Chapter 296: An Immortal Sect a Hundred Miles Away

As the fine wine entered the mouth, it first tasted spicy, but in an instant, the spiciness faded, gradually turning into a sweet and mellow flavor.

As the liquid flowed down the throat, it felt like a stream of warm spring water entering the stomach, spreading through the limbs and body, making one feel as if they were in the wilderness, soaking in a hot spring—comfortable and completely relaxed…

Before the tavernkeeper could return, the four people in the tavern had all finished their bowls of Immortal Brew in one gulp.

Feeling the pleasant sensation that a single bowl of wine brought to the body and mind, the young man in the purple robe couldn’t help but sigh, “What a fine wine! Mr. Gu, now that you’ve tasted it, do you regret not keeping the entire jar for yourself?”

Gu Ning’an looked at him and replied with a faint smile, “Happiness is greater when shared. A fine thing left for future seekers to enjoy—doesn’t that bring more joy than drinking it alone?”

“Ah…” The young man in the purple robe couldn’t understand Gu Ning’an’s way of thinking. He only let out a long sigh and said no more.

The man in the blue robe looked at Gu Ning’an curiously and asked with a smile, “Sir, are you aware that a hundred miles from here, there lies an immortal’s cave dwelling?”

Gu Ning’an nodded. “You’re referring to the Hunling Immortal Sect, I presume?”

“Oh?” The man in the blue robe raised his tone slightly and smiled. “So, sir knows the name of that immortal sect?”

Gu Ning’an chuckled. “I only heard about it in passing… In fact, I was just planning to visit that immortal dwelling myself.”

“Not just anyone can enter,” the middle-aged scholar, who had remained silent until now, suddenly interjected.

Gu Ning’an smiled. “I’ll try my luck. Who knows? Maybe I’ll have the fortune of encountering an immortal.”

“Mr. Gu speaks wisely!”

The man in the blue robe stood up and cupped his hands toward Gu Ning’an. “I am Ye Wu. I’m traveling to the immortal sect to seek a chance at immortal fate. I wonder if sir would be willing to accompany me and offer some guidance along the way?”

As he spoke, he once again took out the blood jade and placed it in front of Gu Ning’an with a serious expression. “For some reason, I feel a sense of fate with you, sir. Please accept this blood jade as a gift—whether or not you choose to travel with me.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an shook his head. “I cannot accept a reward without merit. Besides, I possess no great wisdom. However, traveling together is fine—we can chat along the way to pass the time.”

“Fifth Brother, your appreciation for talent is truly obvious to all,” the young man in the purple robe remarked with a meaningful smile.

“No choice—I can’t compare to you, Third Brother, when it comes to social connections. I must seize every chance to befriend capable individuals,” Ye Wu replied. Seeing that Gu Ning’an would not accept the blood jade, he casually slipped it back into his sleeve.

“Hmph.” The young man in the purple robe chuckled and stood up. “I’m going to rest in the carriage first. Mr. Gu, would you care to join me?”

Gu Ning’an waved his hand. “Please go ahead. I’m used to sleeping in the open. We can set off together in the morning.”

With the departure of the young man in the purple robe, the middle-aged scholar did not stay much longer either and soon left the tavern. Ye Wu exchanged a few more casual words with Gu Ning’an and invited him several times to rest in the carriage, but after being repeatedly declined, he finally took his leave as well.

At that moment, the tavernkeeper returned. He stood at the entrance and glanced around. Seeing that Gu Ning’an was the only one left inside, he quickly stepped forward.

“Sir, would you like to try some of my own brewed wine?”

“It’s not as fine as the Immortal Brew, but it should still be drinkable.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an immediately laughed. “Oh! That must be the wine even the old immortal enjoyed. I must give it a try.”

“Hah!” The middle-aged tavernkeeper retrieved a two-and-a-half-catty jar of wine from the cabinet behind the counter, pulled off the red cloth stopper, and took out two fresh bowls, filling them both to the brim.

“This is made from new grains—not aged for long. The flavor is clear, with a lingering sweetness,” the tavernkeeper introduced before raising his bowl and clinking it against Gu Ning’an’s. With a hearty “Cheers,” he tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp.

Moments later, Gu Ning’an set his bowl down and said with a serious expression, “Good wine. It’s sweet and mellow, smooth yet retaining the bold character of spirits. No wonder even the old immortal sought it out.”

“Sir, you flatter me!” The tavernkeeper waved his hand humbly.

Gu Ning’an then asked, “By the way, may I ask the tavernkeeper’s name?”

“My humble surname is Mao, and my given name is Jiu—‘Mao’ as in grass, and ‘Jiu’ as in long-lasting,” Mao Jiu replied with a smile.

“A fine name.”

As he spoke, Gu Ning’an reached into his travel pouch and pulled out a waterskin, handing it to Mao Jiu with a smile. “Tavernkeeper Mao reminds me of an old friend from Great Qian—he, too, had a passion for fine wine and was quite skilled at brewing.”

“Try his brew—it rivals yours.”

“Oh?” Mao Jiu’s interest was instantly piqued at the mention of someone who could match his brewing skills. “Then I must give it a proper taste!”

With a soft pop, Mao Jiu pulled the stopper from the waterskin and tilted it slightly, letting the wine flow smoothly into his bowl.

As a splash echoed, the crystal-clear liquor in the bowl formed delicate “wine blossoms.”

When the bowl was about half full, Tavernkeeper Mao sealed the waterskin and set it aside. He then lifted the bowl with one hand, gently swirling the liquid while moving it closer to the oil lamp on the table.

After staring at the wine for a while, he brought the bowl to his nose and took a deep breath. His expression immediately shifted to one of surprise.

Unable to contain his curiosity, he took a small sip, savoring the flavor before downing the rest in one gulp.

After finishing, Tavernkeeper Mao smacked his lips, turned to Gu Ning’an, and said seriously, “Sir, your old friend is far beyond my level.

“This wine is rich and full-bodied, yet it glides down the throat as smoothly as silk. That’s something my brew simply cannot achieve.”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “You’re too modest, Tavernkeeper Mao. I’d say you each have your own strengths.”

“Hah!” Tavernkeeper Mao waved his hand dismissively, then asked curiously, “What’s this wine called?”

Gu Ning’an replied, “Eternal Vintage.”

“Eternal Vintage… Eternal Vintage… The wine is excellent, and the name suits it perfectly!” After a moment of admiration, Tavernkeeper Mao looked at Gu Ning’an with a sheepish smile. “Sir, would you be willing to part with some of this Eternal Vintage and sell it to me?”

Gu Ning’an picked up the wine jar from the table and smiled. “Let’s trade instead. Your jar of wine for my waterskin.”

“That would be quite the bargain for me!”

“I’ll go fetch another jar for you!”

Saying this, Tavernkeeper Mao started to get up to retrieve more wine.

However, the moment he lifted himself slightly, Gu Ning’an pressed him back down.

“No need to go through the trouble—one jar is enough.”

Pressing Tavernkeeper Mao back into his seat, Gu Ning’an picked up the wine jar and smiled. “It’s getting late. You should close up and rest soon.”

“Sir, you’re leaving… Let me see you off.”

As he got up to accompany Gu Ning’an, Tavernkeeper Mao leaned in close and whispered in an almost inaudible voice, “Sir, those three gentlemen are all important figures. The woods nearby are full of armed soldiers guarding them… If you travel with them, please be extra cautious…”

“If things get too difficult, come back here to my tavern. Out of respect for the Old Immortal, they probably wouldn’t dare cause trouble here…”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “I understand. Thanks for the warning.”