Emperor Qiankun

Chapter 362 Mo Shang Mo Hua

At this moment.

Li Qingyuan followed closely behind the two elderly people, but her eyes wandered around, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

This scene stirred up his emotions, reminding him of his past life in the Sword Domain.

In that quiet little mountain village, the master's earnest teachings and the joyful laughter of the fellow disciples filled the air...

Everything was still vivid in his mind, making him miss it dearly.

He sighed inwardly, wondering when he would be able to return to the Sword Domain...

I wonder if my senior brothers and sisters are doing well...

Lost in memories, I suddenly saw two old men arrive at a tavern in the small town and walk straight inside.

Without any hesitation, Li Qingyuan quickly followed him inside.

Inside the wine shop.

Jars of aged liquor are neatly arranged, each with a slip of paper attached to it recording the year it was brewed.

Looking around, there are ancient wines aged for thousands of years, century-old wines, and even the cheapest ones are at least ten years old. They are densely packed together, like a holy land for wine lovers!

At this moment, the aroma of the wine fills the air, sweet yet strong, strong yet fragrant... all the flavors intertwine, making it utterly captivating.

However, the two old men did not stay there, but walked deeper into the tavern.

Li Qingyuan then quickly followed.

Although the enticing aroma of the wine had already stirred the craving for alcohol within him, he knew that important matters were at hand and he must not indulge in drinking to the point of neglecting his duties!

......

The backyard of the tavern.

Steaming amidst the rising mist of wine, a hundred or so large celadon jars stood like armored soldiers in formation.

The steam rising from the jar, carrying the aroma of roasted millet and wheat and the sweet scent of yeast, brews into intoxicating verses in the warm breeze of late spring.

Dozens of shirtless craftsmen were pounding the fermented grains around a stone mortar.

"Boom boom boom..."

The wooden mallet struck and fell with a metallic sound, and beads of sweat fell into the fermenting grain, splashing up tiny glints of amber light.

Deep within the rising mist, a rattan rocking chair is swaying casually.

The old man on the chair had an unusual appearance:

The centipede-shaped scar on his left cheek runs diagonally from his ear to the corner of his lip, while his right cheek is completely smooth, creating a highly incongruous appearance.

His gaunt body was wrapped in an indigo robe, and as the rattan chair swayed gently, the bronze gourd hanging from his waist jingled...

------

"Old Mo!"

"Mo Shang!"

Two clear voices broke through the mist of wine, startling the copper bells under the eaves into a slight tremor.

The old man in the wicker chair trembled slightly, his scar turning a dark red in the sunlight, yet he still kept his eyes closed and scoffed:

"Two old wine-guzzlers here again, trying to freeload? You've practically scooped away three inches of the cellar mud from my wine cellar..."

Two white-browed old men came stepping through the mist, their robes fluttering like crane feathers.

One of the elderly men in a grey robe stroked his beard and chuckled:

"Old Mo is so stingy. Asking you for three jars of 'Bamboo Leaf Green' is like tearing out your heart."

Another elderly man in black clapped his hands in agreement:

"Indeed, indeed. I brought 'Kunlun Snow Lotus' today to offset the cost of the wine. That should be enough to exchange for half a jar of 'Drunken Immortal Brew,' right?"

The rattan chair finally creaked under the strain.

When Mo Shang opened his eyes, the light in them was as sharp as the moon reflected in a cold spring:

"The rare and precious materials must be obtained in double quantities, and they must be obtained and tested immediately."

His withered, twig-like fingers tapped the wine gourd at his waist. "If you dare try to fool me with ordinary medicinal herbs—"

"I know, I know!"

The white-browed elders hurriedly responded, but two streaks of light quietly flew out from their sleeves.

A 'Crystal Snow Lotus' and half a 'Ten Thousand Years of He Shou Wu' landed steadily on the stone table, startling the craftsmen who were pounding wine.

Mo Shang's nostrils twitched slightly, and the scar on his face stretched out like a spring vine in his smile, yet he still stubbornly said:

"So-so, but considering the snow lotus is still quite young..."

------

Then, Mo Shang's wide sleeves fluttered lightly.

An antique square table and several jars of old wine, sealed with clay and never opened, suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

He lightly tapped the jar lid with his fingertips, and instantly the aroma of the wine swirled like smoke, carrying the mellow flavor accumulated over the years, penetrating deep into his lungs.

The birds perched under the eaves fluttered their wings, seemingly captivated by the rich fragrance.

The three of them sat around the bluestone table, where was the slightest trace of their usual aloof and dignified demeanor?

They were seen either tilting their heads back and drinking heartily, or slapping the table and laughing loudly, their clothes fluttering as they exuded the carefree and unrestrained spirit of江湖人 (jianghu people, people of the martial arts world).

The amber-colored liquor slid down his lips, leaving mottled stains on his clothes, resembling an ink wash painting of mountains and rivers.

Li Qingyuan swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing, his knuckles unconsciously rubbing the jade pendant at his waist.

He was not a big drinker, but the aroma of wine lingering around his nose seemed to have a spirit, transforming into thousands of tiny insects wriggling in his blood.

Unable to contain himself any longer, he staggered toward the wine vat in the corner of the courtyard, but the moment his fingertips touched the rim of the vat, he missed his target as if passing through a mirage.

The aroma of the wine grew stronger and stronger, yet not a single drop could touch the lips or tongue, making one yearn to turn the air into wine.

Helpless, he could only watch as the three old men drank and made merry, thoroughly enjoying themselves...

Torture, extreme torture!

------

After several rounds of drinks, they suddenly heard the tinkling of jade pendants.

A woman who looked like a banished immortal emerged from outside the moon gate. Her hair was as black as ink and fell to her waist, and her brows were adorned with a cold, frost-like aura.

Upon seeing the scene in the courtyard, her delicate eyebrows suddenly furrowed:

"Grandpa! With your health, do you still think you're in your early twenties?!"

Before she could finish speaking, her delicate hand had already grasped Mo Shang's wrist. "Quickly come inside with me and rest!"

"Hua'er is back?"

Mo Shang shook off her hand, his scar on his face twisting like a centipede with his smile.

"How's your experience outside? Has no one bullied you?"

As he spoke, he poured another bowl of strong liquor, tilted his head back, and drank it down, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he were swallowing fire.

Upon seeing this, the other two old men's wine cups trembled slightly.

"Old Mo, your old injury..."

"I won't die! Even the King of Hell thinks I'm too tough!"

Mo Shang slammed his hand on the table, making the wine jar vibrate loudly.

"Keep drinking! Anyone who backs down is a coward!"

Before he finished speaking, the wine bowl was empty, and the bottom of the bowl reflected the setting sun on the horizon, fiery red.

......

Upon seeing this, Mo Hua stomped her feet in anger, her embroidered shoes making a crisp sound on the blue bricks.

As she turned, her skirt fluttered like a butterfly, but she said nothing more, leaving only the tinkling sound of her jade pendants as she walked away.

"How about... we stop here for today?"

Upon seeing this, the older man in the gray robe stroked his beard and pondered.

"What's there to be afraid of!"

Mo Shang slammed the wine jar heavily on the table, yet not a single drop of wine spilled.

"That girl worries all day long, but this old body of mine can still fight for another thirty years!"

He glanced sideways at his two old friends, feigning annoyance:

"Are you still going to drink? If not, get out! I'll drink it myself..."