Volume 1, Chapter 40: The Moon in the Cup and the Myriad Flavors of Life

The Longevity Temple is currently bustling with activity. The largest plaza is already packed with people.

The outer circle is overflowing with spectators who paid three hundred taels of silver per ticket, only to be seated on small wooden stools.

The inner circle is much closer to the arena. The seating consists of pear-wood chairs, each accompanied by a small table holding a plate of melon seeds and a plate of peanuts. The treatment here is noticeably better, which makes those in the outer circle quite envious; money truly buys comfort.

However, when their eyes drift to the VIP section, everyone feels their blood boil. The seats in the VIP area are less like chairs and more like beds, draped with soft bedding that allows spectators to recline while watching the challenges. Beside them sit not only snacks and melon seeds but also freshly picked fruits. Yet, what truly fuels their envy is the presence of a graceful, beautiful woman attending to every person in the VIP section.

Xia Yan was the first to arrive, and even he had not expected to watch a martial arts duel in such a manner.

"Senior Xia, have a grape."

Sitting beside Xia Yan is Lin Xiaoxian, the lead entertainer of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Her lithe figure is pressed tightly against his side, and with slender fingers, she gently feeds a grape into his mouth.

"Mmm, truly sweet!" Xia Yan eats the grape while savoring the warmth pressed against his body, his breathing growing heavy.

Others in the VIP area are enjoying similar treatment.

"What? You are the legendary 'Lightning Hand' Sun Chengfu? I have admired you for so long; it is a true honor to meet you today!"

"You must be exhausted from your journey here early this morning. Here, let me rub your shoulders."

The many martial artists below watch with eyes turned red with jealousy. The disparity is simply too great! Why do they get to be pampered by beauties while we are stuck on small stools? I am buying a VIP ticket tomorrow!

"Everyone, the duels will begin in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Please, bear with us for a moment," Li Hanzhou announces from the arena. "Furthermore, should any of you have needs, please inform our Longevity Temple service staff. We are selling tea; if you wish for some, you may order, and it will be delivered to your hands immediately."

"You should have said so earlier! I’ve been thirsty for ages," someone grumbled.

"Come here." A martial artist beckons a passing handmaiden from the Longevity Temple.

"Guest, how may I serve you?" the handmaiden asks respectfully.

"Bring me a cup of tea," the man says coolly.

"Certainly," the handmaiden nods. "Would you prefer the low-grade, medium-grade, or high-grade tea?"

"What?" The martial artist is stunned. Just to have a cup of tea, there are tiers?

Before he can ask, the handmaiden continues, "The low-grade tea is one tael of silver per cup. The medium-grade is fifty taels per cup, and the high-grade is slightly more expensive, at three hundred taels per cup."

"Are you robbing me?" the martial artist blurts out.

"Guest, our low-grade tea is the same common variety found anywhere outside, hence the low price. However, the medium-grade tea is a rare blend called 'Moon in the Cup.' Drinking it provides a refreshing, moonlit coolness that settles the heart and mind. Regular consumption helps balance the yin and yang in the body, reducing the risk of suffering from qi deviation during internal cultivation."

The handmaiden's words leave the martial artists stunned. It has such effects? This tea is that powerful? It can actually reduce the risk of qi deviation?

"And what about the high-grade tea?" someone asks, unable to resist.

"The high-grade tea is called 'The Hundred Flavors of Life,'" the handmaiden explains. "This is a unique source exclusive to our Longevity Temple and cannot be tasted anywhere else. It tastes slightly bitter at first, much like life itself, but leaves a lingering, subtle sweetness. The founder of our temple once said that only those who understand the 'Hundred Flavors of Life' can grasp the true essence of existence and be considered true masters of the martial world."

"When the founding ancestor of the Shenque Kingdom sat and debated the Dao with our founder, this was the very tea they drank before he ascended to the heavens—a story that has become legend! Originally, this tea was never offered to outsiders, but our Temple Master, out of a desire to give back to the martial arts community, has decided to bring out this temple treasure. We only wonder how many people here can truly appreciate its taste, or possess the same greatness of spirit as the founding ancestor of the Shenque Kingdom."

These lines were, of course, taught to them by Li Hanzhou. As expected, the crowd goes into a frenzy. Such a treasure exists?

"Then... I’ll take a cup of the medium-grade tea," the martial artist says, wanting the high-grade but unable to part with the money.

In that moment, many people placed their orders. Some chose medium, others chose high.

Almost no one ordered the cheapest low-grade tea, as if drinking it would brand them as ordinary.

"Senior Xia, I would also like to taste that high-grade tea. They say it’s what the founder of the Shenque Kingdom drank. With your cultivation and greatness of spirit, surely you wouldn't drink that common stuff?" Lin Xiaoxian says, looking at Xia Yan with eyes full of admiration.

Xia Yan, not overthinking it, waves his hand grandly. "Bring us two!"

Before long, almost everyone is holding a cup of tea.

"Moon in the Cup?" Looking at the tea, it appears just like ordinary leaves. However, when the martial artist takes a sip, his eyes light up. Although the tea is hot, a distinct chill flows through his mouth. "Truly extraordinary!"

Those who drank the high-grade tea frown, as they truly taste a bitter flavor.

"Brother, do you think this tea is good?" a martial artist in red, feeling something is off, asks his neighbor.

The man beside him closes his eyes, savoring the bitterness. To be honest, it doesn't taste good at all. However, he slowly remarks, "Unexpectedly, the 'Hundred Flavors of Life' is truly something. Bitter at the entrance, sweet in the aftertaste—it really is like life. I feel as if I can see the ancestor of the Shenque Kingdom ascending to the heavens a thousand years ago."

"Ah, yes, yes, I feel the same!" the man in red nods repeatedly. "It seems we share the same greatness of spirit as the ancestor of the Shenque Kingdom!"

"Junior Uncle, this tea is selling so well. Where did you buy it?" Yun Qianzhu asks, surprised by how much money they have made.

"Ah? Didn't you buy it?" Li Hanzhou asks, puzzled.

"Me?" Yun Qianzhu is shocked. "The tea I bought was the kind from White Cloud City that costs ten coppers for three catties!"

"That's right," Li Hanzhou nods. "I found some wild mint behind the mountain and added it in, which is why it tastes cool."

"Mint?" Yun Qianzhu has no idea what that is. In this world, no one consumes it, so it is usually treated as a common weed.

"And the bitterness of the high-grade tea?"

"I added some powdered licorice," Li Hanzhou says calmly. "It clears heat and reduces inflammation."