Chapter 78: Benefits

The next day,

before the crack of dawn, the sound of firecrackers filled the air.

In the past, there would have been impatient people who would have jumped out to scold them for being a nuisance and making so much noise.

However, today,

there was a joyous, happy atmosphere everywhere.

Even bad-tempered people had a bit more patience.

Xiao Ran opened the door and walked out.

Standing in the courtyard, he listened to the firecrackers around him and looked at the thick smoke rising up in spirals.

One corner of his mouth turned up in a smile.

“Is it starting already?”

He left the courtyard.

After having breakfast at the marketplace, he walked towards the Divine Sword Guards headquarters.

Once he arrived,

the Divine Sword Guards compound was similarly more light-hearted. Compared to the usual murderous and indifferent atmosphere, they were more lively.

Two red lanterns hung by the door.

The men guarding the door smiled a little more.

He stepped inside.

The people who came and went smiled and greeted him. Xiao Ran nodded in response.

In the courtyard,

“Brother Xiao, you’re here,” Little Zhou called out.

He took out a red packet and showed it off proudly.

“It was just distributed this morning. Guess how much?”

“A hundred taels.” Xiao Ran smiled and played along.

Little Zhou shook his head and gestured for him to try again.

“Two hundred taels.”

Little Zhou’s expression turned bitter. “Brother Xiao, you’re looking down on the Divine Sword Guards! Do you think they lack money in such a big government department?”

“Five hundred taels.” Xiao Ran guessed again.

“No! A thousand taels,” Little Zhou said.

He took out a silver banknote from inside.

“Not bad! I have the money to drink at Drunken Immortals Court now,” Xiao Ran said in a joking manner.

“What I’ve got isn’t much. It’s considered below-average. Some people have received five thousand taels.”

He looked at Xiao Ran.

“How much did you get?”

“I just got here. No one has issued me a red packet yet.”

“No way? Has our lord forgotten about you?” Little Zhou was stumped.

“You! Come here.” Shen Yiming walked in from outside with a clouded expression.

Little Zhou shrank his neck back.

“Have you been hiding outside and eavesdropping, my lord?”

Shen Yiming kicked him irritably. “I just got here.”

His gaze landed on Xiao Ran.

“Eh! Are you a Level 1 Grand Master now?”

“I was lucky.” Xiao Ran was very humble. He only displayed the aura of a Level 1 Grand Master Realm right now.

“Not bad.” Shen Yiming nodded.

He took out a red packet and handed it over, gesturing to Xiao Ran to open it.

Little Zhou was very curious and urged, “Brother Xiao, hurry up and open it.”

Xiao Ran opened the red packet and took out the banknotes inside. There were a total of three notes. Each was worth a thousand taels, making a total of exactly three thousand taels.

“My Brother Xiao is amazing. Even his red packet is comparable to those for the Lords Golden Sword.” Little Zhou was happy for him.

He then looked at Shen Yiming.

“How much did you get, my Lord?”

“Not much! Just five thousand taels.” Shen Yiming pretended to look humble.

“After all this, I received the least?”

Shen Yiming knocked him on the head.

“Don’t be greedy. Your red packet is comparable to some Lords Silver Sword.”

“Hehe!” Little Zhou rubbed the back of his head.

“Today is a holiday, so we don’t need to be on duty here. Let’s go and have lots of fun in Drunken Immortals Court,” Shen Yiming called out to all of them.

“We agreed last time that it’s my treat. I’ll pay for all the expenses this time,” Xiao Ran said.

Shen Yiming had already treated them after winning a large sum of money from the Jade Manor. This time, it was his turn. Next time, it would be Little Zhou’s turn.

They had just reached the door,

when they bumped into Old Zheng and Old Bai. They were both former colleagues at the Celestial Dungeon and got along very well.

“Why are you guys here?” Xiao Ran asked.

“Today is the Lantern Festival. The government office is on holiday and even gave out benefits. I thought that it had been a long time since everyone gathered together, so I called Old Bai over to come and look for you guys,” Old Zheng explained.

“Good chap!” Xiao Ran gave him a playful punch on the chest.

Everyone knew each other. There was no need for further introductions.

The group marched merrily towards the Drunken Immortals Court.

When they arrived at Drunken Immortals Court,

Xiao Ran met another familiar person, Chen Wenheng.

“Brother Xiao, why are you here?” Chen Wenheng was surprised.

“Why are you here too?”

Chen Wenheng was not embarrassed. “The academy is on holiday, so I have nothing to do. I wandered around the streets and came here. I happened to be thirsty and came to ask for a drink.”

“I understand,” Xiao Ran said.

After introducing both parties and exchanging pleasantries,

they entered the Drunken Immortals Court together.

Those who could become Xiao Ran’s friends all had fairly good personalities. They could chat together and quickly became familiar with each other.

They put their arms around each other’s shoulders and talked big, trying to outdo each other in boasts.

Xiao Ran asked for an extra large luxury room.

He summoned a group of young and beautiful girls, four for each of them. He was not short of money.

After more than 5 dishes of food and 3 rounds of wine,

they took their respective girls into the next room. Moments later, the melodious music could be heard.

The remaining four girls wanted to snuggle up to Xiao Ran but he waved them away.

After they left,

he drank a cup of tea, then rose from his chair. He summoned the brothel keeper and settled the bill for the day.

It was already noon time when he left Drunken Immortals Court.

He bought a pot of wine and a plate of peanuts and walked towards the Celestial Dungeon.

When he reached the Celestial Dungeon,

the lieutenant greeted him warmly. “Greetings, Lord Xiao.”

“Hmm,” Xiao Ran acknowledged with a mumble.

The lieutenant handed over a red packet and said with a smile, “It’s a holiday, right? The other departments are giving out benefits, so we can’t be stingy. The money isn’t much, but it’s still a token of appreciation. At least it can warm everyone’s hearts.”

“Thank you,” Xiao Ran said.

They chatted for a while.

When he entered the Purgatory, the Eldest Princess looked up when she noticed his arrival. She was not surprised at all, as if she had been waiting for him for a long time.

He opened the cell door and stepped inside.

He placed the wine and peanuts on the table.

Apart from the white lotus cake, there was also a table full of sumptuous delicacies.

Others were celebrating the holidays, so was she.

It was just that her place was relatively deserted.

“You specially prepared food and drinks for me?” Xiao Ran asked.

“Yes,” said the Eldest Princess.

Just as she was about to get the wine she had prepared, Xiao Ran stopped her with a smile and poured two cups of the wine he had brought.

“This wine is cheap. One catty is only two taels of silver. It can’t compare to your Imperial Palace wine, but it’s more trustworthy.” Xiao Ran raised his wine cup.

They clinked their cups and drained them in one gulp.

“Thank you!” The Eldest Princess said gratefully.

“You know anything about the Netherworld Dungeon and the North Sea Dragon Tribe?” Xiao Ran asked.

“Are they involved in this matter?”

“When Xia Luoran was at the Tranquility Lake, the people from the Netherworld Dungeon wanted to kidnap her. From the information I obtained, the Netherworld Dungeon seems to be sabotaging the Great Zhou’s plan by doing this.”

“Luoran has already told Sheng Wen. Sheng Wen summoned all the officials and flew into a rage. He reprimanded them ruthlessly.”

“And then?” Xiao Ran asked with curiosity.

“It’s not time to start a war yet. Even if Sheng Wen is furious, he has to endure it for the time being. However, I received news from other channels that he has secretly sent a team to the Great Zhou,” the Eldest Princess said.

“Coward,” Xiao Ran said.

The Eldest Princess did not comment.

“Where did you hear about the North Sea Dragon Tribe?”

“Don’t ask. Just tell me what you know,” Xiao Ran said.

“I don’t know much about them,” the Eldest Princess said.

“The North Sea Dragon Tribe is not an ordinary faction. No one even knows where they are, except their own people. Under normal circumstances, they are rarely born. However, once they are born, they will definitely stir up a storm of blood and terror, causing misery for people. Those who are born will have skills evolution.”

“A solemn reminder though”.

“If you meet any of their people, do not make an enemy of them. Run as far as you can. They are more terrifying than you can imagine.”