I Can Devour Spirits

Duan Rong and Ximen Kankan killed the entire morning in Weiyang Square; all the various gangs were defeated by them, leaving people and horses in disarray.

As noon approached, Ximen Kankan was still energetic, but Duan Rong’s stomach was rumbling with hunger, as he had only eaten a few buns in the morning.

Ximen Kankan had no choice but to accompany Duan Rong for a meal.

”Just wontons?” Duan Rong was clearly dissatisfied with Ximen Kankan’s suggestion.

”That’s all for lunch. Tonight, I’ll treat you to drinks at the Eight Treasures Building.”

Ximen Kankan spoke while dragging Duan Rong towards the wonton stall across the street, still concerned about his dice, so he naturally aimed for something quick to eat.

Each holding a large bowl of hot wontons, the two began slurping them down with a flatbread.

Ximen Kankan ate quicker than Duan Rong and urged him on after finishing.

Duan Rong ignored him and kept eating until the last drop of soup with chili-spiced flatbread was finished before wiping his mouth and standing up.

”You’re like a starving ghost come back to life, not missing a drop even for a bowl of wontons.”

”What do you know! Do you realize how many families are already out of food by this time of year and rely on foraging wild herbs for sustenance...?”

”And what do you know! Because the year’s been bad, I’m saving a little each meal...”

As Ximen Kankan spoke, they saw the owner tidying up their spot. In Ximen Kankan’s bowl, there were still some soup and wonton skins left, and the owner was about to dump them into the swill bucket when a beggar rushed over with a broken bowl, pleading with the owner.

The owner moved his hand and poured the remaining soup into the beggar’s broken bowl.

Ximen Kankan glanced at Duan Rong and said, ”See? If everyone were like you, finishing every last drop, how would these beggars on the streets survive?”

Duan Rong was taken aback by Ximen Kankan’s words. The real world often doesn’t function based on logic; it throws vivid scenes directly in your face.

As they spoke, the two had crossed the street and arrived at the entrance of the gambling den.

At that moment, Duan Rong instinctively turned his head and saw Yang Zhen standing nervously at an alley across the street, within the bustling crowd, staring at the entrance of the gambling den. It was clear he had spotted Duan Rong.

The moment Duan Rong turned his head, they locked eyes across the crowd, staring intently from afar!

Despite the bustling crowd, Duan Rong clearly saw the astonishment and fear in Yang Zhen’s eyes!

Duan Rong turned his head but was still dragged into the gambling den by Ximen Kankan. The thick curtain at the entrance dropped, shielding Yang Zhen’s astonished and fearful gaze from the gambling den’s interior.

Duan Rong’s eyes were deep; Yang Zhen’s perception of him had evidently changed again from the morning at Liu’s House. Even across the crowd, Duan Rong could sense the genuine fear.

Yang Zhen’s gaze across the street was like that of staring at a monster!

Duan Rong quickly understood what had happened. It seemed Jie Daohan’s body had been discovered. Yang Zhen’s expression suggested he had already seen the body.

Duan Rong gave a bitter smile, his eyes involuntarily turning red.

Duan Rong and Ximen Kankan spent an entire day gambling in the den. By nightfall, when the lights first came on, no one in Weiyang Square was willing to gamble with them anymore.

Satisfied, Ximen Kankan took Duan Rong to eat at the Eight Treasures Building.

Ximen Kankan actually wanted to invite Jiang Qingyu as well today, but seeing the departure day was nearing, Jiang Qingyu was busy bidding farewell to Lan Ying from Huaying Building and had no time to gamble with Ximen Kankan.

In the private room, Ximen Kankan ordered a lot of dishes and drank while chatting with Duan Rong, frequently cursing Jiang Qingyu.

Duan Rong held his wine cup, watching Ximen Kankan’s flushed face, still muttering curses at Jiang Qingyu, and couldn’t help but smile.

As Duan Rong smiled, a tear fell from the corner of his eye.

He envied Ximen Kankan a lot.

In Ximen Kankan’s life, it seemed there was never anything heavy or cruel.

Ximen Yong’s face flashed before Duan Rong’s eyes, and Duan Rong murmured, ”Having a father like that, life might be much easier.”

At this moment, Duan Rong’s heart felt as if a stone were weighing it down, causing bouts of depression and agitation.

The two had drunk a total of four full jars of wine, and Ximen Kankan was completely drunk. The drumbeat of the Night Watchman came from the street, indicating it was already midnight.

Duan Rong looked at the thoroughly drunk Ximen Kankan, yet his face bore a cruel smile.

He wrapped an arm around Ximen Kankan and held an unopened jar of wine in the other, slowly walking out of the Eight Treasures Building.

Ximen Kankan’s servant, Shi Kang, was already waiting there with a carriage.

Seeing Duan Rong come out, Shi Kang immediately jumped off the carriage, took Ximen Kankan from Duan Rong, and helped him into the carriage, then turned to Duan Rong with a bow, ”Lord Duan, please get on the carriage! I’ll first see you safely home!”

Since Duan Rong had advanced to become a registered disciple of the sect, even Shi Kang’s tone with him was not as familiar as before; though respectful, it inevitably became distant.

Holding the jar of wine, Duan Rong said, ”No need, it’s not far. I’ll walk back myself. A night breeze would help clear my head!”

Seeing Duan Rong insisted, Shi Kang bid him farewell with a bow and drove away.

Duan Rong stood at the alley entrance, watching as Shi Kang’s carriage disappeared into the distance, but instead of heading back to Yuan Shun Escort Agency along West Main Street, he suddenly darted into the shadows of the alley with the wine jar in his arms.