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“Your main job will be to coordinate everyone’s efforts Don’t worry, I’ll be back before you know it I’ve also spoken with the Keeper and he’ll help you where he can With that psychopath in your corner what else do you need? The Eastern governed its full support to the Avenue, so you don’t have to fret over theood about Star Division, we’ll link them up with An Lun’s army, and one of their main tasks will be the protection of this planet”
Lan Jue frowned at nothing in particular “An Lun’s ar Skyfire? What about An Lun itself? That’s one of ourthe border Besides, what are two fleets going to acco, the Wine Master responded “Now you’re getting into national secrets Once Star Division is ready and on its way to An Lun, you’ll see Ah, right – I’ve ive you an official rank What do you think, Rear Ad outranksled by a Rear Admiral makes it sound weak Why not ave hi the title then You should be focusing on breaking through anyway, the earlier the better That will shore up confidence and respect”
“So I’m supposed to lead Star Division, the Avenue, and becood?” Lan Jue whined
“That’s your problening tasks I think you can handle it”
Lan Jue outright scowled “My heart can’t take this I need a drink If you’re going to be handing down directives and running off to drink with the wine gods I don’t think my request is unreasonable Open up that vault you keep your wine in and let me pick a bottle, then I’ll accept”
The Wine Master’s face twitched “Don’t even think about it, you shameless punk The moment I let you in you’ll ferret out my best bottle and drink it before I have a sip We’re done here, you can go We’ll convene the council tonight and– oh, and the Clockth of the Avenue is now in your hands, we’ll come back e’re done”
Lan Jue just stared at him “So you just kick me out, eh? Aren’t you afraid I’ll find your stash while you’re gone, walk aith a sack of ill-gotten loot?”
“You wouldn’t dare!” The Wine Master gasped Before the claim wouldn’t have worried him – he was confident in his power But with Captus in Lan Jue’s hand and power coh, the threat was real His treasures er if Lan Jue lost his et back I’!” He shot to his feet and headed for the exit”
“Alright, alright! You scare me!” The Wine Master complained
Lan Jue hadn’t really planned to leave, but he’d ood show of it He stopped and turned his head back to look at the stingy oldfrom beneath the table It was a bottle “Take it, call me when you plan to open it up”
The bottle was pitch black and se scrollwork
“This is…” Lan Jue actually didn’t know, he wasn’t familiar with the bottle But he knew quality the moment he saw it
The bottle was porcelain Not wine, then Spirits?
He took it from the Wine Master, and i of the isle of Islay, Bowmore 30 limited-edition? You actually have a bottle of this? Wine Master, if I were a woht away – you’re a damn treasure! Thank you, thank you” Lan Jue nearly cackled as he committed the bottle to Thor’s Promise He turned and left, absent the anio, the Wine Master couldn’t help but shake his head The Clockmaker entered froenerous?”
The Wine Master bleakly responded “What ive him that bottle? This kid’son this trip puts a lot of stress on hiele et it when it’s time for me to pass it on In fact I’m rather helpless”
“Helpless?” The Clockhed “The kid has a natural affinity for wine, and is the Clairvoyant’s chosen one I’d actually had plans to adopt him, but who could have known about my aunt She’s an elder, who ah “He’s an interesting boy, the Jewelry Master If he breaks through and ends up like his brother, you wouldn’t have been a suitable adopted father anyway He’s Jue Di’s son”
“So I guess I’m more an older brother,” the Wine Master replied “It’s uncoht, we have things to prepare, you and I We’ll make this trip to the Barrows a honeymoon, what do you think? It’s a beautiful place”