The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 494 Drinking to Boost Morale

The next day, Wu Chengyu did not get up early, but stayed in his room until noon before going out.

His current identity is somewhat like that of a spoiled brat in the Ming Cult, protected by the legacy of a loyal minister father, so he always has to appear somewhat unambitious.

But when he arrived at the main hall of the Hou Tu Banner and encountered the Hou Tu Banner disciples, their gazes towards him had completely changed, becoming much more friendly and respectful.

Yesterday, when these people looked at him, they only showed superficial respect; their eyes were filled with indifference, wariness, and a certain degree of disdain.

In the eyes of these people, Zhou Dao really was just a spoiled brat who had never been to Bright Peak. When he returned to the Ming Cult, he became the deputy flag leader. When Yang Xu was given an official position, he also mentioned that he was mindful of the loyalty of Zhou Xuancheng, the Golden-Faced Fox King.

Zhou Dao had previously persuaded Fang Yaning, but this was a matter that couldn't be discussed openly, so it had to be downplayed.

This is similar to how in the military in later generations, if someone with connections comes in, ordinary soldiers will definitely not like them; no one likes someone who gets in through connections.

But today was different. Although these people bowed respectfully out of respect for the position of the deputy banner chief, they greeted each other more familiarly.

After a moment's thought, he understood where this change came from: in the army, those who could drink and drank heartily and generously were always looked up to by others.

Wu Chengyu's performance last night was truly terrifying. It was beyond just being able to drink. He alone drank forty or fifty jars of wine in one night, finishing one bowl after another. He faced a thousand people by himself and didn't get drunk at all. He managed to get all of them drunk and subdued.

No one would believe his drinking capacity if it were told, but these ordinary Hou Tu Qi disciples admired him immensely, at least in terms of drinking ability.

This morning, most of the disciples slept until late morning, and many of them were still feeling weak and shaky. Meanwhile, the flag bearer, Zhou Dao, looked perfectly normal as he strolled leisurely through the main hall, showing no signs of distress.

Coupled with Wu Chengyu's behavior last night, after this big drinking session, he was at least recognized by these ordinary disciples and quickly integrated into the Hou Tu Banner.

At this moment, the captain who was the first to answer Wu Chengyu's question yesterday, and who was also the most prestigious among the captains, came to Wu Chengyu's side in a few steps.

"I got drunk too quickly yesterday and didn't know that Deputy Flag Chief Zhou had such a feat. The Deputy Flag Chief may not know, but this matter has already spread. Leaving aside the people on Bright Peak, at least we Five Elements Flags know about it."

However, the other four banners simply didn't believe it, saying that our Hou Tu Banner was just bragging. The deputy banner chief insisted that they see for themselves.

This commander is currently the most senior commander in the Hou Tu Banner. His name is Pang Kun. Among all the commanders, Wu Chengyu pays the most attention to him because he is the one in the Hou Tu Banner who is specifically responsible for training soldiers.

Thick Earth Banner's attack on the Beggars' Sect's Lotus Fall Formation at Phoenix Mountain, despite having a numerical advantage, was no easy feat to inflict heavy losses on the beggars, with more than half of them suffering casualties.

It should be noted that these beggars are all elite members of the Beggars' Sect who have practiced martial arts, so the Thick Earth Banner's combat strength is not bad, and Pang Kun's training is effective.

Such a person is like an instructor in the army in later generations. Only with a good instructor can you train a warrior with strong combat power. At the same time, he also has mastered those unique combat methods that belong exclusively to the Hou Tu Banner.

If Wu Chengyu wanted to control the Five Elements Flags, the flag leaders and deputy flag leaders would be fine, but instructors like Pang Kun were the most valuable asset.

Just like the rebel army under Hong Niangzi, their real fighting power came from the instructors who mastered the training methods of Yue Fei's army.

Unfortunately, Pang Kun was over forty years old and his martial arts skills were mediocre. In the Ming Cult, which emphasizes individual martial arts skills, such a person could only stay in the lower middle class and had no room for advancement.

Now, Pang Kun took the initiative to approach Wu Chengyu and said these flattering words, which were somewhat stiff and far less smooth than those from Pu Zhishen, but they were still expressing his goodwill, which showed that the big drinking session yesterday had indeed worked.

"General Pang, you flatter me. I can only drink, that's no real skill. It's said that the Hou Tu Banner was trained by General Pang, that's the real skill, and the greatest contribution to my Ming Cult."

Zhou was born a beggar, but he also admires capable people the most. General Pang is just like that. In the future, I, a playboy, will have to rely on you a lot to train my disciples.

As for the other four banners, if they don't believe me, let them challenge me. I will make sure these guys submit to my Thick Earth Banner in the future.

Pang Kun beamed with joy at these words. They flattered him, made it clear that he disliked power struggles, and could also bring fame to Houtuqi. Even if such a leader were parachuted in, his subordinates would find him the most acceptable.

Wu Chengyu never expected that he would make initial progress in the Five Elements Flag simply by drinking.

Seeing the excellent results, Wu Chengyu had a flash of inspiration and ordered his men to bring Pu Zhishen over as well.

"If you ask me, let's not wait for me to challenge them. Old Pu, just now, Chief Pang said that you are very shrewd and have good interpersonal relationships. You have friends all over our Five Elements Banner, so you can be the one to make the introduction."

Didn't they say that we Hou Tu Qi are just bragging and don't believe I can drink? Then you lead the way, bring enough wine, and we'll visit them one by one.

"Do you think I can get the other four banners drunk too, so that they'll have to call any of the Hou Tu banner brothers 'brother' from now on?"

Pu Zhishen smiled awkwardly. He didn't know Wu Chengyu's true intentions. This matter sounded like nonsense, but he had been controlled by Wu Chengyu and could only cooperate. However, the other generals of Houtu Banner and the disciples around him were all excited after hearing this.

Only the Hou Tu Banner and the Rui Jin Banner were involved in the Nan Gong Luan Rebellion. However, the Rui Jin Banner was originally Yang Xu's subordinate, but suddenly became the hero who restored order.

Among the Five Elements Banners, only the Thick Earth Banner was stigmatized as a rebel, causing widespread panic and constant fear of being purged. The heads of the former banner leader and deputy banner leader were still hanging high above the Bright Peak, so during this period, the disciples of the Thick Earth Banner were always inferior to others, and their morale was extremely low.

Wu Chengyu's actions, though seemingly absurd, have actually boosted the morale of the Hou Tu Banner to some extent, allowing them to regain face. These disciples are about to stand tall and proud, so how could they not be excited?

Seeing their state, Wu Chengyu came up with this crooked plan. After all, he was known to the outside world as a spoiled brat protected by his deceased father, so this kind of nonsense suited his persona and would also have a miraculous effect on integrating into the Hou Tu Banner. Having made up his mind, Wu Chengyu didn't delay and took out a handful of silver notes from his pocket.

"I won't spend any of our Hou Tu Qi's money. This is something I brought back from Jiangnan. Old Pang, go buy some wine, the more the better."

Old Pu, how much wine is left from last night? Get a few dozen disciples to carry it. There's no time like the present, let's make a scene today.

The closest banner to our Thick Earth Banner is the Giant Wood Banner, right? Old Pu, lead the way. Look ahead, it's pitch black—that's the Giant Wood's lair. Let's catch up and wipe them all out.

For the next four days, the name of the God of Wine, Wu Chengyu, resounded throughout the entire Ming Cult.

On the first day, Wu Chengyu went to Jumu Banner to have a drinking contest. The people of Jumu Banner were naturally not convinced and immediately found the best drinkers to challenge him. The banner chief, deputy banner chief, general banner chief, and junior banner chiefs, dozens of people, were all drunk and passed out. The battle then became uncontrollable.

When Wu Chengyu came down the mountain, most of the Giant Wood Banner disciples were vomiting while holding wine jars, and the rest could only crawl on the ground.

After the Giant Wood Banner came the Blazing Fire Banner. Pang Kun used Wu Chengyu's money to purchase a large amount of wine and liquor, which was then transported directly to the Blazing Fire Banner's base.

The final result was the same as with the Giant Wood Banner: the annihilation spread from the banner leader to all the disciples of the Blazing Fire Banner.

Wu Chengyu's alcohol level was too high; no matter how much he drank, it was just water. All the alcohol was expelled from his body through respiration, but he had to relieve himself frequently.

The man with the Fiery Banner was shaped like a raging fire. He drank impulsively, quickly and fiercely, and was defeated even faster than the Giant Wooden Banner.

The old flag leader was a veteran of the Ming Cult, and in terms of seniority, he was half a generation older than Zhou Xuancheng, the kind-hearted father. In the end, he clung to Wu Chengyu's leg and repeatedly called him "elder brother."

Then came the Ruijin Banner and the Hongshui Banner, all of whom were powerless to fight back. They were completely wiped out by Wu Chengyu alone, leaving not a single one of them alive.

For four whole days, including the first day when Wu Chengyu drank with his own Hou Tu Banner people, the Ming Cult's Five Elements Banner was completely wiped out in five days. Everyone was completely in awe of Wu Chengyu when it came to drinking, and no one dared to make a fuss anymore.

Before each drinking session, Wu Chengyu would make a bet: whoever lost would have to call the other "Big Brother." So now, if the other four banners encounter the Hou Tu Banner and can't avoid it in time, they have to accept the bet and call him "Big Brother," no matter how unwilling they are.

After the Nangong Rebellion, the Hou Tu Banner disciples, whose morale had plummeted and whose fighting spirit had been completely shattered, were now spurred on by Wu Chengyu and were now walking with their heads held high, their noses almost pointing to the sky, completely unlike their former dejected state.

Because of this feat, Wu Chengyu not only earned the title of God of Wine and became famous among the Five Elements Banners, but his fame even reached Bright Peak. The people on Bright Peak were indifferent to this, and more often they scolded Wu Chengyu for disgracing the Fox King.

In the hearts of the Hou Tu Banner disciples, this new deputy banner leader is already an absolute one of their own and someone they can trust.

Wu Chengyu was undoubtedly the first person in the world to boost morale by drinking alcohol.

After returning to Houtu Peak, Wu Chengyu drank heavily for five days in a row. He didn't get drunk, but he relieved himself too often and his back was a little sore, so he went straight back to his room to rest.

The undercover agent, Lao Dengpu Zhishen, seized the opportunity to secretly leave Houtu Peak and report to Snake King Wu Du in a secluded spot on Guangming Peak.

"So, this Zhou Dao spent five days drinking heavily in Hou Tu Qi. I really didn't expect this guy to be such a heavy drinker."

One person drank all five elemental flags under the table. Upon hearing this, the leader of the Lianyang Cult could only marvel at the absurdity, calling it nonsense.

"Yes, Snake King, this Deputy Flag Chief Zhou doesn't seem to have much ability, and his martial arts are just average. He's all smiles when I say a few flattering words. I really didn't expect him to be such a heavy drinker. Even though I witnessed it all with my own eyes, I still can't believe it."

"Hmph, what kind of skill is it to be able to drink? He's just a spoiled brat. I overestimated him before. The leader isn't too satisfied with him either and doesn't plan to let him return to Bright Peak."

"Now let me ask you, have you successfully completed the task of poisoning him?"

"Don't worry, Snake King. This kid drinks without hesitation and has no guile at all. I poisoned the first jar of wine he drinks every day with the poison you gave me, and I watched him drink it down with my own eyes."

"That's good. In a month, the toxin will invade his internal organs. At that time, even a god can't save him. Looking at how he drinks, when the time comes, he will die suddenly. Everyone might think he died from alcoholism. Who would know the truth?"

"The Snake King is wise, but there is one thing I do not understand."

"tell me the story."

"This kid clearly lacks ambition and has poor martial arts skills, so why does the Snake King insist on killing him?"

"It's strange, I don't know why, but the first time I met him, I disliked him from the bottom of my heart. Even though we had never met before, I always felt that this guy was superior to me."

If he makes me so uncomfortable, then he has no reason to live.

Continue to poison him as usual, and after a month, just let him die. There's no need to pay attention to him anymore.

Your next task is to find the secret about Bright Peak from Hou Tu Qi as soon as possible. If you can find it, it will be a great achievement.

"When Zhou Dao dies, you'll become the next deputy banner leader under Hou Tu, and I will definitely not mistreat you."

(End of this chapter)