Chapter 145: A Banquet for Two

With his three shows of dominance successfully executed, Wei Wuji had essentially achieved his goal.

As long as the soldiers' impression of him was deepened, this trip was far from wasted. Firmly holding the military in his hands was the most crucial survival strategy in this chaotic era.

The remaining time required no more grand gestures; it was simply time to drink when thirsty and eat when hungry...

To be honest, having starved for so long, Wei Wuji found it hard to resist the rich aroma of meat.

Though roughly prepared and lacking Huan'er’s culinary skill, it held an immense temptation for someone driven to the brink of starvation.

"You lot stop standing around here, go find somewhere down below and grab a bite!" Wei Wuji said as he settled back into his seat, gesturing to Zheng Dali and the other guards.

They had also worked quite hard today. After fighting the assassins, they had not rested properly, and were dragged over to serve as an honor guard while still running on empty stomachs.

"Understood!" There was no hesitation, nor any need for it.

Since Wei Wuji had told them to go, he genuinely had their best interests at heart, a fact these guards well understood.

After the guards had all retreated, Wei Wuji noticed that Zheng Dali was still standing off to the side, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he kept vigil.

"Why are you still here? Go get something to eat!" Wei Wuji said, tilting his head.

Instead of moving, Zheng Dali bowed and said, "My lord, it is better for this subordinate to keep watch here; otherwise, I simply cannot feel at ease!"

Hearing such loyal words, Wei Wuji almost choked back tears. This fellow was just too... loyal.

Since the man had put it that way, Wei Wuji could hardly chase him away. Of course, the prospect of being entirely alone up on the platform was also something he wished to avoid.

"Very well, if you refuse to leave, stop standing way over there. Step closer!" Wei Wuji said slowly.

Zheng Dali hesitated for a moment before finally obeying, drawing closer to the edge of the table.

Wei Wuji picked up a jar of wine, filled the two empty bowls on the table, and said to Zheng Dali, "Let's share a drink!"

Zheng Dali’s expression froze, and then he looked somewhat flustered as he replied, "This subordinate wouldn't dare."

Wei Wuji was losing his patience. A ruthless killer who blinked at neither blood nor slaughter, yet he was afraid of a bowl of wine?

Giving the table a sharp slap with his hand, Wei Wuji muttered in a deep voice, "If I tell you to drink, you drink. Stop dawdling like a blushing maiden."

Unable to refuse further, Zheng Dali carefully picked up the wine bowl with both hands, looking utterly terrified.

No matter how one looked at it, Wei Wuji was a noble young lord of supreme status; there was simply no precedent for drinking with a mere subordinate, and a low-ranking guard at that.

It broke all rules of decorum, as well as the values Zheng Dali had lived by for years. His state of mind at that moment was identical to what the soldiers' had been earlier.

"To the two of us... still being alive. Cheers..." Casually raising his bowl, Wei Wuji said softly.

Zheng Dali froze once more, by which time Wei Wuji had already tilted the wine down his throat.

After giving the bowl in his hand a glance, Zheng Dali let out a breath before bringing it to his lips and gulping the contents down into his stomach.

Just as he was finishing, he heard the sound of Wei Wuji slamming his bowl back onto the table.

"What are you dawdling for? Can't even drink a bowl of wine cleanly," Wei Wuji said with mock dissatisfaction, easily shattering the heavy atmosphere that had just hung in the air.

Yet Wei Wuji’s sentiment was genuine; he truly felt overflowing gratitude toward Zheng Dali. Had it not been for this man, Wei Wuji might well have lost his life back in Great Stone County.

Lifting the wine jar once more, Wei Wuji poured another serving into Zheng Dali's bowl.

"My lord, this won't do! Let this subordinate handle it!" Panicked at the sight, Zheng Dali protested.

Seeing Zheng Dali reach out to help, Wei Wuji shot him a fierce glare and commanded coldly, "Just stand there properly!"

Only then did Zheng Dali reluctantly retract his hands.

Once both bowls were refilled, Wei Wuji commanded again, "Pick it up!"

Without needing a second prompt, Zheng Dali obediently raised his wine bowl.

"This bowl of wine... is for the two of us to continue living well. Cheers..." Wei Wuji stared straight into Zheng Dali's eyes.

This was his expectation for Zheng Dali, an encouragement to them both, and above all... an optimistic vision of the future.

Because they would survive, and things would only get better.

The two men drained their bowls in one gulp. Zheng Dali had finally accepted it—since the young lord regarded him as one of his own, why should he care about petty conventions?

Of course, it also helped that the heavy intake of alcohol was beginning to loosen Zheng Dali's rigid thinking.

"Come on, time to eat! I'm starving to death!" Setting down his bowl, Wei Wuji directly reached into the basin with his bare hands.

That's right, a basin... Conditions in the military camp were rather crude, and the boiled meat was served in large basins, which added a certain heroic, unbridled flair.

Once he started eating, Wei Wuji did not forget Zheng Dali. Stuffing food into his mouth, he urged, "Stop standing there like a fool, grab some and eat! You've been starved this long—do you still have the strength to protect your lord?"

At these words, Zheng Dali awkwardly rubbed his hands together before finally mimicking Wei Wuji, picking up a large trotter and sinking his teeth into it.

Zheng Dali could eat to his heart's content, but Wei Wuji was not afforded such luxury.

Sure enough, figures were already making their way up the command platform, carrying bowls, with the rear-most person lugging a fresh jar of wine.

"Damn it, the wine-pushers are back..." Wei Wuji groaned inwardly. He just wanted to eat!

Swallowing a few hurried mouthfuls of food, Wei Wuji quickly adjusted his expression, assuming a dignified posture to await the newcomers.

Given who had access to him, the only people coming up were Wang Xiu and his cohort.

As subordinates, after their superior had addressed the troops and shared a drink, it was only proper for them to come forward and offer a toast in return.

"This subordinate pays respects to the young lord!" Standing firmly upon the command platform, Wang Xiu and the others offered a synchronized bow.

"Cut the formalities! If you're here to drink, get on with it!" Toward the soldiers who played along with his theater, he had been patient; but toward these military officers and lieutenants, he had no such pleasantries to spare.

Wang Xiu and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the shared helplessness in each other's eyes. The young lord... truly had not changed a single bit.

Meanwhile, seeing Zheng Dali still busy eating left Wang Xiu and his men even more dumbfounded. Gone was the solemn, imposing demeanor the guard had previously displayed.

What on earth was going on here? Wang Xiu and the others wondered privately.

Noticing their gazes, Zheng Dali paused his chewing, flashed a grin, and invited, "If you officers are hungry, care to join me for a bite?"

Hearing this remark, even the seated Wei Wuji nearly choked. This fellow was entirely lacking in restraint.

With a dry, awkward chuckle, Wang Xiu finally raised his wine bowl toward Wei Wuji, bowing deeply as he said, "We offer this bowl to toast the young lord..."

"Had it not been for the young lord's brilliant strategic command, how could we have achieved such a sweeping victory today?"

Sticking to the standard official script, the group naturally began showering Wei Wuji with flattery, and the effect was undeniably pleasant.

Who didn't like hearing flattering words? Wei Wuji was no exception. At that moment, his heart felt as sweet and refreshing as if he had drunk honey...

"Your contributions were not small either..." Wei Wuji casually raised his own bowl in response.

This time, Wang Xiu and the men stood respectfully, while Wei Wuji leaned lazily against his chair. It formed a stark contrast to earlier, when he had stood while commanding the seated soldiers.

Yet Wang Xiu and the others found nothing amiss with this arrangement; in their minds, such was the natural prerogative of their lord's authority.

***

After a round of clinking cups, mutual flattery, and excessive sycophancy, Wei Wuji finally dismissed Wang Xiu and the others.

On the command platform, only two people remained, just as it had been before.

Wei Wuji and Zheng Dali exchanged glances, sparks seemingly igniting between their eyes.