“She really does care for him… perhaps it’s more than just ‘care’…” Yue Mi thought to herself, her eyes curving with amusement as she looked at Shang Gu.
“Honestly, what a pair of fools they are,” she mused, half-exasperated. “It’s enough to worry their friends sick.”
Though Yue Mi, the Supreme Goddess, didn’t manage to get any Wuhua Wine, she left Shang Gu’s palace with a satisfied smile.
Half a month later, a minor disturbance broke out in the mortal realm. Following protocol, the Lord of Heaven, Twilight, reported the event, and the report came to Yue Mi, who was in charge of military affairs across the Three Realms. Without delay, she sent a formal missive to Bai Jue’s palace, stating that, as a True God, he was obligated to investigate disturbances in the lower realms.
Bai Jue, having distanced himself from worldly affairs for thirty thousand years, ignored Yue Mi’s ridiculous demands. However, Yue Mi sent her request three times a day, with missives pouring into the palace like snowflakes. The entire Heavenly Realm took notice, believing there must be some great upheaval across the Three Realms, even fearing the mortal world had fallen into chaos. Overwhelmed, Bai Jue quietly chose a morning and descended to the mortal realm.
Once there, knowing Bai Jue’s character, he wouldn’t leave without completing a thorough inspection. Taking the form of a mortal, he journeyed east, heading toward the capital city. Along the way, he saw the joy of the human world and found it somewhat comforting. After half a month, he arrived in Chang’an just in time for the Lantern Festival, with the city brightly decorated in the festive spirit of the New Year.
The Heavenly Realm had its own lively days, but Bai Jue, being a dignified True God with a cold nature, had never allowed anyone to act freely before him. His countless years had passed without much interest or excitement. Yet, seeing the mortal world’s bustling celebrations, he couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
“No wonder some never want to return, enchanted as they are by the charms of this world,” he mused.
He’d finished his inspection and was about to leave when a commotion erupted ahead, along with a voice he knew all too well, commanding and familiar.
“Shopkeeper, if you lose again today, all ten jars of Nü’er Hong will be mine! Don’t try to weasel out of it—the whole city of Chang’an is watching!”
Bai Jue’s serene gaze rippled with curiosity as he moved forward, parting the crowd as he made his way to the front.
There, standing proudly in front of a tavern, was a young man in the clothing of the Jin dynasty, with proud, phoenix-like eyes. But it was no young man—it was Shang Gu disguised as a man.
He was used to seeing her in divine robes, but this mortal attire was rare indeed.
Bai Jue would never admit it, but in that moment, he, the dignified True God, had nearly summoned divine light to part the crowd, just to see the one he’d longed for more clearly.
Since Yue Mi’s birthday celebration ten years ago, when Shang Gu had returned to her realm, they’d occasionally crossed paths, but never alone; other Supreme Gods had always been present. Though there were plenty of people here, this was, after all, the mortal realm.
Amidst the crowd stood a small tavern named Qin Chu, its sign reading, “A Legacy of a Hundred Years.” Though the tavern was modest in size, the aroma of wine within was intoxicating, and especially captivating were the ten dust-sealed jars of Nü’er Hong at the front, a scent even Bai Jue couldn’t resist.
Listening closely to the onlookers, he quickly learned the reason for the excitement.
It was the New Year, and it happened to be the Qin Chu Tavern’s hundredth anniversary. The tavern owner had brought out ten jars of Nü’er Hong passed down from his ancestors, setting up a ten-day competition. Any winemaker in the Central Plains could bring their own wine to compete, and if their wine could match the Nü’er Hong, they would be allowed to take a jar. But on the day the competition began, a youth dressed in Jin attire, breathtaking as if from another world, arrived with different wines every day. Each wine, exotic and unique, managed to match the tavern’s Nü’er Hong in quality.
In just a few days, the fame of the Jin-clad youth had spread far and wide, reaching even the palace. On this final day, the citizens of Chang’an had gathered in anticipation. The surrounding teahouses and towers were filled with nobles, and even royalty had come to witness the spectacle.
As expected, when the time arrived, the Jin-clad youth appeared, bringing a jar of wine. The nobles, noticing his graceful movements and refined bearing, reminiscent of scholars from the Wei and Jin dynasties, were intrigued and assumed he was from a prestigious family. Many began sending people to inquire about his background.
The tavern owner, having tasted fine wine for nine days, was thoroughly impressed with the youth. Though amused by the youth’s bold words, he responded cheerfully, “Young Master, as long as you have good wine, do bring it forth. Qin Chu Tavern has stood for a hundred years, and if I lose, I will accept defeat graciously.” With that, he stared eagerly at the jar of wine in the youth’s hands, barely stopping himself from rushing forward to open it.
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