53: Forgetfulness Tea

A month later, the two great Schools finally completed their merger. To strengthen their sense of belonging, Ji Wufeng and Fan Dongqing began planning their annual martial arts competition.

There were competitions for Outer Sect Disciples, Inner Sect Disciples, and even Core Disciples and elite Disciples.

All Disciples who placed would receive generous rewards.

Behind the main peak of Xiaoyao Sect, Yang Yun and Shangguan Yi stood high in the sky, ten thousand meters up.

Yang Yun looked down with gentle eyes.

Yang Xue was currently practicing swordplay with several female Disciples, their laughter echoing continuously. The other female Disciples were all at Qi Refining seventh layer or above, while Yang Xue was currently at Qi Refining fifth layer.

Seeing his younger sister so happy, Yang Yun felt relieved. Just as Yang Yun was about to return to Chu Country, the System's voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding]

[Check-in: Hongshang Realm, Dark Moon幽林]

[Reward: One year of lifespan]

“Sigh,”

Yang Yun let out a long sigh, “It seems I can’t go home and continue enjoying my gentle haven.”

“Never mind, it’s a good chance to go out and explore.”

With that, he took Shangguan Yi and flew west.

The Hongshang Realm was a Middle Realm in the Eastern Domain, closest to the Xiaguang Realm, but even so, the distance was still extremely vast.

With Yang Yun's methods, he could naturally arrive in an instant, but he didn't like the feeling of instant gratification and planned to leisurely travel there.

After a short while, Yang Yun and his companion arrived above a city. Looking at the incredibly tall city walls and magnificent buildings, Yang Yun couldn't help but fly down.

The city was surrounded by defensive Formations, clearly indicating that this was not an ordinary city in the Mortal World. It definitely had Cultivators.

However, this Formation was simply too rudimentary, only capable of defending against Yao Beasts at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Stage.

Shangguan Yi was about to break the Formation when Yang Yun stopped him, “Hey, let’s just go in and take a look, it’s not that serious.”

“Yes, Master,” Shangguan Yi nodded repeatedly.

Landing in a forest on the city's outskirts, Yang Yun and Shangguan Yi walked to the city gate.

Following the crowd, they entered the city. The guards at the gate merely observed the people coming and going, taking no further action.

Inside the city, the bustling streets were filled with people, a scene of peace and prosperity.

There was also an inner lake in the city, its surface covered with various pleasure boats.

Yang Yun came to the lakeside, rented a luxurious boat from a boatman, and began to admire the beautiful scenery of the lake.

Beneath the lake's surface, water plants swayed and fish swam.

The crystal-clear lake water, like a precious gem, sparkled under the sunlight.

And the fish darting among the water plants brought a touch of liveliness to this serene lake.

Yang Yun sat on the second-story bow of the boat, where there was a pavilion. Soon, several maidservants brought fine wine, delicious food, and various fruits.

Yang Yun had little appetite. He picked up an orange and began to peel it. The orange was bright yellow, incredibly sweet, and juicy, far more delicious than the chemically ripened oranges from his previous life.

Before long, Yang Yun had finished all the oranges on the table. Shangguan Yi, seeing this, asked,

“Master, should I have someone bring more over?”

Yang Yun waved his hand, “Never mind, I won’t eat anymore. Pour me a cup of wine.”

...........

Five days later, Yang Yun and his companion reappeared in a teahouse in another unknown small city.

The waiter, seeing the guests, quickly greeted them.

“Two Young Masters, what kind of tea would you like?”

Yang Yun looked at the sweating waiter and asked with a smile, “Do you have any recommendations? Like your specialty?”

The waiter grinned, “This Young Master, rest assured, all our teas here are pure, natural, and harmless. The tea trees are planted at the foot of Immortal mountains, absorbing the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon. You will definitely be satisfied.”

Yang Yun's smile immediately froze, “I asked you for a recommendation, why are you telling me all this?”

“Ah, hahaha,”

The waiter rubbed his head, looking a bit embarrassed at Yang Yun, “My apologies, Young Master, I will immediately serve you our specialty, Forgetful Tea.”

“Forgetful Tea?”

Yang Yun was indeed attracted by the tea's name, “Why is it called Forgetful Tea? Is there a story behind it?”

The waiter seemed to have anticipated Yang Yun's question. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the scarf around his neck and explained.

“Young Master, fifty years ago, in our Xiangyun City, there was a love story that shook the entire city.”

“The eldest Young Master of the Zhang family in that city fell in love with a courtesan.”

“The Zhang family was a family with a Legacy of several hundred years. How could they allow a woman of the Mortal World to enter their household?”

“So they immediately declared that Young Master Zhang should no longer associate with that woman.”

“But who knew, that Young Master Zhang was truly a deeply affectionate man. He actually left home to be with that woman, taking her and eloping.”

“However, Young Master Zhang was, after all, young and hadn't experienced the harsh realities of society. After spending all the money he took with him, he was at a loss.”

“Upon seeing Young Master Zhang had no more money, the woman immediately abandoned him and hooked up with another rich Young Master.”

“Young Master Zhang, left with no choice, had to return to the Zhang family. Later, the rich Young Master that woman hooked up with lost all his family fortune due to gambling and became a street beggar.”

“The woman immediately abandoned him again and returned to Xiangyun City, finding Young Master Zhang.”

“He originally thought that even if Young Master Zhang didn't beat her, he would at least stay away from her. Who knew he actually chose to be with her again?”

“This time, Madam Zhang was immediately furious, vowing to find someone to kill that woman. The woman was terrified when she found out.”

“She incited Young Master Zhang to take a large sum of money and elope with her again, to live somewhere else.”

“Ten years later, the woman gave Young Master Zhang two sons, but their skin was black. The woman was naturally promiscuous, and later, an Immortal confirmed that they were the offspring of a Black Bear Demon.”

“After the money ran out, the courtesan ran away again, and no one knew where she went.”

“Young Master Zhang, alone and dressed in tattered clothes, returned to Xiangyun City. After passing our teahouse, he drank a cup of tea and sighed to the heavens,”

“From now on, I will seek pleasure, but never speak of lifelong companionship.”

At this point, the waiter cleared his throat, “This is the origin of Forgetful Tea.”

Yang Yun initially thought it was some Spirit Medicine that, once consumed, would make one pure and free of desires, but he didn't expect it to be like this.

Still, he somewhat admired that Young Master Zhang, who actually wanted to drive a 'trainer car' home. He truly wouldn't know how he died.

Also, that courtesan actually...

Presumably, he would never be constipated again.

But Yang Yun was happy to listen to the story. He took a few taels of silver from his pocket and threw them to the waiter.

“Oh, this Young Master is so generous! Thank you, Young Master!”

The waiter grinned widely, unable to close his mouth.

Yang Yun waved his hand, “Go serve the tea.”

“Alright, Young Master, please wait a moment.”

Soon, the waiter brought a tray.

On it was a teapot and two cups.

The waiter was about to pour tea for the two when Shangguan Yi quickly snatched the teapot, “I’ll do it. You may withdraw.”

“Aye, alright!”

Shangguan Yi respectfully poured half a cup of tea and placed it in front of Yang Yun, “Master.”

“Mm…” Yang Yun nodded, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.

“Yuck…”

“Damn it, it tastes awful!”