A hangover was never pleasant.
When Ji Ming woke up the next morning, it felt as if his head were about to split open.
"I've been ruined by wine and indulgence… I look haggard beyond belief. From today onward—no more drinking!"
Rubbing his temples, Ji Ming made a groggy vow of sobriety. He never even liked alcohol in the first place. Last night had been an exception—he'd simply been too happy after reuniting with his sworn brothers.
…But wait.
A few drinks?
More like a few jars!
Damn it. Those bastards had no sense of brotherly virtue at all—knowing full well he couldn't hold his liquor, yet they'd kept pushing drinks on him. And in the end, not a single one of them even bothered to walk him home.
Hold on.
Ji Ming clearly remembered staggering back to the courtyard while drunk, so why was he now lying neatly on a bed? And why was he wearing only a plain white sleeping robe?
Someone had taken care of him.
Could it have been that Wangsheng attendant—the one who always called herself "not worth mentioning"?
"Stop overthinking. I told Old Meng to look after you. You were pitiful last night—no one escorting you home—so I reluctantly helped you part of the way."
Ji Ming turned his head.
There sat Hu Tao, by the window-side desk, holding a book titled Records of Sinking Autumn and Fallen Swords. She was still dressed in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's signature outfit, a hereditary Taiji Trigram Hat perched on her head.
She yawned repeatedly, clearly uninterested in the book itself. The moment she noticed Ji Ming was awake, she looked straight at him.
Ji Ming rubbed his eyes and sat up on the edge of the bed, smiling lazily.
"Then I truly must thank Director Hu. Helping up a lowly street rat like me—what a hardship for someone of your noble status."
"Tch—save the flattery. Since you're awake, drink this bowl of hangover soup. It's not cold yet."
Hu Tao had actually wanted to make the soup herself. Unfortunately, Old Meng and the attendants had blocked her at every turn, and even the ever-composed Zhongli had stepped in to dissuade her.
Is my cooking really that bad? she wondered gloomily.
Ji Ming lifted the porcelain bowl and downed it in one go. The temperature was just right—almost hot enough to scald.
Hu Tao tilted her head, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"You said you were drinking with friends last night, but Xiangling told me you don't usually have many friends at all."
That made sense. Xiangling only knew Ji Ming as a street con artist—she had no idea about his standing in the Old Nine Gates, or even that such a group existed.
"Old friends," Ji Ming replied casually. "I've been around the jianghu for years. There's a lot you two kids don't know."
Hu Tao turned her face aside and stuck out her tongue.
"I thought you only bragged when you were drunk. Turns out you brag sober too?"
Ji Ming pretended not to hear. He set the bowl aside, glanced at the bed and the surrounding furniture, and said,
"I'll pay you back for the furniture. Consider it bought."
"Being polite with me?" Hu Tao raised a brow.
"With our relationship, isn't that normal?"
…She had a point. They weren't childhood sweethearts like he was with Xiangling, nor were they just ordinary friends.
Hu Tao bared her little fang, flailing dramatically.
"No politeness allowed! If this Director wants to give it to you, you take it."
Ji Ming shook his head.
"I don't like owing favors. Please forgive me, Director Hu."
So stubborn, Hu Tao thought. Fine, do whatever you want. I've got more important things to ask anyway.
"Ji Ming—three years ago, did you get into a fight in an alley on Feiyun Slope?"
"Did I?" Ji Ming answered calmly as he grabbed clothes from the rack and began dressing. "Sorry, that was so long ago I can't really remember."
Once dressed, he bowed slightly.
"I've got a lot to take care of today, so I'll be going. In a few days I'll be hosting a housewarming banquet—I'll send you an invitation. Please come."
Hu Tao stared at him blankly, unable to tell whether he truly had forgotten or was merely pretending.
"I'll come," she said at last. "No need for formalities—we're friends, aren't we?"
"Yeah," Ji Ming replied softly. "That works."
Once outside, Ji Ming finally let out a breath.
Three years ago, he'd fought in countless places across Liyue Harbor—but that particular incident was something he'd never forgotten.
He had lied to Hu Tao again.
So what? He was a con artist—lying was second nature.
Yet when Hu Tao called them friends, a rare sense of guilt surfaced. Ji Ming didn't have many friends.
He owed her grandfather a debt of gratitude. And when you accepted someone's kindness, you repaid it in deeds. That was a rule he lived by.
Enough. No need to dwell on it.
Leaving the courtyard behind, Ji Ming set off with prepared invitations in hand. However, Cloud Retainer and Shenhe lived far from the harbor, so he decided to deliver theirs in person.
Before departing with Shenhe, Cloud Retainer had given him an adeptal talisman—one that allowed passage through adepti barriers. In danger, he could clutch it and shout; the nearest adeptus would come at once.
As Cloud Retainer's disciple, Ji Ming was naturally also a junior to the other adepti.
Without delay, he set off.
As someone who had roamed Liyue for years—earning the nickname Frivolous Wanderer—Ji Ming knew the wilderness paths by heart. Before long, he reached Guili Plains.
Once-prosperous lands now lay in ruins. Ji Ming felt a flicker of emotion but didn't slow his pace. Turning left at the fork ahead would lead him to Jueyun Karst.
Turning right, meanwhile, led to Wangshu Inn—a traveler's haven, rumored among underground circles to double as an intelligence node linked to the Tianquan.
Hilichurls roamed the wilds in packs. Ji Ming detoured cautiously and returned to the main road, stopping at a camp to replenish his water.
From atop a tree, hidden among dense leaves, a handsome young man silently observed Ji Ming.
"Adeptal aura…"
Ji Ming's nose twitched. He turned—
—and spotted the expressionless youth perched above. Startled, his hand slipped, sending the water flask spinning in a perfect arc before crashing into the fire pit, water splashing everywhere.
Zero points for that dive.
Realizing he might've scared him, the youth blinked next to Ji Ming in an instant, arms crossed.
"You carry the aura of the adepti."
Ji Ming picked up his dented flask, drained the remaining water, and replied,
"I'm newly taken in as a disciple by Cloud Retainer. May I ask—which martial uncle are you?"
Appearing out of nowhere like that—if not an adeptus, then what, a ghost?
The youth answered calmly.
"Xiao. Guardian Yaksha under the Geo Lord. Mortals prefer to call me the Conqueror of Demons. Call me what you like."
Ji Ming understood at once.
Ah. That Xiao.
Not widely worshipped among the people—after all, he didn't bring wealth or fortune. He'd likely sensed the adeptal aura.
Damn it… I didn't prepare an invitation for Uncle Xiao.
"Well—Uncle Xiao," Ji Ming coughed lightly, "it's my housewarming banquet in a few days. Location's Feiyun Slope, right next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I hope you'll grace us with your presence."
Xiao shook his head.
"Call me Xiao. I dislike noisy places. Where are you headed, and why are you on the Guili Plains?"
"I'm going to visit my master and senior sister," Ji Ming replied. "To inform them about the banquet."
Xiao stepped closer, sized up Ji Ming's height, and gestured for him to lower his head. He placed a hand on Ji Ming's shoulder.
The world blurred.
When Ji Ming regained his senses, they were already in Jueyun Karst, the central lake spread out clearly below.
But his attention wasn't on the scenery.
He replayed the moment just now… then subtly glanced at Xiao.
Did Uncle Xiao… just tiptoe?
Xiao shot him a cold look.
"Hmph. Disrespectful junior."
"Ahem—my apologies, Martial Uncle Xiao. Your nephew was out of line."
Ji Ming laughed awkwardly. He hadn't expected Xiao to sense his thoughts—truly an adeptus of immense power.
Xiao didn't correct the form of address again. His figure flickered and vanished.
"Give my regards to Cloud Retainer."
Ji Ming cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted into the open wilderness.
"Uncle Xiao?! You're not coming to visit my master first?!"
Only echoes answered him.
Guess he really doesn't want to go.
"Disciple—raising your voice here and disturbing your master's peace. It seems Ganyu has yet to teach you proper etiquette."
Well then. One leaves, another arrives.
Ji Ming smiled and stepped forward.
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