Chapter Twenty: Living Together

The surrounding scholars were even more astonished. Watching Liu Ping drink so heartily, they found themselves at a loss for words. Although they had just learned that Liu Ping's tolerance for alcohol was quite impressive, none had expected it to be so extraordinary.

Upon hearing Liu Ping's words, they finally snapped out of their daze and turned their gazes toward Lu Liang, unafraid of stirring up further trouble, egging him on relentlessly. "Drink up, Brother Lu! Hurry! I know of your legendary capacity for drink—surely you won't disappoint us!"

Liu Ping’s remark made Lu Liang’s dark face turn even more unsightly; it was clear he was deeply regretting his bravado. Now, with the crowd’s jeering, his face grew livid. Gritting his teeth, he threw back his head and drank as Liu Ping had, but after just two jars, he was swaying unsteadily on his feet.

A scholar nearby quickly supported Lu Liang and declared, "It seems we’ve lost this round!"

"I'm not drunk!" Lu Liang protested, half-closing his eyes and shaking his head stubbornly. "I can still drink! I can!"

"You’re drunk already!" the scholar insisted, giving Lu Liang no chance to argue as he dragged him away.

Thus, this little farcical episode ended in Liu Ping’s decisive victory, making the crowd even more enthusiastic. "I never thought Brother Liu could drink so much! Truly a remarkable man!"

"Indeed! Brother Liu is the top scholar of Shanghe County, so young and with such astonishing capacity for wine—how enviable! In this examination, surely none but Brother Liu could take first place!"

Hearing this, Liu Ping gave a bitter smile. "First place? Even second or third would be a luxury for me. First place is entirely out of reach—I’m well aware of my own limits."

These words were not mere modesty, and those around him exchanged glances, sensing Liu Ping was sincere.

Zhou Yu asked, "Then who do you think will take first place, Brother Liu? Who would make you concede defeat? Could it be Lu Liang?"

"Perhaps…" Liu Ping, recalling Lu Liang’s reputation during their drinking contest, simply smiled and said, "When the results are announced in three days, you’ll know soon enough. Don’t take me for a prodigy. I’m well aware that I still have much to learn."

"Still keeping us in suspense and being so humble! You make us all feel ashamed! You should be punished for that!" the crowd voiced their mock indignation, clamoring for Liu Ping to drink more.

Liu Ping obediently drank another three cups, then returned to his seat.

After several more rounds, everyone was somewhat tipsy. Zhu Yingtai sat to Liu Ping’s left, her cheeks flushed, clearly affected by the wine. Remembering how Liu Ping had downed liquor as if it were water, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Brother Fengchang, your drinking prowess is truly legendary—‘a thousand cups without falling’ is no exaggeration!"

Liu Ping was in the midst of devouring a chicken leg, soon spitting out the bone, then shared a drink with Wang Hong on his right. Hearing Zhu Yingtai’s praise, he turned and replied, "Wine calls for song—how many moments does life offer? Besides, meeting you and all our peers today, how could I not drink heartily?"

These words struck a chord with many of the scholars present, who found Liu Ping even more agreeable. They laughed and said, "Brother Liu, you speak truly. From now on, we’ll be classmates—such a happy occasion must be celebrated with good drink!"

"Wine calls for song—how many moments does life offer… Brother Liu, you truly love your wine. But don’t get too drunk, or you’ll miss class tomorrow and incur the teacher’s wrath," Zhu Yingtai said languidly, resting her chin on her hand, eyes half closed as she gazed at Liu Ping. "If you’re absent on the very first day, it might leave a terrible impression."

"Naturally, but it’s still early today. Even if I do get drunk, I won’t miss tomorrow’s class—so tonight, let’s drink to our hearts’ content." Liu Ping shook his head, clearly a little tipsy himself. Dizziness clouded his mind, and he spoke whatever came to heart. Seeing Zhu Yingtai’s slightly inebriated, alluring demeanor, he couldn’t help but blink hard and lean in to whisper, "By the way, do you know Liang Shanbo?"

"Liang Shanbo? Who is that?" Zhu Yingtai, startled by how close Liu Ping’s face had come, instinctively drew back, yet asked in puzzlement, "I don’t know him. Why do you ask?"

"You don’t?" Noticing her retreat, Liu Ping realized he’d been impolite. He immediately used his spiritual energy to dispel the effects of the wine, and in an instant, the drunkenness vanished and his mind cleared. Smiling, he explained, "I had a childhood classmate who wrote to me. He said he met a remarkable young man named Zhu Yingtai. I thought perhaps he’d met you and simply got the surname wrong. But it seems not!"

Zhu Yingtai relaxed at this, and when she saw Liu Ping draw back, her heart was secretly glad. Earlier, seeing Liu Ping’s bold drinking, she’d thought him a wild spirit, but his manners now showed he was a person worth befriending. She nodded and smiled. "It wasn’t me—just a case of mistaken identity, nothing more."

After making the rounds to toast everyone, Liu Ping stopped drinking further. He had paid his respects and gotten acquainted; to keep mindlessly drinking would be unwise. Besides, others needed a chance to shine as well. On reflection, perhaps he’d already drawn too much attention and risked making others uncomfortable.

The circles of social interaction in this world were truly complex, Liu Ping mused.

After the banquet, many were a little drunk, some thoroughly so. After a few cups of sobering tea, they all retired to their assigned dormitories for a sound sleep.

It was still just midday. Liu Ping glanced at the sky and, instead of heading straight to his quarters, went for a stroll to digest the food and wine.

There was a pond within the academy, flanked by willows whose slender branches hung low, budding with tender green and brimming with vitality. Walking along the quiet pebble path by the water, amidst the tranquil beauty of early spring, Liu Ping found it a most pleasant experience.

"The tribulation of the Ghost Immortal’s Yang Fire—I still haven’t overcome it. My cultivation has come to a standstill these days. It seems I must pass this trial to move forward..." Liu Ping walked slowly, raising his gaze to the sun above as he pondered silently, "But there is danger in facing a tribulation. If I fail, I risk utter annihilation..."

"I must not rush; I need a safer method. Recklessness is not courage."

With this in mind, Liu Ping returned to the dormitory. It was shared between two people, yet he didn’t know who his roommate would be. He hoped it would not be someone coarse or ill-tempered.

Creak—the door opened. He had taken just a few steps inside when he saw Zhu Yingtai at the table, sipping tea.

"Did I… come to the wrong room?" Liu Ping glanced back at the room number.

Zhu Yingtai was equally surprised, but quickly composed herself. "This is Room Twelve, Section A. If that’s correct, then it seems we’ll be roommates from now on."

"It’s correct. What a coincidence! I was just wondering who it might be. If my roommate had been ill-tempered, that would have been most unfortunate. Finding it’s you, Brother Zhu, I must say I’m lucky indeed." Liu Ping sat down on the clean, prepared bed, visibly pleased.

Zhu Yingtai’s face relaxed as well. Holding her teacup, she sat on the other bed and said quickly, "To be honest, I was anxious myself, but seeing it’s you, Brother Fengchang, I’m instantly at ease. The feeling is mutual."

Liu Ping waved his hand. "We’re hardly strangers now, and our tempers match well—we get along just fine. There’s no need for courtesy or formal titles. Just call me Liu Ping. I’ll call you Zhu Yingtai, or simply Yingtai. What do you think?"

Zhu Yingtai clapped her hands and laughed, "That suits me perfectly!"