Having collected the separate record, Zhao Huai quickly headed out.
Though he had spent three days and three nights in the basement, it had still seemed to pass quickly.
During secluded cultivation, one had little sense of time slipping by. Seeing the blazing sun now, he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
It was afternoon. Street vendors thronged the roads, merchant caravans streamed endlessly past, and pedestrians leading horses could often be seen on the streets.
There were basically no cultivators on the streets. Most were scholars carrying fans, with the occasional pair of sword-bearing wanderers passing by.
"Raven Immortal, bless us with favorable winds and timely rains, and keep disease at bay!"
"Enter paradise and gain wealth and rank!"
At that moment, groups dressed in black robes marched by, shouting loudly while beating gongs and drums with tremendous pomp.
Their clothes were embroidered with black crows, making them look like some sort of religious sect.
Zhao Huai glanced at them and raised a brow. "Raven Immortal? What sort of organization is that?"
He then shook his head and ignored them.
As he walked, he looked over the list and slowly read aloud, "Three taels of wine starter. Is my wife planning to brew wine?"
"Also, a green crane porcelain incense burner, a silver-thread embroidered lotus pouch, and jade-green bean cakes."
"In that case, I'll buy the wine starter first."
Zhao Huai turned into a bluestone alley. Every so often, he passed drunkards plastered beyond recognition, their faces flushed red and their steps crooked.
At the end of the alley stood a shop.
A yellowed wine banner bearing the character "Sun" hung outside. The shop was small, with only five square tables, though more than a dozen wine jars stood within.
The wine from this tavern was renowned far and wide.