My game even includes ancient times

Upon hearing this, Xia Yuan's smile instantly faded.

Behind her, Bai Yushen raised his thick eyebrows slightly and looked Zhong Heshan up and down. Chu He, who had been looking down, also lifted his eyelids and looked at the other person expressionlessly.

The guests around seemed to be doing their own thing, but in reality, they all focused their attention on this side when Zhong Heshan arrived.

Seeing that the atmosphere seemed a bit delicate, they all lowered their voices and looked at the people in the eye of the storm, some openly and some secretly.

The small, lively banquet seemed to have fallen into a slump. Zhong Heshan smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piling up, making him look kind and gentle, as if he were just casually asking questions and showing concern for a younger generation.

"Sect Leader Zhong, your sect's wine is indeed fine, but my junior brother and I are truly unworthy to enjoy it."

"You may not know this, but whenever we drink alcohol, we get red rashes all over our bodies. They are painful and itchy, and it's really uncomfortable."

Unexpectedly, it was Chu Yunsi who spoke first.

She took a small step forward, sidestepping He Shi to block him, and looked directly at Zhong Heshan with her clear almond eyes: "I think Sect Leader Zhong will understand us two juniors."

"Miss Chu, what are you saying? If you can't drink this wine, would I force you?"

Zhong Heshan laughed heartily and turned to instruct the maidservant waiting beside him: "Go to the storeroom and bring back a bottle of the wine that the Second Miss acquired this summer, so that your two nephews can have a taste."

The maidservant accepted the order and left.

Lu Zhuo whispered from the side, "Isn't wine also alcohol?"

"Oh? Isn't this my nephew Lu?" Zhong Heshan looked at Lu Zhuo with a smile, as if he had just noticed him. "Speaking of which, it's been quite a while since I've seen the Crimson Cloud Sword Master. I wonder how she's been these days?"

Lu Zhuo: "My master has been in good health and in a good mood recently. Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Zhong."

"That's good, that's good, hahaha."

Zhong Heshan smiled heartily, patted Lu Zhuo on the shoulder, and turned to Xia Yuan and the others, saying, "My dear nephews, please make yourselves at home. I'm going to take a stroll over there."

After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked leisurely to the back.

When the guests at the other tables saw him arrive, they all stood up to greet him, their faces beaming with smiles, creating a lively atmosphere.

The effects of the alcohol on Xia Yuan's face had dissipated. She stared at Zhong Heshan's retreating figure with her usual smile, but her eyes were chillingly cold.

Chu Yunsi muttered, "This guy surnamed Zhong is just good at taking advantage of his age. I already said he can't drink alcohol, but he still ordered people to bring it back and forth."

Bai Yushen whispered a reminder to her, "Junior Sister, be careful, walls have ears."

Chu Yunsi pursed her lips, flicked her sleeves, and sat back down in her seat.

Lu Zhuo scratched his head, leaned forward slightly, and said in a low voice to Xia Yuan, "I feel like Sect Leader Zhong has some issues with our two sects. He didn't come to toast you for so long, but as soon as I came, he came. It's obvious he doesn't want us to have much interaction."

Xia Yuan nodded gently: "Young Master Lu is right. May I ask where the people from your Sword Palace are staying today?"

Lu Zhuo gave an address.

Xia Yuan was silent for a moment, then her eyebrows furrowed slightly: "It's actually the courtyard furthest from our residence..."

Lu Zhuo was taken aback, and also lowered his eyes to think.

Xia Yuan's expression remained unchanged, her lips moved slightly, and her barely perceptible voice, like a thin thread, pierced the other person's ear: "I'll come find you after the banquet."

Lu Zhu blinked, indicating that he understood.

After the two returned to normal volume and chatted for a few more minutes, Lu Zhuo said goodbye and left.

Just then, the maid returned carrying a bottle of wine.

Zhong Heshan took the long glass bottle and walked to the seats of Xia Yuan and the others.

He uncorked the bottle and, under the gaze of everyone around him, bent down slightly to personally pour wine into Chu Yunsi and He Shi's glasses.

Feeling the stares from those around them, He Shi and Chu Yunsi had no choice but to stand up and accept the wine, holding their glasses with both hands.

In public, when facing a renowned senior in the martial arts world, no matter what you think in your heart, you still have to show proper respect.

Otherwise, you'd be drowned by all the spittle from so many people.

Zhong Heshan remained expressionless, leaning to one side while smiling as he introduced, "This wine is called Gem Red. It is the royal wine exclusively used by the Suoyuan royal family. It has a sweet and sour taste without being astringent, and a long aftertaste. The flavor is very unique. Most importantly, it won't make you drunk no matter how much you drink it."

After pouring the wine, he took a step back with the bottle in his hand, his eyes crinkling with laughter: "Try it, my two nephews, this is much better than fruit syrup."

Xia Yuan narrowed her eyes slightly. She hadn't expected Zhong Heshan to put aside his pride and pour wine for the two juniors. Now that the wine was full, she really had no choice but to drink it.

Chu Yunsi was clearly aware of this as well. Although she felt disgusted, as if she had swallowed a fly, she managed to control her expression and raised her wine glass to Zhong Heshan, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Zhong."

After saying that, he drank the wine in one gulp.

As soon as she drank the wine, her face flushed red, and she lowered her head, almost unsteady on her feet.

Chu He, who was standing next to her, instinctively reached out to support her, only to find that her thin arm was burning hot.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over Zhong Heshan's face before landing on Xia Yuan: "Senior Sister, Junior Sister is drunk."

Xia Yuan gritted her teeth and looked at the smiling Zhong Heshan: "Sect Leader Zhong, my junior sister is not a good drinker and has already passed out. Why don't I take her back to her courtyard to rest for a while, so as not to disturb the enjoyment of everyone present?"

Zhong Heshan waved his hand with a smile: "Oh, my dear nephew, what are you saying? Quickly take Nephew Chu to rest. I really didn't expect that Nephew Chu can't even touch a drop of alcohol. This time it was my fault."

He turned to the nearest maid and instructed her, "Go to the kitchen now and cook a bowl of hangover soup to take to my nephew Chu."

Xia Yuan bowed to him and took Chu Yunsi from Chu He's hands: "Then this junior will take her leave."

She looked at Bai Yushen and Chu He: "Take good care of Junior Brother."

Bai Yushen and Chu He nodded.

Zhong Heshan watched as Xia Yuan and Chu Yunsi walked through the crowd toward the gate, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He turned around and looked at He Shi again: "Nephew He, this wine of yours..."

Bai Yushen's eyes sharpened, and just as he was about to say something, He Shi spoke first, his voice carrying the unique clarity of a young man: "Such fine wine, this junior must try it."

After saying this, he drank the wine in one gulp, and then showed Zhong Heshan the empty wine glass.

Zhong Heshan clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent, excellent! It tastes good, doesn't it?"

He placed the bottle of wine on He Shi's table: "Please enjoy it, my dear nephew, don't be shy."

He Shi smiled at him, his dimples gleaming, his clear eyes devoid of any gloom.

This surprised Zhong Heshan.

After Xia Yuan left, he didn't bother the remaining three members of the Chu family anymore. Instead, he turned around and sat down in the main seat.

Zhong Heshan had his maid fill his wine cup, then picked it up, leaned back on the cushion, and sipped it listlessly.

As he drank, he glanced at the bustling crowd below, a smile playing on his lips.

Suddenly, the smile froze.

A sudden wave of abdominal pain surged up, accompanied by an indescribable urge.

Zhong Heshan frowned and slowly covered his abdomen.