This Hedonistic Young Master

Chapter 21: Wine Not? A Duel to Remember

Tian Hao stepped forward, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs, the sudden spotlight intensifying the nervous flutter in his stomach. He bowed towards his father and the assembled elders, his voice carrying a forced calmness that belied his inner turmoil. "Sect Master, with your permission..."

Tian Shou, his face etched with a mixture of apprehension and reluctant pride, nodded. "Proceed, Tian Hao. Let us see what you are capable of."

Big Sister System whispered in his mind, her tone a mix of encouragement and warning. "Remember, Little Hao, finesse. If you make a fool of yourself, you might blow any chance of completing your quest tonight!"

"Big Sister System, please!" Tian Hao pleaded inwardly, his mental voice laced with a desperate urgency. "Help this little Hao out. Please, please, please." He knew he was pushing his luck, but the thought of facing a Golden Feather Sect disciple in a duel, especially with Zhao Fei watching, was enough to send shivers down his spine.

BSS sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that echoed in his mind like a celestial groan. "Very well, little Hao, but be warned. There will be... karmic consequences for this kind of indulgence. You're playing with fire here."

"I can worry about those later," Tian Hao replied, his mental voice filled with a reckless determination. "Right now, I need to survive this duel with some semblance of dignity intact."

A surge of warmth spread through him as BSS imparted the knowledge of a new skill—Wine-Fueled Fury. It wasn't a refined technique, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it was certainly... unorthodox. The skill enhanced his strength and speed, but more importantly, it made his movements less predictable, his fighting style infused with a chaotic energy fueled by the alcohol he consumed. It was a risky gamble, but it was the only advantage he had.

With that, Tian Hao strode towards the nearest table laden with refreshments. He grabbed a full glass of wine, the ruby-red liquid sloshing precariously as he downed half of it in one gulp, feeling the warmth spread through him, igniting a spark of reckless abandon. He refilled the glass to the brim, his movements deliberate, almost theatrical, before turning towards the designated dueling space in the center of the courtyard.

The whispers and snickers followed him like a shadow, a chorus of mockery that fueled his determination. He heard the phrases "drunken fool," "hopeless wastrel," and "embarrassment to the sect" tossed around like casual insults.

He faced the Golden Feather Sect disciple, a tall, muscular young man with a sneer plastered across his face. The disciple, whose name Tian Hao vaguely recalled as Jin Bao, grinned widely, clearly viewing this as an opportunity to humiliate the so-called "hedonistic young master." He gestured towards Tian Hao's wine glass with a mocking flourish. "I see the young master has brought his... courage... with him," he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps you plan to drown your sorrows before I even begin?"

Tian Hao simply smirked, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Just preparing for a... spirited... duel," he replied, his tone light but laced with an underlying edge. "Wouldn't want to disappoint my audience, after all."

They exchanged formal bows, the tension crackling in the air between them like static electricity. Jin Bao's eyes gleamed with malicious anticipation, his posture radiating arrogance. Tian Hao, however, forced himself to remain calm, his gaze steady, his grip on his wine glass firm.

The moment the signal was given, Jin Bao lunged forward, his movements swift and powerful, his fist aimed at Tian Hao's chest. Tian Hao, fueled by the Wine-Fueled Fury, reacted instinctively, sidestepping the blow with surprising agility. He stumbled slightly, sloshing wine onto his robes, but he managed to maintain his balance, drawing a surprised gasp from the crowd.