chapter 4
4. Drunken Mortal World
Lin Dongming walked into the wine cellar, where various spirit wines appeared before him.
The first time he saw them, Lin Dongming was dazzled by the wall full of wine: Black Continuance, Drunk Mortal World, Hero’s Tomb, Dream of Jiangnan, Guest Among Flowers, First Snow Falling… the names alone were too many to remember.
Later, after staying longer, he gradually learned which wine Yun Shuying preferred in different situations. Drunk Mortal World was rich and sweet; Yun Shuying drank it when she was slightly upset, and it was her most frequent choice.
Black Continuance was medicinal wine, its main ingredient being the legendary Continuance herb said to reconnect broken meridians. Bitter at first but with a lingering aftertaste, Yun Shuying liked to drink it when injured or troubled.
First Snow Falling was more intuitive. Every early winter, especially when the first snow fell, Yun Shuying would go to the lakeside pavilion in the east to brew wine and watch the snow, bringing this spirit wine.
Dream of Jiangnan—Lin Dongming rarely saw Yun Shuying drink it. Jiangnan was an ancient place name, now buried in the dust of ages, its traces unfindable. Only once did Lin Dongming see Yun Shuying drinking it alone on the terrace. That night, her eyes were filled with wistful longing, like a survivor of Jiangnan remembering her distant homeland.
As for Hero’s Tomb, Lin Dongming had never seen her open it. He only knew from its faint aroma that it was extremely potent wine, with the imposing quality of one bowl being enough to topple a hero.
“Today, Drunk Mortal World should be fine.” Lin Dongming’s hand was already on Drunk Mortal World, but then he recalled Yun Shuying’s furrowed brows, so he shook his head, put Drunk Mortal World back, and took out a jar of Black Continuance instead.
When Yun Shuying saw Lin Dongming walk out, she unexpectedly raised an eyebrow, her expression softening a bit: “I thought you’d choose Drunk Mortal World.”
Lin Dongming knew he’d made the right choice, and his face relaxed a little: “I just felt this wine suited today.”
“You’re becoming more perceptive.” Yun Shuying languidly walked toward the terrace: “Drink more today.”
Lin Dongming followed her footsteps, opened the wine jar, and poured two bowls of wine, placing them on the small table. The deep, ancient woody aroma slowly dissipated. Upon tasting, one would only feel bitterness; the sweet aftertaste would gradually rise to the tip of the tongue a moment later.
“You’re already at the Golden Core stage, yet you still aren’t used to drawing out wine with spiritual energy?”
“This way feels more ceremonial.” Lin Dongming replied casually.
“Ceremonial? You young people really like new terms.”
“It just feels more like seriously drinking wine.” Lin Dongming shrugged: “If the ancient country of Jiangnan still existed, perhaps the people there would drink like us, like the young masters in the painted boats below.”
Ancient Jiangnan was a safe topic, Lin Dongming felt. Because Yun Shuying had never had any major reaction to this word. Her longing when