<h4>Chapter 1145: Chapter 1145: Competition at the Dinner Table</h4>


    Xiang Yu showed a somewhat terrified expression and said, "I’ve never drunk alcohol before. Can I skip it today?"


    Everyone burst intoughter, even Jin Guozhongughed heartily and then said, "There’s no skipping the drink today. You have to drink, and not only that, you need to drink well."


    Hong Jinbao alsoughed loudly and said, "Guozhong is right, you must drink today."


    Hong Jinbao remembered when he was epted, the old Hall Master almost drank him to death, and it took him three days of being on an IV drip to sober up.


    Today, it’s Xiang Yu’s turn to be epted, so naturally, they should have a great time drinking.


    "Since I can’t skip it, can I drink a little less?" Xiang Yu pleaded.


    Seeing that Xiang Yu really couldn’t handle alcohol, Hong Jinbao said, "In that case, let’s not insist too muchter. Take it easy, everyone."


    Although Hong Jinbao said to take it easy, his eyes signaled to the other hall masters, the meaning was very clear: make sure you drink Xiang Yu under the table.


    The food and drinks were served, and besides Poison Rose, everyone poured themselves a ss.


    Hong Jinbao was the first to pick up his drink and said, "This first toast is to celebrate Xiang Yu as our candidate for Sect Leader. After tomorrow, he’ll be the Vice Sect Leader. You should all cooperate with him more in the future. Since Xiang Yu can’t drink much, I’ll just have this one, and the rest is up to you."


    After saying this, Hong Jinbao downed the entire ss of baijiu in one gulp, looking very heroic. He drank it without his face turning red or his heart skipping a beat, showing he had a high tolerance.


    The few hall masters, knowing Hong Jinbao’s drinking capacity, weren’t surprised. They all smiled at Xiang Yu.


    Xiang Yu looked troubled and gave a bitter smile, "I can only manage this one cup. I can’t drink any more."


    Xiang Yu first sniffed his drink and then frowned. The drink was good, but clearly too strong — probably intended to intimidate Xiang Yu.


    Seeing Xiang Yu’s troubled expression, everyone looked excited, except for Poison Rose, who frowned.


    "If you really can’t handle it, don’t drink," said Poison Rose.


    Xiang Yu waved his hand, "No, I must drink this."


    With that, Xiang Yu shut his eyes and downed it in one gulp. Instantly, his face turned red. It was clear to everyone that Xiang Yu really couldn’t handle his liquor.


    "Good, bold move!"


    The seven hall mastersughed heartily and downed their drinks in a single gulp. By now, two of them had already turned red, indicating their own limited tolerance.


    Poison Rose watched Xiang Yu with some concern, wanting to intervene, but by then, Xiang Yu’s face was already flushed.


    "Drink! Today, I’m going to drink to my heart’s content with everyone!" Xiang Yu suddenly became bold, and it was apparent he was already a bit tipsy.


    As it was an informal setting, everyone started to make toasts to Xiang Yu.


    Without Sky Thief Rat present, Brocade Hall was the leading hall.


    Jin Guozhong stood first, holding his drink, "Xiang Yu, congrattions. I toast to you, and I’ll down mine first as a show of respect."


    With that, Jin Guozhong drank his all at once, and Xiang Yu also held up his ss, "Alright, Hall Master Jin, I will drink this, but I have a suggestion."


    "What’s your suggestion?" asked Jin Guozhong, his face flushed with alcohol.


    Xiang Yu nced around at everyone before saying, "This ss is too small. If everyone wants to drink, let’s switch torge bowls. Whoever toasts me, we’ll down it directly."


    Everyone around was shocked by Xiang Yu’s words. What was going on that he suddenly became so brazen? Wasn’t his tolerance supposed to be bad?


    Seeing Xiang Yu’s flushed face, they guessed he was bluffing. They were all drinking high-proof alcohol; downing a bowl would be sure to fell them.


    At this moment, Jin Guozhong felt lucky to have been the first to toast. He pounded the table and said, "This is a good suggestion, I agree."


    The other hall masters all had dark looks on their faces and weren’t happy at all.


    If they didn’t toast, it would show they were cowards. If they did, they couldn’t handle a bowlful.


    They were hoping someone else would be the second to stand up. As long as someone drank a bowl with Xiang Yu, it might make Xiang Yu fall.


    If Xiang Yu fell, they too could take it easy.


    Everyone was looking at each other, reluctant to be the second person to stand, creating an awkward atmosphere.


    Poison Rose smiled seeing this, realizing Xiang Yu’s tactic really worked, stumping everyone so now they didn’t have to drink more.


    "Since no one wants to drink anymore, how about we eat?" Xiang Yu chuckled.


    Seeing no one else stand up, Hong Jinbaoughed heartily, saying, "Since Xiang Yu already said it, I’m totally in agreement. Alright then, I’ll go first."


    Hong Jinbao prided himself on his ability to hold his drink; he might get tipsy with a bowl but wouldn’t be downright drunk. Since Xiang Yu was a neer, they couldn’t let an outsider intimidate everyone at Hong Sect.


    "Bring therge bowls!" Hong Jinbao shouted while standing up.


    Large bowls were brought, and ced in front of each person.


    Hong Jinbao filled his bowl to the brim, then nced at Xiang Yu.


    "Really?" Xiang Yu asked in horror.


    Seeing Xiang Yu’s expression, the hall masters felt reassured. Once Xiang Yu finished this bowl, they figured he wouldn’t be able to stand.


    "Sect Leader Hong, I toast this bowl to you," Xiang Yu said, then picked up therge bowl and downed it as if he was drinking mineral water.


    Hong Jinbao was surprised, not expecting Xiang Yu to make the first move. Unwilling to be outdone, he picked up his bowl and drank.


    After finishing, Xiang Yu wobbled a little and then sat heavily, his eyes starting to look unfocused.


    Hong Jinbao, after drinking, also copsed into his seat, his face turning crimson and purple, looking a bit frightening.


    "Sect Leader Hong, truly impressive alcohol tolerance, I, I, I admire you," Xiang Yu said with slurred speech, his eyes zed.


    It seemed Xiang Yu would fall any moment, yet he remained strong, sitting there stubbornly.


    "Anyone else? Come, let’s drink more," Xiang Yu called out.


    Poison Rose frowned, looking at Xiang Yu, "Why not stop? You’re already drunk."


    "I’m not drunk, let’s keep drinking," Xiang Yu insisted, pouring himself another bowl and raising it.


    "You there, drink with me," Xiang Yu said to the person next to him.


    This was Yan Qing, the Hall Master of ming Hall, short in stature and already a bit tipsy after two drinks. Another big bowl would probably make him unrecognizable even to his own parents.


    But with Xiang Yu standing in front of him, holding a bowl, he couldn’t refuse. To refuse would mean admitting defeat.


    "Alright, I’ll drink a bowl with you," Yan Qing conceded, pouring a bowl for himself and standing.


    "Down it!" Xiang Yu eximed, gulping down his drink.


    Faced with this, Yan Qing could only grit his teeth and tilt the bowl towards his mouth. Before he could finish, he was ovee, sat down heavily, and passed out with his eyes shut...