Unrivaled Miracle Doctor: The God-Defying Demonic Consort novel Chapter 596

Chapter 596: Chapter 31: Singing Drunk, Life Is But a Fleeting Moment

"Do you mind my outfit so much?" Han Caicai suddenly leaned closer, a sinister smile on his wickedly attractive face, his voice lazy and alluring.

Mu Qingge frowned in disdain, leaning back slightly and warning in a deep voice, "Stay away from me."

However, Han Caicai feigned deafness and moved even closer, his voice like a seductive serpent whispering in Mu Qingge’s ear, "Are you scared?"

Mu Qingge let out a cold laugh, "This kind of joke is not funny at all."

The smile on Han Caicai’s face faded as he backed away from Mu Qingge. He flicked his sleeve and walked backward, picking up a jug of wine and tossing it toward Mu Qingge.

The bulging wine jug flew toward Mu Qingge; she reached out to catch it, her sleeve slipping down to reveal a section of fair skin. As Han Caicai turned towards her, he caught sight of that jade-like white arm, his slender eyes flickering with light, seemingly fixed on that sight.

Mu Qingge withdrew her hand, letting the sleeve fall and cover that flawless skin, causing a trace of disappointment to rise in Han Caicai’s eyes.

Uncorking the jug, Mu Qingge tipped her head back, the clear wine pouring down like a silver waterfall into her slightly open mouth.

"Good wine!" With a sip, the strong wine burned down her throat, igniting a flame within her body.

Mu Qingge admired the taste, her eyes brightening slightly.

Han Caicai shook his head and said, "Indeed, you are not suited for a woman’s light fruit wine." He observed Mu Qingge’s spirited expression, thinking anyone unfamiliar with her might assume she was a lover of wine.

Mu Qingge replied with a smile, "Not so. Whatever mood I’m in, I drink the corresponding wine. I never favor one type of wine."

She glanced at the wine jug in her hand, gently shaking it, and said to Han Caicai, "I can drink fiery wine like this. I won’t refuse mild fruit wine either."

Han Caicai looked at her, his slender, enchanting eyes betraying no hint of his thoughts.

He said to Mu Qingge, "If you want to drink, follow me," and then turned to leave.

Mu Qingge had come here today precisely to drink and then gather information on the Abnormal Fire, so naturally, she wouldn’t hesitate at this moment. She took another sip from the jug in her hand, then set it down and followed Han Caicai.

The path Han Caicai led her on was different from the one she had come by.

Yet, it was still a descent.

Spiraling downward, the stairs led into depths unknown. Judging by the height, it was clearly more than seven layers.

Mu Qingge followed Han Caicai down the stairs into a cellar. At the entrance to the cellar was an iron lock, which Han Caicai easily unlocked with a key from his pocket.

The door swung open, and a cold wind rushed out, sending a chill through the air.

Mu Qingge suddenly felt more alert.

"Come in," Han Caicai said, stepping into the cellar first.

Without hesitation, Mu Qingge followed him inside.

Inside was a very dark and long corridor.

The corridor was narrow, enough for two people to squeeze by each other, but a single person walking through it was just right. The two walked one behind the other in darkness, not slowing their pace because of the dim environment.

The passage was winding as if it had no end, its destination unknown.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, Han Caicai came to a halt. In the darkness, Mu Qingge nearly bumped into his back, but she thankfully caught herself in time and steadied her stance.

Mu Qingge again heard the sound of a key unlocking a lock, and she thought to herself: ’It seems Han Caicai stopped because there was a door blocking the way ahead.’

The key unlocked the door once more.

This door seemed long unused, creaking loudly as Han Caicai pushed it open.

Han Caicai walked inside, and naturally, Mu Qingge followed after him.

Inside, Han Caicai raised his hand lightly flicked, causing a flame to leap from his fingertip and into a fire basin suspended in the air, instantly illuminating the space.

The orange firelight revealed a domed circular room.

Most surprisingly, the circular walls were lined with rows and rows, layers upon layers of wine jars, arranged at varying heights.

With a rough estimate, there were likely thousands of wine jars.

Even though the jars were sealed, an ambiguous aroma of wine lingered in the air.

"Is this Wanxiang Building’s wine cellar?" Mu Qingge exclaimed in astonishment.

Han Caicai mentioned drinking, yet she hadn’t expected he would take her directly into a wine cellar to drink. Is he not afraid of drinking to death?

Han Caicai did not answer her, instead flicking several times, causing flames to shoot from his fingertips to other fire basins, further brightening the cellar.

Han Caicai turned to Mu Qingge, "The wine here has been privately collected by Wanxiang Building for hundreds or even thousands of years, never sold to the public. Tonight, you have a rare treat."

Wanxiang Building’s private stash!

The wine here might well be older than her!

Mu Qingge’s eyes sparkled.

Though not an avid drinker, she considered sampling vintaged fine wine a life’s pleasure.

In both her previous life and this one, among all beverages, only wine could match her. Water too insipid, tea too quiet...only wine was wild and bold, a medium for passionate revenge and deeply felt emotions.

"Can I take some to go?" Mu Qingge asked Han Caicai, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

Han Caicai’s mouth twitched, and he snorted, "Greedy." With that, he walked toward the empty space in the center, stomping his foot, causing the ground to shake, making the entire cellar subtly tremble, accompanied by a thundering echo reverberating in Mu Qingge’s ears.

Her gaze shifted, about to question Han Caicai’s actions, when she was suddenly shocked by what unfolded before her.

The wine cellar’s dome slowly opened like petals, letting starlight pour in. Under the night sky’s canopy, starry radiance shimmered, the cold moon arrogant, magnificent waves igniting a yearning for a celestial journey, exceedingly beautiful.

Fine wine, beautiful scenery...

Mu Qingge’s eyes drifted from the opened dome to fall on Han Caicai. ’And a beauty!’ Her heart couldn’t help but sigh: ’Han Caicai truly went to great lengths to entertain her.’

The infusion of clear starlight dimmed the flames in the fire basins slightly.

Gradually, some fireflies flew in through the open dome, swirling down to appear around Mu Qingge and Han Caicai, scattering a gentle light within the wine cellar.

The soft green glow, tinged with romance, illuminated both of them. Night winds poured in, rustling their garments, rendering time silent.

"Ahem." Feeling the atmosphere turn peculiar, Mu Qingge couldn’t help but cough lightly twice.

The moment she made a sound, the fireflies surrounding her flew away, drawing away those around Han Caicai, drifting farther away.

With the departure of the fireflies, the light between the two dimmed, their expressions shrouded in shadow.

"Wanxiang Building sure knows how to pick a place." Mu Qingge gazed at the dome admitting starlight and moonlight, offering praise.

Han Caicai’s slender eyes glimmered with a hint of melancholy. He didn’t respond to Mu Qingge’s meaningless comment, instead walking over to a wine jar, selecting one, and bringing it over.

Placing the wine jar before Mu Qingge, her gaze shifted from the sky back to the ground.

Han Caicai punched through the jar’s sealing soil in front of Mu Qingge. Once opened, a potent aroma immediately spilled out, filling the wine cellar.

The cellar didn’t have bowls for holding wine, only liquor measuring jugs.

Han Caicai simply took two measuring jugs, placed them in front, poured the wine from the jar into them, then pushed one toward Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge was not particular, reaching out to grab it, lifting it to her lips and inhaling. Instantly, her eyes brightened, exclaiming, "Good wine!"

"Besides saying ’good wine,’ can you utter anything with more taste?" Han Caicai said mockingly.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched as she glared at him, "Are you subtly saying my literary skills are lacking? Don’t forget, I was born scornful of propriety. All finesse stripped away."

"Yet, I heard back when you shot nine stars in a row at the Qin Country Royal Hunting Ground, you instantly composed a worthy poem while drinking," Han Caicai sneered.

"Ugh!" Mu Qingge was stunned. That’s pirated, isn’t it? It’s not even written by her.

He looked at Mu Qingge, his gaze filled with inscrutable meaning, as his lazy voice recited a poem she knew well: "Heroes arise amidst the winds of the world, entering the martial world hastens time. Imperial ambitions and glory discussed with humor, unable to surpass a life’s drunken revelry."

Han Caicai’s voice seemed to pull Mu Qingge into memories.

In front of her eyes, scenes unfolded. Memories of past lives, and experiences upon arriving in another world.

And also, liberation...

In the Qin Country’s Royal Hunting Ground, her spirit soared heroically, drinking boldly and being free and untamed, filled with youthful impudence.

Yet, as she grew and took on more burdens, she truly lost some of that original uninhibited spirit.

A hint of nostalgia flashed deep within Mu Qingge’s eyes.

If she could, she’d rather forever remain that flamboyant youth in red, carefree, discussing nothing but life’s drunken moments.

But, is it possible?

Each step she took was filled with caution, and every growth meant not strength, but a further goal.

She’s still too weak and needs to continue growing.

Perhaps, one day when she reaches the peak and truly controls her own destiny, she could return to her former uninhibited self.

"Mu Qingge?"

Han Caicai’s voice pulled her back to reality.

She turned to look at Han Caicai, seeing a trace of concern in his narrow, cunning eyes.

With a smile, Mu Qingge raised the drinking vessel and toasted towards Han Caicai from afar, "To respect!" She then drank down the full pound of strong liquor within the vessel in one gulp.

Some of the liquor spilled from the corner of her lips, soaking her lapels, yet she seemed utterly unconcerned, continuing to drink.

Before long, the drinking vessel was emptied.

"Hahahaha—what fine wine!" Mu Qingge set down the drinking vessel, wiping her mouth with her sleeve, a captivating smile blooming across her exquisite face.

Han Caicai seemed a bit entranced, and after she finished a vessel of wine, he brought his own vessel to his mouth, accompanying her in drinking it down.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The rare indulgence allowed Mu Qingge to drink with abandon.

She and Han Caicai did not speak much, more as if engaged in a drinking contest. More and more opened wine jars, more and more shattered drinking vessels on the ground.

Bathing in starlight, with a confidant by her side, embraced by fine wine, indulging in joyous revelry.

This kind of life, Mu Qingge hadn’t experienced for a long time.

Before, in Qin Country, in Luodu, she had Fatty Shao to accompany her. In Ancient Witch Country, in the Holy Yuan Empire, Jiang Li was with her. Upon reaching the Middle Ancient Realm, far from home, surprisingly, her companion was Han Caicai.

Perhaps because they were alike, they understood each other better. They could more easily open their hearts to each other.

"Han Caicai, didn’t you want to hear me recite a poem?" Half drunk and half sober, Mu Qingge suddenly said to Han Caicai.

Han Caicai raised his gaze towards her, teasingly smiling: "How now? Inspired to recite a poem? It’s really not easy to hear you recite, costing me quite a few jars of fine wine."

Mu Qingge laughed aloud: "These worldly possessions, why care so much? A thousand cups is too few for a confidant with wine!"

"A nice line, ’A thousand cups is too few for a confidant with wine,’" Han Caicai said with a semblance of a smile. His narrow eyes seemed both drunk and clear as usual.

Watching Mu Qingge’s carefree demeanor, having shed everything, Han Caicai thought to himself: ’Does he ever accompany you like this? Mu Qingge, you are human, not god. When everyone looks up to you, has anyone thought that you too can be tired and ache? Tonight, just rest well.’

Mu Qingge staggered up from the ground, looking up at what seemed the same starry sky, her clear eyes carrying a hint of confusion and reminiscence.

The starlight enveloped her, as if painting a layer of glow around her.

She collected the flamboyant smile at the corner of her lips, her voice tinged with memory as she said: "There’s another poem I like a lot, but it’s not mine; I don’t have the skill. If you want to hear, I can tell."

Han Caicai looked at her and said nothing.

At this moment, he watched Mu Qingge, the depths of his narrow eyes were filled with her image, only thinking ’so beautiful, so beautiful...’

Whatever Han Caicai thought, Mu Qingge paid no mind; she was completely immersed in her own memories, slowly reciting with her mouth: "The moonlit border of Qin and Han, thousand-mile campaigns with soldiers unreturned. If the flying general guards the Dragon City, no barbarian horse shall cross the gloomy mountains."

Han Caicai’s gaze slightly hardened, slowly revealing shock.

The imagery in this poem carried the iron and determination of clashing soldiers and horses. From the poetry, it is a song praising the border soldiers, that determination to protect the homeland.

But, from Mu Qingge’s mouth, it carried more of an unwavering determination to forge ahead.

’Such a woman...such a woman...’ Han Caicai’s gaze grew fervent.

The more he interacted with Mu Qingge, the more he was reluctant to let go.

She is unique, unlike any other! If he let go, he feared he would regret it for life.

Han Caicai stared blankly at Mu Qingge’s back, bathed in starlight, her spine straight and filled with resolute determination. In front of her, it seemed there stood towering mountains, deep gorges. Beneath her feet, the ground was filled with thorns, traps, mountains of knives and sea of fire. But none of this could deter her even slightly; she would tread upon thorns, walk on her enemies’ blood, and her own blood, and soar in the flames.

Suddenly, Han Caicai felt perhaps he wasn’t worthy of such a woman.

She was too fierce, too dazzling, too bright, too strong! Everyone before her would feel inferior. One day, she would reach the peak of the world, and he could only look up.

"No! I won’t let that day come! I won’t be left behind!"

Han Caicai suddenly shouted, drawing Mu Qingge’s intoxicated gaze upon him.

She looked at him with confusion, somewhat puzzled.

Her exquisite face, due to slight inebriation, appeared bewildered and innocent, pure and clean. The alcohol-induced blush on her cheeks added a touch of shyness.

Even though she still wore earrings that concealed her identity, they couldn’t hide her peerless beauty.

Under Mu Qingge’s gaze, Han Caicai regathered some of his senses. He shifted his eyes, avoiding Mu Qingge’s puzzled look. Mu Qingge withdrew her gaze with no further enquiry. She continued to look up at the starry sky, holding a wine bottle in one hand, and gently stroking the Palace Bell hanging at her waist with the other.

’Where is he? Is he under the same starry sky?’ As the intoxicating wine took effect, Mu Qingge finally felt the irrepressible longing deep within her heart.

She belonged to the emotional valve, once opened, it was as bold and intense as her nature.

The wine, continued to be drunk, the night continued to spread its clear light.

In the cellar of Wanxiang Building, overnight, a dozen empty wine jars appeared. Those rare treasures lost to the outside world were wholly drank by these two.

The first ray of morning sunlight fell through the open dome, illuminating Mu Qingge resting against a fallen wine jar.

The warm sunshine gradually roused Mu Qingge.

Her long, thick eyelashes trembled softly, slowly opening.

Once her eyes opened, they showed no sign of confusion, having already returned to their usual clarity. Her eyes moved a little as she sat up from the floor. Surveying the surroundings, her side was covered with fallen wine jars and shattered drinking vessels.

Opposite her, among several large jars, a glimpse of red remained.

Mu Qingge arched her eyebrows, stood from the ground, and looked down at the long shadow inside.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify