Chapter 38: Strong Spirits Down the Throat Transform into Heroic Spirit

Many people in the medical clinic and on the street witnessed the scene. The commotion had so distracted Cheng Yaojin that he nearly forgot the very reason he had come to the clinic in the first place.

"You rascal! When I walked in just now, you didn't even give me a hint. How was I supposed to know that the person lying on that stretcher was Cui Wenbin? And he was so severely injured! To think that this wretch would be in such a state and that I would happen to run into him and say those things right at that moment!"

Back in the clinic, Cheng Yaojin was so furious he nearly thrashed Cheng Chumo. He blamed the whole incident on his son. Had the foolish boy given him a warning when he entered, he never would have made such a blunder. Cheng Chumo didn't even dare to talk back; being lectured by his father was far better than being beaten by him. It was best to stay silent, lest the consequences turn dire.

"I wonder, Uncle Cheng, what brings you here today? Is there something else you need?" Su Chen quickly changed the subject. Since the situation had already unfolded, he would simply have to deal with the aftermath later. After all, the Cui family was currently like a hot potato—difficult to handle—but now that Cheng Yaojin was embroiled in the matter, Su Chen felt it might actually be easier to manage. At the very least, the Cui family wouldn't dare to directly trouble Cheng Yaojin; if they did, he might just cut a few of them down. Eventually, the matter would likely end up before Li Shimin.

Hearing Su Chen’s question, Cheng Yaojin finally remembered that he had come to the clinic to ask for wine, not to meddle in the affairs of the Cui family. "If you hadn't brought it up, I would have nearly forgotten such an important matter! Quickly, bring out your 'Taibai Drunkenness.' I know you must still have some."

The "Taibai Drunkenness" had sold out in Chang'an in a single day. Many people were now desperately trying to buy it at high prices, but it was nowhere to be found. Even the taverns couldn't get any stock from Su Chen, leaving Cheng Yaojin with no choice but to come to the clinic himself.

"So, you wanted the Taibai Drunkenness. Didn't I send it to your tavern for sale? Didn't you keep a few jars, Uncle Cheng?" Su Chen was unaware that the tavern had sold every last drop, and that Cheng Yaojin hadn't kept a single jar for himself. Cheng had only managed a small sip from the bottom of a cup, but that tiny taste had left him wanting more. Had he known such fine wine was sitting in his own tavern, he certainly wouldn't have allowed it all to be sold; he would have kept at least half for himself.

Hearing Su Chen's question, Cheng Yaojin could only sigh. "It's all the fault of this foolish son of mine. I let him follow you, yet he didn't tell me about such an important thing! You had such excellent wine, and I didn't even know. By the time I heard the rumors about Taibai Drunkenness, it was already sold out."

At the thought of this, Cheng Yaojin flew into a rage at his son again, blaming him for not being filial. With such fine wine available, not a single jar remained for him. Others were surely at home right now, sipping Taibai Drunkenness and mocking him. The inability to get his hands on the wine burned in his heart like a raging fire.

"Don't worry, Uncle Cheng. I did keep a few jars here. I will have someone bring them to you immediately." Su Chen had indeed set some aside and ordered his men to retrieve them.

But Cheng Yaojin could not wait. He stood up, grabbed Su Chen by the arm, and headed for the door. "By the time your men bring it over, the day will be long gone! Hurry, where is your wine? Take me there; I want to drink two jars on the spot!"

Cheng Yaojin was pulling him so hard that Su Chen felt pain in his arm and couldn't resist. "Uncle Cheng, if you drag me like this, we'll be even slower. Let's just ride our horses to the distillery behind my house."

Cheng Yaojin, acting on impulse, had forgotten this. Hearing Su Chen’s reminder, he nodded quickly. "Right, right! How could I have forgotten? Quickly, bring the horses!"

The group rode together to the distillery behind the Su residence. Song Laosan had been tasked with guarding the few remaining jars. Production had ceased, and most of the stock had already been sold. The craftsmen were puzzled as to why Su Chen had ordered them to stop brewing such fine wine, but they followed his instructions regardless. Soon, the sound of hooves approached, followed by several men.

As soon as Song Laosan emerged, he saw Su Chen and the others. "Song Laosan, quickly, bring out the remaining jars of fine wine. Uncle Cheng cannot wait," Su Chen ordered.

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand, dismissing the need for such trouble. "Let's go in together. You brat, to build such an impressive distillery here—I must see it for myself and taste this Taibai Drunkenness properly!"

Cheng Yaojin strode into the distillery, where he spotted four sealed jars. He didn't wait for anyone else; he pried open one of them, and a rich, intoxicating aroma filled the air. Just the scent alone was more fragrant and potent than any wine he had ever tasted. Even the tribute wine he had drunk in the imperial palace was no match for this.

"I can't wait anymore!" Cheng Yaojin, unable to control himself in the face of such fine spirits, lifted the entire jar and took a massive gulp.

*Gulp.*

The fiery liquor rushed from his throat directly to his stomach. "Ah..." Cheng Yaojin gasped, his mouth wide, his face flushing deep red. A feeling he had never experienced before surged to his head. Even after drinking entire jars of other wines, he had never felt like this. A single mouthful was enough to make him feel as though the passion of his days on the battlefield, cutting down enemies, had returned to his chest. He felt as if ten thousand horses were galloping before him, and he was there, axe in hand, hacking through the enemy ranks.