novelraw Chapter 664 - 272: Do You Want to Drink It?_3
Chapter 664 - 272: Do You Want to Drink It?_3
Upon hearing Li Xiu talk about earning first-class merit, the ten personal guards were overjoyed. They knew what first-class merit meant; it was their ticket to exchanging for a spirit beast at the City Lord’s Mansion, a dream come true for them.
Unfortunately, most trial takers find it hard to possess even the lowest-grade spirit beast, as the drop rate is extremely low.
Jani listened with envy burning in his eyes. A first-class merit reward was not something given lightly; it required significant contributions to earn such honor.
Even those personal guards who get injured while completing tasks typically only receive second-class merit.
Although second-class merit can also be exchanged for spirit beasts, the quality cannot be guaranteed like when using first-class merit.
Jani possessed a quality spirit beast himself, but he had paid a hefty price for it. It paled in comparison to one acquired via first-class merit.
However, Li Xiu didn’t mention giving him any rewards, and Jani didn’t dare ask, feeling restless inside as if he were being clawed by a cat.
When the Black Death Demon appeared, Li Xiu showed no intentions of intervening, merely letting Jani lead the ten personal guards to tackle the problem.
Jani, despite being ruthless and greedy, was equally adept in his capabilities. He effectively commanded the ten personal guards to kill the Black Death Demon following a structured plan, clearly showing his regular training.
Even the quality spirit beast that appeared at the end was continuously dragged and slaughtered by the ten guards.
After dealing with the Black Death Demon, Li Xiu finally brought them to the Nether House and pushed the door open, entering.
Jani led the personal guards to follow Li Xiu inside the Nether House, all of them curiously observing the interior.
"The City Lord is indeed the City Lord; never had I heard anyone entering a house in Black Death City," Jani thought to himself.
"Boss lady, I’m here with people for a drink," Li Xiu shouted upstairs.
Hearing the phrase "boss lady," Li Xiu couldn’t help but think of the boss lady in the City of Love. Regrettably, the Nether House’s boss lady’s voice differed from that of the City of Love’s, indicating they were not the same person.
"Besides the one next to you, no one else is qualified to drink these drinks," the boss lady’s voice echoed from upstairs, causing Li Xiu to pause.
"Does drinking require qualification?" Li Xiu was unaware that coming to the Nether House for a drink required credentials, rendering his plans futile.
"If just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can drink here, why would you need to seek?" the boss lady replied irritably.
"Fair point," Li Xiu did not inquire about who qualified to drink, but he glanced at Jani, surprised that the fellow had the qualification despite just being a D-level trial taker, while among the ten personal guards, several were also D-level trial takers but unqualified, indicating it’s not a matter of rank.
"Do you want to drink?" Li Xiu walked behind the bar, looking at Jani.
"Yes," Jani instantly replied, getting the hint.
"Good," Li Xiu nodded appreciatively, then set his eyes on the liquor cabinet, searching its contents.
He’d seen these liquor names at the City of Love banquet and tasted them. Some seemed remarkably similar yet distinct to those here.
Shortly, Li Xiu selected seven bottles, choosing to mix the cocktail known as "Punishment and Sin" from the mixologists’ formula.
The seven bottles included "Purgatory Angel" and "Black-robed Bishop" he’d previously used, while the remaining five were new to him: "Seven Deadly Sins," "Netherworld Ice River," "Paradise Night," "Source of All Evil," and "World-Purifying Holy Water."
"Punishment and Sin," also known as "Eternal Seal of the End of Visages," ranks among the most challenging to concoct.
The first six types must pair and pour into the shaker, while the seventh must be added last, ensuring perfect balance of proportions and timing, leaving no room for error; even the least deviation might spell failure.
Most demanding of all was the need to accomplish this in under seven seconds, as even a millisecond over would ruin the drink.
Failure bore no warning sign, but drinking it could lead to a fate worse than death.
Both failure and success rely solely on experience, an eye couldn’t perceive it. Hence, the created cocktail promises prosperity if successful, yet even burial rituals seem elusive if it fails.
Li Xiu chose to make "Punishment and Sin" because he’d drank the same in the City of Love; if the Nether House’s alcohol mirrored those from the City of Love, the concoction might greatly benefit Li Xiu.
"Purgatory Angel" and "World-Purifying Holy Water," "Black-robed Bishop" and "Source of All Evil," "Paradise Night" and "Netherworld Ice River," these six must pair into the shaker with critical accuracy, additionally requiring precision in pouring positions to attain perfect balance, successes and failures separated by a mere fraction.
Li Xiu opened the shaker, grabbing "Purgatory Angel" and "World-Purifying Holy Water" with respective hands, uncapping single-handedly, directly pouring into the shaker.
A drop of red "Purgatory Angel," resembling undiluted blood, mixing with a crystal-clear drop of "World-Purifying Holy Water," instantly entwined within the shaker, launching alternating red and white beams within.
The room was illuminated with streaks of red and white, blending the fragrance of wine with a bloody stench, pervading everyone’s nostrils; some felt nauseated, others fascinated by the peculiar scent.
The bottle was swiftly recorked, as Li Xiu placed the two bottles down, grasping "Black-robed Bishop" and "Source of All Evil" bottles, uncapped with a flick of the wrist, leveraging centrifugal force to eject pitch-black drops and mist-like alcohol, simultaneously into the shaker.
As the alcohol entered, Li Xiu switched to "Paradise Night" and "Netherworld Ice River," pouring the cloudy pink and green liquids in equally.
Once the six drinks entered the shaker, the contents immediately transformed into a vibrant spectacle, like dazzling lights in motion, akin to a hellish portrait depicting eerie hue transitions.
All ten trial takers, including Jani, couldn’t suppress the urge to vomit as the scent evolved beyond bloodiness.
Jani desperately resisted the rolling in his stomach, biting his lips hard, fearing he might actually vomit.
A dread griped his heart, "Surely the City Lord doesn’t mean for me to drink this, right?"
Just by the scent alone, Jani felt this menace was deadlier than poison; consuming it could indeed spell doom.
"No wonder the City Lord would promise such generous rewards, could it be for a task demanding life sacrifice!" Jani now deeply regretted accompanying Li Xiu in.
As he wallowed in regret and discomfort, the last ingredient "Seven Deadly Sins" was already poured. Upon the crystalline liquid entering, the previously vibrant mix turned transparent.
No shaking required, Li Xiu directly poured it into a glass, its contents clear as water, bearing no impurities nor color, nor the previous nauseating scent, only emitting wisps of chill, resembling glacier meltwater.
"Do you want to drink?" Li Xiu pushed the glass to Jani, squinting at him.