"Young man," Fan said while hurrying over to Li Yu’s table. "You are too generous! I cannot accept such generosity though. I am a stranger to you."

  "Nonsense," Li Yu kicked out the chair Gu had vacated. "Sit down. Drinking alone is bad for the soul. And drinking water when you want wine is a crime. Join us."

  Uncle Fan looked at the chair that was said to be for him and then at the wine pot. A battle was fought in his eyes between pride and thirst. Thirst won, decisively.

  "Well," Fan’s face beamed as he was sitting down with the grace of a falling leaf. "If you insist! It would be rude to refuse such hospitality. I am Fan. Just a wandering poet and lover of the vine."

  "Li Yu," he introduced himself. "And my companions, Bai Ruo and Si Luo."

  "A pleasure!" Fan clapped his hands. "Now... let us do this properly."

  Fan reached for a fresh pot of Emerald-Dew Wine that the waiter brought over.

  "Wait," Fan stopped Li Yu before he could grab his cup.

  "What?" Li Yu paused.

  "You are about to drink it like water," Fan chided gently. "This is Emerald-Dew. It is fermented inside the living bamboo for three years. It absorbs the wood Qi of the forest. If you just swallow it, you miss the conversation."

  "The conversation?" Si Luo asked, intrigued.

  "The wine speaks," Fan said solemnly. He lifted his cup with two hands. "First, you warm the porcelain with your palms. Wake the spirit of the wine up."

  Li Yu, Si Luo, and Bai Ruo mimicked him and were now cupping the warm ceramics.

  "Now, inhale. Don't sniff. Breathe it in like mountain air."

  Li Yu inhaled. He smelled rain. He smelled fresh cut grass. He smelled a hint of vanilla.

  "Now," Fan whispered. "A sip. Hold it on the tongue. Let it evaporate slightly."

  Li Yu took a sip. The liquid was cool and then warm. It didn't burn; it bloomed. It tasted of green things growing in the dark.

  "Now swallow the wine."

  Li Yu swallowed. A gentle heat spread through his chest, relaxing muscles he didn't know were tense.

  "Whoa," Li Yu breathed.

  "See?" Fan grinned with pride. His own eyes were twinkling. "You were drinking alcohol. Now, you are drinking in the forest."

  "Impressive," Si Luo admitted as she was looking at her cup with new respect. "It adds a dimension I had ignored."

  "Senior Fan," Li Yu laughed out loudly while refilling their cups. "You are a master. A true master of his craft. Teach us more."

  "I have practiced for many years," Fan said modestly. "It is my only talent. Well, that and running away from angry people."

  They drank and talked. Li Yu found that Fan was increasingly knowledgeable. He knew the history of the region, the migration patterns of spirit beasts and the gossip of the major sects. Night fell fully. The gourd lanterns glowed brighter. The hum of the village increased.

  Suddenly, a deep, resonant gong sounded from the highest platform.

  DOOOOONG.

  The chatter in the tavern died down. Everyone looked up at the central vat. The Village Elder climbed onto a podium near the vat. He held a massive wooden mallet.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "The moon is high!" the Elder shouted as his voice was amplified by Qi. "The sap has risen! The Purple-Mist Vintage is ready!"

  A cheer went up from the crowd. Even Uncle Fan sat up straighter.

  "Open the taps!"

  A team of strong villagers turned a massive wooden wheel on the side of the vat.

  CREAAAAK.

  From the main spout, a thick, violet liquid began to flow. It didn't splash like water; it flowed like heavy silk. As it hit the air, it released a mist of shimmering purple vapor that drifted over the tavern.

  The scent hit them instantly. It was intense—grapes, honey, lightning, and deep earth. Waiters began rushing out with pitchers of the fresh vintage.

  "This is it," Uncle Fan whispered reverently. "The Purple-Mist Vintage. It is fresh, raw and potent. Careful, Li Yu. This one has teeth."

  A pitcher was placed on their table. The liquid swirled with its own internal light. Li Yu poured a round for everyone at the table. He set aside a cup for Tekton to enjoy as well.

  "To the road," Li Yu toasted.

  They drank.

  BOOM.

  It felt like a soft explosion in the back of the head. Li Yu’s vision sharpened. Colors became more vivid. He felt light, as if gravity had decided to take a break.

  "Oh," Si Luo said. Her eyes widened. A flush appeared on her pale cheeks. She stared at the cup. "This... this is acceptable. I have tasted many fine drinks in my life but this one hits a different set of favors."

  She poured herself another cup immediately.

  "It contains trace amounts of hallucinogenic pollen from the Spirit-Orchid," Bai Ruo analyzed, taking a small sip and blinking rapidly. "Interesting. It stimulates the pleasure centers directly. Highly efficient. Delicious as well. A fine drink indeed."

  "Stop analyzing and drink, Bai Ruo," Si Luo ordered as she topped off Bai Ruo's cup. Her analytical talk was ruining the mood.

  The night devolved into a blur of laughter and stories. Uncle Fan, fueled by the premium vintage, stood on the table and recited an epic poem about a snail climbing a mountain. It was surprisingly moving.

  Li Yu watched the scene. He saw Si Luo laughing at Fan's theatrics. He saw Bai Ruo engaged in a serious debate with a retired cultivator about the optimal fermentation temperature. He saw the villagers dancing on the tables.

  He felt a nice sense of peace.

  "Senior Fan," Li Yu asked during a lull as he was leaning back in his chair. "You seem to know everything. Why stay here? Why not travel?"

  Fan smiled, a sad but sweet expression. He gestured to the forest around them.

  "Where would I go? The world is loud, Li Yu. It is full of people wanting things. Fighting for things. Here? The bamboo grows. The rain falls. The wine flows. It is enough. At least for me."

  He looked at Li Yu with his clear and kind eyes.

  "You are moving fast, young man. I do not know towards what—fame, duty, or strength—but you are moving. Take it from an old idler: sometimes, it is okay to stop. Even if just for a cup of wine."

  Li Yu looked at the violet liquid in his cup.

  "I'm not running," Li Yu lied gently. "I'm just... taking the long way."

  "To the long way!" Fan toasted immediately.

  Later in the night, a contest broke out.

  A group of returning mercenaries challenged the tavern to a "Balance Duel." The rules were simple: stand on one leg on top of a bamboo pole while drinking a bowl of wine. You continue to drink until the last one standing wins.

  Cultivation was suppressed so everyone was on the same playing field, or at least as close as you can get.

  "I volunteer!" Si Luo announced, standing up. She was definitely tipsy. Her royal poise was slightly loose, her violet dress swishing as she moved.

  "Si Luo, maybe don't—" Li Yu started.

  "Silence. I shall demonstrate superior equilibrium for all to see. I shall demonstrate the poise and dignity of royalty."

  She floated up to the bamboo pole. The mercenaries grumbled. "No flying! Feet only!"

  Si Luo landed on the pole. She stood on one foot and she held the bowl. She didn't wobble anymore. She looked like a statue carved from moonlight.

  One by one each person began to drink. After several bowls later the mercenaries fell off their poles and splashed into the mud below. It wasn’t a far fall and no one would be hurt by it. Si Luo remained, drinking bowl after bowl with imperious grace.

  "She's a monster," one mercenary whispered in awe. He also began to blush as he was now admiring the beauty of her face.

  "She's my friend," Li Yu shouted proudly from the table. "Don't challenge her, you'll lose!"

  Uncle Fan was clapping so hard he fell off his chair. He kept laughing as Li Yu helped him up. As the moon reached its zenith, bathing the Green-Hollow Village in silver light, Li Yu looked around at the chaos and joy.

  Right now, watching a princess out-drink a mercenary on a bamboo pole while a penniless poet recited verses to a scholar... this felt like another great night. One that he could cherish in his memories.

  "Another round! For everyone!" Li Yu called out.

  "Put it on the tab!" Uncle Fan cheered.

  "On my tab!" Li Yu corrected, laughing.

  The bamboo forest rustled in the wind, whispering secrets to those who would listen, wrapping the village in a green, drunken embrace.