Li Yan burst into laughter, "Without wine, what kind of farewell would this be!"
"Wait for me!"
No sooner had he spoken than he mounted a swift horse and rode out, galloped to a nearby town to buy a jar of wine, and hurried back, pouring a bowl for each of his companions.
At this moment, Yan Jiuling also felt a surge of heroism and, lifting his bowl, smiled and said, "Brother Li, after we part today, who knows when we'll meet again."
"But I believe, your great name will surely be heard throughout the pugilistic world!"
Li Yan too, holding his bowl solemnly, said, "In the pugilistic world, next year I will certainly hear news of Brother Yan's name gracing the golden list."
The Great Xuan Dynasty held imperial examinations once every three years. Yan Jiuling had become a scholar and was preparing to head to the Capital this year.
