The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 430 - 548: I Refuse to Accept This

Chapter 548: I Refuse to Accept This

After leaving his home, Uncle Jiu remembered a small matter he needed to handle first. Once that was taken care of, he planned to return to see Fang Chu.

On the way to Moonwatch Tower, he happened to encounter the tower’s steward.

"Ah, Uncle Jiu! Where have you been these past few days? You’ve been completely absent," the steward greeted, clearly surprised.

Ordinarily, Uncle Jiu spent more time drinking at Moonwatch Tower or attending banquets than he did with family. His presence at the Tower was a familiar constant in Wolong City, almost like a fixture.

"I had a good drink and then slept at home," Uncle Jiu replied casually, a faint smile on his face.

The steward’s eyes widened. "A drink that made you sleep for three days? That’s remarkable! What kind of wine was it? You didn’t come to the Tower, so you must have gotten it elsewhere."

Uncle Jiu’s expression betrayed a lingering pleasure, as if savoring the memory.

"The wine is called Dreaming Back. It was brewed by a friend I recently met," he said, his tone gentle but filled with admiration.

The steward’s curiosity was instantly piqued. Moonwatch Tower had countless renowned wines, and yet he had never seen Uncle Jiu speak of any wine with such visible awe.

"Your friend... is a brewmaster?" the steward asked, leaning slightly forward.

Uncle Jiu nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, he crafted the Dreaming Back spiritual wine himself. The flavor is extraordinary. To be honest, it surpasses any of the spiritual wines sold at Moonwatch Tower."

The steward’s brow furrowed in disbelief. How could there be a spiritual wine better than what Moonwatch Tower had spent centuries perfecting?

If anyone else had said this, the steward would have dismissed it as drunken exaggeration or youthful bragging. But Uncle Jiu was a man of renowned discernment, known throughout Wolong City for his impeccable taste and strict judgment. If he claimed a wine was exceptional, it was almost certainly true.

Stepping closer, the steward asked, curiosity and excitement written across his face, "Is it really as good as Uncle Jiu says?"

With absolute certainty, Uncle Jiu nodded. "It truly is."

The steward’s competitive instincts stirred. "Then I must see it for myself. Uncle Jiu, please lead the way. I want to meet this brewmaster and taste the Dreaming Back—to understand what could earn your praise."

Though the wine had received Uncle Jiu’s glowing endorsement, the steward still felt a tinge of doubt. After all, Moonwatch Tower had maintained its reputation in the Tianyuan Realm for centuries. Rarely had someone claimed to surpass its finest products.

Uncle Jiu hesitated briefly. "I can take you to him, but whether you get to taste it... I’m not sure. When we last drank together, Fang brother only had two jars remaining. I don’t know if he has already used them."

The steward waved off the concern. "He’s a brewmaster, isn’t he? If he wants, he can brew more. If necessary, I can provide the ingredients myself."

Uncle Jiu’s eyes twinkled. He relayed to the steward the three primary ingredients needed to brew Dreaming Back.

The steward listened carefully, then scratched his head. "Hmm... these ingredients aren’t common. Not something money alone can procure. It will take luck and connections."

His seasoned experience as Moonwatch Tower’s steward made him acutely aware of the difficulty. Even though the materials were not impossibly rare, their scarcity and the precise method required meant this was no trivial task.

Uncle Jiu chuckled. "That’s why this wine is so extraordinary. Brewing it is not easy."

"Exactly," said the steward. "All the more reason to go see him quickly. If we delay, even the remaining two jars might be gone."

He was eager to see just how exceptional this Dreaming Back wine could be. If it truly surpassed Moonwatch Tower’s finest, it would confirm Fang Chu’s remarkable skill as a brewmaster. Even if Fang Chu could no longer produce Dreaming Back, his talent alone would make him worth inviting to Moonwatch Tower.

Uncle Jiu nodded in agreement. "Right! Let’s hurry."

Together, they hurried to Fang Chu’s residence. Upon arrival, Uncle Jiu introduced the steward.

"Fang brother, this is Qiu, the steward of Moonwatch Tower."

Qiu bowed politely. "Greetings, Fang little brother. I am Qiu Gaofeng. I hope my sudden visit does not inconvenience you."

Fang Chu feigned surprise, masking his internal amusement. The fish is biting, he thought.

"Ah, Steward Qiu, a pleasure. Please, come in," he said graciously.

Once inside, Qiu wasted no time. "I heard from Uncle Jiu that Fang little brother is a brewmaster who has crafted a spiritual wine called Dreaming Back, said to be unparalleled. I’ve come to see if I might purchase a sample, to judge it for myself."

Fang Chu smiled lightly. "Since Uncle Jiu is a friend, you are too. No need for formalities or purchases. If you wish to taste it, drink freely."

With that, he produced a jar.

Uncle Jiu’s expression brightened. Seeing Fang Chu’s generosity reinforced his belief: this young man was genuinely worth befriending.

Qiu, however, was not easily convinced. "Surely, we cannot just accept such generosity. Good wine requires effort to produce. You should not lose out."

"Qiu is right," Uncle Jiu chimed in. "Name your price, and Fang brother shall be compensated."

Fang Chu waved them off again, casual and unbothered.

Thinking quickly, Qiu produced a selection of premium spiritual teas and fruits. "Then let us drink the wine, and afterwards I will provide these as a token. That way, no one suffers a loss."

Fang Chu acquiesced. As he uncapped the jar, a unique fragrance wafted out, enveloping the room.

Qiu’s eyes widened, his pupils dilating like a famished man at the sight of a feast. "The aroma... it is indeed remarkable..."

Now, seeing Uncle Jiu’s previous reaction to Dreaming Back, Qiu already began to believe the praise.

Uncle Jiu leaned back, a satisfied smirk on his face, as Qiu took his first sip. Afterward, the steward’s doubts vanished completely.

"Excellent! Incredible wine!" Qiu exclaimed, eyes shining with delight.

Compared to Uncle Jiu, Qiu had tasted the wine only briefly, yet it was enough. He could immediately perceive that the Dreaming Back surpassed all spiritual wines he had previously encountered. Moonwatch Tower’s offerings, while good, simply could not compete.