《天堂旅館》長篇奇幻愛情小說

【二十六】阿爾卑斯山區之一：獵人村
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陳約翰師兄弟、曉陽夫妻、阿多諾、蘿娜和凱斯等一行七人，來到邊界檢查哨。
陳約翰對著曉陽夫妻說：「一個月前的深夜，就在這裡，發生過一場驚天地泣鬼神的人鬼殊死戰…。」
阿多諾微笑說：「是啊！我和蘿娜、凱斯都參與了，真是驚心動魄！」
凱斯回憶說：「這麼大規模的熱戰，這輩子恐怕遇不上第二次。」
陳約翰歎息說：「唉！我們的好朋友馬林站長，在緊要關頭引爆炸藥，壯烈地犧牲了。」
阿多諾說：「馬林，真的是條血性漢子！」
林曉陽說：「事後，威爾森告訴我，多虧你們在邊界攔截蝙蝠軍主力部隊，否則天堂旅館肯並被他們踏成平地。」
「兩軍對壘，當然要抓住每個可能的時機，盡可能削弱對方實力。我選在這裡和安德森決戰，主要的考量正是憑藉地形天險，有把握可以以寡擊眾，極大化地削弱安德森的主力。」陳約翰說完，從懷裡取出那只信封，抽出地圖。史特龍神父和林曉陽都湊過身來。
陳約翰手指著一條岔路說：「從這條岔路，往阿爾卑斯山(Alps)山區走。」
史特龍研判說：「從地圖上看來，幽冥山谷似乎並不遠。不過，山路盤旋迂迴，大概得走上幾天。」
林曉陽指著地圖上的一處問：「這塊區域裡都沒有山路和村落標示，裡面只有一處卍(萬)字記號，可能別有天地。」
陳約翰推測說：「我推想可能是個生人禁區，從來沒有人活著從裡面走出來，所以沒有任何標示。」
史特龍豪氣說：「管他龍潭還是虎穴，既然來了就闖他一闖。」
陳約翰說：「這禁區裡面應該相當兇險，進到禁區後，我們必須隨時提高警覺。這一路上我帶頭，師弟你押後，咱們首尾保持呼應。」
一行人成一路縱隊，阿多諾跟在陳約翰身後，曉陽夫妻和蘿娜、凱斯這兩對居中，循著岔路小山徑，往山勢雄偉的阿爾卑斯山區徒步行走。

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山徑順著山勢，在山腰間起伏盤旋，即使在仲夏白天，溫度還低於十度。黃敏華讓曉陽挽著手臂，一張粉臉兩腮暈紅。
「感覺疲累時，要跟我說。」曉陽體貼地提醒敏華。
「還好，自從新婚隔天早上，整個人就覺得神清氣爽，身體似乎變得輕盈許多。」
曉陽只微笑著，他知道什麼原因，但這場合裡他不便告訴敏華。
一行人循著山徑走到傍晚，抵達一個只有十來戶人家的小山村村口。每一家戶以石塊壘牆，屋頂鋪上厚實的茅草，屋簷下掛著一串串風乾臘肉。
陳約翰遇到一個落腮鬍，身形精壯，身上背著長弓和箭帶，一身獵裝的中年漢子，上前洽問：「請問大哥，這村子裡可有旅店可以住宿？」
那漢子端詳著一行人說：「沒有旅店，諸位要是不嫌棄，就來寒舍住一晚吧？這山區裡晚上不太平靜，常有野狼和灰熊出沒，外來人我們都會提供住宿。我是這村子的狩獵隊隊長皮亞傑。」
陳約翰趨前握手說：「感謝大哥，給我們一行人方便。」
「諸位，請跟我到寒舍吧？」皮亞傑說完，取出腰間的牛角號，「嗚~~嗚」忽長忽短地吹了一段號音。
皮亞傑收起牛角號說：「我通知村長和內人，說來了七個訪客。 」
一行人跟著皮亞傑，走進村子裡，每一戶人家紛紛開窗，從裡面探出幾張臉，老小男女，盯著陳約翰這行人。

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皮亞傑的家屋，入口低矮狹小，必須蹲下身來才進得去。進去後，客廳寬敞，地板上鋪著大片的岩石板，幾處窗戶很高接近屋簷，窗口小巧。客廳中央有個正方形火炕，正上方是排煙的煙囪，也是整幢屋子的最高點。
一行人圍著火炕坐下來，火炕上懸吊著一隻附著黑炭的金屬鍋，鍋裡燉煮著一鍋什錦，
肉香和香菜的味道濃鬱。女主人兩手分別抓起四隻陶杯，每只杯子裡一根木頭湯匙，走到火炕旁蹲下身子，把手裡的陶杯分發給來客。
皮亞傑說：「請各位稍等，村長很快就到。」
一行人雖然飢腸轆轆，卻不能不守禮儀，阿多諾和凱斯兩人四眼，直盯著那鍋什錦。
不一會兒，村長鑽進屋裡，一個七十開外，鬚髮都銀白的老者，穿著顏色鮮豔的服裝，胸前一片白銀飾件，微胖但結實的身材顯得貴氣。村長兩隻手上分別提著一罈酒和一根煙熏鹿腿，一臉笑容可掬，來到火炕旁，把伴手禮遞給皮亞傑後，一屁股坐下來。女主人隨即拿來一副陶杯湯匙，彎下身子，雙手恭敬地交到村長手上。
「呵呵！讓各位稍等了一下子。」村長說話的聲音中氣十足。
「我們獵人村的村長亞當斯。」皮亞傑介紹村長給大夥兒認識。
陳約翰伸手指著，簡單介紹幾位成員給主人和村長。
亞當斯環視了一下這行人的臉孔和穿著說：「看樣子，你們不是尋常的遊客吧？這裡不曾有東方人進來過。」
陳約翰說：「實不相瞞，我們這一行人正要去探訪傳說中的幽冥山谷。」
「幽冥山谷？」老村長和皮亞傑，訝異地對望了一下，老村長臉色凝重說：「那地方是活人禁區，勸你們還是別進去。」
陳約翰說：「我們必須去見那裡的主人，我們有任務在身。」
老村長苦笑說：「幽冥山谷哪有什麼主人，我只聽說過沒有活人從那裡面走出來過。」
皮亞傑打圓場說：「客人肚子餓了，請村長開飯吧！」
老村長拿起一隻木頭湯匙，勺了一瓢湯汁，放進自己的陶杯裡。皮亞傑和他老婆，隨即幫客人盛裝食物。七個人的陶杯都裝妥後，皮亞傑以手勢示意客人舉起陶杯，向老村長致意後，大夥兒埋頭享用陶杯裡熱騰騰的食物。
阿多諾豎起大拇指說：「這鍋什錦湯，真是人間美味啊！」
皮亞傑自豪地說：「這鍋什錦，湯底是用鹿大骨和蝙蝠熬煮的，加上本地特有的香料和香菜，別的地方可吃不到。」
聽到「蝙蝠」，陳約翰七人不約而同地停下喝湯動作，模樣像是被人給點穴，身體瞬間僵住那般，每個人額頭都浮出三條線，望著皮亞傑。
皮亞傑見狀，哈哈大笑說：「是我們這山裡特有的水果蝙蝠，一生只吃成熟甜美的果實，不是那種吃昆蟲的蝙蝠啦。」
經他解釋，陳約翰等人才稍稍釋懷。
老村長說：「我們這裡荒山野嶺，除了狩獵野鹿山羊，水果蝙蝠和飛鼠，也是主要的肉類來源。」
皮亞傑提醒說：「各位用完餐後，可以去浴室沐浴，不過，水源來自雪水，怕冷的話就得洗快些。還有，沐浴後請各位早些休息，半夜裡如果聽見狼嚎熊吼，請不要好奇跑出去觀望喔。」
陳約翰微笑說：「野狼和灰熊並不可怕，最可怕的應該是我們人類吧？」
亞當斯點頭同意說：「小兄弟，你說得沒錯！野獸再兇殘，也不敢主動挑戰人類，除非被人類逼急了。我們跟這些野獸共處百千年，除非牠們侵犯村子，否則我們是不會去找牠們麻煩的，這些野獸跟人類一樣，都會記仇。」
皮亞傑說：「各位先填飽肚子，待會兒村長跟各位敬酒。」
女主人把分切好的鹿腿肉擺在盤子上，分兩趟端出來，給席上的客人和村長享用。
蘿娜嚼著鹿肉，微笑望著凱斯。
凱斯回望蘿娜說：「沒想到這煙燻鹿肉，竟如此地美味！」
「老村長、皮亞傑，我敬兩位。」平常滴酒不沾的陳約翰，不能免俗地陪老村長喝酒
，他端起陶杯湊近嘴唇邊，烈酒的酒精直竄腦門，陳約翰閉上眼睛，喝了兩口，直感覺一股燒灼感沿著食道衝到胃裡。
黃敏華小酌半杯，感覺全身暖烘烘，就不再只喝什錦湯吃鹿肉，也跟著喝酒；阿多諾喝了整整三個陶杯，不勝酒力醉眼惺忪，一張臉已經紅得跟猴子屁股似的；蘿娜和凱斯喝了兩陶杯後，猛灌熱湯，但臉上已經飄出兩朵紅暈。
酒足飯飽後，除了林曉陽，每個人都有幾分醉意， 一個個輪流去沐浴，準備就寢。
到後來火炕旁只剩老村長、皮亞傑和林曉陽，老村長對曉陽喝酒的能耐，越來越感覺不可思議，他拍著曉陽的肩膀誇讚說：「年輕人，你是跟我喝酒大個半晚上，卻不會醉倒的頭一個，很像我年輕時的模樣。」
這時，林曉陽跟女主人要了一隻乾淨的大陶杯，即席秀了一手絕技，令兩人看得目瞪口呆，原來曉陽以內力把酒裡的酒精，都集中到右手肘上，這時他運氣將酒精從食指尖逼出來，一小道酒水流到大陶杯裡，直到大陶杯將近八分滿。
老村長雙手抓住曉陽肩膀，非常感興趣地問：「你這魔術是怎麼玩的？」
曉陽故作神秘說：「這不是魔術表演，是我們中國人的武學，中國功夫。」
「中國功夫，李小龍？」老村長搖著頭說：「李小龍的電影裡，沒有見過這種功夫，我年輕時在巴黎看過李小龍的電影，你的這是中國魔術。」
林曉陽不再多作解釋，微笑說：「好吧！這是神秘的中國魔術。」
皮亞傑的好奇心跟著被撩起，端起那只大陶杯，先湊近鼻子嗅了一嗅：「是烈酒沒錯」，
又嚐了一口說：「這酒裡的酒精，濃度真的很高。」
直到黃敏華來到林曉陽身旁，拿給他換洗衣物，老村長和皮亞傑這才識相地放人。
「年輕人，回程經過這裡，記得來找我。」老村長這才起身，醉醺醺地告辭，轉身離開。

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客人們睡在有火炕的臥房裡，兩對情侶擠一間，兩位神父和阿多諾擠一間。
敏華讓曉陽抱著，她只看到曉陽陪著村長和主人一直喝酒，沒看到曉陽把酒精逼出指尖那一幕。
敏華抱怨說：「曉陽，你喝那麼多酒，會傷身的。」
曉陽說：「村長和主人加盛情難卻，不過，我真的沒喝多少。」
「你騙人，我洗完澡回來，看見你還跟村長、主人家在喝酒抬槓呢。」
「不然，你看我像喝醉酒的樣子嗎？」
敏華湊近來嗅著，又自己遮手呵氣嗅著，一臉迷惑地問：「怎麼我口腔裡的酒味，還比你呼出來的酒氣濃些？」
「我就說沒騙你啊！」曉陽神祕地笑著。
敏華追問：「你一定偷偷使了什麼法術齁？」
「不是法術，是我自己領悟出來的內力運用法。」
「內力運用法？那你先前怎麼沒教我，怎麼樣能夠喝酒不醉。」
曉陽睜大眼珠盯著敏華問：「又沒讓妳拋頭露面去賣笑陪酒，妳女人家學會這做什麼用？」
敏華被曉陽這麼說，心裡不快，就掄起拳頭敲了兩下曉陽的額頭：「把我當成酒樓妓女，你很不像話喔！」
這時，外面傳來一聲聲狼嚎，另一張床上的蘿娜和凱斯卻因醉酒毫無反應。
敏華皺起眉頭抱怨說：「這些野狼幹什麼啊？半夜不睡覺就會吵人。」
曉陽笑著說：「牠們應該是在追捕獵物吧？反正不幹我們的事，睡吧！」

次日清早，女主人和她女兒已經幫客人準備妥早餐，和幾袋飲水、烙餅、肉乾，給客人帶在路上。男主人皮亞傑卻還賴在床上宿醉未醒，女主人也不想叨念他，和女兒親自幫客人盛了燕麥粥，餐桌上幾道青翠可口的生野菜和兩道滷肉，大夥兒食慾不錯，
食量最小的黃敏華都吃了兩陶杯。
一行人用過早餐，林曉陽從衣襟內裡掏出兩枚金幣擱在桌面上，母女倆送一行人到村子尾，朝他們揮手道別。

[Twenty-Six] The Alps, Part One: The Hunters’ Village

**98**

Father John Chen and his fellow priest, Xiaoyang and his wife, Adorno, Lorna, and Keith—a group of seven—arrived at the border checkpoint.

Father John Chen said to the newlywed couple, “A month ago, late one night, a life-and-death battle between humans and ghosts took place right here, a battle that shook heaven and earth…”

Adorno smiled and said, “Yes! Lorna, Keith, and I all took part in it. It was truly heart-pounding!”

Keith recalled, “A battle on such a large scale and with such intense fighting—there probably won’t be another one like it in my lifetime.”

Father John Chen sighed and said, “Alas! Our good friend, Station Chief Marin, detonated the explosives at the critical moment and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Adorno said, “Marin was truly a man of courage and passion!”

Lin Xiaoyang said, “Afterward, Wilson told me that if you hadn’t intercepted the main force of the Bat Army at the border, Paradise Inn would probably have been flattened by them.”

“In a confrontation between two armies, of course we have to seize every possible opportunity and weaken the other side’s strength as much as possible. The main reason I chose to confront Anderson here was precisely because I could rely on the natural defensive advantages of the terrain. I was confident that we could defeat a much larger force with a smaller one and greatly weaken Anderson’s main force.” After saying this, Father John Chen took the envelope from inside his clothing and pulled out the map. Father Stylon and Lin Xiaoyang both leaned closer.

Father John Chen pointed to a fork in the road and said, “Take this fork and head into the Alps.”

Father Stylon assessed the map and said, “According to the map, Netherworld Valley doesn’t seem to be very far away. However, the mountain road winds and twists, so it will probably take several days to get there.”

Lin Xiaoyang pointed to a spot on the map and asked, “There are no mountain roads or villages marked in this area. There is only a swastika symbol. There may be another world hidden inside.”

Father John Chen speculated, “I suspect it may be a forbidden zone for the living. No one has ever come out of it alive, so there are no markings on the map.”

Father Stylon said boldly, “Whether it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, since we’re already here, let’s go in and take our chances.”

Father John Chen said, “This forbidden zone should be extremely dangerous. Once we enter it, we must remain alert at all times. I’ll lead the way, and you, my junior brother, bring up the rear. We’ll keep in contact from front to back.”

The group formed a single-file line. Adorno followed behind Father John Chen, while Xiaoyang and his wife, along with Lorna and Keith, the two couples, walked in the middle. They followed the narrow mountain path at the fork and hiked toward the magnificent Alpine region.

**99**

The mountain trail followed the contours of the mountains, winding and rising and falling along the slopes. Even during the daytime in midsummer, the temperature remained below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Huang Minhua let Xiaoyang hold her arm, her fair cheeks flushed with a rosy glow.

“If you feel tired, tell me,” Xiaoyang reminded Minhua considerately.

“I’m fine. Ever since the morning after our wedding, I’ve felt completely refreshed. My body even seems to have become much lighter.”

Xiaoyang merely smiled. He knew why, but this was not the right occasion to tell Minhua.

The group followed the mountain trail until evening and arrived at the entrance of a small mountain village with only a dozen or so households. Each house had walls built of stone, thick thatched roofs, and strings of air-dried cured meat hanging beneath the eaves.

Father John Chen encountered a middle-aged man with a full beard and a sturdy build, carrying a longbow and quiver and dressed in hunting clothes. He stepped forward and asked, “Excuse me, brother. Is there an inn in this village where we can stay?”

The man looked the group over and said, “There’s no inn here. If you don’t mind staying at a humble home, why don’t you come stay at my place for the night? The mountain area isn’t very peaceful at night. Wild wolves and grizzly bears often roam around. We provide lodging for outsiders who come here. I’m Piaget, captain of this village’s hunting party.”

Father John Chen stepped forward and shook his hand. “Thank you, brother, for helping our group.”

“Everyone, please come with me to my humble home,” Piaget said. Then he took a horn from his waist and blew a series of long and short blasts. “Hoo~ hoo.”

Piaget put away the horn and said, “I’m notifying the village chief and my wife that seven visitors have arrived.”

The group followed Piaget into the village. One by one, people from each household opened their windows and poked their faces outside—old and young, men and women—all staring at Father John Chen and the others.

**100**

Piaget’s house had a low and narrow entrance, so they had to duck down to get inside. Once inside, the living room was spacious, with large slabs of stone covering the floor. Several windows were positioned high near the eaves, and the openings were small. In the center of the living room was a square fire pit, with a chimney directly above it for releasing smoke. It was also the highest point of the entire house.

The group sat around the fire pit. A metal pot covered in black soot hung above it, simmering a stew filled with assorted ingredients.

The rich aroma of meat and cilantro filled the room. The hostess picked up four ceramic cups in each hand, each cup containing a wooden spoon, then crouched beside the fire pit and distributed the cups among the guests.

Piaget said, “Please wait a moment. The village chief will be here shortly.”

Although the group was ravenously hungry, they had to observe proper etiquette. Adorno and Keith stared intently at the pot of stew with all four eyes fixed on it.

Before long, the village chief ducked into the house. He was a man in his seventies, with silver-white hair and beard, dressed in brightly colored clothing with a large silver ornament covering his chest. Slightly plump but solidly built, he had an air of nobility. The village chief carried a jar of liquor in one hand and a smoked venison leg in the other. With a broad smile on his face, he came to the fire pit, handed the gifts to Piaget, and dropped himself onto a seat. The hostess immediately brought another ceramic cup and spoon, bent down, and respectfully handed them to the village chief with both hands.

“Heh-heh! Sorry to have kept everyone waiting,” the village chief said in a strong, hearty voice.

“This is Adams, the village chief of our Hunters’ Village,” Piaget introduced him to everyone.

Father John Chen pointed to each person and briefly introduced the members of the group to their host and the village chief.

Adams looked over the faces and clothing of the group and said, “You don’t look like ordinary tourists. No one from the East has ever come in here before.”

Father John Chen said, “To be completely honest, our group is on our way to visit the legendary Netherworld Valley.”

“Netherworld Valley?” The old village chief and Piaget exchanged astonished looks. The old village chief’s expression grew serious. “That place is forbidden to the living. I advise you not to go in.”

Father John Chen said, “We must go meet the master of that place. We have a mission to carry out.”

The old village chief gave a bitter smile and said, “How could Netherworld Valley have a master? All I’ve ever heard is that no living person has ever come out of there.”

Piaget tried to smooth things over and said, “Our guests are hungry. Chief, please serve the meal!”

The old village chief picked up a wooden spoon, scooped up some broth, and poured it into his ceramic cup. Piaget and his wife immediately helped serve food to the guests. Once all seven guests had their ceramic cups filled, Piaget gestured for them to raise their cups and toast the old village chief. Afterward, everyone lowered their heads and eagerly enjoyed the steaming-hot food in their cups.

Adorno gave a thumbs-up and said, “This stew is truly heavenly!”

Piaget said proudly, “The broth is made by simmering large venison bones and fruit bats, along with locally grown spices and cilantro. You can’t get this anywhere else.”

When they heard the words “fruit bats,” the seven members of Father John Chen’s group stopped drinking at exactly the same moment. They froze as if someone had struck their pressure points. Three lines seemed to appear on each person’s forehead as they stared at Piaget.

Seeing their expressions, Piaget burst out laughing. “They’re fruit bats unique to these mountains. They eat only ripe, sweet fruit their entire lives. They’re not the kind of bats that eat insects!”

After his explanation, Father John Chen and the others finally relaxed somewhat.

The old village chief said, “This is a remote wilderness. Besides hunting wild deer and mountain goats, fruit bats and flying squirrels are also major sources of meat for us.”

Piaget reminded them, “After you finish your meal, you can take a bath in the bathroom. However, the water comes from melted snow, so if you’re afraid of the cold, you’ll have to make it quick. Also, please go to bed early after bathing. If you hear wolves howling or bears roaring in the middle of the night, please don’t get curious and go outside to look.”

Father John Chen smiled and said, “Wild wolves and grizzly bears aren’t frightening. The most frightening thing should be us human beings, right?”

Adams nodded in agreement. “You’re right, young man! No matter how fierce wild beasts are, they don’t dare challenge humans on their own unless humans push them too far. We’ve lived alongside these beasts for hundreds or even thousands of years. Unless they invade our village, we don’t bother them. These beasts, just like humans, hold grudges.”

Piaget said, “Everyone, fill your stomachs first. Later, the village chief will have a drink with all of you.”

The hostess arranged the sliced venison on plates and brought it out in two trips for the guests and the village chief to enjoy.

Lorna chewed her venison and smiled at Keith.

Keith looked back at Lorna and said, “I never expected this smoked venison to be so delicious!”

“Old Chief Adams, Piaget, I’ll drink to the two of you.” Father John Chen, who normally never drank alcohol, could not decline the invitation to drink with the old village chief. He raised his ceramic cup to his lips. The alcohol from the strong liquor shot straight to his head. Father John Chen closed his eyes and took two sips, feeling a burning sensation travel down his esophagus into his stomach.

Huang Minhua took half a cup in small sips and felt warmth spread throughout her body. She no longer limited herself to the stew and venison but joined in drinking the liquor as well. Adorno drank three full ceramic cups. Unable to hold his liquor, his eyes became bleary with drunkenness, and his face was already as red as a monkey’s rear end. After Lorna and Keith drank two ceramic cups each, they gulped down hot soup, but two rosy patches had already appeared on their cheeks.

After eating and drinking their fill, everyone except Lin Xiaoyang was somewhat drunk. One by one, they went to bathe and prepared for bed.

Eventually, only the old village chief, Piaget, and Lin Xiaoyang remained beside the fire pit. The old village chief became increasingly amazed by Xiaoyang’s ability to drink. He patted Xiaoyang on the shoulder and praised him, saying, “Young man, you’re the first person who has ever drunk with me for more than half the night without getting drunk. You remind me of what I was like when I was young.”

At this point, Lin Xiaoyang asked the hostess for a clean large ceramic cup and immediately demonstrated an extraordinary skill that left the two men dumbfounded. Xiaoyang had actually used his internal power to concentrate all the alcohol in the liquor into his right elbow. Then he channeled his energy and forced the alcohol out through the tip of his index finger. A thin stream of liquor flowed into the large ceramic cup until it was nearly eighty percent full.

The old village chief grabbed Xiaoyang by both shoulders and asked with great interest, “How did you do that magic trick?”

Xiaoyang deliberately acted mysterious and said, “This isn’t a magic performance. It’s Chinese martial arts—Chinese kung fu.”

“Chinese kung fu? Bruce Lee?” The old village chief shook his head and said, “I’ve never seen kung fu like this in Bruce Lee’s movies. When I was young, I watched Bruce Lee’s movies in Paris. What you’re doing is Chinese magic.”

Lin Xiaoyang gave no further explanation and smiled. “All right! It’s mysterious Chinese magic.”

Piaget’s curiosity was aroused as well. He picked up the large ceramic cup and first brought it close to his nose and sniffed it. “It’s definitely strong liquor.”

Then he took a sip and said, “The alcohol concentration in this liquor is really high.”

It was not until Huang Minhua came to Lin Xiaoyang’s side and brought him a change of clothes that the old village chief and Piaget finally took the hint and let him go.

“Young man, remember to come see me when you pass through here on your way back.” Only then did the old village chief stand up and drunkenly bid them farewell before turning and leaving.

**102**

The guests slept in bedrooms with fire pits. The two couples squeezed into one room, while the two priests and Adorno squeezed into another.

Minhua let Xiaoyang hold her. She had only seen Xiaoyang drinking with the village chief and his host the entire time and had not seen the moment when Xiaoyang forced the alcohol out through his fingertip.

Minhua complained, “Xiaoyang, drinking that much alcohol is bad for you.”

Xiaoyang said, “The village chief and our host were so hospitable that I couldn’t refuse. But I really didn’t drink very much.”

“You’re lying. When I came back after my bath, I saw you still drinking and chatting away with the village chief and our host.”

“Then tell me, do I look drunk to you?”

Minhua leaned closer and sniffed him. Then she cupped her hand over her own mouth, breathed into it, and sniffed. With a puzzled expression, she asked, “How come the smell of alcohol in my own mouth is actually stronger than the smell of alcohol on your breath?”

“I told you I wasn’t lying!” Xiaoyang said with a mysterious smile.

Minhua pressed him further. “You must have secretly used some kind of magic, huh?”

“It wasn’t magic. It was a method of using internal power that I figured out myself.”

“A method of using internal power? Then why didn’t you teach me earlier how to drink without getting drunk?”

Xiaoyang widened his eyes and stared at Minhua. “It’s not like I’m asking you to go out in public and sell yourself as a drinking companion. What would a woman like you need to learn this for?”

Hearing Xiaoyang say this, Minhua became annoyed and raised her fist, knocking twice on Xiaoyang’s forehead. “How dare you compare me to a prostitute in a drinking establishment! That’s way out of line!”

At that moment, howls of wolves came from outside, but Lorna and Keith, sleeping in the other bed, were so drunk that they showed no reaction at all.

Minhua frowned and complained, “What are those wild wolves doing? Why aren’t they sleeping in the middle of the night? They’re making so much noise.”

Xiaoyang smiled and said, “They’re probably hunting prey. Anyway, it has nothing to do with us. Go to sleep!”

Early the next morning, the hostess and her daughter had already prepared breakfast for the guests, along with several bags of drinking water, flatbreads, and dried meat for them to take on the road. The husband, Piaget, was still lying in bed, sleeping off his hangover. The hostess did not want to nag him, so she and her daughter personally served the guests bowls of oatmeal. Several fresh and delicious wild vegetables and two dishes of braised meat were placed on the table. Everyone had a good appetite.

Even Huang Minhua, who ate the least, finished two ceramic bowls.

After the group finished breakfast, Lin Xiaoyang took two gold coins from inside his clothing and placed them on the table. The mother and daughter escorted the group to the edge of the village and waved goodbye as they departed.