Zhao Ya was a bit at a loss whether to laugh or cry, so he could only pretend he hadn’t heard anything.
At this moment, the food and drinks were brought in like flowing water.
Miao Shaocheng opened a jar of Feixian Brew, took a sniff, and then exclaimed, "I’ve drunk a lot of alcohol, but this Feixian Brew has the richest and most fragrant aroma."
Xu De chuckled, "This really is a top-notch feast. Looks like Third Senior Brother’s wallet is going to bleed today."
"Look at what you’re saying. With a new Junior Brother, shouldn’t we celebrate properly? Come, drink!"
Miao Shaocheng raised his cup and was the first to take a sip.
Zhao Ya also followed suit and took a sip, finding it sweet and refreshing with a truly extraordinary taste.
"How is it? Pretty good, right?" Miao Shaocheng laughed heartily.
After that, they drank and toasted each other, and the atmosphere at the banquet gradually became lively.
Just as the wine was getting to their heads, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the door.
"Oh, so you’re drinking at Feixian Inn and didn’t invite me?"
As the voice sounded, a man walked in from outside.
"Second Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother Shen!"
Upon seeing the man, Miao Shaocheng and Xu De quickly stood up.
Zhao Ya understood that this man must be the Second Senior Brother Shen Dao, whom he hadn’t met during the day, so he also stood up and took a look at him.
This was a man about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, not particularly handsome, but possessing a certain charm, especially when he smiled, making the whole room seem much brighter.
Shen Dao then looked at Zhao Ya and smiled, "Are you the new Junior Brother Zhao that Master accepted today?"
"Yes!"
"Well, you are indeed a fine-looking talent."
Then Shen Dao looked at Miao Shaocheng and Xu De and jokingly scolded, "Why didn’t you send someone to inform me about such a big event?"
"We heard you were drinking with Miss Qingqing at Drunken Flower House, so we didn’t dare to disturb you," Miao Shaocheng said with a cheeky smile.
"Nonsense! Just because I’m drinking with Miss Qingqing doesn’t mean I can’t come over?"
With that said, Shen Dao turned around and called out to the door, "Alright, come on in, my master isn’t here."
At his words, a young girl peeked in, confirmed that Lu Dingtai wasn’t present, and then gracefully walked in.
"Miss Qingqing?"
"Miss Shi!"
Miao Shaocheng and Xu De were both taken aback.
For the girl who arrived was none other than Shi Qingqing, the current leading performer at Drunken Flower House, renowned throughout the Commandery for her excellent singing voice.
Miao Shaocheng and the others knew that Second Senior Brother had a good relationship with Shi Qingqing. Others often spent a fortune just to see her, but Shen Dao could enter her boudoir without notice and even stay over after drinking too much.
Yet they never expected Shen Dao would actually bring Miss Shi out, and were naturally quite shocked.
Shi Qingqing just smiled gently.
Her facial features weren’t particularly exquisite, but they combined to give off the gentle aura of a southern woman.
Plus, her skin was extremely fair, making her smile exceptionally enchanting.
"I heard Elder Lu took in a new Disciple, and out of curiosity, I came along with Senior Brother Shen for a look. Was it a bit too abrupt?"
"No... not abrupt at all! Not in the slightest!" Miao Shaocheng stammered.
Xu De, however, was much more at ease and promptly called for the waiter to add two more sets of tableware and chairs.
Shi Qingqing looked around and then naturally sat next to Zui’Er.
Zui’Er had been quietly eating.
She had stolen a glance when Shi Qingqing entered, then lowered her head, feeling somewhat inferior.
She felt like a bumpkin compared to this unbelievably pretty sister.
But she didn’t expect Shi Qingqing to sit beside her, making Zui’Er feel stiff all over.
However, she didn’t know that Shi Qingqing, looking at her pure and unadorned face, not even a trace of makeup, also marveled softly in her heart.
What a beautiful girl with bright eyes and white teeth.
At this time, Shen Dao sat next to Zhao Ya, first giving him a once-over, then nodding approvingly, "Not bad, reaching the Third Realm at such a young age, your future is limitless."
"Second Senior Brother, you’re too kind!"
Shen Dao chuckled, "I heard you’re from Wuxiang City, did Senior Sister Meng have a go at you?"
Zhao Ya smiled wryly, "We already sparred!"
"I knew it!"
Shen Dao patted Zhao Ya on the shoulder, "You’ll get used to it gradually, that’s just her bad temper. Oh, here you go."
With that, Shen Dao took out a small box from his chest and handed it to Zhao Ya.
"What’s this?"
"Oh, a dagger masterfully crafted by Master Cui, take it and play with it, consider it a gift from me."
Zhao Ya opened the box, and indeed, there was a dagger inside, shining with a cold light.
Although he didn’t know much about it, Zhao Ya could tell the dagger was quite valuable.
"This... ."
"Take it. I won it from Master Cui at Drunken Flower House, where I beat him three times in a row at chess, didn’t spend a single copper coin," Shen Dao explained with a cheerful smile.
Zhao Ya then cheerfully accepted it.
"Hahaha, our brothers are rarely all together like this, come, let’s drink!"
The atmosphere became even more lively.
At this moment, Shi Qingqing also raised her glass, smiling warmly at Zhao Ya.
"Young Hero Zhao, I toast to you."
Zhao Ya, aware of her special relationship with Shen Dao, also raised his glass.
"Miss Shi, you’re too kind."
After downing the drink, Shi Qingqing shied away from joining Shen Dao and the others’ conversation, instead turning to smile at Zui’Er.
"Miss, what’s your name?"