Fifth River's entourage was also stunned. They looked at the disheveled old man before them, unable to associate him with a reclusive master.
Listening to the drunkard's denial, Fifth River smiled faintly.
Just then, Lu Fei arrived with two jars of Floating Life Brew.
"Wine is here!" Lu Fei walked to the table, found a seat, opened the two jars of Floating Life Brew, and said loudly, "This wine is called Floating Life Brew, a specialty of Jiuquan Town! Please enjoy!"
Seeing the two jars of Floating Life Brew placed on the table, the drunkard's mouth imperceptibly pouted, casting a resentful glance at Lu Fei. He thought to himself, I asked you to bring wine, not this finest brew! There are only a few jars of Floating Life Brew, and I'm reluctant to drink them myself.
Lu Fei chuckled.
"Come, let me pour for everyone."
Each person at the table had a wine bowl placed before them. As Lu Fei poured for them, the drunkard suddenly spoke when it was Fifth River's turn.
"He can't drink, so don't waste the good wine."
Lu Fei looked puzzled.
The drunkard said impatiently, "What's a synthetic human drinking alcohol for? Do you want to see him explode?"
Lu Fei was stunned. The attendants were dumbfounded, their mouths twitching, not daring to breathe...
Fifth River's identity as a synthetic human was not a secret. The World Government now permitted the existence of synthetic humans, but to be pointed out in such a public manner was disrespectful. He was the Fifth Councilor, after all... If he were to lose his temper, he could dismantle this small wooden house!
Time seemed to stand still.
But in the next moment, Fifth River's reaction surprised everyone.
He said calmly, "The mechanical system within me is separate from my flesh and blood. Drinking a little wine won't cause any trouble."
Lu Fei thought, Wow, high-tech. I thought you couldn't poop, or pee, and had to use a faucet for that!
As he spoke, Fifth River gestured for Lu Fei to pour.
Lu Fei quickly refilled the bowl. Fifth River raised it and drank it in one go. Afterward, he subtly frowned, then placed the bowl upside down on the table and said heartily,
"It is indeed good wine!"
Lu Fei beamed at the praise, which was a strong affirmation for him. He immediately turned Fifth River's bowl right side up and refilled it.
He said generously, "It turns out the Fifth Councilor is also a hero of the wine! Since you like it, drink more. There's plenty of good wine in the courtyard, enough for a week. If it's not enough, I'll go buy more!"
Fifth River gritted his teeth, finding the hospitality hard to refuse.
He raised his wine bowl and drank it in one go again.
Lu Fei, sensing the situation, poured again. After three consecutive bowls, Fifth River could no longer hold back.
"Such fine wine, how can I drink it alone? Let's all drink together."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Several attendants picked up their wine bowls and took small sips, thinking, I didn't expect the Fifth Councilor to enjoy wine so much. While this wine is excellent, we can't drink too much! What if he gets angry if we finish it all!
Seeing the attendants only taking small sips, Fifth River became somewhat enraged. These stupid fellows!
He looked at them, "If we're drinking, how can we not toast? Hurry up and finish it, don't be impolite."
The attendants awkwardly finished their wine.
Inside, they couldn't help but mutter, We're just leaving more for you!
The drunkard, who had been watching from the side, saw through it all and suddenly burst into laughter.
Lu Fei asked in confusion, "What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing," the drunkard waved his hand, then looked at Lu Fei and said, "Kid, this high-ranking official from the World Government is here to give money, why don't you ask him for it?"
Lu Fei raised an eyebrow.
"Give money?" He looked at Fifth River with confusion.
Fifth River was also puzzled, and coupled with the many bowls of strong liquor he had consumed, his senses were already a bit muddled.
The drunkard clapped his hands, looking disappointed, "We killed so many berserk contract beasts, shouldn't the Beast Tamer Association reward us?"
Lu Fei exclaimed excitedly, "Oh."
Hearing this, a guard beside Fifth River questioned, "You killed dozens of those berserk contract beasts?"
"Of course!" Lu Fei swayed precariously and dragged over the corpse of the [Azure Moon Wolf]. "Look, look, this is the evidence!"
"It's just one [Azure Moon Wolf]. It's not enough to prove you killed the other contract beasts!"
"Ah, you really are..." Lu Fei was about to retort.
Fifth River's slightly muffled voice came through.
"I will arrange for the rewards to be delivered at a later date."
Lu Fei's face lit up with joy, "Thank you, Councilor Fifth!"
Fifth River seemed indifferent and looked at the drunkard with unusual politeness.
"May I ask for the old gentleman's name."
"Same as him, just call me 'Shuai Guo'," the drunkard's tone was casual.
But anyone who heard this felt like they were being mocked. Who would be named Shuai Guo? This, this is too shameless!
Fifth River chuckled, "Since the old gentleman is unwilling to reveal it, I will not press further."
"But I have one more question, and I ask the old gentleman to answer me."
"So troublesome, after drinking my wine, you still have so many questions," the drunkard grumbled softly, somewhat unwillingly.
"Ask away."
"Have you ever seen a contract beast that is no more than a meter long, shaped like a monkey, with a monstrous appearance, and entirely crimson red?"
After speaking, Fifth River stared intently at the drunkard.
The drunkard's expression remained unchanged, "You mean the [Blood Ghoul]?"
Hearing the drunkard's unhesitating answer, Fifth River's eyes narrowed. The attendants beside him also looked over in unison. They were all high-level beast tamers, and their purpose in coming to Forget Worry Grassland was to capture that [Blood Ghoul]. Their original plan was to expect a fierce battle, but now that someone had seen traces of the [Blood Ghoul], they immediately perked up, and the alcohol's effect subsided a bit.
"Has the old gentleman seen it?"
Fifth River continued to ask.
"Yes, it was frolicking on the grassland not long ago," the drunkard said casually.
But such an answer was like another shock. What do you mean, "frolicking on the grassland"? That's the [Blood Ghoul], brother! Its combat power at level 100 berserk is far superior to ordinary wild contract beasts, and ordinary people avoid it like the plague.
In your mouth, it's like it was frolicking on the grassland? So you were watching the show on the side at the time?
After a moment of internal struggle, Fifth River asked in a deep voice, "Where is it now?"
The drunkard's words were as shocking as ever, he said indifferently:
"Dead."
"Dead?"
The attendants exclaimed in surprise, "Old sir, you mustn't deceive us! What force in Forget Worry Grassland could kill the [Blood Ghoul]?"
"Exactly! I thought all the berserk contract beasts in this area were infected by that [Blood Ghoul]. How could it possibly die?"
Everyone refused to believe it.
Fifth River was more rational and asked:
"How did it die?"
The drunkard's eyes darted around.
"Um... um... that..."