Chapter 161: Chu Feng: The Wine Is Good, but Not Strong Enough

Words : 1633 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

“You don’t need to be so formal, Xiuyuan. From now on, just treat this place as your own home. In a bit, pick any unoccupied courtyard and settle in. As for a place to brew wine, our Miscellaneous Dao Institute already has a brewery, though it’s been abandoned for a long time. I’ll have to trouble you to tidy it up yourself.” Chu Feng got straight to the point about the current situation at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute as soon as he arrived. After all, Nie Xiuyuan was different from the others. He was already a deacon of Wendao Academy, so all those tricks to fool disciples would be useless on an old hand like him. It was better to be honest. Maybe that would even bring about unexpected results. “Many thanks to Chief Chu for your hospitality,” Nie Xiuyuan replied, bowing slightly again to Chu Feng. “I don’t have many skills, but I can brew good wine. If you don’t mind, Chief, feel free to come drink with me whenever you like.” “That sounds great. Now I’ll have a drinking companion,” said Chu Feng, always quick to adapt his words to whoever he was speaking with. This made Nie Xiuyuan’s eyes light up at once. He asked excitedly, “Chief, do you really mean it?” Chu Feng laughed. “Of course. I have nothing much to do most days, other than reading for fun. If you can provide enough wine, I’ll provide enough stories.” Nie Xiuyuan’s eyes grew even brighter, looking at Chu Feng as if he’d found a kindred spirit after so long. Elder Bai, standing off to the side, faintly felt that something was off about the scene, but couldn’t say exactly what it was. “Chief Chu, I’ll leave Xiuyuan in your hands from now on,” Elder Bai said. Chu Feng gave him a reassuring look. “No problem. There’s no time like the present—let’s go to the Administration Hall and get Xiuyuan’s transfer processed today.” “Good!” Elder Bai hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. After chatting a little more, the three of them rode their swords toward the Administration Hall together. When the people at the Administration Hall saw Chu Feng bringing two people from the External Affairs Institute, suspicion flashed across their faces. But Chu Feng was no longer the unremarkable one among the Ten Chiefs—he was now the leading Chief among them. In no time at all, Nie Xiuyuan’s transfer was completed. Nie Xiuyuan was already known as an eccentric at Wendao Academy, and now he’d joined the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. Everyone was curious what kind of person Nie Xiuyuan would become under Chief Chu’s leadership. “Do you think Uncle Nie could soar to greatness like Senior Brother Xiao and the others?” “I doubt it. I heard his Dao heart is shattered. If he can reach Nirvana in this life, that’ll be the limit.” “You never know. Miracles do happen.” “...” News of Nie Xiuyuan joining the Miscellaneous Dao Institute quickly reached the Dean. After hearing the report from the Grand Elder of the Administration Hall, the Dean murmured, “Xiuyuan was once a genius, too. I hope he can regain his spirit under Xiao Feng’s guidance.” The Grand Elder said, “It’s incredibly hard to mend a shattered Dao heart. If Chief Chu can help him recover it, a thousand years from now, our Wendao Academy will have gained another Saint. But that’s just too difficult.” The Dean smiled. “If it wasn’t difficult, it wouldn’t be interesting for Xiao Feng.” ——— In the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. To welcome Nie Xiuyuan, Chu Feng personally cooked. This gesture left Nie Xiuyuan feeling flattered. Looking at the table full of delicacies, he said, “Chief, this is too generous. I can hardly accept such a gift.” Chu Feng patted him on the shoulder. “Then what are you waiting for? Aren’t you going to bring out your good wine?” Hearing this, Nie Xiuyuan immediately took out ten wine jugs of different colors from his storage ring. “Chief, these are all the fine wines I’ve collected. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.” When it came to wine, Nie Xiuyuan’s eyes always sparkled with pride. When it came to brewing, if he claimed to be second, no one would dare claim first. “Alright, then let’s not leave tonight until we’re drunk.” Chu Feng invited Elder Bing, Qin Qin, and Xu Caichen to join them at the table. After several rounds, the atmosphere became lively. Xu Caichen, who had the lowest cultivation, was already red-eyed and tipsy. He stood up and bowed slightly to Chu Feng. “Master, I can’t hold my liquor. Please excuse me while I retire.” Chu Feng laughed, “You rascal, even a dog could drink more than you. Go on, get some rest.” “Yes, sir.” Xu Caichen said this, then turned and left. Chu Feng turned his gaze to Qin Qin, who was no longer drinking. “Qin’er, good wine deserves good music. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you play. Would you be willing to perform a piece?” Qin Qin stood up and bowed. “I shall play for Master.” With that, she sat to the side, took out her guqin, and soon, melodious, pleasant notes filled the air. As Chu Feng listened to the beautiful music, he raised his wine cup and continued drinking with Nie Xiuyuan. By the end of the piece, Chu Feng and Nie Xiuyuan had tasted all the wines on the table. Nie Xiuyuan asked, “Chief Chu, how are my wines?” A thoughtful look appeared on Chu Feng’s face. “The wine is good, but not strong enough, and it’s too ordinary.” Nie Xiuyuan’s expression shifted. “Chief Chu, could it be that you’ve had something even stronger than what I brew?” “That’s right.” As Chu Feng spoke, various strong spirits he had tasted in his previous life flashed through his mind. Though those liquors weren’t as fragrant or delicious as the spiritual wine of Wendao Academy, they had one thing: strength. When he’d first arrived, he’d occasionally made some for himself when he had time. But later, when he was running out of supplies, Chu Feng stopped brewing altogether. “Do you know where such wine can be found?” Nie Xiuyuan, a true wine fanatic, grew excited at once. He prided himself on having sampled all the best wines in the world, and the ten he brought out tonight were rare and could rival even top-quality spiritual brews. Except for the legendary Saint’s Wine, his wouldn’t lose to any. “Of course—they’re brewed by me. I just happened to get tired of reading lately, so I’ll personally make a batch of strong liquor for you to try something different.” Chu Feng smiled. “Alright, it’s a deal.” Nie Xiuyuan had rarely met someone so like-minded, and couldn’t help but feel a trace of anticipation. The drinking party didn’t end until late at night. After Nie Xiuyuan left, Elder Bing came into Chu Feng’s room carrying a basin of water for washing his feet. She set the basin in front of Chu Feng and asked, “Sir, are you planning to take Senior Brother Nie as your disciple?” Chu Feng showed no trace of drunkenness and smiled. “Not at the moment. I just treat him as a drinking companion. Besides, taking on a disciple isn’t something I can decide alone. He’d have to be willing to take me as his master first.” Elder Bing murmured, “That will be difficult. Senior Brother Nie’s Dao heart has long since shattered.” “Oh?” Chu Feng’s interest was piqued. “Could you tell me more?” A thoughtful look appeared on Elder Bing’s face. “Back then, Senior Brother Nie was also a genius of our Wendao Academy. Before joining, he was the designated successor of a semi-Saint power. Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong person. On his wedding night, his wife and his enemies worked together to attack the Nie family. Senior Brother Nie nearly died that night. If not for the Nie family patriarch breaking through the siege to save him, he would never have made it to Wendao Academy with the Academy Token.” Chu Feng murmured, “Logically speaking, those who survive disaster often receive later fortune. Didn’t Steward Nie ever think of taking revenge?” Elder Bing said, “Of course he did. When I entered the sect, he was already an elite disciple of the inner court and a top-three genius in the inner court competitions. But just as things were looking up for him, tragedy struck again. During an expedition to the Great Void Secret Realm, he encountered his wife and enemies who had destroyed his family. A conflict broke out. Not only did his wife defeat him when they were at the same cultivation level, but in that battle, she completely shattered his Dao heart. No one knows the exact details. Even when fellow disciples asked, Senior Brother Nie never spoke of it. But after he returned from that secret realm, he changed completely. The former genius of Wendao Academy utterly fell, eventually becoming the Academy’s famed drunkard, while his two great enemies have now entered Nirvana and become kings.” When Chu Feng finished listening, he smiled faintly. “Hearing you say all this, I’m actually quite interested in Steward Nie now. Restoring his Dao heart... that’s a challenge I’d like to take on!” Elder Bing thought, ‘What method will Sir use to make Senior Brother Nie willingly become his disciple?’ ==================================================================================== Get access to 20 chapters in advance and enjoy 2 daily updates by supporting the series. Available on Patreon: /Alex_Cruise or Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/anish_44

Chapter 161: Chu Feng: The Wine Is Good, but Not Strong Enough

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