Divine Tang Era

Chapter 178 Sarcastic Remarks That Are Infuriating

Seeing that they were all swaying and about to pass out from the alcohol, Xu Dan kindly reminded them, "This Everlasting Youth Wine is a great tonic for your blood and energy. You all just need to go out for a run to dissipate the alcohol, no need to force yourselves. Remember to pay the bill, okay? Don't run away with it."

Among the many diners, a quick-witted person, upon hearing his words, glanced at his friend at the same table, suddenly slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and feigned indignation, loudly proclaiming, "You're underestimating us! Do you think we're the kind of people who eat without paying?"

snort..."

After saying that, he threw down a piece of silver with a "thud," and left with a flick of his sleeve.

The wide sleeves of his robe swept across the wine pot containing the Longevity Wine on the table, instantly engulfing it.

The people at the table looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

A man at the next table saw this clearly and immediately imitated him, saying, "That's right. Although I'm not exactly rich, I can still afford a hot pot meal." With that, he tossed down a piece of silver, picked up a small wine pot from the table, and went out.

"A hotpot meal only costs a little bit of money, is it really worth leaving? The restaurant is clearly looking down on us! In that case, we might as well skip the meal!"

The people at the other table saw the two men's actions, their eyes lit up, and they immediately became enraged. They put down a piece of silver, picked up a wine pot, lifted the heavy windproof animal skin curtain, and plunged into the vast snowstorm.

After several people did this, the rest finally realized what was going on.

Some tried to repeat their old tricks, but were held down by their companions.

For example, Kuang Kui had just touched the small wine pot when he was stared at by two pairs of sharp eyes. It was impossible for him to leave like the others, so he could only smile awkwardly and explain, "I just wanted to share this wine, that's all." Then he added with dissatisfaction, "What kind of person do you take me for? Am I that kind of person?"

"We're keeping an eye on you precisely because we know who you are," his companion said casually.

"whispering sound..."

The other person didn't want to talk at all.

Kuang Kui's face flushed red, feeling insulted. He was about to leave with the wine jug, but seeing the looks in their eyes, he had no choice but to give up. Of course, he couldn't drink any more wine, so he paid and left with the jug and his two companions who were closely following and "monitoring" him.

Mo Shiwei wanted to take the wine with her, but there were too many people eating hot pot today, and a small pot of wine would only give each person one cup. How could she take it?

Changchun Longevity Wine is, after all, a tonic for replenishing qi and blood. For martial arts disciples, drinking it is still too much of a strain. They cannot withstand the powerful impact of the qi and blood contained in the wine, and they all feel dizzy and on the verge of getting drunk.

Mo Shiwei felt she couldn't stay any longer; it wouldn't look right if they all just lay around inside the hot pot restaurant. So she paid the bill and led her group of disciples, who were unsteady on their feet, out of the restaurant.

In the blink of an eye, the bustling hot pot restaurant quieted down, leaving only Cheng Ruxia's family and the people from Fengzhen Temple.

The two star lords of Fengzhen Temple finally couldn't hold on any longer and circulated their true energy to refine the restless alcoholic energy within their bodies. After a moment, their complexions returned to normal, but the ground beneath their feet had unknowingly become wet.

Lord Kui Mu shook his head repeatedly. This work was done too crudely. The alcohol fumes should have been channeled underground to avoid being discovered.

Just then, the heavy animal skin curtain was lifted from the outside, and a biting cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed into the shop.

"Wow, why is the store so quiet today?" A slightly surprised voice reached the ears of everyone in the store.

"Didn't you see a bunch of people running out naked just now?" Xu Dan said casually.

"Naked...naked..." Wu Danbo stammered for a while, but ultimately felt that the word was too vulgar and didn't say it. "Young master, you really know how to joke. It's a pity that you don't want to study. Master Ku said that you are the seed of literature in our Jingning City. If you go to school, you will surely bring glory to the literary lineage of Jingning in the future."

He was a clerk in the county government, and he went to defend the city when the ghosts attacked it last time.

Later, I heard that Master Ku had visited Xu Dan to persuade him to study, so I know a little about it.

"I get a headache just looking at books now, how am I supposed to study?"

Xu Dan waved his hand, then changed the subject, saying proudly, "However, although I don't like reading, I'm quite good at writing poetry. Recently, I wrote a quatrain: 'Since ancient times, those with deep feelings have only left with regrets, this regret is endless. Lovers fly in pairs across the vast land, the heartbroken have other sentiments.' What do you think?"

"This poem is not bad! But the line 'This sorrow will last forever' seems to be from the poem of Bai Juyi, the 'Poet Demon'?"

"Even if another line from someone else's poem is added, it won't detract from the excellence of my poem. Putting everything else aside, the line 'Since ancient times, those with deep feelings have only left behind regrets' is enough to make it famous for generations, leaving a profound mark on history."

Upon hearing his words, Wu Danbo paused, his mouth agape as if he could fit an egg in it, his eyes wide as if he had heard something unbelievable.

The two star lords of Fengzhen Temple couldn't help but glance at him, turning to look at him, wanting to see just how big of a nerve he was to say such a thing.

Cheng Ruxia and Cui Yun'e exchanged a glance and smiled slightly.

Meanwhile, Chen Ziyin's eyes lit up, her face filled with admiration, feeling that this young man was truly amazing.

Although Wu Danbo was a shrewd and diplomatic person, she still had her own principles and couldn't bring herself to say anything that crossed her bottom line. So, she could only pretend not to hear and change the subject, saying, "It's perfect that there's no one in the shop. Bring me a sashimi hot pot; I have a friend coming later."

"Okay, come on, sit over there."

Guided by Xu Dan, Wu Danbo found a seat and sat down. Suddenly, he smelled a unique aroma of wine and asked in surprise, "Huh? You have new wine in your shop?"

"No, it's the same kind we used to drink," Xu Dan lied.

"No, no."

Wu Danbo shook his head repeatedly: "This wine has a mellow and lingering flavor. It lacks the wildness and intensity of new wine and has more of the mellow aroma that comes with age. It is definitely not the kind of wine we used to drink." As he spoke, Wu Danbo followed the aroma of the wine and searched around.

Only then did he notice the Fengzhen Temple group and Cheng Ruxia's family sitting in the corner drinking.

Wu Danbo's expression changed drastically. He quickly stood up and walked to Cheng Ruxia, respectfully cupping his hands in greeting and saying, "Greetings, County Magistrate."

Cheng Ruxia vaguely remembered seeing him when he took office; he seemed to be a clerk in the county. He didn't have much of an impression of him. Hearing his words, he waved his hand and said, "In the county government, I am the county magistrate. Outside, I am just an ordinary person. There's no need to address me like that. Are you here for hot pot too?"

The taste is indeed quite good.

"Xu Gongzu's hot pot has now become famous in the city and has a great reputation. Everyone who has eaten there says it's good."

Wu Danbo praised him, then added regretfully, "The old man from Jiusi Academy said he was a rare talent for literature in Jingning City, but unfortunately he doesn't like reading. Otherwise, he would definitely bring a lot of glory to Jingning."

"What's a pity?"

Xu Dan retorted indignantly, "A 'seed of literature and martial arts'? Don't you know I'm a martial arts genius? Many people say I'm worthy of being on the Young Scale Ranking. Have I become arrogant?"

When Feng Zhensi and his two companions, along with Cheng Ruxia's family, heard him claim to be a martial arts genius, they merely smiled. However, when he said he was worthy of being listed on the Young Scale Ranking, their expressions suddenly turned serious, and they all turned to look at him.

"It seems like a good idea!"

One of the two star lords of Fengzhen Temple suddenly realized something.

Wu Danbo was so excited that he trembled all over, and his voice changed as he spoke. "Is this true? Who told you this? Was it Master Xue or your mistress?"

It was common knowledge in Jingning City that Xu Dan had become Xue An's disciple and addressed Zhu as his elder sister.

"Many people say that," Xu Dan replied dismissively.

He had heard about the Young Scale Ranking from Xue Diao before. It was said that within the Divine Tang Dynasty, any boy aged fifteen or under who excelled in any of the following arts—martial arts, painting, archery, literature, magic, craftsmanship, agriculture, astrology, etc.—could be listed. There was also a Young Phoenix Ranking with similar requirements. Above these, there were also adult versions: the Qilin Ranking and the Divine Phoenix Ranking.

I was just joking around today, but I didn't expect Wu Danbo to react so strongly. I don't know what he's so excited about.

He was naturally unaware that once someone was found to be qualified for inclusion in the "Young Scale List" and the information was reported to the imperial court, both the recommender and the local government would receive generous rewards.

For a county to produce a genius who ranks among the "Young Scales List" is not only an honor for the entire county, but also attracts a great deal of resources from the imperial court. Its significance far exceeds that of a county producing a top scholar in the previous life.

When Wu Danbo heard Xu Dan's answer, his eyes almost lit up.

Xu Dan's eyes are so bright they're almost like light bulbs; it's hard to imagine how human eyes can be so bright.

"That's wonderful, that's really wonderful!"

Wu Danbo shouted excitedly. He had no appetite for hotpot now; his only thought was to rush back to the county office and write the document recommending the child prodigy. Suddenly remembering that Cheng Ruxia was also present, he quickly bowed and asked, "Your Excellency, a prodigy has emerged in Jingning City, worthy of being listed on the 'Young Talent Ranking.' Shall we apply for an evaluation?"

"You can handle this matter."

Cheng Ruxia nodded, feeling happy as well.

The emergence of such a genius shortly after taking office is undoubtedly a major achievement for him.

"Here you are."

Wu Danbo responded with high spirits, unable to contain himself any longer. He didn't even bother to eat the hot pot, but instead had the waiter pack up the ingredients for the hot pot and deliver them to his home. He then rushed out of the shop and headed straight for the county government office.

"It's just an empty title, why are you so excited?" Xu Dan looked at his departing figure, completely bewildered.

"Young master, you are unaware of this."

Cheng Ruxia explained, "If you can be listed on the Young Scales Ranking, not only will you receive a personal reward from His Majesty, but the person who recommended you will also be rewarded, and even Jingning City and I will benefit greatly. Do you think he wouldn't be excited?"

"Oh, what will His Majesty reward us with?" Xu Dan immediately became interested.

"Uh..." Cheng Ruxia was stunned by his abrupt question and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

"They haven't even been listed on the Young Scale Ranking yet, and you're already thinking about rewarding them? Isn't that a bit too early?" A star lord from Fengzhen Temple couldn't help but tease upon seeing this.

Upon hearing this, Xu Dan walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a shake of his head, "Apricot blossoms bury aged vinegar at the bottom, its sour words are enough to make one sour. Even if the Duke of Zhou were jealous of the Duke of Zhou, it wouldn't be as good as half a jar of your vinegar."

"I'm jealous?"

Upon hearing his poem, the Star Lord's eyes widened in disbelief. Pointing at himself, he turned to his companion and asked, "Do I look like I'm jealous?"

His companion slowly dipped a slice of tender long-haired beef in the hot water and ate it before saying, "I don't know if you were jealous, but his poems are indeed quite good."

"Of course it's good."

Xu Dan, head held high and chest puffed out, said with an air of arrogance, "From now on, please call me the Poet Saint of Jingning, Xu Dan, the Grand Ancestor of Xu."

""

Hehehehe...

77

Cheng Ziyin, who was standing to the side, could no longer hold back and covered her mouth to laugh out loud, completely destroying the "superior demeanor" that Xu Dan had deliberately created.

Seeing this, Xu Dan stopped teasing them. Just then, a maid came to call him back to the backyard for dinner, so he went in.

As soon as he left, the noisy hall fell into an eerie silence.