Chapter 370: Catering to His Tastes (3)

Chapter 370: Chapter 181: Catering to His Tastes (3)

“I am Yan Wushuang. I have long admired the reputation of Young Hero Jiang’s Shocking God Saber, which is why I took the liberty of inviting you here.

“Seeing you in person today, I find the legends don’t do you justice. You truly are a remarkable hero, Young Hero Jiang.”

Jiang Ran smiled.

“You flatter me, Head Yan. I’m just a newcomer to the martial world. What little reputation I have is only because my friends are kind enough to speak highly of me.

“It is your reputation, Head Yan, that is truly legendary.”

Tang Huayi glanced at the two of them, her brow furrowing slightly. Then, she suddenly smiled.

“I imagine you didn’t invite us here just for a social call, did you, Head Yan?

“Is it about the Jiaowei zither?”

Hearing this, Yan Wushuang glanced at Tang Huayi, a hint of surprise in her voice as she spoke.

“I have heard a little about the friends Young Hero Jiang keeps.

“I’ve long heard that the young mistress of Red Maple Manor is Young Hero Jiang’s bosom friend.

“And I’ve also heard that the Gentle Water Sword of the Shuiyue Sword Sect is an incredibly close friend of Young Hero Jiang’s…

“But I don’t believe I recognize this young lady?”

That question was not an easy one to answer.

Tang Huayi couldn’t very well say she was his sister-in-law… After all, if anyone investigated further, it could lead back to the Demon Sect, which would be disastrous for Jiang Ran.

For the sake of Jiang Ran’s reputation, he couldn’t be linked to the Demon Sect, no matter what.

This was one of the reasons everyone from the Tang family had left that day.

Just as she found herself in a predicament, she heard Jiang Ran say with a laugh:

“She’s the daughter of a friend of mine. Instead of staying home and looking after her parents like she’s supposed to, she ran away to try and make her way in the martial world.

“I just so happened to run into her and catch her in Evergreen Mansion…

“After our business in Evergreen Mansion is concluded, I have to send her back to her parents.”

“…”

Tang Huayi felt the urge to bite someone.

“I see.”

Yan Wushuang smiled and didn’t press the matter.

“But what this young lady said is indeed correct. My purpose in inviting you here was, in fact, the Jiaowei zither.

“Young Hero Jiang, I’ve prepared some fruit and snacks. Please, take a seat and have some tea. Shall we discuss this in detail?”

“Please.”

Since he was already here, he might as well see it through. At least the Hundred Treasures Association was being upfront about their goals, which was better than the underhanded methods of Thunderbolt Hall.

Entering the pavilion, they took their respective seats as host and guests.

Yan Wushuang clapped her hands lightly, and a servant immediately came forward with a tray.

On the tray was a wine pot. Yan Wushuang took it with both hands and said with a smile:

“I’ve long heard that Young Hero Jiang is a great lover of wine, a true heroic drinker.

“As a businesswoman, I’ve always found it best to cater to one’s tastes.

“The Zongyi in the carriage… I trust you enjoyed it, Young Hero Jiang?”

“It is indeed fine wine.”

Jiang Ran nodded, then patted his own wine gourd. “That’s why I poured it in here. I plan to savor it slowly when I get back.”

“Of course.”

Yan Wushuang chuckled and nodded, then poured Jiang Ran another cup.

“This vintage is also from Qianyun Manor. It is called ‘Gao Ge.’

“First taste Zongyi, then sample Gao Ge.

“Let’s drink and sing, for life is brief.”

Jiang Ran chuckled, lifting the cup. He sniffed its aroma, took a sip, and then drained it in one go.

“Zongyi first, Gao Ge after.

“Mmm… It fills the heart with pleasure. The aftertaste is truly sublime.”

“I’m glad you like it, Young Hero Jiang,”

Yan Wushuang said, “Some time ago, I brought back three hundred pounds of each of these two wines from Qianyun Manor. When you leave, Young Hero Jiang, you can take it all with you.”

“Six hundred pounds in total?”

Although Jiang Ran tried hard to restrain himself, his eyes couldn’t help but light up.

With six hundred pounds of fine wine, he could fill a pool and soak in it.

Moreover, both types of wine were very expensive… A small pot could sell for two hundred silver.

This pot held half a pound of wine at most.

That meant these six hundred pounds were worth over two hundred thousand silver, at the very least.

Jiang Ran had always considered himself quite wealthy, his bags always full of money.

But compared to Yan Wushuang, he suddenly felt like a pauper.

He gave a bitter laugh.

“Head Yan is truly skilled at catering to one’s tastes…

“You really make it hard to say no.”

Yan Wushuang smiled at his words.

“Young Hero Jiang, you know the legends of the Jiaowei zither as well.

“I imagine the zither is of little use in your hands.

“You don’t dare to play it, you can’t throw it away, and it always attracts trouble.

“It’s not something you can eat or drink, so why insist on keeping it with you?”

“Then if I were to give the Jiaowei zither to the Hundred Treasures Association, what would you do with it?”

Jiang Ran casually picked up the wine pot and poured himself another cup.

Yan Wushuang said softly:

“Naturally, we would seek a way to unlock the zither’s secrets.”

Jiang Ran smiled.

“The Jiaowei zither is one of the Twelve Celestial Artificers, and it possesses immense power in its own right.

“If its secrets could be unlocked… I’m afraid six hundred pounds of fine wine would be no comparison, would it?”

“That is why I have prepared a few other gifts for you, Young Hero Jiang.”

As she spoke, Yan Wushuang clapped her hands lightly.

Immediately, servants came over carrying trays, each covered with a red cloth.

There were three items in total.

They were of various sizes and shapes, hidden under the red cloths, making it impossible to see what they were.

These servants came forward but did not set the items down, instead lining up in a row.

Yan Wushuang stood up, walked to the first treasure, and lifted the red cloth covering it. With a smile, she said:

“Take a look, Young Hero Jiang.”

Jiang Ran looked up and saw that under the red cloth was a gourd.

It was made of a purplish-gold material, with a large, crooked belly. A red tassel with a jade bead was tied around its middle, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

“This is?”

Jiang Ran gave Yan Wushuang a curious look.

Yan Wushuang held the gourd in her hand and chuckled.

“This item is called the Purple Jade Gourd. It is a rare treasure, and it is hailed as the world’s number one wine vessel.”

“The Purple Jade Gourd?”

Tang Huayi was astonished. “This thing… it actually exists?”

“You know of it?”

Jiang Ran glanced at Tang Huayi in surprise.

Tang Huayi nodded.

“It’s recorded in the ‘Record of Rare Treasures’ that the Purple Jade Gourd can turn clear water into fine wine, and ordinary wine into aged, premium vintages.

“It’s just that the legend is so outlandish, I always thought it was just a fantasy.

“I never expected the Hundred Treasures Association to be so capable as to find this item that would drive every drunkard in the world mad.”

Yan Wushuang smiled faintly.

“Young lady, your vast knowledge is admirable.”

With that, she first turned the gourd upside down to show it was empty, then went to the lakeside and filled it with lake water.

“As for what magical properties this item has, knowledge from books is always shallow. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Young Hero Jiang, please see for yourself.”

As she spoke, she turned over a teacup, poured the water from the gourd into it, and gestured with her arm.

“Please.”

Dubious, Jiang Ran lifted the teacup to his nose and sniffed. His expression changed slightly, and he gave Yan Wushuang a strange look.

“This seems to be… still lake water.”

Yan Wushuang’s confident smile instantly froze.

“Huh?”