Capítulo 449: Chapter 567: Fang Chu Cos Third, Challenges the Chief Brewer
Chapter 567: Fang Chu Cos Third, Challenges the Chief Brewer
Despite placing in the top ten, Fang Chu could not help but feel a faint sense of dissatisfaction. In his mind, with his skills and careful preparation, he should have at least secured a position within the top three. Achieving a spot in the top ten was comndable, but to truly have the freedom to choose a better continent for his next fifty years of service, he needed a higher final ranking. The score of the second spiritual wine, Yi Pingsheng, would be the deciding factor.
Qiu Zhanggui, who had accompanied Fang Chu to the Wangyuelou headquarters, considered Fang Chu’s performance both reasonable and unexpected. He had long understood Fang Chu’s extraordinary aptitude for brewing and was confident in his potential. Yet even he had underestimated the combination of Fang Chu’s raw talent and the ticulous attention he had paid to this particular assessnt.
“Seems I’ve underestimated Fang Chu,” Qiu Zhanggui murmured to himself, eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the young man at the judging tables. “After this assessnt, he will almost certainly be assigned to a more prosperous continent.”
The evaluation of Baihua Brew had just concluded, and now the panel moved on to the second wine, Yi Pingsheng. For all present, tension rippled through the air. This score would determine the wealth of the resources and opportunities each brewer would have for the next fifty years. Every practitioner desired a high placent, one that would secure them a posting on a fertile, prosperous continent.
Among Wangyuelou’s signature spirits, Yi Pingsheng was considered the pinnacle of craftsmanship. Its primary allure was the intoxicating experience it granted the drinker: a profound reflection on life’s myriad vicissitudes, and occasionally, the rare chance to enter a state of sudden enlightennt. The eleven judges on the dais closed their eyes, sipping and savoring the creations of each brewer. Between tastings, they cleansed their palates with water, ensuring that no residual flavors skewed the evaluation.
“Yuan Continent: 92… 89…,” one judge announced.
“Central Continent: 88… 87…,” another voice followed.
Scores were read one after another, and gradually, a palpable tension filled the grand hall. Every breath seed asured; the usually bustling chatter had long since fallen silent.
“Qing Continent: 92… 93… 91…”
Fang Chu remained calm, even as he listened for his own score. His composure never faltered, though inside, a subtle relief washed over him. He assessed the results quietly: “Among the first thirty, my score is not only the highest but significantly ahead of the second place. Even if soone else scores higher later, I should still be able to secure a top-three finish.”
After roughly half an hour, all seventy-seven brewers had completed their Yi Pingsheng batches, and the judges had finished their ticulous tasting and scoring. Assistants recorded every detail, and the final results were ready.
Qian Lao, Wangyuelou’s chief steward, accepted the bamboo slips containing the final scores and glanced over them.
“The results of this assessnt are now finalized. First place goes to…”
As was customary, Qian Lao read the nas aloud, starting from first place. This ritual served both to sha those with lower scores and to inspire them to improve—reminding every participant of the standards required of a Wangyuelou brewer.
“Third place: Fang Chu, Qing Continent.”
Qian Lao paused for a mont, eyes flicking downward to regard Fang Chu. Surprise and admiration mingled in his gaze. This reaction was mirrored by the Wangyuelou Master and Chief Brewer Li Lao as well.
They had observed countless assessnts over the decades and could recall most veteran brewers by na. So when a new na appeared with such a high ranking, it imdiately drew their attention. Fang Chu was unfamiliar to them—a recent addition to Wangyuelou within this fifty-year cycle. That a newcor could place third in his very first assessnt spoke volus about his innate talent.
Moreover, Fang Chu was young. The significance of this fact was not lost on the leaders. Any great organization needs a strong new generation, not just the accumulated wisdom of elders. A prodigious young talent like Fang Chu promised continuity and stability for Wangyuelou’s future. Naturally, their hearts were buoyed by the discovery.
Among the assembled brewers and stewards in the hall, murmurs spread.
“Fang Chu? Who is this? Never heard of him before.”
“Seems like a newcor who joined recently.”
“For a rookie to rank this high… impressive.”
Pressure mounted across the hall. Veteran brewers, so who had served Wangyuelou for centuries and participated in multiple assessnts, felt a flicker of sha. Their best ranks in past evaluations had not surpassed this newcor, and the comparison stung quietly.
Even Qiu Zhanggui, who knew Fang Chu better than anyone else present, felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. Watching Fang Chu stand among the crowd of competitors, no one would guess that he was the dark horse of this assessnt.
Wangyuelou’s assessnt did not offer imdiate material rewards. The true prize was far more consequential: placent on a continent for the next fifty years. The wealth of resources and the quality of support varied greatly between prosperous and barren lands. Over half a century, the advantages of a favorable posting could compound, far exceeding any simple reward.
Beyond these tangible benefits, there existed a hidden opportunity. Chief Brewer Li Lao, with a gentle smile, addressed the top three.
“According to Wangyuelou tradition, the top three brewers may challenge directly. The victor will assu the position of Chief Brewer. I ask the three of you—do you have such intentions?”
The eyes of Li Lao swept over the three brewers. Two of them bowed quickly, speaking in unison.
“Li Lao’s mastery in brewing is unparalleled across the Tianyuan Realm. I am not worthy of the challenge.”
“Yes, there is still much for us to learn from Master Li Lao.”
Li Lao had held the Chief Brewer title for six centuries, and for the last four hundred years, no brewer had dared challenge him. Many of the current brewers were his disciples or disciples of his disciples. His reputation in the brewing arts was formidable, and most young brewers understood the futility of attempting to supplant him. Their respectful refusal was customary, expected, a re formality.
But this ti was different. The third-place brewer, Fang Chu, did not follow the usual pattern. With calm confidence, he stepped forward and bowed slightly.
“I, Fang , dare to challenge Master Li Lao.”
His voice rang clearly throughout the hall, carrying a quiet authority that left no room for doubt. This was not arrogance—it was the asured certainty of soone who had prepared for this mont with care and skill. For the first ti, the customary ritual of flattery and polite refusal encountered a genuine challenge.
The atmosphere shifted. The assembled brewers and stewards, along with the senior judges, felt the weight of the declaration. A newcor, bold enough to confront a centuries-old master, signaled not just talent, but extraordinary ambition and self-assurance.
Fang Chu’s challenge was more than a personal test—it was a statent to Wangyuelou itself. The dark horse had erged, and the brewing world would have to take notice.
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