Tian Hao continued to drink, the warmth of the wine spreading through his chest and loosening his tongue. His gaze drifted across the room, taking in the lively atmosphere of the Moonlit Pavilion.
It was then that he noticed her – a woman sitting alone at a small table near the back, her face partially obscured by the flickering glow of a nearby lantern. She was striking, her dark hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall, her simple yet elegant robes hinting at a refined taste that set her apart from the boisterous crowd. But what truly captured Tian Hao's attention was the look in her eyes – a mixture of quiet frustration and unwavering determination, her brow furrowed as she stared into her half-empty cup, lost in thought.
A spark of intrigue ignited within him, fueled by the liquid courage coursing through his veins. This, he decided, was the perfect opportunity for some… social cultivation. Grabbing his cup and the carafe, he pushed himself up from his table, swaying slightly as he navigated the crowded room towards her. He wasn't about to leave behind his precious wine, not when he was just starting to enjoy himself.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his grin lopsided but confident, the wine adding a touch of swagger to his demeanor.
The woman looked up, her dark eyes meeting his with a cool appraisal. She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and skepticism.
"And why," she asked, her voice smooth as polished jade, "would I wish to share my table with Tian Hao, the great young master who seems to find his calling at the bottom of a wine cup?"
Tian Hao chuckled, undeterred by her sharp retort. He plopped down onto the stool across from her, the sudden movement causing the table to wobble precariously, the wine in his cup sloshing dangerously close to the rim.
"Ah," he said, his voice a touch louder than intended, the wine making his words slur slightly, "well, it seems my reputation precedes me." He grinned, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile. "But tonight, I'm simply here to enjoy a good drink. No grand gestures, no spectacles." He raised his cup towards her, the lopsided grin still in place. "To unexpected company."
The woman sighed, shaking her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She didn't tell him to leave, however. Instead, she clinked her cup against his, the delicate sound a quiet counterpoint to the boisterous tavern around them.
"To unexpected company," she echoed, her tone still guarded, her gaze fixed on him as if assessing his true intentions. She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving his, her expression unreadable.
A moment of silence stretched between them, filled only by the ambient noise of the tavern. The air crackled with a subtle tension, a silent battle of wills between two individuals sizing each other up. Tian Hao shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his cup as he fought the flicker of self-consciousness under her intense scrutiny. He took a long draught of his wine, the warmth spreading through him, bolstering his confidence.
Finally, she broke the silence, letting out a weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
"You know," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, almost as if speaking to herself, "it's frustrating. Cultivation isn't supposed to be easy, I know, but I've been stuck for months. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to make any progress." She stared down at the swirling liquid in her cup, her expression a mix of exhaustion and annoyance, a hint of vulnerability peeking through her carefully constructed façade.
She glanced at him for a moment, as if debating whether to open up further, then sighed. "It's not just a plateau," she continued. "My meridians... they don't seem to align properly when I meditate. I've tried everything—different postures, altering my breathing, even rare herbs. Nothing works. It's like I'm missing something crucial, but I can't figure out what it is."
Tian Hao nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Have you consulted the elders?" he asked, leaning in slightly.
She scoffed, a wry smile touching her lips. "The elders? Their advice was to be more diligent, to work harder and trust the process. But I've been diligent. I've worked myself to the bone. They don't understand what it's like to feel... stuck, like your body is betraying you."
Tian Hao tapped his fingers against his cup, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see. Sounds like you're trying to fit a square peg into a round hole," he said, his voice softening. "Maybe it's time to try something a little... unconventional."
Tian Hao, emboldened by the wine and sensing an opportunity, leaned forward, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "What if I told you," he began, his words laced with a mischievous glint, "that your frustrations with meditation might have a solution—a better way? A more... enjoyable way to cultivate?" He gave her a crooked grin, the wine making him bolder, more reckless than he would have been sober.
Her eyes narrowed, a skeptical look crossing her face as she studied him intently.
"Are you seriously trying to tell me," she asked, her voice dripping with disbelief, "that you, of all people, Tian Hao, have stumbled upon some secret cultivation method? Or is this just another one of your ridiculous ploys—perhaps to trick me into some absurd dual cultivation nonsense?" She took another sip of her drink, her expression hardening. "Honestly, given your reputation, it sounds more like a way to waste time and resources. I can't imagine you'd have anything genuinely useful to offer."
Tian Hao laughed, a carefree sound that echoed through the tavern, drawing a few curious glances their way.
"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't," he replied, his voice light and teasing, a playful challenge in his eyes. "But I promise you," he added, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "if you follow my path, I'll make sure you soar into the heavens." He spread his arms wide, almost knocking over a nearby cup in his exaggerated gesture, his balance still slightly off from the wine. "Think of it – cultivation without the endless meditation, without the grueling exercises. Just pure, unfiltered enjoyment."
She snorted, a small smile finally tugging at the corner of her lips, the ice around her melting ever so slightly.
"You really are something, Young Master Tian Hao," she said, shaking her head in mock exasperation, her guarded demeanor relaxing just a bit. "I don't know if you're simply a drunken fool or a genius who hides behind wine and arrogance. You think there's an easy solution to all this? It is said that the road to simplicity is the hardest to find (dà dào zhì jiǎn; 大道至简). I doubt your so-called 'enjoyment' is the answer to complex problems like mine." She paused, taking another sip of her wine, her eyes twinkling with a mix of doubt and curiosity. "However, I'll humor you for now. What's your great secret, or is it just more of your drunken bravado?"
Tian Hao leaned back, his smile widening, the wine making him feel almost giddy with the thrill of the moment.
"That, my dear," he said, his voice playful and mysterious, "is a secret for another time. For now," he raised his cup towards her, the ruby liquid swirling within, "let's just enjoy the night."
She followed suit, her lips curving into a genuine smile, though a glimmer of deep skepticism remained in her eyes. She thought perhaps he was retreating after being called out, unwilling to reveal his supposed 'secret'. They clinked their cups together once more, the sound a cheerful counterpoint to the lively chatter of the tavern.
As they drank, Tian Hao ordered another carafe, the wine flowing as freely as their conversation. Each pour made their laughter louder, their smiles broader, and the space between them grew smaller. The initial guardedness in her eyes softened as she allowed herself to indulge, matching his pace with each cup they shared.
Tian Hao, emboldened by the warmth of the alcohol, exaggerated his stories, weaving outrageous claims that left her shaking her head, half in disbelief, half in amusement. "And then there was the time," he slurred, leaning in conspiratorially, "that I challenged three elders to a drinking contest and... well, let's just say they needed help getting back to their quarters."
She laughed, her skepticism giving way to a reluctant smile. "You really expect me to believe that? You, out-drinking elders?" she teased, her eyes twinkling.
He shrugged, a grin plastered on his face. "Believe what you want. I'm full of surprises," he replied, tipping his cup back dramatically.
She, too, began to share, her voice gradually losing its edge as she spoke of the challenges of cultivation.
"You know, sometimes I feel like the sect's rules are more about keeping us in line than helping us grow," she admitted, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and resignation. "It's all about keeping face and following tradition, even if those traditions make no sense." Tian Hao nodded, his grin fading slightly as he listened.
"I get it. They love their rules. But rules were made to be bent, right?" He raised his cup in a mock toast, and she clinked hers against his, her laughter more genuine now.
"And the politics," she added, rolling her eyes. "The elders are always scheming, trying to position their favorite disciples. It's exhausting."
Tian Hao smirked, leaning back. "Tell me about it. Half the time, I think they're more interested in using us as go pieces than actually teaching cultivation." They both laughed, their voices blending with the background hum of the tavern, as they continued to share snippets of their frustrations and amusing stories about the sect.
With each sip, the weighty expectations, the judgmental gazes, and the relentless pressure of his new life felt more and more distant. Here, in this dimly lit tavern, surrounded by the comforting buzz of conversation and the warmth of shared laughter, he could simply be, even if it was just for a night.
As the hours passed, the Moonlit Pavilion slowly emptied, the boisterous crowd dwindling until only a handful of patrons remained. The lanterns flickered, casting long, dancing shadows across the room, the air now thick with the lingering aroma of wine and the quiet hum of fading conversations.
The woman stood first, she pushed herself up from the table with a sigh, her gaze lingering on Tian Hao for a moment. "I should go before I end up as drunk as you," she said, her voice tinged with a playful edge. She gave him a nod, her bemused smile softening slightly. "Be careful, Young Master Tian Hao," she added, her voice a soft whisper barely audible over the sounds of the night.
Tian Hao raised his cup in a half-hearted salute, his grin lopsided. "Until next time!" he called out, his words slurring slightly. She shook her head one last time before disappearing out the door, leaving Tian Hao to finish the last of his wine.
He finally stumbled out of the tavern, the warmth of the alcohol still buzzing in his head, and made his way into the night.
He made his way back through the winding, lantern-lit paths of the outer sect, his steps unsteady, the world tilting slightly around him. He nearly tripped over his own robes more than once, catching himself at the last moment with a muttered curse.
By the time he reached his chambers, he was barely upright, his head spinning gently. He pushed the door open, staggering inside before collapsing onto his bed with a groan of exhaustion and contentment. The luxurious sheets enveloped him like a warm embrace, and he let out a satisfied sigh, his eyes drifting shut.
It was then, as he teetered on the edge of sleep, that a sudden realization struck him.
He'd forgotten to ask for her name. He groaned softly, a mix of exasperation and amusement crossing his mind. "Of course," he muttered to himself, his voice thick with sleep, "I'd forget something as simple as that."
A smile still tugged at his lips, however, as darkness finally claimed him, pulling him down into the depths of a wine-induced slumber.