plumnovel Chapter 44 Invitation to Wine and Women
Chapter 44 Invitation to Wine and Women
The Taoist priest spoke sincerely, taking several gulps of wine from his gourd to show his earnestness.
However, Lu Qingyun still shook his head.
"I'm not going."
"Oh...not going?"
Chen Daoren's smile froze on his face, and his eyelids twitched.
Lu Qingyun was clearly tempted when he heard about the thousand-year-old sandalwood vine, so how could he not go!
"Fellow Daoist Lu, could you perhaps reconsider?"
The old Taoist's face twitched, and he said stiffly.
"Forget it, Fellow Daoist Chen. If you really want that thousand-year-old sandalwood vine, you might as well wait until a cultivator brings it back and sells it at a low price before buying it. Going deep into the Pingyang Mountains is still too dangerous for two of us who are at the mid-stage of Qi Refining."
Lu Qingyun said solemnly.
"Or I could write a letter to my uncle, perhaps he would be willing to go with you."
Although Chen Daoren's explanation was correct and he was very sincere.
However, Lu Qingyun still refused to allow Lu Qingyun to leave the market.
Life in Lingtian is simple now, but also fulfilling.
As for spirit wine, as long as it's drinkable, he's fine with it. If it's readily available, he won't be picky. If it's not available, he won't risk his life.
Unless Chen Daoren tells him that this spirit wine can greatly enhance his cultivation.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even be moved.
However, if Master Chen really had such a secret recipe, would he still be following him in this place?
"It seems I'm not destined to have this spirit wine. Even if Fellow Daoist Lu writes a letter, what could I possibly have to persuade Senior Li to take action?"
Master Chen gave a bitter smile and lowered his head dejectedly.
"Perhaps they will be available in the market someday, so why are you so sad, fellow Daoist?"
Lu Qingyun offered words of comfort, his expression remaining calm.
……
For the next few days, Chen Daoren did not look for him.
Perhaps she was somewhat disappointed in him.
However, Lu Qingyun didn't care. In life, coming and going is the norm.
The two were just drinking buddies; there was nothing to be sad about.
Half a month later, the bell outside Lingtian rang again.
Chen the Taoist, carrying a wine gourd, limped along, bearing injuries, but his face was full of joy:
"Fellow Daoist Lu! I went to the Pingyang Mountains and luckily obtained this thousand-year-old sandalwood vine. Today, we must drink to our hearts' content!"
"Furthermore, I made a fortune selling the ancient sandalwood at the market! Come on, Fellow Daoist Lu, let's go to Chunying Pavilion, it's my treat!"
Chen Daoren waved the rattan in his hand and excitedly invited Lu Qingyun.
Chunying Pavilion was Li Fulai's most cherished possession.
Lu Qingyun naturally knew.
The prostitutes there were all highly skilled, proficient in playing musical instruments and singing, and well-versed in classical literature. They could handle both pure and impure matters, and were equally adept at consuming meat and vegetarian food.
Even the maids among them were all stunningly beautiful, selected from the best of the best among billions of ordinary people, with all shapes and sizes available.
It costs hundreds of spirit stones just to summon an ordinary fairy.
Li Fulai used his position as mayor of the neighborhood to amass wealth, and most of the spirit stones were given to Chunying Pavilion and gambling dens.
It seems that Master Chen has indeed gained a lot, as he is able to say something like "treat the guests".
However, Lu Qingyun still shook his head.
"As you know, I have always been averse to women. If we are drinking, we can do so in the Spirit Field. Forget about the Spring Oriole Pavilion."
"Fellow Daoist Lu, you can have a man if you want. I already said it's my treat, why are you being so polite?"
Master Chen paused for a moment, then patted Lu Qingyun on the shoulder.
"The same goes for male beauty."
Lu Qingyun rolled her eyes at him.
Chen Daoren looked at him strangely, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"Alright, I'll give you this half of the ancient sandalwood vine. I've already recorded the brewing method in the jade slip. Consider it repayment for the kindness of Fellow Daoist Lu in giving me the green corn for free earlier."
Chen Daoren sighed, handed the storage bag to Lu Qingyun, drank two cups, and went to Chunying Pavilion alone.
Lu Qingyun did not refuse his kindness. The spirit rice he had given to Chen Daoren earlier was worth hundreds of spirit stones if he went out to buy more.
As for women, forget about them.
If it weren't for their exceptional beauty and compatible personalities, he would hardly have given them a second glance.
"How could there be any otherworldly beauties in a brothel?"
"As for ordinary people, they are nothing but beautiful skeletons; how could they possibly catch my eye?"
Lu Qingyun shook his head.
……
The following afternoon,
Chen Daoren returned from Chunying Tower with unsteady steps, but there was still a hint of lingering enjoyment on his face.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, it's a real pity you're not coming with me."
Chen Daoren looked at Lu Qingyun with disappointment and longing, and said with a sigh:
"Yesterday, I learned that the fairy of Spring Oriole Pavilion also frequents other brothels in the market. If I could linger among them, it would be worth shortening my lifespan by ten years!"
Lu Qingyun smiled but did not answer.
Chen Daoren drank a few mouthfuls of wine by himself, returned to the spirit field, and fell into a deep sleep.
Besides gambling and womanizing, dreaming was also one of his great hobbies.
Half a month later.
For once, Chen Daoren didn't carry his wine gourd and, in high spirits, invited Lu Qingyun to go to a restaurant in the market.
That place was a property under the jurisdiction of the Yunxia Sect, and was nominally under the supervision of Li Fulai.
Some time ago, a top-quality wine called "Celestial Intoxication" was launched. Chen Daoren had been raving about it for days and has finally managed to reserve a spot.
This time, Lu Qingyun did not refuse.
The restaurant is called "Yunxia Restaurant".
It was initially opened by a disciple of the Yunxia Sect under the guidance of Dade. He had some connection with the former resident elder of Pingyang Market and was incorporated into the market.
The restaurant owner was an old man with a goatee. Although he was a mortal, his eyes were bright and piercing, and he was not intimidated in front of the group of cultivators.
Those who know him well call him Old Man Zhang.
When Old Zhang was young, he married a commoner from the Zheng family. With the help of the Yunxia Sect, he was generally respected in the market.
"Master Chen, your luck has actually turned around! You won a spot in the lottery?"
When Old Man Zhang saw Chen Daoren arrive, he clicked his tongue in amazement.
Yunxia Restaurant doesn't have much of the Heavenly Immortal's Drunken Brew; they release only a limited quantity each day.
You need to pay spirit stones in advance for the lottery.
Only those who draw the winning number are allowed to come and enjoy a jar of wine.
Moreover, it must be consumed on the spot.
"Old Zhang, what are you saying? Can't I even have one stroke of luck?!"
Master Chen blew his beard and glared, saying that he had already made an appointment half a month in advance, and if he still didn't succeed, it would be truly outrageous.
The other drinkers around him burst into laughter. They had all heard about Chen Daoren's love of alcohol and his bad luck.
"Alright, I'll bring you the wine right away!"
Old Zhang was both amused and exasperated, and waved his hand.
"Old Zhang, why are there so many people outside this restaurant today? Don't you refuse service to anyone who didn't get a number in the lottery?"
As the wine was served, Chen Daoren asked in confusion.
The cultivators had completely surrounded the Yunxia Restaurant, and it took him and Lu Qingyun a long time to squeeze in.
"All our loyal customers who have been drinking at my Yunxia Restaurant for seven years will receive two complimentary invitations to a wine tasting event tomorrow on the banks of the Pingyang River outside the market. Each person can enjoy three jars of 'Heavenly Immortal's Intoxication' wine. What, you didn't know?"
Master Chen's eyes widened: "Old man, I've been drinking here for over ten years, how come I haven't received an invitation!"
"I knew you were going to ask!"
Old Zhang laughed heartily, holding the jar of Heavenly Immortal Wine in front of the two men in his hands, beneath which were two invitation cards.
After saying this, he placed the Heavenly Immortal's Wine and the invitation in front of Chen Daoren, and then turned to greet the others.
Knowing he had been tricked, Chen Daoren smiled sheepishly and handed an invitation to Lu Qingyun.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, are you busy tomorrow? If not, why don't we go together?"