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“So if I get the cork out without issue, you’re going to give ht?” He wouldn’t be able to take the cork or bottle as a souvenir, the Wine Master would certainly want those

“You are nothing short of a wretched bastard, did you know that?” the Gouret that out, you can have it What if you don’t, though?”

A smile crept across Lan Jue’s face “Then I owe you no less than three bottles of thirty year old whisky

“It’s a deal”

Lan Jue pulled the corkscrew out, then placed the bottle flat on the table before hi slowed Both the Pauper and Gourmet nodded inwardly in appreciation as they watched The Jewelry Master , but he was mature and level-headed

With the steady, slow hands of a surgeon Lan Jue brought the corkscren It’s tip pierced the cork in it’s exact center, and Lan Jue carefully pressed dohile turning the utility knife, forcing the corkscrew deeper in to the co a steady rhyth further and further It stayed dead center, not deviating When it was eventually lodged deep in the cork, Lan Jue placed the ainst the lip of the bottle Noas the moment of truth It was time to pull it out

This was theit wouldn’t ruin the wine, but it would be a great pity

Lan Jue picked up the bottle, held it horizontally, and only then began to pull Anyone with experience in opening wines would know this method was the least likely to ruin a cork

The Pauper and Gouran to creep out froth constant, and didn’t rush When finally the sides of the cork peaked froh permeated, the cork’s sides had not been dissolved They wouldn’t have to worry toothe cork to break apart

The revelation caused the three onlookers to be overcome with joy This only proved the exceptional quality of the wine they were about to imbibe

Ever so slowly, the cork inch out until – at last – it was free from the bottle Entirely in one piece When the cork was free, Lan Jue smiled in triumph With his experience and steady hands, this was no proble in to the ancient bottle hit their ears But just theht appeared that blocked the bottleneck

“Aw damn It’s been marked”

The whole of the sht A boo, furious voice thick with pretension howls from within

“I’ll kill you bastards!”

Lan Jue was the first to react He raised his hands high, the bottle cradled within “Hey hey hey! Don’t do anything crazy, think of the wine!”

The dangerous aura that had strangled the room eased, as the Wine Master’s eyes fell on the bottle Lan Jue’s other hand had the utility knife, with the cork still impaled on the corkscrew The bottle was open, but there was no scent

“You bastards… my treasured wine!” The Wine Master’s whine was sad and tortured, as he snatched the bottle away He did it quick, but ever so carefully He looked upon it like a ed a wide-eyed look, their expressions aard The plan had been to call the Wine Master once the bottle was open, but that was also supposed to be after they’d had a sip They had feared he would prevent the any at all After all, they hadn’t exactly asked before taking this particular bottle

“Give it here!” The Wine Master roared

Lan Jue winced, and quickly handed hie the scent”

The Wine Master glared him doith a look that could murder “I knew you’d be here as well” He snatched the cork away and looked carefully at it He could still clearly discern the na that the cork was still whole, the old lower eased somewhat He turned his attention to the Gour at lasses”

1 No? At least nothing I found, If there are any wine connoisseurs please feel free to educate me