In the brightly lit cave dwelling, Qi Qingsong was bleary-eyed with drunkenness.
He sat lazily on a wooden chair, swinging his crossed legs, sipping wine while voicing his thoughts.
Next to him, on a straw cushion, Pang Jian leaned against the hard rock wall, silently drinking without uttering a word.
Qi Qingsong, drunk as a lord, seemed intent on pouring out all the pent-up frustrations accumulated over the years.
He began by reminiscing about how glorious he had been as an Inner Sect Disciple, and how much the Sword Tower had valued him.
He then talked about his demotion to an Outer Sect Disciple and the disgusting behavior of his former fellow disciples in the Inner Gate.
Pang Jian, usually reticent, played the role of a good listener well.
He listened patiently to Qi Qingsong recount his past.
In doing so, he learned that Qi Qingsong had been sullen and unhappy for a long time before entering Bagua City for his trial.
