Chapter 214

Gu Zhongtai has been staying here since that day. In the words of the Ghost Doctor, the remaining poison in his body is not yet cleared, so it is not convenient for him to travel around outside so quickly.

Gu Chongtai himself scoffed at his words, but the powerful figure still stayed. Fan Xiaoxiao guessed that he must know about the drought outside, and was waiting to wear down the court and the righteous faction.

Gu Zhongtai did not deny this statement, but when Fan Xiaoxiao asked Ren Le why she didn't go after him...

He sneered, "That woman dared to go. Don't let her madness fool you. Deep down, she's nothing but a cowardly worm who clings to life. She sent some people to follow the Tianshan Sect, hoping to use their influence to kill me. But, ha, she never expected that the Heavenly Venerable would put on an act."

"Speaking of the Celestial Venerable, why would he suddenly give you the treasure map?"

This is what Fan Xiaoxiao finds most puzzling. Wasn't it said that everyone in the world was fighting over the treasure map? How could it be given to Gu Zhongtai so easily?

When this matter was brought up, Gu Zhongtai fell silent. In truth, he couldn't understand what the old man was thinking. In his previous life, he hadn't come to Tianshan to cure his poison and hadn't seen him much, so naturally he didn't know what the Celestial Venerable was all about.

As for Bai Chaoyan's treasure map, he had stolen it himself. After stealing it, he only seemed to be watching Xiahou and Bai Chaoyan chase after him. If the Celestial Venerable had intervened at that time, although he could have escaped unscathed, he certainly wouldn't have been able to keep the treasure map.

So when the Heavenly Venerable mentioned this matter, he was quite surprised.

After pretending to leave for a few days, the Celestial Venerable returned to Tianshan with Xiahou, accompanied by Bai Chaoyan, who was hidden among his disciples.

Strangely enough, this time Ren Le didn't clamor to take Xiahou back to the court. Instead, he silently watched the Tianshan Sect members return to Tianshan.

Now Fan Xiaoxiao understood his purpose perfectly, but strangely, she neither arrested anyone nor returned to Youzhou first.

Instead, they settled down at the foot of Tianshan Town, and judging from their appearance, they seemed likely to stay for quite some time.

However, this was exactly what Fan Xiaoxiao wanted.

...

What is this?

Gu Zhongtai looked at the cup that Fan Xiaoxiao brought over with some confusion. The rough glass cup contained a pale yellow, transparent liquid with rich and delicate foam floating on top.

Fan Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow at him: "Try it, it can't be poison."

Gu Zhongtai glanced at her, then put down the silk threads he had been wiping. He picked up the unidentified object and, under Fan Xiaoxiao's expectant gaze, brought it to his nose and smelled it.

"Is this the smell of wheat?"

Fan Xiaoxiao smiled and nodded to Gu Zhongtai: "That's right, it's wheat flavor. Try it again and see how it tastes."

Gu Zhongtai pursed his lips, slowly brought the cup to his lips, and took a small sip.

With just that one bite, his hand stopped.

This is... wine?

Fan Xiaoxiao saw his action, and the corners of her mouth curled up, smiling like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

"How is it? Delicious, right?"

She had actually tried the wine herself before serving it to Gu Zhongtai. The first taste was a rich malty aroma, with a hint of fruitiness, and the last taste was a fragrant wine aroma.

Although she doesn't drink much alcohol, she can still manage a small glass of this light beer with a strong malt flavor.

Looking into her bright, sparkling eyes, Gu Zhongtai knew that this girl was about to get cocky.

Seeing her like that, he was tempted to tease her.

He cleared his throat and put down his glass. His expression was extremely calm as he said, "Hmm... it's just so-so. Nothing special, tastes a bit like wort."

Fan Xiaoxiao froze, then instinctively stared at the glass of light beer.

That's impossible! She clearly tasted it! It tastes like pale beer, how could it just taste like wort? Could it be that people in ancient times didn't like this taste?

Thinking of this, Fan Xiaoxiao's expression turned serious.

That won't do! She sees this as a way to make money! If someone who enjoys drinking thinks it's just so-so, how will she survive?

Fan Xiaoxiao took two more glasses, poured out two more glasses of wine, and was about to walk out.

Gu Zhongtai looked at her with some confusion, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Where are you going?

Fan Xiaoxiao didn't stop walking; she carried the wine and headed outside.

“I’ll take some to Godfather and Uncle Lu to try! Although you were the first to taste it and said it was just so-so, it could be a difference in taste. I need to find two more people to taste it, otherwise it won’t be easy to take it out to sell for money.”

After saying that, she hurriedly took the two glasses of beer and walked out the door without waiting for Gu Zhongtai to continue.

"Godfather! Uncle Lu!"

Gu Zhongtai heard the shouts outside and his lips curled up slightly. He picked up the glass of wine that he had put down and took another sip.

Outside, Fan Xiaoxiao found Grandpa Lu and Uncle Wang working in their workshop.

"Godfather, Uncle Lu! Come, try my newly made wine!"

"Girl, what kind of wine did you make? It looks quite different from the ones you make before."

Uncle Wang had been busy for quite a while today. The blacksmith's furnace was burning hot in the workshop. When Fan Xiaoxiao came in, the two of them were resting at the long work table, wearing only light clothing.

"This is beer. Can you guys try it and see if it tastes good?"

Fan Xiaoxiao placed the wine on the table, and a thin layer of condensation immediately formed on the glass. The water droplets quickly condensed and then slid down the transparent, uneven surface of the glass.

Master Lu picked up his wine glass, and his first notice was of the glass.

"Xiao girl, so those bottles and cups you asked me to make for you back then were for holding wine? Hey, I have to say, these transparent cups actually look quite nice for holding this wine."

"yes!"

Uncle Wang smiled, picked up the cup, and prepared to blow away the foam on top.

Fan Xiaoxiao quickly stopped him: "Hey! Godfather! This is drinkable! It's fine. Just drink it like that."

"Oh, oh, oh, hahaha, look at me, come on, let me try it."

Uncle Wang and Grandpa Lu exchanged a smile, then picked up their glasses and drank the beer down their throats in gulps.

Fan Xiaoxiao watched their movements nervously, and subconsciously swallowed.

"How is it? Is it good? Does it seem strange? Is the flavor too bland?"

Uncle Wang and Grandpa Lu didn't bother to talk to her. After finishing their drinks in one gulp, they let out a long sigh.

"Haa—"

They both put down their cups almost simultaneously. Fan Xiaoxiao watched them nervously, afraid that the other would say the same thing as Gu Zhongtai.

Uncle Wang and Grandpa Lu smacked their lips, their faces revealing no other expression.

"Girl, is this wine chilled?"

Uncle Wang's question surprised Fan Xiaoxiao slightly. She had indeed chilled the beer, which was a necessary step in the process of making light beer.

"Yes...yes? What's wrong? Doesn't it taste good?"

Fan Xiaoxiao felt a little frustrated. She had put in so much effort, and if the wine wasn't presentable, she would be in big trouble.

Grandpa Lu and Uncle Wang exchanged a glance. Uncle Wang put down his cup, pursed his lips, and just as Fan Xiaoxiao's mood was about to plummet, he smiled slightly and gave her a thumbs up.

"This wine! It's wonderful!"

(End of this chapter)