Cao Yun completely abandoned himself in Feng Yingyue's embrace, and it was incredible. For a very long time, no thought entered his conscious mind, he had no doubt, no existential or moral crisis. He was just enjoying every single instant without thinking about the next. On the other hand, Feng Yingyue was experiencing the same kind of bliss. In another part of the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute, Song Guixiang was also enjoying himself in a very different way, though.
The plump man was surrounded by a few maids serving him a great feast, there were incredible delicacies from all over the Hongchen Kingdom. All around him were wines, teas, meats, fruits, delights of so many kinds it was honestly difficult to count. In front of him, a beautiful woman was dancing while a group of artists were playing some melodious tune. Song Guixiang wasn't even entranced by the sensuality of the woman, he was genuinely enjoying the art itself. Instead of devouring every meal or swallowing the wine, he was actually taking his time to truly taste and feel every sensation. Despite his playful and teasing manners, he really knew how to enjoy art and cuisine, he didn't just like to eat, he loved to taste rare meals.
As he was quite literally sucking the sauce from his finger, in absolute bliss, a voice disturbed him. It was soft and polite, so it didn't spoil his pleasure.
"Come in, Sister. I already planned on inviting someone. This time, I have to admit that my eyes were bigger than my belly. Ha ha ha!"
As he spoke, he slapped his own belly that behaved like jelly under his playful assault. The young woman entered the room. Cao Yun would have recognized her voice instantly as she was his sworn sister Mei Hua.
"I heard rumors that my brother had come. Apparently, he was seen with you..."
"Tss! People shouldn't spread rumors. It's terrible! That could spoil any of my meals. Sister, there are important matters at play here. And I'm sure that Spirit Master Xiao was going to warn you. My guess is that she probably forgot as she immediately went to talk to Director Hua."
When he spoke about rumors, Mei Hua had very cold eyes. She knew exactly what kind of rumors would spoil his meals, the truth. This Song Guixiang wasn't a bad man, but she didn't like how he loved to play with women. In fact, despite his horrendous manners, he had never tried to seduce her even once. Honestly, she wasn't sure whether she had to be offended or pleased. To this day, she didn't know why, and she would never lower herself to the level of asking for a reason. The ox might actually take it as some form of invitation. For sure, she really didn't want to be his entertainment for a night. At the very least, she knew that he had never hurt anyone, all of his conquests were more than willing, and she simply couldn't fathom that at all... They weren't even doing it because of his status. This man was surrounded by so many mysteries.
"Then, you know where he is?"
"Of course, I know. Come on, Sister, you also know where he is. Why did you come to me with that question when you already have the answer? Is it that you're a bit stressed? I mean, I understand, you've been separated for a very long time. Chen Guo himself was very nervous about reuniting with our alchemy fairy. But, rest assured, he does want to see you too, of that I am certain."
"Thank you, Brother. You're probably right about that. I do feel nervous."
Song Guixiang showed her a nearby table with some food and wine on it.
"Come on, Sister, take some time. Eat and drink, you'll feel better. This will give you courage and strength."
Mei Hua hesitated for a short time. Thinking about it some more, she knew that Song Guixiang was an actual connoisseur. Even from where she was standing, the fragrance was divine. As a cultivator, she didn't need to eat much, but she certainly appreciated it like most people. Besides, she couldn't get drunk easily. From the smell alone, she could tell that drinking all of the wine in the room wouldn't affect her in the slightest. Not only was she a late Mortal Warrior, but she was also an expert alchemist. Although Feng Yingyue was better when it came to Flame Control, she was much better with the Five Elements Wheel and her perception of what could happen in a cauldron. As such, a mere fragrance could already tell her everything she had to know about the feast in this room, apart from the actual taste and sensations.
After a bit of hesitation, she did sit down. She was proud but not stupid. Immediately, she thought of her brother Sun Liao. While Ren Chao would already have been chewing on some Iron-Bone Boar Ribs, Sun Liao would still be too proud to accept the invitation. Because of the war, she had not been able to see her brothers for some time already. Four or five times, they had met under the bodhi tree that symbolized their oath to one another. But each time, Cao Yun's absence was just too depressing. Now, they would actually be able to meet up with him. All four of them could commemorate their oath under the bodhi tree. Hopefully, they might even commemorate the end of this horrendous war. As her thoughts went all over the place, she also saw the face of her little sister. She didn't want her to go fight on the front lines. Unlike Mei Hua, Mei Ying was a fighter and she loved it.
As all those thoughts invaded her mind, Mei Hua began with a cup of very strong tea. Then, she went to the wine before even taking any food. The worst part was that Song Guixiang's tastes were great. This was certainly the best cup of wine she had ever drunk. Somehow, it irritated her a little. This plump man who didn't look like much always seemed to enjoy life to its fullest, but she never actually saw him put any effort into anything apart from his own indulgence. And yet, he was a great alchemist. Otherwise, his own master would have obviously kicked him out already. Of course, he wasn't on par with Feng Yingyue and herself. But unlike them, he was a 1st-grade Spirit Warrior so he officially was a Spirit alchemist. To be fair, he had broken through not too long ago and his cultivation was still shaky.
As she thought about that, Mei Hua realized that this might be the reason why he was leisurely enjoying himself. He was in fact cultivating, or rather stabilizing his cultivation. Maybe this indulgence was a form of cultivation. Then, she heard him moan as the sauce of a Nine-Pulse Fire Pheasant Breast was slowly falling into his throat, and all those thoughts disappeared along with any shred of dignity Song Guixiang had left in her mind.
They kept on eating and enjoying themselves for quite some time. Mei Hua was shocked that Song Guixiang actually had many subjects of conversation. But it always went back to the food or the wine he was currently tasting. At last, Mei Hua decided to excuse herself.
"Brother, thank you for this meal. I have to admit that your tastes are impeccable. But I really have to get going. If Brother Chen is with Sister Feng, I'll probably visit them on my way to the Suspended Glass Gardens."
"Oh...? No, wait, Sister, I'll come along as well. Don't mind me."
Mei Hua saw a mischievous smile on Song Guixiang's face, but she sincerely couldn't tell whether it was natural or if he had something else in mind. Anyway, she couldn't physically stop him. And, honestly, he had been pleasant until then. So the two of them went toward Feng Yingyue's residence. The two of them easily entered the wing where Feng Yingyue's personal chambers were as the servants knew them. Song Guixiang seemed to stay a bit behind as Mei Hua knocked on the door of Feng Yingyue's chambers.
Suddenly a melodious voice resounded. There was a clear hint of frustration behind that voice, as well as some fatigue.
"Who is it?!"
"Sister Feng, this is Sister Mei. I wanted to inquire about my brother Chen Guo."
"Oh...?"
Behind Mei Hua, who was a bit confused, Song Guixiang was suppressing a laugh but he couldn't wipe a smirk off his face.
The door slowly opened. Feng Yingyue's hair was disheveled and she had tried to comb it in a hurry. As a talented alchemist, Mei Hua could smell distinct scents. Although some incense and perfume had been used, it couldn't trick her nose. Suddenly, Mei Hua realized what had been going on in those chambers. Instinctively, she turned toward Song Guixiang. She realized how naive she had been and even wondered how she had not even thought about that. Of course, her brother would be much more anxious to meet his Dao partner after such a long time. For once, Mei Hua seemed lost for words. Thus, Song Guixiang started to speak in her stead.
"Sister Feng, our Sister Mei wanted to welcome her sworn brother after such a long time away from one another. I understand that you want to keep him to yourself, but that's a bit selfish, don't you think?"
Song Guixiang really had a hard time suppressing his laughter and his smile was distorting his whole face. Feng Yingyue could tell that it was payback for several times where she had prevented him from seducing some lady. There was almost literal fire in Feng Yingyue's eyes, but only when looking at Song Guixiang. She would have to pay him back somehow, and she already had several ideas.
"Come on, Junior Sister, it's not right for you to prevent our poor Sister Mei from seeing Chen Guo. They have been apart for more than a decade now. He'll stay in our Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute for some time, so you can talk together any time you want. Oh...?! Maybe we interrupted you during a very intense conversation... I'm sorry about that, Junior Sister, I didn't even think about that possibility... But aren't you going to invite us in?"
Suddenly, she slammed the door. Thankfully, she controlled her strength or she could have pulverized it completely. As it happened, Mei Hua was a bit shocked but Song Guixiang just burst out laughing.
"You...!"
Of course, Mei Hua was furious as that little imp had used her to tease his junior sister. She knew that the two of them were always teasing and playing pranks on each other, but she had been used as a tool, it didn't feel good at all.
"Come on, come on! You're not going to tell me it wasn't actually funny?!"
Before she could answer, the door slowly opened once more. This time, it was Chen Guo. His hair was as disheveled as Feng Yingyue's. Mei Hua and Song Guixiang could immediately tell that he had put a clean robe on his body not too long ago. The moment Mei Hua saw him, she felt intense joy. Of course, she knew he was alive, but seeing him felt completely different. She could sense the vibrating aura around him, his cultivation had soared by leaps and bounds. For quite some time, she had feared that he would come back injured, maybe even crippled for life. All those worries disappeared.
Mei Hua's first instinct was to hug him but she stopped herself instantly. First of all, it felt unbecoming of her, especially with Song Guixiang watching her. But more than that, she knew exactly what he had been doing with her senior sister just a few seconds ago, so she refrained from doing so.
"It's great to see you, Sister Mei. Honestly, I wanted to come and see you earlier, but I... I mean... I was held... back... by..."
"It's fine, I understand, Brother. It's absolutely delightful to know that you're fine, and in such perfect health at that... Please, don't mind me, just go enjoy your conversation with Sister Feng. But when you have some time, do come and talk to me. I'm sure Brother Song will lend us some of his most prized wine, we'll reminisce about the past and even talk about the future. Good day, Brother."
"Yes, good day, Sister."
Just like that, Mei Hua left with a smug smile on her face. Behind her, she heard Song Guixiang's voice.
"Don't tell me it didn't feel good!"
Mei Hua sighed deeply. Once again, she was pissed, but in a more cheerful way.
"When you're right, you're right..."
"See?! Those two have been at it for three days now, it was high time someone interrupted them. Hey, when I was with those twins, that junior sister ratted me out to Director Hua. I could barely enjoy my time with them, and even so, I was forbidden from meat and wine for a month. A month! And she told me it was important for me to learn self-restraint because it was essential to becoming the greatest alchemist possible. I'm just so generous that I wanted her to learn self-restraint too. After all, which senior brother wouldn't want his junior sister to become the greatest alchemist she possibly could? What kind of senior disciple would I be if I didn't use such a great opportunity to help her grow as an alchemist, huh?"
"Next time, don't use me. If you lack the courage to face your own junior sister, it's just too pitiful..."
"What?! Me, lacking courage?! I could face her any time!"
"Oh?! Then, go back there, knock on her door alone and tell her what you just told me. Tell her that it's important for her to learn self-restraint as you did."
"Well... I... I'm not that generous of a senior brother after all. I wouldn't want her to become too great an alchemist too fast. You know, it's important to go slow but steady."
"Of course it is. By the way, you do owe me your best wine for Brother Chen and me."
"What...?! Okay, fine."
The two of them left the private residence, leaving Cao Yun and Feng Yingyue to go back to their conversation, their intense conversation.