C8 The Way of Wine

Upon entering the shop, the old Taoist paused briefly, bypassing the counter to select a seat closer to the inner side. With a carefree stride, he settled in, took out two hefty gold ingots, and tossed them onto the table, bellowing, "Bring me your finest wine and dishes, and prepare a top-notch guest room for me."

The once bustling room fell silent, all eyes turning to the old Taoist.

"Who is this guy? He's so bold."

"I've never seen him before. He must be new here."

"He doesn't look like much, but he sure acts bold."

Amidst the surrounding chatter, the old Taoist remained unfazed, neither irritated nor concerned. Lin Yu, on the other hand, felt somewhat uncomfortable. Unaccustomed to being the center of attention, his cheeks were flushed to the point of almost bleeding.

"Just a moment, sirs," the innkeeper said as he approached to collect the gold ingots with a smile. "I'll prepare everything immediately."

"Also, ready a bath barrel filled with hot water and bring it to the room," the old Taoist instructed calmly.

"Of course, right away," the innkeeper replied, hurrying off to fulfill the request.

Before long, the table was brimming with fragrant dishes and wine. Lin Yu eagerly grabbed at the unfamiliar dishes, devouring them while muttering praises for their deliciousness. He barely swallowed one bite before shoveling in the next, his eating manner startling the old Taoist.

"Hahaha... Take your time eating," the old Taoist chuckled, taking a swig from his wine cup before pouring one for Lin Yu. "Come now, don't just eat. Wine and food, that's the finest pleasure in the world."

"This is the finest pleasure in the world?" Lin Yu questioned, swallowing his mouthful of food. He sniffed the cup, the unique aroma tantalizing his senses, and followed the old Taoist's lead by tilting his head back and drinking.

"Ah~"

A spicy sensation hit Lin Yu, followed by a warm surge that traveled from his throat to his brain, leaving him feeling comfortably warm.

"It's certainly good, but I wouldn't say it's the best thing in the world," Lin Yu remarked, furrowing his brow.

"You don't understand," the elder laughed. "To drink wine is to experience a hundred different nuances, each with an endless aftertaste. The art of drinking is profound, embodying the myriad sentiments of life and offering countless subtleties. You won't grasp its full beauty in just a moment..." With that, he poured Lin Yu another cup.

Lin Yu savored the drink carefully this time, and a rich aroma filled his mouth, leaving a lasting impression. His mood gradually lightened, and he felt an indescribable sense of liberation.

"Hahaha... Excellent, excellent! You're usually so reserved, but who would have thought you'd be so free-spirited and hearty with a drink in hand? Now you truly resemble my disciple," the old man said, laughing heartily as he watched Lin Yu. He then tossed aside his fork, imitating Lin Yu by grabbing the food with his hands, eating and drinking heartily without a care for the onlookers.

"Where did this wild man come from?"

"How hungry must one be to eat like that?"

"Hey, what kind of wine are they drinking? Bring me a pot; I want to see if it's really that good..."

"Shopkeeper, what's that kid having? I'll have a plate of that too. Damn, it looks too appetizing..."

Unaware, the two who were engrossed in their feast didn't realize their presence had made the bustling tavern even busier...

After a whirlwind of activity, the table was left in disarray. With their appetites satisfied, the two sat at the table while the old man imparted the Way of Wine. He grew fonder of his disciple by the minute, impressed by Lin Yu's unexpected capacity for alcohol and his immediate liking to it, showing a natural aptitude for wine.

"Did you hear about the village near Fengli Mountain? In just one night, every single villager died, and not a single wound was found on any of them..."

The old man, who was joyfully teaching the Way of Wine, felt a subtle shiver run through him upon hearing a sentence from an unknown source. He pondered for a moment and then said to Lin Yu, "It's getting late today. The Way of Wine is vast and profound. I shall teach you more another time."

The two followed the shopkeeper to their room, which was filled with a soft fragrance of sandalwood. In the center stood a round table with a teapot at the ready. A simple bed occupied one corner, and a row of chairs lined the wall. A few paintings adorned the walls, adding character to the otherwise spartan but immaculately clean room.

Upon their arrival in the room, the host guided them inside. The space was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, and a round table at the center held a ready teapot. A simple bed lay in one corner, and against the wall, there was a long, fixed bench. Several landscape paintings adorned the walls, and though the furnishings were modest, the room was impeccably tidy.

Not long after settling in, the shopkeeper delivered a bath barrel brimming with steaming hot water.

"Retrieve the plain robe from your bag of holding and freshen up. It's time to change out of that bear skin," the old Taoist instructed as he settled onto the bench to meditate.

"Oh!" Lin Yu, slightly tipsy, shed his garments and stepped into the tub. Ah... the comfort was sublime. It was his first time indulging in a bath, and he relished the experience, though the once-clear water soon grew murky.

The old Taoist, deep in meditation, cracked open an eye and peered at Lin Yu in the barrel, his gaze profound. He mused, "Why such a disturbance this time? I hope the pill can keep it at bay; otherwise, I'll have to entrust everything to this young man. The workings of fate are indeed mysterious..." Shaking his head, he closed his eyes, pushing the thoughts away.

...

The next morning, the guest room remained tidy, the sunlight filtering in, tempering the autumn chill.

Both individuals were seated, one on the bench and the other on the bed, eyes closed, hands forming seals, their breathing rhythmic and natural.

Lin Yu, now dressed in the plain robe, might not have been tall, but he exuded a Taoist elegance. His shoulder-length, tousled hair, fair skin, and handsome features were sharply defined. His eyebrows were like drawn swords, his nose sculpted, and his thin lips curved into a faint, lazy smile.

Since beginning his cultivation journey, Lin Yu had grown fond of this meditative practice. Though he struggled to retain much spiritual energy, the clarity and vigor he felt post-cultivation surpassed the comfort of sleep.

As he released the hand seals, Lin Yu slowly rose, stretching languidly, his bones popping as if rejuvenated.

Turning to the old Taoist, he saw the elder stroking his beard and studying him intently. Lin Yu, puzzled, glanced down at himself and asked, "Is something amiss?"

The old Taoist chuckled, "You know, you do look the part quite well."

Lin Yu gently touched his head and chuckled, "This is the first time I've worn such fine clothes. It feels a bit unusual, heh..."

"Master, what are our plans after this?" Lin Yu, having experienced the hustle and bustle of the town, asked with a touch of excitement.

Observing the young man's hopeful eyes, the master pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you enjoy the ways of the world?"

"Some things take getting used to, but I must admit the wine has a decent flavor," Lin Yu recalled the taste of his first drink with a smirk.

The old Taoist burst into laughter and then inquired, "Would you be willing to stay in the city if given the chance?"

Sensing an underlying message in the old Taoist's words, Lin Yu's expression became stern. "Master, are you suggesting that I remain here?"

"In the forest, you were shielded from the world. Now, I present you with a choice. If you wish to stay and enjoy worldly life, I can assist you; you'll have enough to live comfortably. However, if you choose to follow me on the path of cultivation, you must brace for solitude and the rigors of the journey. Your life could be at risk at any moment," the old Taoist said gravely, fixing his gaze on the young man as he awaited his decision.