(MC POV)
I had expected Hao Chi to set us up at the best inn the city had to offer but he took the extra step and made us his guests at his manor instead.
As expected of him, his manor house was located in the affluent part of the city and was significantly bigger than every other house in the area.
"It may be presumptuous of me to say so, but I hope my own home is enough for Master Lin's stay here?"
I nodded, "Umu, it is enough."
Of course in my mind I was thinking this is way too luxurious but I still have to maintain the image he has of me so I acted nonchalant.
He gave us a private room each which I know for a fact that my girls would end up not using and either congregate in one room or crash at mine anyway.
When night came, he even prepared a lavish feast as our welcome dinner too.
Although... Why am I sitting at the head of the table for this? Shouldn't Hao Chi be the one sitting here?
My disciples were also nodding along like that was the most natural thing in the world so I simply took the seat while dinner was being served.
Hao Chi was seated on my right as if he was the guest while my disciples were arranged on the left side of the table. It kind of looks a little unbalanced to me but what do I know?
The servants of his house also didn't look surprised by this, in fact they seemed to know who I was as well so I'm assuming they were actually citizens of Beiyang he employed and brought over here.
I attempted some polite conversation with him, "So... Sir Hao Chi, how is your family?"
He gulped audibly, "Ple... Please Master Lin... To you, I am simply Hao Chi. As for my family... They... They are fine... Master Lin. I... I believe we owe you a big apology..."
"Hmm? Apology? If it's about the guards from earlier it's already dealt with, right?"
"N... No... It's my son... He's currently a Student Practitioner at Master Lin's Heaven Sect..."
Again, I want to say it's not 'my' Sect but I think everyone knows at this point that's just me being in denial so I'll just shut up and nod along.
"Hao Lian right? I know him."
His face got paler for some reason, "Ah... Ah... So... So it's true..."
I tilted my head at him, "True? What is true?"
"My son sent us a letter about it and... I didn't want to believe it but... He said he offended Master Lin accidentally..."
"Hmmm? Offended me? How?"
"Umm... He said he tried to... Flirt with Master Lin's woman and... Insulted Master Lin..."
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. He was the one going all "M'lady" on Iris.
The only thing I remembered him for was that he wasn't happy with Cai Hong's presence. Other than that, he was so minor I already forgot about him.
I smiled at him, "Ah that. I know he is just a young lad who has yet to see the world, I don't hold it against him for being just a little bit too ambitious. What is life without some ambition right?"
Hao Chi immediately lowered his head, "I thank Master Lin for your benevolence!"
I waved his thanks away, "It's nothing. He is, after all, now a member of Heaven Sect. I'm not that petty to hold such a minor thing against a new student."
"Our Hao Family is forever indebted to Master Lin!"
"Umu... Now, shall we eat?"
Dinner proceeded without incident and the food was actually quite nice. Hao Chi was also a gracious host, making sure all of us were entertained and comfortable throughout the dinner.
When dessert was rolled out, Hao Chi motioned to one of the maids who returned holding a bottle of wine.
"I managed to get my hands on this Dragon Killer wine at the auction a few years ago. Only a limited number of bottles are sold every year and one of these can reach up to a few hundred gold, sometimes even a thousand gold each. I will be honoured to share this bottle with Master Lin and your disciples."
"Are you sure? This seems quite extravagant of you, Hao Chi. Are you sure about this?"
"Of course, Master Lin. It will honour me greatly if you were to accept this."
I turned to look at my disciples and they were giving me looks that told me they wanted to try it.
Well... Since we don't usually drink and our host has offered it, it'll be rude of me not to accept it so I thanked him for his offer.
He handed the bottle back to the maid and she opened it quickly with practised grace, going around the table to pour out the wine for each of us in turn starting from me.
Of course Cai Hong didn't get one and it's not because she's a dragon.
I tasted the wine first and felt the alcohol slide down my throat smoothly, giving my throat a comfortable burn but yet still retaining that smooth feeling.
I can see why this wine is so valuable.
"It's good," I praised.
"I am honoured by your praise, Master Lin. If you'd like, the auction house in this city is actually going to put up a few bottles of these for auction tomorrow. I can secure a seat for Master Lin if you are interested?"
"Oh? There is an auction house here as well?"
"Yes, Master Lin. This is the closest city to the capital after all so we still get quite a number of interesting goods sold here. It is still worth a look even if Master Lin is not interested in the wine."
Honestly, if I wanted more of the wine I could simply just create it with a thought so there was no need for me to go to the auction specifically to buy it. But that's also kind of devaluing it so unless I really, really wanted it, I'll refrain from doing that.
I am, nonetheless, quite interested in what they are selling there so I'd like to go and take a look. The last two times I went to an auction all had interesting things happening so maybe this time would be no different?
Either way, it's worth taking a look, if need be, we can stay an extra day here too. I'll help Hao Chi buy the bottles of that Dragon Killer wine as thanks for letting us stay here in return.
"If it's no trouble, I would like to see the auction," I told him.
"That's great! I will make the necessary preparations for Master Lin!"
I thanked him again and was about to take another sip of the wine when I felt a pair of hands wrap around me from behind.
"Massssteeeer~" Lian Li purred, embracing me from behind. "Ehehehehe~ Mashhhterrr isss alwaysshhh shoooo coooool~ I wuv youuuu~"
She mashed her lips against mine in a kiss, even sticking her tongue in too.
I let her have the kiss for a few moments before breaking it, pulling back to look at her curiously.
Lian Li giggled and stroked my cheek, "Mashhhterrr... You'r shoooo cool~~ Shooo handsome... I wuv.... You... Ehehehe~"
Yeah she's definitely drunk.
"Ah... It seems like the wine might be too strong for Master Lin's disciples..." Hao Chi gasped.
I followed his gaze and my disciples were definitely all drunk... They were also looking at me with very clear intentions of wanting to ravage me.
Really? Just from a single glass? What the hell is in this thing?
Oops, they're getting up and shambling their way towards me now...
Right... I think we all remember what happened the last time they were drunk... I'll be right back...
