Chapter 923: Winner Takes All

It was then Yu Nan's turn to ask the first question. He looked at Bi Zi'ang, who was seated below him, and after a moment of thought, inquired, "Zi'ang, what is your current cultivation level?"

Bi Zi'ang was surrounded by so many dazzling achievements that, at some point, people around him had stopped knowing his true cultivation level. As they belonged to different factions, Yu Nan naturally wanted to use this opportunity to probe his opponent's strength. Even Miss Nan Xun's eyes lit up, clearly curious about the question herself. Only Zu An remained uninterested. He didn't care if the other person's cultivation was high or low; it certainly wasn't as high as his own.

Bi Zi'ang's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled and replied, "Brother Yu, why don't you try it yourself another day, and then you'll know?" Clearly, he had no intention of revealing his true capabilities.

Yu Nan was naturally unsatisfied with this answer and immediately insisted that Bi Zi'ang drink. Bi Zi'ang knew his answer wouldn't be accepted, so he didn't refuse, picking up his cup and downing the wine in one gulp. After three cups, a flush appeared on his fair complexion. It was evident that even with their considerable cultivation, continuously drinking such potent wine was starting to take its toll.

Next, it was Bi Zi'ang's turn to ask. Using the excuse of being tipsy, he looked at the beautiful courtesan beside him. "Miss Nan Xun," he said, "it's my turn to ask a question."

Nan Xun chuckled softly. "Please ask, Young Master Bi. This humble one will hold nothing back."

Bi Zi'ang's gaze swept over her in a scrutinizing manner for a moment. "Miss Nan Xun," he asked, "which part of yourself are you most satisfied with?"

The atmosphere was growing increasingly lively, and fueled by alcohol, his questions became more aggressive. Of course, he wouldn't have dared to ask such a question if his interlocutor had been a lady from a respectable family. However, considering she was a courtesan, such a question wasn't out of line; in fact, it could stir her emotions and make him seem less aloof and more approachable, dispelling any impression of his usual haughtiness. The other men beside him also began scrutinizing her figure, their own answers forming in their minds: "Her backside!" "Big breasts are justice!"

A faint blush flashed across Nan Xun's face. After a moment's thought, she replied, "I suppose it would be my character." Such an answer naturally led the men to protest, loudly heckling her.

Zu An, however, secretly marveled. These courtesans truly excelled at charming people with their words and actions. Her answer addressed the question without leaving any room for criticism. Still, despite his admiration, he had to encourage more drinking. He wanted to see if Nan Xun would inadvertently reveal any weaknesses under the influence of alcohol. After three cups, Nan Xun's face became more flushed, making her appear even more alluring. This, however, only confused Zu An. Could his suspicions be wrong?

Soon, Nan Xun looked at Zu An with a playful gaze. "Young Master Zu," she said, "it's my turn to ask a question."

*This scoundrel had been the most aggressive in urging drinks just moments ago. Now, the tables had turned.*

"Please do, Miss," Zu An replied, looking nonchalant. He was the one who played this game the most among them and genuinely doubted that the imagination of people in this era could conjure up any truly difficult questions.

Nan Xun's beautiful eyes fixed on him. "When was the last time you kissed a woman, Young Master, and who was it with?"

Zu An's expression truly changed. He thought to himself, 'I really shouldn't have tempted fate.' He calmly picked up his wine cup. "I'll drink," he stated. After saying that, he downed three cups of wine. He finally understood why Bi Zi'ang and Yu Nan had made those faces earlier. This wine was indeed potent, even stronger than the vodka he had drunk in his previous life; it felt like drinking pure alcohol. With so many cultivators in this world, people generally had stronger constitutions, so the wine brewed here was naturally different from what he knew in his past life, specifically crafted to affect cultivators.

The others looked somewhat puzzled. This wasn't a difficult question to answer, so why refuse? In this era, it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Kissing women wouldn't make one seem like a scoundrel; rather, it would be seen as a sign of charm. His refusal to answer could only mean the woman's identity was not something he could disclose. The group immediately started gossiping, all trying to guess the identity of the woman.

Bi Zi'ang frowned, a thought crossing his mind: *Could it be my sister?* However, he immediately shook his head, banishing the absurd notion from his mind.

Zu An looked at Yu Nan and chuckled, "You were laughing quite happily just now, weren't you?"

Yu Nan's expression changed. "Am I not allowed to laugh?" he retorted. "I was just following the rules of the game, and you..."

Zu An cut him off directly. "Don't worry, I'll follow the game rules too. For example, it's my turn to ask a question now..." He deliberately drew out his words, his gaze sweeping over Yu Nan repeatedly, making the latter's skin crawl as if he were awaiting the executioner's blade.

"Do you have a birthmark on your body? Where is it located, and what shape is it?"

Yu Nan's expression instantly changed. He did indeed have a birthmark, but for people of their high status, physical privacy was a closely guarded secret, precisely to prevent impersonation or other issues. Even without the threat of impersonation, having such private information known by others would be humiliating enough. With no other option, he had to drink. After three cups of "Heaven's Burn," his vision grew blurry; the alcohol's potency was overwhelming. *That bastard Zu An!* Yu Nan cursed internally. Being seated below him was a significant disadvantage.

Left with no choice, he redirected his anger towards Bi Zi'ang. "What's the most shameful thing you've ever done in your life?" he demanded.

Bi Zi'ang's expression also changed. For people like him, who cared so much about their reputation, there was no way he would tell others such embarrassing stories. What's more, over the years, he had painstakingly cultivated his image as a favored son of destiny; it couldn't be allowed to crumble over such trivial details. Left with no choice, he had to drink.

Without realizing it, the questions became increasingly personal and outrageous, and the number of times they had to drink also increased. They even had to use their cultivation to suppress the effects of the alcohol. Unfortunately, the wine in this world was brewed using special methods that affected even cultivators. Even if they could suppress a certain amount of intoxication, if they drank beyond their limit, they would still succumb.

After several rounds, it was Zu An's turn once more. Seeing the mischievous smile on Zu An's face, Yu Nan's expression changed. He knew he wouldn't be able to answer the upcoming question. But he had already consumed too much alcohol; another drink would likely make him vomit on the spot. As a young master of a prominent family and a handsome man who always paid great attention to his image, he absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. "That's right, I remember this game is called Truth or Dare! This time, I won't choose truth; I'll choose a dare!"

Zu An was delighted. *Ah, my dear blind student, you've finally discovered the critical point!* He had originally intended to subtly guide these fellows towards this option, but he knew that if he suggested it himself, they would become extremely wary and might not agree to a dare. However, if they chose it themselves, it was an entirely different matter.

Zu An laughed heartily. "Since Young Master Yu has chosen a dare, you won't back out when I tell you what it is, will you?"

Although he knew Zu An was provoking him, Yu Nan refused to show weakness in front of Nan Xun and Bi Zi'ang. "Hmph, go ask around!" he scoffed. "I, Yu, always stand by my word."

"Very well then," Zu An said, glancing at him. "My dare for you is to 'go home right now'."

Yu Nan: "???"

Bi Zi'ang was momentarily stunned for a few seconds, then he couldn't help but clap his hands and burst into laughter. "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!" he exclaimed. Nan Xun also struggled to suppress her laughter.

"This is an outrage!" *Rage value from Yu Nan +333 +333 +333...*

This so-called dare, while seemingly simple, was in fact deeply insulting. Think about it: if others are willing to give up tormenting you just to make you go home, doesn't that prove you're an unwelcome guest here? Or perhaps that everyone thinks you're superfluous?

The mysterious woman secretly listening next door also let out a chuckle. If the room hadn't been set up with a special array, her laugh would likely have given away her presence. But she genuinely couldn't help herself; Zu An was simply too wicked. She could perfectly imagine Yu Nan's furious face at that moment.

Seeing that tensions were about to boil over, Nan Xun, who had been observing from outside, quickly stepped in to mediate. "Young Master Zu," she said, "this request is indeed a bit difficult to fulfill. Perhaps you could change it?"

Zu An looked troubled. "What if Young Master Yu throws a tantrum and refuses to do it again after I change the dare?"

Yu Nan snorted. "Do you take me for a three-year-old child? As long as it's not such an unreasonable request, I will naturally fulfill it."

Zu An smiled. "You said the same thing just now."

Yu Nan gasped. "You were trying to eliminate me with that request! That's not the behavior of a gentleman, so of course I wouldn't agree." If he had obediently gone home as requested, it would have meant being eliminated from the competition for Nan Xun. At this point, winning the courtesan was secondary; who would emerge victorious was the crucial matter. If he could win the beauty, the face he had lost to Zu An earlier would be completely restored, and people would only view the whole affair as a delightful anecdote. But if he lost this time, especially to Zu An and Bi Zi'ang, it would be a devastating blow to his reputation.

"Alright, for Miss Nan Xun's sake, I'll change the dare," Zu An conceded. "But if you refuse this time, I'll have nothing more to say." As he spoke, he gestured for Nan Xun to bring him paper and a pen. Nan Xun's eyes lit up, thinking he was about to compose another poem, and she quickly retrieved paper and a brush.

Zu An swiftly wrote a passage on the paper. Nan Xun watched from beside him, unable to help but muse that while his poems were excellent, his calligraphy was indeed quite poor. But as she read the content he was writing, the expression on her face became increasingly peculiar, as if she were desperately trying to suppress something.

Yu Nan and Bi Zi'ang were both very curious about what he was writing, but each maintained his dignified composure, not wanting to peer over like Nan Xun. They merely pretended to be calm.

"Alright, Young Master Yu, please do as it says on this paper," Zu An said, handing over the slip of paper after he finished writing. Yu Nan took it with feigned nonchalance, but once it was in his hand, he eagerly began to read.

Soon, he began to tremble all over. "Bastard! You absolute bastard!" *Rage value from Yu Nan +666 +666 +666...*

The note instructed him to sit on Bi Zi'ang's lap and utter the following words: "Hmph! It's all your fault! You didn't even try to coax me! (Pouting and whining) I really want to cry, so I'll punch your chest, you big meanie! (Acting tough but still like a child, with a sheep-like bleat) I'll punch your chest! You're so annoying! (Wanting a hug, with soft whines)... Hmph, I'll hit your chest with my little fists! (Frowning tearfully) Big meanie, I'll kill you! (With mock tears and sniffles)"

Bi Zi'ang leaned in curiously, but Yu Nan's expression immediately changed, and he quickly crumpled the note into a ball. If Bi Zi'ang saw it, he'd be laughed to death.

Zu An said with a half-smile, "Young Master Yu just solemnly swore he would complete it, didn't he? What's the matter now?"

Yu Nan's face flushed then paled. "How can I possibly fulfill such an absurd request!"

Zu An's smile vanished. "That's strange," he said. "If there's no difficulty, can it still be called a 'dare'? We might as well be playing house. If Young Master Yu can't handle it, then don't play."

Bi Zi'ang, not understanding the full context, chimed in, "He makes a good point. Brother Yu is usually considered a gentleman. Why have you repeatedly lost the dignity of a noble family scion today?"

Yu Nan was so enraged he nearly burst into curses. *This idiot is actually chiming in! If you knew I was supposed to sit on your lap, you'd be disgusted to death!* The thought of that nauseating scene sent shivers down his spine too.

"I'll drink!" Yu Nan said, his face grim. Despite feeling on the verge of collapsing from intoxication, he still chose to drink. After three more cups of "Heaven's Burn," he felt his stomach churning, as if he might vomit at any moment.

The game continued, but after the recent lesson, no one dared to easily choose a dare anymore. After a few more rounds, Yu Nan finally couldn't hold on any longer. At this point, he had no choice but to select a dare once more.

Zu An, smiling broadly, retrieved the slip of paper he had just tossed aside. It was still the same challenge. If it had been earlier, Yu Nan would certainly have refused. But now, he truly couldn't drink anymore, and the alcohol had taken over his brain, leaving him with little to no rationality. With Bi Zi'ang also kicking him while he was down, he felt a rush of blood to his head and decided to just go for it.

"If I have to do it, I'll do it! What is there that I, Yu, wouldn't dare to do?" He then stood up directly and, to Bi Zi'ang's astonishment, sat on his lap, patting his chest and wailing, "Hmph! It's all your fault! You didn't even try to coax me! (Pouting and whining) I really want to cry, so I'll punch your chest, you big meanie! (Acting tough but still like a child, with a sheep-like bleat) I'll punch your chest! You're so annoying! (Wanting a hug, with soft whines)... Hmph, I'll hit your chest with my little fists! (Frowning tearfully) Big meanie, I'll kill you! (With mock tears and sniffles)!"

Zu An secretly put away the audio-visual stone he had prepared beforehand. At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration. Could Yu Nan truly have that preference? His cutesy voice and coquettish manner were simply too convincing.

On the other side, Bi Zi'ang was utterly dumbfounded. "..." He had never anticipated such a bizarre turn of events, so much so that he didn't even react at first. When he finally came to his senses, he quickly pushed Yu Nan away. He wanted to curse him, but recalling the feeling of them embracing moments ago, a wave of revulsion swept over him, and he couldn't help but lean over and dry-heave. Prompted by Bi Zi'ang's reaction, the drunken Yu Nan also couldn't hold it in and began to retch yellow bile onto the side. As they were so close, the smell of the vomit finally got to Bi Zi'ang. Under the surging effects of the alcohol, he, too, began to truly vomit.

Though the mysterious woman listening next door couldn't smell the stench, she instinctively fanned the air in front of her nose. Her maid beside her couldn't help but grumble, "That Zu fellow is truly disgusting." The mysterious woman was both exasperated and amused. She had never imagined that he could reduce two of the capital's most sought-after bachelors, the dream crushes of countless young women, to such a pathetic state.

***

A thud came from the adjacent room. It turned out that Yu Nan, overcome by extreme drunkenness and the emotional release, had experienced such a drastic swing of emotions that his body's protective mechanism had caused him to faint. Nan Xun quickly summoned maids to help Yu Nan downstairs to rest, assuring them that someone from the establishment would attend to him. No one had expected one contestant to be eliminated in such a manner, but Bi Zi'ang couldn't find an ounce of joy in it. His gaze upon Zu An was exceptionally strange; at this moment, he felt a tinge of regret. With Yu Nan gone, he would have to face this fellow directly, and who knew what crazy schemes he would come up with next.

With one person out, the game naturally couldn't continue. Nan Xun instructed servants to clear away the banquet and clean up all the mess. In his previous life, it would have been difficult to clean up such a mess quickly. However, this was a world of cultivators, and with practitioners of wind and water elements present, the room was swiftly restored to an immaculate state.

At this point, Nan Xun addressed Zu An and Bi Zi'ang, saying, "Thank you, Young Masters, for your esteemed presence. Originally, given my status, I am not qualified to set tests for either of you. However, a single woman cannot serve two masters, so I was left with no other option. I hope you both can understand."

Bi Zi'ang replied indifferently, "No matter."

Zu An, however, smiled and pointed towards the window. "You'd better hurry," he said, "otherwise, if every round is as time-consuming as the last, dawn will break, and we won't have time for anything."

Bi Zi'ang inwardly cursed him for his crudeness, yet he harbored the same thought. Being chosen by a courtesan for such a prolonged period was testing his patience to its limits.

Nan Xun's face flushed slightly. "It won't be like that," she assured them. "This time, we will have a result very quickly." With that, she clapped her hands. Soon, new maids appeared, carrying a basket filled with many beautiful flower petals. Nan Xun took the basket and said softly, "To express my gratitude for your kindness, this humble one will perform a dance for both Young Masters. Partway through, I will scatter the petals from this basket into the air. Whoever first states the correct total number of petals will win. If neither guesses correctly, the one whose answer is closest to the true number will win."

"Additionally, to prevent later participants from simply copying earlier answers, if two answers are the same, the person who spoke first will be considered the winner. Do either of you Young Masters have any objections?"

Bi Zi'ang smiled. "Miss Nan Xun's assessment is indeed elegant. I naturally have no objections." He understood completely. The first round relied on family background and wealth, the second tested literary talent, and this third and most crucial round would naturally test their cultivation. In this regard, he was quite confident.

Zu An also smiled. "Neither do I," he said.

"Very well then, please prepare yourselves, Young Masters," Nan Xun said. With that, she began to dance, holding the flower basket. They had previously witnessed her exquisite dance in the main hall, but watching it up close now, they could truly appreciate the delicate grace of her body and the elegant undulations of her curves.

However, Bi Zi'ang had no time to admire her figure at this moment; his eyes were fixed intently on the flower basket in her hands. Sure enough, not long after, Nan Xun, seizing an opportunity during a dance move, tossed the flower basket upward. A rain of petals cascaded down, enveloping her. She appeared exceptionally beautiful and ethereal, like a fairy of flowers.

A sharp glint flickered in Bi Zi'ang's eyes, and he quickly declared, "There are a total of 2,047 petals!" He didn't even ask Nan Xun to confirm the answer, instead looking confidently at Zu An. "My apologies, Brother Zu," he said. "The Heaven's Lament Sword technique I practice greatly sharpens one's eyesight. In its early stages, one needs to pierce every falling petal with a single sword strike, so I have an advantage when it comes to counting petals."

His demeanor was impeccable, appearing perfectly courteous and fitting for a renowned young master of the capital. However, the fact that he mentioned his advantage only now, rather than before the competition, created a subtle sense of insincerity.

Zu An, however, smiled. "My answer is different from yours," he said. "There are a total of 2,048 petals."

Nan Xun nodded. "That's correct," she confirmed. "The precise number is indeed 2,048 petals."

The smile on Bi Zi'ang's face instantly froze. He immediately stated in a deep voice, "Impossible! There's no way I could have miscounted!" He had absolute confidence in his eyesight. He had counted every single petal before they even touched the ground.

Zu An walked over to Nan Xun and plucked a single petal from her beautiful hair. "There's still one more right here," he said. "Miss Nan Xun just asked for the total number of all petals, not just those that fell to the ground, right?"

Nan Xun looked surprised. "That's true," she replied. "I tried my best to avoid getting any petals on me, but I didn't realize one had landed in my hair."

Zu An smiled faintly. In truth, he had secretly channeled a wisp of *qi* moments earlier to subtly lodge a petal into her hair. He had done it merely as a precaution, just in case, and hadn't expected it to actually come into play.

Bi Zi'ang's expression drastically changed. He had never imagined he would lose because of such a trivial detail!