Wei Yutian gazed deeply and said, "The Filthy Blood Sect and the Taiyi Sect have been battling openly and covertly for years. Our strategies have mostly gone underground. Everyone has their worldly identities, focusing on lying low and developing in secret. Three of our squads have been cleared in just two months; could there be some hidden trouble?"

Luan Jingfu replied, "I heard there’s a traitor from the hall. Seems like even the Hall Master’s trusted aide..."

"Oh, really?" A trace of fear flashed in Wei Yutian’s eyes. The hall has information on all their squads; if things go wrong, they might be the next to be cleared.

"Enough!" Luan Jingfu waved it off, laughing, "I came here to drink, not to discuss Sect business with you."

Saying that, Luan Jingfu used his hand to pick open the seal on the wine jar in front of him. He looked at Wei Yutian, "Where are the bowls?"

Wei Yutian chuckled, suddenly flipped his hand to grasp a small bell in his palm, sitting in the pavilion, lightly shaking it.

The clear sound of the bell resonated through the tranquil twilight courtyard...

After a short while, a beautiful maid wearing a vivid green skirt walked from behind the rockery.

This woman, named Su Di, was one of Wei Yutian’s personal maids.

Su Di’s figure was slightly plump, with a single bun hairstyle, and a Yanling Saber fastened to her waist.

Wei Yutian’s three personal maids were all skilled in Martial Arts, far surpassing the ordinary guards of a wealthy household.

Su Di came closer, bowed slightly, then stood silently, awaiting Wei Yutian’s command.

Wei Yutian, his back facing Su Di, often heard the footsteps of his three maids in the solitary back courtyard, having long since learned to recognize them by sound.

"Fetch two wine bowls and cut some appetizers," Wei Yutian’s voice was cold.

"Yes."

Su Di bowed again, then gracefully retreated.

Luan Jingfu sat in the pavilion, watching Su Di’s shapely, swaying waist, feeling a sudden surge of heat in his belly.

Wei Yutian’s three personal maids were stunningly beautiful; each time he saw them, he could barely contain himself. Were it not for the boundary that a friend’s wife shouldn’t be covetous of, he would have acted impulsively.

Not long after, Su Di returned with a food box.

She placed two jade bowls with rings on the stone table and took out several dishes from the food box, setting them in the center of the stone table.

A plate of beef, a plate of pork tongue, a plate of sugar garlic, and a plate of almonds; all were Wei Yutian’s preferred appetizers.

After arranging these, Su Di took the empty food box and turned to leave.

Luan Jingfu raised the wine jar with one hand and filled both jade bowls to the brim.

The wine, glowing with a green hue, swirled in the jade bowls, its aroma drifting softly on the evening breeze.

Unable to resist, Wei Yutian poured a bowl of wine down his throat, relishing the rich fragrance, smacking his lips appreciatively, "Good wine!"

Luan Jingfu looked at Wei Yutian, laughing, "This aged wine isn’t easily obtained; even immortals would savor it."

"Then today, I must become an immortal..."

The two laughed and joked, drinking bowl after bowl in the pavilion.

Drinking from twilight to evening, from evening to a crescent moon peeking from the eaves...

Wei Yutian felt increasingly liberated as he drank, but Luan Jingfu’s expression grew darker.

Since time immemorial, alcohol has merely deepened sorrow, as even a Poet Immortal knows, let alone a brute.

Wei Yutian stared at Luan Jingfu’s somber face, "Brother, what’s wrong? Something bothering you? If there’s any trouble, talk to me. Maybe I can help you ease it..."

"What’s bothering me?" Luan Jingfu waved his hand, belching, "I’ve lived most of my life, seen all kinds of storms."

Luan Jingfu paused, then sighed, "I just got caught by the Squad Leader for embezzling some money from the Escort Agency."

Wei Yutian’s brow twitched; the investigation at the Yuan Shun Escort Agency had spread throughout the city, even the Chief Accountant had been replaced.

He had heard the rumors but never imagined Luan Jingfu was involved.

Wei Yutian said, "As I understand, you serve as Chief Leader at Yuan Shun Escort Agency, and the Squad Leader grants you quite a bit of silver each month, right?"

"They give quite a lot, but my expenses are high..." Luan Jingfu sighed in frustration.

Wei Yutian pondered for a moment and then said, "Brother Luan, although we share deep bonds, I must side with the Squad Leader on this. You’ve never managed a business; I’ve run two gambling houses."

"Taking a little money for yourself isn’t an issue, but to keep it clean, you must manipulate the accounts. Over time, your subordinates will imitate you, and gradually, the entire Escort Agency’s atmosphere will deteriorate."

Luan Jingfu had a good relationship with Wei Yutian, and Wei Yutian’s words were meant to advise him to return the money he took to Ruan Fengshan and not cause trouble with him.

But before he could finish, Luan Jingfu’s expression shifted, his anger seething, "We live a life of danger. Moreover, I toil for both the Filthy Blood Sect and the Escort Agency. Why can’t I take some money?"

"I’m just a Jianghu brute, unlike you two, with your assets, you’re both wealthy men."

Luan Jingfu spoke, tapping the empty jade bowl in front of him, "How much silver would just this Jade Bowl fetch? We’re all brothers risking our lives; you feast in the front, leaving me no choice but to sip the broth behind?"

Luan Jingfu said, fueled by the wine, he grew increasingly aggrieved...

Wei Yutian had meant well, not expecting his words would nearly provoke Luan Jingfu into a confrontation. He swallowed the rest of his advice.

Wei Yutian realized Luan Jingfu was completely muddled. However, this was a flaw in his temperament, not something Wei Yutian could easily change with mere words.

Wei Yutian awkwardly smiled, "Brother, I just worry about you falling out with the Squad Leader. Enough! No more talk of this, come! Let’s drink!"

Wei Yutian picked up the wine jar and filled each of their bowls.

Luan Jingfu’s hidden anger slowly dissipated after a few bowls of wine.

Not long after, the wine jar was empty, the stone table laden with leftover plates, and Wei Yutian laughed drunkenly, "This last bit, it’s the blessing of wine, all yours."

Wei Yutian filled Luan Jingfu’s jade bowl to the brim and placed the empty wine jar under the stone table.

Luan Jingfu laughed, "Let’s share the last bowl."

Saying that, Luan Jingfu split the wine in his bowl, pouring half into Wei Yutian’s bowl.

Wei Yutian pointed at Luan Jingfu, laughing, "I think you can’t handle it, trying to dodge the drink."

"Don’t take a kind gesture for a donkey’s liver. Who’s dodging? This tiny amount isn’t even enough for a mouth rinse!" Luan Jingfu exclaimed.

The two drained the last half bowl down their throats.

Luan Jingfu exhaled a hot breath, suddenly smiled a little. Maybe he vented his frustration in front of Wei Yutian, letting out the resentment in his heart. As he drank more, he seemed to enjoy himself.

Luan Jingfu suddenly rubbed his face as if wiping dust, looking at Wei Yutian, "Hey... Do you have more stock at your mansion?"

Wei Yutian feigned anger and smiled, "I knew you wouldn’t drink without strings attached. As expected... now, the situation is tense, and it’s becoming harder and harder to acquire goods. The two I have are kept for the eve of New Year’s so we can enjoy them together."