Chapter 83: Oscar's Divine Assist
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were both thoroughly drunk. Earlier, there had been some lingering awkwardness between them due to the spirit arena matches, but now that the alcohol had kicked in, they began calling each other brothers.
Ma Hongjun, tipsy and rambling, slurred, "Brother Zong, you're a month or two older than me, so from now on, you're my big bro. I really admire you, man—you actually managed to get a wife as beautiful as Zhuqing."
Although Oscar had also had quite a bit to drink, he still retained some clarity. However, his gaze kept drifting toward Ning Rongrong, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy in his heart.
He glanced back at Zu Zong and couldn't help but compare—why was there such a gap between them? He had been pursuing Ning Rongrong for over four months without making any progress, while Zu Zong had managed to win over Zhu Zhuqing after just a month together.
Sigh... comparisons are infuriating.
Oscar leaned in close to Zu Zong and said quietly, "Zu Zong—no, Brother Zong—can you teach your little brother how to woo girls?"
Zu Zong blinked, a knowing smile spreading across his face as he feigned surprise. "Oh? So, which girl have you got your eye on?"
Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong and gave a subtle nod.
Just then, Ning Rongrong walked over. Seeing the two of them talking—and the occasional glances they were casting her way—she felt a bit puzzled and asked, "What are you two talking about?"
"N-Nothing much. I was just asking Zu Zong about a cultivation problem."
Saying that, Oscar quickly pulled Zu Zong outside. Zu Zong didn't resist—in fact, this suited him just fine.
Feigning suspicion, Zu Zong said, "Don't tell me the one you like is Ning Rongrong?"
Oscar nodded again, tacitly admitting it.
"I might have a way to help you win her over," Zu Zong said, putting on an air of mystique.
Oscar's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. "Tell me, quick!"
"Look here." Zu Zong pointed to his own eyes.
Oscar didn't understand but instinctively looked into Zu Zong's eyes, their gazes locking.
"Genjutsu—Sharingan."
As he spoke, Zu Zong's eyes briefly closed and then reopened—now a vivid red, with three tomoe spinning counterclockwise in his pupils.
After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Zu Zong and Oscar returned to the luxury private room.
Zu Zong scanned the room and saw that most people had eaten their fill and many were now thoroughly drunk.
The ones who drank the most were Flender and Zhao Wuji. They couldn't stop praising Zu Zong's century-aged spirit wine. Even Yu Xiaogang had drunk a fair amount.
Fortunately, Flender and Zhao Wuji were both at the Spirit Sage level, so they could still handle themselves. It was Yu Xiaogang who looked the most out of sorts.
Zu Zong said to Flender, "Dean Flender, everyone's had quite a bit to drink. I've booked rooms for everyone—why not just stay at the hotel tonight?"
Flender scratched his head with an embarrassed smile. "Isn't that a bit much? You'll end up spending a lot."
He was well aware of how expensive this hotel was.
"But I've already paid. If no one stays, it'll just go to waste," Zu Zong said while casually flipping a room card in his hand.
Quick as a flash, Flender snatched the card from his hand. "No need to waste it, no need at all!"
In the end, Flender and Zhao Wuji shared a room. Yu Xiaogang got one to himself. Ma Hongjun and Oscar shared another. Ning Rongrong got a private room. Zhu Zhuqing returned to the Rose Hotel with Zu Zong, Xiao Wu, and Ye Lingling. The rest of the Huangdou team had their own accommodations—some even staying in the same hotel.
Before leaving, Zu Zong watched Oscar help Yu Xiaogang into a room, a strange smile curling at the corner of his lips. He hoped Yu Xiaogang would enjoy this special gift.
Earlier, outside the door, Zu Zong had secretly planted a small genjutsu on Oscar and gave him a third of the paired He River water. With Yu Xiaogang drunk and sure to feel thirsty, he would naturally drink the "sweet water" Oscar prepared.
And even if he didn't drink it willingly, Oscar would make sure he did.
As for Ma Hongjun, Zu Zong had a fairly good impression of him. Though a bit of a womanizer, he had a righteous heart when it mattered. So, Zu Zong helped him into his room without playing any tricks.
Over the years, as Zu Zong's spirit power increased, his Sharingan hadn't evolved into the Mangekyō, but its ocular power had far surpassed what it once was.
With Zu Zong's spiritual and soul power both far exceeding Oscar's, controlling him was a breeze. By the time everything fell into place, Oscar wouldn't even realize anything was amiss—he'd simply believe he looked after a drunk Yu Xiaogang that night.
Zu Zong could already imagine how dramatic it would be when Yu Xiaogang discovered he was pregnant sometime later.
But that's a story for another time.
On the other side, Zu Zong and his group exited the Soto Grand Hotel and strolled leisurely along the street.
Zu Zong carried the drunken Xiao Wu on his back, inwardly sighing—what a glutton she was, mistaking wheat beer for carrot juice. He let his guard down for one moment, and she ended up drunk.
At the same time, someone who wasn't supposed to be there had appeared beside him—Ning Rongrong.
Zu Zong looked at her, frowning slightly. "Miss Ning, didn't I already get you a room? Why are you tagging along?"
He had finally seized an opportunity to have Zhu Zhuqing stay with him. Xiao Wu had coincidentally gotten drunk as well. He hadn't planned to go further with Zhu Zhuqing tonight—he didn't have the heart for that—but just sleeping beside her would have been nice. After all, after tonight, it would be months before they saw each other again.
But now, thanks to Ning Rongrong's meddling, coaxing his little kitty into the room was clearly out of the question.
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed pink. She herself didn't know why, but when she heard that Zhu Zhuqing was returning to the Rose Hotel with Zu Zong, she had impulsively insisted on coming too. She handed her extra room card to Oscar.
Her face still blushing, Ning Rongrong pouted. "I-I was just afraid you'd bully Zhuqing."
Zu Zong rolled his eyes. How could that be considered bullying between husband and wife? That was called intimacy—did she even understand?
He shifted the topic with a mischievous glint in his eye, teasing her, "Then aren't you afraid I'll bully you?"
"Ah! You scoundrel! If you dare touch me, I'll have Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone kill you!" Ning Rongrong flushed even redder, clutching her chest protectively.
Zu Zong twitched at the corner of his mouth and frowned a little. He really didn't want to see Ning Fengzhi, that old fox. He knew full well that his little tricks might not work on someone like him—and who knew when he'd get schemed against. He clicked his tongue and muttered, "No need to cover up. No butt, no chest. You've got nothing on my Zhuqing. I'm not interested in you."
"Zhuqing, did you hear that? Did you hear what he said?" The moment Ning Rongrong heard him say she had no chest or backside, it was like someone touched her reverse scale. She instantly flared up like a furious kitten, waving her arms and pointing accusingly.
Zhu Zhuqing simply nodded, unfazed. She was used to it. Zu Zong often made such lewd jokes when they were dating. What truly warmed her heart was that line: "You've got nothing on my Zhuqing. I'm not interested in you."
To be honest, having Xiao Wu around already made Zhu Zhuqing feel conflicted. But she couldn't bring herself to force Zu Zong to cut off ties with Xiao Wu. Though he never said it outright, she could tell that Zu Zong cared deeply for Xiao Wu—no less than he cared for her.
Zhu Zhuqing was a sentimental woman. She knew that Zu Zong genuinely liked her, and she genuinely liked him too. Otherwise, their relationship wouldn't have come together so naturally in the first place.
Although she had a good relationship with Ning Rongrong, she didn't want her involved in this dynamic.
Zhu Zhuqing said, "That's just how Xiao Zong is—don't take it to heart."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong gave her a helpless look. It seemed her best friend had fallen completely.
As for Ye Lingling, she remained cold and silent the entire time. Occasionally, she glanced at Zu Zong, who was carrying Xiao Wu, with a complicated expression in her eyes.
As for Ma Hongjun—no need to poke fun at him. Even brothel phoenixes have it tough.
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/anish_44