Chapter 85 The brewing process is amazing; it's made with clean ice!
Yu Yan's breathing became erratic, and deep in her ears, she could feel her heart pounding like a drumbeat.
My fingertips felt like they were being gently pricked by a needle, a tingling, numb sensation.
As his breaths mingled, he slowly closed his eyes.
Both the night and the moonlight are beautiful.
Just as their lips were about to touch, footsteps approached.
"Yu Yan!" someone called from outside the courtyard.
Yu Yan suddenly opened her eyes, shyly pushed Lan Xiu away, and ran away from him.
Lan Xiu closed his eyes unhappily, pressed his tongue against his cheek, took a deep breath, and then turned and followed.
Yu Yan hurriedly tidied her perfectly neat hair, then adjusted her collar and walked into the yard.
Upon seeing that the visitor was Bai Lang, he forced a smile and asked, "Bai Lang, what brings you here?"
Bai Lang sensed something was off about Yu Yan's expression, but didn't think much of it and replied with a smile, "I heard you steamed sorghum last night. Was it for disinfectant for surgery?"
Yu Yan nodded: "Yes."
Bai Lang's eyes lit up. "Is there anything I can do? I'm very strong, let me help you."
Although these two trips allowed him to meet more people and see a wider world, and to accept living with the ugly mole on his face, if he had a choice, he would certainly prefer to remove it.
Yu Yan is working hard on this; he can't just do nothing.
Upon discovering that Yu Yan had left, he hurriedly came looking for her.
Yu Yan looked into his sincere eyes and was about to speak.
Lan Xiu's calm voice came from behind: "You don't need to do any heavy lifting."
"..."
Bai Lang looked up and explained with a smile, "Yes, I know you're very strong too. Wouldn't it be easier if the two of us worked together? Or you could find me some other work, like carrying water, starting a fire, or moving things. I'm not afraid of getting dirty or tired."
Lan Xiu crossed his arms and looked down at Yu Yan.
Yu Yan sensed a hint of grievance in his eyes, and couldn't help but twitch her lips slightly.
Lan Xiu stared at the corner of his mouth and raised an eyebrow.
"Ahem," Yu Yan quickly looked away and said to Bai Lang, "Bai Lang, I understand how you feel, but we're still doing preparations, there's not much work to do right now, why don't you come back tomorrow?"
Bai Lang noticed the exchange of glances between Yu Yan and Lan Xiu and belatedly realized that something was amiss.
"Ah, okay, I'll go cut some grass to feed the sheep beasts first thing tomorrow morning, and then I'll come back."
Thank you.
"You're welcome, I'm off!" Bai Lang waved and quickly left.
Unfortunately, after all that, Xituo and Muyao returned.
Finally, Feng Gui and Rui Hua happily returned home.
Yu Yan caught a glimpse of Lan Xiu's handsome face out of the corner of her eye, which was growing increasingly dark. She was trying so hard not to laugh that her stomach was aching.
That night, the two of them ultimately didn't get a chance to be alone together.
Of course, even when they were alone, the atmosphere just wouldn't be the same.
When Yu Yan saw Lan Xiu off, her eyes were filled with a smile: "Goodbye, good night, go to sleep early."
Lan Xiu gave him a deep look: "...I'm leaving."
The next day, Bai Lang arrived early to help.
Yu Yan asked him to boil water, and after the water cooled down a little, she soaked the washed sorghum in the hot water.
“With this weather…” Yu Yan looked up, “we need to keep the water temperature this way. We’ll be soaking in it until the afternoon, and someone has to stay by the stove.”
Bai Lang volunteered: "I'll keep an eye on it. I just need to add some firewood every now and then, right?"
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
"It's not hard work, it's not hard work, you go and do your work."
Yu Yan and the tribe's sub-beastmen went to gather resources, Lan Xiu and his group went to mine saltpeter, and Zhu Yu and the others became fascinated with beachcombing and went to the beach to dig for razor clams.
After returning in the afternoon, everyone gathered at Yu Yan's place to work and chat.
Yu Yan is busy brewing wine, so she can put the ice-making on hold for now.
Seeing that it was almost time, he took the initiative to call Lanxiu: "Would you like to come with me to collect yeast?"
"good."
Overnight and most of the day passed, the white mycelium-like yeast in the winnowing basket grew much taller.
As Yu Yan collected them, she said to him, "Look how fluffy they are, they're kind of cute."
"Um."
Seeing him smile, Yu Yan asked curiously, "What are you laughing at?"
Lan Xiu looked up and asked, "What were you laughing about last night?"
“…” Yu Yan turned her head away. “What are you laughing at? I don’t remember.”
Lan Xiu stared at him intently.
Yu Yan couldn't help but nudge him with her elbow, her ears turning noticeably red. "That's enough, get to work."
Lan Xiu's smile deepened as he began to collect the wine yeast again.
The two remained silent, their hair occasionally brushing against each other as they lowered their heads, creating a tranquil and sweet atmosphere.
After collecting everything, just as they were about to leave, Lan Xiu spoke up: "I was just thinking, you really do like furry things, whether it's yeast or beastmen."
Yu Yan said "Oh" and walked ahead of Lan Xiu.
As I walked, I smiled happily.
The soaked sorghum was easy to break apart. Yu Yan checked that there was no white core inside and asked Bai Lang and others to help pour out the soaking water to remove the impurities. Then she rinsed the sorghum with clean water and drained it.
Then they started a fire again to boil water and began steaming the sorghum.
Although he knew the basic principles of brewing, he had never actually done it before, so he still had to figure it out step by step.
Besides Bailang, people from Caiyun and the Peninsula tribes were also particularly interested in this "sorghum liquor" and came over to watch.
When working, Yu Yan was completely focused.
After the sorghum had been steamed for about half an hour, Yu Yan checked the crack rate and found that only 90% of it was cracked.
He thought for a moment, then soaked the sorghum rice in warm water for another half hour to promote starch absorption and expansion.
Finally, put it back in the pot and steam it again over high heat.
After this steaming, the cracking rate was over 95%.
Following Yu Yan's instructions, everyone quickly spread out the steamed sorghum rice to cool.
Yu Yan would test the temperature with his hand from time to time, and when it was only slightly warm, he would take out the collected yeast and mix it evenly into the mixture.
After mixing the sorghum, he packed it into a clean, covered wooden bucket and carried it indoors.
Xin Yu asked, "Is that all?"
After working for half a day, Yu Yan was covered in sweat.
He took the handkerchief Lan Xiu handed him, wiped his sweat, and said with a smile, "It's still a long way off. It needs to ferment in the barrel for a few days first, like pickling vegetables, releasing gas every day. Then it can be transferred to an earthenware jar, sealed, and fermented again. If all goes well... we'll be able to drink the wine in late autumn."
Xin Yu remarked, "That does take quite a while. However, with so many steps and such a long time involved, the resulting wine must be delicious."
Yu Yan smiled to herself, thinking that he was nothing compared to the fine wines of the modern world, which were definitely made through more complicated and time-consuming processes.
In fact, he also knew of a method that used saliva instead of yeast, which involved chewing the steamed grains and then spitting them out to brew wine.
Using this method, low-alcohol liquor can be brewed in just a few days.
Why not choose it?
First, he steamed too much sorghum; he chewed until his cheeks hurt and he still couldn't finish it.
Secondly, the thought that it was food he had chewed and spat out himself made him feel strange, let alone giving it to someone else to drink.
Drinking wine that someone else has chewed?
It seems he can only accept what Lan Xiu chews...
As my thoughts wandered, only a fleeting moment passed.
Yu Yan said, "I hope it will be successful. If it is, I'll treat everyone to drinks!"
"OK!"
"When I get back today, I'll soak some sorghum and try brewing wine like Yu Yan!"
"You're brewing it without even knowing if it will taste good?"
"If Yu Yan went to such lengths, it must taste really good! If we don't brew it now, it'll be too late when we want to drink it."
"That makes sense... then I'll brew some too!"
Yu Yan advised them, "Don't be impulsive, what if you don't like it?"
"impossible!"
Yu Yan sighed, "You can learn it only after you're sure my brewing method will work. We only have this much sorghum this year, and we can't waste any grain."
That's how they managed to stop these excited people.
Besides Yu Yan, Bai Lang is the one who is most looking forward to the success of the fermented rice wine.
Yu Yan told him privately, "I will let you know when the surgery is ready."
...
The next day, Yu Yan demonstrated to everyone how to make ice using saltpeter.
Still in his yard, he carried over a large wooden bucket and a small round aluminum basin.
Everyone else rushed to help, but Yu Yan said, "It's okay, these two things aren't heavy. Can someone help me fetch some clean water?"
Ruihua: "I'll go."
The water that was brought in was poured into a large wooden bucket and a small aluminum basin, and Yu Yan put the aluminum basin into the water bucket.
Afterwards, he picked out some white saltpeter with fewer impurities from the saltpeter that Lanxiu had collected.
"We need to grind these saltpeter stones into powder first."
"Let me do it." Lan Xiu put on gloves, picked up a piece of saltpeter, and slowly tightened his fingers, grinding it.
When he let go, saltpeter powder floated down from his palm.
Yu Yan collected the powder using a container.
"Everyone, stand a little further away and watch carefully." After giving the reminder, he slowly poured the saltpeter powder into the bucket while stirring it quickly with a wooden stick.
The saltpeter dissolved silently in the water.
Everyone, including Yu Yan, felt that the area had gotten cooler.
Someone reached out their hand and said in surprise, "It's really cold! How could this happen?"
Yu Yan explained, "When saltpeter dissolves in water, it absorbs heat, and the surrounding area naturally cools down."
"What about ice? Isn't it said that saltpeter can be used to make ice?"
"It can't be that fast."
This was just a demonstration. Yu Yan didn't add much water, but it still took more than half an hour to separate the ice.
Upon seeing the ice, everyone cheered, "They really made ice!!"
"How amazing, it's clean ice!!"
"Beast God, it's autumn! It's still very hot outside!"
"With ice, can we freeze any leftover food?"
"But the ice will melt..."
Lan Xiu said, "The cave I used to live in got colder the further you went in. If you dug the cave deep enough and put ice in, wouldn't it stop melting?"
After hearing his words, everyone looked at Yu Yan.
Yu Yan smiled and said, "That should be true. Besides the cave," he pointed to the ground, "we can also dig a deep cellar, which can also be used to store ice."
Cangfeng: "How about we try the cave first?"
Yu Yan: "Okay."
Lan Xiu: "Let's try it in my cave."
Yu Yan: "Okay, leave some people to make ice blocks, and the rest of you come with me to repair the cave."
Compared to building caves, making ice is definitely more novel and interesting.
Most people want to stay and make ice.
Yu Yan smiled and said, "Repairing the cave doesn't really require too many people. You all can keep busy here. Father, please keep an eye on things for me, especially when adding saltpeter powder to the water. It can't be done too quickly, or it could be dangerous. Also, water with dissolved saltpeter is not drinkable."
Feng Gui nodded solemnly: "I've got it."
"Call us if you need anything."
Lan Xiu transformed into his beast form, and Yu Yan climbed onto his back, leading the others away together.
The beastmen quickly arrived at the cave where Lanxiu had once lived, only to find that half of the entrance was buried by collapsed mud and rocks.
Yu Yan jumped off Lan Xiu's back and checked the surrounding mountainside, including the cave.
Lan Xiu looked at the cave entrance and said, "It's collapsed even more badly than before."
Cangfeng: "Yes, the trees over here have also fallen. It must have been caused by the rain a while ago."
Lan Xiu said worriedly, "Yu Yan, you wait outside. We'll transform into beast form and go in to clean up."
"Okay, be careful."
The orcs first dug open the cave entrance, and then cleared the soil out.
Because of his great strength and vigorous work, a rumbling sound could be heard from inside the mountain from time to time.
After clearing away the soil, they dug a large section further in and finally reinforced the cave walls.
A large white tiger emerged from inside, transformed into human form, and asked Yu Yan, "Is it ready? Would you like to come in and take a look?"
Yu Yan: "Yes!"
This was the first time he had ever stayed at a place like Lanxiu's, so it was quite novel for him.
He and Lanxiu each lit a torch and entered the empty cave.
The cave was emptied of everything, but traces of life could still be faintly seen on the cave walls that had never collapsed.
Yu Yan, carrying a torch, walked to the two marks.
Those were scratch marks left by two tiger claws, one large and one small.
The larger marks are deep and sharp, while the smaller ones are shallower, both sharp and endearing.
Yu Yan asked with a smile, "Did you leave this?"
In the firelight, Lanxiu's expression was somewhat nostalgic.
“These are from when my father used to sharpen my claws when I was still a child. Now my claw marks are as deep as his.”
Yu Yan said with heartache, "Your father and your adoptive father will be very happy to see you become so strong in the arms of the Beast God."
Lan Xiu gazed at him, his icy blue eyes filled with warmth. "Yes, our tribe has become so much better now, they must be very happy."
Yu Yan walked all the way to the innermost part, and felt that the temperature here must be below zero.
"Okay, we'll store the ice we make here."
After everyone responded, they walked out of the cave together, and the bright sunlight dispelled the chill from their bodies.
The cave entrance was on high ground, and Yu Yan looked towards the direction of the tribe and immediately spotted the roof of his house.
"Look, my home is over there."
Further into the distance, withered grass stretched to the horizon, and the forests were ablaze with autumn colors.
The magnificent and beautiful scenery stirred Yu Yan's heart.
Cangfeng said with anticipation, "It will be even more beautiful when everyone's new houses are tiled."
Yu Yan: "Yes."
After they returned to the tribe, Xin Yu came over and said in surprise, "Yu Yan, the saltpeter dissolved in the water can actually reappear!"
Has it crystallized?
"Yes, it's very translucent, like a block of salt."
Everyone spontaneously made way for Yu Yan, and Yu Yan saw the saltpeter crystals that had precipitated at the bottom of the bucket.
He looked up, smiled, and said, "After filtering and drying these crystals, they can be reused."
People cheered, "This is fantastic! With just a little time, we can make as much ice as we want!"
"Will we not have to worry about food spoiling in the summer?"
"We'll have more fresh food to eat!"
"By the way, Yu Yan, how's the cave renovation going?"
Yu Yan said, "It's fixed."
"Okay, then let's move the ice into the cave."
Mu Yao's health hasn't fully recovered, and she and Xi Tuo are still staying at the clinic.
Like the people of the Caiyun tribe, they had all witnessed how Yu Yan taught everyone to make ice, and they were extremely envious.
Zhu Yu and Yu Yan discussed, "Ice is so useful, could you exchange it for some saltpeter?"
Yu Yan hadn't forgotten how far they had gone to deliver sorghum to them, and said in a friendly manner, "Yes, we can, but don't you have any salt lakes near your tribe?"
He described the possible locations where saltpeter could be found, and also explained the methods for identifying, mining, and preserving saltpeter.
"...Now that you know this, you can go back and collect saltpeter yourselves without having to trade with us."
The people of Caiyun Tribe, as well as Xituo and Muyao, were deeply moved.
"Thank you, Yu Yan, thank you for teaching us so much."
"We, the Caiyun/Jifeng tribe, will always remember your contributions."
The people of Caiyun Tribe stayed in the peninsula tribe for three days, and on the fourth day they embarked on their return journey.
Besides visiting the peninsula tribe, learning a lot of practical knowledge from Yu Yan, and exchanging for a lot of supplies, they also took away a gift from Yu Yan—
Several jars of spicy clam meat that he made himself.
The clams were dug up by Zhu Yu and his group themselves. After they were cleaned and purged of mud and sand, they were cooked and the large, tender meat inside was extracted.
Yu Yan added a variety of seasonings, including salt, honey, minced garlic, chili peppers, and chopped nuts, and mixed them with clam meat to make a refreshing and appetizing cold dish.
To keep them fresh, he piled a lot of ice cubes inside the box containing the jars.
When they were seeing him off, he handed the box to Zhu Yu and the others and introduced its contents.
"I made it fresh this morning and put ice in it to keep it fresh. It shouldn't spoil by the time you fly back to the tribe, but you should still eat it as soon as possible."
Zhu Yu and the others understood why Yu Yan suddenly wanted to collect saltpeter to make ice, and they were moved to tears.
This heavy box could not contain Yu Yan's feelings, nor could it contain the deep friendship between their two tribes.
"Yu Yan, I just asked casually, I didn't expect to trouble you like this..." Zhu Yu said, feeling both guilty and touched. "You must have gotten up very early and been busy for a long time, right? You also had to add so many precious seasonings..."
Despite his immense strength, he felt for the first time that he couldn't lift a single box.
Yu Yan was very happy that her feelings were well received.
He said, "Seasonings are inanimate; nothing compares to the value of friends. Chief Zhu Yu, thank you for coming all this way to bring us sorghum and herbs. This is a gift from us as friends, and we hope that the friendship between our two tribes will last forever."
"It definitely will."
"Alright, let's get going, the ice is melting."
"Then we're off, see you next time."
"goodbye."
Zhu Yu and the others transformed into beast forms and carried their belongings.
"Thank you, friends from the peninsula tribes!" With that, they spread their wings and flew into the sky.
After the people from the Caiyun tribe left, Yu Yan's courtyard became much emptier.
Mu Yao was young and had a good constitution. After a few days of recuperation, her complexion returned to normal. Although she was still thin, she was full of energy.
Once he recovered, it meant they had to part ways, and both he and Xituo were very reluctant to leave Yu Yan.
Just then, important news about the Hum Hum Beast came from the Chongchong tribe.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
