Douluo: Martial Soul White Tiger, I am the White Emperor of Heaven

Chapter 578 Strong Liquor. Liu Erlong's Astonishment and Pity.
Dai Chengfeng felt a sudden weight on his arm, and Liu Erlong's originally upright body seemed to have all its strength drained away, slumping softly to the side.

With lightning speed, he swiftly wrapped his arm around her, catching her light but trembling body and preventing her from losing her composure.

The touch reveals a slight coolness and stiffness that can be felt even through the clothing.

Dai Chengfeng looked down at the tightly pursed lips and slightly trembling eyelashes of the person in his arms. Those eyes, which were usually as fiery as fire, were now lowered, concealing all emotions, leaving only a fragile appearance of feigned composure.

He sighed softly to himself, his voice unconsciously softening slightly: "Why did you do this?"

Liu Erlong did not answer, not even uttering a single syllable.

She stubbornly turned her head away, her gaze blankly fixed on the direction where Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had disappeared, even though the place was already deserted.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang in that state shocked her no less than Dai Chengfeng. His delicate and handsome appearance, even with a touch of pitifulness, was like a sharp thorn, piercing the softest, most untouchable corner of her heart.

The past grudges and affections, mixed with unspeakable shock and absurdity, and a strange feeling that she herself despised, which quietly arose due to the change, left her in a state of turmoil.

The final act of taking Dai Chengfeng's arm was less a show for Yu Xiaogang and more a way of resolutely severing any remaining, unrealistic hopes in his heart.

The torment and struggle involved could not be fully expressed by Dai Chengfeng's simple "Why bother?"
Seeing her like this, Dai Chengfeng didn't press the matter further.

He understood her strong will and knew that what she needed at that moment might not be words of comfort.

He glanced around at the slightly noisy street and tightened his grip on her hand.

With an undeniable, gentle force, it led her away from the conspicuous place and into a relatively quiet alley.

Deep in the alley, the light was dim, isolating it from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Dai Chengfeng stopped, but did not let go of his arm, still letting Liu Erlong lean against his side.

He turned his head and whispered in her ear, "Let's go, don't just stand there."

"I know you're upset, there's no point in forcing yourself to be upset."

"I'll take you somewhere to buy the strongest liquor. Let's not think about anything today, let's just get drunk and forget everything, how about it?"

These words were like a key, gently unlocking Liu Erlong's tense defenses.

She finally reacted, her long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly raised her eyes to look at Dai Chengfeng.

Those phoenix eyes no longer burned with their usual fierce light, but were now veiled with a complex shimmer of tears, revealing pain, confusion, and a hint of dishevelment at being seen through...

There was also a hint of recklessness, like someone who had given up entirely.

She remained silent, but her tense body relaxed slightly, as if she had tacitly agreed to Dai Chengfeng's suggestion.

Yes, let's get drunk and forget about it. Maybe when we're drunk, we can temporarily forget that face that has become both strange and familiar, forget that unsettling gaze, and forget all this tangled mess.

Seeing her like this, Dai Chengfeng said no more, and took her arm and walked towards the most famous winery in Tiandou City.

Instead of choosing those ornately decorated restaurants, he went straight to a long-established establishment famous for selling a variety of aged spirits.

The distillery was filled with a rich and mellow aroma of wine, and various wine jars and vats were displayed, simple and honest.

Dai Chengfeng was clearly a regular customer, so he didn't ask any questions and went straight to the shopkeeper:
"Two jars of Snow Fire wine, the strongest batch, along with some refreshing snacks to go with it. Wrap them up and take them with you."

The shopkeeper responded and went to prepare the items efficiently.

This Snow Fire is a specialty liquor of the Heavenly Dou Empire. It is extremely potent, with a sharp, knife-like taste and a fierce aftereffect.

It's so strong that an ordinary person would pass out after just a few drinks; it truly lives up to its name as a potent liquor.

Liu Erlong stood silently to the side, watching Dai Chengfeng pay, take the two jars of wine that were sealed tightly with mud but still exuded a strong aroma of liquor, and then take a snack wrapped in oil paper. Throughout the entire process, she did not utter a sound, like a statue that had lost its soul.

Dai Chengfeng, carrying the wine and dishes in one hand and still naturally supporting Liu Erlong's arm with the other, said softly:

"Let's go back."

Liu Erlong nodded silently.

The two remained silent on the way back to their lodgings.

Upon entering the room, Dai Chengfeng placed the wine and dishes on the table and opened a jar of Snow Fire.

Instantly, an extremely strong, spicy aroma of liquor filled the room.

Dai Chengfeng took two large bowls and filled them with water with a thud.

The clear, bright liquid rippled in the bowl, reflecting a sharp, gleaming light.

He pushed one of the bowls towards Liu Erlong, picked up the other bowl for himself, looked at Liu Erlong, and said simply and directly:

"drink!"

Liu Erlong stared at the bowl of strong liquor in front of him, his eyes narrowing as if he had made a decision.

Without further hesitation, she reached out and picked up the heavy, rough porcelain bowl. She tilted her head back and gulped down the entire bowl of strong liquor—enough to knock out a strong man—as if it were water!

The strong liquor went down my throat, and it really felt like a red-hot knife cutting through me, bringing a burning, stinging sensation.

Liu Erlong coughed lightly twice, choked by the fumes. Two unusually bright red blushes instantly appeared on her fair cheeks, spreading all the way to her ears.

But she felt a surge of heat rise from her stomach and rush to her limbs, the burning sensation seemingly dispelling the coldness and stiffness within her.

She put down the empty bowl, looked at Dai Chengfeng with a somewhat dazed expression, and even reached out to take the wine jar, wanting to pour another bowl.

Dai Chengfeng frowned almost imperceptibly as he watched her drink in such a self-destructive manner, but ultimately did not stop her.

He knew that Liu Erlong needed this almost numb catharsis at this moment.

He silently picked up another bowl, filled it himself, and drank with her.

However, Dai Chengfeng drank much slower and more restrainedly than Liu Erlong.

He spent most of his time with her, watching her drink bowl after bowl of soup.

The strong liquor might not make a physically robust Soul Master drunk immediately, but its fierce aftereffects would continue to accumulate.

After a few bowls of strong liquor, Liu Erlong finally became more talkative, or rather, her suppressed emotions finally found an outlet.

She broke her silence and began to speak intermittently, her voice hoarse and choked with sobs from the alcohol.

"Why...why did it turn out like this..."

She stared blankly at the swaying liquid in the bowl. "Dai Chengfeng, did you see that?"

"The way he looks... is he still Yu Xiaogang?"

"He wasn't like a man... I looked at his face... and in my heart... I actually felt... felt..."

She found it difficult to speak of the mixed feelings of astonishment and pity she felt due to the other person's drastic change in appearance.

(End of this chapter)