0016 Five Treasures Flower Nectar

After a brief moment, Zhuifengzi and Azi returned to the living room.

Azi carried a tray with both hands, atop which were six dishes, a small wine jar about the size of a fist, and three cups.

Grinning, she said, “Big Ginger, didn’t you think I’d lost my hands? Hurry and help me set these down.”

Jiang Mingzhe quickly took the dishes one by one and placed them on the table.

Among the six plates were: steamed ham, fried dried fish, boiled dried tofu, pickled cabbage, vinegar-soaked water spinach, and a pale purple sauce garnished with a few fresh green onions.

Zhuifengzi smiled and said, “Junior Brother, since you’re from Qufu and have traveled westward for so long, you must have missed the flavors of home. This sauce is shrimp paste I made by catching small shrimp from the creek. Sadly, we don’t have the big green onions like those in Shandong.”

Jiang Mingzhe was somewhat impressed and thought to himself that if Zhuifengzi lived in a later era, he would make an excellent salesman.

Gratefully, he said, “Senior Brother, your kindness here surpasses ten bundles of green onions.”

Zhuifengzi carried a large, heavy pot in his left hand and a charcoal stove in his right. The pot was thick and seemed to weigh over ten pounds; the stove wasn’t small either, filled with glowing red coals radiating intense heat. Yet Zhuifengzi appeared completely unfazed, carrying them as if they were just two empty bowls.

He placed the stove to the side and set the pot on top, smiling, “I’m afraid you won’t be able to wait, so I’ll stew it right here. Let’s eat and drink first to settle our stomachs.”

He warmly invited the two to sit down. Taking the small wine jar, he shook it gently and asked Azi, “You said you’d only eat the dishes, no wine. Does that still stand?”

Azi was about to say yes when she noticed Zhuifengzi’s expression, half-smiling and half-mischievous. A flicker of doubt crossed her mind as she stared at the small jar in his hand, suspiciously asking, “Could it be that wine?”

Zhuifengzi raised a slender eyebrow, “You tell me.”

Though he appeared jovial on the surface, inside he winced slightly. Yet he thought, if he didn’t take the risk, he wouldn’t stand a chance—after all, the old thief must dote on his illegitimate son. If he could get close to him, the old thief would surely look at him with new eyes. The benefits gained would far outweigh the cost paid today.

Azi read his expression and her eyes lit up with surprise, tinged with disbelief, “No way, no way! Third Senior Brother is being magnanimous today?”

Zhuifengzi chuckled, “You know Third Senior Brother is always generous. If it were only for two big stone chickens, I wouldn’t dare promise to arrange everything for Junior Brother.”

“Aah!” Azi suddenly jumped up, excited, “The Five Treasures Honey Wine really is here! I can’t believe you actually brought it out! Third Senior Brother, you’re truly the most gallant hero among our disciples!”

Her expression was animated, her eyes burning with anticipation, almost impatient.

Jiang Mingzhe paused slightly, the name Five Treasures Honey Wine sounded oddly familiar.

He felt he had seen that name somewhere but couldn’t quite recall where.

Zhuifengzi swayed his head, “Today you’ve seen my generosity, right? Haha, they say our Xingxiu disciples have no feelings for each other, but I insist on being a man of loyalty and kindness. From now on, the three of us siblings will support each other so our path lasts longer.”

Azi nodded eagerly, holding her small wine cup with both hands like a kitten begging for dried fish, “Yes, yes, Third Senior Brother is absolutely right. From now on, Big Ginger and I will back you up. It’s not just about loyalty; it’s about reciprocity. If I gain any benefit, I will never forget your share, Third Senior Brother.”

Seeing Azi like this, Jiang Mingzhe guessed Zhuifengzi was truly going all out and couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Sister, is there a special reason behind this wine?”

“Of course!” Azi’s expression was like a starstruck fan recommending her idol, “Third Senior Brother spent five or six years figuring out the rough recipe. Our master praised him greatly upon hearing and personally helped refine the formula, even providing many rare ingredients. That’s how this jar was brewed. Most of it was taken by master, and a bit was given to Senior Brother…”

She smiled slyly, “Heh heh, but everyone guesses Third Senior Brother must have some stash left. He just never admits it…”

Azi’s smile suddenly faded, and she said seriously, “Big Ginger, Third Senior Brother truly considers you a brother. Among our Xingxiu sect, he’s the most compassionate. Once you’re officially part of us, you must never forget the kindness he’s shown you! And what we’re drinking today must never be mentioned to the Fourth One!”

Facing Jiang Mingzhe, Azi’s side profile was visible to Zhuifengzi, who couldn’t see the other side where Azi winked once.

Jiang Mingzhe immediately understood: she was actually speaking to Third Senior Brother, telling him not to take this seriously.

Azi’s heart was already soaring with joy. Earlier, when other disciples asked about Jiang Mingzhe’s background, she deliberately gave vague answers to mislead them, intending to shield him. After all, no one dared verify with Ding Chunqiu.

Unexpectedly, she had a surprising gain—she’d managed to entice Third Senior Brother, the big fish, to befriend Jiang Mingzhe with great generosity, bringing benefits to herself as well.

She couldn’t help but think: Last time, when Master killed that old monk, he said good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds punished, it’s just that the time hadn’t come yet. Master called it nonsense, but now it seems there might be some truth. I took care of Big Ginger kindly, and look, the good reward has come.

Third Senior Brother underestimated Azi. Hearing her urge Jiang Mingzhe to remember his kindness with genuine sincerity, he was delighted, never suspecting she was winking at Jiang Mingzhe behind his back.

Glancing at Jiang Mingzhe, he saw the latter’s face full of gratitude and solemn nod, clearly remembering this favor and feeling quietly proud.

Feigning magnanimity, Zhuifengzi laughed carelessly, “You flatter me, Little Azi. No matter how much you praise me, it’s just a bit of wine, what’s the big deal? Come, come, this first cup is for Senior Sister.”

He carefully broke the wax seal on the bottle’s mouth, pulled out the stopper, and gently filled Azi’s small cup.

The wine was as clear as spring water, and as it poured, a strong aroma of floral honey quickly filled the air.

Jiang Mingzhe couldn’t help but inhale deeply. Suddenly, his brow furrowed as beneath the sweet floral scent, he detected a strange fishy odor. Alarmed, he thought, could this wine be poisonous?

If he could smell it, Azi shouldn’t be able to miss it either.

Azi eagerly lifted her cup and smiled at Jiang Mingzhe, “The Five Treasures Honey Wine is meant to be drunk in one gulp, quickly downed. If you try to savor it slowly, you’ll probably vomit all over. Then I won’t be able to eat my food either. Watch closely and drink like me.”

With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the wine. She tightly closed her mouth, slammed the cup onto the table, closed her eyes, and sat upright. Her hands formed a mudra over her lower abdomen, her breathing fluctuating in rhythm as she began to cultivate energy.

Jiang Mingzhe watched in stunned silence, suddenly recalling the wine’s origin!

This Five Treasures Honey Wine was exactly the one the Five Poisons Sect leader Blue Phoenix gave Linghu Chong to drink in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer!

So this recipe actually originated from the Xingxiu Sect, probably passed down by chance to Miao Territory, where the Five Poisons Sect adapted and improved it into their own secret.

Looking at Azi’s expression, Jiang Mingzhe guessed this wine must contain powerful medicinal properties, highly nourishing. That’s why Azi immediately began practicing to refine it after drinking.

He couldn’t help but smile wryly and whispered, “Senior Brother, am I really supposed to drink this? I don’t know internal energy cultivation.”

Zhuifengzi smiled leisurely, “If you knew internal energy cultivation, would I be so reluctant to bring out this wine? For me, Azi drinking it is fine; but if you drink it, you could save at least a year or half a year of hard training.”