Chapter 93: with translation of chapter title

After Qi and Taiyi entered Pan Wang's cave dwelling together, Pan Wang did not rush to change his robes; instead, he beforehand took out various spiritual fruits and fine wine for the two to enjoy.

After the two had seated themselves, he then apologized and went to change his clothes on his own.

Such warm and hospitable attitude made Qi and Taiyi feel that this person was an unequivocal choice for friendship.

After a moment, Pan Wang finished changing, stepped forward, and appeared wearing a blue cloth headband, flat-topped with no pendants, an ancient bronze-colored crossed-collar robe, and wide-legged trousers.

He wore a blue sash, his robe featured a large collar, wide sleeves, embroidered with peach blossoms, a broad face and large ears, displaying a vigorous and spirited bearing.

Seeing Pan Wang now, Qi noted that his appearance was completely different from before, now fully displaying the bearing of a divine path, with the full regional character of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

Qi and Taiyi could not help but praise:

"Such a fine appearance—truly that of a divine person."

Upon hearing this, the previously mighty and divine Pan Wang actually blushed.

Pan Wang, upon first meeting Qi and Taiyi, felt their attire was noble and their bearing exalted; his own appearance at the time was lacking, so he wanted to change into a set of beautiful clothes he liked, lest he lose face.

Since first meeting Yuan Feng, he had prepared this outfit, hoping to look good when they met again; this was also the first time he wore it before outsiders, yet he never expected them to praise it so highly.

In the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, sentient beings are scarce, and mountain gods rarely meet; most are inactive and indifferent to such things, yet now it made him feel a bit shy, though he was also quite delighted.

"You two friends are overpraising; don't flatter me. Being in a remote place, I received you hastily, and my hospitality was rather simple—please don't disdain it, and come, let's drink wine."

Pan Wang's words left Qi and Taiyi somewhat surprised; gazing at the hundreds of spiritual fruits before them, most of which they had never seen, they thought, "This is also considered simple?"

"Friend, don't be modest—such generous treatment cannot be simple. Please drink first, Pan Wang friend."

Qi hurriedly interrupted Pan Wang's self-deprecation, saying, "With so many kinds of spiritual melons and fruits, if this is still considered simple, then my earlier offering of lotus seeds to guests would amount to nothing."

Taiyi also wore a strange gaze, occasionally glancing at Qi; on his sun star there was only mulberry fruit, and facing the variety of melons and fruits here, he didn't even know where to begin, which to eat first.

"This too, I have been remiss in hospitality, actually forgetting that the guests were weary from travel and thirsty; let's first drink wine."

Pan Wang did not notice Qi and Taiyi's abnormality; instead, he also joined the banquet and drank together with them.

Upon first tasting this wine, Qi and Taiyi found it sweet and delicious, entering the mouth smoothly like fruit wine, with no apparent effect, and they gradually drank without restraint.

Only when Qi saw several Taiyi slumped over the stone table did he realize something was seriously wrong.

Taking advantage of still being somewhat clear-headed, Qi asked the likewise dazed Pan Wang:

"How is this wine brewed, and why is its potency so great?"

In his haze, Qi heard Pan Wang seemingly saying something like, "I brewed it from a hundred fruits; it has no strength, drinking it does not intoxicate."

By the time Qi sobered from the wine, he already lay upon a jade bed, while another jade bed held Taiyi still deep in sleep.

Beside them was the stone table where they had drunk, yet the earlier chaotic scene was no longer visible.

Qi sat on the jade bed, trying to recall what had happened, but he only remembered the three of them continually exchanging cups, never pausing.

After another moment, Taiyi finally awoke from his deep sleep, only to hear him say:

"How did I end up lying here? Qi, where is Pan Wang friend?"

Qi had nothing to say.

After a good while, Qi slowly replied:

"I don't know; I just woke up myself."

While Qi waited for Taiyi's response, he saw Taiyi again dazedly lie down, now sleeping soundly.

Qi realized this was the first time he felt so speechless toward Taiyi; he shook his head, forced himself to wake fully, and sat upright on the jade bed to cultivate meditation.

His primordial spirit examined itself and found the divine body and power fully replenished; the hidden injuries that had never been healed during prior cultivation and sparring had already recovered unnoticed.

"Pan Wang friend's wine actually has such an effect!"

Qi couldn't help but sigh, and lost the inclination to cultivate; he immediately left the cave, feeling the sunlight bathe his body, and only then did he sense a hint of being alive again.

Qi wandered in the courtyard for a while, not seeing Pan Wang friend return, nor feeling anxious; with a wave of his hand he changed into another set of robes.

He then walked to the mountain stream beside the courtyard, reached out to touch the flowing water, sensed its rhythm, and thus sat leisurely on a large rock by the bank.

Until night fell, Qi finally saw Taiyi emerge from the cave, yet he still appeared not fully awake, somewhat listless.

Taiyi lacked Qi's interest in playing with water; instead, he directly placed his feet in the mountain stream, and after a moment he let out a long sigh, exclaiming:

"Pan Wang friend's wine is truly terrifying; without realizing it, we all became drunk."

Qi nodded in agreement, and following Taiyi he also stood with his feet in the water, hesitating a moment before saying:

"Perhaps we can bring some back; Fuxi, Nüwa, and Di Jun have not yet tasted such fine wine—we ought to bring it for them to sample."

As soon as Qi's words fell, Taiyi wholeheartedly agreed:

"It is only right; such fine wine ought to be shared with them."

Until the bright moon rose, Pan Wang returned carrying a huge game animal; from afar he saw Qi and Taiyi standing in the water conversing, and he did not approach to disturb them, but waited quietly until they finished their exchange before coming forward.

Although he was at a distance, the wind carried their conversation to him, and for a moment he actually felt pity for those three friends he had never met.

"Why are you two friends chatting here in the cold stream? It would be better to gather by the fire, eat some roasted meat, and warm your bodies."

Before Pan Wang arrived in person, his voice came ahead; Qi and Taiyi exchanged smiles and walked together toward his direction.

"Qi friend, Taiyi friend, the bright moon hangs high, yet the sky is still full of stars; such a beautiful scene calls for a few more drinks."

Qi and Taiyi had not yet arrived, and the words about drinking in moderation later had not even been spoken when they were interrupted.

The smiles on their faces had not yet faded when they heard Pan Wang's words, and they momentarily stiffened, their steps toward him slowing.

"Pan Wang friend, perhaps it's best not to drink today."

Qi's voice sounded stiff; he was indeed a little afraid, for this experience of drinking to the point of insensibility was still rather rare and good.

Pan Wang understood Qi's thought, but merely laughed heartily:

"Friend, please rest assured; today we will not drink too much, but we can drink to our heart's content."

Only then did Qi let out a breath of relief.

Pan Wang, however, thought:

"Yes, drink to your heart's content, but if you get drunk later, that's none of his concern."

(End of chapter)