Erguotou

In the banquet hall, when Xue Luo was led into the hall by Nie Xun's hand, the originally loud and rapid music seemed to become gentle in an instant, and the distinguished guests in elegant clothes all focused their eyes on them, or to be more precise, on the young girl who was walking hand in hand with Nie Xun.

Although the Nie family had not introduced her identity to anyone, after what happened last night, all members of the twelve families knew that she was most likely the girl who opened the bronze door last night, and most likely the legendary goddess.

"General Nie, you are finally back. Why don't you introduce this lovely lady to us?" Middle-aged men came over in twos and threes. They were well-dressed and had an extraordinary aura. They said they wanted Nie Xun to introduce her, but in fact, their eyes had been greedily looking at Xue Luo, as if they were studying how to swallow the piece of fat in their mouths more properly.

Before coming, Nie Xun had sent the relevant information of the heads of the twelve families and dangerous people to her intelligent brain, so Xue Luo recognized them at the first time.

"Mr. Tao, Mr. Zhu, I'm sorry. Tonight is a banquet specially held to welcome the Marshal. I don't want anyone to focus too much attention on me." Nie Xun's sapphire blue eyes gleamed dangerously in the glow of the crystal lamp, as if he was a ferocious beast intimidating the enemies who crossed his territory.

Nie Xun had always had a bad reputation, and when he spoke so rudely at this time, these middle-aged men who should be his elders in terms of age showed an angry look on their faces, but they only dared to look at him resentfully.

"General Nie, aren't you being too overbearing?" someone complained, but upon facing the menacing aura surrounding this man, whose fighting power was considered the strongest in the entire alliance, they immediately shut their mouths. Instead, they looked at Xue Luo and boasted:

"Except for the Nie family, the other eleven families, the Tao family, the Zhu family... we are all eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

"Your presence tonight has greatly enhanced the glory of this banquet!"

"I don't know what to call you?"

…

In the blink of an eye, Xue Luo was surrounded by people. Although she was a cheerful girl, it was her first time facing a group of people with bad intentions. It would be a lie to say that she was not overwhelmed.

The Nie family frowned as they stood around her, constantly trying to stop her. Most of the time, Xue Luo just gave a perfunctory smile, as she would only see these people once in her life anyway.

But after a long time, the corners of my mouth became stiff.

Suddenly, Xue Luo received a look from Nie Xun, the same little gesture he made when he was still the White Cat. She immediately understood that this was asking her to find a chance to leave.

In fact, because tonight's banquet will feature the legendary goddess, Marshal Geng, whose every move is closely watched by the people of the alliance, and Admiral Nie Qinghai, who has not returned for many years, this banquet has attracted unprecedented attention.

Before the banquet, countless people wanted to sneak in.

Unfortunately, apart from Xue Luo, who seemed to be a celestial being, and Nie Xun who appeared together, Marshal Geng and Nie Qinghai seemed not to have arrived yet. The Nie couple were also entertaining leaders from the political circles and other families around them.

Therefore, she was the first one to be surrounded by pairs of greedy eyes.

Xue Luo secretly responded to Nie Xun with a gesture, and then took the opportunity to break away from the encirclement of this group of people.

Not everyone recognized her, either. After leaving Nie Xun, she seemed to have shed her dazzling halo. Xueluo, chewing on a piece of grapefruit-flavored gum that made people forget their own presence, walked toward a corner. People on either side looked at her, feeling a sense of familiarity, and whispered, "What a shame! I heard it must be a celestial being who opened the bronze door this time, but it seems we can't squeeze in to see for ourselves."

"I heard that the goddess can take things from afar. Can she bring things from another world?"

"Why are you talking more and more like fantasy?"

…

Xue Luo: "..." She felt a little guilty listening to the whispers.

A waiter in a swallow-collared shirt happened to pass by with a tray and greeted her politely with a smile: "Miss, would you like a glass of champagne?"

Xueluo also felt that it would be a bit awkward if she didn't hold something in her hands. She casually took a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray. With only chewing gum in her mouth, she could only smile and greet.

After watching the other person walk away, the champagne, as beautiful as honey, passed through her pupils. She raised it and slowly walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside the window was the view of the garden, and the fragrance of roses painted a charming picture.

After a while, some movement ahead attracted people's attention. Even Xue Luo, who was alone in the corner, could hear the discussions of people around him.

"It's Admiral Nie Qinghai coming!"

"Is Marshal Geng here too? Come on, let's go forward too."

"Now we're going to have a good show! The Nie family is all in the front!"

…

From a distance, one could see Nie Xun and his parents entertaining guests under the crystal chandelier in the center of the banquet hall. The guests were dressed in the silver-white military uniform of the Alliance. Even from such a distance, their eyes seemed to be dazzled by the various badges of honor hanging on his shoulders.

"This must be Uncle Nie Xun." After just a few days in the Nie family, the maids had already informed him of the glory of the Nie family having three generals.

The tall and elegant young man seemed to be listening, occasionally moving his thin lips slightly, as if responding to them.

Xueluo could feel that he was in a good mood.

"So, where's Marshal Geng?" Xueluo searched the crowd of uniformed men and women around Nie Xun, but couldn't find him. After all, Marshal Geng was a prominent figure who frequently appeared on military channels. She had made a point of checking him out, so of course she recognized him.

From a distance, Nie Xun suddenly glanced in her direction.

"wait for me."

It was the first time Xueluo had received a telepathic message, so she was slightly frightened. "Nie Xun."

"It's me."

Xue Luo looked over and saw that he had already averted his eyes and was chatting and laughing with the people around him. Ahem, they were just talking, not laughing, and his expression was still a little too serious.

Occasionally, a few peers would talk to her, and she would show her social skills by chatting with them and even adding them on social media.

Xueluo had used the excuse that she was a distant relative of the Nie family and that she had finally found the opportunity to attend this banquet. When the other party heard her say that, they had a "me too" expression, as if they had finally found their team. There were so many bigwigs tonight that a youngster like Xueluo, arriving for the first time, would likely be a bit nervous, trembling with fear, afraid of making a mistake.

Of course, when a bunch of unknown people get together, gossip is inevitable.

"They said Tiannv and Marshal Geng would come tonight, but neither of them has arrived."

"But wasn't that Lady Tiannu still by General Nie Xun's side?"

"That's true, but Her Excellency Tiannv is not an ordinary person. Maybe she hates too much attention and is using some kind of deception."

Xue Luo: “…”

"Miss Xueluo, what do you think?"

Xueluo was extremely embarrassed. No, it was as if she was the protagonist of their topic.

No, that's really childish.

"Well... I think, maybe so." She herself didn't know what she said. Anyway, in the end she found an excuse to run away.

I have to say, the food at tonight's banquet was quite delicious. The champagne was quite good, too. The breath-altering gum lasted two hours, which was plenty of time for her to move around freely.

It was obvious that Nie Xun was very busy, so she didn't expect him to find time to accompany her tonight. Besides...it seemed like there wasn't much else for him to accompany her!

Xue Luo drank a mouthful of champagne happily and found herself on the balcony unknowingly. The balcony of the banquet hall was also very large, newly decorated, elegant and beautiful. There were several long tables with champagne and other food on them. Men and women in groups of three or four were chatting in the corner, enjoying the comfortable evening breeze.

In addition to champagne, she also tasted the slightly sweet sherry, which is a sweet green wine and a type of wine unique to the Divine Beast Star. It is said to have been passed down from the ancient barbaric era thousands of years ago.

What about the ancient barbaric chronicles? After seeing the city scene behind the bronze door, she knew that this should have been passed down before the catastrophe.

It is too far away from the peaceful era where she lives.

She is still a little confused. Is this Divine Beast Planet really her former hometown - Blue Planet?

"You can't do this!" The waiter's anxious voice suddenly sounded around, bringing her back to reality.

As someone who loves to join in the fun, she was of course curious about what was going on.

Looking over, I saw an old man in military uniform drinking the wine on the tray brought by the waiter in one breath, with an expression that looked not at all satisfied. "If I tell you to get more, go get it now, don't dilly-dally."

The waiter seemed worried that he might get into trouble if he drank too much. Furthermore, the other party's picky comments made it difficult for him to handle the situation: "Champagne? Sherry? Can you get some stronger liquor? It's really boring!"

It seemed that this ruddy-faced and energetic old man did not intend to make things difficult for the waiter; he was simply dissatisfied with the wine.

But no one would pay attention to a waiter who was in trouble, and it was obvious that this elderly grandfather in military uniform was majestic and imposing, and he was not an ordinary person.

The waiter was sweating profusely because of his attacking words.

There were people around, but they were all watching the fun, and seemed a little hesitant?

hesitate?

Xue Luo frowned slightly when she saw this emotion. She didn't quite understand, but it was impossible for her to continue watching the situation develop. She thought for a moment and immediately came up with an idea. She took the opportunity when everyone's attention was focused on the two of them, took a glass of champagne from the side, poured it out, and then replaced it with Erguotou liquor.

"Are you going or not..." Suddenly smelling the refreshing aroma of wine, the old man in military uniform instantly fixed his gaze on Xue Luo who was standing on the terrace, no, on the champagne glass in her hand.

"This is?"

He walked over to Xueluo, his majestic eyes filled with desire and curiosity. He sniffed hard, "Good wine! There's even some wine I haven't tried?"

Xueluo handed it to him and said, "Would you like to try it?"

"For me?" The elder seemed to have realized what had just happened. He glanced at the people watching the show with his eagle eyes. Overwhelmed by his intimidation, they shifted their gazes and continued chatting with the people around them.

"Yes, if you'd like to try it." Xueluo's smile was bright, without a trace of gloom. Naturally, she wouldn't be associated with someone who would poison wine. Even the waiter who had just walked over was a little surprised by her behavior, but he just looked at the old man in the military uniform.

When the older man took the champagne glass from Xue Luo, the waiter was a little surprised at her boldness. Then he swallowed and watched him drink it all in one gulp. His previously tense expression slowly turned into a happy one.

The older man smacked his lips, as if one cup wasn't enough for him. "Anything else?"

Xueluo couldn't help but mutter in her heart, "You're really not polite at all."

"This wine is quite mellow, strong, and very good!" The more he savored it, the brighter the old man's eyes became. He looked at Xue Luo with an expression as if he had discovered something.

Xue Luo's instinct at that moment was that she was like a sheep being targeted by a wolf.

"What's the name of this wine, my dear lady?" The old man, his face rosy, suddenly smiled at her harmlessly. Xueluo felt that he looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before. "Did you bring this from home? My dear lady, can you let me have another drink?"

"Xue Luo... Old man, you can just call me Xue Luo." Xue Luo wiped her sweat, feeling that the old man, who was now a bit of a naughty boy, was a bit strange. She took out the Erguotou that she had just exchanged in the system from behind her back. "This is called Erguotou. Um, I... um, brought it from home. If you like it, that would be great."

"Ms. Xueluo, very good. Thank you for your generosity."

The iconic five-star design of Erguotou and the introduction and name that were automatically translated into the alliance text immediately attracted the old man.

"Red Star Erguotou, a 56% alcohol liquor, is quite flavorful, even more flavorful than regular liquor," the old man praised. He casually picked up the quilt and poured another glass, downing it in one gulp. He drank the liquor like water. Xueluo was stunned. Even if the Alliance members possessed psychic powers and supernatural abilities, could it be that drinking liquor also enhanced their immunity?

"You--" Seeing that the bottle of Erguotou was almost empty, Xue Luo was about to say something when he heard a noise from behind. He saw a group of tall and strong men in military uniforms walking towards him. Nie Xun and his father were among them. Next to him was a handsome uncle with silver hair and a serious expression. Without thinking, he could guess that this should be Nie Xun's uncle, the admiral Nie Qinghai.

"So you are here." The handsome middle-aged man who looked more serious swept his sharp eyes over the old man and Xue Luo.

"Marshal—" For a moment, these soldiers with ranks above colonel saluted the old man, which shocked the people around him. In fact, some people had suspected it was him before, but no one dared to recognize him.

"So you are..." No wonder you look so familiar. Xueluo briefly met Nie Xun's gaze. His deep blue eyes seemed curious as well. Why was she with Marshal Geng?

His eyes naturally caught the Erguotou in Marshal Geng's hand. Back when he'd been staying at Xueluo's house, the men around him had always loved to try this drink, though most of them would only have one drink and then give up. A strong liquor, a strong liquor. It looked only 56% alcohol, but perhaps because of Xueluo, it was far more mellow and strong than that.

"Wait--" The old man who was in the center of their sight suddenly spoke out to stop them from talking. It seemed that he fell into deeper intoxication and thought while savoring the wine.

The people around them all fell silent at once, their eyes focused on him and Xue Luo. That inquiring look passed from Nie Xun to Xue Luo from time to time, and it was obvious that they had guessed something.

Xueluo's heart was in her throat, and the old man's abnormality reminded her of something.

That is——

She selectively forgot that the Erguotou she took out should have had additional status effects, and with her recent improvement in healing ability, Marshal Geng should have also benefited from the effects.

Sure enough, the next second, the old man finished thinking, and his sharp, majestic eagle eyes looked at her. It was an exceptionally brilliant and shining color in his eyes, as if he could solve a big problem immediately.

But the object is her?

Xue Luo began to doubt life.