Chapter 279 – Beyond Ultimate Skills Lies the Divine; The Holy Tree Temple’s Defeat Is Overwhelming - Part 1
Within the Famous Toast, Li Yuan sat with his head slightly bowed, the streaks of white hair around his temples revealing his age. Beside him was a spirited young man, bursting with energy like a small leopard, taking deep gulps of wine between hearty laughs.
Because of Li Yuan’s presence, the place was frequented by all sorts of martial artists. Even more so since the Famous Toast happened to be under the control of the Black Cloaks.
To avoid any potential trouble after the arrival of Li Yuan and Ping'an, members of the Black Cloaks’ own martial ranks occupied nearby tables. Their job was to keep away any strangers who might stumble in, whether begging for weapons or spouting drunken nonsense that could bother Li Yuan.
After all, this was a tavern—a place to drown one’s sorrows in drink. Once a person got tipsy, they might challenge anyone, even the highest authority.
Only the leader of the Black Cloaks, Wang Heran, reported directly to Li Yuan, and his loyalty was ensured through the human-skin manacles. In turn, Wang Heran controlled the vice-leader through some sort of poison. Thanks to this, Li Yuan could operate his secret business of selling top-quality seventh-rank weapons through the Black Cloaks.
None of the rank-and-file members of the Black Cloaks knew Li Yuan was the true mastermind behind the scenes. However, it didn’t take a genius to notice how deferential Wang Heran was towards him. Even then, Li Yuan had cemented his status in the Holy Tree Temple’s city stronghold. He was practically untouchable. No one would be foolish enough to disrespect him these days.
Suddenly, Ping'an, so exhilarated by drink that he could hardly stay seated, leaped up from the long bench, one foot propped on it while he raised his wine jar in a sweeping toast to everyone around him. Then he pressed it to his lips and took several large, satisfying swigs.
Most of the patrons looked on, stunned. But then, the Black Cloaks members followed Ping'an’s lead. They raised their own cups and cheered.
“To Young Master Li!”
“Haha, Master Li sure has a lively son!”
“It’s good to be young and brash!”
Spurred on by the excitement and the knowledge of Li Yuan’s reputation, other scattered patrons also raised their cups, calling out, “Young Master Li, what a bold spirit!”