Chapter 97: Could it be that I

Streets near the Central Square of the Imperial Capital.

Chu Ruoyan and Wu Nanzhi quickly caught up.

Both of them now looked at Li Chen with stars in their eyes.

Like two obsessed fangirls chasing a star.

Wu Nanzhi knew Li Chen was strong, but she never imagined he could be this powerful.

She was growing increasingly curious about who exactly Li Chen was.

Li Chen’s sword strike left Chu Ruoyan utterly spellbound.

She desperately wanted to drag Li Chen back and fight him three hundred more rounds.

Let Li Chen use that endless sword intent to fill the emptiness in her heart!

Meanwhile, Xiao Ming, who was on duty nearby, sensed a powerful energy fluctuation at the combat arena and rushed over.

When he arrived, he thought he saw the woman he longed for in the chaotic crowd—and not just one, but two.

Just as he tried to push through, he was swept away by the frenzied crowd scrambling for weapons.

Even declaring he was an official did no good; no one cared at a time like this.

When he looked back at the direction he’d seen them, there was nothing there.

“Strange… did I miss her so much I started seeing illusions?”

He searched everywhere but found no trace of Chu Ruoyan.

Xiao Ming believed this because he’d also just seen that unknown goddess standing with Chu Ruoyan.

As Chu Ruoyan’s longtime admirer, he knew her circle well—there was no such person.

So it must be that he was imagining things.

“Better go finish the task Master Pang assigned me. If I can secure him as a patron, I can walk sideways in the Imperial Capital!”

With that thought, Xiao Ming resumed his duties.

His assignment was to tail a mid-level official from the Ministry of Justice in plain clothes.

On the other side, Xu Zifeng was driven out of his home early that morning by his aunt.

His aunt’s reason: “You’re young—why stay home doing nothing? Don’t you have any ambition?”

Xu Zifeng didn’t understand why, but seeing his aunt’s complexion grow ever rosier, and the way her every gesture exuded allure, he dared not stay in the mansion.

As usual, he took a long detour to the wine shop for intelligence.

As soon as he entered, he saw a towering middle-aged man standing quietly in one corner.

His skin was dark, yet beneath it lay an indescribable sense of power—likely from cultivating a unique technique.

When their eyes met, even Xu Zifeng felt a sudden pang of unease.

The man wore a black robe made of unknown material, embroidered with intricate witch-cult totems.

Merely standing there, he radiated an indescribable aura of dominance.

His subordinates, sensing his overwhelming presence, instinctively kept their distance.

“No wonder he’s an heir of the Witch-Cult Holy Land—his presence is truly extraordinary.”

Sensing the man’s terrifying strength, Xu Zifeng was extremely courteous.

Xu Zifeng himself was at the Mid-Stage of the Six Harmonies Realm, already a top-tier prodigy.

But this man was at least at the Heaven’s Abyss Realm—two realms higher—and he was also Xu Zifeng’s father’s strategic ally, so Xu Zifeng adopted this tone.

“Your Highness flatters me. The Witch King sent me to assist Your Highness—anything you need, just give the order.”

True masters are often plain and unassuming. Li Chen’s slap had always been his shadow.

With his helper finally here, Xu Zifeng’s confidence grew, and his shadow began to fade.

After chatting a while, Xu Zifeng learned his name was Ma Hei—true to his name, he was indeed very dark.

Xu Zifeng knew well: to get someone to do you a favor, you must treat them well first.

Ma Hei had never been to the Imperial Capital—he couldn’t just be thrown into work right away.

So Xu Zifeng decided to take him to get new clothes first; his current attire was too conspicuous and would draw attention from the city guards, then treat him to a lavish meal at the capital’s most luxurious restaurant to welcome him.

Zui Xian Tower was undoubtedly an old-established establishment and one of the capital’s landmarks.

It also advertised heavily: “If you come to the Imperial Capital and don’t visit Zui Xian Tower, you’ve come in vain.”

So many visitors from afar wanted to see just how miraculous Zui Xian Tower truly was.

Such places must have specialties—Zui Xian Tower’s specialty was its winemaking craft.

Zui Xian Tower offered many wines, but the most famous by far was the peerless “Immortal Drunken Nectar.”

!

The “Immortal Drunken Nectar” was brewed using Zui Xian Tower’s exclusive secret method.

Its ingredients came from century-old spiritual fruits and millennium-old spiritual springs deep in the mountains, blended with rare herbs through eighty-one meticulous steps to produce this exquisite liquor.

Xu Zifeng deduced Ma Hei loved alcohol because, when he got close, he smelled the thick, murky stench of liquor on him—even if Ma Hei hadn’t drunk recently, years of heavy drinking had left the odor permanently embedded.

After all, Xu Zifeng was a prince, flush with wealth; even after being fined so many times by Lin Yue’e, it didn’t matter.

He immediately ordered several flasks of “Immortal Drunken Nectar” for Ma Hei.

At first, Ma Hei wondered why the prince was so stingy—just a few flasks?

Back in the Witch-Cult Holy Land, I drank from barrels!

When Xu Zifeng poured the crystal-clear liquor into delicate jade cups, a rich, intoxicating aroma surged forth, as if instantly awakening the deepest desires within one’s soul.

The scent made even Ma Hei, a seasoned drinker, swallow repeatedly.

Ma Hei eagerly took a tiny sip—the liquor slid like silk across his tongue, instantly turning into a warm stream that flooded his heart.

The taste was sweet and mellow, yet spicy and stimulating—truly a masterpiece.

Xu Zifeng seized the moment to say: “This Immortal Drunken Nectar isn’t just a fine wine—it’s an art, a luxury. Don’t think just a few flasks are few; each person is limited to one flask per day. If I weren’t who I am, they wouldn’t even give me extra.”

Xu Zifeng had often caused trouble here before, so he knew the owner and the head waiter well.

After all, he broke things and paid for them—he was a top customer!

Ma Hei laughed heartily and said: “Then I wish Your Highness and the Southern Pacifier King rise even higher—soon I’ll come here daily to drink!”

As a disciple of the Witch King of the Witch-Cult Holy Land, he naturally understood the Southern Pacifier King’s ambitions.

If the Southern Pacifier King rose one step higher, wouldn’t that make him Emperor?

Xu Zifeng raised his cup: “Of course, of course—once our mission is done, drink as much as you like!”

The two grew increasingly compatible, soon addressing each other as brothers.

Xu Zifeng didn’t casually call anyone brother.

Ma Hei’s rank might make him the next Witch King.

His status was roughly equal to Xu Zifeng’s—he was worthy of being called brother.

After three rounds of drinks, they decided to head back.

As they descended the stairs, several people blocked their path.

These people weren’t deliberately blocking Xu Zifeng—they seemed to be heading upstairs to dine.

Since arriving in the Imperial Capital, Xu Zifeng had never yielded the way to anyone.

Coincidentally, the man below had never yielded the way either!

(End of Chapter)