The news of Arcane Whisper wine shop spread quickly in the outer areas of White Cloud City, as the cultivator at the late stage of foundation establishment realm personally praised the taste of the wine and because of the outrage of customers who had visited the store, word of the exorbitant dishes had spread throughout the outer white cloud city.
"Have you guys heard about the bizarre wine store in that alleyway!"
"Are you talking about the blackhearted wine store, which sells the cheapest wine for five spirit stones?"
"Is the owner a complete idiot? Why would anyone drink there with that kind of price? If any of his wine actually sells, I will eat all of the herbs in my herb store!"
....
There will always be wealthy people in the world who pursue different interests from ordinary people. Their perspective on things was also unique.
Chen Yang's tranquility was short-lived after he opened the door, as several figures entered the store. He curled up on the chair and looked at the group of obese men who had just arrived.
All of these obese men dressed in luxurious silk, and their coarse fingers were adorned with gold rings. They wore jade amulets around their necks and belts studded with emerald jades.
"What a unique group of nouveau riches," Chen Yang thought to himself.
"Shop owner! I have heard that the wines in your store are extremely expensive, even more expensive than those at the Emerald Lotus Restaurant! We believe that the higher the price, the better the quality. If your wine can satisfy our taste, then price is not an issue." The group's leader, an obese man dressed in lavish clothes and accessories, spoke loudly.
They crowded into the small store, occupying the majority of the available space. Chen Yang stood up, expressionless, and asked, "Which wine would you like?"
The leader narrowed his eyes as he looked at the price tablet. Even this after fluent group of obese men sucked in a breath of cold air when they saw the price of the wine.
"Good, your store is as fantastic as expected! Give me a jar of phoenix fire !" The overweight man stated.
Chen Yang raised an eyebrow, a gleeful expression in his eyes. "Ah, Phoenix Fire, a bold choice for a first-time customer. It's known to be quite… fiery, both in taste and its effect. Are you sure you do not want to start with something a little gentler?"
The leader of the group, puffing out his chest, scoffed. "Don't underestimate us, shopkeeper! We may appear to enjoy the finer things in life, but we also value a good challenge. Give us the Phoenix Fire!"
The other men in the group, eager to impress their leader, responded with boisterous agreements. Chen Yang chuckled, creating a low rumble that echoed throughout the small shop.
"Very well," he said before disappearing behind a beaded curtain leading to the back storage area. The men were nervously chatting during the wait. Doubts began to creep in, as evidenced by their uneasy movements and wiping sweat from their brows.
Chen Yang reappeared, carrying a fiery red jar in his arms. When he uncorked it, a wave of heat swept through the room, tinged with the sharp scent of spices and something vaguely resembling volcanic ash. The men recoiled, momentarily forgetting their bravado.
"This," Chen Yang announced, his voice carrying a theatrical flourish, "is the Phoenix Fire. A single sip ignites the very core of your being, pushing your development to its limit. Be warned, it is not for the faint of heart… or stomach."
The leader, determined not to give up, grabbed the jar and poured himself a generous portion. The other men watched with wide eyes as he raised the cup to his lips. Taking a deep breath, he downed the entire contents in one go.
A moment of tense silence followed. The leader's face contorted, his eyes bulging in surprise. A bead of sweat dripped from his temple, followed by another. His body began to vibrate, a faint orange glow emanating from within.
Suddenly, the leader let out a booming roar that shook the very foundation of the shop. He leapt to his feet, a manic grin on his face, and began a series of clumsy, flailing dance movements. His companions, who were initially stunned, burst out laughing and cheering.
"Incredible!" the leader bellowed, his voice hoarse. "I can feel the fire coursing through my veins! My qi is surging like never before!"
The other men, inspired by their leader's demonstration, demanded their own tastings. Chen Yang, a sly grin playing on his lips, began filling their cups with generous portions of Phoenix Fire.
The small shop soon resembled a scene of utter chaos. Men, fueled by the fiery elixir, were shouting, dancing erratically, and attempting (and failing) to perform feats of questionable acrobatics. Chen Yang observed the scene with amusement, occasionally dodging a stray flailing arm or a flying shoe.
This wasn't quite the clientele he envisioned for his shop, but it was certainly… lively. And profitable. He watched as the leader, now sweating profusely and sporting a singed beard, approached him, a manic glint in his eyes.
"More!" he roared, slamming a hefty pouch of spirit stones on the counter. "Give us more of that divine firewater! We shall pay any price!"
Chen Yang couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed the rumors, even the exaggerated ones, had their purpose. The news of the "outrageously expensive" wine shop had attracted exactly the kind of clientele he… hadn't necessarily expected, but certainly wouldn't turn away.
The day continued in a similar vein, the shop filled with the boisterous laughter and erratic movements of the "nouveau riche." As the sun began to set, Chen Yang surveyed the remnants of the day – a pile of empty jars, a few broken stools, and a single, very singed eyebrow hair (presumably belonging to one of the overenthusiastic patrons).
He sighed, a mixture of amusement and exhaustion settling over him. "Well," he muttered to himself, "that was certainly… eventful. Maybe tomorrow will be a bit quieter…" He paused, a mischievous glint returning to his eye. "Or maybe not."
"Ding "
As Chen Yang was lost in his thought,the suddenly sound of system made him jump three feet straight up in the air , knocking over a potted cactus in the process.
A startled yelp escaped his lips as he landed with a thud, heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs.
" Calculating the today's exposer number on host establishment..."
" Fu*k you system , ?!" he wheezed, clutching his chest like he'd just run a marathon. "You trying to give me a heart attack? If you're gonna make those God awful noises, at least give a guy a warning first!"
But the system, ever the picture of unhelpful efficiency, ignored his complaints. A flat, emotionless voice continued, "A secret of 28 people has been exposed in your establishment."
Chen Yang blinked, the near-death experience momentarily forgotten. "Wait, what? 28 people? Hahahahah those nouveau riche are indeed good people ?"
" Host can receive the reward."