[System: Special Quest Activated—"Drunken Trivia Duel"
Reward: 200 Credits + "Drinking Certification"
Risk: 99% Chance of Getting Wasted
Note: "This is hardly a typical celestial test…"]
"Fine!" Dare Drake Tran sat down across from Zhu Bajie. "Let's start: What is the Jade Emperor most afraid of?"
"Ha!" Zhu Bajie sneered. "Easy! It's the Queen Mother when she's angry! Even the cockroaches in the Heavenly Palace know that!"
[TinyFairy2k: "So the Jade Emperor… is afraid of his wife?"]
[Guest1810: "Heavenly gossip, LOL"]
[Viewers: 200,000+]
"My turn!" The Daoist's eyes sparkled with a sly grin. "Who is the only one who stole the Peaches of Immortality and didn't get punished?"
Dare recalled an old memory—catching Zhu Bajie in the act of stealing peaches, only for a "mysterious celestial maiden" to help him avoid the heavenly guards…
"It was…" Dare smiled. "It was you, thanks to that celestial maiden."
"Oh?" Zhu Bajie's eyes widened, suddenly more alert. "You even know about that?"
[CelestialPalace_001: "Ancient history… best left forgotten…"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "Some memories are better left sleeping…"]
The memories of wine-filled nights in the Celestial Court flooded Dare's mind. Laughter, idle chatter about the other gods, and even secret schemes that, even now, still made him wonder.
"Could it be…" Dare stared intently at Zhu Bajie. "Is my banishment somehow connected to those events from the past?"
"Alright!" The Daoist stood abruptly, knocking over a wine jar. "I believe it—you really are Dare Drake Tran! Only you would know about that!"
"Finally, you admit it…" Dare shook his head. "Now, can you tell me what exactly you're doing here?"
"Heh heh…" Zhu Bajie chuckled, his face suddenly serious. "I'm investigating a place called the Great Mercy Temple. There's something… strange going on there."
"The Great Mercy Temple?"
"That's right! A peculiar temple… Oh, and by the way!" The Daoist leaned in close. "I met a celestial maiden yesterday. She told me to wait here, saying I'd run into an old friend. Could it be…"
[TinyFairy2k: "The celestial maiden is multi-talented!"]
[Guest1810: "Best wingwoman ever!"]
[CelestialPalace_001: "…"]
"A celestial maiden?" Dare remembered the mysterious figure at the village well. "What did she look like?"
"Well…" Zhu Bajie scratched his head. "I was too drunk to remember clearly… But her voice was familiar… Anyway! The important thing is…"
He stood up, wobbling a bit before striking a serious pose (after tripping once). "Dare Drake Tran! I've decided to be your mortal realm guide!"
**[System: Important Update! First Companion Unlocked:
Name: Zhu BajieRole: Tour Guide + Culinary ExpertReliability: 50% (When sober)
Note: "Can you really trust a drunk guide?"]**
"A guide?" Dare looked skeptically at the unsteady Daoist. "Are you sure about this?"
"I'm the most experienced mortal-world expert there is!" The Daoist pounded his chest and nearly toppled over. "I know all the best taverns, the finest eateries, the best rest spots…"
**[System: Guide's Expertise Analysis:
Wine: SSS rankCuisine: SS rankLodging: S rankScenic Spots and Monuments: F rank
Note: "Is he a guide or just a connoisseur of leisure?"]**
"Oh, and another thing!" Zhu Bajie's tone shifted to one of seriousness. "Do you know why I brought up the Great Mercy Temple?"
"Why?"
"Because…" He leaned in close, whispering, "Lately, people have reported seeing the monks there training in the dead of night… and demonic energy has been detected!"
[CelestialPalace_001: "The first clue…"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "Be cautious of what lies ahead…"]
"Interesting!" Dare nodded. "Then let's go!"
"Wait!" Zhu Bajie raised his hand. "We still have to… pay the bill!"
They both glanced at the pile of empty wine jars on the table, then at each other.
**[System: Emergency Alert!
Wine Jars: 20Current Funds: 0Credits: 150
Note: "Here we go again…"]**
"Heh!" Zhu Bajie grinned. "Don't worry, I've got a plan!"
He staggered to the middle of the tavern and began chanting in a singsong voice:
"Sky so blue, clouds so white,
The wine's so good, but funds are tight,
Dear tavern owner, please allow,
To pay tomorrow, my honor's vow!"
[TinyFairy2k: "That… was a unique poem!"]
[Guest1810: "Street performer, LOL!"]
[Viewers: 500,000+]
"OUT!" The tavern owner bellowed, waving a broom and chasing after them. The two fled, Zhu Bajie stumbling and laughing uproariously.
"So this is…" Dare gasped, laughing as he ran. "Your idea of a guided tour?"
"This is…" Zhu Bajie cackled. "Your first hands-on experience of the mortal world! Isn't it amazing?"
**[System: Quest Complete!
New Companion AcquiredNew Title: "Beginner Debt Dodger"Credits Earned: +200 (Viewer Bonus for High Engagement)
Note: "Starting an adventure… in debt. Great!"]**
When they had run far enough, the two stopped beneath a tree. Zhu Bajie wiped the sweat from his brow before asking:
"Tell me, do you believe…"
"Believe what?"
"That celestial maiden…" Zhu Bajie gazed up at the night sky. "Her voice… it sounded like someone I once knew. But that's impossible… isn't it?"
[CelestialPalace_001: "…"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "Some secrets… are best left in the dark."]
"Alright!" Zhu Bajie abruptly stood up. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Great Mercy Temple! But first…"
"What now?"
"Time to find another tavern! Ha ha ha!"
Despite his drunken state, Dare could sense a rare seriousness in Zhu Bajie's eyes. Was this encounter truly a coincidence? The clues about the Great Mercy Temple, the mysterious celestial maiden, and Zhu Bajie's presence here…
"Even if it's a trap…" Dare thought to himself, "I must uncover the truth. And perhaps… this is my chance to understand more about the fate of fallen immortals like us."