Nine Nether Heavenly Emperor-Chapter 1576 - 1561: The Eccentric Old Shopkeeper

"A peerless wine! No wine in the world? Truly quite a boast." Xiao Tianyi looked at the tavern with a dismissive expression.

As the greatest Alchemy Master in the world, he's tasted all kinds of fine wines.

Not to mention such a small tavern in a small town in the Eastern Domain.

Yet he felt a tinge of curiosity, if it truly is peerless wine, then he mustn't miss it.

Inside, it's lively and bustling, with crowds gathering, so this wine shouldn't be too bad.

At this moment, Xiao Tianyi said to Shi Feng, "Peerless wine, Master, how about we go in and taste it?"

Upon hearing Xiao Tianyi's words, Shi Feng grinned and said, "Sure!"

Then he said to Shi Ling and Ghost Charm, "Let's go!"

After speaking, Shi Feng and his company headed towards the tavern.

As the four entered the tavern, the lively place suddenly fell silent, and all eyes gathered on the four who entered.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that their attire and aura were extraordinary, implying an unusual background.

After a while, the guests in the tavern didn't think much of it.

Although this is a small town on the border of Yuexiao Empire, being close to the East Sea, people from other Great Empires often pass through here.

Soon after, most of the gazes fixated on the Ghost General Ghost Charm.

Such rare, bewitching beauty was hard to find, her looks and figure capable of charming all beings.

Most patrons in the tavern were men, and facing such beauty, who could resist? Sinister thoughts began to surface in their minds, some even swallowing their saliva.

But soon after, those staring at Ghost Charm felt a chill throughout their bodies.

Following that, extreme astonishment spread over their faces, and they hurriedly withdrew their gaze from Ghost Charm.

A feeling arose in their hearts, that if they continued to stare, the next moment would plunge them into endless darkness of a death scene!

It was a terrifying place like hell, Corpse Mountain and Blood Sea!

At this time, the waiter approached Shi Feng and his companions, bowing and nodding, "Dear guests, the tavern is currently full, and the wine still needs some time to brew. If you wish to drink here, you'll have to wait a bit longer."

Unexpectedly, this tavern and its peerless wine are so popular; indeed, every table is packed now.

"Oh, does the wine need to be freshly brewed? We have to wait?" Shi Feng muttered softly.

But he wasn't concerned, smiling and saying to the waiter, "Then we'll wait. If we can truly taste peerless wine, what harm is there in waiting?"

"Rest assured, our tavern's wine will definitely not disappoint you!" the waiter promised confidently.

Then the waiter said, "Please wait here, I'll check the back room."

"Go ahead," Shi Feng replied.

With that, the waiter smiled, nodded, and headed to the back room of the tavern.

Shi Feng and his party waited quietly at the counter.

Just then, Shi Feng turned his head and set his gaze upon someone behind the counter.

Presumably the shopkeeper of the tavern, an old man with wrinkled skin and a dull expression, showing little interest in the tavern or its patrons, staring blankly downward, lost in thought.

Seeing this old man, one subconsciously thinks of the word "decline."

But Shi Feng didn't see it this way; this seemingly dull old man likely has many years left.

While Shi Feng had no objection to waiting at the counter, Ghost Charm's bewitching face had turned towards a nearby wooden table.

At the next moment, the seven men seated around the table suddenly looked as if they'd seen something terrifying, eyes wide open, and fled, rapidly escaping the tavern.

Yet despite their escape, the other patrons in the tavern seemed oblivious, continuing to chat, drink, and eat.

As if they hadn't seen the unusual departure of the seven men.

What was odd was that no one contested for the suddenly vacant table, as if they'd rather continue squeezing at other tables.

"Great Emperor, please have a seat," Ghost Charm spoke respectfully to Shi Feng.

With a placid smile still on his face, Shi Feng nodded at Ghost Charm, then the four moved towards the empty wooden table.

Shortly after, the waiter returned and saw Shi Feng and his companions seated. He uttered a surprised sound.

Quickly, he realized those seven patrons who'd vanished hadn't paid for their drinks.

How dare they dine and dash!

"What the—!" the waiter exclaimed, then rushed outside the tavern.

However, once outside, the seven men were already nowhere to be seen.

The young waiter returned despondently, spoke to the shopkeeper, "Old shopkeeper, some people left without paying! Can't blame me today, I'm too busy to keep track!

I mentioned to you before, our business is so good, we should hire more hands in the main hall, but..."

The young waiter continued, but before he could go on, the absent-minded shopkeeper finally spoke in a husky tone, "Alright, that's enough, don't fret."

While speaking, the old shopkeeper kept his head down, not looking at anyone, including the young waiter.

After saying these words, he fell silent once more, like a lifeless old zombie, lost in thought.

"That eccentric old man, why won't he hire more staff? Is he truly that miserly? Fine, don't hire, it's not like he's watching from behind the counter." The waiter muttered under his breath.

The young waiter glanced at Shi Feng and his companions, then gave them a "waiter's smile," saying, "Please wait a while longer; our tavern's peerless wine will soon be ready for tasting."

"Alright," Shi Feng smiled at the waiter and nodded.

The waiter prepared to return to the back room, but as he approached, he addressed the old shopkeeper, "Old shopkeeper, I'm heading back there again, so..."

"It's fine, go ahead!" The shopkeeper's deep, raspy voice interrupted.

The waiter originally wanted to say he would check if the wine was ready. If anyone dashed again without paying, he'd be unable to watch.

But having heard the shopkeeper's words, the young waiter went into the back room relieved.

The old man had spoken, so he didn't worry further. It wasn't negligence on his part, but he couldn't handle everything.

Truly, managing on a waiter's salary but with a shopkeeper's concerns!

(Here's wishing everyone a happy National Day!)