Chapter 174

The lantern light flickered, and the river in front of the door flowed murmuringly, crashing against the reefs and splashing white waves.

The air was mixed with the smell of food and wine, and even more mixed with a trace of locust flower fragrance, which drifted in from outside.

In spring, locust flowers fill the branches; in autumn, sweet osmanthus fragrance drifts.

Huaiyin Prefecture had nothing else, but it had abundant rainfall, many flowers, and many trees; a seed falling from a bird's intestine, as long as it wasn't in the water, could take root and sprout.

"Several Senior Brothers and Master, let me tell you, you saw it too late; you didn't see what Liang Shidi looked like when he first came to the martial arts hall—you absolutely wouldn't imagine what it was like, hahaha!"

The window bars were wide open, and the river breeze filled the room.

Xiang Zhangsong wrapped his arm around Liang Qu's neck, his face flushed, behind him was the ten-thousand-mile river surface reflecting the starlight.

He wrapped one arm around Liang Qu's shoulder, gestured up and down on his own body with the other, and finally stopped at the neck position.

"See? When Liang Shidi first came, he was only this tall, dark and thin; that appearance is really still before my eyes.

Look at him now—tall and handsome, killing the Whale Gang without leaving a piece of armor; he's already a great man!"

Xu Zishuai shouted and cheered: "Has our great man married yet? Ah hahaha!"

Liang Qu was more relaxed in front of his Senior Brothers and responded unceremoniously: "A great man naturally deserves a wonderful woman; I'm waiting for Mistress to be my matchmaker!"

"Then you have to wait behind Fourth Cao Shixiong; he's in line before you!"

Cao Rang held the wine jar and laughed happily: "In my opinion, Liang Shidi's change is what's called a 'gentleman's change like a leopard'!"

"Right! Sixth Cao Shixiong reads more books; it is a 'gentleman's change like a leopard'! It should be celebrated!"

"It should be celebrated! It should be celebrated!"

"Come, come, come, everyone raise your glasses to celebrate Liang Shidi's change!"

"Celebrate Liang Shidi!"

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.

Xu Zishuai put down his glass and smacked his lips: "This Drunken Immortal Brew of the Langyun Tower is delicious, but I always feel it's missing something."

Cao Rang was surprised: "Cao Shixiong Xu, don't tell me you've drunk too much and your mouth has become picky; is this not good?"

"Not good."

Xu Zishuai shook his head.

"Then what wine do you say is good? If you can't say it, you're paying for today's drinks!"

"That's simple; I guarantee that once I say it, you'll all agree."

"I don't believe it; tell us! Master is right here to be the judge! You're not allowed to say good wine from other places to cheat; it has to be in Pingyang County!"

"Right, it has to be in Pingyang County."

"Am I that kind of person who cheats? It's in Pingyang County; you all listen to me!"

Xu Zishuai hummed twice, shaking his head.

Everyone straightened their bodies and listened attentively.

"It's the green plum boiled wine in early May, late spring and early summer! You tell me, is it or isn't it?"

The sound of his voice bounced on the bowls and dishes, clanging.

The eight people turned their heads in unison and looked at the first seat.

"I was wondering why you suddenly changed the topic; so you've been waiting for the few green plum trees in my garden." Yang Dongxiong shook his head with a laugh.

"Don't worry, when the green plums are ripe in May, there will be plenty for you! Which year have I ever lacked you when the plums were ripe?"

Green plum boiled wine is the best taste.

In the past, people boiled wine while eating green plums, and "boiled" was just a description.

Nowadays, it's supplemented with rock sugar and ingredients, truly becoming a unique sweet and sour flavored wine.

It's a pity that the season for green plums is too short; if you relax a little, the green plums become yellow plums, and there's no longer that clear, sour-with-a-hint-of-sweet feeling.

All year round, there are only less than ten days when you can drink a few sips.

Everyone was happy upon happy.

"Master is the best master in the world..."

"Happy news, happy news! Marquis Weining has attained the Dao and become a Saint; the whole world celebrates, and by the Emperor's edict, there will be a great amnesty for five days! Effective from the day of the news!"

"Happy news, happy news! Marquis Weining has attained the Dao and become a Saint; the whole world..."

The mighty sound came from the street, accompanied by the fierce sound of horse hooves, suppressing the noise of the whole restaurant.

Liang Qu was closest to the window; he leaned out and only saw a back disappearing rapidly at the end of the long street, entering the county office in a few leaps and disappearing.

"What did you see?" Xiang Zhangsong asked.

Liang Qu shook his head: "I only saw a figure on horseback enter the county office; it should be a courier."

Xu Zishuai looked around: "Did you hear clearly what was just shouted?"

"Marquis Weining has attained the Dao and become a Saint, the Emperor is overjoyed, and there will be a great amnesty for five days?"

A great amnesty is a simplified version of a general amnesty.

Once issued, all government agencies from top to bottom must bring out wine, meat, and grain, letting the people drink and eat to their heart's content.

Including wine shops, all transactions within five days are tax-free.

Once tax-free, they can naturally sell cheaper and attract more customers.

Not only in terms of food, many minor crimes will be released early, such as fighting and gambling, and even catching people will be much more lenient; unless it's a major crime, no one will care.

A great amnesty for five days means this situation will last for a full five days.

After a while, deafening cheers came from the restaurant downstairs, and soon a waiter came to deliver the happy news.

"Dear guests, the current Emperor has granted a great amnesty; my shopkeeper said that starting today, all expenses will be 20% off! Hope you guests come often, and let's celebrate together!"

Everyone looked at each other.

"So, is it true? Has another Dragon Wu Sheng appeared in the world?"

"Master, have you heard of Marquis Weining before?"

Yang Dongxiong nodded: "When the current Emperor was still a hidden dragon, this person served as the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. He was extremely low-key and I haven't heard of many deeds. I didn't expect him to attain the Great Dao today; it is indeed a happy occasion."

"A Wu Sheng."

Liang Qu felt emotional.

The term Wu Sheng is too distant and has almost nothing to do with ordinary people.

He didn't expect to have a little bit of intersection today, although it was only one-sided.

Cao Rang said happily: "I didn't expect Marquis Weining to become a Wu Sheng today, and we can also bask in a bit of his glory!"

"Exactly, exactly, expenses are 20% off; I'll have to buy a few more jars of wine to hide later!"

"Come, come, come, the affairs of big shots don't affect us; let's just live our own lives. Continue, continue, no one is allowed to leave standing today!"

……

"Hoo."

Liang Qu woke up from his sleep, sat on the edge of the bed, his head dizzy.

He didn't like to drink, nor did he drink much; the situation yesterday was special, so he drank some, and without using his internal energy to expel it, he was affected a bit.

If he had broken through the Viscera Barrier, it wouldn't be like this; the functions of the five internal organs would be greatly improved, and mere alcohol...

Liang Qu walked into the courtyard in his shorts, barefoot, with a thin layer of mist permeating the air.

The yellow soil in the courtyard was moistened by water, becoming dark brown, and in several mud pits, one could still see accumulated water pools, glowing with light.

Silver raindrops dripped from the eaves onto the bluestone slabs in the courtyard, shattering and jumping.

It rained last night, and raindrops were still dripping from the eaves, with several earthworms crawling back into the mud along the stone slabs.

Liang Qu felt the damp water vapor, took a deep breath, and the water mist flowed through his body along his lungs, turning into wisps of refreshing coolness.

Exhaling hot air slowly, Liang Qu closed his eyes, moved his feet, and set up the monkey fist stance.

He practiced this fist technique he first learned a little bit every morning, and now he was becoming more and more handy; even if Cao Shixiong Hu, who taught him, came over, he wouldn't be able to fight better.

Bang!

The mist suddenly merged and flowed, stirred and mixed like a whirlwind, moving around his body.

Liang Qu swung his arms, like an ape or a monkey, his muscles and bones twisted inch by inch, and every punch and kick had an explosive sound.

Shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, hands, and feet were all unobstructed.

Heart, intention, qi, and strength were all combined.

When it's a snowy night with a moon, the state of mind is clear; when encountering the spring breeze and harmony, the realm of intention is also harmonious.

Creating the human heart, perfectly blended without gaps.

That wisp of wine dizziness was like a medicine primer, pulling the boiling qi and blood in his body, surging into his body continuously.

"The fist technique can be changed."

Liang Qu suddenly had an epiphany; a punch that should have been thrown suddenly deviated by a few points, like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace to be found.

The surrounding water mist became thicker and thicker, spontaneously condensing in the wind of his fists, as if draping a white robe over Liang Qu.

"Changing the method..."

"Excellent root bones; is even the comprehension like this?"

The old monk stood in front of the door, his eyes shining.

On the street, a mounted scout came galloping, swept over the door plaque, confirmed the address was correct, and was about to shout loudly, when he suddenly found he couldn't make a sound, and all his energy disappeared without a trace the moment it surged out of his throat.

The scout was full of terror.

"I have offended you; please wait patiently for a moment, benefactor."

The old monk bowed in salute.