The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 431 - 549: Fang Brother, Come to Moonwatch Tower

Chapter 549: Fang Brother, Come to Moonwatch Tower

The Dreaming Back wine had far exceeded Steward Qiu’s expectations. The first sip alone had shocked him, leaving a lingering sweetness and subtle complexity that spoke of a masterful hand behind its creation. By the time he and Uncle Jiu had finished the first jar, his admiration for Fang Chu’s skill had grown immensely, almost to the point of reverence.

"Young Fang brother, to be so young and yet possess such mastery in brewing... it truly amazes me," Qiu said, his eyes lighting up with genuine delight, a mixture of surprise and admiration painting his face.

Fang Chu, ever modest, waved a hand lightly. "Steward Qiu, you flatter me. I simply enjoy brewing and have studied it more than most, that’s all."

Even in his casual dismissal, there was a natural poise, a subtle aura that could not be faked. It was clear to anyone watching that this young man was born to brew—every movement, every gesture, carried an innate rhythm of someone perfectly attuned to the art of wine.

As they drank and chatted, the first jar of Dreaming Back was quickly emptied. Fang Chu did not hesitate to take out the second and final jar, uncorking it with ease and allowing the aroma to drift throughout the room. The rich scent filled every corner, a delicate balance of floral notes, aged sweetness, and a hint of distant spice.

Qiu’s eyes widened, his eyebrows arching in shock. "Brother, this won’t do. You only have two jars left of Dreaming Back. We’ve already consumed one. How could you let us drink the last one?"

Uncle Jiu, though a lover of fine wines himself, felt a pang of guilt. "Yes, this wine is rare and difficult to make. You should save the last jar for yourself, to savor at your leisure."

Fang Chu, however, remained completely unbothered. With a small, serene smile, he uncorked the jar. "Wine is made to be drunk," he said, his tone calm yet confident. "When friends gather, a thousand cups are never too many."

The phrase had been passed down to him by Fang Ting long ago, and it had always stayed with him, echoing in his heart like a gentle mantra. Both Uncle Jiu and Qiu’s eyes gleamed at the sentiment, and they could not help but praise Fang Chu further. Their respect and admiration for the young brewer deepened, not just for his skill, but for the wisdom reflected in his casual words.

Once the last jar was emptied, they moved on to tea, the conversation turning lighter, more leisurely. The room was filled with warmth, the scent of tea leaves mingling with the faint lingering aroma of Dreaming Back, a subtle reminder of the excellence they had just experienced.

Qiu, however, could no longer contain himself and spoke directly, his voice carrying both excitement and earnestness. "After tasting Dreaming Back today, I am utterly astonished. Fang little brother, I would like to formally invite you to join Moonwatch Tower as a brewmaster. What do you think?"

Uncle Jiu’s eyes lit up instantly, nearly shouting his approval. In his view, Fang Chu’s skill was nothing short of masterful. Even if Fang Chu could not reproduce Dreaming Back again due to limited materials, there was no telling what other exceptional spiritual wines he could create in the future.

"Yes! That is an excellent idea!" Uncle Jiu said eagerly, his enthusiasm palpable. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

But Fang Chu shook his head repeatedly, a shadow of hesitation crossing his youthful face. "Absolutely not. I only brew in my spare time for my own enjoyment. My knowledge is rudimentary and far too crude. I could never uphold the reputation of a prestigious establishment like Moonwatch Tower."

Qiu waved off the protest, his voice gentle yet firm. "You are too modest. As long as you can craft excellent spiritual wine, you are a true brewmaster. It matters not how or where you learned it."

Uncle Jiu also chimed in, nodding emphatically. "Exactly. Don’t be modest! You’ve already proven yourself today."

Fang Chu sighed, acknowledging the truth in their words. "I worry that my skill might not be enough, and I’d tarnish Moonwatch Tower’s reputation. I cannot afford such a mistake."

Qiu smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Fang Chu’s shoulder. "That is simple to test. I will provide you with the recipe and all necessary ingredients for our signature wine, Hundred Flowers Brew. Brew it exactly as instructed, then let Uncle Jiu taste it. That will prove whether you are capable of taking on the role. How does that sound?"

Uncle Jiu’s hands clapped together eagerly. "Yes! That’s the way to do it," he exclaimed, a broad grin splitting his face. Qiu, too, wore a wide smile, clearly pleased.

In their minds, if Fang Chu could successfully reproduce the intricate flavors of Dreaming Back, then his ability to brew Hundred Flowers Brew using the same recipe and materials would almost certainly surpass the current brewmaster at Moonwatch Tower. There could be no doubt—Fang Chu was more than qualified to join their ranks.

After finishing their tea, Qiu took out the recipe and all necessary ingredients for Hundred Flowers Brew. Among Moonwatch Tower’s lineup, this brew was not the most profitable, but it was the most popular. Its wide appeal and the numerous refinements it had undergone over the years made it the perfect test of a brewmaster’s skill.

Once Qiu and Uncle Jiu departed, Fang Chu allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile. His initial plan had already borne fruit. Yet he remained vigilant. Studying the recipe with meticulous care, he scrutinized every step, leaving no detail overlooked, determined to achieve perfection.

Three months passed in this painstaking manner. Each day was a careful balance of measuring, adjusting, and testing. The air in Fang Chu’s small residence was always filled with faint floral aromas, the mingling scents of brewing wine permeating every corner, a testament to his dedication.

When Qiu and Uncle Jiu returned, Qiu appeared unchanged, serene as ever, while Uncle Jiu looked slightly haggard, as though he had been ill. In reality, it was the result of his obsession with Dreaming Back. Having tasted Fang Chu’s wine, every other spiritual wine seemed dull by comparison. Unable to resist wine but frustrated by the lack of quality elsewhere, Uncle Jiu had grown weary, his features showing the strain of anticipation and deprivation. Over the past three months, he had drunk less than he normally would in half a month.

"Fang little brother, have you brewed Hundred Flowers Brew already?" Qiu asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

Normally, even a skilled brewmaster would need considerable time to study a new recipe, ensuring each step was perfectly executed before beginning production. Brewing spiritual wine itself required patience and precision—short batches took three months, long batches a year, and top-tier elixirs for elite practitioners could require decades or even centuries of refinement.

Yet Fang Chu had only possessed the recipe for three months. The steward could hardly believe that success was possible.

"Not to disappoint," Fang Chu said calmly, presenting a sealed wine jar, its surface reflecting the light with a subtle golden glow.

Uncle Jiu, previously listless and weary, suddenly had a spark of anticipation in his eyes. He had tasted Hundred Flowers Brew countless times before, but never crafted by Fang Chu. He was eager to see what subtle changes or improvements the young master might have introduced, wondering whether this fledgling brewmaster could truly rise to the challenge.

Even Qiu, normally composed and patient, leaned slightly forward, a faint gleam of excitement in his eyes, as if he too could sense that something extraordinary was about to unfold.