Chapter 202 A Drunken Rant

　　While Lao Liu and Ling went to arrange the preparations, Wang Butcher and I went to find Wang Xiaohuan.

　　When we arrived, we saw Wang Xiaohuan drinking with Zang Jian. Their way of drinking was a bit special.

　　Zang Jian hid in a wine pot, extending a hand from the spout to play finger-guessing games with Wang Xiaohuan. When Zang Jian lost, Wang Xiaohuan would throw a peanut into the pot, followed by a gurgling sound, as if someone was drinking.

　　I suspected that Zang Jian was cheating Wang Xiaohuan.

　　Ghosts and gods can only smell the aroma; they can't drink alcohol.

　　And using peanuts as a snack with alcohol? That was even more impossible.

　　However, Wang Xiaohuan didn't care. She was just happy to have someone to drink with.

　　I walked over and sat down at the table, picking up the wine jar and pouring myself a cup: "The wine from Miaojiang has a unique flavor. Huanzi, about what I wanted to say..."

　　The words I had prepared, I didn't know how to say them.

　　Wang Xiaohuan looked at me with hazy eyes and said, "I know, you're trying to persuade me. You don't have to. No matter what the outcome is tomorrow, I can accept it."

　　"Isn't this the ultimate fate for someone who falls in love with a member of the Coffin Gate?"

　　I looked at Wang Xiaohuan, puzzled: "I don't understand what you're talking about."

　　Wang Xiaohuan said, "Coffins and white lanterns were originally inseparable, almost becoming one. Unfortunately, the ancestors of the Coffin Gate drove away the White Lantern Ancestor at the last moment."

　　"Because he didn't want the one he loved to be buried in Liangjie Mountain with him."

　　"The White Lantern Ancestor understood his thoughts, but what good did understanding do? Was the White Lantern Ancestor looking for a solitary departure?"

　　"People of the Coffin Gate are like this, willing to sacrifice for righteousness, willing to sacrifice for love, but they never consider whether leaving their beloved in the world is what she truly wants."

　　"The relationship between the White Lantern and Coffin Gate is like a curse. Whenever they fall in love, this kind of ending appears, and it's always the disciples of the White Lantern Gate who get hurt."

　　"The White Lantern Gate simply established a rule: marriage between the White Lantern Gate and the Coffin Gate is forbidden."

　　Wang Xiaohuan picked up the wine pot and took a sip: "Xie Bangui indeed intended to end this curse-like cycle between the White Lantern Gate and the Coffin Gate."

　　"But Jiang Junci and I still met."

　　Wang Xiaohuan didn't know if she was lamenting: "People of the Coffin Gate are stubborn. Once they've made up their minds, they'll insist on it even if they suffer."

　　"If Jiang Junci nods tomorrow, nothing I say will matter."

　　"It's better to leave Miaojiang with dignity than to make myself look like a clown!"

　　Wang Xiaohuan picked up the wine pot, first poured out Zang Jian, and then started pouring out peanuts.

　　She was really drunk!

　　I told Wang Butcher to stay and take care of Wang Xiaohuan, then walked to the door and lit a cigarette: "Go and get Lao Liu for me!"

　　A ghost guard hidden near me responded and left. Soon after, Lao Liu hurried back. The first thing I said to him was: "Are all the preparations ready?"

　　Lao Liu frowned and said, "Master, do you want to reconsider?"

　　"After all, the Miaojiang Witch Clan is a powerful force in the arcane world! If we really fall out with them, I'm afraid..."

　　"There's nothing to reconsider." I waved my hand to stop Lao Liu: "Zang Jian, come out too."

　　Zang Jian reached out from the crack in the door and poked my leg twice, signaling that she was here.

　　I said, "Take my words to Jiang Junci," then continued, "You're usually clever, but sometimes you're foolish. Allies aren't begged for. Alliances formed by sacrificing one's own interests only result in temporary cooperation."

　　"This kind of ally is unreliable, and you can never trust them, because you can't estimate how big their appetite is."

　　"Since the Witch Clan doesn't understand the principle that no nest remains intact when the roof collapses and is unwilling to participate in the battle of Liangjie Mountain, let them withdraw. Such allies would only be a hindrance even if they went to Liangjie Mountain."

　　Lao Liu shook his head helplessly and said, "I understand. I'll go prepare now."

　　Zang Jian also quietly left.

　　I had already said what I needed to say to Jiang Junci. The decision was up to him.

　　Early the next morning, Hua Chaoyu arrived with a group of great witches as scheduled.

　　Jiang Junci also came, but he sat on the edge between our two groups, seemingly out of place with either side.

　　In just a few days, Jiang Junci had become much more haggard. The once suave and debonair young master now looked like a middle-aged man with a disheveled beard and greying temples.

　　I couldn't help but sigh and walk towards Jiang Junci: "Brother, come and sit! There will always be a place for you in Liangjie Hall!"

　　Jiang Junci called out in a choked voice, "Hall Master," but didn't know what else to say to me.

　　I patted him on the shoulder: "Let's go! Come and sit."

　　As I pulled Jiang Junci towards the Liangjie Hall side, Hua Han said in a cold voice, "Is Hall Master Li already impatient to recruit people? I'm afraid this will affect fairness, wouldn't it?"

　　My face turned cold: "Jiang Junci is originally a member of my Liangjie Hall. Is there a problem with him coming over to sit?"

　　Hua Han didn't know what to say for a moment.

　　After I let Jiang Junci sit down, I said, "Xiao Chizi, the reason I called you here is to wait for one word from you."