Chapter 469 - 159: Just a Small Sip Should Be Fine, The Other Vicious Woman from the Original Story (Part 2)

"What fine wine..."

Even Xia Jin, who had tasted countless fine wines, couldn’t help but let her eyes light up. She cast aside the subordinate’s image she had been deliberately maintaining, tilted back her snow-white neck, and drained the cup in one go, appearing quite heroic.

"You’Er, fill the General’s cup."

Jiang Lan, who was leisurely sipping his own wine, watched this unfold. The smile on his lips deepened as he gave the order.

You’Er did as she was told and stepped forward to refill Xia Jin’s cup.

"This wine is something that should only exist in the heavens."

Her gaze was brilliant. She drained the cup once more, a crimson flush appearing on her fair, clear cheeks. Then, she narrowed her eyes slightly, as if savoring the wine’s aftertaste.

Jiang Lan chuckled. Noticing You’Er’s longing expression, he handed his cup to her.

You’Er took a delicate sip, her eyes instantly lighting up as she whispered, "It’s delicious."

"This wine is truly worth fighting over. The flavor is exquisite, the aftertaste lingers, and every sip brings a different sensation. It makes you can’t help but wonder what the next taste will be, completely piquing your curiosity..." Xia Jin praised from the heart.

"It seems General Xia Jin is satisfied with this wine?" Jiang Lan smiled. ’The few sips she’s had are already worth half a year’s expenses for the disciples of some Sect’s Dao Lineage.’

’But my wine doesn’t come without a price.’

"I have Feng Jun to thank for this wonderful treat today," Xia Jin said with a smile.

"Let’s not go home until we’re drunk tonight," Jiang Lan said, raising his cup with a smile.

Soon, after several cups, even with her cultivation level, Xia Jin felt her head growing hot and needed to use Magical Power to dispel the alcohol’s effects.

Jiang Lan hadn’t drunk much, so his complexion remained unchanged.

As they drank, their relationship transformed from that of a distant ruler and subject into something more familiar and natural.

Xia Jin was no longer as deferential and polite as she had been at the start, and her words had grown much warmer.

During this time, Jiang Lan took the opportunity to ask Xia Jin about her experiences in the Dust Sect.

Xia Jin didn’t understand his interest. Logically speaking, the Dust Sect was just one of the Foreign Sects, not even located in the Celestial Central Province.

For the longest time, it had been isolated from the world, never involving itself in outside affairs.

"No matter how you look at it, Hidden Sects are still Sects. As long as there are benefits to fight for, they will eventually emerge."

"If this is difficult for you, General Xia Jin, then just pretend I never asked," Jiang Lan said, shaking his head.

To avoid suspicion, they had left the door to the private room open the entire time. But now, as they began to discuss this matter, Jiang Lan instructed You’Er to withdraw and close the door behind her.

Xia Jin noticed this gesture and was surprised by his thoughtfulness. This was, after all, a private matter of hers, and it wouldn’t do for others to overhear.

She had a frank and straightforward temperament, entirely lacking the coyness of an ordinary woman. So she spoke quite directly, "Since Feng Jun has asked, you must have your reasons. Besides, it’s not really a secret."

"Back when I was training in the Southern Wilderness Province, I happened to meet an Elder from the Dust Sect named Tang Yun. After Elder Tang Yun learned about my past, she brought me back to the Dust Sect in Nanmo Province."

"The Dust Sect’s founding Ancestral Master, Jiang Chen Ancestor, had experiences in his youth that were remarkably similar to mine. With the help of a mysterious expert, he recovered his cultivation. Not only that, he became a peerless master, trained in the Outer Realm, and later returned to Nanmo Province to establish the Dust Sect. It was because of this similarity that Elder Tang Yun felt I shared an affinity with the Dust Sect and decided to bring me back."

"During my time in the Dust Sect, I was accepted by Sect Leader Luo Yunsheng and became his Disciple..."

Xia Jin spoke eloquently, recounting her experiences from her years of cultivation in the Dust Sect.

She was, in fact, exceptionally talented. Her Spirit Sea was unique. While others’ Spirit Seas were pure and flawless, as clear as lake water, the Magical Power that hers produced was as vast and brilliant as a golden ocean, radiating a metallic sharpness.

With this unique Spirit Sea, she quickly established herself in the Dust Sect. Moreover, she became the Sect’s youngest Elder.

She had originally planned to continue cultivating in the Dust Sect, but she couldn’t bear to see the Barbarian Race invade, wreak havoc on the border, and slaughter the people. That was why she emerged to fight the enemy, earning great merit and making a name for herself all at once.

"I never imagined General Xia Jin had such deep ties to the Dust Sect. In that case, this matter has become quite difficult." Jiang Lan’s brow furrowed.

Xia Jin’s cheeks were now flushed, and she was clearly a bit tipsy. She looked at him in confusion. "What does Feng Jun mean by that?"

"This matter has far-reaching implications. I’ve only heard some news and rumors, and I can’t yet confirm their authenticity." Jiang Lan’s brow was knitted tightly, as if he were hesitating to tell her.

Xia Jin grew even more puzzled.

"Is Feng Jun finding this difficult because of my relationship with the Dust Sect?" she asked.

"General Xia Jin serves the nation and its people, willingly guarding the border of the Southern Wilderness Province against the Barbarian Race. You are certainly trustworthy. It’s just that this matter’s implications are truly immense." Jiang Lan looked at her, his expression earnest.

Xia Jin truly didn’t understand what he meant. Her own brow furrowed as she asked, "Has the Dust Sect done something?"

"Based on the information gathered so far, it is highly likely that the Dust Sect is involved with the Blood Immortal Sect. However, this is just intel we’ve picked up; its authenticity has yet to be confirmed," Jiang Lan replied.

Upon hearing this, Xia Jin froze. The shock was enough to sober her up by half, and she stared in disbelief.

’But for Jiang Lan to tell me this, he can’t be speaking without reason or just making things up.’

’Thinking back, there must have been a reason why he took the initiative to ask me about the Dust Sect from the start.’