Chapter 161: Grandma Tavern

Wang Zhuoyong glanced at Xiao Zongting, only to see Xiao Zongting sitting there with a cold face, not saying a word.

Xiao Zongting's gaze swept over the large puddle of vomit at Liang Wu's feet, and at this moment, the nauseating stench of alcohol had also drifted over with the wind; Xiao Zongting frowned, thinking to himself: Could it really be that Liang Wu was still hungover and unsteady on his feet, which allowed Duan Rong to easily dodge his attack?

Duan Rong had only moved twice just now, and he had not seen it very clearly.

"Perhaps it was just a coincidence." Xiao Zongting finally reached a judgment; he swept a glance at Duan Rong, who was standing alone on the arena, and dismissed the matter from his mind.

Seeing a flicker in Xiao Zongting's eyes, Wang Zhuoyong immediately asked with a look of shame: "Xiao Lao, should we draw lots again? As for this Liang Wu, I will certainly punish him severely when I go down!"

Wang Zhuoyong felt somewhat awkward at this moment; he had originally thought that even if Liang Wu had drunk some alcohol, he would not be unable to defeat an Intern Escort; he truly had not expected that Duan Rong, just like Sun Huang, had already achieved the Internal Breath Second Stage during his internship.

Xiao Zongting pondered for a moment and said: "If we draw again, I fear it would not conform to the procedure."

Judging by Xiao Zongting's meaning, this match would just pass like this.

Duan Rong was from the Second Escort Team; Sun Huang found it difficult to speak on such matters, but Li Gu, who was sitting next to Sun Huang, laughed and said: "Liang Wu is, after all, at the Internal Breath Second Stage; even if he was still hungover, being knocked off the arena in a single exchange speaks for itself!"

Besides echoing Xiao Zongting's sentiment, Li Gu actually had his own little agenda; if they were to draw again and it happened to be an Escort from his Fifth Escort Team, and if the Escort from his team were to be defeated by Duan Rong, wouldn't he be the one losing face!

"I also feel there is no need to compete again." Zhao Meng clearly shared the same sentiment as Li Gu.

Wang Zhuoyong's gaze swept over Sun Huang, but Sun Huang's lips were tightly shut, with no intention of speaking; he sighed and said: "Then... let it be so..."

Wang Zhuoyong felt quite regretful at this moment; when Xiao Zongting first made things difficult for Liang Wu, he should not have intervened; at that time, after Xiao Zongting disciplined Liang Wu, he surely would have redrawn; now that Liang Wu had already gone onto the arena and the match had been fought, redrawing indeed posed a procedural problem.

Wang Zhuoyong now truly wished he could slap himself; he turned his head to look at Liang Wu, his eyes so furious they could shoot fire.

Liang Wu was already standing there with a face full of frustration, and upon noticing Wang Zhuoyong's gaze, he wished even more that he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into...

Several Miscellaneous Disciples responsible for cleaning quickly swept away the puddle of vomit from Liang Wu; Liang Wu took advantage of the Miscellaneous Disciples sweeping the floor and snuck away...

Duan Rong's martial examination was thus considered passed.

Next, the martial examinations for Zong Yong and Zhao Mu proceeded as usual, without any accidents, and after the evaluation, both passed.

Thus, this year's May 15th assessment for Intern Escorts to become official was concluded.

Following this, Duan Rong, Zong Yong, and Zhao Mu stood on the arena, and Xiao Zongting issued them the full Secret Manual of the Five Tigers Flock of Sheep Saber and exchanged their Escort Waist Tokens for those of Official Escorts!

Duan Rong and Zong Yong were still composed, but Zhao Mu was already somewhat overcome with joy.

After it ended, the crowd dispersed, and Xiao Zongting also limped away; only then did the three of them walk off the arena.

Just as Duan Rong stepped off the arena, Sun Huang walked over and said with a smile: "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Escort Head, for your cultivation!" Duan Rong said happily.

"The one who cultivated you is Xiao Lao, and your team's master, Xiao Yu. I just picked up the ready-made results." Sun Huang laughed and said: "Also, it is the tradition of the Escort Team that newly promoted Escorts must treat everyone to a meal and drinks."

Duan Rong said: "That sounds great; I was just thinking of gathering with everyone."

Sun Huang smiled and said: "We usually go to the Grandma Tavern in a nearby alley. The food and drink are affordable, and the prices are fair."

Duan Rong's heart stirred; he knew that place, but it was somewhat simple and dilapidated; he had originally planned to treat everyone to a good meal, but looking at Sun Huang's faint smile, he immediately understood his meaning—following the crowd was the safest path to avoid any suspicion of showing off.

"Then the Grandma Tavern it is." Duan Rong smiled.

Watching Duan Rong's expression, Sun Huang patted his shoulder and said: "At the You hour this evening, I will bring everyone over."

After Sun Huang finished speaking, he turned and left.

Duan Rong watched Sun Huang depart, his eyes fixed on the Ox-Tail Saber at Sun Huang's waist, and he muttered to himself: "Escort Head Sun's tolerance for alcohol doesn't seem very good..."

In the evening, just as the You hour arrived, Duan Rong had already ordered the food and drinks at the Grandma Tavern in that dilapidated alley, sitting and waiting for his colleagues from the Second Escort Team.

Although the dishes had not yet been served, eight large jars of strong liquor were already placed by the table; Duan Rong sat there drinking tea alone, and before he had even finished one cup, Sun Huang had already led everyone inside.

"Escort Duan Rong, congratulations, congratulations!" Two Escort Runners, Tang Dejin and Ren Tiewa, were the first to congratulate Duan Rong.

The others also immediately surrounded Duan Rong to offer their congratulations.

Duan Rong smiled and cupped his hands in return.

After everyone took their seats, Duan Rong noticed that the people from the Second Escort Team had basically all arrived, except for Xiao Yu.

Sun Huang noticed Duan Rong's gaze sweeping over the crowd and explained: "When I went to inform Xiao Yu, I was stopped by Old Master Xiao. He said that in March of next year, Xiao Yu will participate in the Taiyi Sect's triennial selection for Registered Disciples, so he must seize every moment now to practice diligently. All social engagements are exempted."

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat. "March of next year?"

As the saying goes, the speaker has no intention, but the listener does; Duan Rong had long intended to participate in next year's Taiyi Sect Registered Disciple selection assessment, because once he missed next year, he would have to wait another three years.

Yao Liangrong chimed in: "It seems to be said that the Manager will step in, and by the end of the year, he will secure a selection spot for both Xiao Yu and Luan Bao."

Shao Yongping said: "The Manager is really bleeding money this time; for one spot, it seems he has to pay the Taiyi Sect thirty thousand silver coins as a Head Fee."

"Alright! Stop discussing the Manager behind his back." Sun Huang suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Yao Liangrong and Shao Yongping immediately shut their mouths; Duan Rong sighed slightly in his heart, as he had just been wanting to hear more about this matter.

The crowd had already taken their seats, and the dishes were soon served: braised lamb leg, stir-fried beef, pig head meat—every dish was a hearty one.

Duan Rong broke the wine seals and first poured a bowl for Sun Huang.

Then, starting from Sun Huang, he went around and toasted everyone.

Although this tavern was simple, Duan Rong had provided enough silver beforehand and had specifically instructed the tavern to serve the best wine and food.

After the toasts were finished, everyone began to eat and drink freely.

During this time, Duan Rong found an excuse and opportunity to toast Sun Huang two more bowls; seeing Duan Rong's diligence, the others naturally did not want to be outdone and all sought to toast Sun Huang; Sun Huang, whose alcohol tolerance was not good to begin with, soon became dead drunk.

The food and drink were potent, and everyone was basically high; Luo Fang grabbed Duan Rong's hand and sighed, saying: "Duan Rong, becoming an Escort is a good thing. But brother wants to tell you, making a living by fighting and killing is truly not easy!"

As Luo Fanglong spoke, he poured another large gulp of strong liquor down his throat... almost choking to the point of tears...

The bitterness of these men of the Jianghu was usually suppressed in the deepest parts of their hearts, not daring to be easily revealed; only when drunk could they vent it.

All eight jars of liquor were drunk to the bottom, and the dishes on the table were also eaten clean; the crowd dispersed drunkenly, and Duan Rong and Luo Fanglong sent the dead-drunk Sun Huang home.

(End of chapter)