Chapter 35: How Come?

“You… you’re talking nonsense!”

Steward Wu felt cold sweat trickle down his forehead as he saw everyone discussing the matter. He gritted his teeth and shouted. He couldn't admit it now. If he did, not only would the reputation of Hongtian Restaurant be ruined, but his own future would also be over! If only he had known this teacher was also a gourmet, he would never have agreed to Shang Bin's request to cause him trouble!

“You say I’m talking nonsense?” Zhang Xuan looked at him.

“That’s right. You claim these dishes are fake, but do you have proof? Without proof, you’re just speaking thoughtlessly. Do you believe I can arrest you right now for defamation?” Steward Wu’s face contorted.

“Proof? You want proof? Very well then!”

Seeing that this fellow wouldn't give up until he faced the undeniable truth, Zhang Xuan shook his head. He hadn't intended to get involved, as Shen Biru was paying anyway, and the exact amount didn't concern him much. But this guy insisted on causing trouble, accusing him of extortion. In that case, he certainly couldn't let it go.

“Regarding the previous dishes, I’ve already stated the evidence. Everyone can examine them closely based on the characteristics I described! Of course, it doesn’t matter if he denies it, because even with this knowledge, some gourmets would find it hard to identify, let alone all of you! However…”

Zhang Xuan looked around, then casually picked up the most expensive bottle of wine on the table. “This bottle of wine is easy for everyone to distinguish!”

“Distinguish? Hongtian Restaurant is the designated vendor for ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness’! That’s a well-known fact. Many people come here specifically for this wine. Are you suggesting this wine is also fake?” a customer couldn't help but say.

“Yeah, Immortal’s Drunkenness is Hongtian Restaurant’s signature product. It can’t be fake, can it? If even this is fake, then probably nothing here is real!” another customer chimed in.

The wine served to Zhang Xuan and his companions earlier was called “Immortal’s Drunkenness,” sold exclusively by Hongtian Restaurant. It was known for its mellow taste and rich aroma. This wine had contributed significantly to Hongtian Restaurant’s current scale and reputation. If even this wine was fake… that would be too much!

“As I said, this is very easy to distinguish!”

As if knowing the crowd’s doubts, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and held up the bottle. “This bottle is labeled ‘Immortal’s Drunkenness.’ Normally, if it were truly Immortal’s Drunkenness from Baijing Workshop, it would indeed be worth 1200 gold coins! Unfortunately, this is just a bottle. Inside is Green Rock Brew from Zizhu Pavilion. These two wines are somewhat similar in smell and taste, but the former is made from the rarest Earth Root Grass and Green Leaf Cicada Heart, and after drinking, it’s not only harmless but beneficial. This Green Rock Brew, however, if consumed excessively, contains the toxins of Fallen Blossom Grass, which will invade the heart and lungs, gradually damaging internal organ function, causing one’s cultivation to plummet, and making life worse than death!”

“Using Green Rock Brew to impersonate Immortal’s Drunkenness?”

“I’ve heard of this Green Rock Brew; its taste does seem somewhat similar to Immortal’s Drunkenness!”

“I always trusted Hongtian Restaurant’s quality! I can’t believe they’re deceiving customers like this!”

“This is outright fraud! I must report this to the academy and have them investigate thoroughly!”

The customers watching the commotion, upon hearing they had been deceived, began to shout in outrage.

“You say it’s Green Rock Brew? Where’s your proof?” Steward Wu gritted his teeth and scoffed.

Glancing at him, Zhang Xuan said calmly, “Wine can burn. I haven’t drunk much from this bottle, you can light it. True Immortal’s Drunkenness emits an intoxicating aroma like orchids and musk! Green Rock Brew, however, has a burnt, foul smell. Anyone with a nose can sniff it out!”

“You…” Steward Wu froze.

The other party hadn’t made a single mistake. However, this method of identification was known to very few—only a handful of Green Rock Brew’s brewers and some who sold the wine. He himself had only overheard it by chance. How did this guy know it so clearly? In reality, most other guests were served genuine Immortal’s Drunkenness, as it was the restaurant’s signature. Following Shang Bin’s plan, they deliberately prepared fake wine for this young man, thinking he wouldn’t recognize it and they could trick him into paying more. Now, however, the tables had turned; the young man not only knew a great deal but was also perfectly clear on the identification methods! Now, even if he tried to explain that everyone else had been drinking genuine Immortal’s Drunkenness, it would be impossible to clarify.

“What? Are you afraid to try?”

Noticing the man’s nervousness, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly, casually inverted the wine bottle in his hand, letting the liquid spill onto the ground. Then he pulled out a tinderstick and flicked it gently.

Fwoosh!

The wine on the ground immediately ignited upon contact with the flame. Everyone instantly smelled a pungent odor, so strong it made them dizzy and choked.

“What a horrible smell! Is this what we were just drinking?”

“Hongtian Restaurant clearly has no regard for its customers!”

“It smells so awful, it must be poisonous to drink…”

“Refund! Refund! I’ve been drinking here for three years! Not only do I want all my money back, I demand compensation!”

The entire restaurant erupted into chaos. Everyone rushed forward.

“What… what’s going on?” Cao Xiong and Shang Bin were almost driven mad. They had specifically set a trap to frame Zhang Xuan and humiliate him, but he not only avoided embarrassment but also gained significant attention! Instead, they had become the clowns, humiliating themselves!

“What’s going on… what do you mean, ‘what’s going on’!” Steward Wu, who was standing nearby, would have been better off not hearing that. Upon hearing it, he nearly exploded on the spot and kicked out.

Thump! Thump!

He was a Martial Artist 6-dan Aperture Opening Realm expert. The two didn't even have time to react before their vision went black from the kicks, and they both fell to the ground, each with a large footprint on their face. No wonder Steward Wu was enraged; if it weren't for these two, this situation wouldn't have occurred! It was foreseeable that not only would his career end, but he would also face the wrath of Elder Hong Hao! After this incident, Hongtian Restaurant's reputation would undoubtedly plummet, and its business would never recover its former glory. The whole affair began because he agreed to these two fellows' request to teach a lesson to someone who ranked last in the teacher qualification exam! How could this guy be last? Even the top-ranked wouldn't be this amazing! If only he had known this gentleman possessed such remarkable discernment, let alone causing him trouble, it would have been good enough if he didn't cause trouble for them! Damn it!

“It seems no one will be collecting our payment now. Let’s go!”

Seeing the commotion, Zhang Xuan called out to a somewhat dazed Shen Biru and led the way out. With the matter resolved, staying here would only cause endless trouble; it was better to leave.

“Mmm!”

Shen Biru quickly followed, her gaze complex as she watched the young man striding ahead. She had always thought he was a good-for-nothing, ignorant of everything, and a disgrace to the teaching profession! Only after half a day of interaction did she realize… if he was a good-for-nothing, what was she? Wouldn’t she be utterly worthless?

Gritting her teeth, she stepped forward, her beautiful dark eyes still wide with disbelief. “You’re so knowledgeable about food, could it be… you’re also a gourmet?”