This Hedonistic Young Master

Chapter 9: Drunken Bravado: Cultivation Advice from a Wine Cup

Tian Hao continued to drink, the warmth of the wine spreading through his chest and loosening his tongue. His gaze drifted across the room, taking in the lively atmosphere of the Moonlit Pavilion.

It was then that he noticed her – a woman sitting alone at a small table near the back, her face partially obscured by the flickering glow of a nearby lantern. She was striking, her dark hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall, her simple yet elegant robes hinting at a refined taste that set her apart from the boisterous crowd. But what truly captured Tian Hao's attention was the look in her eyes – a mixture of quiet frustration and unwavering determination, her brow furrowed as she stared into her half-empty cup, lost in thought.

A spark of intrigue ignited within him, fueled by the liquid courage coursing through his veins. This, he decided, was the perfect opportunity for some... social cultivation. Grabbing his cup and the carafe, he pushed himself up from his table, swaying slightly as he navigated the crowded room towards her. He wasn't about to leave behind his precious wine, not when he was just starting to enjoy himself.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his grin lopsided but confident, the wine adding a touch of swagger to his demeanor.

The woman looked up, her dark eyes meeting his with a cool appraisal. She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her expression a mixture of amusement and skepticism.

"And why," she asked, her voice smooth as polished jade, "would I wish to share my table with Tian Hao, the great young master who seems to find his calling at the bottom of a wine cup?"

Tian Hao chuckled, undeterred by her sharp retort. He plopped down onto the stool across from her, the sudden movement causing the table to wobble precariously, the wine in his cup sloshing dangerously close to the rim.

"Ah," he said, his voice a touch louder than intended, the wine making his words slur slightly, "well, it seems my reputation precedes me." He grinned, a hint of self-deprecation in his smile. "But tonight, I'm simply here to enjoy a good drink. No grand gestures, no spectacles." He raised his cup towards her, the lopsided grin still in place. "To unexpected company."

The woman sighed, shaking her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She didn't tell him to leave, however. Instead, she clinked her cup against his, the delicate sound a quiet counterpoint to the boisterous tavern around them.

"To unexpected company," she echoed, her tone still guarded, her gaze fixed on him as if assessing his true intentions. She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving his, her expression unreadable.

A moment of silence stretched between them, filled only by the ambient noise of the tavern. The air crackled with a subtle tension, a silent battle of wills between two individuals sizing each other up. Tian Hao shifted slightly in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his cup as he fought the flicker of self-consciousness under her intense scrutiny. He took a long draught of his wine, the warmth spreading through him, bolstering his confidence.

Finally, she broke the silence, letting out a weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"You know," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper, almost as if speaking to herself, "it's frustrating. Cultivation isn't supposed to be easy, I know, but I've been stuck for months. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to make any progress." She stared down at the swirling liquid in her cup, her expression a mix of exhaustion and annoyance, a hint of vulnerability peeking through her carefully constructed façade.

She glanced at him for a moment, as if debating whether to open up further, then sighed. "It's not just a plateau," she continued. "My meridians... they don't seem to align properly when I meditate. I've tried everything—different postures, altering my breathing, even rare herbs. Nothing works. It's like I'm missing something crucial, but I can't figure out what it is."