Chapter 474: The Changing World
“What brings you here in the rain, fellow Daoist?”
“A devout believer requested my presence in the city today to investigate some disturbances in their home. They were quite anxious, and I didn’t want to delay, so I braved the rain and came into town.” Wenpingzi explained. “Since your residence wasn’t far, and it’s been some time since we last met, I thought I’d pay you a visit. I hope you don’t mind my unannounced arrival.”
“For those who follow the Dao, it is only natural to go with the flow. There’s no need for such formality, fellow Daoist.” Song You lifted a teacup and gestured toward him. “The weather outside is cold—please, have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Wenpingzi accepted the tea with both hands and took a small sip. The tea was a deep, clear red with a rich, woody aroma.
“Excellent tea! Truly fine tea!”
“It’s Longtuan Gongcha. Back when I was in Changjing, an old acquaintance received it as a gift from His Majesty and shared some with me. They said it improves with age and is best after three to five years. I rarely drink it myself, but the remaining half-bunch I have should be at its peak flavor now.”
Song You lifted his own cup, first inhaling its scent before taking a delicate sip.
He had brewed this tea simply, without adding too many unnecessary ingredients. Some preferred to add dried plums to enhance the flavor, which was a fine choice, but he had used them sparingly, preserving as much of the original tea fragrance as possible.
The first time he pried open the Longtuan Gongcha for brewing, he had recognized its quality immediately. However, at that time, the aroma was still somewhat murky—faintly tainted with the warehouse-like scent of mold and dust, something that only the most discerning palate could detect.
But now, time had carried away all impurities, dispersing them into the wind. What remained was a clearer, purer fragrance—a complex yet refined woody aroma. It had indeed reached another level.