Chapter 110: Immortal's Intoxication

Chapter 110: The Immortal’s Intoxication

“Grade six? Then there’s no choice but to go.”

Chen Yi had presumed that those behind the Lingshan Sect would show some restraint, expecting them to slow their pace. Yet here they were, rushing forward with unseemly haste.

From the rise of the Bai Caotang to this moment, barely twenty days had passed. The Xiao family’s apothecary shop had only just begun to flourish again for a mere ten days.

Not even a full month had elapsed before these people, impatient to sever the Xiao family’s business, made their move.

Such was their arrogance.

“The Lingshan Sect’s backers—Liu of Jingzhou? Liu of Shu Zhou?”

As he mused, Chen Yi’s face bore a slight smile. “All right, they all share the surname Liu.”

He glanced at the night outside the window, took a brief respite, and then set to work.

In a day’s time, his cultivation could not possibly match the might of those Lingshan Sect evildoers.

Rather than waste time on cultivation, he chose to prepare thoroughly, ensuring his own protection.

The interception of the Lingshan Sect’s evildoers would be handled by Xie Tingyun, Shen Huatang, and the Xiao family’s judicial department.

He merely intended to watch from afar, with no plans to make an appearance himself.

Fortunately, Chen Yi had prepared in advance, and so felt no trembling of nerves.

He then retrieved the medicinal herbs he had gathered from the Ji Shi Apothecary and Bai Caotang, using the scales and mortars prepared in his study to process them.

He ground the herbs into a fine powder, carefully placing each batch on cloud pine paper.

One heap after another.

Only after a full hour did he complete his preparations.

Then came the most crucial step—brewing the elixir.

Chen Yi draped a cloth over his nose and mouth, practicing the Breathing Technique to seal his breath and close his energy channels.

No wonder he was so meticulous.

For this time, the formula he was preparing was one he had specially crafted for these days.

Due to its overwhelming potency, he had named it “The Immortal’s Intoxication.”

Not a poison, but something far more potent than any poison.

Following the formula, Chen Yi weighed each powdered ingredient with precision, carefully pouring them into a clean ceramic bowl.

In total, thirteen kinds of medicinal herbs. Though commonplace, their combined essence, refined through the classic of medicinal formulas, could render even a mid-tier martial artist helpless with intoxication.

As for whether it would affect sixth, fifth, or fourth-tier cultivators, only time would tell.

Once all the ingredients were placed in the ceramic bowl, Chen Yi retrieved a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, slowly pouring the powdered mixture into it.

It was the formula from Cui Wenlu’s tainted medicine—also the source of this Immortal’s Intoxication.

At once, a misty, pinkish haze rose into the air.

“It’s complete.”

Such an appearance matched his expectations perfectly.

Without hesitation, he poured the powder from the ceramic bowl into a pre-prepared porcelain bottle.

In total, he produced five bottles of the Immortal’s Intoxication.

After completing these tasks, Chen Yi opened the window, letting the residual powder dust drift away with the wind, and finally exhaled in relief.

He gazed at the five porcelain bottles on the table, a smile spreading across his face.

Though he could only use it five times, the effect of the Immortal’s Intoxication filled him with anticipation.

“The Immortal’s Intoxication, its power lies in its ability to bypass even the strongest spiritual energy barriers.”

As dawn approached, Chen Yi stored the bottles and returned to his bed to practice the Four Symbols Technique.

Soon, his spirit entered the profound, inscrutable chaos within.

The next day, after two days of heavy rain, the storm finally ceased.

Yet the sky remained overcast, with no sign of clearing.

The humid steam rising from the earth made the streets of Shu Zhou feel somewhat stifling.

Even those who sat motionless were drenched in sweat, let alone those laboring outdoors.

Thus, Xiao Nuo returned early, washing up and changing into fresh, dry clothes.

She took special care to tie a cotton band around her two bun hairstyles to absorb the sweat.

Then she naturally woke Xiao Nuo and Chen Yi, the three of them eating breakfast in the living room.

Wonton noodles with chili, simple but satisfying.

Xiao Nuo had taken two bowls for Chen Yi, each loaded with chili. She paused, blinking in surprise. “Master, you do enjoy spicy food, don’t you?”

Chen Yi nodded with a smile. “Shu Zhou’s cuisine is renowned throughout the Five Dynasties. I naturally relish it.”

Especially hot pot.

Yet the grand Xiao mansion had a dedicated kitchen, primarily specializing in stir-fried and braised dishes.

Aside from the simple breakfast, lunch and dinner were either exotic delicacies or refined feasts, none of which included hot pot, a dish too humble to showcase their culinary prowess.

Xiao Nuo eyed him warily, confirming his sincerity, then laughed. “Master, you do enjoy spicy food, so you should have told me earlier.”

“I thought you weren’t accustomed to chili in Jiangnan.”

Chen Yi smiled, his mind stirring at the thought of hot pot. “At noon, go to the kitchen and tell them…” Since he had no need to visit the apothecary today, he decided to indulge in some particularly delicious fare at the mansion.

After giving his instructions and having Xiao Nuo note them down,

Chen Yi led Xiao Nuo to the pavilion, taking out a Go board to teach him the game.

Before he could finish explaining, Xiao Wanyan arrived with Ci Er and Juan Er, carrying ledgers and an abacus.

Xiao Wanyan glanced at them, smiling warmly. “Shall we play Go? Then I suppose I’ve come at an inappropriate time?”

Xiao Nuo grimaced. “Sister, please sit.”

Xiao Wanyan affectionately patted his head. “The garden is rather quiet today, forgive the intrusion.”

“Not at all…”

Chen Yi stood in bewilderment, placing the Go board aside, inviting Xiao Nuo to sit and play.

Xiao Wanyan’s arrival surprised him slightly, yet he didn’t find her presence intrusive.

After all,

Chen Yi recalled the melodies and songs from the previous night, gathered his spirit, and began instructing Xiao Nuo in the game of Go.

“The Way of Go has three stages: seeing the board as a board, seeing the board as not a board, and seeing the board again as a board…”

Not profound in the way he spoke, but a realization born from his own mastery of the game.

However, these days he has only reached the realm of "seeing the game is not the game."

One of the clever uses of this level was once employing Shu Zhou as the board in his thoughts.

Xiao Wugou gulped down his words like a date swallowed whole, jotting them down while taking to heart the rules of the game.

One taught with earnestness, one learned with earnestness, which made the nearby Xiao Wan'er a bit embarrassed.

She had not come here merely because "Xiangming Garden was quiet."

Rather, for some reason unknown, she had felt restless all day, as if great matters had transpired.

Yet strangely, upon arriving at Spring Lotus Garden and seeing Chen Yi and Xiao Wugou engaged in their game, her spirits too settled and at peace.

Xiao Wan'er could not fathom the reason, blaming it solely on the garden's elegant surroundings.

Near noon.

Little Bie hurried about bringing the base for the pot, followed by servants from the kitchen delivering various dishes and bowls of condiments.

The group settled together, boiling the hot pot within the pavilion.

They had never dined thus before, finding it novel and eating with bright smiles.

"Is this how people eat in Jiangnan Prefecture?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "No, this is the way of Shu Zhou, as I heard from artisans in the East Market."

He spoke not idle words; the hot pot method, though uncommon in Shu Zhou's city, was found in many remote counties and towns.

Mostly, it was the preference of laborers and boatmen rushing to work.

Xiao Wan'er ate cautiously, nodding. "Delicious."

Xiao Wugou dripped sweat profusely, his face flushed from the spiciness.

"Sister, my brother-in-law's mouth seems swollen..."

This drew laughter from the others, and the atmosphere grew convivial.

Yet Xiao Wan'er, hearing Xiao Wugou's careless address, flushed under the firelight's glow.

Surely, an elder sister and younger brother-in-law would be the proper terms.

Only when evening approached did they all rise to depart.

Before leaving, she specifically cautioned Chen Yi not to venture out lately, lest those ill-intentioned folk find opportunity.

Chen Yi nodded, appearing quite obedient.

Yet not long after night fell, he feigned exhaustion, sending Little Bie and Xiao Wugou away to rest.

Once the two had calmed their breathing, Chen Yi changed into a dark robe, shaved a small beard, and made his way out.

He did not attempt to pass through the inner or front courtyards.

Instead, he wound his way through the bamboo grove, taking a path around the hill to reach the Bai Caotang.

Though some of the Xiao family's guards were stationed there, the dense foliage provided cover.

Under the night's veil, with his current "shooting star butterfly step" skill, he carefully slipped past the Xiao family.

About half a li later, Chen Yi arrived at the Bai Caotang.

Following his memory, he entered a tavern on the edge of the West Market, his demeanor unchanged.

It was still before curfew, and the tavern buzzed with patrons and warmth.

"The room upstairs."

"Your lordship, this way."

Chen Yi took the street-facing chamber on the third floor, sat upright, and glanced toward the Bai Caotang in the distance, murmuring to himself:

"Watching a play, it's better to have peanuts and sunflower seeds."

(Chapter Complete)