Chapter 67 - Immortals Are Also Humans
The customers inside the wine store could still hardly believe the events that had just transpired. Even if they tell the people outside about this news, would they believe them? Would the people believe if they tell them that the owner of a wine store in a random street of Beltran City was actually an Alchemy Saint? Definitely not...
Suddenly, everyone felt a familiar murderous aura coming from one corner of the store. They took a glance at the direction of the aura and saw Theia who had a calm but dark expression on her face.
"No one is allowed to spread this news outside! The people that will circulate this will die a slow and excruciating death!" Her voice was as chilly as the winter winds making everyone feel their hearts turning cold.
Even Master Fengzi and the four Alchemy Emperors gulped in dread after hearing what she had said.
Everyone felt their knees growing weaker by the second as Theia's aura slowly enveloped the whole store.
After giving her final warning, Theia recalled back her aura and gave everyone a deep gaze before she returned to her spot stoically.
The customers heaved a sigh of relief but thick beads of sweat still trickled down their faces as they glanced at the heroic blonde beauty who was standing as straight as a ramrod in the store's entrance.
'Her aura is even stronger than the supreme elder! How did Alchemy Saint Jiu Shen tame such a ferocious young woman?' Master Fengzi thought to himself as he slowly turned his gaze towards the young man with long silver hair. His old eyes contained an unhidden respect.
Judging by his face, Jiu Shen looked to be in his early twenties, but Master Fengzi haven't heard of any prodigy as monstrous as that. He believed that Alchemy Saint Jiu Shen was much older than what he looks.
'There might be a pill that could let one retain their youthful looks. And as an Alchemy Saint, he must have concocted it himself.' Master Fengzi made a wild guess, but of course, it was completely far from the truth...
"Just call me Wine Master Jiu like how the customers do." Jiu Shen stated indifferently as he looked at Master Fengzi and the four Alchemy Emperors.
The alchemists hurriedly nodded their heads to express their understanding.
"Wine Master Jiu, I don't mean to interrupt you, but I might not have this kind of opportunity in the future..." Master Fengzi spoke while looking at Jiu Shen with a determined expression.
Theia who was listening at the sidelines frowned but she didn't step in. She just coldly glanced at Master Fengzi's back.
The latter felt the familiar gaze lingering on him, but his determined eyes didn't waver. He faced Jiu Shen with feigned calmness as his body was shivering. It was unknown whether it was out of fear or excitement.
"I would like to speak with you about the art of pill-making. I hope you would accept this humble request from this old man, Wine Master Jiu." Master Fengzi continued and gave Jiu Shen a sincere bow.
Jiu Shen remained unperturbed at those words. He walked calmly and found himself a seat near the alchemists' table. After that, he put one of his legs on top of the other and pressed his back on the wooden chair with a lazy look on his face. He then glanced at the bowing Master Fengzi and answered in a distant voice.
"I decline."
Hearing those two cold words, Master Fengzi and the four alchemists were surprised.
Master Fengzi glanced at Jiu Shen who now had his eyes closed. The former gave himself a bitter chuckle before he slumped back to his chair with a disheartened look.
Master Fengzi glanced at the wine bottle in front of him and grabbed it with one hand. He then placed his fingers on the cork and gave it a casual twist.
"Plop." A soft popping sound echoed faintly.
Master Fengzi closed his weary eyes as he inhaled the wine aroma from the mouth of the wine bottle. He didn't give any exaggerated reaction and merely sighed with deep emotions after he had perceived the wine's delicate scent.
"A good wine." He muttered in a slightly shaky voice.
The four Alchemy Emperors glanced at each other and decided to open their wine bottles.
Popping sounds echoed about as they took the cork from their bottles.
Master Fengzi smiled weakly while glancing at them. He then took a swig from his bottle of wine, completely ignoring the silver cup placed in front of him.
Perhaps only those emotional people would understand why Master Fengzi drank his wine that way...
Ice meowed at Jiu Shen before it deftly jumped on his lap.
Jiu Shen stroked the ball-like and furry fat cat with his eyes still shut tight. He felt the sincerity of Master Fengzi but he did not want to involve himself too much with the people in this world. He knew that he wouldn't stay here for long. Perhaps the longest might be just a hundred or so years.
He had lost so many friends during his past life. He couldn't even do anything as he watched them die of old age while he remained eternally young.
No one in this world could fathom the pain he had gone through. Even after billions of years, he could still remember the faces of his friends on their dying breaths.
Their graying hair, their murky eyes, their wrinkled faces...
Jiu Shen's breathing sped up a bit, but he hurriedly channeled his aura to stabilize his state of mind.
'After billions of years of living, I practiced myself to become stoic, but I could still not erase this human emotion in me. At least, I still haven't lost myself after all I had gone through...'
Jiu Shen opened his eyes slowly and watched the people inside the store.
'Sigh'
'Wine can truly evoke the emotions hidden in one's soul. Even immortals aren't immune to this.'
He then glanced at the downcast Master Fengzi and said in a detached voice. "After the store closes, you come and see me."
Master Fengzi who was absorbed in drinking his wine almost choked himself when he heard those words, but he still stood up and bowed at Jiu Shen excitedly. "Thank you, Wine Master Jiu! Thank you very much!"