“You’re just in time!” Zhang Jixin patted Zheng Qing’s shoulder, drawing his attention, and handed him a glass. “Have some of this first, to clear your lungs and get rid of the dust.”
“What is this?” Zheng Qing held the glass with both hands, looking at a swirling mass of pearlescent gas inside, somewhat at a loss.
“Mist… mist wine.” Zhang Jixin, slurring his words, picked up another glass from the bar and handed it to Xiao Xiao. “It clears the lungs, vitalizes blood, boosts Qi, and nourishes the spirit. It’s perfect for you guys who can’t drink alcohol.”
“Can’t drink alcohol?” Zheng Qing’s face flushed. “Last year, I drank a jin of baijiu with my grandpa, the 60-proof kind!”
Saying that, he defiantly shook the glass and tilted his head back, ready to chug it.
But Zhang Jixin reached out and grabbed his arm.
“My mistake, my mistake! I apologize!” The red-faced boy held up his index finger, shaking it, his lips pressed firmly downwards, and said with a serious expression, “I’ll drink first as a sign of respect!”
With that, he grabbed another glass of mist wine nearby, brought it to his nose, and took a deep inhale.
The pearlescent mist swirled wildly, transforming into two waterspouts that disappeared into his nostrils. His chest heaved violently for a moment, and the red glow on his face seemed to have had much fuel added, becoming even more dazzlingly red.
Zheng Qing was dumbfounded.
After a long while, Zhang Jixin opened his mouth and let out a burp.
He inverted the glass, mouth downwards, shook it vigorously, and looked at Zheng Qing with a solemn expression.
Zheng Qing swallowed, then nervously raised the mist wine in his hand and glanced at Xiao Xiao.
“mist wine is a byproduct derived from Wizards concocting magic potions in the past. At that time, pharmaceutical technology was still relatively backward. To maximize the efficacy of herbs, Wizards would grind dried herbs into powder, purify them into gas with a Spell, and have patients inhale them directly into their lungs. This way, the medicinal effects could circulate throughout the body directly through Qi and blood, which was more effective than oral remedies.”
“Later, some drunk Wizards discovered that drinking in this manner provided greater spiritual enjoyment. Thus, mist wine was born, and it spread to every corner of the Wizarding World over the next few centuries. By now, even Gypsy witches enjoy this beverage.”
Hearing this, Zheng Qing couldn’t help but look around, trying to find that beautiful figure.
“The mist wine recipes vary among different bars.” Xiao Xiao brought the glass close to his eyes, carefully shook it, and observed the traces of the pearlescent mist dissipating in the glass, adding, “The mist wine here is very finely ground. The gas residue remaining in the swirl is as clear as jade, smooth and lustrous. The quality is very high.”
After speaking, he sniffed and added, “The wine has a slightly acidic scent with a bitter cherry flavor. The taste is mellow, and some nutmeg has been added. Overall, this glass of mist wine is suitable for a pre-meal drink, aiding digestion and boosting Qi.”
Zheng Qing turned his head, looked blankly at the watermelon-headed boy, and mumbled, “I just want to know how to drink this wine… Do I inhale it directly through my nose? Will I choke?”
“I don’t know.” Xiao Xiao shook the glass, staring troubled at the swirling mist inside. “I haven’t drunk it either. Theoretically, the wine vapor will enter the lungs and spread throughout the body with the Qi and blood… there shouldn’t be any choking.”
“There are things you don’t know?!” Zheng Qing looked at the watermelon-headed boy in shock, then lowered his head and looked at the glass with a determined expression. “Then I must drink it before you.”
With that, he closed his eyes, aimed the rim of the glass at his nose, and, mimicking Zhang Jixin’s earlier action, took a deep inhale.
The swirling mist in the glass flowed into his nasal cavity like water. A part of it flowed down his throat into his stomach, and another part diffused into his lungs through his windpipe. The slightly acidic airflow mixed with a feeling of fullness stimulated his lungs.
Closing his eyes, a warm sensation spread from his stomach and lungs. For a moment, it felt as if every pore on his body was greedily inhaling these gentle, mellow aromas.
The feeling was so comfortable that even the cluster of cowlicks on top of his head couldn’t help but lazily twitch.
Before he could recover from this sensation, he felt his hand lighten, and the glass containing the mist wine was taken away.
Opening his eyes somewhat displeased, Zheng Qing saw another large glass that Zhang Jixin held out to him.
“You can’t drink too much mist wine; everyone only gets one glass.” Zhang Jixin blinked, a mysterious smile on his face. “Relatively speaking, this wine has no limit, and you might like it more!”
Zheng Qing glanced at the large glass in his hand.
Inside the transparent glass, there was a lump of liquid as green as glazed glass, surrounded by a milky white gas similar to mist wine, holding it suspended in mid-air.
“This is qing feng’er, a blend made with mist wine, the most popular drink in the Wizarding World. From ten to one hundred years old, no one dislikes this thing… And this is for drinking with your mouth, not inhaling.”
“Don’t we need anything to eat?” Zheng Qing burped, feeling a tipsy sensation with every breath.
From entering the door until now, he hadn’t gotten a single bite to eat, and his stomach was already filled with a wineskin’s worth of alcohol.
This kind of behavior would lead to trouble.
Zheng Qing had a clear understanding of this point.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Zhang Jixin blinked, looking a bit confused, but quickly, his expression became firm again. “Down this glass of mist feng’er, and I’ll take you to find some delicious food!”
“A bowl of crystal seeds stewed, a glass of qing feng’er spun, wandering through Beta Town, it’s worth every academic credit spent.” Another classmate, Duan Xiaojian, hummed, swaying his head.
Crystal seeds are a type of grain cultivated by Wizards, similar to rice, but each crystal seed is the size of a peanut and is crystal clear, with a fragrant and alluring scent. Most importantly, this food can effectively replenish the energy lost by Wizards during experiments. This is a great temptation for all Wizards. However, this food is a bit too precious for first-year students, and Zheng Qing had not yet had the pleasure of enjoying it.
As for qing feng’er, Zheng Qing carefully examined the glass in his hand.
He had drunk this beverage before when he bought study supplies in Daming Ward. Although it was a bit stimulating, it wasn’t very alcoholic.
“It’s a deal!” Zheng Qing heavily patted Zhang Jixin’s shoulder.
The turquoise liquid in the glass shimmered with a glazed luster. It was said that the raw liquid of this beverage was brewed by spirit imps collecting sap from ancient Chinese toon trees. Wizards later added dozens of different herbs during the subsequent blending process to soothe the Wizard’s spirit without harming his Soul.
Xiao Xiao scoffed at this claim. He once sharply stated that no one would harm their own interests for others, and perhaps qing feng’er was just a drink brewed by Wizards using a pile of ice silkworm droppings mixed with honey and scorpion tails.
Of course, only heaven knows the truth.
Zheng Qing carefully took a sip.