Chapter 366 The Secret Realm of Snow Village
When You Su heard this, his heart trembled. He knew that Master Olympus's proposal was by no means as simple as strolling in the courtyard.
Xuexiangju is a well-known teahouse in Shuocheng. Although the three accountants tried their best to stop him and kept saying that the Lord of the City would be back soon, Master Oshu had already decided to leave and did not listen to their dissuasion at all.
You Su stood up, followed the steps of Lord Oshu, walked out of the gate of the city lord's palace, and stepped into the neat streets of Shuocheng.
It was still cold and windy in early summer in Shuocheng, but there was an endless stream of pedestrians on the streets. The cries of vendors and the chatter and laughter of pedestrians intertwined together to form a lively scene. What surprised You Su most was that there were specialized workers in Shuo City responsible for clearing snow from the roads.
The scene in this city is very different from the desolate and desolate scene outside the city. Although it is not as prosperous as Zhongyuan Continent, it is no less lively.
When You Su followed Master Olympus, he would also be distracted and listen to the conversations of some residents, trying to find some unusual clues.
Master Oshu was still dressed as a flamboyant flower Taoist priest. He walked on the street and looked around. Occasionally he would pass by some interesting vendors and chat with the bosses. If he wasn't quite square and handsome, he would look like a second-rate man. His familiar personality and exaggerated image attracted the attention of many people around him, but he ignored those strange looks, as if he couldn't see those people at all.
You Su secretly approved in his heart, ignoring it not because of indifference, but because the height was no longer on the same level. With this alone, Hua Taoist has already surpassed many high-ranking people. Judging from his appearance, it is no wonder that he has achieved his current achievements.
"Have you ever heard of this Xuexiang tea?" Master Oshu suddenly asked.
You Su shook his head, "I have only heard of white magnolia tea in Bei Aozhou."
Because this was the tea he had plundered from Master Ling, and getting this trophy marked a huge change in his life, so he remembered it unforgettable.
"This tea is popular in Zhongyuan Continent and Nanyang Continent, but not many people drink it in Bei Ao Continent. After all, the weather is already very cold. Who has nothing to do to drink that refreshing herbal tea." Lord Olympus smiled and relaxed. He said slowly, "The custom of drinking tea is not popular in Bei Aozhou because there is no tea cultivation. But since we started to learn from the development trajectories of other continents, tea has gradually become more popular. But tea is an imported product after all, and good tea will only be more expensive in Bei Aozhou, so drinking good tea has become a problem in Bei Aozhou. A status symbol.”
"It's the same everywhere." You Su replied casually.
"Yes... people all like to use external objects to prove something." Lord Olympus agreed, saying meaningfully, "But the excessive profits also gave those people the opportunity to play tricks. Only three of them were sold a day. A cup of tea, I’m afraid it’s not tea.”
After saying this, Master Olympus stopped beside an old woman pushing a charcoal stove and bought two steaming roasted sweet potatoes from the old woman.
"There are twelve coins in total, please take it." Lord Oshu put the money exactly into the hands of the old woman who was unable to move, and the old woman thanked her softly.
"Do you want to eat it?" Master Oshu handed the orange-red sweet potato to You Su, and he had already taken a big bite.
This Lord Dongxu's down-to-earth spirit was beyond You Su's imagination. You Su wanted to eat it, but he didn't want to show his face in public, so he just took it but didn't eat it.
"Why put it in the Qiankun bag? The roasted sweet potatoes must be eaten while they are hot." Master Olympus pointed out.
"Not hungry."
"What will you take if you're not hungry?"
"You give it to me, why don't I want it?"
"Good boy." Master Olympus smiled bitterly and continued to enjoy the sweet sweet potatoes.
"You feel sorry for that old woman who still sells sweet potatoes in the wind and snow. Why don't you give her more money? I really didn't expect that a Venerable Dongxu would put a penny on his body, and there would be so much." You Su asked his doubts. Giving him hundreds of taels of silver, let alone a few more cents, would be more distressing to Venerable Dongxu than losing a hair.
Lord Olympus laughed and explained, "Who said I pity her? Have you forgotten that I am a fortune teller? Everyone has his own destiny, and I will never try to change anyone's destiny. I bought the sweet potatoes simply because It’s just greed. And every commodity has its own value. Remember, disrupting the market order is against the law of the Holy Mountain.”
You Su raised his head after hearing this. His vision was blurred. This flower Taoist priest was dressed in colorful clothes, which was so out of place in this black and white world, but he had to admit that this person was quite interesting.
Xuexiangju is located in the east corner of the city. It is an antique wooden building. Two red lanterns hung in front of the door, swaying gently in the cold wind, emitting a soft light.
When You Su and Master Oshu walked into the teahouse, a warm feeling hit their faces, accompanied by the faint fragrance of tea, which made people feel refreshed.
The teahouse was bustling with people and the seats were packed. It could be said that it was busier than most teahouses in Zhongyuanzhou. You Su looked around and saw that the tea guests were either drinking tea, chatting, or playing chess, looking relaxed and at ease. However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, You Su was keenly aware of something strange. The teahouse shopkeeper and the waiters' eyes flickered, as if they were always alert to the movements around them. This tense atmosphere made You Su even more certain that there must be something fishy here.
The moment You Su and Master Oshu stepped into Xuexiang Residence, the hustle and bustle around them seemed to have been lightly pressed on the pause button. Inside the teahouse, the warmth and fragrance of tea linger, which is in sharp contrast to the biting cold wind outside.
Lord Oshu looked around, searching the crowd for the figures of the Lord of Shuocheng and the boss of Xuexiangju. Soon, his eyes fell on an imposing middle-aged man in luxurious clothes. The man had a majestic face and an undoubted domineering look between his brows. He was Qi Tai, the Lord of Shuo City. Next to Qitai is a middle-aged businessman with a smile and shrewd eyes. He is Li Ming, the owner of Xuexiangju.
When Qi Tai saw Lord Oshu, a warm smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he hurriedly greeted him: "Oh, Lord Oshu is coming here, it's really disappointing to welcome him from afar!" The attitude was extremely respectful.
Lord Oshu smiled slightly and returned the courtesy: "The city lord is too polite. I also came to visit unexpectedly. I hope the city lord won't be surprised."
Li Ming also hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile on his face: "It's really brilliant that Your Majesty can come to the shop! Come and take a seat, the shop will prepare the best Xuexiang tea for you."
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Master Oshu nodded and sat down at a table by the window with You Su. Qi Tai and Li Ming sat opposite them respectively, looking extremely enthusiastic.
"I heard that this Xuexiang tea is extremely expensive and only sells three cups a day. I came here to taste it today." As he spoke, Master Olympus picked up the teacup on the table and gently smelled the fragrance of the tea.
Hearing this, Qi Tai had an embarrassed smile on his face: "Your Majesty is really well-informed, and this Xuexiang tea is indeed rare. However, the shop has been sold out today, and I hope you will forgive me." Venerable Oshu frowned slightly. Pick, look with a smile but not a smile Turning to Qitai: "Oh? Sold out? That's really unfortunate. However, since I'm here, I can't leave empty-handed. I wonder if the city lord can tell me where to purchase this Xuexiang tea. Where? ”
Qi Tai's face changed slightly when he heard this, and he hesitated: "This...this purchase channel is a business secret and cannot be disclosed."
Lord Olympus smiled faintly and put down the tea cup: "Don't be nervous, City Lord. I'm just asking casually. However, I am very interested in tea ceremony. I wonder if the City Lord and the boss can chat with me about the knowledge of this tea?"< br>
Qi Tai and Li Ming looked at each other, looking a little embarrassed. In fact, they don’t know much about tea. The reason why Xuexiang tea is valuable is more because of its scarcity and the story behind it, rather than its own quality. But facing an expert like Master Olympus, they did not dare to show their timidity easily.
"Uh... this tea is naturally fragrant and has an endless aftertaste." Qitai laughed a few times and tried to get away with it.
Li Ming also echoed: "Yes, yes, this Xuexiang tea is a specialty of Bei Aozhou. It is definitely a first-class tea."
Hearing this, Master Olympus raised a playful smile at the corner of his mouth: "Oh? I see. But why do you feel that there is something wrong with the taste of this tea?" As he spoke, he picked up the teacup again and took a sip. .
Qi Tai and Li Ming's hearts tightened, and they quickly looked at Master Olympus nervously. However, Venerable Oshu just smiled and said nothing.
The atmosphere became a little awkward for a while. At this moment, Master Olympus suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, I have one more important thing to do during this trip. I heard that Shuocheng's tax revenue has been growing slowly in recent years, so I came here specially to check the accounts. I wonder if the city lord can Bring the account books of recent years to me for review?”
When Qi Tai heard this, his expression suddenly turned ugly. He never expected that Venerable Olympus came here to check the accounts. But facing a master like Master Olympus, he did not dare to refuse easily.
"This...this account book is stored in the mansion. If your lord wants to see it, I will send someone to get it." Qitai said while winking at Li Ming.
Li Ming understood and stood up quickly: "Your Majesty, wait a moment, I will go get the account book." After saying that, he hurriedly left the teahouse.
Soon, Li Ming came back with several heavy account books. Master Olympus took the account book and read it carefully. You Su sat aside and quietly observed the changes in Master Olympus's expression.
As time went by, Master Olympus's brows became more and more frowned. He put down the account book and looked up at Qitai: "City Lord, there seems to be something wrong with the records in this account book."
Qi Tai was startled and asked calmly: "Oh? I wonder what problem the Lord has discovered?"
Lord Oshu smiled slightly: "The purchase price of this Xuexiang tea seems to be a bit high. Moreover, I have hardly heard of these so-called importers. I wonder if the city lord can explain it to me?"
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Upon hearing this, Qitai couldn't help but beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He hesitated for a long time, then reluctantly said: "This...these importers are all newly rising forces, and your venerable may not know much about them yet. However, the quality of their goods is absolutely guaranteed."
Lord Oshu shook his head: "City Lord, there is no need to say more. Although I am not talented, I am still knowledgeable and knowledgeable. I know a thing or two about all the material importers in Bei Aozhou. But the items in these account books I have never heard of any names.”
Seeing that he could no longer hide it, Qi Tai could only sigh: "Your Majesty clearly understands everything and I admire it. To be honest, this Xuexiang tea does not come from any importer, but from another source."
When Master Oshu heard this, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes: "Oh? I wonder if the city lord can tell me where the real source of this Xuexiang tea is?"
Qi Tai hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to tell the truth: "This Xuexiang tea... is actually picked from a secret place."
"Secret realm?" Master Olympus raised his eyebrows slightly, looking quite surprised.
Qi Tai nodded: "Yes, it is a secret realm. There are many rare spiritual herbs and elixirs growing in that secret realm, and this Xuexiang tea is one of them. However, that secret realm is extremely dangerous, so this Xuexiang tea The quantity is extremely limited, so the price will naturally go up. ”
Hearing this, Master Oshu nodded thoughtfully: "I see. No wonder this Xuexiang tea is so valuable. It turns out it has such an origin. However, since the city lord knows the existence of this secret realm, why doesn't he report it to the sacred mountain? If the sacred mountain can send people to pick it, wouldn’t it benefit more monks? ”
When Qi Tai heard this, a complicated look flashed across his face, with both helplessness and hidden worry in his eyes. He glanced at Li Ming beside him, who also looked embarrassed. He had obviously anticipated this problem but didn't know how to speak.
"Your Majesty, you don't know something," Qitai said slowly, with a hint of bitterness in his voice, "That secret realm... It's not that we don't want to report it, it's that the situation is complicated and not trivial."
Master Oshu frowned and motioned for Qitai to continue.
"In addition to rare spiritual herbs and elixirs, the secret realm also contains unknown dangers. Even monks with advanced cultivation cannot guarantee safe entry and exit. It was only by chance that we discovered the entrance to the secret realm. , and only got a little Xuexiang tea after suffering heavy losses." Qitai paused as he said this, seeming to recall that thrilling experience.
After hearing this, Master Olympus's eyes flickered, obviously not completely convinced by this explanation. He tapped the table gently, and after thinking for a moment, he suddenly asked: "So, when was the last time you entered the secret realm? Did you bring back any other evidence or items?"
Qi Tai and Li Ming looked at each other, with a trace of panic flashing in their eyes. Qitai answered bravely: "The latest time... was yesterday. As you know, Your Majesty, this secret realm is not stable, and we don't dare to stay for too long. Moreover, we also know the principle of fishing when the lake is dry, so we only I took some Xuexiang tea and left immediately.”
"So, you didn't bring back any other items that could prove the existence of the secret realm, right?" Master Olympus's tone was calm, but his eyes penetrated the disguises of the two people like sharp swords.
Qi Tai and Li Ming were silent, obviously the Master of Olympus had hit the point.
Lord Olympus sighed softly and said slowly: "Although I am not omnipotent, I know a little about secret realms. Most of the secret realms in North Aozhou have fixed rules and characteristics, and the secret realms you describe , but it seems too illusory, as if it was fabricated out of thin air.”
Having said this, Master Oshu stood up and stared at the two of them with piercing eyes: "I will give you one last chance to tell the truth. Where does this Xuexiang tea come from? Does the so-called secret realm really exist? ”
(End of chapter)