At that moment, the waiter returns with another round, hesitantly placing the cups on the table before quickly making his way back to the counter.
I reach for mine, but I don't drink. I raise it in Tan Wei's direction.
''To your father, Sect Master Tan.''
I say solemnly, showing my 'sincerity' and respect to Tan's father.
''A man who gave his life for family and sect deserves not just mine, but everyone's respect.''
I clink my cup gently against his before taking a slow sip, letting my actions speak louder than the words.
Tan Wei studies me for a long moment, then nods, raising his own cup and drinking it with matching pace.
''Xu Cheng… you speak well for one who has lost so much.''
His tone is calm, almost measured.
''A man without a home, wandering, searching for a place to call his own. Perhaps you and I are not so different.''
He leans in, voice dropping low but steady.
''Tiger Peak is not what it used to be. My disciples run around making a mess out of the place. I cannot hold them down alone. A man like you...A man who knows loss, yet still raises a cup with respect...Such a man could find more than a second home there.''
He sets his palm flat on the table, meeting my gaze directly.
''I know this is sudden, but join me, Xu Cheng. I'm not asking you to be a disciple, that would be unfitting your talent, and disrespectful to my father.''
His scarred eye narrows, finger tapping on the empty cup.
''I know your cultivation is either not less than mine, or very close to it. Otherwise, it would be impossible to hide it from me. A man like you… you could help me bring my father's wishes to life. We could restore Tiger Peak to what it once was...No...We can soar much higher than ever before.''
I part my lips, hesitation written all across my face.
''Sect Master Tan, I-''
''Don't refuse so quickly, Xu Cheng. Please, hear me out.''
His palm spreads open, as if offering me the world itself. His tone turning from solemn to excited, as if the opportunity he's been waiting for appeared right in front of him.
''Fame, riches, resources, women... you'll have them all. Spirit stones, rare manuals, alchemy, weapons… whatever you need, Tiger Peak can provide. Well...to a reasonable degree.''
He exhales through his nose, shaking his head as his smile quickly fades.
''But I'll speak plain. My own talent is limited. I've long since realized that I will never reach the heights my father dreamed of. And what's worse, I have no heir, nor someone who can pick up the torch once I can no longer bear it…''
His scarred eye fixes on me, steady and full of resolve.
''That is why I need someone like you, Xu Cheng. Someone with the strength and talent to make this dream a reality.''
I sit still for a long moment, staring into the empty cup of mine. My eyes eventually lift up, meeting the Tan's gaze directly.
''Sect Master Tan…''
My voice is calm, but there's a sliver of hesitation beneath it.
''If this is truly what you want, then I'll do it. I'll join you.''
My fingers tighten around the empty cup, my voice wavering with each word I speak.
''But I must warn you, Sect Master Tan. I'm not the man you think I am. I've failed my family before, and there's no saying it won't happen again. If I disappoint you, if I cannot bear the expectations you place on me, perhaps Tiger peak will suffer more, not less.''
I shake my head slowly, the hesitation clear in my tone.
''Nonsense!''
His voices reverberates across the inn, casting aside my doubts with the force of conviction.
''You're exactly the man I need, Xu Cheng. What comes after failure defines you, not the failure itself.''
He slams his palm against the table, the table nearly breaking under the sheer force. He's grinning wide for the first time in hours.
''Waiter! More cups! Bring the most expensive alcohol you have, and bring plenty of it!''
The waiter jumps from behind the counter, nodding furiously at his words. Moments later, he walks towards our table with hands full of bottles.
Tan Wei claps me on the shoulder with enough force to 'shove' my body slightly to the side, and with a face full of smiles, he raises his cup.
''Tonight, we drink as brothers of Tiger Peak!''
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[STATUS]
[Name: Han Ye]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Terror Manifestation Realm - Late Stage ▸ Qi Condensation - Early Stage]
[Fear Points: 3 691]
[Trauma: +523/day]
[Infamy: +24/day]
[Fear Points needed for the next stage: 6 000]
[Techniques: Shadowless Step, Thousand Faces Arts (incomplete), Silent Pulse Breathing, Crow Shroud Technique]