Chapter 266 – Sobering up with Alcohol (2/2)

Li Qingshan, “Yep.” Wasn’t this just an elevator? While the exact methods used were different, humans basically all travelled in roughly the same direction when it came to indulgence.

Wu Gen patted Li Qingshan’s shoulder and smiled. “I couldn’t tell, but you sure like to joke around, Qingshan.”

As they pulled higher and higher, Li Qingshan spotted that the Parlour of Clouds and Rain was divided into several spaces according to their floors. He could see this thanks to his extraordinary eyesight. There were spaces furnished with gambing tables and games, as well as spaces filled with people feasting.

Of course, the traditional “services” took up a very large space too. Every single person there was overflowing with smiles. Even Li Qingshan could not help but be infected by this joyous atmosphere. His mind gradually loosened, temporarily forgetting about his worries and grievances. He smiled too.

Hua Chengzan said, “Here, no matter what your identity is, no matter what your interests are, you can get whatever you want. There is boundless joy here.”

Li Qingshan suddenly sensed that something was amiss. He used the Spirit Turtle’s Method of Sea Suppression to stabilise his mind, and his smile immediately vanished. “Are there formations here that can influence the minds of people?” Afterwards, he saw how Xiao An was unaffected, just as expected, while Qian Rongzhi’s expression remained the same too, likely due to the Method of Clouds and Rain that she practised.

“That’s right!” Hua Chengzan nodded. He appreciated Li Qingshan’s sharp senses.

Li Qingshan said, “Don’t tell me it’s fine to delude people like this?”

Wu Gen said, “What delude people? You’d better stop exaggerating.”

Hua Chengzan said, “Just what part of wine, women, avarice, and pride isn’t deluding people? And, just who dislikes them? Compared to those, don’t you think that using some techniques to bring joy to people in a way that is neither harmful to the body or the mind is much better?”

Li Qingshan shook his head. “I’d rather go without joys like that.”

Hua Chengzan smiled. “Everyone is drunk, so why must you be the only one sober?”

Li Qingshan looked into Hua Chengzan’s clear pupils and asked, “Are you drunk?” He did not feel like Hua Chengzan was one to wallow in these kinds of things.

Hua Chengzan blinked his eyes. “Haven’t you ever heard of sobering up with alcohol?”

The two of them smiled at each other.

Wu Gen said impatiently, “Just what riddles are you throwing at each other?”

The surroundings suddenly quietened. They had already arrived at the very top of the Parlour of Clouds and Rain. The stars twinkled overhead, while the surroundings were now a garden. Tall bamboo grew in verdant clumps, with both fake mountains and ponds present in the surroundings. As a matter of fact, there was even a small, gurgling stream. It was impossible to imagine that this was on the top of a tall building. The sound of traditional instruments rang out from a few pavilions in the distance.

They walked along a small path and ran into a half-drunk, middle-aged man who was supported by a gorgeous woman. Both of them were Qi Practitioners, while the man was actually at the tenth layer. His green robes were wrinkled, and he had his hand on the woman’s perky bottom. Even his beard struggled to make him seem even the slightest bit more dignified.

The middle-aged man saw Hua Chengzan and moved away from the woman in a hurry. He tidied up his clothes and put on a gentleman’s act. “S- so it’s commander Hua.”

Hua Chengzan smiled. “What are you doing here, sir?”

The middle-aged man coughed gently. “Collecting material, collecting material.”

The woman rubbed his chest. “Didn’t you say you’d make me feel good once in bed?”

The middle-aged man refuted awkwardly, “Stop talking nonsense.” The woman only smiled, clearly completely unafraid of him. She even tossed a few flirtatious glances at Hua Chengzan.

Wu Gen sniggered, while Hua Chengzan stepped aside to give way. “You can go first, sir. Let’s not delay your proper business.”

Wu Gen said disdainfully, “Shameless degenerate.”