Wine God

Yang Bingtian, upon hearing Ji Dong's question, couldn't help but say: "It seems like your family has really taken solace in wine, not caring about the outside world. On our Five Elements Continent, there's a special profession, the most important one on the continent, where all our standards, be they military or political, are judged according to this profession. This profession is called a Yin-Yang Demon Master."

"Yin-Yang Demon Master? Does that mean you're a Yin-Yang Demon Master then?" Ji Dong asked, curiosity thoroughly ignited in his heart.

Yang Bingtian nodded, saying: "Yes, I'm a Yin-Yang Demon Master of the Bing Fire Department. The level and power of a Yin-Yang Demon Master determines an individual's future. It's not just warriors, even scholars are required to be able to achieve the convergence of the Yin and Yang crown, otherwise, they will not be given important positions. All Five Great Empires on the continent do the same. Now do you understand why I was surprised you were unaware of the Yin-Yang Demon Master profession?"

Ji Dong became a bit anxious as he asked: "Then what abilities do a Yin-Yang Demon Master have specifically?"

Yang Bingtian answered: "The abilities of a Yin-Yang Demon Master are too numerous, the foremost being combat power. A bachelor level Yin-Yang sorcerer who can converge a Yin-Yang crown would have the power to defeat at least ten grown warriors. The most powerful Yin-Yang Demon Master is an existence that defies the heavens, having the ability to easily destroy a city. The levels and theories of Yin-Yang Demon Masters are too extensive to cover in a short time, but I can teach you more if you're willing to stay. Do you remember when I said I'm the principal of Li Fire Academy? The Li Fire Academy is a college, specifically for training Fire Department Yin-Yang Demon Masters. Your affinity with wine and the aura you exude both prove that you're of fire nature. Regardless of your aptitude, I can arrange for you to study at the academy. You can bartend for me, even as a working student in the academy, and accommodation and all other expenses will be covered by the academy. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing Yang Bingtian's words, Ji Dong had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Yang Bingtian smiled slightly, confidently saying: "Our Li Fire Academy is among the top-ranked primary Yin-Yang Demon Master academies in the South Fire Empire, with a six-year course and only sixty spots available each year for ten-year-old students, which should be about your age group. Thousands of students apply each year, the entrance examination is extremely strict, and we only accept students with exceptional aptitudes. Our graduation rate is a stellar thirty percent, which ranks us in the top ten among all the primary Yin-Yang Demon Master academies on the continent."

"You take pride in a graduation rate of only thirty percent? By what standard do you measure graduation?" Ji Dong asked, puzzled.

Yang Bingtian slapped his forehead helplessly, saying: "I forgot that you don't understand this profession of Yin-Yang Demon Master well. The standard for graduation from a primary Yin-Yang Demon Master is whether they can converge a Yin-Yang crown during their study. Only those who can reach level 10 as an apprentice and successfully converge the Yin-Yang crown are allowed to graduate. Once they have the Yin-Yang crown, they are true Yin-Yang Demon Masters and no matter what profession they pursue in the future, it will be much easier for them. Even if they choose not to work, the Empire will still provide a certain living allowance. As for your question about the graduation rate, primary Yin-Yang Demon Master academies would be thrilled to achieve a graduation rate of ten percent."

Ji Dong nodded and said: "That is to say, if I can become a Yin-Yang Demon Master with a Yin-Yang crown after six years of study, then I won't have to worry about my living in the future. This does seem to be a good arrangement."

A hint of smugness flashed in Yang Bingtian's eyes, "Of course, there are countless people who would give anything to get into our Li Fire Academy. So, you're agreeing to this, right?"

Ji Dong stood up and said, "Thank you for your hospitality." He then started to walk towards the door.

Yang Bingtian was startled at first, but then he quickly reacted, "Wait a minute. What do you mean?"

Ji Dong stopped in his tracks, saying without turning his head: "The graduation rate is only thirty percent. I bartend for you for six years and in return, I get such a small statistical probability. If all I want is to not worry about food and drink, why shouldn't I work at a bar?"

Yang Bingtian frowned deeply, "Then what do you want? Money?"

Ji Dong whirled around fiercely, "I've told you, don't measure my wine with gold. I can agree to your arrangement and I'm indeed interested in this profession of Yin-Yang Demon Master. But I have a few conditions."

Yang Bingtian also stood up, slowly walking over to Ji Dong, looking down at him, "Young man, it has been years since anyone's spoken to me with this kind of attitude." His voice was calm, but anger was evident in his eyes. Yang Bingtian held a very high status, not just in Li Fire City, but throughout the entire South Fire Empire. Being defied by a young beggar he'd brought home, he found it somewhat hard to accept. It seemed as if he was asking, what have you got to negotiate terms with me?

Ji Dong looked up, staring straight into Yang Bingtian's intense gaze, "So what you want to say is, I'm lacking the authority to negotiate terms with you, right. Don't worry, I won't take advantage of you in the slightest. What I gain from you will definitely be repaid double. Simply put, the Flame Burning Passion cocktail I made for you today is still trash."

Yang Bingtian was taken aback, "That cocktail is also trash?"

A touch of sadness flashed in Ji Dong's eyes, "Bodily weakness and age constraints make it impossible for me to achieve higher bartending skills. In my mind, there are a total of 1,964 basic cocktail recipes and 3,162 special cocktail recipes. Given sufficient time and materials, these numbers will only continue to rise. My basis for negotiating terms with you is that within six years, I'll make sure you never drink the same cocktail twice. The quality of each one will only be better than today's. If I fail to do so, you can kick me out at any time. Do I have the qualifications now?" His voice was filled with pride, even with a touch of choking, when he said the last sentence.

Having been a glorious Liquor God in his previous life, when had Ji Dong ever been doubted to his face? Although Ji Dong had been trying his best to accept his new identity, the intrinsic pride in his bones made him refuse to bow to anyone. Even knowing that the man before his eyes could possibly change the destiny of his new identity, he remained unfazed. This was similar to him never begging even once when he was making a living as a beggar, surviving merely on the leftover food he could scavenge.

Yang Bingtian was truly shocked, the arrogance of the child in front of him was overwhelming, but if his claims were true, then he definitely had the grounds for such pride. He suddenly thought of someone and subconsciously asked: "What is your relationship with the President of the Bartender Guild, Liquor God Du Sikang?"