Let me explain, it's not what you think.

(I've been put in the dark room, waa ...

Lu Chen didn't wait long outside the door before Hu Wei came out.

"Let's go see that kid Zhang Fan. He's broken through to the Golden Core stage, and I, his master, haven't even gone to celebrate yet!"

Hu Wei patted Lu Chen on the shoulder and left without looking back.

Lu Chen followed closely behind him, without asking why Chen Xuejiao hadn't come.

After all, he knew Chen Xuejiao's situation; she was definitely at home cultivating diligently right now.

……

The two soon arrived at Zhang Fan's home.

Hu Wei pushed open the door to Zhang Fan's cave, and the scene inside was exactly the same as last night.

Wang Feng and Zhang Fan lay side by side on the ground, their blankets rumpled and tangled. Wang Feng's legs were draped over Zhang Fan's stomach, and Zhang Fan's head was resting on Wang Feng's arm. The two slept like two hibernating bears.

The leftover food on the table hadn't been cleared away, and the air was filled with a sour, rotten smell of alcohol.

Hu Wei stood at the door, looking at the two lumps of things sleeping soundly on the ground, and his lips twitched.

Lu Chen followed behind and peeked out, almost bursting out laughing.

Hu Wei walked over and kicked Wang Feng in the shin.

"stand up."

Wang Feng didn't move. His snoring stopped for a moment, then resumed at a different rhythm.

Hu Wei kicked Zhang Fan again. Zhang Fan groaned, frowned, but didn't wake up.

Hu Wei took a deep breath, squatted down, and pinched the noses of the two people, one in each hand.

Three seconds, five seconds, eight seconds...

Wang Feng suddenly opened his mouth and gasped for breath. Before he even opened his eyes, he started cursing, "Who the hell..." Then he saw Hu Wei's expressionless face, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.

"Master Uncle".

Zhang Fan was finally awakened by his elbow and the sudden movement of him sitting up.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking at Hu Wei in a daze, then at Lu Chen, and stared blankly for a full three breaths before his eyes suddenly widened.

"Master?! When did you get back?"

"When you two sleep cuddling."

Hu Wei stood up and patted the dust off his knees.

Wang Feng and Zhang Fan both looked down at the same time and saw their own legs and arms that had somehow become entangled together. They both sprang apart at the same time.

Wang Feng moved to the left, and Zhang Fan moved to the right, their movements as fast as if their tails had been set on fire.

"Um, Master Uncle, it gets chilly at night, and I can't sleep soundly."

"Me too."

Zhang Fan answered very quickly.

Hu Wei glanced at them, didn't reply, and walked to the table to sit down.

He reached out, picked up a peanut, threw it into his mouth, and chewed it twice.

"Where's the wine? Is there any left?"

Zhang Fan sprang to his feet and ran to the kitchen, carrying out two unopened jars of wine.

Wang Feng simply put the leftovers on the table into his storage bag. In the blink of an eye, the two of them had cleaned up the mess and prepared a new table of fine wine and food.

Zhang Fan opened the wine jar and poured a bowl for everyone.

The liquor was clear, and the aroma was milder than the jars from last night, but it was stronger on the palate.

Hu Wei picked up the bowl, took a big gulp, and wiped his mouth.

"This wine is good."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan's eyes lit up, and he continued the conversation for Hu Wei.

"Master, please drink more. I've broken through to the Golden Core stage, and you haven't celebrated with me yet." Hu Wei glanced at him.

"You've been drinking it for two days now, haven't you?"

Zhang Fan chuckled awkwardly.

"That's because you weren't here."

After a few bowls of wine, the atmosphere became lively.

Wang Feng and Zhang Fan were clearly in a better mood, and seemed to have endless things to say.

They also started teasing each other about their shortcomings, and Lin Tian was the most teased since he wasn't around. Especially the teasing about his womanizing, which led to Zhuang Jing's departure!

Lu Chen smiled while holding the bowl, but didn't reply.

As Hu Wei listened to their bickering, the corners of his mouth curved up, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out.

It's better to interact with young people; it helps him maintain a youthful mindset!

……

And so, the four of them chatted and laughed, drinking until late into the night, when Wang Feng couldn't hold on any longer.

Just like last night, he leaned back against the wall, closed his eyes, and started snoring.

Zhang Fan laughed at him, saying "that's all," but not long after, he himself slumped onto the table and started snoring.

Even Hu Wei was drunk.

The three of them were only at the Golden Core stage, and in terms of drinking capacity, they were no match for Lu Chen!

"Chen'er," Hu Wei suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat muffled.

"Master, please speak."

Hu Wei looked at him for a while, then picked up the bowl and downed the last bit of wine in one gulp.

"It's about time, take me home."

Lu Chen stood up, walked around the table, and took Hu Wei's arm for support.

When Hu Wei stood up, he swayed slightly. Lu Chen steadied him and helped him walk outside.

Before leaving, he covered the two drunk men with blankets before departing.

"Chen'er," Hu Wei called out again.

"Um."

"You are my most prized disciple in this life. After I pass away, you must carry on my lineage and take on many more disciples, understand?"

Lu Chen paused for a moment.

"I will."

"Hmm, take in more... female disciples, they should be pretty, that way many outstanding people will come..."

Hu Wei fell asleep as he was talking.

Lu Chen quickly helped him to the cave.

Chen Xuejiao stood at the door, barefoot on the threshold, holding a cup of tea in her hand.

The tea had gone cold, but she didn't drink it; she just held it.

She saw Lu Chen helping Hu Wei walk over, her gaze lingered on Lu Chen's face for a moment, then she lowered her eyes and looked at Hu Wei.

"Is he drunk?"

"Yes, Master is in a good mood today!" Lu Chen explained.

"You... why aren't you asleep yet?" Hu Wei asked, half asleep.

Chen Xuejiao looked at him and then spoke.

"Wait for you."

The two men carried Hu Wei into the cave and placed him on the bed.

Hu Wei fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, and his snoring soon began, steady and long.

"In that case, this disciple will take his leave!"

"Okay, go back now, I'll see you off!"

As Chen Xuejiao spoke, she straightened up and escorted Lu Chen to the door.

Seeing Lu Chen standing at the door, their eyes met briefly in the dim light.

Chen Xuejiao lowered her head.

"Go back now." Lu Chen stood there for a while.

"Um."

He took a few steps, then looked back again.

Chen Xuejiao clenched her fist, but finally nodded with pursed lips.

Lu Chen smiled.

……

And so, a few more days passed uneventfully.

Lu Chen meditated and cultivated in his cave every day. Occasionally, he would go to Hu Wei's place to sit for a while, chat with Chen Xuejiao for a few words, and then get up to say goodbye when Hu Wei returned.

Su Wanqing lived in the side hall with Qin Shuang. During the day, she took care of the child, and at night, she would wait for Lu Chen to return, warm a pot of wine for him, and prepare a few dishes of side dishes.

In his spare time, he would also go into the inner world to keep Zi Yao, Yu Ning, and Jiang Yu company.

Life is like a piece of silk that has been ironed, smooth, neat, and without wrinkles.

Then one day, Wang Feng arrived.