Volcanic Age

Chapter 87: Drink Death, Drink Life (2)

It was too strange a location to be called the Tavern. Instead, it would be more accurate to call it a sparring ground.

When the heavy door with the four characters of the Sichuan Tang Family engraved on it opened, it revealed a marble floor resembling a stage inside.

On all sides, what looked like warriors of the Tang Family stood watching, and behind them, there was a table with bottles of liquor on display.

Even stranger were the chairs placed three zhang outside the stage, as if they were seats for an audience.

“What the hell is this...”

Even the experienced Zhou Xuchuan couldn't hide his bewilderment. Then, as if struck by lightning, his expression changed.

The Tang Family's Tavern! Now I remember what it is!

Among the sayings passed down through the generations of the Sichuan Tang Family, there was one that was known even to the gangho.

Yuan Chou Bu Mo Zhui.

If the Family's enemy flees from you, chase them to the ends of the earth.

Huo Shi Qi Qiu Er.

If they get away, use their family as bait.

Qiu Wu Sheng Ji You.

If you can't find a suitable hostage to lure them in, give them a path to survival.

Tang Jia Zhi Chou Bu Ju Dai Tian.

The Tang Family cannot share the same sky as their enemies.

"The rules are simple," Tang Hui said from the center of the Tavern.

“Drink and die.”

Her long, slender fingers held the neck of a bottle of wine.

"Or live."

Her frosty voice, colder than the harshest blizzards of the north, filled the Tavern.

"ROAR!!!!"

“Poison Phoenix! Poison Phoenix! Poison Phoenix!”

“Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!”

"It's time for the alcohol!"

The Tavern of the Tang Family had been created according to the tenet, Qiu Wu Sheng Ji You.

If one drank the liquor and survived, the grudge would be settled.

If one didn't, they would die.

It was a simple yet excellent way for the Tang Family to get revenge.

If one weren't an enemy but a guest, they would still be guided toward the Tavern, but to the reception rooms a bit further inside. There would be none of the pomp and formalities happening now.

“If you agree, sign there.”

Tang Hui pointed at a table right in front of the door. A sheet of paper and a brush were laid out, ready for signing. Upon closer inspection, it stated that the Sichuan Tang Family would not be held responsible for any internal injuries or even death if one chose to drink the alcohol."

“...Huh.”

As Zhou Xuchuan read through the contract, one particular point stood out. It was the most crucial detail.

"So it's poison liquor?"

Martial Artists could dispel drunkenness with their qi even while drinking alcohol. Zhou Xuchuan knew that the Tang Family wouldn't forgive their enemies so easily. He had initially thought that the condition would be to drink without using his qi to detoxify the alcohol. However, it turned out to be entirely different from his guess.[1]

"So, you live or die by the drink..."

"That's right," Tang Hui immediately responded, hearing Zhou Xuchuan’s muttering.

"Still, you won't actually die, considering you're not an enemy of the Family."

Tang Hui’s face grew regretful as she continued.

"The bet will be stopped immediately if you show any signs of trouble, and one of the Poison Masters, either the Patriarch or the Elder, will step in to help you detoxify it. That clause is also written in the contract, so please verify it."

"I see it."

"Still, you better not let your guard down. If you don't at least try to detoxify it yourself, you'll die before anyone can come help you."

"Understood. I accept."

Zhou Xuchuan signed without hesitation.

“You idiot!”

"How dare you look down on the wine the Miss brewed?!"

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! It seems you don’t value your own life!”

He had never had a drink that could be called a famous liquor.

"Well, regardless..."

Tang Hui trailed off as she opened the bottle.

"Oh ho!"

Several audience members gasped as soon as it was opened. They could all recognize the alcohol from its smell alone.

Glug, glug, glug.

As the Poison Phoenix tilted the bottle, clear alcohol dripped down and filled the empty glass perfectly.

Even though everyone was sitting a little far away, they could all smell its strong scent. Without any wind, the aroma permeated the Tavern and spread to the audience.

"It's rare to have an opportunity to taste a bottle of Wuliang liquor that's been aged for about fifteen years, so be grateful for this taste," Tang Hui said.

Wuliang liquor was a form of Baiju and was known as the Sichuan Province's most famous spirit. Zhou Xuchuan had heard about it before.[2]

Moreover, considering it had been aged for fifteen years, it wasn't something that was easy to obtain. When converted to gold, it would be worth quite a bit.

"However, this Wuliang liquor is mixed with the venom of the Golden Reed Snake, so it might taste a little spicy."[3]

“The Golden Reed Snake!”

The audience members who had been concentrating on the wine were shocked.

“Indeed, she really is the Poison Phoenix!”

"To think she treats the poison of the Golden Reed Snake so casually..."

“She’s not a part of the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes for nothing.”

“They said that Miss Hui’s poison is no less potent than that of the little Patriarch. Now, I can see that they weren't lying."

“If the Miss had been born a man instead of a woman...”

The Golden Reed Snake was a venomous snake with golden lines crossing its entire body, just like its name suggested.[4] They lived in the Southern Jungles, not the Central Plains.

Its venom was so strong that it couldn't be compared to the venomous snakes of the Central Plains, and not even the Poison Users of the Sichuan Tang Family could easily handle it.

“It seems like the young lady doesn’t want to lose.”

“Three glasses? It’ll be over in one.”

"It's been such a long time since the Tang Family's Tavern was opened. Who would have thought it would end so simply?" The audience murmured, a mix of disappointment and regret in their voices.

As the crowd focused on him, Zhou Xuchuan accepted the cup from Tang Hui. He glanced down at the Baiju, noticing its faint golden hue.

Even without inhaling deeply, the strong scent tickled his nose. Even a layman who didn’t know anything about alcohol could tell that it was an expensive drink.

"While there's no time limit, the poison won't get weaker even if you wait..."

"Still, you must not be too twisted, considering you're giving me such good alcohol. That's a relief.” Zhou Xuchuan interrupted. He drank the alcohol in one gulp, the liquid sliding smoothly down his throat.

Gulp!

“It’s a bit spicy!” Zhou Xuchuan exclaimed, turning the empty glass upside down to show he had finished it. Not a single drop remained.

“...”

The bustling crowd fell silent, each person doubting their own eyes.

Tang Youqi’s eyes widened in surprise, just as he was about to order Elder Tang Yan to intervene.

Did he really speak right after drinking it?

Mixing the venom with alcohol didn't dilute it at all. Instead, it was concentrated, as if one was drinking the venom of the Golden Reed Snake directly.

To detoxify it, most Poison Users would need to remain silent and focus for at least the time it took for an incense stick to burn to detoxify it. That was how potent the venom was.

But...

Zhou Xuchuan spoke immediately after drinking it.

That wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Detoxifying such a potent venom required immense concentration and control over one's qi. If one made a mistake, not only would they get drunk, but they would also fail to detoxify the poison and end up suffering a horrid fate.

"Is it time for the second glass?" Zhou Xuchuan asked, breaking the shocked silence of the audience.

“Zhouuuuuuu Xuuuuu CHUANNNNNN!!!”

Crack!

Tang Hui’s grip tightened around the wine bottle until it shattered into pieces.

1. The effects of alcohol on one's mind is one word—literally, Alcohol Poison. Read backward; it's poison liquor, and so he was just confused at the literal interpretation of detox in this case. ☜

2. This is a real thing called Wuliangye. It's one of China's most famous brands of Baiju and the company that makes it the world's second most valuable spirit brand (after Moutai). ☜

3. Wuliang liquor is about 53% alcohol, so it already burns like fire going down before the venom. Ooof. ☜

4. Reed Snakes are literally called line snakes in Chinese. ☜