14 Drunken Dreams

"Tonight, we dine under the fair moonlight as we celebrate another end of the lunar cycle," the Jade Emperor said, raising a cup filled with heavenly liquor.

His voice was velvety, but there was some queer quality about it that made Taehyung shudder. A stone cold appearance, a stone cold heart. A being made out of precious stone who's title made those shiver in fear, and who's true name was deadly.

Never say a God's true name, for they can immediately locate your position, no matter where in the world you were.

All the immortals, Gods, Goddesses, and spirits in the room raised their cups up in unison, toasting to the Jade Emperor. Low murmurs wishing good health and a long reign to the Emperor sounded out.

The Jade Emperor sat and waved a jade hand, causing dishes to appear on all the tables.

Quiet conversations filled the room. A nine-tailed fox dressed in bright red smirked at Taehyung.

"You're the talk of the Heavens right now, you know," she purred, her tails swishing around in delight.

Taehyung glanced at her and gave a tight-lipped smile.

She pouted and shifted her body closer, almost draping over Taehyung's arm. "My name is Jiu Wei Hu, but I'll allow you to call me Ahri."

Opening her mouth, she revealed two sharp incisors and her ears twitched.

Taehyung glared coldly at her and politely moved her wandering hands away, placing them on the table.

The other spirits nearby did nothing to help. They admired Ahri, who had the courage to go up to Jin Tai Heng. Curiosity flitted across their faces. A sweet, almost dizzying fragrance reached Taehyung's senses. He breathed in, almost drunk on the taste.

"What do you want?" Taehyung said.

Ahri smirked. "A little something only you can give to me."

She stood up and stretched out her hand, her face triumphant.

"Come," she whispered.

Taehyung reached out, almost intoxicated despite the lack of drinks he had. Xue Ya and Jin Tong rushed forth, but a glare from the nine-tailed fox stopped them in their tracks. They knew they couldn't go up against her, and certainly not at a gathering with the Jade Emperor.  

Status was everything. The Jade Emperor's hands spread far. With a flick of his wrists, another chess game started, the movement of every piece controlled by him; no black nor white sides, just a endless war that he happily controlled on both sides.

Just before Taehyung's fingertips touched Ahri's, the nine-tailed fox drew back with a hiss. Xue Ya leapt forward and tackled Taehyung to the ground, right before a dark object sliced his fingers off.

Everyone's heads turned towards the commotion.

A dark sword, teeming with bloodlust, stood buried deep into the pure crystal walls of the hall. It's blade flickered with purple light, causing sparks of lightning to jump from its surface.

A hush fell over the room.

The culprit? Guan Gong, the God of War, who stood arrogantly with a straight back. He held out his hand, and the sword flew back with an angry whistle right back. Nonchalantly, he strapped the sword onto his back and sat down, throwing down another gulp of wine.

The Jade Emperor stood.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded coldly.

Guan Gong barked out a mirthless laugh. "Nothing. This one saw an annoying pest, and sought to exterminate it. Forgive this one's actions."

The Jade Emperor frowned, but decided against action.

Ahri, upon being called an annoying pest, trembled in anger. She gritted her teeth and glared at Guan Gong.

Taehyung, who was now out of Ahri's zone, felt his consciousness clear up. He rubbed at his head and sat up groggily. His memories were hazy.

Ahri, that fox, tried to take him away from the gathering. Luckily, before she succeeded, Guan Gong saved him. Taehyung glanced at Guan Gong, who sat on his own, continuously drinking more and more.

Well, it's not like Gods can die from over drinking…

The conversation quickly resumed, the tension that had built up slowly fading away.

Under Xue Ya's baleful eye, Taehyung walked across the room to where Guan Gong sat.

He plopped himself next to him.

"Thank you," Taehyung said.

Guan Gong didn't look at him, preferring to stare at the bottom of his empty cup. Taehyung decided to take the initiative and filled up Guan Gong's empty cup.

Guan Gong nodded in thanks and tipped back the drink, finishing it in one go. The stench of wine around him was so thick that just smelling it made a person feel light-headed.

"Why did you help?" Taehyung asked.

Guan Gong slammed his cup down with a loud thud. Hiccuping, he pointed at Taehyung with a wobbling arm.

"Does this one need to give an explanation of what this one can or--" he hiccuped again--"cannot do?"

His bleary eyes squinted at Taehyung.

"Heavens above, heh. This one should say below. You look similar to her."

"Who?" Taehyung pressed on.

Was it Jin Ying Hua? Could it be that the God she had fallen in love with was this drunken God of War?

Guan Gong waved his hand. "Forget it. Leave this one alone. This one just wants peace."

When Taehyung loitered, Guan Gong glared at him and slammed a fist onto the table. Taehyung frowned, but got up and left.

Behind him, Guan Gong slumped on the table with a dull thud, a hand still on his wine cup and food spilled everywhere.

As Taehyung passed by the Gu Wen, a fan stuck out in front of him. The Gu Wen narrowed his peach blossom eyes and motioned for Taehyung to come closer.

"You should not have come back," the deep voice of the Gu Wen said.

Taehyung's eyes widened. This voice--!

It had to be.

This voice was the same as the one who told him to sleep, and most likely the one who sealed his memories.

The Gu Wen continued speaking.

"Do not consort with Guan Gong. You will only get hurt."

Taehyung raised an eyebrow.

He peered straight into the Gu Wen's eyes. "I would prefer if the honorable Gu Wen paid attention to his own matters rather than waste time on mine."

The Gu Wen's face did not change, but he lowered his fan and turned his attention back onto the others sitting at his table.

Taehyung went back to his seat.