The hotel room smelled faintly of wine and dishes.
Dugu Yan had chosen to stay behind at the academy, summoned by her grandfather Dugu Bo. So this time, only three traveled together—Lucien, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Lingling.
Of course, even without teammates like Yu Tianheng, Lucien was content. "Warriors and mistresses," he chuckled inwardly. Without extra baggage, his fists could run free.
Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong, however, had brought more heat than he expected.
"Lucien Big Brother, eat more!" Lingling gently picked up slices of braised meat with her chopsticks, placing them in his bowl. She gazed at him, hopeful, her delicate nose twitching as she waited for his praise.
"Lucien Big Brother, try this!" Rongrong produced a sealed jar, the wax covering still pristine. Her lips curved proudly. "This wine—aged decades by my father. You'll love it."
Lucien's eyes immediately gleamed. He popped the seal, lifted the jar, and drank deep.
"Gulp, gulp… ha!"
He closed his eyes, sighing in pleasure. "Now that's good wine."
[Ding! Host is in excellent health. Fifth Spirit Ring age +500 years.]
His eyelids fluttered. Five hundred years in one swig? Even the tribute wine Xue Qinghe gave him barely added one hundred per drink. This… this was nectar.
"Lucien Big Brother likes it?!" Rongrong's delight was radiant as she glanced smugly at Ye Lingling.
Ye Lingling's jaw tightened. "Damn it. I won't lose!"
She slipped toward the kitchen. Not long later, she returned, carefully carrying a steaming dish.
"Lucien Big Brother, as they say—good wine deserves good food. Try this carp. I made it myself."
Lucien's eyes lit up immediately. The red-gold glaze, the fragrant steam—it sent his taste buds into ecstasy before he even touched it.
He scooped a piece into his mouth. "Mm. Delicious!"
Another gulp of wine followed. The combination melted across his tongue, intoxicating beyond measure.
Behind him, Rongrong and Lingling's silent duel raged—wine against food, smiles against smirks.
Lucien, however, drowned himself in comfort, paying them no mind.
By the time the jar was drained dry, he was sighing wistfully. "Shame it was only one."
That was when the hotel doors opened—and seven or eight people entered.
At their head stood a short but stocky middle-aged man. And behind him—
"Little cat! What a coincidence," Lucien laughed, staggering forward. His eyes softened as they landed on Zhu Zhuqing. "Here to drink with me? Pity, I already finished the best jar. But not to worry—I still have more."
Zhu Zhuqing's heart jolted violently. After countless nights of seeing him in dreams, the real figure appeared before her. Her lips trembled.
Lucien…
Not far behind her, Dai Mubai's eyes flared red with fury the moment he saw that familiar figure—wine jar in hand. This was the man who had humiliated him, who had kicked him out of the Rose Hotel like a dog.
Anger flared anew.
"Boss Dai, what's wrong?" A boy with black-blue hair and calm eyes glanced at him. Tang San.
"…A little feud," Dai Mubai muttered darkly. No way would he admit the truth.
"Don't worry, Boss Dai—we're with you," Oscar chimed, cracking a smile.
"Yeah! The dean said it himself: those who never stir trouble are mediocrities!" Ma Hongjun's fists tightened eagerly.
Zhu Zhuqing's voice sliced through their chorus, cold as ice. "Ruffians."
But Lucien stepped forward, ignoring all of them. He wobbled closer to Zhu Zhuqing, his grin foolish, almost tender. "Kitten. Drink with me?"
He stretched a hand toward her—
Only to be intercepted. Another hand clamped down on his wrist.
Lucien's hazy eyes flickered, then narrowed with sudden recognition. "…You bastard again. Dai Mubai. Itchin' for another beating?"
His fingers twisted. Mubai's wrist creaked, pain shooting up his arm. He gasped, breath hissing.
"Boss Dai!" His companions leapt.
Tang San strode in first, his palm flashing jade-white as his Mysterious Heaven Technique surged. With a sharp strike, he aimed for Lucien's chest.
Boom!
Lucien didn't even move his jar. A casual shove sent Tang San stumbling back several steps, shock shuddering through his arms.
So strong… In two effortless motions, this drunk had seized Dai Mubai and shoved him back without any flourish. His strength was monstrous.
"Which bastard are you!" Lucien's grin stretched wider. "So many challengers? Good, good! Haven't had a real fight since that boring old geezer Chen Xin. Come—show me!"
"You think you can mock Shrek?" Dai Mubai snarled, even through his pain, his pride boiling. "Brothers, together!"
The hotel keeper rushed forward in panic. "Wait! Masters, please! My inn—if you fight here, I'll lose everything!"
"Go out," Lucien muttered dismissively, shoving Dai Mubai toward the door. "We'll fight outside. Hotels are for sleeping. Not smashing walls."
With that, he staggered out, sword strapped across his back, jar tilted at his lips.
"…Boss Dai," Tang San whispered, gathering the others, "who is he?"
Dai Mubai's face was dark, twisted by humiliation. Finally, he spat through clenched teeth: "His name's Lucien."
The name hit them like a thunderclap.
"Lucien?! That Lucien?!" Ma Hongjun's face drained.
Oscar's legs wobbled. "No way! Boss Dai, how the hell did you offend him?!"
On the Douluo Continent, the name was already legend. The infamous genius of Tiandou, drunkard and terror both. A soul master who defied all reason.
And now… he stood before them.
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