The Immortal's Wine Store, page 7
Chapter19 Spiritual Flower
The fourth prince and Defender Duanmu looked like they had swallowed a fly. They felt like crying, but no tears came out of their eyes.
"Even his majesty would be moved if he sees this spiritual plant. Is Wine Master Jiu unafraid of the top exerts' covetous eyes? No matter how strong he is, he could not defend this little store once they are besieged by countless top experts." Defender Duanmu frowned after a moment of deep thinking. Even he himself was moved after seeing the Earth Origin Dragon Tree. Only a fool could stay calm after seeing such a treasure. And if not for the store's strength, he would have long since stolen the spiritual plant.
"Defender Duanmu, don't even think about it. It may be a rare treasure, but it's not worth making an enemy out of Wine Master Jiu. You have seen his strength for yourself, and I doubt if even imperial father is his match..." The fourth prince stated solemnly after seeing the glistening eyes of the old defender.
Defender Duanmu's heart jolted after hearing the fourth prince's words. But he was still very reluctant on giving up the Earth Origin Dragon Tree. Just the Earth Origin Dragon Fruit that it bears is already equivalent to several decades of cultivation. It can even help an expert who was at the peak of the 8th-rank Divine to immediately breakthrough to the next realm.
Defender Duanmu firmed his heart and stood up from his seat. Although he can't forcefully steal the spiritual plant, he can still do a trade with Wine Master Jiu. Or so he thought...
The fourth prince shook his head after seeing Defender Duanmu stood up from his seat. But he knew that he can't change the old man's mind.
With Jiu Shen's present cultivation, it was no problem for him to hear the silent interaction between the two men, but he did not really care even a tiny bit. After all, they were just small little ants in his eyes.
Even with his eyes closed, he can sense that Defender Duanmu was walking towards him. His old face was full of seriousness as if he was about to deliver a piece of grim news. He opened his mouth, but before he could even speak, Jiu Shen raised his right hand and spoke in a calm tone. "Save your breath, old man. That spiritual plant isn't for sale and I have no plans on trading it with something else."
Defender Duanmu's words were stuck in his throat and he didn't even have the chance to speak before he was turned down by Jiu Shen. 'Just how did he knew my intentions? Don't tell me he can still hear our conversation even after I had blocked the two-meter radius between me and the fourth prince?'
"Old man, if you want to order something, order now. If not, then please take your leave. My store does not allow people to loiter around freely." Jiu Shen waved his hands impatiently with his eyes still shut tight.
Defender Duanmu was about to speak, but a hand grabbed his shoulder firmly. When he turned around, he saw the fourth prince shaking his head after a soft sigh. "We apologize for disturbing you, Wine Master Jiu. And also, I would like to order the new wine for today. It was still unavailable yesterday so we were not able to have a taste. I wonder if you have one now, Wine Master Jiu..."
Jiu Shen finally opened his eyes. He then glanced at the fourth prince with a poker face and nodded his head slowly. "Indeed, you can order that wine now, but I have to warn you. The old man would be fine even if he drinks the whole bottle of wine, but as for you... You can only drink one glass for now. Any more than that is..." Jiu Shen did not continue his words, but he flashed a strange smile at the fourth prince for a second.
The fourth prince thought that he was hallucinating, but he definitely saw Jiu Shen smile. He felt all the hairs on his body stood on end as he muttered Jiu Shen's words in his heart. 'Just one glass. Just one glass. Just one glass.'
Of course, he knew what he meant. He had experienced the same thing yesterday when his dantian was full of true essence after eating his fill without restraint. 'If not for Jiu Shen's timely warning...' The fourth prince shuddered in fear, but he still put on a composed look.
"Okay, Wine Master Jiu. Just give us one order of that wine." The fourth prince said with an unnatural smile.
Jiu Shen nodded his head calmly and went towards the wine storage area to grab the wine that he ordered. He was also eager to see their reactions once they tasted the wine.
Jiu Shen smirked and beckoned with his right hand. A bottle of wine flew out of the shelf and hovered beside him docilely. He then stepped out of the wine storage area.
"Here is your order." Jiu Shen gently placed the bottle of wine on their table before he went back on his seat. He then closed his eyes, but he was still secretly observing them through his spiritual power.
Aside from cultivating the true essence, a cultivator can also choose to cultivate his/her spiritual power. But of course, cultivating one's spiritual power is way harder than cultivating someone's true essence.
True essence can simply be obtained through refining resources like spiritual plants, cultivation pills, and etc. But training the spiritual power involves a cultivator's spirit. It needs a cultivator to create a link between the spiritual nodes in his body. And the process of doing that was so painful that if one experienced it, then they would have gladly chosen death than to experience that kind of pain. In other words, training the spiritual power needs high willpower and pain tolerance. Only a few people dared to train their spiritual power. But once they have successfully trained it to a higher level, then no matter where they go, they will be respected by many.
Spiritual power was also indispensable for the masters of alchemy, beast taming, weapon refining, array making, and etc. Since these professions involve the usage of spiritual power.
Thus, the masters of the aforementioned professions were highly sought after by all major powers.
Now back to the story.
Jiu Shen calmly waited for the two men to taste the Deep Sea Spring Dew. He was looking at the fourth prince in particular. 'If. nothing goes wrong, the kid will breakthrough to the 5th-rank Spirit realm.'
Chapter20 Liu Xiufeng's News
Jiu Shen used his spiritual power to view the expressions of the fourth prince and Defender Duanmu while they were tasting the Deep Sea Spring Dew. He might be closing his eyes, but he can see every miniscule change on the two men's reactions. 'The old man is also at the peak of 7th-rank Emperor, but he won't breakthrough with just one wine. He needs a much stronger catalyst if he wants his strength to be promoted to the next realm. But the kid has a higher chance of breaking through. Of course, it is still just a chance.'
Defender Duanmu slowly opened the wine bottle.
A rich wine aroma burst forth from the mouth of the wine bottle giving off the fragrant smell of a Deep Sea Dew. Both men's eyes lit up as they greedily inhaled the wine's sweet smell.
After filling their cups with wine, Defender Duanmu impatiently brought it towards his lips and took a light sip.
As for the fourth prince, he was muttering something under his breath as if he was chanting some kind of incomprehensible mantra. "Just one glass. Just one glass. Just one glass." With his eyes half-closed, the fourth prince also took a sip.
The fourth prince jolted in shock like someone who was electrocuted. His eyes widened in surprise while looking at the cup of wine in his hand.
When the golden liquid touched his tongue, he felt a cooling sensation enveloping his mouth. But then, just a second later, a fiery feeling assaulted his throat. The two contradicting sensations created a sort of seamless harmony, yet they retained their own uniqueness, making him drunk in the indulgence.
"I got that kind of feeling after just one sip?! I can tell that there was a Deep Sea Dew added on the brewing process which enhanced the wine's fragrance, but what are those two distinct sensations that I felt?" The fourth prince was a well-read person since he was young. He had also tasted different kinds of gourmet dishes in the imperial palace. That was why he was able to instantly recognize the Deep Sea Dew's unique aroma.
Defender Duanmu did not have a similar thought process. He was still drinking his cup of wine with a foolish smile on his aged face. Although he was also familiar with the Deep Sea Dew, he did not think too much about it.
He focused his attention and simply checked the minute changes in his dantian as he continued to drink the wine. 'Unbelievable! Although it was not enough to promote me to the next realm, it was still able to consolidate my foundation making it much easier for me if I want to breakthrough. What a treasure! Even his majesty's Phoenix' Godly Flames Wine did not have such an effect.' Defender Duanmu thought to himself with intense excitement in his heart.
The fourth prince hesitated no more. He gulped the remaining golden liquid in his cup with an absent-minded look. He shivered the moment the wine liquid reached his throat since he felt the same fiery and cool feeling. It was as if the two opposing aftertastes were wrestling against each other in his throat. "Ahh! Good wine!"
The fourth prince felt full after drinking one glass of the wine. He realized that Jiu Shen was not deliberately messing with him at all. One glass was indeed the maximum he can consume with his current cultivation. He then glanced at the bottle of Deep Sea Spring Dew with a regretful look, but he reigned in his desire and checked his dantian.
He felt that his dantian was full of unrefined true essence, but the true essence of the wine was not violent at all which will make it much easier for him to refine. He even felt that he had a chance to achieve a breakthrough making him very excited.
Jiu Shen withdrew his spiritual force after he had seen the effects of the wine. He was fairly satisfied with it, but it was not enough to move him. He had tasted countless immortal wines in his past life which were much better than the Deep Sea Spring Dew. But of course, the ingredients used were much rarer and more precious.
On a different table were Boss Scar and the others were seated, they were drinking and talking happily among each other and it seemed like they had forgotten that a medium-level expert had died in the morning.
Liu Xiufeng knitted his brows and solemnly said. "I heard some rumors from my friends in the Liu Family that one of the aristocratic families of our empire was suspected to be selling weapons to the neighboring empires."
The atmosphere suddenly turned serious after Liu Xiufeng dropped a serious topic. Boss Scar furrowed his brows, and he could not help but ask. "Which aristocratic family are you talking about?"
Jiu Shen's ears perked up. He was also curious about their conversation, so he listened attentively to them. In another's point of view, he was meditating diligently. But in actual fact, Jiu Shen was secretly eavesdropping on their conversation. 'Hoho! Looks like something fun will happen in the empire some time in the near future. Of course, I have to be there to spectate the scene. It would not be fun if I will only stay here during such a lively event.'
Liu Xiufeng glanced towards his left and right before he gestured for everyone to come closer to him. He then spoke in a whispering voice. "It's an aristocratic family that is not any lesser than the Liu Family in terms of strength and authority, the Beiming Family."
After hearing the words 'Beiming Family', everyone's faces immediately turned somewhat peculiar. "Nonsense! The Beiming Family is loyal to the imperial family since the founding of the empire." A mercenary blurted out in a slightly louder voice.
Liu Xiufeng hurriedly covered his mouth to prevent him from speaking any further. Boss Scar also glared at the mercenary icily.
They then realized that Defender Duanmu was looking at them with a smile that was not a smile.
They forced a chuckle and left the store in a hurry after paying their bills. They did not want to stay inside the store anymore in fear that Defender Duanmu would capture them for spreading baseless rumors.
'Even the Liu Family have discovered the Beiming Family's suspicious transactions. If that is the case, then his majesty's assumption was indeed right. This is bad, I must report this to his majesty in order for us to prepare for any possible outcome.' Defender Duanmu's heart was in turmoil as he thought of countless possibilities that may happen.
Chapter21 Young Patriarch of the Liu Family
Defender Duanmu finished the rest of the wine, but his expression was that of extreme solemnity the entire time.
After all, the Beiming Family's actions were against the Silver Wing Empire's laws. And it could also be taken as collusion with the neighboring empires. But because of their family's power and reputation, the imperial palace could not rashly accuse them without any concrete evidence.
After finishing their wine, Defender Duanmu placed several True Crystals on their table and left with the fourth prince with an urgent expression. He already planned to discuss what he had discovered with the emperor.
Jiu Shen reached out his hands and the True Crystals hovered towards him. But before he could even touch them, they vanished without a trace. He pursed his lips but did not say anything.
Jiu Shen closed his eyes to begin his meditation but he sensed several familiar auras sprinting towards the direction of his store. He frowned and released his spiritual force to check the commotion outside. To his surprise, he discovered that they were Boss Scar and the other mercenaries. They were running with their top speed as if they were escaping with their lives on the line.
The moment they stepped inside the store, they sighed in relief. Boss Scar glanced around the store and when he saw Jiu Shen calmly sitting on a chair, he hurriedly walked towards him.
With a face full of sweat, Boss Scar cleared his throat and spoke with a slightly shaking voice. "Wine Master Jiu, I seemed to have brought disaster to your store. I will accept your punishment regardless of the outcome."
Jiu Shen opened his eyes lazily and glanced at the sweating Boss Scar. "What do you mean?"
Boss Scar sighed with a heavy look and said. "I was the one who brought Mu Sheng and his subordinates here. I only wanted him to have a taste of your wines, but who knew that he wouldn't even give me face and still act impudently in your store."
Jiu Shen thought he must be talking about the man that Theia killed earlier, but he did not take it to heart. An ant's life can never enter his eyes, no matter how profound his background was.
Boss Scar realized that Jiu Shen did not care at all. There was not even a change in his expression, so he could not help but remind him. "Wine Master Jiu, Mu Sheng is just an ordinary guy in your eyes, but he is working for the Liu Family. He was a subordinate of Liu Mengdi, the son of Liu Family's patriarch. Once the Liu Family hears that one of their subordinates died in your store, they would surely rush here to create trouble."
Jiu Shen's expression was as calm as still lake water. Even after hearing the name of the Liu Family, there was no visible change in his expression. It was because he did not really care for a puny mortal family. He then glanced at Boss Scar and shook his head. "Your worries are unnecessary. They can't do anything to me, but... They will be able to trace that his disappearance was related to you."
Boss Scar's heart turned cold after hearing his words. 'Right! Wine Master Jiu has nothing to worry about because he has the strength to protect himself from the Liu Family, but I and my brothers don't have a solid backing that will protect us from them.'
Jiu Shen's sleepy eyes suddenly lit up. He then smiled faintly as he glanced in a certain direction. "Oh, it looks like they had already discovered that something was amiss. The information network of this Liu Family is indeed slightly commendable."
Boss Scar's entire body shuddered after hearing his words. He felt like his body was drenched by a bucket of cold water. His subordinates were similarly worried, but they did not run away despite their fear. They had experienced countless life and death situations with Boss Scar, and their group had developed a sense of brotherhood. They did not want to leave a brother behind even if it means death.
Boss Scar's eyes moistened, but he still put on a ferocious expression on his face. "You fools, leave now! I will face this matter alone!"
Liu Xiufeng was similarly someone from the Liu Family, but he did not have a favorable impression towards them. That was also the reason why he left the Liu Family to become a mercenary. He glanced at Boss Scar with a resolute expression and said. "Boss, us brothers will face anything. You know that you can't make us leave."
The other mercenaries also nodded their heads with firm expressions.
Boss Scar glanced at the boorish men with gratification. He then said with a regretful and guilty expression on his face. "Brothers, I have implicated you all unnecessarily."
Liu Xiufeng shook his head. "Boss, you only meant well. But who knew that Mu Sheng was such an ungrateful man."
Jiu Shen was still expressionless but he admired these mortals martial hearts and sense of camaraderie.
Just then, a loud marching sound can be heard right outside the store.
When Boss Scar and the others glanced at the situation outside, their knees went weak in trepidation.
Outside the store was an army of more than several dozen men dressed in red and black armor. Leading them was a handsome man in his twenties with long black hair. A short sword was strapped behind his back. With an arrogant expression, he glanced at Liu Xiufeng who was inside the store and smirked derisively. "Brother Xiufeng, you've seen me, but you didn't even greet me, the young patriarch of the Liu Family."
Following his words, the army behind him glared maliciously at Boss Scar and the others who were inside the store. "Get out of there right now and greet the young patriarch if you still value your lives!" A soldier shouted with an angry expression.
Jiu Shen who was looking at the scene was still nonchalantly sitting on his chair. He calmly watched the farce with an amused expression on his face. 'That Liu Mengdi kid is already at the peak stage of 4th-rank Knight Crusader realm, but he is intentionally hiding his strength. He is only revealing the cultivation level of a 3rd-rank Crusader. Why is he doing this?'
Chapter22 Deja Vu
Jiu Shen's eyes sparkled after looking at the army right outside his store. "Hey, the Liu Family is rich, right?" Jiu Shen grabbed Liu Xiufeng's clothes and asked with shining eyes.
