Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 305 - 305 304 Floating Wine Cups on a Winding Stream

305: Chapter 304: Floating Wine Cups on a Winding Stream 305: Chapter 304: Floating Wine Cups on a Winding Stream Hou Niao had no real interest, and only asked out of politeness, “Are you proposing an alliance for joint defense and offense to overturn the Quanzhen?”

Daoist Wang knew he was a person who joked without restraint, “Senior Brother, as far as I know, the women of the Dugu Family usually marry before reaching the Tongxuan Realm.

It’s the best time to invest in marital alliances.

Any later, and things like female charms can hardly entice others.

Besides, youth fades fast and it grows increasingly difficult to bear offspring.”

Hou Niao nodded, understanding this well; in the world of cultivation, marriage and dual cultivation often served mutual benefits—profit came first, and sentiments followed.

As time went on, this would only get more pronounced.

Therefore, it was necessary to marry early, or else once one’s realm truly advanced, the only things binding two people together would be interests, nothing else.

For a family, offspring were of utmost importance.

What was the point for a family if one were to struggle all their life without leaving descendants?

The higher the realm, the harder it became to have children.

This was a rule of the Heavenly Dao, an important means to control the populations within the cultivation world.

Before reaching the Tongxuan Realm, it was not difficult for a cultivator to have descendants.

But after reaching Tongxuan, the rules of the Heavenly Dao began to take effect, and then whether one could bear a son or a daughter relied on luck.

Thus, women from cultivation families usually married early, and it was a test of the family’s foresight to see if they could select a promising marital alliance.

Of course, this was for ordinary women.

For ones like Dugu Lan and Xiao Qiang, who had some inherent potential for cultivation, their choices were broader.

It wouldn’t be too late for them to consider marriage after reaching Tongxuan.

Daoist Wang chuckled, “Both girls are of age now.

Discussing marriage is their best path forward.

In fact, they have little say in it; having consumed so many of the family’s resources to reach the Upper Realm, they must offer some return, right?

Their only freedom lies in choosing for themselves, provided they don’t take too long.

Such matters only become more troublesome with delay.”

This banquet had such a purpose.

Didn’t you notice that most of the attendees are young?

Apart from those who have risen in the Tongxuan Realm in the last decade, there are also low-rank disciples who wish to climb the social ladder, a gathering of talents,”

Hou Niao laughed, “No wonder the three mansion masters didn’t show up, and even those famous old cultivators are few and far between.

It turns out they all know the inside story.

But actually, there’s no need for all this secrecy.

Does Capital Commandant Li have a dual cultivation partner?

Even if he does, he could always take another concubine or two.

Who among the powerful and influential on the continent doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines?”

Daoist Wang gave a wry smile.

This fellow was truly daring, to even joke about Capital Commandant Li, and without considering the occasion or the subject at hand,

“The Commandant has devoted his life to Daoist methods; he is not inclined to be concerned with such matters.

Senior Brother, let’s talk about you instead?

As far as I know, Senior Brother, you’re already acquainted with these two ladies, and you even fought over a beauty at the Sword Mansion’s outer court, killing someone in the process?”

Hou Niao quickly cleared his name, “It must not be spread recklessly; I was merely taking someone else’s punishment.

It was an undeserved calamity; I wasn’t acting out of chivalry for a lady.”

Daoist Wang pressed on, “Moreover, you also had interactions in Miao Gao Town where the lady even gifted you a luxurious ship ticket.

It truly seems like a lady’s affection is deep.”

Hou Niao was speechless, “Daoist Wang, are you telling me the Capital Commandant’s Office has nothing better to do than gossip about such trivial matters?

People are kept on tenterhooks all day, annoyed and distracted.”

Daoist Wang chuckled, “That’s why I say, those young talents invited today are actually all within the range of scrutiny, which means, if you show some interest in a particular aspect, you might have the chance to proceed further, becoming a potential suitor.”

Hou Niao’s eyes widened, “By saying that, could it be that Daoist Brother Wang also harbors such intentions?”

Daoist Wang shook his head and smiled bitterly, “One must know oneself.

I come as a representative of the Capital Commandant’s Office, for official business.

Besides, with my age and potential, even if I were interested, it’s unlikely that they would reciprocate.

Why invite ridicule and make a fool of myself, to the point where I can’t show my face in Jin City’s cultivation circles anymore?

If I truly held no interest, I would not have accepted the invitation.

Sending someone with a gift to express goodwill would suffice.

Just like you used to avoid similar banquets, why the change of heart now?

Is there something on your mind?

If so, speak up boldly.

The Capital Commandant’s Office will back you up fully.

If anyone dares to compete with you, we’ll deal with their crimes.

In these times, who’s completely clean?

It’s all about whether or not we choose to pursue it.”

Hou Niao was utterly speechless.

Was this a case of ‘mud on one’s pants that can’t be washed clean’?

The reason for his attendance was only because he once promised the two women to host a banquet for them once they reached the Upper Realm.

In an attempt to save on a meal’s expense, had he inadvertently set himself up?

It felt a bit like throwing an embroidered ball in the mortal world, except there were certain thresholds involved, preventing any truly undesirable matches.

For matters like this, mutual appeal was still key.

Before long, all guests had arrived.

In such a setting, neither woman made an overture to or snubbed anyone in particular.

They were both knowledgeable and cultured, adept in worldly affairs and high in maneuvering—never would they do something as crass as playing favourites with one or two men, thereby offending most of the other guests at such an occasion, or stirring up jealousy and competitive strife.

These were mortal world tactics unfit for the cultivation world.

Impartial to all.

The gathering was set in the backyard garden.

The Dugu Family’s backyard garden had its own unique charm, with pavilions, towers, artificial mountains, and flowing waterways creating a secluded atmosphere.

Guests mingled in pairs or groups alongside the water, conversing and enjoying themselves in leisure and comfort.

Amid the water’s flow, fine wine and delicacies, fruit, all carried in specially crafted vessels, drifted by: the legendary “Qu Shui Liu Shang” (Curving Water Floating Cups).

This was a level of grandeur that only the most influential and wealthy could afford.

In reality, such extravagance was a bit over-the-top for the Dugu Family, but having two Tongxuan Cultivators appear at once was a rare joy not seen in a century, so a bit of splendor was excusable.

“Qu Shui Liu Shang” is a refined custom on the Jinxiu Continent with a long history among the elite, but since the advent of cultivation, such practices had gradually lost their appeal.

Cultivators are not idle literati with time for such trivial games.

Now that the Dugu Family had brought out this custom again, it created a sense of novelty.

As an occasional indulgence, it was a source of pleasure.

In ancient times during “Qu Shui Liu Shang,” when cups of wine stopped in front of someone, they were expected to recite poetry as a challenge.

Failure led to drinking penalties—a game for the literati.

Cultivators, naturally, didn’t use poetry to pass the time but had their own ways of entertainment.

Hou Niao and Daoist Wang sat by a bend in the water, casually picking delicacies while quietly discussing some rumors from Linhai.

Though Daoist Wang had never been there, the Capital Commandant’s Office had innumerable sources of information and couldn’t overlook Linhai, an essential channel for maritime resources.

Keen to ingratiate himself, he shared many intriguing tales that were news to Hou Niao, much to his benefit.