Chapter 290
Chapter 290
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 290
Chapter Title: The Pinnacle Brew
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"What does that mean?"
Cheon Su-myeong asked, puzzled by the sudden request for help.
Byeon Jang-ho slowly rose to his feet, his face set in determination as he replied.
"After experiencing the Sanseo Brew King Contest, I realized just how much I still lack."
Even though he had claimed victory, Byeon Jang-ho didn't rest on his laurels. Instead, he focused on identifying his shortcomings.
And the result of that reflection?
"I'm certain now that none of the liquors here are worthy of entering in the Manju Grand Brew Festival."
"Why not just take the one you originally planned to submit before brewing the Soyo Liquor?"
Byeon Jang-ho shook his head firmly at Hyeok Mulin's suggestion.
"I considered that too, but looking back, it's probably on the same level as the Soyo Liquor. It might hold up in Sanseo, but once it hits the wider world, the flaws would stand out endlessly."
Byeon Jang-ho's thinking was straightforward.
All the liquors he had brewed so far fell short of what was needed for the Manju Grand Brew Festival.
That's why he had turned to Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Su-myeong for help.
From traveling with them, he could tell they had considerable experience with fine liquors.
"Hmm..."
As Cheon Su-myeong let out a thoughtful hum, Hyeok Mulin spoke up.
"We'll do it."
"...!"
Overjoyed, Byeon Jang-ho beamed and said,
"Thank you so—!"
"But first."
Hyeok Mulin cut him off, pointing to the jars of liquor.
"We need to sample these."
The best way to gauge Byeon Jang-ho's skill and style was to taste what he had brewed.
Understanding Hyeok Mulin's intent, Byeon Jang-ho nodded vigorously.
"Understood. I'll prepare them for you. Please wait just a moment."
Byeon Jang-ho brought out clean cups and carefully opened the jars.
He ladled out small amounts with the scoop inside each one.
Sniff—
"Rich wood aroma."
Hyeok Mulin inhaled the scent first, but by the time he took a sip, Cheon Su-myeong—whose throat was already wetted—spoke up.
"This one's got oats, licorice, and ginger."
"How did you know that?!"
Byeon Jang-ho, about to ladle the next one, jerked his head up in shock.
From just one sip, he had pinpointed the exact ingredients.
Amazed by this uncanny ability, Byeon Jang-ho gaped, but Cheon Su-myeong remained impassive, speaking as casually as ever.
"Nothing special. Just bring the next cup."
Hyeok Mulin hadn't realized just how sharp Cheon Su-myeong's palate was.
He had figured someone used to fine cuisine and liquors would have refined tastes, but this level of precision was beyond expectation.
'Of course, it means nothing for a martial artist.'
A sensitive tongue wouldn't make one's sword strikes any sharper.
As a swordsman—and as a warrior of the Cheon Clan—it was utterly irrelevant.
Even so, Hyeok Mulin was pleased to learn this detail about him.
It was one more intimate fact about Cheon Su-myeong that others didn't know.
A faint smile played on Hyeok Mulin's lips as they continued the tasting.
Savoring the scents, then the flavors.
Before long, they had sampled every liquor in the place.
After resealing the final gourd jar, Byeon Jang-ho cautiously asked,
"What did you think?"
The two took a moment to consider before giving the same answer.
"Taking any one of these..."
"...feels iffy."
Their benchmark was the Soyo Liquor that had crowned Byeon Jang-ho the Sanseo Brew King.
Each had its own unique flavors and aromas to tantalize the tongue, but none surpassed the satisfaction of the Soyo.
One might think it unfair to compare brews made in just four days, but if Byeon Jang-ho had broken through his limits in that time, it wasn't impossible.
With that, the three exchanged ideas and set about devising a new brew.
They blended existing liquors, added new ingredients, sketching out concepts for something fresh—but Byeon Jang-ho was the first to throw in the towel.
"I don't think we can do more today."
His tongue had gone numb from all the tasting.
Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Su-myeong, who had drunk far more, eyed him curiously, but there was no helping it.
He wasn't a martial artist who could expel alcohol with inner energy or protect his stomach—and even if he were, he couldn't match their profound cultivation.
Deciding to resume the research tomorrow, Byeon Jang-ho treated them to a simple meal.
As they finally filled their bellies with food instead of liquor, a thought struck Byeon Jang-ho, and he asked,
"Young Hero Hyeok."
"...?"
"That day... why did you reach out to help me?"
It was a question he'd been dying to ask but hadn't dared to until now.
He had been just another drunken lout, yet Hyeok Mulin had listened to his ramblings and offered aid.
Byeon Jang-ho still couldn't wrap his head around it.
If their positions were reversed, he would have ignored a drunk without a second thought.
'The reason I reached out.'
Hyeok Mulin might not have bothered if he hadn't known about Byeon Jang-ho from his past life.
But he did know the man's true potential, so it was only natural.
And how had Hyeok Mulin learned of him in that previous life? In the most unexpected place.
The Heavenly Demon Secret Vault, where he had found traces of him.
'While training with the various divine weapons there, I stumbled on something out of place.'
A single bottle of liquor, detached from its surroundings.
Hyeok Mulin couldn't help but wonder at the sight.
He'd seen plenty of elixirs and poisons, but liquor? A first.
And he had no idea what kind it was.
It bore only the brewer's moniker.
[Master Latebloom]
A man who bloomed late in life, becoming the world's greatest brewer only in old age.
'The Sanseo Brew King Contest must have been the turning point.'
Without their meeting, he would have drowned his sorrows in jars, merely spectating contests.
Under Pyo Cheong's thumb, he might never have revealed his name.
But this life would be different.
Winning the Sanseo title had given him confidence, and Pyo Cheong—the obstacle—was gone.
Setting all that aside, the reason Hyeok Mulin had reached out was simple.
"Just investing in someone with potential."
He didn't waste time on those who wouldn't make it.
He was certain Byeon Jang-ho would, so he invested.
"Pardon...?"
Leaving Byeon Jang-ho bewildered, Hyeok Mulin continued his meal.
As they ate on, Byeon Jang-ho ventured another question.
"If it's not too much, might I ask what you two consider the finest liquors you've ever tasted?"
Cheon Su-myeong answered without hesitation.
"The Hundred Fragrance Supreme Brew by the Fragrant Heart Liquor Immortal. One sip held a hundred scents—impossible to forget."
"Hundred Fragrance Supreme..."
Byeon Jang-ho absorbed the description, then turned to Hyeok Mulin.
Meeting his gaze, Hyeok Mulin slowly replied.
"Don't know the name. But it wasn't your typical liquor."
Hyeok Mulin recalled the bottle from Master Latebloom in the Heavenly Demon Secret Vault.
No name on it.
The moment he uncorked it in curiosity...
'I'd never seen anything like it.'
Instead of drinking, he inhaled it through his nose.
That bizarre sensation defied description even now, and he'd never encountered anything similar.
Telling Byeon Jang-ho now wouldn't help—he wouldn't understand.
It took decades of accumulated mastery to create such a thing.
"Not a typical form of liquor? Now that's intriguing."
No need to wonder.
You'll brew it yourself one day.
"And the taste?"
"The taste."
Hyeok Mulin dredged up an old memory, gradually reviving the sensation.
And at the end...
"There was a faint metallic tang, I think."
"Metallic?"
Cheon Su-myeong looked skeptical.
"What liquor tastes like metal? You must be misremembering..."
"That's it!"
Byeon Jang-ho shot to his feet.
Hyeok Mulin's words sparked something. Abandoning his meal, he bolted off to brew.
He'd found it.
The ingredient for the world's finest brew.
Fujian Province.
A village surrounded by vast plains.
It bustled with people, but not a single original resident remained.
The Manju Society had seized it, evicting everyone for the Grand Brew Festival.
And now.
The long-awaited day had dawned.
Warriors of the Manju Society, invited connoisseurs, selected brewers from afar.
All who mattered in the world of liquor gathered here.
The village looked nothing like a typical one.
Most buildings had outdoor tavern setups for drinking; inns were just for sleeping.
And though the sun was still high at midday, most were already knocking back drinks.
Some, faces flushed, bellowed drunkenly.
"Liquor stench everywhere."
In the relative calm, Hyeok Mulin and Cheon Su-myeong sat among them, sipping lightly.
Byeon Jang-ho had parted ways upon safe arrival, haunted by his broken bottle memory.
He planned to hole up in his inn room, guarding his luggage.
No reason for Hyeok Mulin to stay with him now, so he let him go without protest.
Exchanging final goodbyes with Byeon Jang-ho, the pair now watched the crowds over their cups.
"No charge for drinks, so they're all out to get their fill."
The Manju Grand Brew Festival was free. The Society supplied everything.
And the quality was high on average.
Far beyond roadside inns—rivaling top-class breweries.
Tsk.
Cheon Su-myeong clicked his tongue at the revelers, cup in hand.
He enjoyed a good drink.
But the rowdy gluttony grated.
What could be done?
The Manju Society operated in unorthodox territory; this was par for the course.
Cheon Su-myeong's hand had unconsciously drifted to his sword sheath.
But with a sigh, he pulled it back and spoke.
"So, when does this thing you mentioned start?"
Hyeok Mulin slowly raised his cup to his lips at the question.
Setting it down, he replied coolly.
"Tonight."
His voice chilled as he continued.
"That's when we'll see what the true Manju Grand Brew Festival really means."