Cheap Flower Wine

Yue lay wide awake in her room, the scenes of the previous evening still fresh in her mind. Conflicted thoughts filled her mind, making it impossible to find peace through meditation. Her feelings for Chen had only intensified, adding another layer of complexity to her already tumultuous state of mind. The near extermination of her clan haunted her, and she couldn't shake the guilt she felt for escaping her responsibilities within her family. Now, considering the unfamiliar technique offered by someone she had just met, she wondered if her choices would lead them into even greater danger.

Unable to cultivate peacefully in her room, Yue decided to go for a walk. The night was devoid of moonlight, but the quiet stillness seemed to be what she needed. She told herself that a stroll would help clear her mind as she walked towards the room next door.

Meanwhile, Chen cringed internally at his own actions. "I must have gone fucking insane," he thought. "Not too long ago, I witnessed real monsters fighting. If I had provoked someone like that old man, I would have lost my fucking head. There's no sign of any sort of respawn temple." He let out a sigh of frustration. "Damn! If this were really a game, I'd be dying from shame for crushing on an NPC. I need a drink."

With that thought in mind, he stood up from the chair and headed for the door. As he opened it, a small figure pushed her hands against his chest, and her body fell into his. Time seemed to stand still for a second before the flustered young lady took a step back and composed herself. "I was on my way to grab a drink," Chen said before she could utter a word. "I planned to ask if you wanted to join me, but it seems you beat me to it. Care to join me, Miss Yue?"

Yue nodded, her face slightly flushed. "Ah, yes. I was going to knock on your door and ask you to accompany me on a walk to clear my mind. We can do both if you don't mind strolling around and taking in the night scene. We should experience this place fully if we are to consider it as a possible place for a fresh start."

A smile formed on Chen's face. "That sounds wonderful." He grabbed his poorly crafted lacrosse staff, closed the door to his room, and left the inn with Yue, the young miss of the Yue clan.

The nighttime scenery had a completely different feel. Only a few large stalls remained open, and drunks were scattered lazily around. Most of the businesses, stalls, lodgings, and peddlers were concentrated near the shore. Local residences were spread out at a four-hour distance. They walked in silence until they arrived at the boat that had brought them there.

"I'm going to sell the boat," Yue declared, her voice filled with determination. "We need funds for a place."

Chester was surprised, he felt that up to that point he had merely been following along. The decision to revive the clan was happening, and with it the very real start of his plans for it. He stole a glance at Yue from the corner of his eye.

"I'm very interested in learning the basics of Qi cultivation from traditional families," Chen confessed. "I won't have the opportunity to experience this type of natural guidance again, considering my own arts were imprinted on me. I'll do my best to understand the differences. I want to give everything I have to nurture the clan of the important people to me."

Yue was taken aback by Chen's sudden declaration. "The clan of the people important to me," she thought. "There's only me... and the Lan siblings." Her mind raced with stray thoughts. She realized that Chen, the young man by her side, had also experienced the loss of family and was now working toward the same goal. She was certain now. A slight smile formed on Yue's lips.

They walked in silence for the rest of the way and returned to the inn. Chen headed to the kitchen area while Yue sat at a table by the window. She began organizing her thoughts, crafting a concise plan to establish a small manor and gradually build their forces. Once all the clan members were properly trained, they could recruit outsiders to further strengthen their power. Yue was eager to hear Chen's ideas before moving forward.

Chen sat down and placed a bottle of alcohol on the table, along with two small ceramic bowls. "This is all they had," he said. "The wine I've had before never got me intoxicated. I never understood why my friends enjoyed it without feeling the effects. Now, strangely, I miss the taste."

Yue was startled by this revelation. "It's the first time he's talked about anything related to his life aside from his family's death," she noted. Chen poured the drinks and handed a cup to Yue.

"It tastes horrible," Chen complained after taking a small sip. "What is this? I don't recognize the fruit." He finished the rest of the cup in silence and poured himself another. Yue had never drunk wine before, so she silently sipped her cup while Chen proceeded to finish the rest of the bottle on his own.

" I can't express how happy it makes me to hear you including me in the clan's future," Chen said, his gaze determined yet unfocused as his body swayed slightly. "I've been feeling out of place without anyone to really understanding me. It's hard without knowing what you can find that lies at the very top. It's probably going to take a while. Newbies have it tough, starting late in a pay-to-win game. Yue, I'm into the time sink. Let's grind." Chen looked at Yue with unwavering determination, his words filled with unfamiliar terms. Yue didn't understand half of what he said, but she grasped the essence—he was willing to tie his fate to the clan, and that was enough for her.

Conscious of their states as a lady and a young man who was starting to feel the effects of alcohol, she excused herself, retiring for the night. She suggested that Chen do the same.

Yue returned to her room and attempted to cultivate once more, but her mind was too consumed by anticipation to focus. She was certain of her direction now, but the excitement of building their future hindered her ability to calm her thoughts.

Chen stumbled back to his room after cleaning up the table, a simple act that reminded him of his time working as a waiter at a local restaurant. "Grinded for 7 years and didn't even make it 50% of the game," he muttered. 'Now I'm at a terrible starting point, with no strong background, guide or system. The fact that she's getting chased by a strong enemy just makes it easier to grind xp, it's the basics of people sending gradual stepping stones to farm levels and gear. Fuck I'm seeing the plot, how is this not a story based quest.' He sighed deeply 'The guys from today, this pattern, we'll get their backing assaulting us soon. Fuck, how is this, not.' he dropped to the floor and drifted off to sleep.