The whole world is bustling with pursuits of profit. But to Chen Quan, fame and fortune were mere passersby. All he ever wanted was to live freely and fulfilled.
In the winter of the second year of Qianhua, Liang dynasty, on New Year's Eve, the wind howled through the gaps in stone and straw of a half-collapsed thatched hut. It bore witness to the cry of a newborn child. A woman lay on the bed as she softly gazed at the baby in her arms. No one could know what fate awaited this child, but she wished him the very best—a life lived fully and completely. She and her husband shared a quiet smile as they named their son Chen Quan.
Chen Quan grew up rolling through the fields during years of war and famine. Life was far from good, but he and his parents knew how to find joy in times of hardship. His father often said that a person lives no more than a few decades, so what's the point of always worrying? Might as well enjoy the ride. Chen Quan took those words to heart. He loved flowers and weeds, the beautiful and the broken. Even in the year both his parents died of illness, he didn't forget his father's teachings. Life and death are part of the same road; those who live must live well.
So Chen Quan set out with their words in mind. He traveled far, met many people, and found many things to love. And among them all, what he loved the most was wine. When drunk, he could see heaven and earth, and float between dream and reality. It was so much fun. Of course, a man like that would draw mockery. Someone once picked a fight with him while he was drunk—only to find Chen Quan, in his haze, inventing a whole new style of combat. And so, without meaning to, he became known as the Drunk Martial Artist. Sect elders tried to recruit him, but he waved and laughed as he walked away. Nobles offered him patronage, and he staggered off with a grin. The jianghu spoke of him with wonder, "What could possibly bind a man like that?" Chen Quan himself gave them the answer.
In the fourth year of Kaiyun, Jin dynasty, the Khitan laid siege to Kaifeng. After the war, the devastated Ghostlight Market was rebuilt, and the Drunk Martial Artist became a member of it. He had no use for fame or wealth. But gratitude—that was different. It was Zhu Yousheng of the Ghostlight Market who had once saved his life. So Chen Quan joined both the Nine Mortal Ways and the Ghostlight Market. Still the same as ever, he drank the strongest wine and danced freely across heaven and earth. Outsiders doubted that someone like him would ever give his life for anyone. But he didn't care. He was born on the coldest winter night, yet lived the warmest, most blazing life. That was enough. And if the day ever came, he would put down his wine, and step into the grandest feast of all.
