Chapter 262: The oldest therapist in the multiverse: booze
Item Name: Liquid Confidence
Rarity: 2 stars
Effect: An elixir that only works on those at the Aether Acolyte level and below, Liquid Confidence is not the same as Liquid Courage.
Confidence will not shrink the effect of fear, it just makes one more willing to do questionable actions, not dangerous actions.
Side effects include extreme embarrassment once the potion wears and smelling like licorice for about a week.
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As soon as Prince Carlos and Alexander left the room, Zhen Yan and Zhen Shi fell back into their respective chairs, looking a tad exhausted.
Surprisingly, neither of them said a word in regards to Zhen Liu’s thoughts on this engagement matter…because Carlos and Alexander kept arguing the whole time!
While the two of men of the Zhen Clan never got a chance to get a word in, they were still exhausted just by being in the same room as the two of them.
“They…they both know they’re hitching their daughters to the same grandson, right?,” Zhen Shi mumbled to his son, “why does order matter?”
“Father, you know the old superstition. First to tie the knot, forever it stands.”
“Bullshit superstition,” he mumbled back. As he did, he stretched out his sense with aether to keep track of the two guests, making sure that they both left the property.
‘I married exactly one woman and I was happy about it, I don’t get this whole polygamy thing,’ Zhen Shi thought to himself.
Polygamy wasn’t the weirdest thing to occur on Valresta, again it’s very hard to regulate things such as who someone can love or marry when might makes right, but there were some superstitions and quirks involved in the practice.
For instance, one of the oldest superstitions is the belief that first couple established will tie their souls together and form a bond that transcends death.
This belief cropped from an old story about an emperor and his empress having managed to find each other over and over again regardless how many times they died and/or separated from one another. That said, no one knows for sure this is true, but it did make a popular love story and inspiration for young couples everywhere. Granted, this particular superstition is a bit of a Stampeding Bison continent exclusive.
The other continents had their own superstitions when it came to marriage and such, but that isn’t relevant…yet.
Once Zhen Shi confirmed that both Goldshire and Ecaredies had left the clan compound, he got up from his chair and put on his coat. The action confused Zhen Yan.
“Huh? Father, where are you going?”
“Abusing the fact that my liver also got younger and that there several bars in this city that doesn’t know I look like this now. It’s nice getting recognized as one of the most powerful people here, but blending in like a nobody is nice too.”
Zhen Shi made his way to the door and was just about to leave, but recalled something before doing so.
“Zhen Yan, if anyone asks where I am, tell them I’m cultivating in the caverns,” Zhen Shi instructed.
“Okay…are you sure don’t want me to come along as an escort?”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“Do you want to see your old man attempt to get so drunk he thinks it’s a good idea to duet with the tavern bard?”
“…fair enough.”
With he logistics figured out, Zhen Shi left the compound and made his way to a tavern/inn he’s been meaning to try.
‘Never did have a chance to try out the drinks in the Wolfe Family territory, what with the bad blood between us…but it’s our turf now, meaning it’s the perfect time to drink it dry. Now, was it called the Tipsy Boar or the Smashed Pig?’
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‘And it appears grandpa is trying to bail from the premisis…alright, who wants to attempt to tail him to make sure nothing bad happens.’
[Rock, paper scissors?]
[I’ll…pass…]
[Alright Nepherage, you and me. One, two and shoot!]
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“And here is your room. Free breakfast is at 9, checkout is at noon and dinner tonight is Wasteland soba noodles with our signature roasted pork.”
“Thank you,” the young man said as he tipped the innkeeper a few copper coins.
Once the innkeeper left, the young and old man began to talk in private via their native tongue.
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The younger man was tempted to call out and stop and his older counterpart from indulging in this detrimental vice, but stopped himself.
‘It has been a long trip…oh what’s one drink. Surely nothing bad will come of it.’
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“Hey, can I get another serving of soup over here?”
“Sure, sure.”
“We need three more flaggons of ale!”
“On its way!”
“Can I get the bill?”
“Here ya go!”
Out of all the places one could stay in Stone Claw, the Drunken Hog was one of the rowdier places that one could stay at.
Allowing guests from all walks of life, some form of pig beast being roasted by a giant fire in the center of the place and delicious alcohol brewed in house, the Drunken Hog was probably one of the best places one could get drunk and get their belly filled.
And it was in such a jovial atmosphere, that an unexpected encounter would play out.
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‘Eh?’
As Zhen Shi was about to down his first shot glass for the evening, an old man about his age had suddenly interrupted him.
‘Huh…deja Vu?’
