Chapter 86: The Immortal Brew of Old Wine Street

Su Fan’s suspicions were not unfounded, for of the entire table of dishes, only one plate remained.

He stood there, bowl still poised in midair, staring in astonishment at Lin Xiaofeng, wondering if his age was truly as he claimed—several centuries old. After all, the world was not short of extraordinary figures; perhaps some really did live for centuries yet retained the appearance of a child.

Lin Xiaofeng stretched contentedly, a smile playing around his lips. “This plate of osmanthus cakes is for you,” he said cheerfully. “You can’t drink osmanthus wine and not eat osmanthus cake.”

With a resigned sigh, Su Fan picked up a piece of the cake Lin Xiaofeng spoke of and put it into his mouth. The pastry melted instantly on his tongue, leaving a gentle floral fragrance that lingered, mingling perfectly with the wine’s aftertaste, making the experience unforgettable.

“It is indeed very good,” Su Fan said with a smile.

Lin Xiaofeng grinned smugly. “If it’s good, we’ll pack some to take with us. Waiter!”

The waiter hastened over with an ornate food box and, handling the cake with great care, packed up the remainder, nodding and smiling at Lin Xiaofeng.

Without so much as a glance at the waiter, Lin Xiaofeng lunged for the wine jar and, in one breath, drained half of its contents. Then, wiping his mouth with his greasy sleeve, he shouted, “Boss, about the bill—”

The owner hurried over, obsequious. “Master Lin, as always, the bill can wait till your next visit.”

Lin Xiaofeng nodded in satisfaction and swaggered out the door.

Su Fan could only smile wryly, taking up the food box and hurrying after him. He wondered how Lin Xiaofeng had managed to beguile the owner so thoroughly.

They walked for some distance, heading toward Luoxian City, so Su Fan saw no reason to ask questions. Lin Xiaofeng, however, seemed a little disgruntled. Suddenly, he turned and said, “Aren’t you curious why he didn’t ask me for money?”

“I am,” Su Fan replied evenly.

Lin Xiaofeng’s eyes lit up. “Curious why you didn’t ask.”

“Why should I?” Su Fan’s voice was cool.

Lin Xiaofeng’s brows shot up in annoyance. “Since you won’t ask, I’ll tell you anyway!”

Su Fan smiled. “Go ahead.”

Lin Xiaofeng glared at him, pouting like a child. “It’s not the first time I’ve eaten there without paying.”

“Oh?” Su Fan’s curiosity was piqued.

Lin Xiaofeng’s tone turned serious. “Since I’ve done it before, he’s willing to let me run a tab.”

Su Fan shook his head helplessly. “That makes him a fool. Isn’t he afraid you’ll never pay?”

“He’s not a fool—he’s shrewd,” Lin Xiaofeng retorted with a cold laugh.

“Why?”

Striding forward, Lin Xiaofeng explained, “The first time I ate at his place, I tried to run a tab, but he refused.”

Su Fan quipped, “So you ate all that despite not being able to pay?”

“I was hungry!” Lin Xiaofeng all but shouted. “I’m not stupid—if I don’t eat, I’ll starve.”

Su Fan shook his head and said nothing more.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, “I couldn’t pay, so I ran. But I got caught.”

“You ran again?”

Lin Xiaofeng glanced at Su Fan. “I’m not an idiot. After being caught once, why try again? So I wrote him a character.”

“That character was really yours?” Su Fan interjected.

Ignoring him, Lin Xiaofeng went on, “I hung it outside his shop, and it actually drew in an important guest.”

Su Fan nodded. “And thanks to this guest, they let you go.”

“The owner is very shrewd. If that noble hadn’t paid my bill, he’d never have let me off,” Lin Xiaofeng explained.

Su Fan smiled faintly. “That guest wouldn’t happen to be Hong Lan?”

Lin Xiaofeng stared in surprise. “How did you know?” He stepped back, as if ready to flee.

Su Fan laughed. “Just a guess.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Lin Xiaofeng said, “You’re something else. Anyway, since then, every time I eat at the tavern, I run a tab. Hong Lan gave me a lot of money, so I always paid double what I owed. It’s just that I ran out a few days ago.”

“So that’s why they were after you,” Su Fan said.

“Good thing you paid them, or I’d never have gotten another meal,” Lin Xiaofeng declared.

“But how will you pay next time?”

Lin Xiaofeng said loudly, “Why would I? I’m heading to Luoxian City—why should I pay? You’re the fool here.”

“Aren’t you afraid they’ll chase after you again?” Su Fan asked, genuinely curious.

With a small smile, Lin Xiaofeng looked at him. “With you around, what do I have to fear?”

Su Fan was taken aback. Perhaps the boy had discerned something; though Lin Xiaofeng was certainly unusual and possessed great strength, he was, after all, just a child.

Lin Xiaofeng continued, “When that horse was about to crash into you, I was watching you carefully. Your expression didn’t change at all—you must be a martial expert.”

Su Fan paused, then cupped his fist and said, “Brother, you’re right. I’ve trained in martial arts for a few years.”

Lin Xiaofeng burst out laughing. “Just as I thought—you’re headed to the Prefect’s Residence to seek a master, aren’t you?”

Su Fan was puzzled. “Seek a master?”

Lin Xiaofeng replied smugly, “They say immortals reside in the Prefect’s Residence—masters of flight and all manner of supernatural abilities. They’re incredible.”

“Indeed,” Su Fan said, going along with it, “I’m going to learn from a master—though I plan to study winemaking.”

“Winemaking?” Lin Xiaofeng’s eyes lit up. “You like wine that much?”

Su Fan nodded.

“I do too! I’ve heard that the Drunken Immortal Brew at Drunken Immortal House on Old Wine Street in Luoxian City is second to none. I’ve always wanted to try it.”

“I’m going to learn the art of brewing immortal wine, so I must find an immortal at the Prefect’s Residence to teach me,” Su Fan replied coolly.

Lin Xiaofeng looked displeased. “Then let’s go to the Prefect’s Residence first. But not just anyone can get in, you know.”

Su Fan smiled. “That’s all right.”

Luoxian City lived up to its name—wreathed in layers of mist, the city radiated an immortal aura, as if it were a realm of the gods.

Before he could orient himself, Su Fan found that he had somehow wandered into the city. The air was filled with ethereal music, drifting endlessly—a true fairyland.

Following Lin Xiaofeng, Su Fan gazed about. Everywhere there were cultivators, most at the Golden Core stage or higher—a stark contrast to Luo City. The city bustled with mortals as well: singers, performers, and crowds coming and going. Su Fan felt utterly at ease; the days of pressure under Tianyuan Sect dissolved away instantly.

Were it not for his urgent affairs at the Prefect’s Residence, he might have liked to visit Lin Xiaofeng’s famed Old Wine Street.

Suddenly, Su Fan realized Lin Xiaofeng had vanished from his side. He thought to himself that perhaps it was better this way; bringing a child into the Prefect’s Residence would surely be inconvenient.

No matter how peculiar Lin Xiaofeng’s behavior, Su Fan couldn’t truly believe his stories. In the end, he was just a child. How could a boy like that have any real connection with Hong Lan? It was likely a tale spun for amusement, or perhaps Hong Lan had merely appreciated his calligraphy and met him briefly.

With that thought, Su Fan strode purposefully toward the Prefect’s Residence to assume his nominal post as steward.