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My 23rd life had begun.

As I lay in the barn staring blankly at the ceiling, a mix of anger and despair overwhelmed me. I couldn’t forgive my own helplessness, and it crushed my body and soul.

If only I had chosen a little faster!

Maybe then I wouldn’t have had to witness the deaths of my companions.

“Ugh… Ahhh…”

Tears streamed down my face, rolling down to my ears due to self-reproach. It must have appeared pitiful to anyone else, yet I couldn’t move. Controlled by my uncontrollable emotions, I was paralyzed.

I want to forget.

Suddenly, I thought of alcohol as a way to escape the crushing pressure in my head. Sure, there were women and drugs, but right now, I just wanted to drink like a madman. So without a second thought, I bolted out to the nearby village.

Tydaht!

I ran and ran. This time, I didn’t even bother with the Heavenly Secret and just dashed recklessly. Lying around felt maddening, so I ran as fast as I could. Thankfully, my internal power seemed to have carried over; I could run for three days and nights without breaking a sweat.

‘I just want to bury myself in a place filled with booze!’

The place I finally reached was Guanzhong—specifically, the largest tavern there, the Spring Scene Pavilion.

I gazed at the sign blankly before staggering inside. A servant inside yelled at me in disgust.

“What the hell? A beggar shows up the moment I open the door to clean?”

“Alcohol… give me alcohol!”

I shouted at the servant. She looked baffled and tried to drag me out by my collar.

“Damnit! What a stroke of bad luck…”

Swish!

“Ugh.”

I immediately unleashed the Thunder God Lineage’s Golden Cauldron Technique and tossed her aside. She rolled a few times before realizing she’d been thrown. Ignoring her, I headed straight for the liquor storage of the Spring Scene Pavilion.

There it was.

‘Time to drink! Time to forget everything!’

I found a stash of alcohol and picked up a barrel that was bigger than my own body. With no hesitation, I tipped it back and gulped down the contents. It was strong stuff, and I could feel the liquor hitting me.

Dammit! But I’m not getting drunk!

As the alcohol surged within me, my internal power naturally resisted it and detoxified. I knew it was because of my vast Internal Power, and I even tried to control my Qi to lower my resistance. Yet, my internal energy was so immense that my detoxification was off the charts. No amount of booze could knock me out.

I’d have to research the Eight Extraordinary Vessels to trigger the acupoint that causes drunkenness. But that sounded too tedious.

‘Dammit… I don’t even know.’

I figured I’d just keep drinking like a lunatic until something happened!!

Despite not having a reason to think that way, I tilted the barrel and kept pouring alcohol down my gullet.

Gulp gulp!

“Ugh… Ugh… What a madman!!”

The servant that followed me was horrified as she tried to pull me away, but I was no average martial artist to get dragged around like that. At the very least, I wouldn’t budge unless the Leader of the Nine Great Sects tried to stop me. With tears and snot dripping down my face, I turned to the servant.

“I’ll pay you later, just let me drink!!”

“Hiiick.”

For some reason, my shout was laced with a bit of internal power, making her tremble and step back. Before I knew it, I had emptied one barrel but felt more like I had just drunk a lot of water rather than alcohol. I immediately expelled the water spirit and began craving more liquor.

Gulp gulp!

Before long, the servant returned with a gang. The owner of the Spring Scene Pavilion shouted excitedly at them.

“Get that brat out of here!! We’re going to run out of booze!”

“Looks like this kid can fight a bit. Bad luck for him.”

“Ain’t he a little rascal, already chasing after women and boozing it up!”

The thugs, threatening to break my limbs, looked like they belonged to the Heretical Sect in Guanzhong. But they were pathetic weaklings with no real skill. I didn’t even glance back as I continued drinking while they charged at me.

“Wow!”

Thud!

“Aaaaah!”

“Kieek!”

In an instant, more than a dozen men flew back from a mere Tai Chi attack. They were so beneath me that I didn’t even feel the need to use a higher technique. They all hit their acupoints precisely and fainted, ensuring they wouldn’t wake up for a while.

Gulp gulp!

I kept drinking and shed tears.

‘Damn… I can’t forget.’

The images of their deaths haunted me. When I lived my first life as an escort, I used to drink like this and faint to forget, but now, I can’t even do that at will. My mind was too clear, which only added to my frustration and sorrow.

Gulp gulp!

Eventually, I finished my seventh barrel. The trembling owner spoke up.

“Whew… This isn’t human capacity…”

But still, in the grand scheme of things, there were about 30 barrels left in the Spring Scene Pavilion. I began pouring another barrel into my stomach with a tormented gaze, while the owner dashed outside, shouting.

“Aaaaaah!! Geuk-ho!! Isn’t Geuk-ho supposed to come in today?!”

I kept drinking.

I want to forget.

Why can’t I? I just want to bury my face in a dishwater and die, but even death doesn’t solve anything.

It’s too torturous. I wish alcohol could resolve this agony.

Just as I emptied my sixth barrel, I felt a presence behind me. The figure held a spear slanted and called out to me.

“Hey kid! Is the booze good?”

I recognized that voice. Yet, I didn’t feel like turning around and snapped back instead.

“Do you drink for the taste or what?!”

“Huh?”

He tilted his head in confusion and suddenly burst into laughter.

“Haha. What a weirdo! Man, I’ve been drinking for over ten years, and back when I was your age, I never thought about that. You look young, but what kind of hardship have you faced?”

“…..”

“C’mon, if someone talks to you, at least give them a response. Am I bothering you while you’re trying to drink?”

In annoyance, I replied, “Shut up, you wannabe gentleman.”

“What’s with the attitude, feisty little brat?”

He continued, “Kid, I’m Geuk-ho who works here. What’s your name? So I can put it on your tab, right?”

That’s right.

The guy behind me holding the spear was Geuk-ho. Though he currently worked as a pillar and guardian at the Spring Scene Pavilion, he was in fact a successor of the Thunder God lineage and related to Lee Kwang. He was also the holder of the Soul Removal Technique, capable of using the Heavenly Light as well. I knew everything about Geuk-ho during my past lives, so I was aware he was no ordinary tavern keeper.

But what did that matter?

How could the fact that Geuk-ho is unexpectedly amazing help heal my heart right now?

Such thoughts made me shout even more irritably.

“Shut the hell up!! I’m Baek Woong, so unless you’re going to drink with me, just get lost.”

“Oh… Baek Woong… Such a simple name?”

Geuk-ho scratched his chin, then suddenly moved closer and sat beside me.

Thud!

As I turned to look at him, he grinned and said, “Ah, what the heck! I’ll drink with you.”

“……”

“By the way, I’m known as the best drinker in Guanzhong, so I don’t know if you can keep up, haha.”

Gulp gulp!

Geuk-ho laughed, but I didn’t care. This wasn’t the time to worry about some tavern helpers. I was just busy trying to calm my heart. I just wanted to drink till I blacked out and forget everything.

Gulp gulp!

“Ugh, isn’t the taste of the booze from the Spring Scene Pavilion phenomenal? It’s fruit wine sourced from the local farmers, and it goes down so easily.”

Gulp gulp!

“Ugh… I’m getting drunk.”

Geuk-ho too was pouring down the liquor like crazy. The owner, standing behind, looked frantic and yelled.

“Geuk-ho, what are you doing?!”

“What? Can’t you see? I’m treating this kid!”

“No… you’re supposed to kick out that kid…”

“Hehe. I’ll pay for my drinks, just watch, old man.”

“Ugh.”

Geuk-ho chuckled and continued drinking. After a while, I glanced at him with newfound admiration.

‘That guy can really hold his liquor.’

Of course, Geuk-ho was also a Peak Expert with profound internal power, but given his age, it was absurd to think he could match the top tier of the Central Plains. He must have been using techniques to push the drunkenness out, but still, he had limits. Yet, it was astonishing that he treated my insane drinking spree as a contest.

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

For a time, we drank in silence. Before I knew it, only three barrels remained. As I reached for another barrel, Geuk-ho suddenly asked, “Baek Woong? Don’t you feel bad about the booze?”

I paused, surprised by his unexpected question. Geuk-ho continued.

“There are plenty of idiots here in Guanzhong who get drunk and act out, but they still love their drinks. At least they know what they’re drinking and appreciate its taste. Even the booze-guzzlers care for their drinks more than for their children. But Baek Woong, do you even know what you’re drinking?”

“……”

Geuk-ho’s words seemed to clear my foggy mind. I had always been clear-headed, and hearing something so sensible made my reasoning kick back in. A wave of self-recrimination washed over me when I realized I was even listening to him.

“What’s wrong with drinking without knowing? You drink to get drunk anyway.”

“Right. You drink to get drunk. But you’re desecrating the drink.”

“Desecrating the drink?”

Gulp gulp!

Geuk-ho grabbed a nearby barrel and took a swig, wiping the corner of his mouth.

“Listen up. You drink to feel good. Before you drink, you feel great with excitement, while drinking, you feel pleasant, and after getting intoxicated, you feel happiness in everything. And yet you do all of this without causing trouble for others. That’s the point of a tavern.”

Geuk-ho leaned on his thigh and stared at me.

“But, dammit, you’ve been drinking with that pathetic, dead face of yours. Isn’t that a desecration? Don’t you feel sorry for those who spent their effort making that drink?”

“……”

“You know what? Hold your ground and maintain your own drinking style.”

I was flabbergasted, my mouth agape.

‘What a nonsensical rant.’

Though he said it with flair, it came down to him disliking my drinking expression. It felt entirely different from receiving logical criticism from Mangnyang or Zhuge Sa, so I sat there blankly.

Bang!

Suddenly, Geuk-ho emptied the remaining barrel and smiled mischievously.

“Hey, I just drank everything in the Spring Scene Pavilion, so what will you do now? Head to another tavern?”

“……”

“Why not make a wager? We both love our drinks, let’s see who can down more liquor.”

I was taken aback.

He was being absurd enough to send my plans of escaping pain flying out the window.

“Why would I do that?”

“Are you scared? If you’re scared, just don’t.”

“I just want to drink in peace. What’s with the meddling?”

“Are you going to do it or not? Hehe.”

In disbelief, I chuckled.

“I’ll win.”

Bang!

Moments later, the tavern owner and all the other owners from the Guanzhong entertainment district came outside with barrels. Passersby along the official road gathered, curious about the commotion. Soon, barrels stacked up to more than hundreds, and Geuk-ho and I became surrounded by them.

Geuk-ho elevated his internal energy and shouted, “Everyone! We’re going to find out who’s the best drinker in Guanzhong!!”

“What’s going on?”

“The judge for this contest is the one and only hope of Guanzhong, the Leader of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, Samjeol Lee Kwang!”

Before I knew it, Lee Kwang had come over, arms crossed. Jin So-cheong and some officials were by his side, appearing concerned.

Lee Kwang glared at Geuk-ho and said, “Geuk-ho. If you can’t take responsibility for this mess, you’ll be expelled…”

“Hehe. But who cares?”

As Lee Kwang stepped forward, all eyes were on him as he looked back and forth between us, then shouted, “Start!”

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

‘Whatever, I don’t care.’

At this moment, whether it was Lee Kwang, Geuk-ho, or anyone else, I just wanted to forget and drink. I didn’t want to think about my resentment towards Lee Kwang. So I kept pouring barrel after barrel into my stomach. Geuk-ho seemed to do the same, drinking like a man possessed.

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

As our barrels passed the twentieth, the onlookers shrieked.

“Whoa!”

“Is that even human capacity?!”

“It’s the God of Booze!”

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

Jin So-cheong watching in amazement muttered, “This is madness…”

Lee Kwang calmly asked, “So-cheong, how much do you think you could drink?”

“Um… I don’t really like booze…”

“……”

Of course, that wasn’t true. Jin So-cheong loved her drinks just as much as Geuk-ho. I’d known that from my past life.

When we hit over fifty barrels, Geuk-ho suddenly lost color in his face and stammered, “Ugh.”

Even with Geuk-ho’s capability to expel drunkenness, there were limits. His internal power could no longer support him, and his detoxification abilities were crashing down. He looked like he’d vomit at any moment.

‘I’ve won.’

At this point, he’d be lucky to finish off even one barrel. But just as I was confident of my victory, Geuk-ho focused suddenly.

“Huh!!”

As if gaining some sudden epiphany, his internal energy spiked. The Thunder Spirit surged upwards. Lee Kwang watching from the side exclaimed in surprise.

“He did it! He broke through!”

“…..”

I stared at Geuk-ho, puzzled.

‘What the…? He broke through the Thunder Spirit peak stage?’

Are you telling me he accomplished that just through sheer will to drink?!

With this, I couldn’t deny Geuk-ho’s drinking prowess. In all my life, I’d seen many experiences, but never had I witnessed someone elevate their martial level while drinking! Geuk-ho was ignited with determination.

“You, Baek Woong, are my ultimate opponent in drinking.”

“No, wait… what’s the deal with you being so scary…”

“Ugh.”

As I muttered in disbelief, Geuk-ho downed a barrel in a single gulp. Though he had a bit of a beer belly, he quickly expelled the alcohol. Then he said, “I will never give up!”

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

The tavern owners watching us were teetering, staggering like they couldn’t believe their eyes. Could humans even consume this much alcohol? Some looked as though they might go bankrupt trying to collect from us.

The limit was approaching.

‘Ugh… I’m really getting drunk…’

I was downing faster and more than Geuk-ho. Thus, even with my strong internal power, the limits were finally catching up. As I finished nearing a hundred barrels, I felt blissfully hazy along with a pounding head. I could use the technique to expel the drunkenness now, but it felt inappropriate somehow.

Gulp gulp!

Gulp gulp!

I was getting drunk.

Finally, an incredible sensation coursed through me. The feeling I craved for so long was creeping up, but weirdly, I couldn’t think simply anymore. My body felt heavy, my eyelids were drooping, the scent of alcohol suffocated me, and warmth spread through my throat and mouth, whispering that I was officially drunk.

Just before I fell asleep from intoxication, I heard Geuk-ho’s slurred voice.

“I’m… the best in Guanzhong… you know…”

No, you’re not the best in Guanzhong.

If you beat me, you’d already be the best in the Central Plains…

A laugh escaped me.

‘Hehe.’

What is this?

Do things like this happen while living? Is this what life’s about?

Thud!

I collapsed forward and fell into a peaceful slumber.

 

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