Chapter 1748: Identifying Wine by Scent

"This Lord Supervisor seems to be speaking between the lines!"

However, some attentive individuals detected the underlying meaning in Ma Nanfeng’s words, implying that even though he, the dignified Director of the Drunken Immortal City Emperor Palace, came personally, Drunken Immortal Tower only sent their apparent Manager Zhou to deal with him, clearly assuming too much.

Indeed, Ma Nanfeng felt disgruntled. With his insight, he naturally knew that Manager Zhou couldn’t be the true owner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, yet he had never met the behind-the-scenes owner.

As Chief of the Drunken Immortal City Emperor Palace, in such circumstances, Ma Nanfeng was quite incompetent in his role, allowing uncontrollable occurrences on his turf.

Perhaps this is precisely why the Canglong Emperor Palace established its offices across major cities, intending to regulate the powerful figures of each region, making them respectful toward the Canglong Emperor Palace.

Even if Ma Nanfeng knew it might be a Holy Rank Expert, he wouldn’t necessarily stand a chance against them. His responsibility was merely to gather information on all experts within Drunken Immortal City’s scope; as for Holy Rank Experts, the Canglong Emperor Palace naturally would send someone to investigate.

But now, having never seen the behind-the-scenes owner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, how could Ma Nanfeng report to the Canglong Emperor Palace Headquarters? If the headquarters sent someone over only to be greeted by an empty house, the blame would fall squarely on him, Ma Nanfeng.

Unfortunately, while others feared the Emperor Palace or the Canglong Emperor Palace, the behind-the-scenes owner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant apparently held no such apprehensions, even subtly revealing a sense of arrogance.

Since Ma Nanfeng took office as the Director of Drunken Immortal City Emperor Palace, he had numerous times, intentionally or unintentionally, pressured the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, to the point of nearly resorting to force.

If it was just Manager Zhou, a Heavenly Realm Late Stage expert, Ma Nanfeng could easily crush him. But when he attempted to strike, he was suddenly blasted out of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant by a wild aura, never daring to act rashly again.

Due to uncertain intelligence, Ma Nanfeng dared not genuinely request the Canglong Emperor Palace to dispatch an expert until he obtained confirmed reports, opting to turn a blind eye for the time being.

Manager Zhou was fully aware of the relationship between both sides, yet on the surface, the Emperor Palace still ruled as Sovereign over Drunken Immortal City. The figure behind him couldn’t publicly appear, forming an unusual balance between the two parties with tacit understanding.

After years of investigation, Ma Nanfeng merely discovered that the behind-the-scenes owner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant seemed to bear the surname "Rong." As for further information, he found no source despite his efforts.

"Mr. Rong? Is it Murong Sou?"

While both parties held their mutual understanding, and spectators harbored peculiar notions, Yun Xiao felt something astir upon hearing "Mr. Rong."

However, merely inferring the behind-the-scenes owner of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant to be Murong Sou based on the word "Rong" seemed too simplistic. Cautious by nature, Yun Xiao wouldn’t rashly conclude unless he saw Murong Sou personally.

"Hehe, I am the shopkeeper of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. I wonder who this Mr. Rong you refer to might be, Lord Supervisor?"

Although clearly aware, Manager Zhou wouldn’t openly acknowledge the so-called "Mr. Rong." His flushed face displayed a hint of confusion as he retorted.

"Humph!"

Seeing Manager Zhou feign ignorance, savvy Ma Nanfeng, familiar with this man’s cunning, could merely snort coldly without further comment.

Ma Nanfeng heard of the behind-the-scenes owner of Drunken Immortal Restaurant’s surname being Rong not from Manager Zhou. After their Death Soldier riskily transmitted the news, they abruptly vanished, likely exterminated after detection.

Such matters couldn’t be openly confronted, yet Ma Nanfeng secretly vowed to unearth the mastermind behind Drunken Immortal Restaurant, allowing the Canglong Emperor Palace’s experts to deal with it.

As for his own life, Ma Nanfeng wasn’t particularly worried; even some Holy Rank Experts wouldn’t dare to challenge the Emperor Palace openly—far too audacious to oppose the Canglong Emperor Palace. No one had dared yet.

"Since Lord Supervisor is here, let’s begin!"

Manager Zhou naturally understood the meaning behind Ma Nanfeng’s cold snort but paid no significant attention. Perhaps this was precisely whom he awaited; instantly, with a grand wave, a Qingyi person behind him stepped forward with a tray in hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Drunken Immortal Conference is about to commence, but to participate, you must first pass a test. If you fail, regretfully, you cannot proceed!"

Manager Zhou, pleasant-looking and drunk-mannered, was generally well-received, but upon announcing these words, many faces revealed bitter expressions.

However, some like Lu Ye were likely already informed of the test element, showing no particular surprise, their eyes fixed keenly on the tray held by the Qingyi person.

On that tray lay a shiny silver jug, evidently valuable, though people like Lu Ye focused less on the jug itself.

"The entry test goes by a name, called ’Aroma and Brew Identification.’ Who wishes to volunteer to be the first?"

Manager Zhou didn’t overly explain, but simply pointed to the silver wine pot on the tray, with a brief word that made everyone’s noses twitch slightly.

The air was filled with various wine scents, all drifting out from different rooms of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, mixed with the subtle fragrance emanating from the silver wine pot, appearing somewhat vast but impure.

"I’ll go first!"

Just as Yun Xiao also slightly twitched his nose, a rather familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind. When everyone turned to look, they saw it was Yu Xu, who had previously made quite an impression.

Yu Xu looked confident and seemed eager to showcase himself before the Lord Supervisor, or perhaps he had great confidence in his sense of smell, immediately taking the lead.

The so-called wine fragrance identification naturally involves discerning the type of wine in the pot based solely on the scent emanating from the nose without opening the silver pot.

In fact, this is just an appetizer. This entrance test is generally not too difficult. It is set to filter out unqualified individuals, preventing those who lack skills from sneaking into the Drunken Immortal Conference, which would be a joke for the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

"If I’m not mistaken, the wine in this pot must be ’Gui Mei Brew’, right?"

Yu Xu volunteered and wasn’t just a silver spearhead. After approaching the Qingyi person, he sniffed in front of the silver wine pot, then opened his mouth casually, his face lined with confidence.

"Correct! Please enter!"

Manager Zhou maintained his light smile, didn’t say much but simply gestured, and the door behind him opened once more, causing many to feel envious.

Although this entrance test is not too difficult, identifying the type of wine based solely on scent amidst mixed aromas isn’t simple, especially within such a short time.

"With the Lord Supervisor here, I dare not go in first, respectfully!"

One must admit, Yu Xu is as skilled at flattering as he is at wine identification. After Manager Zhou spoke, instead of entering immediately, he stepped back to stand behind Ma Nanfeng again.

Once Yu Xu spoke, Ma Nanfeng felt quite pleased for it showed respect to the Emperor Palace’s authority, and Yu Xu’s actions seemed to set a tone for this year’s Drunken Immortal Conference.

Because of Yu Xu’s actions, anyone attempting to enter before Ma Nanfeng would be seen as disrespectful, even towards the Emperor Canglong Palace.

No one, including the Heavenly Realm Peak expert, moved, understanding that even if they identified the wine in the pot, Ma Nanfeng must enter first.

Lu Ye, generally at odds with Yu Xu, harbored immense resentment but with his mere Heavenly Realm Early Stage cultivation, even borrowing great courage, wouldn’t dare provoke Ma Nanfeng.

"That detestable guy!"

Thus, Lu Ye could only curse silently, while not daring to move, thinking that Yu Xu’s alliance with the Emperor Palace would leave him oppressed forever.

"This Yu Xu might be worth cultivating further!"

Seeing the crowd’s silent response, Ma Nanfeng grew more satisfied, increasingly appreciating Yu Xu, and after making this decision inwardly, he prepared to approach the Qingyi person.

Since everyone had shown deference, Ma Nanfeng naturally wouldn’t shy away from being the first to enter the inner hall of the Drunken Immortal Conference - setting the stage as the Lord Director of Drunken Immortal City Emperor Palace.

"Let me have a go!"

Yet, just as Ma Nanfeng lifted his right foot, and everyone thought it was inevitable, a gentle voice suddenly sounded from somewhere, making everyone’s expressions instantly spectacular.

Especially Lu Ye, who was cursing inwardly but dared not move. He heard the light voice seemingly whisper right beside him, turning around in disbelief.

"Brother Yun Xiao, you..."

As Lu Ye turned, he discovered the speaker was indeed the rough-clothed youth Yun Xiao he had just met, leaving him somewhat speechless.

Although Lu Ye and Yun Xiao had only known each other for less than thirty minutes, they had at least bonded as brothers. This brother must be oblivious to the Emperor Palace’s strength; hence speaking innocently?

Considering Yun Xiao’s earlier unfamiliarity with the Drunken Immortal Conference in this city, Lu Ye concluded Yun Xiao was a newcomer, deeming it necessary to caution him religiously.