Chapter 863: Chapter 117 End of the World Bitterness
Yang Liu had already returned to Huai Island, but it likely wasn’t because the Sea Sacrifice Festival was approaching.
Since returning to Huai Island, he indulged in daily drunkenness and didn’t partake in any miscellaneous affairs.
Jiang Wang could easily deduce one outcome—Yang Liu had already been ousted in the pursuit of Zhao Wuyan.
Based on the intelligence provided by Tian He, Yang Liu favored elegant personal care and loved fine wines, enthusiastic about grooming himself. In terms of cultivation, he was considered one of the most outstanding among Hai Jingping’s disciples, and he shared a good relationship with Hai Jingping.
It wasn’t without reason that Granny Bizhu asked Jiang Wang to find a way to connect with Hai Jingping—if previously on Little Crescent Island, Jiang Wang had indeed gotten along well with Yang Liu.
But in reality, because of Xu Xiangqian, it would be strange if Yang Liu showed a good face to Jiang Wang.
Nevertheless, Jiang Wang was prepared to suffer cold treatment in the pursuit of warm relations. If he could truly save Zhu Bijinq, enduring some grievances was nothing.
On Little Crescent Island, the most frequent haunt for seasoned drinkers should be Green Turtle Reef, named for a large green turtle-shaped stone.
And Qing Ping Le was the best tower on Green Turtle Reef.
Before heading to Qing Ping Le, Jiang Wang had spent three hundred Dao Yuan Stones to buy a jar of End of the World Bitterness. This wine was no ordinary drink; it was said to be the favorite of the founder of Diao Hai Building, Diaolong Guest, and only ten jars were produced annually.
Jiang Wang managed to purchase it only with the help of Granny Bizhu. He could have used other means, but this request also served as a way to update Granny Bizhu on his progress.
Bringing one’s own wine to a tower was usually frowned upon, but as long as the silver was right, it was no problem.
Carrying the jar of wine in his left hand, Jiang Wang entered uninvited, barging into the private room reserved by Yang Liu.
At that moment, the man was drinking alone by the window, a picture of dejection. Hearing the disturbance, his brow furrowed, ready to lash out.
Seeing that it was Jiang Wang, his anger subsided a bit, but his tone was still unfriendly, "To take without asking is to steal; to enter without invitation is to be a thief. Do you not know this?"
Hearing this, Jiang Wang knew that he was mainly facing the brunt of Xu Xiangqian’s anger. Otherwise, why would Yang Liu bother speaking in such a refined and pointed manner? It was clearly aimed at a scholar.
But the friends of a scholar might not necessarily be touched by elegance, while the friends of a rogue unavoidably get tainted with roguishness.
Jiang Wang was not irritated; on the contrary, he chuckled, "Brother Liu, don’t be like this. I’m here for a visit, not to steal or rob—how can I be considered a thief? Don’t forget, at the three-flavored villa, I treated you to seafood!"
He really had the nerve to say that. If not for Yang Liu’s relentless pestering and willingness to foot the bill, how could he have been allowed to join in?
But as Yang Liu had persistently pleaded to be included then, now he had no choice but to allow Jiang Wang to sit down.
With a melancholic expression, he muttered resentfully, "My surname is Yang."
"You’ve misunderstood, Brother Liu," Jiang Wang hurriedly remedied, "When I call you ’Brother Liu,’ it is intended as a sign of affection. Just as I address Xu Xiangqian as Brother Xiang Qian."
"You dare mention Xu Xiangqian!" Yang Liu slammed his hand on the table in anger, "Are you here to humiliate me? Have you come all the way to Huai Island to mock me?"
"It’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding," Jiang Wang took a few steps towards the table and earnestly said, "Yang Liu, Brother, I left Little Crescent Island a bit early. Has something happened that I’m unaware of?"
Yang Liu probably also felt that losing his temper at Jiang Wang was quite ungracious. He leaned back in his chair sulkily and said stubbornly, "Nothing!"
Jiang Wang took this opportunity to sit down next to him, exhibiting an old friend’s demeanor and concern, "I might not be supposed to ask this, but, sigh. How are things going with Miss Zhao?"
"There’s nothing much to say," Yang Liu’s eyes shifted towards the window, striving to keep his voice calm, "She said she doesn’t want me to follow her anymore and wishes for me to have my own life."
After speaking, he scoffed coldly, likely trying to convey an air of indifference and scorn.
Yet his eyes were clearly brimming with tears.
Jiang Wang inwardly sighed.
This young man still cared too much about face. Words like these held little persuasive power with Xu Xiangqian.
Xu Xiangqian would only retort with nauseating phrases like "My life is you" or "I am not following you; I am following our fate," never conceding defeat or retreating to nurse his wounds in solitude, unlike Yang Liu.
"Ah, what a pity," Jiang Wang said with utmost sincerity, "To be honest, I always thought you and Miss Zhao were quite a match."
"Compared to Xu Xiangqian?" Yang Liu asked dully.
"How could Xu Xiangqian compare to you?" Jiang Wang declared emphatically, almost on the verge of swearing by the heavens, "You are so much better!"
"Really?" Yang Liu turned his head to look directly at Jiang Wang, "In what way am I better?"
"Uh..." Jiang Wang hadn’t anticipated such a straightforward question and after a pause said, "You have more hair than he does!"
Yang Liu clearly looked even more disheartened; he sighed deeply, losing the mood to contend with Jiang Wang, "If you’ve come to make fun of me, there’s no need. Xu Xiangqian and I have had some conflicts before, but it was all for the one we loved, just using our own methods. Now that Xu Xiangqian has won, why must you continue to bother me?"
He seemed genuinely heartsick this time, devoid of any competitive spirit.
Zhao Wuyan was not a woman who stunned you with her beauty at first glance, but, like the spring breeze and rain, she nurtured everything quietly. Setting all else aside, Yang Liu and Xu Xiangqian could both be considered literary geniuses of their time, yet they were both utterly captivated by her.
"Actually, it’s not necessarily true that Xu Xiangqian has won. Miss Zhao is not someone whose heart is easily moved; she has very clear goals, knows exactly what she wants, and, I believe, she will not stay for anyone."
While Zhao Wuyan silently observed Jiang Wang, how could Jiang Wang not carefully observe this woman who had mesmerized Xu Xiangqian?
What he said this time was actually the truth.
"At best, Xu Xiangqian is now just not disliked."
Jiang Wang’s analysis, whether right or wrong, at least seemed very mature and insightful, quite perceptive.
But Yang Liu clearly did not feel comforted; instead, his face creased up: "So does this mean that I am already disliked?"
There was even a hint of a sob in his voice.
If he were to cry on the spot...
That would be too terrifying.
Jiang Wang hurriedly moved over the jar of End of the World Bitterness and slapped off the seal with a palm.
The wine’s faintly bitter fragrance lingered at the tip of the nose, its aftertaste ceaseless.
"Come on! Brother Yang, let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s taste this fine liquor! As the saying goes, ’A drunk man’s woes are drowned in a thousand sips!’"
The crystal-clear liquor filled two porcelain bowls, and at that moment, Jiang Wang appeared both generous and cordial.
Yang Liu didn’t want to be the butt of jokes, so he wiped away his worries and downed three bowls in quick succession with Jiang Wang.
The taste of End of the World Bitterness was a lingering sadness amid its faint bitterness. For some reason, the potency of the alcohol drilled straight into his soul.
The more he tasted it, the more he found it bitter, yet the more he wanted to taste it.
Suddenly, Jiang Wang understood why the wine was named "End of the World Bitterness." It truly was the bitterness of wandering and having no home, the bitterness of being alone at the end of the world. The wine itself had emotions.
He digested the faint emotions that welled up inside him, considering how to change the subject to Hai Jingping.
But, out of the blue, Yang Liu burst into tears.
Cultivators are not easily drunken, but for the past few days, his sole intent had been to get drunk, and this End of the World Bitterness was indeed exceptional.
His youthful heart, confused by emotions, was filled with a myriad of grievances that suddenly tore down his defenses.
"I really like her, like her so much. I’d do anything for her; why, why is she so cold to me?"
"I’ve never liked someone this much before. For her, for her... I don’t know who to talk to; they all laugh at me! All secretly laughing..."
"Is this worth mocking? Isn’t it embarrassing? I myself! Also feel..."
"Brother Jiang, have you ever liked someone? The feeling of liking someone is just like the taste of this liquor, so bitter..."
"Brother Jiang, here, right here!"
He pounded his chest, the thumping loud: "It hurts so much!"
A transcendent cultivator breaking down and crying over an emotional setback was a seemingly absurd scene.
But Jiang Wang did not find it absurd.
Those who have not been in it do not see the sorrow; those watching from afar find it strange.
A small setback that might seem insignificant to onlookers can feel like the sky is falling and the world is ending to someone deeply involved in the emotional throes.
It has nothing to do with how powerful a person is, but depends solely on the depth of emotions invested.
Some touch upon feelings lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the water surface, while others truly give their heart and soul.
Even the strongest transcendent cultivator is in essence just a "person."
A living being, capable of love and hate, of crying and laughing.
...
...
(There’s something I forgot to mention, Jiang Wang’s character has been upgraded to four stars. The starting point has made an exclusive gift for him, Longing. Thank you all for your love and care for Little Wang, heart~)
