Chapter 288
Chapter 288
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 288
Chapter Title: The Shaanxi Brew King
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Hyeok Mulin took a sip of Byeon Jangho's brew and was immediately convinced.
Even with just four days to prepare, he'd produced something like this.
'The Shaanxi Province competition?'
There was no way he could lose.
And that conviction was now proven by the judges who'd just tasted it.
The moment their lips touched the wine, they both went blank, as if their minds had shut down.
Jinju Gaek and Mak Rinpyeong, lost in a daze, felt like they were drifting carefree above the clouds, all worldly worries forgotten.
After a brief moment...
The two snapped back to reality and exchanged startled glances.
Then their eyes fell to their cups.
'Huh? When did I finish it?'
They remembered only lightly wetting their lips, yet the cups were now empty.
Amazed, they looked up at Byeon Jangho.
Mak Rinpyeong stammered, "What is this wine of yours?"
Byeon Jangho politely wiped his mouth. "It's called Xiaoyao Wine."
"Xiaoyao Wine? Never heard of it. Did you just develop it?"
"Yes. I brewed it specifically for this competition, so no one's tasted it before."
"Heavens."
"I see."
They couldn't hide their astonishment.
They'd expected a mediocre murky rice wine from the aroma, but it was entirely different.
A sweetness blended with depths that defied belief for a murky brew.
The sensation of treading on clouds still lingered vividly underfoot.
Gulp.
Staring at the bottle, they yearned to skip the rest of the contest and savor more Xiaoyao Wine, but duty forced them to hold back.
"Approved. Next, entrant number forty-nine, bring out your wine."
Byeon Jangho carefully placed his bottle at the table's edge and exited.
Returning with a sigh of relief at having finished smoothly, Hyeok Mulin greeted him. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."
"It seems to have gone well."
Having completed his turn unscathed, Byeon Jangho soon expressed his gratitude to Hyeok Mulin.
"This is all thanks to you showing me the path, Hero Hyeok."
"I merely suggested murky rice wine as a starting point."
"Without that spark, I wouldn't have brewed anything worthwhile even now."
Once Hyeok Mulin confirmed Byeon Jangho was the reincarnated Mangwoo Master from his past life, he'd immediately provided the brewery and ingredients.
Yet even then, Byeon Jangho hadn't brewed right away.
Time was too short, and doubts plagued him—what wine to make, what he could make.
That was when...
"When thoughts tangle, sticking to the fundamentals can be best."
"Fundamentals... you mean?"
"Yes. The fastest wine to brew when time's short."
Among the delivered ingredients, Hyeok Mulin picked up glutinous rice with his fingers and continued.
"Isn't there murky rice wine?"
Hyeok Mulin was certain of victory.
Not all murky wines were equal.
Even with similar ingredients, Byeon Jangho's was a utterly novel brew unlike any other.
Sweetness drawn from the glutinous rice Hyeok Mulin had held, depth filled by schisandra koji.
Especially the rich sweetness contrasting the initial bitter aroma—it doubled the impact.
Thus, the Xiaoyao Wine born from Hyeok Mulin's advice had fully captivated the judges' hearts.
Afterward...
"Hmmm..."
"Something's lacking."
Jinju Gaek let out a groan, Mak Rinpyeong shook his head in regret, and they moved on.
The judging continued in similar fashion.
The entrants' wines were all exceptional, rare finds even in top taverns, each with unique flavors and aromas.
But something was missing.
They couldn't pinpoint exactly what.
It was just a vague sensation.
In truth, their awe remained anchored to that first taste of Xiaoyao Wine.
As terse, impartial evaluations piled up and entrants sighed repeatedly...
"Entrant number nine, Pyo Cheong, bring out your wine."
The next entrant's bottle seized the judges' attention.
Celadon glaze with phoenix motifs—it screamed luxury at a glance.
As expectations rose, Pyo Cheong poured gracefully and said, "My Qingzhu Luoyue, prepared over ages. Please savor it slowly."
"Bamboo leaf clear wine..."
The judges slowly tilted their cups.
Moments later...
For the first time since Xiaoyao Wine, color returned to their faces.
"Far clearer and crisper than typical bamboo leaf wine!"
"The subtle sweetness supports the whole without overpowering."
They nodded in clear satisfaction, and the onlookers' mood lifted at the rare praise.
But no subsequent wine met those heights, and the turns ended.
"Now, time to select the winner."
Having tasted all, Jinju Gaek and Mak Rinpyeong faced choosing Shaanxi's finest brew.
Mak Rinpyeong spoke without hesitation. "My choice is entrant fifty's Xiaoyao Wine."
Pyo Cheong's midway entry was decent enough.
It might've claimed victory another day.
But not today.
No wine could eclipse the afterimage of that first Xiaoyao sip.
To him, it was an ironclad decision.
Having declared his pick, Mak Rinpyeong awaited Jinju Gaek's turn.
"My choice is..."
As he slowly parted his lips, his eyes met someone's, and he flinched.
Pyo Cheong was glaring daggers, eyes like blazing coals.
His gaze alone seemed murderous.
Pyo Cheong mouthed silently, 'Do it.'
In truth, Jinju Gaek—one of the judges—had been bought off by Pyo Cheong beforehand, just in case.
He'd promised to pick Pyo Cheong no matter what.
But...
'Who could've foreseen such an absurd wine!'
As a connoisseur, Jinju Gaek knew.
Pyo Cheong's brew was flashy in name only; an uncrossable chasm separated it from Byeon Jangho's.
Yet having taken the bribe, he had to deliver.
And so...
"I select entrant nine's Qingzhu Luoyue."
Discarding conscience, Jinju Gaek bowed his head and raised Pyo Cheong's hand.
Mak Rinpyeong tilted his head in bewilderment.
Even accounting for differing tastes among wine lovers, this choice defied comprehension.
"You truly pick Qingzhu Luoyue?"
"...Yes."
Finishing, Jinju Gaek glanced at Pyo Cheong, who nodded in satisfaction.
From afar, watching it unfold, Cheon Sumyeong spoke. "So that's how it is."
Bribing a judge.
Hyeok Mulin, who'd been eyeing Pyo Cheong, finally spoke. "Looks like the culprit was closer than we thought."
Confirming Pyo Cheong glaring at Byeon Jangho, Hyeok Mulin was certain.
Not just the judge—he'd smashed the wine bottle too.
"What now...?"
Mak Rinpyeong couldn't hide his dismay amid the split verdict.
Jinju Gaek was a fellow drinker with whom he often shared cups, their tastes aligned.
He'd never imagined a divergence, so no tiebreaker plan existed.
As he scrambled for a solution, Pyo Cheong smirked at the sight.
'Just as I predicted.'
Even no contingency fit his expectations perfectly.
Now it was his turn.
His plan was simple.
Since the first wines tied one-to-one, compete with second bottles.
Byeon Jangho had barely made one in time; no spares likely.
He'd forfeit naturally.
'I'll claim the Shaanxi Brew King title.'
Envisioning his future, Pyo Cheong grinned slyly.
Stepping forward to propose the second-round duel...
"I have a good idea..."
"There's a way."
Hyeok Mulin's voice drowned his.
Mak Rinpyeong turned. "And who might you be?"
"Entrant fifty's companion."
"Byeon Jangin's group? Very well, what's this method?"
Confirming his status, Mak Rinpyeong granted him the floor.
Hyeok Mulin stepped closer and asked...
"Any spare cups?"
"Of course."
At his signal, attendants fetched several.
Hyeok Mulin placed two before each judge, clearing the rest.
One got Xiaoyao Wine, the other Qingzhu Luoyue.
Watching, Mak Rinpyeong asked, "Compare them directly?"
"No."
Denying it, Hyeok Mulin's next move stunned everyone.
He upended both bottles, spilling every last drop on the floor.
Mak Rinpyeong surged up in shock and fury. "What do you think you're—!"
"As you saw, these are the last drops."
Hyeok Mulin pointed to the cups before them.
"After this moment, no more Xiaoyao or Qingzhu Luoyue—ever."
His voice deepened. "So, which will you choose?"
The world's final sips of each wine.
Only one choice allowed.
What would you pick?
Mak Rinpyeong paused at Hyeok Mulin's question, then reached for Xiaoyao without doubt.
He'd preferred it clearly from the start.
As he lifted and sipped the Xiaoyao cup, Hyeok Mulin dumped the other on the floor.
No second chances for the unchosen.
Glancing at him, Jinju Gaek moved too.
"Obviously...!"
His hand veered toward Qingzhu Luoyue but halted.
If he chose it, this man would discard the Xiaoyao.
'Never taste Xiaoyao again?'
Gulp.
For a lifelong connoisseur, it was utter despair.
Jinju Gaek's hand slowed.
Pyo Cheong paled. "S-stop...!"
But his plea fell on deaf ears.
Finally gripping one cup, Jinju Gaek stared intently, then downed it in one gulp.
"Kuhhh!"
A heartfelt exclamation burst from his chest.
Mak Rinpyeong nodded. "The result is clear."
Rising slowly, he announced the Shaanxi Brew King verdict.
"The brew crowned Shaanxi Brew King is...!"
Raising the Xiaoyao bottle high, he boomed, "Byeon Jangin's Xiaoyao Wine!"
"Waaaaaaaaah—!"
His proclamation unleashed the crowd's roar, filling the hall to the brim.