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墨書 Inktalez
Finally, the birthday banquet of Fuxi and Nüwa ended in an atmosphere of eerie silence.
It was not until dusk that Ye Chuanze returned to Buzhou Mountain, reeking of alcohol. He had drunk quite a bit and felt fine at the time, but now the effects of the alcohol were kicking in, making his head feel a bit dizzy and his face flushed. He frowned and rubbed his forehead, calling for a servant, instructing, "Go prepare a set of clean clothes; I need to bathe soon."
The young servant complied and went to prepare the clothes.
When Ye Chuanze had chosen the site to build the Cave at Buzhou Mountain, he discovered a natural hot spring, which delighted him. However, since Ye Chuanze preferred not to bathe outdoors, he constructed a palace with a bathing pool inside, fed by water from that hot spring.
Ye Chuanze knelt beside the tea table as the servant brought over a pot of detoxifying tea. He poured himself a cup and held it with both hands, taking a few sips. The steam rising from the cup moistened his eyes, and the warm breath enveloped his face, causing his cheeks to feel even hotter. He felt as if his face was burning, yet his mind was surprisingly clear—more so than when he was sober.
However, Ye Chuanze knew he was truly drunk; he was merely forcing himself to stay awake. If he were given a bed right now... no, he didn't even need a bed; just relaxing his mind slightly would make him fall asleep instantly. Without a night's rest, he wouldn't be able to wake up.
Ye Chuanze finished the detoxifying tea in one go, feeling the warm liquid flow down his throat into his stomach. He squinted his eyes in enjoyment and reached for the teapot to pour himself another cup. He tried to use the tea to dispel some of the drunkenness so that he wouldn’t faint in the bathing pool later—that would be unfortunate.
After drinking several cups of tea, whether it was psychological or real, Ye Chuanze felt somewhat better than before. He knelt indoors, savoring the tea as white mist enveloped his eyes. Suddenly, he set down his teacup and casually picked up another cup from the tray beside him. He placed it on the opposite tea table, grasped the teapot handle with one hand, tilted it slightly, and let the pale green tea flow out from the spout.
After a moment, seeing that the cup was nearly full, Ye Chuanze withdrew his hand and set the teapot back in its place. Before him on the tea table sat a steaming cup of tea emitting white vapor.
"Are you not coming in? Do I need to personally invite you?" Ye Chuanze said in a low voice.
After a brief silence outside, there was a creak as the door opened.
Without needing to look up, Ye Chuanze already knew who had arrived by the familiar scent and presence.
"Why are you here? Today is your birthday, I thought you couldn't make it," Ye Chuanze said.
The visitor was Fuxi. Hearing Ye Chuanze's words, he smiled and replied, "The banquet has ended, and the guests have long since left. I have no more business here."
"Don't you need to accompany Nüwa?" Ye Chuanze asked again.
"Nüwa is having a small gathering with the Queen Mother of the West and the Heavenly Queen. I would only disturb their enjoyment," Fuxi said.
"That's true," Ye Chuanze agreed, "It's better for us men to stay away when women are talking." If women are compared to weapons, then a powerful woman is a deadly weapon; when three deadly weapons gather, it's best to avoid them if you don't want to get hurt.
"Ha!" The subtle tone in Ye Chuanze's voice made Fuxi chuckle softly.
"By the way, how did you get in?" Ye Chuanze questioned him, wondering how he managed to bypass the doorman.
"Of course, I walked in," Fuxi replied.
"I didn't mean that. I meant..." After a pause, Ye Chuanze continued, "Forget it, there's nothing much to ask."
"I was joking," Fuxi suddenly said.
"Huh?" Ye Chuanze responded with confusion.
Fuxi chuckled lightly and said, "I was just kidding; I climbed over the wall to get in."
"Eh!?" Ye Chuanze exclaimed in surprise, looking at him with disbelief as if he were meeting him for the first time. "You can do that? I thought you..."
"What's on your mind?" Fuxi asked with a smile.
"I thought you were a gentleman," Ye Chuanze replied.
"Am I not a gentleman now?" Fuxi asked.
"That's not quite what I meant. Never mind, let's not discuss that. Why didn't you let the attendant in to announce your arrival? The great war god of the demon clan sneaking in like this, what would people think?" Ye Chuanze said.
"It's too much trouble; I wanted to see you quickly," Fuxi said as he walked over and sat down across from him.
Hearing this, Ye Chuanze remarked with a hint of nostalgia, "It's rare to see you being so willful." He then scrutinized Fuxi's face, examining it closely.
"What? Is there something on my face?" Fuxi asked.
"No, I was just checking if you were drunk," Ye Chuanze replied, staring at him. Suddenly, he laughed and said, "Fuxi, you're actually drunk, aren't you?"
Upon hearing this, Fuxi appeared to ponder carefully for a moment before seriously stating, "I did drink quite a bit today, but I don't think I'm drunk."
Ye Chuanze chuckled lightly and refilled Fuxi's empty teacup, saying, "Regardless of whether you're drunk or not, drink this cup of tea."
Fuxi frowned at the filled teacup and seemingly complained, "This tea is bland; it's not as good as fine wine."
Ye Chuanze only smiled in response and didn't answer. He believed that Fuxi was indeed eight parts drunk; what reason was there to argue with a drunkard? It was completely pointless.
"It's already dark; what brings you here? I thought you would have gone to rest after drinking so much," Ye Chuanze said.
Fuxi frowned and retorted, "I'm not drunk."
"I didn't say you were," Ye Chuanze replied calmly. He was accustomed to dealing with drunks, always soothing them with their own words.
"Nuwa and the Queen Mother of the West and Heavenly Queen are gathering, so I thought I should come find you." Fuxi spoke somewhat aimlessly, but Ye Chuanze understood his meaning.
"Yes, that makes sense," Ye Chuanze nodded in agreement.
"From the beginning of the ancient world until now, it has been over ten thousand years. We have known each other for just as long," Fuxi said, looking at him with clear and profound black eyes. "The thing I am most proud of and satisfied with in my life is meeting you and forming a bond with you."
Ye Chuanze gazed back at him and replied slowly, "I feel the same way."
"Today is my birthday; I just want to have a drink with you," Fuxi stated.
"Then let's skip that. I don't want to be drunk and lose my senses; how about tea instead?" Ye Chuanze suggested.
Upon hearing this, Fuxi frowned and pondered for a long time before saying, "Having tea instead of wine lacks sincerity; that's not acceptable."
Seeing his firm refusal, Ye Chuanze couldn't help but twitch his lips. Indeed, a drunk had no reason. He gently replied, "Today is your birthday, and I'm happy for you. Out of joy, I had a few extra drinks during the day; I can't drink anymore now. Just one cup, and I'll be done for. You wouldn't want me to pass out without anyone to talk to you, would you?"
After listening, Fuxi showed a thoughtful expression, seemingly struggling between drinking or chatting. In the end, he nodded in concession. "Then take a break and drink some sobering tea. Come back when you're clear-headed."
Hearing this, Ye Chuanze twitched his lips again and said, "Alright, Your Majesty."
Fuxi frowned and corrected him, "I am not Your Majesty; that title belongs to Di Jun."
"Poof!" Ye Chuanze was amused by his witty remarks.
"You are the king, my king. King, I request to go take a bath for a while," Ye Chuanze coaxed him.
Fuxi pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Granted, but I want to go with you."
"Huh!? You want to come too?" Ye Chuanze exclaimed in surprise.
"Is that not allowed?" Fuxi frowned.
"...Fine, if the king says so, it must be done."
Ye Chuanze tricked Fuxi into drinking a few cups of sobering tea, and then was pulled by Fuxi to the hot spring for a bath.
Drunkards truly have no reason! Ye Chuanze thought to himself as he soaked completely naked in the outdoor hot spring in the back mountain, gritting his teeth.
Earlier, Ye Chuanze had brought Fuxi into the bathing area. Fuxi asked in confusion, "I remember there is a natural hot spring inside Cave. Why not go there for a bath?"
"I don't like outdoor hot springs; the water in this bathing area is sourced from that hot spring, so it's the same here," Ye Chuanze explained.
"Not the same," Fuxi countered with a frown. "Natural hot springs have unique terrain and elegant surroundings. Bathing there has its own charm. It cannot be compared to your constructed bathing area."
"..." Ye Chuanze thought to himself, seriously? A drunkard should act like one! Can't you just be a little more irresponsible? Have you ever seen a drunk person so coherent and reasonable?
No matter how much Ye Chuanze tried to persuade him, Fuxi remained adamant about going to the outdoor hot spring. It turned out that normal people really can't compete with drunkards; Fuxi's unexpected insistence and stubbornness while drunk were surprising. Ye Chuanze had no choice but to accompany him to the outdoor hot spring, leading to the scene where he was half-submerged in the hot spring water while cursing inwardly.
Fuxi pulled out the hairpin that held his hair up, allowing his long, black, smooth hair to cascade down, enhancing his elegant and handsome features. He was also completely naked, soaking in the hot spring, revealing his jade-like shoulders and delicately sensual collarbone.
Both Ye Chuanze and Fuxi had their eyes closed, relaxing in the hot spring, seemingly tired, with no one speaking. The hot spring was quiet, only the sound of the wind passing by and the faint chirping of crickets in the grass could be heard.
After about fifteen minutes, Ye Chuanze broke the silence. Leaning against the rocky wall of the hot spring with his eyes still closed, he lazily asked, "So, are you awake now?"
"Mm."
A faint response came from beside him. Ye Chuanze smirked, realizing that his friend had sobered up quite a bit from his drunken state.
"I never expected you to look like this when you're drunk," Ye Chuanze teased. "Surprisingly calm; if you weren't careful, one might not even notice you were drunk. And unexpectedly willful too—much cuter than usual."
There was a long pause before Fuxi finally spoke up. "Sorry for causing you trouble; it won't happen again."
"Huh? Why say that? I thought we were friends, so there's no need to be so polite," Ye Chuanze replied.
"I know, but there won't be a next time," came Fuxi's voice.
"I say, Fuxi, you don't have to hold yourself to such strict standards. It's not bad to get a little drunk occasionally; you're much cuter when you're tipsy than when you're sober," Ye Chuanze said lazily.
"..." Fuxi remained silent.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ye Chuanze asked. "You’re not... shy, are you?"
"I'm not!"
"Answering so quickly, you must be shy!" Ye Chuanze teased.
"..." This time, there was simply no response.
After a long silence, Ye Chuanze spoke again, "Speaking of apologies, I should be the one apologizing. I'm really sorry for messing up your and Nüwa's birthday banquet today."
"No need, it's not your fault," Fuxi replied.
"Indeed, it's that idiot Kitsunetsu's fault! I really don't know what he's thinking." Mentioning Kitsunetsu made Ye Chuanze furious; it was all this idiot's doing. He could easily imagine how the entire Primordial realm would spread rumors about him and Kitsunetsu tomorrow.
Seeing him seething with anger, Fuxi considered for a moment and said, "The Fox King wouldn't make a fuss over something like this."
"I know," Ye Chuanze said. "So there must be a big conspiracy behind his actions!"
Fuxi fell silent at this, unsure of how to continue the conversation. Ye Chuanze also fell quiet, and the hot spring was enveloped in silence. After waiting for a long time without hearing anything from Ye Chuanze, Fuxi suddenly realized something, opened his eyes, and turned to look.
Sure enough, he had fallen asleep.
Ye Chuanze had already drunk too much and had just been dealing with the drunken Fuxi. Now, soaking in the hot spring and relaxing his body, he quickly succumbed to sleep without realizing it.
Fuxi kept his eyes open, gazing at Ye Chuanze who was leaning against the hot spring's rock wall in slumber, not shifting his gaze for a long time.
After an unknown amount of time passed, Fuxi finally withdrew his gaze and moved his body. Having soaked for too long, he felt somewhat limp. However, he didn't mind at all; he suddenly stood up and walked over to Ye Chuanze, bending down to pick him up.
His eyes scanned the edge of the hot spring where two sets of clean clothes were placed—thoughtfully prepared by the attendants of Yunze Cave.
Fuxi frowned slightly and waved his hand, causing the clothes by the hot spring to fly over. Fuxi carefully dressed Ye Chuanze in one set of clothes while casually putting on another for himself. Then, holding Ye Chuanze, he walked towards his room. Fuxi was a regular at Yunze Cave, so he was naturally familiar with Ye Chuanze's room.
A young boy passing by saw Fuxi cradling their family's unconscious Real Person and couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise, mouth agape. Just as he was about to exclaim, Fuxi shot him a glance, and the boy wisely covered his mouth with his hand, making no sound.
The next day, Ye Chuanze woke up feeling quite satisfied. He stared blankly at his room for a long time, and after a while, his gaze cleared. "Strange... wasn't I in the hot spring yesterday? How did I suddenly end up in bed?" Ye Chuanze murmured, "Right, where is Fuxi?"
Ye Chuanze felt as if he had overlooked something very important. What could it be?
Outside the Thirty-Three Heavens, at Purple Cloud Palace.
The Purple-Clad Daoist sat inside the Pavilion with a chessboard in front of him. He placed a white piece down and softly said, "It's the second time."
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