Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Night Banquet, The Mist Descends
Night
Chengfu Restaurant, Mist Town
"Commander, please come in."
Led by Zhao Nuo, Qin Tian walked into the private room.
Inside, seven or eight people were already waiting. The moment they saw Qin Tian enter, they immediately stood up to greet him.
"Haha, Commander Qin, I told you we’d meet again tonight."
Wu Lianbiao warmly stepped forward and patted Qin Tian’s shoulder.
Qin Tian smiled and nodded, "I’ve heard Director Wu can hold his liquor quite well, never getting drunk after a thousand cups. Please go easy on me later."
"Haha, Commander Qin, getting cold feet before the battle is not the style of our Royal Army soldiers."
Wu Lianbiao laughed heartily, "Today, it’s our first drinking session together; we shouldn’t leave until we’re drunk."
Qin Tian shook his head helplessly:
"It seems I won’t be easily getting out that door tonight."
Upon hearing this, the crowd all broke into smiles.
It seems this Commander Qin isn’t as silent and cold as rumored; he’s quite pleasant actually~
"Commander, let me introduce everyone."
Zhao Nuo said with a smile, "You already know Director Wu, so I won’t go on about him. This is the Mayor of Mist Town, Zhang Peng."
"Commander Qin, hello."
Zhang Peng politely extended his hand. He was not tall, looked to be in his forties, and had a friendly smile, giving off an approachable air.
"Hello, Mayor Zhang."
Qin Tian grasped Zhang Peng’s hand.
"This is the Vice Mayor, Li Chiling."
"Hello, Commander Qin."
"Hello, Vice Mayor Li."
"This is..."
Zhao Nuo introduced everyone one by one, and then everyone took their seats. Qin Tian was arranged to sit at the main table.
Once settled, Wu Lianbiao spoke first:
"Commander Qin, about this morning, I need to thank you on behalf of that little girl, Xiao Yue."
Qin Tian: "That girl’s name is Xiao Yue? How is she now? Did the other party compensate her?"
Wu Lianbiao laughed:
"Of course, once they got to the station, they apologized and offered compensation, their attitude was incredibly sincere, and they even seemed very regretful. They compensated Xiao Yue ten thousand yuan, which temporarily alleviated the family’s urgent need."
Very regretful~
Qin Tian’s eyes subtly shifted. Given the arrogance of the long-haired man at the time, he didn’t seem like the type to regret anything. Could it be that he pretended to feel this way to reduce his punishment once he was at the station?
"That’s good to hear. I’ll visit the child when I have the time." Qin Tian said earnestly.
Wu Lianbiao looked approvingly at Qin Tian, having worked in the Security Department for over ten years, always on the front lines. He had a keen eye for judging a person’s true nature with just a slight interaction.
This young Commander Qin, although few in words, appeared to be a kind individual, worth befriending.
Soon, dish after dish was brought to the table, and the eagerly waiting Wu Lianbiao directly opened a case of white liquor, placing two bottles in front of him and Qin Tian.
"Junior Brother Qin, I’m not concerned about anyone else today. You and I are going to drink to our hearts’ content." Wu Lianbiao said with a smile.
Qin Tian’s eye twitched slightly. How is it that in the future world, the drinking culture is still so prevalent?
Isn’t there anything new and exciting?
About ten minutes later, all the dishes were on the table.
Everyone ate and chatted, gradually heating up the atmosphere.
"Commander Qin, try our Mist Town specialty."
Mayor Zhang served Qin Tian a bowl of rice wine soup, saying, "This rice wine soup can only be found in our town. It’s made with the underground spring water of Mist Town and paired with red rice pulp, giving it a refreshing taste with a faint fruity aroma."
"Thank you."
Qin Tian took a sip at the edge of his mouth, and indeed, as Mayor Zhang had said, the taste was very unique, making his stomach feel warm and comfortable.
"The taste is fantastic!"
Qin Tian smiled and took another sip, but just then, a sudden reaction from the poison sack in his lower abdomen drew all the stomach contents into it with a strong suction.
Qin Tian casually put down the bowl, smiling and nodding at Mayor Zhang.
No, it’s not poison~
Qin Tian’s eyes flickered; there were no new toxins appearing in the poison sack, indicating that whatever entered his stomach wasn’t poison.
But if it’s not poison, why would the poison sack react?
What exactly is it?
Qin Tian stealthily scanned the entire room, but he couldn’t detect any flaw on anyone’s face or in their eyes.
"Mayor Zhang, I’ve been in Mist Town for a few days now. There’s something I’d like to ask you."
Qin Tian asked, "Previously, over a hundred people disappeared from the town. Did the government report this, and what was the response from the top? Did they send anyone to investigate?"
Report?
Mayor Zhang was momentarily dazed, then said, "The top told us to investigate carefully, and they would also send someone to assist us."
Qin Tian: "Did they arrive?"
"They arrived a month ago and have been investigating since, but they haven’t really communicated with us, as if they don’t quite trust us."
At this point, Mayor Zhang’s tone seemed to carry some resentment.
"I see~"
Qin Tian’s eyes shifted slightly and he stopped asking further questions.
The drinking continued
Wu Lianbiao became more and more excited, discovering that Qin Tian’s drinking capacity was just as bottomless, with both having downed several bottles without changing expression.
Other than Zhao Nuo, who did slightly better, everyone else was so intoxicated they couldn’t lift their heads.
"Junior Brother Qin, you certainly hold your liquor. Were you trying to get away with it in the beginning?" Wu Lianbiao laughed.
Qin Tian smiled slightly, "I can’t compare to Director Wu’s capacity."
Though he said this, with his current body, ordinary white liquor was like water, easily metabolized.
"Haha, in that case, let’s pick up the pace."
Wu Lianbiao placed two more bottles of good liquor, boldly stating:
"Using cups is too stingy; let’s drink straight from the bottle."
Qin Tian laughed, "I’ll accompany you all the way."
Glug glug glug
Following this, the private room turned into a showdown of alcohol tolerance between Qin Tian and Wu Lianbiao. Bottle after bottle of white liquor was consumed, and both men’s cheeks turned red, carrying more tipsiness in their eyes.
"Brother Wu, let’s call it a night. Mayor Zhang and the others are done for, they should head home to rest early."
Qin Tian waved his hand, looking slightly dazed and exhaling alcohol breath as he spoke.
Wu Lianbiao glanced at the few people passed out unconscious on the table and regretfully said:
"Alright then, let’s leave it at that. Next time, we’ll drink privately, without them."
"Deal."
Qin Tian nodded with a smile and gestured to the drunken Zhao Nuo, "Old Zhao, let’s go."
"Okay."
Zhao Nuo staggered to his feet and left the restaurant with Qin Tian.
Outside, a long-waiting driver started the flying device and took the two back to the camp.
"Old Zhao, rest well."
Qin Tian patted Zhao Nuo’s shoulder. After the drinking session, they grew closer in their form of address.
"Alright, Commander."
Zhao Nuo’s face was flushed, "You rest well too."
"Yes, go on."
Qin Tian returned alone to his quarters, and the moment he closed the door, the drunkenness in his eyes vanished instantly, returning to his usual calm demeanor.
Who among them had a problem?
In his mind, one face after another surfaced.
The amiable Mayor Zhang, the honest Vice Mayor Li, the bold and straightforward Wu Lianbiao, or was it... him
Qin Tian’s gaze deepened; the situation in Mist Town was becoming increasingly complex. But regardless of what was hidden behind it all, the mastermind would eventually be revealed.
His task was to protect himself and adapt as needed.
After taking a shower, Qin Tian swallowed a Spirit Essence Pill and began his cultivation for the day.
The night was deep, and Mist Town was exceptionally quiet.
Kilometers away, dense fog began to rise over the Mist Plain, enveloping the small town under the push of the winds.
The mist descends