Chapter 367: Invitation

Chapter 367: Chapter 180: Invitation

He finished speaking and presented it with both hands.

Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow, then unhurriedly took a pair of deerskin gloves from his robes and put them on.

The men and women behind the young man grew indignant upon seeing Jiang Ran’s display.

However, they were strictly disciplined. Until their leader spoke, they dared not say a word.

Jiang Ran accepted the invitation. It felt surprisingly heavy in his hand, and he laughed.

“Your master is certainly ostentatious. An invitation made of jade, with a gold cover.”

“That’s a Golden Jade Slip.”

Tang Huayi glanced at it before turning her gaze to the people across from them.

“You’re from the Hundred Treasures Association? And who is your master?”

“We are far from home and do not presume to speak our master’s name. If you two wish to know, you are welcome to accompany us.”

The man lifted his head, his face still wearing a warm, gentle smile.

Tang Huayi then said to Jiang Ran:

“The Golden Jade Slip is a token of the Hundred Treasures Association. I’ve heard each one has its own unique mechanism, which allows the Association to verify its authenticity.

“With this slip, you can buy anything at any Hundred Treasures Association shop for seventy percent of the original price.

“You’ll also be treated as a guest of honor by the staff. Even if you don’t buy a thing, you can eat and drink as you please, and they’ll provide whatever you ask for.”

Jiang Ran nodded. “I see… Giving me something so valuable right off the bat… it would be rude of me not to meet your master now.

“Very well. In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way.”

“Thank you for agreeing, Young Hero Jiang.”

The leader smiled, then stepped aside to reveal the horse-drawn carriage that had been behind them.

“Please, both of you, board the carriage.”

Only then did Jiang Ran notice that this was no ordinary carriage.

The horses were magnificent, one Black and one white, both thousand-li coursers.

The carriage was magnificent as well, built from the finest wood and trimmed with gold.

Opening the door revealed a spacious interior. In the center was a jade table laden with fruit, pastries, fragrant tea, and fine wine—everything one could possibly need.

“The Hundred Treasures Association certainly lives up to its name.”

Jiang Ran boarded the carriage and sat down, sighing to himself.

‘Now this is how you spend money, how you enjoy life…’

“Why don’t you get one?”

Tang Huayi said:

“Riding all day, every day… my legs are getting chafed raw.”

Jiang Ran’s eyes instinctively flicked to Tang Huayi’s legs. Then, realizing that the chafing from riding would be on her inner thighs, he froze and quickly averted his gaze.

“Brother-in-law, what are you thinking about?”

Tang Huayi suddenly looked up, a hint of laughter in her eyes.

“None of your business.”

Jiang Ran turned away, grabbing a nearby wine flagon. He uncorked it, took a sniff, and his eyes instantly lit up.

“What kind of wine is this? It smells amazing.”

Tang Huayi had been about to tease Jiang Ran further, but the scent of the wine made her pause.

“This seems to be… Zongyi from Qianyun Manor.”

“Qianyun Manor? Zongyi?”

Jiang Ran looked at Tang Huayi, a little puzzled.

“Shows how little you know.”

Tang Huayi broke into a smile.

“…And whose fault is it that I know so little?”

Jiang Ran sighed. “Who can I blame? That old drunkard never taught me anything.”

“That’s true.”

Tang Huayi nodded.

“Then again, not many people in the martial world have heard of Zongyi…

“The martial world has people from all walks of life, but Qianyun Manor is rather unique. They’re vintners.

“They specialize in brewing all kinds of fine wines, which are extremely valuable.

“If this really is Zongyi, then this one flagon is worth at least two hundred silver.”

“Two hundred silver!?”

Even as well-off as Jiang Ran was, his hand trembled when he heard that, and he nearly dropped the flagon.

“What decadent extravagance.”

With that, he righted a cup and poured himself a drink.

After a thorough inspection, he raised the cup and downed it in one go.

The fine wine went down as smooth as silk. He couldn’t quite taste the “indulgence” in its name, but it was certainly more special than any wine he had ever drunk before.

Tang Huayi approached, holding out a cup.

“Me too.”

“Kids shouldn’t be drinking.”

Jiang Ran quickly hid the wine, thought for a moment, then picked up his own wine gourd.

He tilted his head back. GULP, GULP, GULP. In moments, he’d finished all the wine in his gourd.

Then he took the flagon and began pouring its contents into his gourd.

“…”

Tang Huayi ground her teeth in frustration. “Really? Do you have to be like that?”

“Of course I do. Besides, don’t you normally avoid alcohol? What are you fighting me for it for?”

After siphoning the entire flagon of Zongyi into his gourd, Jiang Ran gave it a gentle shake and set the now-empty vessel down with satisfaction.

“Zongyi isn’t just any wine… How could I possibly pass up a vintage this good?”

Tang Huayi glanced at the gourd in Jiang Ran’s hand, then suddenly looked up at him.

“Brother-in-law… could I please have just one sip?”

At the sound of her voice, Jiang Ran felt his mind grow heavy, and he subconsciously started to hand over the gourd.

The next moment, the Sutra of Virtuous Creation circulated within him, and his mind instantly cleared.

At the same time, though, he thought, ‘Oh no.’ Sure enough, his hand suddenly felt light. When he looked up, the wine gourd was already in Tang Huayi’s grasp.

She shot Jiang Ran a triumphant look, then put the gourd to her lips and drank. With an audible swallow, a look of pure bliss spread across her face.

After taking a big gulp, she finally removed the gourd and gave it back to Jiang Ran.

“That really is good wine.”

Jiang Ran glanced at the wet spot her lips had left on the gourd, then back at Tang Huayi.

“I just drank from that, and you drank from it right after. Doesn’t that gross you out?”

“Why would anything my brother-in-law does be gross?”

It was true that Tang Huayi rarely drank. After just one mouthful, a rosy blush already bloomed on her cheeks.

She tilted her head and studied Jiang Ran.

“Brother-in-law, you’re really handsome.”

“Had one sip and you’re already a sloppy drunk?”

Jiang Ran was speechless. “And you weren’t worried they might have poisoned it?”

“Didn’t you already check it?

“Besides, the illustrious Hundred Treasures Association wouldn’t stoop to such underhanded methods.”

Tang Huayi scooted closer to Jiang Ran, then pulled his arm into her embrace.

“Brother-in-law, let me lean on you for a while.”