Chapter 392 - No Booze I Can't Handle!
As long as there was booze, the trip was worth it. The wine of the Primordial Ruins, now that was a drop of heaven.
Yun Xiao and Lian Xi, not ones for formalities, found themselves a spot on the edge, setting up shop like they owned the place. Gifts were given, so why not enjoy the party, right?
These two peas in a pod seemed to be in a world of their own, giving poor Liu Yingying a headache. The young hotshots of the Primordial Ruins wanted to approach Lian Xi, but got warned off by Song Bomei with just a look.
The young crowd, sharp as tacks, didn't need a second glance to see the sparks flying between Lian Xi and Yun Xiao. They knew the birthday bash was about to get interesting. The Primordial Son made his move in public, but Lian Xi wasn't having any of it, bringing Yun Xiao along like a shield. This was basically a slap in the face.
Lian Xi didn't actually come with this intention, but no one would believe her.
"Those two really are immature," Liu Yingying muttered, biting her lip and giving Song Bomei an apologetic smile. "Lian Xi's always been straight as an arrow, not much for social graces. I hope you don't take it to heart."
Song Bomei cracked a smile, shaking his head with a sigh. "Being genuine is a rare gift. It's that pure heart of hers that's taken her so far. I've got nothing but respect. Why would I mind?"
"That's a relief. Let them eat and drink their fill," Liu Yingying said, breathing easier and flashing Song Bomei a sweet smile.
"But there's something I've got to apologize for," Song Bomei said, looking regretful.
"Apologize?" Liu Yingying blinked in surprise. What was there to apologize for now?
"Yes, it was my oversight, and I'm truly sorry. Ah..." Song Bomei clenched his teeth.
"What's the trouble?" Liu Yingying asked, her nerves kicking in.
"Well..." Song Bomei glanced over at Yun Xiao, who was happily sipping away. "The Primordial Son wanted to treat our guests right, so he had me buy a batch of Genesis Spirit Essence to mix into the wine."
"Genesis Spirit Essence?" Liu Yingying's mouth fell open in shock. "That's a divine elixir, worth a fortune! It can nourish the spirit and help with breakthroughs. The Primordial Son's using it to entertain? That's beyond generous. What's there to apologize for?"
After hearing that, she was ready to ditch decorum and grab a drink herself.
"But the thing is..." Song Bomei rubbed his forehead, "I forgot to give Yun Xiao a heads-up about it."
"He's had too much?" Liu Yingying's face turned red with embarrassment. "I'll go tell him right now. Sorry about this. This guy, I swear, must've crawled out of some backwater, not a clue about manners. My apologies for the spectacle."
"Stop!" Song Bomei said, grabbing her hand urgently. "You've got it all wrong. The Genesis Spirit Essence is a treasure, alright. For those in the Genesis Spirit Realm or above, it's a game-changer. But for anyone below that, taking it prematurely could spell disaster. At best, you're looking at a night hugging the porcelain throne, at worst... it's curtains. And Yun Xiao, well, he's downed three jugs already!"
"Wait, what? You mean he might..." Liu Yingying's face tightened at the thought, already stepping back, hoping nobody would connect her with Yun Xiao's impending disaster.
"My apologies!" Song Bomei looked genuinely distressed. "The guests Primordial Son invites are all Genesis Spirit Realm or above. I just... I didn't think..."
"This isn't on you," Liu Yingying said, feeling a chill run down her spine as she glanced at Yun Xiao, who was, in broad daylight, clinking cups with Lian Xi.
Steam was practically coming out of her ears. No matter how dashing the guy, this embarrassment was too much, and she found herself cursing him under her breath.
"The priority now is to get him out of here before that Essence hits full force," Song Bomei said, too embarrassed to spell out the potentially humiliating consequences at such a refined gathering.
"Alright, I'll talk to him," Liu Yingying said, taking a deep breath and heading towards Yun Xiao and Lian Xi.
Song Bomei followed, a slight smirk on his face. They'd been prepared for Yun Xiao's arrival, having decided on the Genesis Spirit Essence long before. This was their big play, a way to make Yun Xiao embarrass himself without directly offending Lian Xi. If anything went wrong, it'd all be chalked up to Yun Xiao's own recklessness.
As Yun Xiao guzzled down the wine, some guests were quietly pleased, seeing their plan unfold.
"Like a fish out of water, stumbling into a den of dragons," Song Bomei thought smugly, sitting down with Liu Yingying beside Yun Xiao and Lian Xi. The table was set for four, perfectly excluding Yun Xiao from the original plan.
But then, Yun Xiao suddenly closed his eyes, his face contorting, his breath heavy.
"Yun Xiao, you feeling alright?" Song Bomei asked, feigning concern.
Liu Yingying recoiled, fearing the worst.
Without a word, Yun Xiao clenched his fists, the whole table shaking under his grip.
"It's happening. He can't handle it," Liu Yingying thought, her face turning pale as she stepped back, ready for the fallout.
There wasn't even time to suggest leaving. Liu Yingying's scalp tingled with dread, cursing inwardly, "If you can't handle your liquor, why drown yourself in it?"
"Yun Xiao, you alright there? Need me to call a miracle worker?" Song Bomei's concern was palpable.
Then, a rumble from Yun Xiao, followed by a long, relieved sigh.
Liu Yingying yelped and stumbled back, almost kissing the floor. Song Bomei, too, jumped up, ready to shield his nose and mouth, barely holding back a chuckle at the unfolding drama.
The commotion turned heads, drawing a mix of curious and bemused glances.
"Sis, you okay?" Lian Xi clung to his arm, innocently curious.
Yun Xiao, with a belch that broke the silence, stretched and announced, "All good. Just had a breakthrough."
"A breakthrough? Congrats!" Lian Xi's smile was pure sunshine.
Liu Yingying braced for a nightmare scene of embarrassment. But a breakthrough?
She stared at Yun Xiao, dumbfounded, seeing no signs of the anticipated disaster.
Song Bomei was equally flabbergasted. "Y-you're really okay?" His mind was a whirlwind of confusion.
"What's to worry about with the Primordial Son's grand hospitality and fine wine?" Yun Xiao smiled at Song Bomei, lifting another jug. "This brew, it's got something special in it, right? Felt a warm rush straight to the Perfect Heaven Sanctuary Realm."
Song Bomei's face twisted awkwardly. "Ah, about that... the Primordial Son added Genesis Spirit Essence to the wine. Slipped my mind to mention it, my apologies."
Liu Yingying breathed a sigh of relief. "Far from being a problem, this turned out to be a stroke of luck. Genesis Spirit Essence is a rarity, most can only dream of it."
"Right you are!" Yun Xiao jiggled the empty jug, a tad sheepish. "Uh, this one's dry. Mind if I have another? Maybe with a bit more of that Essence, I can take it."
Song Bomei forced a smile, ordering more wine. "Seems like you know your drink. The Mysterious Sword Manor is known for its wine and Sword Immortals. Any particular favorite?"
Yun Xiao, eyeing Lian Xi, asked, "Got any Tiger Rod Wine? The fierce, fiery kind."
Lian Xi's cheeks flushed at the mention, as if the very name of the wine was a secret nod to her.
"Tiger Rod Wine, you say?" Song Bomei's gaze sharpened. "Seems you've come prepared. The Mysterious Sword Manor's Tiger Rod Wine is legendary, brewed from the finest of demon tiger rods. Not for the faint-hearted."
"No worries, my Lian Xi's built different, not your average jade beauty," Yun Xiao quipped, casually draping an arm around Lian Xi, casting a challenging look at Song Bomei. "Bring it on, the more, the merrier."
Liu Yingying's vision darkened, nearly losing her cool. "The nerve!" she thought. Poor Lian Xi, so young, and here Yun Xiao was, making bold jokes in front of everyone.
The crowd, especially the young ones, frowned deeply. Was this some kind of power play?
"Sure thing," Song Bomei replied, his smile hiding the storm within.
"Oh, and don't skimp on the Genesis Spirit Essence," Yun Xiao added, "the current kick's barely tickling."
"No problem at all!" Song Bomei managed, barely containing his urge to draw swords.
The murmurs around them grew. "A toast unaccepted is a penalty to drink?"
"This lad's clueless about being a pawn, floating on cloud nine."
"He won't cry till he sees his own grave..."
Soon, the Tiger Rod Wine arrived, brimming with Genesis Spirit Essence.
"Give my thanks to the Primordial Son," Yun Xiao nodded to Song Bomei.
"He'll be here shortly. Thank him yourself," Song Bomei replied.
"Fair enough." Yun Xiao glanced at the jug big enough for a small pond on their table, offering some to Song Bomei. "Care to join?"
Gritting his teeth, Song Bomei declined, "It's a bit too bold for my palate, excuse me."
With that, he and Liu Yingying mingled with the other distinguished guests, leaving Yun Xiao and Lian Xi to their devices, looking like two introverts hiding in a corner.
"May this liquor be your undoing," Liu Yingying shot him a glare before disappearing into the glitzy crowd. But she couldn't help but wonder how Yun Xiao was still standing after all that Essence?
"Want a sip?" Yun Xiao teased Lian Xi.
"Drink your head!" Lian Xi blushed, looking for a hole to bury herself in.
Who in their right mind would drink such a thing? It felt outright barbaric...
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