Chapter Three: For Su Yu—A Duel with Ji Yue

"Hey! Ji Yue!"

Lu Huan felt fantastic today—his whole body blazing with energy, mind crystal clear, and wisdom reigning supreme.

Clutching a bottle of beer, he walked over to Su Yu and Ji Yue. "Let me tell you, Su Yu is the precious daughter of the Lu family!" Lu Huan felt especially eloquent tonight; after all, Old Lu did dote on Su Yu as if she were his own daughter. Calling her the Lu family's heiress wasn't an exaggeration.

I'm truly a genius. When it comes to the art of conversation, if the world scores ten, I alone deserve six!

Lu Huan was secretly pleased, his mouth running on, "And in our Lu family, there's a rule: if you want to marry a Lu daughter, you have to outdrink her father. But Old Lu isn't here tonight, so as the eldest brother, I stand in for him. If you can outdrink me, only then can you be considered a son-in-law of the Lu family!"

Everyone was stunned. They all knew Lu Huan was a mischief-maker, and had been waiting for him to pull something at this banquet. Yet, just as the party was winding down, here he was, proposing a drinking contest? Only Lu Huan could think of something like this!

Su Yu, sitting nearby, frowned. Lu Huan had been well-behaved all evening, refraining even from his usual habit of calling her "Little Rain" in front of her boyfriend, showing some self-awareness. But what was this now?

Like everyone else, Su Yu had expected Lu Huan to stir up trouble tonight, but she thought it would just be a friendly sparring match with Ji Yue. That was no big deal—neither of them had yet become Starbearers, so their punches wouldn't do much harm, and Su Yu knew their temperaments well enough. At worst, they'd end up with bruised faces, easily healed with a bit of star energy.

But a drinking contest? What nonsense was this? Sure, with their cultivation, ordinary alcohol wouldn't harm them, but this was still her farewell banquet. If her boyfriend and friend ended up passed out drunk, what kind of scene would that be?

And what "Lu family rule"? Su Yu pursed her lips. What nonsense! Old Lu quit drinking years ago after a surgery—who was he trying to fool?

Worried, Su Yu glanced at her boyfriend, pondering how to persuade Ji Yue to refuse. She knew Ji Yue's character too well—smart, but stubbornly honest.

So what did this mean? Ji Yue was a renowned prodigy at Dezhong, excelling in both general studies and star energy cultivation, and was already assisting teachers with star energy research. To borrow an old saying, he was a talent versed in everything from astronomy to martial arts. But socially, Ji Yue lacked the same talent—honest to a fault, he seemed unable to detect the nuances of others' words, tending to believe what he was told.

"There's such a rule?" Ji Yue asked, unsuspecting, standing to raise his glass to Lu Huan. "If that's the rule, then it must be followed. Cheers to you, Brother Lu."

Ji Yue knew about Su Yu and Lu Huan. Su Yu had made it clear they were only like siblings, and he believed her. Of course, he couldn't help feeling a little uneasy—who wouldn't be, knowing another man doted on his fiancée?

Su Yu hesitated, and Ji Yue already responded. Exasperated, she pressed a hand to her forehead, the other on her waist.

Lu Huan grinned at Ji Yue, sneaking a glance at Su Yu, guessing her thoughts. "Well said, Brother Ji! But since this is Su Yu's farewell party, it wouldn't do to make her uncomfortable by drinking ourselves unconscious."

Ji Yue: "…"

Su Yu: "…"

The onlookers: "…"

You're the one who wanted a drinking contest, and now you're saying it would put everyone in a difficult spot? Are you performing a comedy routine?

Su Yu was both annoyed and amused. Clearly, Lu Huan wasn't too drunk yet—at least he considered her feelings. She scooted her chair back and sat down, chiding, "Can you stop already? It's late. Don't keep everyone here."

Ji Yue sat dazed beside her. He'd already had plenty of drinks with classmates, and now with Lu Huan’s antics, the socially awkward Ji Yue was truly at a loss.

"Don't worry, I said we wouldn't drink alcohol, not that we wouldn't have a contest!" Lu Huan laughed, slinging an arm around Ji Yue, inwardly satisfied at having regained the upper hand. Look at him, already dazed? He's no match for me!

"Lu Huan, what are you up to? A drinking contest without alcohol? Stop messing around—it's late, and the girls need to get home safely," some of the onlookers protested, disappointed there was no real spectacle in the making.

"What's the rush?" Lu Huan waved over Wang Hong. "Fatty Wang, clear the table and bring up a few crates of soda!"

Wang Hong, puzzled, did as told—removing the dishes and soon fetching four crates of soda, each with twenty-four cans.

Taking the sodas, Lu Huan stacked them on the table: two piles, each with forty-eight cans.

Their classmates gathered around, curiosity piqued. Was Lu Huan really about to have a soda-drinking contest?

"Does a drinking contest have to involve alcohol? Let me show you something new!" Lu Huan cracked open two cans, handed one to Ji Yue, and kept one for himself.

"Ji Yue, today we'll see who can down forty-eight cans of soda first. The first to finish wins. If you throw up during the contest, you lose."

Ji Yue looked at Lu Huan, then at the soda in his hand, then glanced at Su Yu, his wide eyes full of questions.

Su Yu turned away, embarrassed. What a spectacle.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Adults playing at this? Suddenly, their interest waned. Lu Huan was still the same old troublemaker.

Seeing the lack of enthusiasm, Lu Huan set down his soda and pulled something from his pocket.

"Anyone recognize this?" He raised his palm to reveal a glossy black crystal, translucent, glimmering with an eerie crimson light, much like the black crystals used in household star lamps, but with a mysterious aura.

Everyone stared, but no one could identify it. They felt a twinge of guilt—had six years of star energy education yielded so little? They'd thought their knowledge would carry them through the world, but evidently, what you learn isn't always your own.

Su Yu, though, recognized it immediately—it was Uncle Lu's prized treasure: the Third Eye of the Undying Demon Phoenix. Uncle Lu had often said he would give this as a betrothal token to his future daughter-in-law at Lu Huan's engagement.

The Third Eye had a legendary origin. Uncle Lu claimed it was a gift from a star energy master he’d saved in his youth, who was now Deputy Lord of Demonbane City. In other words, this was a favor from a city lord—something that could save your life in a pinch.

The Third Eye itself was extraordinary—a heritage item of the Undying Demon Phoenix, said to bestow the fire attribute’s innate talent upon a starbearer through a secret method; it was a priceless, extraordinary artifact.

Su Yu guessed Lu Huan’s intention, and though touched, was also upset. "Lu Huan, put that away right now, or I’ll really be angry!"

Ji Yue, no less talented, recognized it as well; the surprise sobered him instantly. He looked from Lu Huan to Su Yu, clenched his fists, and said earnestly to Lu Huan, "Thank you! Today’s drinks—sodas—I’ll finish them!" With that, he chugged his soda, tossed the can, and grabbed another.

Lu Huan grew anxious. "Hey? This is a contest, not a solo act! This thing is the prize—you have to win to get it. If you lose…" He stroked his chin, grinning slyly.

Those who hadn't recognized the object quickly searched the star web on their smartwatches. Realizing its value, some even felt their hearts race. Such an artifact was a rare sight, unattainable for ordinary people. Some with less self-control even wished they could snatch it from Lu Huan, but being soon-to-be graduates, they still had enough self-discipline.

The Republic of Starfire had developed rigorous star laws, the star web, and the Sky Eye system. Star police pervaded every inch of the republic, making it a land of safety and unity. Though crime still happened, offenders rarely escaped justice—under the star web, there was nowhere for evil to hide.

Sensing the tension, Wang Hong, Lu Huan’s closest friend, deliberately lightened the mood. "Lu Huan, that wager is a bit heavy," he joked, carefully omitting the word "valuable." He added, "But our republic is great—under the star web, there’s no place for crime."

Everyone shivered, understanding his implication. Fang Ru chimed in, "Oh, Fatty Wang, quit with the mystique. Aren’t we here to watch Lu Huan and Ji Yue’s soda contest?" She purposely called him "Dog Huan." "Dog Huan, what exactly are you betting with Ji Yue?"

The crowd joined in, and the atmosphere brightened.

Lu Huan and Su Yu both silently thanked Wang Hong and Fang Ru.

Lu Huan seized the moment. "Heh, of course I’m betting Su Yu!"

Ji Yue noticed how the room’s mood had shifted from tense to lively after a few words from Wang Hong and Fang Ru, puzzled at the sudden change, though he hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary.

Hearing Lu Huan’s wager, Ji Yue bristled, ready to protest, but Lu Huan continued, "If you lose, Ji Yue, your engagement to Su Yu will be postponed until three years after she returns from teaching in the remote regions."

Su Yu and Ji Yue were already planning their engagement for the day before Su Yu left for her teaching assignment. The ceremony was no longer like the old days, but a formal occasion witnessed by both families and officiated by the Department of Star Marriages, where the couple exchanged tokens.

Engagement now carried a different meaning, too. Under the auspices of the Matchmaker and with the force of star law, an engagement could not be dissolved unless one party violated the star marriage laws; barring unforeseen circumstances, both parties were destined to marry.

But why the need for engagement? Why not just register the marriage?

This, too, was due to star energy infusions, which had greatly extended lifespans—ordinary people lived well past one hundred fifty, and starbearers even longer. In peaceful times, this led to a population explosion.

By Star Era Year 1300, the republic’s population was 5.3 billion; by 1500, it had reached 15 billion.

Thus, the government had to revive the wisdom of the past—family planning.

After years of research and public consultation, the law was amended: men and women could get engaged after age sixteen, with legal effect. They could marry after age thirty or when one became a starbearer, and could only have children after one turned thirty-five.

No one cared about the laws now, though. Everyone was wondering about Lu Huan’s intent. Was he trying to drive a wedge between Su Yu and Ji Yue during her three-year absence? In novels and TV dramas, that’s how relationships fade.

But with the star web connecting the world, even if Su Yu went to teach in the Starbeast Alliance, she could talk to Ji Yue anytime. Virtual reality technology was so advanced that real-time holographic projections—even simulated touch—made distance almost meaningless. Besides, starbearer cultivation often took weeks per session. Three years was nothing to them.

Ji Yue, though socially awkward, wasn’t stupid. He saw through Lu Huan’s intentions but, like everyone else, thought, Three years? What’s the harm?

He weighed his options, glanced at the Third Eye in Lu Huan’s hand, and agreed. That artifact was too precious—an extraordinary item that could give a starbearer a huge advantage.

Su Yu felt uneasy. She was perceptive enough to grasp the meaning behind Lu Huan and Ji Yue’s actions, and could guess most of their thoughts. The more she understood, the more troubled she felt. On one side was her boyfriend and future husband; on the other, a half-brother, with her own identity as the Lu family’s heiress. She couldn’t take sides, nor could she stop them outright.

Resigned, Su Yu gave Wang Hong a look to keep an eye on things, excused herself with a word, and went to the restroom to wash her face and calm down, letting them have their contest.

No one paid her much attention; all eyes were on Lu Huan and Ji Yue, who attacked the soda cans in turn. Lu Huan even gestured for Fang Ru to help open cans, finding the time to shoot Ji Yue a provocative glance as he drank.

Ji Yue wouldn’t be outdone, glaring fiercely at Lu Huan, alternating hands as he chugged soda. Watching his hands, classmates marveled—using martial arts just to drink soda? The rapid hand-switching was the school-taught Shadowless Hand technique.

Though called "shadowless," the true mastery was to move both hands so fast they created eighteen afterimages, confusing the onlooker. Of course, none of these students had reached that level yet; even Ji Yue could only manage twelve afterimages, still dazzling his peers, making it hard to tell how many cans he’d grabbed or finished. But the pile on the table was shrinking fast—they were each down to fewer than ten cans.

Lu Huan, watching Ji Yue’s progress, grew anxious, nearly tempted to accuse him of cheating. Damn it, bullying me for my weak constitution and slow martial arts progress?!

Determined, Lu Huan pocketed his precious item, then grabbed a can in each hand. The onlookers were puzzled—without training, what good was using both hands at once?

Lu Huan had no time to explain. He raised both cans, pouring them into his mouth simultaneously—gulp, gulp, gulp—downing them, then grabbing two more, pouring them in again…

"Pfaugh—"

Lu Huan vomited.