Chapter 22: The Spirit Wine is Brewed, and the Daoist Offers Flowers

Cao Kong pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, “This Willow Immortal—is he trustworthy?”

The Ape Lion burst into hearty laughter. “Brother Cao, you truly are cautious. Rest assured, the Willow Immortal dwells on Mount Tengyou. He is a green snake who has cultivated for a thousand years and attained spirit form. With his deep cultivation and his protection of the people at the mountain’s foot, he’s come to be known as the Willow Immortal, famed for his benevolence. Besides, Brother Cao, with your strength, even if the Willow Immortal harbored malicious intent, he would only end up slain by your hand. The Willow Immortal’s Treasure Exchange Gathering is in two months—make sure you don’t miss it.”

The other six lions agreed wholeheartedly. Having inherited their ancestor’s methods, they were remarkable among monsters. They believed that even the Willow Immortal could not survive their combined assault. Yet they had been defeated by Cao Kong, so, in the vast mortal world, there were few places Cao Kong could not go.

Cao Kong’s interest was piqued. “In this path of cultivation, how is strength distinguished? Are there realms or divisions?”

The Ape Lion shook his head. “Cultivation is simply cultivation. Everyone’s fate differs—how can one generalize? But if one must, it’s nothing more than refining essence, refining qi, and refining spirit.”

“Indeed. The way of cultivation is but refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, and perfecting these three—essence, qi, and spirit. When one has cultivated the three flowers atop the head, in terms of attainment, one may be called an immortal.”

Ao You chimed in at this point. With her exceptional heritage, she knew more than the Ape Lion. “As for strength, it varies by supernatural powers, magic arts, treasures, and weapons—one cannot sum it up in a single phrase.”

As she spoke, Ao You’s expression revealed a trace of defiance. “Just as when we fought previously, my fighting spirit was lacking, while you struck decisively and used that golden light spell, so I was defeated.”

Cao Kong smiled, comprehending. Indeed, cultivation is simply cultivation; some travel far, others stay close—how could it ever be captured in a single word?

He then gave thanks to the seven lions and Ao You.

Yet another problem arose. The Treasure Exchange Gathering centers around the word ‘exchange,’ but he seemed to be without any treasures himself.

At this point, the seven lions, having eaten, drunk, and fought to their hearts’ content, prepared to take their leave. The Yellow Lion saw the clouds forming beneath the feet of the six others and immediately blew them away with a gust of monster wind. “Well, now, losing your wager and trying to run—next time, each of you owes me thirty pounds of spirit spring water.”

The Ape Lion replied shamelessly, “Who says we’re running? We’re going back to fetch the spirit spring water. Besides, I distinctly heard that Miss Ao You was in on the wager too. We should split the spirit spring water with her.”

Ao You’s lips curved slightly. She had joined the wager only because it seemed amusing; as for the spirit spring water, she hardly cared about it.

She whispered to Cao Kong, “Let all the spirit spring water go to you. We’ll try brewing wine with it.”

Cao Kong’s mind turned at her words. His cultivation was deeper than the seven lions’, and their candor made it hard for him to take advantage. So he said, “I have a method for brewing wine. In a few days the spirit wine will be ready. Why not come and taste it together, and help judge its flavor? If it pleases you, I’ll brew more with spirit spring, and we’ll drink till we’re satisfied.”

The seven lions laughed heartily, feeling that Cao Kong was truly delightful—someone worth befriending.

…

A dozen days later, Cao Kong brought out several jars of spirit wine, aged twenty-eight days. Each jar was made from a hundred pounds of grain and, after purification, yielded thirty to forty pounds of spirit wine.

That day, Leopard Head Mountain was saturated with spiritual energy; the fragrance of wine intoxicated all who approached.

Cao Kong tasted a sip and immediately felt the aroma and spiritual energy permeate his lungs and viscera. Though he’d never been an expert in wine, he could tell this was superb. He sensed his meridians being nourished, his cultivation imperceptibly rising just a little.

This delighted him—who would have thought that ordinary grain, once fused with innate sweet dew, would have such effects?

He casually shaped a spell, summoning a gentle breeze, drank another hearty mouthful, and found that the spiritual power he’d spent was gradually restored—not immediately, but unmistakably present.

‘Wine, they say, grows richer with age. This is still new wine, yet its flavor is already so fine. If I store it for decades or centuries, the taste—ah, magnificent.’

Cao Kong laughed aloud and emptied another cup, feeling the first hints of intoxication.

With the spirit wine brewed, Ao You was by his side—content, for she had contributed to its making. Her brows curved as she took delicate sips, savoring her achievement.

Cao Kong’s spirits soared. Since his master, the Supreme Lord of Salvation, had bestowed upon him the twin arts of the sword and wine, and now that his swordplay had reached the threshold and his spirit wine was brewed, why not drink and dance with the sword—a true pleasure in life.

Cao Kong summoned wind and rain, snapped a budding branch for a sword, let his qi draw wine to his lips, and began to dance.

His form twisted and turned, corresponding to the positions of the twenty-eight lunar mansions. He called down starlight, his swordplay swirling with wind and rain, free and unbridled—his movements dreamlike and ethereal.

At times, he soared like a green dragon; at others, rode the winds like a white tiger; then became a vermilion bird rising into the sky, and transformed into a black tortoise moving with the wind and rain.

Ao You watched, feeling the bearing of the Daoist before her like the elegance of a celestial being.

The wind and rain soaked the flower branch, giving it a delicate, fragile beauty. Cao Kong’s spirit was stirred, and, seeing the dragon maiden beside him blushing like a goddess in the rain, he felt a new inspiration.

Stepping eastward, he drew starlight, his feet moving as if riding the wind, the flower branch pointing straight at the dragon maiden.

Suddenly, wind and rain enveloped her, enhancing her charm. Innate Dao energy, divided into yin and yang, transformed into the wood element; the green dragon’s starlight governed vitality, and the wood-elemental magic responded. Flowers not meant to bloom in this season sprouted new buds, then opened blossoms, unfurling petals.

In the gentle breeze and rain, the dragon maiden forgot the wine in her hand, dumbfounded as she gazed at the white spirit flower blooming before her, its fragrance drifting.

For a moment, she watched the Daoist with his immortal bearing and became utterly entranced.

“Along the way, Miss Ao You has often helped me solve my puzzles. Today, with spirit wine brewed, I offer this flower to you.”

Cao Kong smiled gently, but the dragon maiden seemed oblivious, leaving him puzzled.

Just as he was about to finish his sword dance, he saw the dragon maiden take the branch in her hand.

“Oh.” Her voice, tinged with intoxication, was faint and husky.

A long moment passed before she spoke again.

“Thank you.”

…

The next day, Cao Kong invited the seven lions, along with the Golden Leopard and Ao You, to drink fine wine together.

Ao You was content, simply happy that her wine had turned out well, sipping slowly and blushing.

The Golden Leopard fared worse; after a few large gulps, he became thoroughly drunk, unable to maintain his humanoid form, reverting to his original body and sleeping soundly on the ground.

As for the seven lions, they had never tasted such spirit wine before. They drank freely, determined to get thoroughly drunk.

They could hold their liquor, but the more they drank, the more intoxicated they became, until finally they were all thoroughly drunk.

Upon waking the next day, Cao Kong suddenly found the Yellow Lion standing before him, rubbing his hands together.

“Heh, Brother Cao, at the Treasure Exchange Gathering, if you don’t keep your eyes sharp, you’ll be taken advantage of.”

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“I mean, Brother Cao, I’ll give you my method for appraising treasures, and all the spirit spring water I owe. In return, you share half your spirit wine with me.”