Chapter 107: I Drink Wine, You Drink the Northwest Wind

Hearing the shout from behind, Chu Feng immediately halted his steps. Bai Naizhao, who was walking ahead, also turned around to see what was happening.

About twenty yards back on the snowy path, a young man and woman, both martial artists, each rode a majestic white stag, galloping swiftly toward them. Behind the couple, more than twenty well-equipped warriors also rode stags in pursuit. Four of these stags were harnessed together, pulling a large chest that slid across the snow, stirring up a flurry of powdery flakes. The contents of the chest remained a mystery.

Chu Feng took a careful glance but did not recognize the man who called out to him. However, when he looked at the woman beside him, he immediately recognized her.

Tang Xicui!

A few days ago, at the banquet hosted by the Wind and Thunder Martial Hall, this young lady—who claimed to be the eldest daughter of the Mu Xue Manor—had been very friendly to Chu Feng. She had proactively toasted him several times and spoken sincerely, not merely flattering him. Chu Feng held a deep impression of her frank and straightforward manner.

“Hey, Brother Chu! Do you remember who I am? Do you still recognize me?” From a distance, Tang Xicui greeted Chu Feng with a bright smile.

“Heh, how could I forget the Tang family’s girl? And who might this gentleman be?” Chu Feng replied with a smile while inquiring about the man who called out to him.

“This is my elder brother, Tang Xichen!” she answered.

As she spoke, the Tang siblings rode up to Chu Feng, dismounted their stags, and respectfully cupped their fists in salutation.

Chu Feng and the Tang siblings were all about the same age, though the brother and sister appeared to be a year or two younger than him.

“Brother Chu, I regret missing the banquet at Wind and Thunder Martial Hall the other day. I was stationed outside Hengshan and could not attend, so I missed the chance to meet you. It’s truly unfortunate. Fortunately, I heard you departed from the Nine Profound Sect this morning on an important mission to the Wuhansnow Clan. This is the entrance to Wuhansnow Mountain, so my sister and I brewed some fine wine at the manor and planned to wait here to share a drink with you in person. Seems my luck is good—I didn’t miss you after all!” Tang Xichen explained, cupping his fists to Chu Feng, his expression filled with honor at the chance to meet him.

“Brother Tang, Sister Tang, you are too kind! I, Chu Feng, feel truly undeserving!” Chu Feng smiled and returned the gesture. Only now did he realize that the chest pulled by the four stags contained fine wine; the Tang siblings had thoughtfully learned of his itinerary and even planned to wait for him here. Such sincere hospitality could not be feigned.

“Come, open the chest and pour the wine!” Tang Xichen commanded, and two sternly clad servants behind him immediately went to work.

Bang!

As the chest was opened, a muffled explosion sounded. A great burst of flames shot forth, revealing a large sealed wine jar suspended over the fire, warming the wine inside.

“Hmm, fine wine, fine wine!” Even before the jar was opened, Chu Feng breathed in the intoxicating aroma and couldn't help but applaud.

“Ha! This is the Mu Xue Manor’s cellar treasure, aged for one hundred and twenty years—Snow Scorpion Fire Wine! The scorpions are a century and two decades old, the fire is that old, and the wine itself has matured for one hundred and twenty years! Across the nine mountain ranges and eighteen valleys, this is the only jar of its kind!” Tang Xichen, evidently a connoisseur, beamed with pride as he described the wine.

“Heh, Brother Tang, you are truly considerate. I, Chu Feng, will remember your kindness!” Chu Feng laughed heartily.

At that moment, a servant carefully broke the wax seal of the century-old jar, releasing a soft popping sound. As the fire warmed the Snow Scorpion Fire Wine, its fragrance spread in all directions.

Two servants poured a large bowl of the wine, which Tang Xichen personally handed to Chu Feng, showing utmost respect.

The bowl contained a fiery red liquid, gently rippling as if flames danced within. Suspended in the glowing wine were several pure white scorpions, as long as a thumb, resembling icicles. Heated over the flames, this Snow Scorpion Fire Wine was an unfamiliar but fascinating drink for Chu Feng.

Just as Chu Feng was about to drink, he noticed Bai Naizhao, Aying, and Ayan waiting a few yards away. It seemed improper to enjoy the wine alone while they stood idly by. He said, “If you three don’t mind, come share a bowl with me.”

Aying and Ayan smiled and shook their heads politely, declining Chu Feng’s kind offer. Bai Naizhao, however, remained silent and turned his back.

“Heh, if you won’t drink, then stand there and catch the northwest wind!” Chu Feng chuckled inwardly and decided not to press further. Raising the large wine bowl, he clinked it with Tang Xichen and Tang Xicui, and the three drank together.

The Snow Scorpion Fire Wine was not only exquisitely fragrant but also remarkably smooth. As the wine slid down his throat, a fiery warmth blossomed in his dantian. Chu Feng then guided this heat with the “Taiwu Qi Cultivation Art,” allowing the internal energy to circulate through his meridians. After a small cycle, every pore on his body tingled with comfort.

It was no exaggeration to say that drinking a bowl of this wine was like bathing the internal organs in warm water; the dantian and meridians relished the effect.

“Refreshing! Brother Tang, the Snow Scorpion Fire Wine your manor produces is truly exceptional! Today, I, Chu Feng, am fortunate to savor such a delicacy!” Chu Feng said with a broad smile.

“Haha, Brother Chu, you flatter us! This Snow Scorpion Fire Wine is indeed the finest of its kind. Especially in the harsh, bitter cold north of the Nine Profound Sect, it serves not only as wine but as a life-saving elixir! A bowl of it warms you thoroughly when traveling through Wuhansnow Mountain, no matter how fierce the wind or snow. It even repels some snow beasts! Moreover, it greatly aids the stabilization and guidance of one’s internal energy,” Tang Xichen said enthusiastically.

“Brother Chu, the wine is excellent, but once it’s gone, it’s gone. Your heroic deeds in the martial world, however, never grow old. The more I hear, the more inspiring they become!” Tang Xicui exclaimed excitedly, then suddenly changed the subject. “By the way, Brother Chu, I heard that last night, Bai Naizhao, the head of the Beast Taming Hall at the Nine Profound Sect, used the excuse of disciplining the disciples to pick a fight with you. Yet, not only did he fail to harm you, but you also defeated him swiftly with a single spear strike. Is that true?”

“*Cough, cough!*” Hearing this, Chu Feng coughed twice, pretending to be choked by the fire wine, and shook his head. “There’s nothing much to discuss about that. I still think this wine is excellent—let’s drink!”

“Brother Chu loves the Snow Scorpion Fire Wine, so I’ll have the servants prepare two large cowhide bags so you can carry some into the mountains!” Tang Xichen said generously. “As for Bai Naizhao of the Nine Profound Sect—he’s always been arrogant, relying on his position as the Beast Taming Hall chief to look down on others! Last year, more than a dozen snow colts on my manor fell ill. I brought generous gifts to the Nine Profound Sect’s Beast Taming Hall, hoping for some medicine, but Bai Naizhao wouldn’t even see me, causing those colts to die! Now that Brother Chu humbled that brat, he’ll have to wear a humbler face for a while!”

“Too bad my sister and I weren’t there last night. If we’d seen Brother Chu defeat Bai Naizhao with a single strike and watched him beg for mercy, I’m afraid we’d have laughed ourselves to tears!” Tang Xicui laughed heartily.

“Haha! Just imagining Bai Naizhao’s little face when he caved in is priceless!” Tang Xichen chuckled.

“Bai Naizhao is the youngest hall chief at the Nine Profound Sect but has always been overconfident. He’s really a frog in a well. Losing to Master Chu this time must have shown him that there are greater people beyond him!” Tang Xichen added.

“Exactly! Bai Naizhao’s reputation is nothing compared to Master Chu’s. In the entire nine mountain ranges and eighteen valleys, Master Chu’s fame is immense. He’s only been on the path for a few months but has already made waves with one sensational feat after another. Bai Naizhao can only feed wild beasts and discipline young disciples. That little bit of authority is nothing!” The Tang siblings’ attendants and stewards, numbering over twenty, chimed in one after another, laughing loudly and ridiculing Bai Naizhao like a clown.

Chu Feng smiled quietly, saying nothing. Slowly, he glanced behind him to see Aying and Ayan suppressing smiles, while Bai Naizhao stood motionless with his back turned, apparently able to endure the ridicule without lashing out.

“Brother Tang, Sister Tang, I will remember this fine wine and make it up to you with a drink and chat in the future. Heroes and gallants, I must now take my leave. Please see me off!” Chu Feng finished his bowl of Snow Scorpion Fire Wine and cupped his fists to the Tang siblings and their retinue.

“Master Chu, may your journey be smooth and your success swift!” they all replied, returning the gesture.

Chu Feng accepted the two large bags of Snow Scorpion Fire Wine and approached Bai Naizhao. Only then did he notice that the deep snow beneath and around Bai Naizhao had melted. This was due to the internal energy he emitted, which catalyzed the snow within a one-zhang radius.

The cause of this energy emission was clearly anger.

When a martial artist harbors anger but cannot express it openly, the internal energy in their dantian unconsciously disperses, dissipating the rage alongside it—this is called calming the anger.

That Bai Naizhao’s internal energy could melt snow over such an area showed just how intense his fury was, how much resentment and frustration he bore within.