feel like cursing me out in the future?"

"...So petty. I almost died, and all I did was call you names."

"Thing is, cursing me gets you nowhere."

"So what should I do then?"

"Well, next time you’re in a pinch, just say, 'Save me, Grandpa Su.'"

Wei Ziyi gnashed her teeth, glaring at Su Mo’s neck right in front of her:

"You want me to bite your head off?"