Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 191 Taibai, Driven Crazy by Fine Wine
Taking a deep breath, Gold Star Taibai sniffed greedily at the lingering fragrance of wine in the air, his old face reflecting a flush of intoxication. What a delightful aroma!
Haotian stopped what he was doing and fell silent for a long while, his fists clenched tightly under the table.
What’s gotten into Taibai today? Has he gone mad?
Normally he seems so cunning and sly, and his flattery would hit the spot so pleasingly. So why is he so argumentative and disruptive today? Seems a bit carried away!
Grinding his teeth, Haotian said sinisterly, "Haven’t I drank enough, or what?"
"Sure! Sure!"
Recognizing something was off in Haotian’s tone, Gold Star Taibai also realized he had been too carried away. He shrank his neck and zipped back to his former position as quick as lightning.
With a full-faced grin, he said, "Everything Your Majesty says is absolute truth!"
Haotian: "..."
Why did it feel like mockery listening to Taibai after his flattery, no matter what he said?
"Shopkeeper Chen, bring me another jar, no, two jars of Peach Blossom Brew!"
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Haotian instructed Chen Nuo.
Chen Nuo didn’t speak, but with a gesture, two more jars of wine flew in front of Haotian, who braced himself with renewed spirit.
He simply didn’t believe this evil; he had to drink until he achieved Divine Skills today—if he didn’t awaken them, he wouldn’t leave!
Seeing Haotian taking two jars of wine at once, Gold Star Taibai’s old face lit up with joy, and he rubbed his hands together in excitement.
"I always knew Your Majesty favored your loyal subject. Rest assured, I will dedicate myself even more to contribute to the Heavenly Court!"
Gold Star Taibai’s old face now shone brightly like a resplendent autumn chrysanthemum. His Majesty truly spared no expense—the price of this wine must be staggering!
With furrowed brows, Haotian cast a suspicious glance at the overly excited Gold Star Taibai.
What’s the matter with him? Has he gone crazy, or is it really favoritism?
With a trace of disdain on his stern face, Haotian thought to himself.
Was the food at Chaos Residence not to his liking anymore, or did his harem lose its appeal that he would favor an old man?
That thought alone was enough to make him want to vomit.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Suppressing the urge to retch, Haotian pulled both jars of wine into his embrace, causing Gold Star Taibai’s expression to turn anxious.
"Your Majesty! What about the extra jar of wine?"
Extra jar? Haotian, feeling bewildered, looked down and saw that, indeed, there were two jars, no mistake.
Catching Gold Star Taibai’s eager gaze fixed on one jar, Haotian instantly understood.
"This wine, I’m going to drink it all."
Haotian rolled his eyes; it wasn’t even certain whether this wine could awaken his Divine Skills!
To share with Taibai, why would he be so favorably inclined toward him?
At those words, Gold Star Taibai’s face fell, looking utterly dejected.
His passive magical powers bubbled up affably.
But the prepared Haotian was on guard, his face darkening as he commanded, "Scram!"
"If you keep making that face at me, I won’t kill you!" Haotian’s face was marked by frustration. What was all this absurdity?!
The longer he looked at Gold Star Taibai, the more absurdly he was reminded of his father—words like ’dad’ would come to mind.
It couldn’t be helped; Taibai was simply too affable now. If he accidentally let slip and called Gold Star Taibai that, he might as well have died on the spot from the shame.
Should word get out, he, Haotian, wouldn’t be able to stand upright in the Three Realms!
"Reporting back to Your Majesty, I really wouldn’t want to!" Gold Star Taibai spread his hands, a picture of innocence. "My Divine Skill activates passively; I have no control over it!"
"Then stop looking at me!" Haotian rebuked sharply, the situation demanding immediate prevention.
"Yes," Gold Star Taibai replied sullenly. After all, to long for the wine and not have any share of it—His Majesty was really being stingy!
Gold Star Taibai grumbled inwardly.
"Shopkeeper, how much for this wine?" Gold Star Taibai, unable to contain himself, asked again.
Chen Nuo looked at Gold Star Taibai with amused interest, noting the change in his demeanor.
"A meal’s price for a jar of wine, and you can buy it more than once!"
Chen Nuo introduced with a smile.
Uh...
Gold Star Taibai was instantly stunned. He had thought that the price of the wine would be trifling, but the small jar in the emperor’s hands turned out to be as costly as his large, fragrantly roasted leg of lamb!
That’s too much of a loss!
Gold Star Taibai, who had been considering a taste, immediately suppressed the thought. The cost of a meal was a wisp of the Breath of Gengjin, and he did not have much of that.
Moreover, exhausting it excessively before replenishment could lead to his downfall, and he, Taibai, was a meticulous immortal.
Unable to buy it directly, Gold Star Taibai took another deep breath with longing.
The sweet fragrance of the Peach Blossom Brew entered his nose, stirring some restlessness in his heart.
With an embarrassed smile, Gold Star Taibai’s face was all pleasantry and flattery, "Shopkeeper Chen, can I put the Peach Blossom Brew on a tab and pay later? Once this old one replenishes the missing Breath of Gengjin, I will definitely pay you back!"
At these words, Chen Nuo appeared to smile but not smile, "Do you think that’s possible?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Even if the Heavenly King himself were here, no one would dare to owe on his meal!
And now that the Heavenly King Haotian has arrived, doesn’t he still pay up dutifully?
Wishful thinking about credit, huh?
Gold Star Taibai was somewhat taken aback; he was prepared for Shopkeeper Chen’s refusal, but the blunt straightforwardness of it was beyond his expectations.
After all, he possessed genial and approachable magical powers!
Yet Shopkeeper Chen seemed to show not even a flicker of reaction, even less so than the slightly influenced emperor; the gap in power levels was clear!
Shopkeeper Chen is truly formidable!
Gold Star Taibai now wholeheartedly believed Haotian’s claim that Chen was far superior to himself; Shopkeeper Chen was unmistakably among the top echelons of the Quasi-Saints!
In the vast expanse of the Three Realms, truly, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers!
While Gold Star Taibai was internally shaken, Chen Nuo felt so at peace that it bordered on boredom.
For his divine powers had no effect whatsoever on Chen, who possessed invincible strength.
Having lost all hope, Gold Star Taibai grew despondent, which caused Haotian a moment of schadenfreude. Serve you right for awakening divine skills before me!
Haotian uncorked the jar unhurriedly, even maliciously blowing a bit of Immortal Qi into it, making the aroma of the Peach Blossom Brew even richer.
Gold Star Taibai’s eyes shone brightly, fixated and unblinking, as he stared at the newly opened jar of wine in Haotian’s hands.
"This wine, ah, must be savored to be appreciated!"
Haotian, acting the connoisseur, exclaimed as he poured the drink into a crystal-clear glass. The wine had the color of peach flesh and, unlike other cloudy beverages, looked translucent within the glass, adding to its allure.
Haotian was somewhat astonished, for he had only been drinking straight from the jar earlier without taking the time to observe closely.
He had not expected Shopkeeper Chen’s Peach Blossom Brew to surpass other drinks in color, no wonder it tasted so exquisite!
He continued to pour.
Peach blossoms flowed from the jar, floating on the surface of the drink, creating subtle ripples.
This touch of charm, akin to the finishing stroke on a painting, brought the glass to life in an instant.
Mere gazing upon it invoked a beautiful yearning to taste!
Halting his actions, Haotian’s eyes were full of delight. A drink with such presentation was rare in this world, and except for Chaos Residence, perhaps none could be found throughout the Three Realms.
"Gulp."
Suddenly, Haotian heard a swallowing sound and glanced at Gold Star Taibai, whose entire demeanor was dumbfounded, captivated by the refreshing beverage before him.
Haotian smiled triumphantly. Just now, Gold Star Taibai hadn’t even been willing to share a roasted leg of lamb.
This time, he would have no share either!
