"Actually, my visit this time is related to Mr. Purgatory. Master, as you know, my master loves fine wine. As his disciple, I want to show my appreciation."
"Oh, so it's for this matter. Don't worry, I have a jar of rare brew; I guarantee your master will be satisfied."
Henry Yanguang patted his chest, assuring him. Compared to the surprise this genius brought him, giving a gift was a small matter.
"How can I accept this?"
"Kid, don't be polite with me."
"That's not what I mean. I mean, one jar isn't enough."
"…"
Why did this kid suddenly become so annoying?
"It's like this: I want to ask, Master, if you have any channels for buying wine. I want to buy hundreds of pots of good wine at once and see if I can get a discount."
"…"
"Master, don't look at me like that. The funds will be deducted directly from my share of the profits; I guarantee you won't lose out."
"Good kid! Are you trying to drown Mr. Purgatory in alcohol?!"
After a frank exchange, Henry Yanguang finally learned that Shinjuro would only teach his disciples if he received fine wine, which left him utterly speechless. In his helplessness, he agreed to Ryan's request to help him purchase a batch of fine wine at a low price.
This kid is truly a good prospect; he must not be overlooked. Alas, encountering such a "top-notch" trainer, it's hard to say whether it's good or bad.
Ryan was unaware of the master's worries. He, however, was quite open-minded about it.
Compared to relying on medicinal meals to accelerate the accumulation of skill points, learning Flame Breathing through the guidance of the Flame Pillar might be a better choice in the early stages. And after deducting the cost of buying wine, he could still afford to eat big meals every day.
"If you like to drink, I'll provide it. Now, it's up to your performance."
Compared to Urokodaki Sakonji, who taught Water Breathing, and Kuwajima Jigoro, who taught Thunder Breathing, Rengoku Shinjuro's behavior was truly hard to respect.
But this was also good; he would just treat it as a transaction. If the Flame Pillar could patiently answer his questions, he wouldn't treat him unfairly.
-------------------------------------
Four days later, Ryan found a slight sensation of his heart burning, but it was only a little. Fortunately, the fine wine he wanted finally arrived.
He called a few familiar senior brothers to help him move two hundred pots of wine to his small house. After treating them to a big meal, he carried ten pots of wine to Shinjuro's courtyard.
As for why he didn't move all the wine over at once, it was about making it last. With that man's character, if he gave him all of it, he would drink it all within two weeks at most. After that, if he went to ask questions, would he patiently answer without wine?
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Brat, you can already use the First Form so quickly?"
"No…"
"Then give me…"
"But I brought wine."
"…"
This request was impossible to refuse. He almost forgot that agreement. However, this good wine wasn't cheap. Buying ten pots again so quickly, it seemed he was quite wealthy.
Then he would just let this kid ask for guidance a few more times.
One minute later, in the courtyard.
"Why are you so stupid, kid? Forget it, I'll let you feel it one more time."
With a palm pressed against him, Ryan felt that scorching heat again, and then…
"Bang!"
"You still hit the wall a second time? I don't have a disciple as foolish as you!"
However, Ryan ignored the pain on his body. He excitedly looked at his system character panel. At this moment, new content had appeared there—Flame Breathing (Uninitiated).
Heh! It finally appeared! He had originally prepared for the long haul, but heaven was truly helping him. With this, he had real confidence.
At this moment, he really wanted to shout loudly: "Deep Blue, add points!"
"Haha, I was just too excited. Master, have a drink to calm down."
Of course, one still couldn't get too carried away. Every skill point saved was a point earned.
Shinjuro looked at the fine wine extended before him. Who could resist that?!
"Gulp, gulp…"
Truly good wine. Speaking of which, this kid, as a disciple, not only didn't advise him against drinking but even encouraged him. It felt strange.
"Master, can you explain the principle of that burning sensation in the heart?"
Heh! So that's what he was after.
"Get out, get out, get out! I don't have time to teach you."
If he taught him everything at once, the fine wine would run out.
Ryan immediately looked dejected and said, "Is that so? Then I'll leave. Please take care of yourself in the future. Excessive drinking is very harmful to your body."
Huh? Why is he suddenly advising me to quit drinking again? And the reasons are so cliché, completely insincere.
"Go, go, go! Stop being so hypocritical."
"Then I'll bring some tonics to see you in a month. I hope you won't dislike them."
Of course, I'd dislike them! To dare to show up without wine, how… Hmm? Good kid, so what if I just give a few less pointers? You dare to threaten me by not buying me wine, how bold!
Too naive, though. Couldn't I just find someone else to bring me wine?
"You don't need to come anymore. Get out!"
If you don't want to buy wine, then what does your genius have to do with me?
When Ryan heard the other party officially issue the eviction order, he knew there was nothing left to discuss.
This bad temper. It's not like I killed your wife.
If there's nothing to discuss, then don't discuss it. Implement plan B.
"Alright, then I'll tell the master that I won't disturb you again."
You think you can just get rid of me by giving me a cupping on my chest? You've been spoiled! If that's the case, I might as well use the money for wine to buy medicinal meals. Coincidentally, the fine wines bought at low prices can be sold at high prices, and I can even make a profit.
That's right, when he asked the master to buy wine earlier, he had already made two preparations. Once Flame Breathing could be leveled up, he would choose based on whether Shinjuro had teaching ethics.
If he could improve his favorability through fine wine and explain the Breathing Technique more, then he would call him master, and fine wine would be plentiful.
Conversely, if this decadent old man acted however he pleased, he could still level up by simply brute-forcing with skill points. In fact, this situation might even be better.
Now Shinjuro was actively giving up on him. When he learned Flame Breathing and left with Kanao, would this heartless man still have the nerve to chase after him to join the Demon Slayer Corps?
Thinking this, Ryan decisively turned and walked out the door, with a hint of melancholy and a touch of glee in his heart.
First, he would explain to the master. In a few days, he would find someone to resell the wine. After that, while cultivating himself, he would try to eat more medicinal meals.
Seeing the kid leave without a trace of reluctance, Shinjuro sneered and took another gulp of fine wine. He only felt that this young man was too utilitarian, without finding fault in himself.
"That's how it is, Master. Given Mr. Purgatory's terrible mental state, and for his health, I think bringing him wine every time was a wrong decision."
"I understand. I will also try to persuade him later. You just focus on your cultivation for now."
After hearing the whole story, even though Ryan spoke many good words for Shinjuro, blaming all the mistakes on himself, Henry Yanguang could still guess the truth.
To be able to use the First Form of Flame Breathing within a dozen days, such a promising talent was actually abandoned by his trainer, and the reason for the abandonment was because he wouldn't buy him wine to drink.
What kind of ridiculous reason was that?