Wang Baole looked at the people kneeling before him, a thoughtful expression on his face. After a while, he finally spoke:
"In consideration of Ancestor's kindness and the fact that the Wang family once took me in, I'll let you off this time. But if you ever offend me or Yufei again, even if the Ancestor himself begs for mercy, I'll suppress you all without exception!"
Hearing this, everyone kowtowed in thanks:
"Thank you, Baole!"
"Thank you, brother-in-law!"
…
Wang Baole waved his hand. "You may all leave."
"Yes!"
Only then did everyone leave, still full of fear and trepidation.
After bidding farewell to the Wang Family Ancestor, Wang Baole left the courtyard.
The Ancestor watched Wang Baole's departing figure and thought, 'A dragon emerging from the abyss—Baole is about to soar into the heavens!'
———
In Wendao City, inside the City Lord's mansion.
A bleary-eyed man was holding a wine jug, planning to take a sip, only to find it was empty.
He rubbed his eyes and, with his hair a mess, walked outside.
As soon as he stepped out, a disciple of Wendao Academy greeted him, "Deacon Nie, Elder Bai asks you to come see him in the main hall."
The middle-aged man replied lazily, "I know. Tell him I'll be there after I fetch another jug of wine."
"Yes."
The inner sect disciple answered and turned to leave. To him, he never thought much of this Martial Uncle Nie.
In his eyes, a self-indulgent man like Martial Uncle Nie wasn't worthy of being in Wendao Academy. Who didn't focus on cultivation, and only cared about brewing wine all day?
Not long after, Nie Xiuyuan arrived at the main hall. He glanced at Elder Bai seated at the head and bowed slightly, "Greetings, Martial Uncle Bai."
Elder Bai smiled, "Junior Brother Nie, there's no outsiders here—no need to be so formal and call me Martial Uncle."
Nie Xiuyuan took him at his word, sat down, and asked, "Senior Brother Bai, are you out of wine again?"
"No."
Elder Bai waved his hand, "This time, I've come to tell you about a good opportunity."
Nie Xiuyuan's expression didn't change at all. He wasn't a fool; he knew that quite a few deacons in the External Affairs Hall had long disliked him. If he hadn't entered Wendao Academy by holding a special recommendation token, he'd have been expelled ages ago.
"So, where are you planning to send me this time?"
Elder Bai's face darkened, "Junior Brother Nie, what's that supposed to mean? As long as I'm around, would I let you be kicked out of Wendao Academy?"
Nie Xiuyuan looked puzzled. True, he'd often treated Senior Brother Bai to drinks back in the day, but that was centuries ago.
"Senior Brother, then tell me, what place could possibly suit me better than Wendao City? At least here, no one bothers me."
Elder Bai laughed, "Naturally, it's a place where you can brew wine to your heart's content. If I hadn't promised on a drunken whim the other day, I almost wouldn't have been willing to recommend you."
???
Nie Xiuyuan was even more confused. When did Wendao Academy, a place devoted to cultivation, have a place where you could brew wine as you pleased?
"Senior Brother, you're not joking, are you? If there really was such a place, you wouldn't need to invite me—I'd move there myself."
"Enough talk. Pack up and come with me. You won't be disappointed."
Elder Bai eyed Nie Xiuyuan's slovenly appearance, actually a little worried he'd embarrass him in front of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
"Alright, give me a cup of tea's time."
Nie Xiuyuan was also curious where Elder Bai would take him.
Half an hour later.
Nie Xiuyuan looked at the empty Miao Miao Mountain in front of him, then turned to Elder Bai, "Senior Brother, you're not planning to have me apprentice under Chief Chu, to rekindle my fighting spirit, are you?"
At this, Elder Bai rolled his eyes, "You always think too much. Chief Chu simply needs someone to brew wine. Since you love wine, I recommended you. With Chief Chu around, you'll never have to worry about being expelled from Wendao Academy for the rest of your life."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll never forget your great kindness."
Nie Xiuyuan always gave off a muddled, indifferent vibe, but that didn't mean he was actually clueless—he knew exactly who treated him well.
"Enough nonsense. You're about to meet Chief Chu. Don't show that dead-fish look of yours, or you'll embarrass me," Elder Bai warned, especially since he knew his junior brother had long since lost all ambition, caring only for wine and nothing else.
If he hadn't brought up wine right from the start today, Nie might not have even come along.
"I know," Nie Xiuyuan replied, muttering, "Didn't expect Chief Chu to be a kindred spirit."
"Hm?"
Elder Bai shot him a glare—Just look at yourself, how can you say something like that?
The two headed straight to Chu Feng's courtyard. As soon as they reached the entrance, they ran into Qin Qin.
"Elder Bai," Qin Qin greeted calmly.
"Junior Sister Qin, please help announce us. Just say that I, Bai, have brought a disciple skilled in brewing," Elder Bai said cheerfully, dropping all pretense in front of her.
Nie Xiuyuan, always aloof, felt a bit lost. When had his senior brother ever been so easygoing? Whatever, none of this had anything to do with him.
Before long, Elder Bai and Nie Xiuyuan entered the courtyard.
Chu Feng's gaze immediately landed on Nie Xiuyuan—the white-robed, long-haired cultivator beside Elder Bai.
Even though this man was already middle-aged, with a gaze full of world-weariness, his every movement carried a wild, unrestrained, and freedom-loving spirit that set him apart.
Combined with his sharp features and striking, dust-free good looks, Chu Feng couldn't help but think to himself: If I'd met this guy when he was younger, even I would have had to step aside—he really is too handsome.
"Please sit, Elder Bai."
"Thank you, Chief Chu."
Elder Bai tugged Nie Xiuyuan's sleeve to remind him to sit down.
Only then did Nie Xiuyuan snap out of it, realizing he hadn't taken his eyes off the young chief in front of him.
Strong, handsome—in all of Wendao Academy, perhaps only his younger self could have competed in looks.
Chu Feng, unaware of this silent admiration, got straight to the point. "Elder Bai, this is…?"
Elder Bai smiled. "Chief Chu, this is the brewing master from our External Affairs Hall. In all of Wendao Academy, no one below the Saint rank can match him in brewing spirit wine."
"A true talent!"
Chu Feng praised directly, "You're not afraid of Senior Wang from Hengjiang getting mad at you for sending such a talent to my Miscellaneous Dao Institute?"
"…"
Elder Bai was speechless, then smiled, "Don't worry, Chief Chu. If Senior Wang hears that Xiuyuan has joined your institute, he'll be glad for him. Xiuyuan, greet Chief Chu."
Nie Xiuyuan immediately stood and bowed, "Xiuyuan greets Chief Chu."
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