Kai barely had time to exhale before the broad-shouldered man closed the distance between them, stopping just a foot away.
The guy was tall, muscular but lean, built like someone who had spent his life fighting instead of meditating. His eyes burned with intensity, scanning Kai with the sharpness of a predator sizing up an opponent.
Kai already didn't like him, too stiff, too serious.
The man's gaze flicked briefly to the thug still groaning on the ground before snapping back to Kai with suspicion.
"You," the man said, voice gruff. "Have you seen a girl? Black hair, about this tall—" He raised a hand to indicate height. "Wearing simple clothes. Probably wandering around like an idiot."
Kai tilted his head. "Wow. That's real specific. You want me to summon a sketch artist for you?"
The man's brows furrowed, clearly not amused. "Just answer the question."
Kai leaned back slightly, rubbing his chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm… nope. Doesn't ring a bell."
The man scowled, eyes narrowing. "You hesitated."
Kai shrugged. "I do that sometimes. Makes people wonder if I'm lying."
The man let out a long, frustrated sigh, muttering something under his breath. His whole posture radiated irritation, and Kai could tell he wasn't the type to handle setbacks well.
Normally, someone like this would annoy Kai instantly—but strangely, instead of being outright hostile, the guy just looked… mildly pissed off at life in general.
Kai wasn't sure why, but he felt like this stone-faced stiff looking dude had issues.
Still, the guy wasn't outright attacking him, which was progress compared to most of Kai's recent encounters.
They stared at each other for a moment, the tension heavy between them.
Then—
"You look like a foolish man," the man said.
Kai blinked. "Excuse me?"
The man crossed his arms, his expression flat. "Your face. It pisses me off."
Kai scoffed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I get a different one?"
The man exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Forget it."
Kai smirked. "You're really bad at making friends, huh?"
The man's jaw clenched. "I don't need friends."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "That's the saddest thing I've heard today. And I talked to an old man who lost his dog earlier."
The guy glared at him.
Kai grinned back.
He promised that good-looking girl that he would hold him back.
"I… I… hereby challenge you to… to a drinking match!" Kai muttered, he could not think of any other ways to hold him back.
The man blinked. "What?"
"Ha, you… you… must be scared of losing to a drinking master like me!"
The man was peeved. "No way, I hereby accept your challenge!"
They locked eyes.
Neither of them liked each other.
Fighting wasn't on the table.
A drinking match, however?
That, they could do.
The tavern was loud and lively, filled with merchants, travelers, and low-level cultivators relaxing after a long day.
Kai and the grumpy stranger sat across from each other at a wooden table, a massive jug of strong rice wine between them.
"You sure about this?" Kai smirked. "Wouldn't want you passing out on the first round."
The man snorted. "I could drink you under the table in my sleep."
"Oh, big words. What's your name, anyway?"
The man took a long swig from the jug before slamming it down. "Han Long."
Kai chuckled. "Figures. You look like someone named Han Long."
Han narrowed his eyes. "And you?"
Kai grabbed the jug, taking a dramatic sip before setting it down with a flourish. "Kai Feng."
Han's expression didn't change. "Never heard of you."
Kai smiled. "Great. Let's keep it that way."
They stared at each other for a beat—then poured themselves another drink.
And so it began.
One drink.
Then another.
And another.
Kai wasn't an idiot. He knew his limits. Back in his world, he was a terrible drinker. Two glasses of wine and he'd be asleep in a bookshelf somewhere.
But this wasn't his world.
He had Qi now.
Subtly, with each drink, he circulated his internal energy, forcing the alcohol out of his system before it could affect him.
Han, meanwhile, seemed completely unfazed, drinking like it was water.
They kept going.
The Insults Escalate
Kai slammed down another cup. "You drink like an old man."
Han poured another for himself, not breaking eye contact. "You drink like a spoiled noble."
Kai smirked. "I'm not a noble."
Han scoffed. "Explains the bad posture."
Kai's grin widened. "Explains why you have the personality of a rock."
Han exhaled. "You talk too much."
"You don't talk enough."
They kept drinking.
More insults flew.
Kai called Han "a humorless brute."
Han called Kai "a weak, book-reading twig."
Kai called Han "a grumpy old man trapped in a young man's body."
Han called Kai "a walking headache."
They both kept drinking.
At some point, the tavern had gone quiet, the other patrons watching in fascination as the two men, completely different in personality, downed cup after cup, refusing to lose to the other.
Somewhere between their eighth and twelfth drink, things took a weird turn.
Kai squinted at his cup. "You ever wonder why birds don't get lost?"
Han blinked, looking genuinely puzzled. "What?"
Kai gestured vaguely. "Birds. They fly around all the time. But they always know where to go. How do they do that?"
Han stared at him for a long moment, then poured himself another drink.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
Kai nodded solemnly. "Thank you."
Han exhaled. "But I'll tell you why."
Kai leaned in.
Han took a slow sip, eyes dead serious.
"They have wings."
Kai gasped dramatically and the entire tavern erupted into laughter.
They kept drinking.
The world blurred, a while back Kai had already exhausted all his Qi flushing the alcohol out of his system. Han had not resorted to such trickery, he was simply a much better drinker compared to Kai.
At some point, Kai leaned forward and slurred, "You know… you're not so bad."
Han grunted, swaying slightly. "You're still annoying."
Kai pointed dramatically at him. "And you have the emotional range of a wet log."
Han snorted. "And you look like someone who'd cry if they kicked a rock."
Kai nodded slowly, as if considering. "Fair."
They kept drinking.
Kept bickering.
Kept glaring at each other like mortal enemies—
Until they both slumped forward, their heads hitting the table at the exact same time.
They were both out of it, completely unconscious.
The tavern erupted into cheers.