Volume Four: Renowned Everywhere Chapter 150: The Wine Freak

In the evening, Qin Yang, having received the news, suddenly halted his journey toward the Chen family. In three days, the old master of the Chen family would celebrate his grand birthday; going there to slap them across the face at that time would surely be much more gratifying.

"Xu Ming, let's go get a drink," Qin Yang said, wrapping an arm around Xu Ming's shoulders with a cheerful smile.

Fang Weiwei, who had been trailing behind them the entire time, was instantly bewildered. Didn't he say they were heading to the Chen family? Why were they going for drinks instead? What kind of game was this?

The Butcher followed behind them. Upon hearing that they were going for drinks, his eyes suddenly lit up. However, catching sight of Jiang Lan nearby, he offered a sheepish smile and dared not make the decision himself.

"Sister-in-law, today we should also celebrate your rebirth and help the Butcher release some of his stress," Qin Yang said, winking at the Butcher with a grin.

Jiang Lan looked at the Butcher—the man who would climb mountains of daggers and plunge into seas of fire for her. The bond between them was as firm as mountains and as deep as seas, impossible to sever no matter what, especially given the heavy exhaustion on his face and the bloodshot veins in his eyes.

Feeling a pang of heartache, she nodded gently. "Alright!"

"Oh, oh! I know where the best wine is!" Fang Weiwei raised her small hand, her face beaming with delight. Having been holding back and unable to cut into the conversation for so long, she finally had a chance to speak and certainly wasn't going to let it slip by.

"Oh? Where is it?"

"Ten-Mile Alley," Fang Weiwei said playfully. "I heard many high-ranking officials and nobles go to Ten-Mile Alley for drinks. It has quite a huge reputation, though I've never actually tasted it myself."

Ten-Mile Alley—although Fang Weiwei was a hopeless navigator who only knew the name and had no clue where it actually was, they ultimately had no choice but to take a taxi there.

Xu Ming looked at Qin Yang, finding him increasingly mysterious. Yet none of that mattered; the two of them were still close buddies, sworn brothers, and former classmates.

Back then, his master had been heavily injured by Chen family experts while trying to secure justice for Qin Yang, and had eventually died of pent-up frustration. Heading to the Chen family in three days made him somewhat anxious.

The Chen family might not be overwhelmingly powerful on their own, but the backing behind them was formidable.

Before they even reached the destination, a rich, intoxicating aroma of wine drifted across a vast distance, hitting their noses and making their eyes suddenly brighten.

This was undoubtedly fine wine!

The Butcher was a martial artist who loved wine. To him, Jiang Lan was his primary reason for living, while wine was his best friend that had accompanied him through all these years without ever forsaking him.

"No wonder it's called Ten-Mile Alley. The entire alley is filled with taverns. Truly, a fine fragrance fears no deep alley."

Every single tavern was already packed with people of all sorts, and those drawn by reputation came in an endless stream. This place had effectively established a prominent brand effect.

"Old sir, there are so many taverns here. Which one serves the best wine?" Fang Weiwei asked with a smile as she looked at an old man nearby.

Sipping his tea, the old man pointed toward the deepest part of the alley. "The one at the very end. But not just anyone can get a drink there."

As they walked further inward, the thick, unyielding aroma of wine rolled over them in waves, making them feel as if they were bathing in a wine cellar, its mellow fragrance utterly intoxicating.

Spirit Tea and Fire Wine.

The entire tavern was constructed entirely of bamboo, exuding a spiritual aura. The grounds were sufficiently spacious, and five or six people stood outside, seemingly engaged in some conversation.

Gazing at the four large, gracefully written characters hanging above, Qin Yang was about to walk past when someone intercepted him.

"We aren't doing business today. Leave." Qin Yang ignored him and continued walking forward.

"Young Master, someone's here to cause trouble."

Upon seeing the figure opposite them, Xu Ming clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with intense murderous intent.

Sensing Xu Ming's abnormal state, Qin Yang patted his shoulder and walked straight inside.

***

Chen Shaopeng frowned as he looked at the few strangers before him. When his gaze landed on Xu Ming, a look of disdain crossed his face. "Ha, if it isn't the esteemed young master of the Xu family, Xu Ming?"

"What gives you the refined mood to come here? The items inside Spirit Tea and Fire Wine are terribly expensive. I wonder if you can even afford them!!"

Hahaha!

"Say one more word, and I guarantee I'll make you crawl out of here." At that moment, Qin Yang halted his steps and stared coldly at the other man.

Hearing this, the smile on Chen Shaopeng's face grew even wider. In all of Jiangnan, who didn't know of the Chen family? And yet, some pathetic nobody was currently telling him he'd be made to crawl out. His eyes were brimming with utter contempt. "You dare?"

Swish! Without waiting for Qin Yang's command, a fierce gust of wind flashed through the air, and a massive fist smashed directly into Chen Shaopeng's face, fracturing his nasal bridge and causing blood to gush out.

The Butcher stood in place, looking at his own palm with extreme disgust. "No wonder your mouth stinks so much. Damn it, even your blood stinks."

"Truly fucking disgusting." He then grabbed a tissue and wiped his hand viciously.

Chen Shaopeng scrambled back to his feet, disbelief flooding his eyes. He had actually been struck. He had actually been hit!

Glancing at his bodyguards, who were standing there completely unresponsive, he roared, "What the fuck are you blanking out for? Make them pay! In the territory of Jiangnan, no one dares to touch anyone from the Chen family, let alone me!"

"A bunch of good-for-nothings." Seeing that they still intended to make a move, the Butcher wore a grim, cruel smile on his face as he unleashed his Slaughter Intent, enveloping them in a terrifying oppressive aura.

The next second, everyone watched in shock as Chen Shaopeng and his bodyguards began howling in place, as if they had encountered something utterly terrifying.

The onlookers had no idea what was happening, especially Fang Weiwei, who was merely an ordinary person. When had she ever witnessed such a spectacle?

"Big brother, what's wrong with them?" Fang Weiwei asked in confusion.

"Who knows? Probably a mental breakdown!" Qin Yang shrugged his shoulders and continued walking forward. By this time, the Butcher had already withdrawn his slaughter domain. Looking at the terrified Chen Shaopeng, Qin Yang said, "I heard your Chen family's old patriarch is celebrating his grand birthday in three days. When the time comes, I, Qin Yang, will personally pay a visit to seek justice for my second brother."

"You think you—" Before Chen Shaopeng could finish his sentence, Qin Yang sent him flying with a single slap.

At this point, how could Chen Shaopeng dare to linger? He hastily rounded up his people and fled.

Hiss...

"Such a fierce character! Why have I never heard of him before?"

"Looks like there'll be a good show to watch in three days. I definitely have to go check it out then."

"Indeed, indeed! Relying on their backers, the Chen family has been acting lawlessly all these years. Now someone can finally keep them in check. No matter what, we have to go see this."

"Actually, I'm much more curious about that man's identity."

The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion. Qin Yang paid them no heed, looking at the tavern's door pageboy with a faint smile.

Feeling himself being stared at by Qin Yang, the pageboy shrank backward.

"Do you think Old Monster Wine will come out to greet guests?" a husky-voiced man nearby muttered.

"Probably not. It's hard to tell if we'll even be able to get inside the tavern today!"

"Tell your boss to come out!" the Butcher shouted menacingly. "Our boss has arrived, and he hasn't even come out to greet us? What's the meaning of this? Looking down on us? If you don't let me drink my fill today, I'll smash this tavern of yours to pieces tomorrow!"

Hearing this, Xu Ming asked with a smile, "Big Brother Butcher, why tomorrow?"

"Eh?" Hearing Xu Ming's question, the Butcher scratched his head and said, "We'll stay here for the night today and smash it tomorrow, otherwise we won't have a place to sleep."

***

"Pfft!"

Xu Ming wore a face full of dark lines. Did they really need to put on such an impoverished act? Fang Weiwei, in particular, looked at them with utter contempt and even felt a hint of regret for bringing them along. If they didn't even have a place to stay, would they be able to afford the wine bill later?

The taxi fare to get here had apparently been paid by her anyway.

Thinking of this, she glared angrily at the three big guys.

Sigh! Whatever! Who told me to recognize such a bunch of older brothers?

Inside the tavern, Old Monster Wine was sleeping. Hearing the commotion outside, he was more than half awake. When he suddenly heard the name 'Bucheon' (the Butcher), he jolted completely awake, his face filled with terror.

*Damn your ancestors, how did this Butcher track me down? Could it be that he found out about that curse I put on him?*

*That shouldn't be possible, right?*

Without even bothering to tidy his clothes properly, Old Monster Wine hurried outside. The crowd of onlookers watching the excitement nearly popped their eyeballs out.

"Damn! Old Monster Wine actually came out? Did the sun rise from the west today?"

"You think Old Monster Wine is coming out to chase them away?"

"Master," the pageboy called out respectfully upon seeing the old man before him.

As the tavern owner walked out, the eyes of both the Butcher and Jiang Lan widened into perfect circles. "Well, well! If it isn't you brat!"

Hearing this, Old Monster Wine wore a bitter smile. Probably only the Butcher dared to address him as a brat. "Butcher, Jiang Lan, what brings you here? Please, come inside, hurry, come inside!"

Everyone's jaws dropped instantly. When Old Monster Wine had emerged earlier, they had only felt a mild sense of surprise; but now, that stiff, zombie-like face was plastered with an awkward smile, causing everyone to burst into astonished laughter.

Xu Ming and Fang Weiwei looked at the Butcher with deep astonishment. Chen Shaopeng had come earlier and begged for a long time without even catching a glimpse of Old Monster Wine. Yet now, the Butcher had merely shouted a couple of times, and the man had walked right out without even dressing properly.

Xu Ming could naturally perceive the wariness and fear hidden in Old Monster Wine's eyes, which filled him with immense curiosity. Big Brother Butcher's temper seemed rather pleasant, so why was this man so terrified of him?

Bam!

The Butcher glared at the eagerly submissive Old Monster Wine and delivered a kick straight to him. "Did you see that? This person right here is my boss, and he's a big shot. You'd better bring out the best stuff you have hidden at the bottom of your chest, or I'll tear your tavern down today."

"Butcher, didn't you say you were going to smash it tomorrow?"

"Uh, well, since we're strangers to others, we need to give them some face. But an old fart like you doesn't need any face. You're the one who knows how to enjoy life the most; I refuse to believe this is your only stronghold."

Hearing this, Old Monster Wine was left completely speechless. This was a textbook case of slaughtering an acquaintance!

He looked at Qin Yang—a youth with a sallow complexion—and frowned. Why had such a figure never appeared in his memories before? Furthermore, for someone to become the Butcher's boss, they must possess extraordinary capabilities.

Could this person also be an expert martial artist?

"Please, please come inside. My humble abode is crude, I hope you won't take offense."