Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 984: If It’s Meant to Be, We’ll Be Together

Chapter 984: Chapter 984: If It’s Meant to Be, We’ll Be Together

As night fell, Gu Fan and Mo Yun started a fire between the eight houses since there wasn’t much else to do, and barbecuing seemed like a good idea.

It only took a moment before the savory smell of cooking meat drew others out, and seeing how much Gu Fan and Mo Yun were enjoying their food, practically everyone couldn’t help but salivate.

Lu Bei and Jin Yi came running over to join in, "Buddy, your grilled meat smells amazing. Mind sharing some with us?"

"Of course, there’s enough for everyone who sees it." After speaking, Gu Fan passed them several skewers of chicken wings and added, "Come on, grill as much as you want to eat."

"Solid, brother, you’re a real one." Lu Bei accepted the skewers with an exhilarated look on his face, as it had been a very long time since he’d had the experience of a group of people gathering together to grill meat.

Just then, the Female Sword Immortal arrived, bringing out a jar of fine wine, "In such a moment, having meat without wine just won’t do."

Lu Bei was thrilled and grabbed the wine, "Fantastic, beauty, you thought of everything."

The other four martial artists felt somewhat distant from Gu Fan and the others and were too shy to join in, but Gu Fan invited them over, "Gentlemen, a chance meeting is predestined, so forget how we will fare in the Martial Arts Competition later, but tonight is a rare opportunity. Let’s all sit down together and drink our fill."

"Great!" The four martial artists joined in, among them was Jiang Tie of the Northern Desert Sword, who would be Gu Fan’s next opponent.

Jiang Tie was very enthusiastic, handing out bowls and pouring drinks for everyone, quickly winning the crowd’s affection.

Together, everyone drank and ate meat, and as the conversation continued, they all became familiar with each other and any sense of caution and hostility faded away.

"Brother, I toast to you. Although we’re opponents in the coming match, I respect you as a worthy one." Gu Fan clinked glasses with Jiang Tie of the Northern Desert Sword, who then downed his bowl of wine in one go, turned the bowl over for everyone to see, and wore a prideful expression, "Not to brag, but while I may not be the strongest here when it comes to martial arts, when it comes to drinking, I definitely won’t lose to any of you."

"Alright, we’re not competing in martial arts now, we’re having a drinking contest." Gu Fan too was filled with a surge of spirit, tilting his head back and downing a bowl of wine.

Lu Bei and a few other martial artists didn’t want to be outdone and followed suit, downing their drinks in one gulp.

"What a capacity for booze, let’s do it again." Led by Jiang Tie of the Northern Desert Sword, the atmosphere became even livelier.

Someone commented, "We’re all here, so why hasn’t the leader of the Xuanjian Sect shown up yet?"

Lu Bei explained it like this, "The man is the leader of a highborn sect, he’s very particular about his reputation. Usually, he associates only with influential people of the martial world; generally, he would not be so congenial with us."

Gu Fan stood up, planning to personally invite the leader of the Xuanjian Sect to join.

However, Jiang Tie of the Northern Desert Sword discouraged him, reasoning that since the person concerned was keeping to himself, it would be pointless to trouble him.

The guard in charge also suggested to Gu Fan not to disturb his rest, hinting that he might even be practicing his Qi and martial arts.

Therefore, Gu Fan gave up on the idea of inviting the leader of the Xuanjian Sect, but a trace of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

"It’s true, yet no matter, to be able to gather here with everyone today is already an unforgettable experience. I, Gu Fan, thank all of you for giving me this honor, and I shall drink first as a gesture of my respect." Having said that, Gu Fan drained the bowl of wine in one gulp.

Everyone was stirred up and picked up their bowls one by one, then drank to their heart’s content.

The Female Sword Immortal, on the side, watched with some concern, but fortunately, Gu Fan didn’t show any abnormal reactions, and she let out a slight sigh of relief.

Mo Yun, noticing that the Female Sword Immortal seemed to care a lot for Gu Fan, asked with interest, "Since it’s rare for us to sit down together today, I wonder if the Female Sword Immortal could remove her mask, so we can feast our eyes on her true face."

At these words, everyone’s gaze shifted to the Female Sword Immortal, full of anticipation. After all, judging by her figure and proportions, she surely must be a beauty in the making.

The Female Sword Immortal offered a faint smile, "I apologize, without my master’s permission, I cannot remove my mask in public. Please understand. However, speaking of which, aren’t you also disguising as the opposite gender?"

This time, everyone’s gaze turned to Mo Yun, who just smiled without offering a word.

Gu Fan stepped in to smooth things over, "Alright, everyone has their own secrets. We’re here today in good faith to make friends. It’s fine if there are secrets you prefer not to share, as long as we’re all happy—that’s what matters."

Mo Yun wanted to say something but was preempted by the Female Sword Immortal, "After the Martial Arts Competition, we may never meet again, so tonight is especially precious. We must enjoy ourselves to the fullest, not returning until we’re drunk."

"Good, we shall not return until we’re drunk." Everyone’s excited mood was stirred up once more, and they all picked up their wine bowls, their eyes flashing with a heroic spirit, and then they all drank together in one go.

"Wonderful! It’s been so long since I’ve felt this elated, so long since I’ve drunk with such abandon," Jiang Tie of the Northern Desert Sword could not help but shout, releasing the excitement in his heart.

As everyone drank, they became more joyful, and the conversation grew. As the evening progressed, some began to share their tales, with boasts and wild fabrications. And everyone, not too concerned about the details, applauded and whistled in support.

From these conversations, Gu Fan learned that many of them had the same reason for participating in the Martial Arts Competition—they wanted to make a name for themselves and thus change their fortunes.

When the discussion turned to who might ultimately become the leader of the Martial Arts, most agreed it would be the leader of Xuanjian Sect. Those who had seen him wield a sword found it hard to believe they could ever match him.

In the end, everyone concluded that the reason the leader of Xuanjian Sect wasn’t mixing with them was that everyone here was young, while he was of an older generation and possibly felt awkward joining in, lacking common topics with the younger crowd.

But Gu Fan didn’t share this view; by now, after so much conversation and commotion, anyone would have come out to see what’s happening. Why hadn’t the leader of Xuanjian Sect shown himself? There was just one reason—he wasn’t inside the house.

So, at Gu Fan’s warm invitation, those sent by the World’s Number One Gambling House to protect them joined in as well, and the group grew. The atmosphere became livelier, with more starting to compete in drinking as the First Gambling House sent over fine wines and meats.

Gu Fan felt the moment had come, so he declared, "I’ll go invite the leader of Xuanjian Sect myself. Even if he doesn’t want to save face for me, I must show proper respect."

Everyone nodded their support, "Go on then, Gu Fan. If you really manage to invite the leader of Xuanjian Sect, consider it impressive."

"Alright, don’t put too much pressure on me." Taking up a jar of wine, Gu Fan headed toward the residence of the leader of Xuanjian Sect. Upon reaching the door, he took a deep breath, then summoned the courage to knock.

One by one, all eyes turned to Gu Fan, also anticipating the leader of Xuanjian Sect to emerge from the house. If indeed the Xuanjian Sect leader was destined to become the leader of the Martial Arts, then having the chance to drink freely with him tonight would also be an unforgettable experience.