Five days later!

Early in the morning, Li Daoxuan was already up.

Since obtaining the scenic box, his daily rhythm had started syncing up with the ancients. Rise with the sun, work with the sun, rest when the sun… cough, no! He’d still play until midnight before sleeping.Even if his body wanted rest, his mind would say “I’ll just scroll two more minutes”.Even when his mind craved rest, his fingers would keep scrolling unconsciously.

Anyway, he could sleep whenever at night, but as soon as dawn broke, his biological clock would shake him awake.

He ordered pumpkin porridge takeout and, holding the bowl, blew on it vigorously to cool it down.

Just then, Bai Yuan arrived.

Riding a fine horse, accompanied by several servants, he came to Gaojia Village in high spirits. Before even entering the village, while still on horseback, he solemnly saluted towards the sky above Gaojia Village from afar, paying respects to the Deity.

Bai Yuan was particularly conscientious about the “Rites” aspect of the Six Arts of Gentlemen.

The sentinel on the watchtower shouted: “Lord Bai is here!”

So Thirty-Two, Gao Yiye, Madam Bai, Young Master Bai, and the others quickly came out to greet him. Even Gao Chuwu, Zheng Daniu, Li Da, Gao Yiyi, and others came over to welcome Bai Yuan.

Everyone was happy to see Bai Yuan safe and sound.

Bai Yuan clasped his hands together with a smile, “Greetings to you all. I’ve come to Gaojia Village specifically to share good news and thank the Deity.”

Gao Yiye smiled, “The Deity has already received your gratitude.”

Bai Yuan bowed deep once more.

Thirty-Two said, “Mr. Bai, since you have left Bai Family Fortress to come to Gaojia Village, what if the bandits seize the chance to attack Bai Family Fortress?”

Bai Yuan laughed, “Hahaha, relax, relax. Those vermin have been utterly terrified by the Deity’s magical missiles and wouldn’t dare come near Bai Family Fortress again. Cheng Xu sent scouts to watch them; it seems they no longer dare to come down the northern slope of Bai Family Fortress. They’ve gone off in some other direction.”

Hearing this, everyone finally felt reassured.

Bai Yuan turned to Gao Chuwu and Zheng Daniu, “You two can go to Bai Family Fortress and retrieve the magical missiles.”

The two simple strongmen responded, “Yes, sir!”

Bai Yuan then turned to Madam Bai and Young Master Bai, “You two can return with me to Bai Family Fortress.”

Madam Bai was overjoyed, “Alright, I shall go pack our belongings immediately.”

Young Master Bai, however, said, “Father, I wish to stay in Gaojia Village.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Bai gave him a hard pinch on the arm, “Are you trying to escape my supervision of your studies?”

Young Master Bai covered his face, “Mother, at the study well in Gaojia Village, I learned divine language taught directly by the Deity. It’s called ‘Hanyu Pinyin’. It’s an incredibly profound study. I wouldn’t feel content leaving before fully mastering it.”

Hearing this, Madam Bai awkwardly hid the hand she had just used to pinch, “Ahem… so that’s the case… Your mother… I mean…”

She seemed like she wanted to apologize.

Bai Yuan didn’t hesitate, “If it’s a divine language personally taught by the Deity, then naturally, you should finish learning it. You can stay at Gaojia Village for now; your mother can go back.”

Madam Bai became very anxious, “My child is barely thirteen and a half! Leaving him here alone, how can I be at ease?”

Bai Yuan replied, “Under the Deity’s care in this place, what is there to worry about?”

Madam Bai stated, “I just am uneasy. I’m not going back. I’m staying here too. Otherwise, who will take care of the child?”

Bai Yuan: “…”

Young Master Bai spoke softly: “Mother, you should head back now. I’ll be fine here alone—”

Smack! Madam Bai delivered a firm pinch to Young Master Bai’s arm: “So eager to shoo your own mother away? Do you wish to disown me?”

A chill ran through the onlookers. They thought, With how often you resort to pinching, who wouldn’t want you gone?

Li Daoxuan’s gaze involuntarily shifted toward Bai Yuan. This man sends his wife to Gaojia Fortress at the first sign of trouble… Could it be…

Bai Yuan replied without a flicker of hesitation: “My wife, staying with our child is excellent. Truly excellent! This husband naturally supports it.”

Li Daoxuan choked: Pfft! Knew it!

Bai Yuan waved his hand. A servant emerged from behind him, presenting a small crock jar. Bai Yuan smiled warmly: “To celebrate Bai Family Fortress repelling the bandits and securing total victory, I brought this jar of wine. Tonight, let’s share this with Gaojia Village friends until each of us reaches our measure.”

The crowd cheered: “Splendid!”

Gao Chuwu scratched his head doubtfully: “Such a tiny jar… how many sips will each person get? Won’t even begin to satisfy the craving.”

Zheng Daniu echoed: “Exactly! I could down half the jar in one gulp alone.”

Bai Yuan flushed slightly awkward: “Three years of drought left Bai Family Fortress no surplus grain. We haven’t brewed any wine in three years. This small jar was buried in my garden back when I made it five years ago and forgotten. Just days ago, dismantling a fake mountain to position the magical missiles unearthed it— that’s when I remembered it existed.”

He sighed wistfully: “Since the drought began, a single sip of wine became a distant wish. Only this small jar remains, no more. Let’s share it modestly and just… seek a moment’s joy.”

Hearing their strained exchange, Li Daoxuan recalled: Oh, right. The severe drought slashed harvests. These little people haven’t tasted wine for years. Naturally, they’d crave its warmth for celebration.

Good. Let’s give them just a little.

Li Daoxuan went downstairs into the supermarket.

His small market stocked only modest wines— the kind priced between twenty to one hundred yuan. Since Li Daoxuan didn’t drink, he barely knew good from bad. Just grab a recognizable brand, he decided. A small bottle of Wuliangye, 52 proof, one hundred twenty yuan.

Perhaps too strong for some tastes? He tossed in a bottle of Shuangqing beer— a few yuan cheap.

Grasping both bottles cheerfully, he returned to his diorama.

Inside, the little figures had set up a makeshift table in the watchtower’s central courtyard. Only that single crock jar stood on it. As few shared what little wine remained, guilt tugged at them for excluding others.

Suddenly, Gao Yiye jumped up, radiant: “Prepare cups! Everyone! The Deity says he’ll gift us divine wine from the heavens!”

Zheng Daniu— the most experienced recipient of celestial “happy fat water”— reacted faster than thought. He flashed home and back instantly, clutching a huge wooden basin.

A strange, transparent tube descended from above, hovering over Zheng Daniu’s basin. Something squeezed…

Plop.

One shimmering, gigantic drop fell. The basin filled instantly.

Fragrant spirits splashed as rich winy steam saturated the air. Wuliangye’s famed aroma truly impressed.

Bai Yuan’s eyebrows lifted: “Superior wine.”

Thirty-Two sniffed appreciatively: “So fragrant.”

Gaojia’s commoner-born folks, however, held no discernment for wine merit. Gao Chuwu grinned eagerly: “Divine wine! First scoop’s mine!” Seizing a large bowl, he dunked it deep into Zheng Daniu’s basin, raised it brimming high, and tossed it back toward his throat…