“Ah?”
Lin Zhao’s face was full of apology, and he clasped his fists in an embarrassed laugh, “Please forgive me, Lord of the Lake. I truly did not know those green fish were your disciples. As a wandering sword cultivator traveling everywhere, I always need to fill my stomach. Thus, I eat what I find, whether in mountains or waters. I beg your pardon for any offense!”
“You are too kind, Sword Immortal.”
Shang Xuli smiled faintly, his entire being enveloped in golden divine radiance. His long robe trailed behind him like a tide, exuding an air of extraordinary refinement and handsomeness. Such a potent aura of the Great Dao of water currents, Lin Zhao had never seen anyone else possess it besides Lin Xingchu. Even Liu Bai, the demon king who had once refined the Ku Song River, did not compare.
The entire water current of Dongting Lake was concentrated in one person, naturally making him exceptionally powerful.
“Sword Immortal, please sit.”
Shang Xuli carried no airs and had come out of Dongting Lake alone. He sat on the ground before Lin Zhao, gently pushed the wine jar in his hand forward, and smiled, “Shang Xuli is being presumptuous. I wish to share a bowl of your fish soup, Sword Immortal. As for this Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine, please also taste its quality, Sword Immortal.”
“Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine…”
Lin Zhao’s heart trembled. This was no ordinary item. It was said to be a “specialty” and “unique product” of Dongting Lake, brewed only by the Lord of Dongting Lake himself. It was made from the purest water from the depths of Dongting Lake and the purple bamboo leaves from the Lord’s mansion. The Lord of Dongting Lake brewed three types of wine, their quality differing based on the chosen ingredients. The first grade was Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine, the second was Dongting Red Bamboo Wine, and the third was Dongting Green Bamboo Wine. All three fine brews were rich in spiritual energy and possessed miraculous effects of extending life and prolonging years. However, they were extremely rare. In the human world, not even the finest restaurants in Baidi City had a single pot of Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine. Even the lowest grade, Dongting Green Bamboo Wine, would be considered a signature drink to attract distinguished guests in the best restaurants of Baidi City.
It was even rumored that a Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm once came to Dongting Lake and offered to trade a Sword Immortal artifact for a pot of Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine, but was directly refused by the Lord of Dongting Lake. The Sword Immortal’s aura was too bloodthirsty, and Shang Xuli simply did not favor him.
“Thank you…”
Lin Zhao carefully held the heavy jar of Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine, then took out two wine bowls from his bamboo chest. He poured the wine with even greater caution, first offering a bowl to the Lord of Dongting Lake, Shang Xuli, then pouring one for himself. He held the wine bowl with an expression of utmost solemnity.
For a moment, Shang Xuli almost burst into laughter. It seemed his guess was indeed correct. This person was indeed the one from the legends, Qin Suihan’s disciple, Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi. While appearance, cultivation, and attire could be faked, this humble and courteous disposition was impossible to imitate.
“……”
Lin Zhao took a small sip. The taste was indeed mellow and rich, even better than the Peach Blossom Brew made by Han Yurou. The aftertaste was also quite pleasing. Both wines had their own merits. While cultivators on the mountains would likely find Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine superior, Lin Zhao felt that Peach Blossom Brew was also good. Wine brewed by Han Yurou herself would not be significantly inferior.
“How is it?”
Shang Xuli asked with a smile.
“A fine wine.”
Lin Zhao smiled, his praise overflowing, “This must be one of the best wines I have ever tasted.”
“That is good then.”
The elegant Lord of Dongting Lake smiled, “Sword Immortal, please drink heartily. Today, on my Dongting Lake territory, this Dongting Purple Bamboo Wine is in abundance. Drink as much as you wish!”
“Ah?”
Lin Zhao laughed heartily and drained his bowl, feeling a surge of righteous energy within his chest. When scholars open their hearts to drink, their valor is no less than that of sword cultivators, perhaps even surpassing it. He then poured a second bowl, but only half full.
“???”
Shang Xuli narrowed his eyes and asked with a smile, “Why is the cup not full? Is my Dongting Lake’s Purple Bamboo Wine not to your liking?”
“By no means.”
Lin Zhao felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head again, laughing, “It is simply that your Purple Bamboo Wine is too delicious. Therefore, I do not wish to enjoy it all by myself. How about I drink a little less, and you send me the rest of the wine? I have many friends who enjoy good wine, such as my master’s master, my third senior brother, and Brother Huo, as well as the old Sword Immortal Han and Lord Su from Xueyu Tianchi. If possible, I would like to save some for them to try…”
“Hahahaha~~~”
The Lord of Dongting Lake let out a hearty laugh, “Sword Immortal Lin Zhao is indeed quite different from other mountain cultivators.”
Lin Zhao was surprised, “You know me?”
“How could I not know you?”
Shang Xuli drained his bowl and gazed at the continuous mountain range to the north, smiling, “Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi, who in this world does not know you?! I, Shang Xuli, am neither deaf nor blind, how could I not recognize Sword Immortal Lin!”
This was awkward!
Lin Zhao scratched his head, “Since you know I am Lin Zhao, an eighth-realm sword cultivator, and you keep calling me Sword Immortal, you are truly humbling me, a fifth-realm cultivator. Please change your address quickly.”
The Lord of Dongting Lake chuckled, “In Shang Xuli’s eyes, how many sword cultivators in the human race can slay a thirteenth-realm great demon like Bai Lan? If Lin Baiyi is not considered a Sword Immortal, then perhaps very few others would be.”
Saying this, he raised his wine bowl and smiled, “Sword Immortal, let us simply drink heartily today. Do not worry about the wine. After this meal, I will send you several jars of wine, so that your master’s master, third senior brother, Brother Huo, as well as Lord Su and Han Buyu can all taste the fine wine of my Dongting Lake.”
“Good, thank you!”
Lin Zhao’s heart settled. He continued to drink with Shang Xuli, and also served him some fish soup. Shang Xuli praised it after just one sip, his face flushed from the wine. He clinked glasses with Lin Zhao, discussing heroes, and said, “This fish soup is the most delicious fish soup I, Shang Xuli, have ever tasted in my life. If there were a school of culinary arts among the Hundred Schools of Thought in this world, your cooking skills, Brother Lin Zhao, would undoubtedly be divinely bestowed as a Culinary Saint within ten years, achieving the fourteenth realm, without a doubt.”
Lin Zhao listened happily and said, “Your brewing skills, Lord of the Lake, are equally extraordinary. This wine becomes more flavorful the more I drink it. If there were divine bestowal, your Wine Saint title might not be fourteenth realm, perhaps directly fifteenth realm!”
“Hahahaha~~~”
Shang Xuli roared with laughter and clinked glasses with Lin Zhao, continuing to drink.
Behind them, in the depths of the lake, divine beings of the Dongting Mansion stood in formation. The strongest among them was a female Water Lord of the eleventh realm. Most of the others were water deities of the tenth and ninth realms. They all looked helpless. The female Water Lord frowned, “His Excellency the Lord of the Lake has never drunk so recklessly. He has truly met a soulmate… Who exactly is that Golden Core sword cultivator?”
A tenth-realm temple official whispered into her ear, “It is said he is the reincarnation of Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi.”
“Ah?”
The female Water Lord was slightly taken aback, then smiled, “That is no wonder. Our Lord of the Lake has always disliked the Great Shang court, and also dislikes the corrupt dealings within the official circles of the Great Shang. There is too much filth, and the Lord of the Lake does not wish to be tainted. There are few people he truly notices, and Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi happens to be one of them.”
The temple official continued, “I heard that Lin Baiyi was fishing on the lake this afternoon. I don’t know by what means, but he caught several of the Lord’s disciples. Fortunately, he had no intention of killing them, and eventually released those unworthy youngsters who had been hooked and were dazed. Because of this, the Lord of the Lake brought a jar of Purple Bamboo Wine to entertain him.”
“I see…”
The female Water Lord’s dimples deepened as she smiled, “Only one jar of Purple Bamboo Wine can be brewed a year. The guest the Lord of the Lake is treating with Purple Bamboo Wine must be a true distinguished guest. We need not worry any further. Let us wait here.”
“Yes!”
A group of water deities from Dongting Lake waited in silence, saying no more, lest they disturb the Lord of the Lake’s enjoyment of the wine.
…
They continued drinking until late into the night. Shang Xuli glanced at Wang Yue beside Lin Zhao and suddenly understood everything, saying with a smile, “After this meal, you will continue your journey south?”
“Mm.”
Lin Zhao nodded, “There are lingering concerns in my heart that must be resolved.”
“Good!”
Shang Xuli stood up and said, “Then I shall not trouble the Sword Immortal any further. Someone!”
“Lord of the Lake.”
The female Water Lord, along with a group of water deities, appeared on the lake’s surface. Wang Yue’s delicate mouth parted slightly, feeling immense pressure. She was a wisp of a Yin spirit, while these deities were earthly spirits who had attained divinity. Any lone ghost was insignificant before them. This feeling of the Heavenly Dao’s suppression was unpleasant.
“My lord, please instruct us,” the female Water Lord said with a smile.
Shang Xuli, with a tipsy expression, smiled and said, “Fetch three jars of Purple Bamboo Wine, five jars of Red Bamboo Wine, oh no… ten jars of Red Bamboo Wine, and an additional twenty jars of Green Bamboo Wine. Give them all to Sword Immortal Lin, purely for his enjoyment and sustenance on his journey.”
“Yes!”
The female Water Lord was somewhat surprised as to why such a large quantity was being given. However, she knew the straightforward nature of the Lord of Dongting Lake. He would not give so much unless to a true intimate friend. She then turned to carry out the order. Shortly after, jars of fine wine were brought ashore. Lin Zhao clasped his fists in gratitude and did not refuse, his body smelling of alcohol as he collected all the jars of wine into his pack, filled with immense joy.
“Lord Shang!”
Before departing, he clasped his fists and smiled, “Feel free to visit the Summit Villa at Xueyu Tianchi when you have time. I can let you taste our Natural Residence’s Peach Blossom Brew, which also has a unique flavor.”
“Good.”
Shang Xuli smiled and clasped his fists, “After I have dealt with my current affairs, Shang Xuli will certainly find an opportunity to travel north!”
“Mm!”
Lin Zhao nodded and parted ways, setting off again with Wang Yue.
…
Under the moonlight, Shang Xuli stood by the shore with a group of water deities, reluctant to return to his mansion.
“Lord of the Lake.”
The female Water Lord said softly, “Is this person truly worthy of such a generous gift?”
“Of course, he is.”
Shang Xuli’s expression was serious, “He is Lin Baiyi… Such a good person, I, Shang Xuli, am only afraid that I am not worthy of being his friend… What do you think?”
The female Water Lord’s pretty face flushed slightly, “In my heart, my Lord of the Lake is the best person in the world.”
Shang Xuli chuckled, truly superficial.