They all call me Great Master

Chapter 304 301

The haughty Kalal, without saying a word, perfectly embodied all the negative impressions people had of nobles.

If he had spoken, it would surely have sent shivers down the spines of the commoners, who feared they might carelessly be turned into "Human Tea" by the noble before them.

Although everyone had only heard rumors of "Human Tea," the current "Tea Duel" caused everyone to involuntarily think of it.

And then, their gazes became even more tense as they watched the scene unfold—

"Battling twice in a row is just too troublesome!

You just duel with Jimte!

If he loses, it's the same as if I've lost.

If he wins, it's the same as if I've won."

Kalal arrogantly uttered words that baffled everyone.

Many had already guessed that the two nobles must be on good terms; otherwise, why would one let the other stand in for their victory or defeat?

Yet others turned their worried eyes upon Jimte.

Under normal circumstances, one would never let someone else stand in for their win or loss.

Even among the closest of nobles, it was the same.

Unless...

The victory was certain!

Police Chief Westbron looked towards Arthur with a worried expression.

It wasn't that he was truly that close to Arthur, but he worried that if Arthur lost, it would cause unnecessary complications—after all, the situation with "Yumir Manor" could be seen as either significant or minor, depending on whether someone caught wind of it and decided to make an issue of it. Westbron might not be doomed, but he would definitely suffer a great loss.

"Don't worry, the advisor is sure to win!"

Hunter, who had recently received many favors from Police Chief Westbron, reassured him.

"Ah?"

Police Chief Westbron wore a look of astonishment, not understanding why Hunter was so confident.

"Our advisor is a 'Spirit Medium'!

Even if that guy has some secret tricks up his sleeve, how could he possibly deceive our advisor?

Not even the dead could do it, let alone the living!"

Newt chimed in from the side.

Police Chief Westbron instinctively glanced at Simon.

As opposed to the apparently useless Hunter and Newt, Simon seemed much more reliable—which is why he had given him the most.

"Trust the advisor!"

The apprentice policeman said succinctly, his gaze fixed firmly on the center of the room.

It was clear that the apprentice policeman was also a bit nervous.

After all, this was a noble.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Arthur nodded slightly—

"Okay!"

"Haha, Jimte has agreed, quick, bring out your tea leaves!"

Kalal laughed heartily.

This caused Jimte to frown slightly.

Still, he took a small can of tea leaves from his chest.

"Hey, Lord Kledos, you wouldn't know this, would you?

This is tea from near Lion Peak in Inner Bay—do you know of Lion's Tea?

It isn't the true Lion's Tea, but it's harvested not far from it!

So...

I'm bound to win!"

Kalal spoke like a true villain.

Even though he had agreed on everything the night before, Jimte still couldn't help but admire the man's twisted ways.

A born face of scorn!

Maybe in the future, he should get closer to this man!

Not for any other reason but that standing next to him, he would never have to worry about being the first target!

Jimte thought, and murmured—

"This is tea that I begged from the Marquess of Seberlin overnight.

Just like Kalal said, it isn't Lion's Tea, but it's close enough to it."

As these words rang out, the people nearby immediately began to murmur among themselves.

"It's tea that's close to Lion's Tea!"

"It's over, the 'Spirit Medium' is doomed to lose."

"What a pity!"

...

Lion's Tea, due to the reputation of the Old Lion of Inner Bay, was quite famous in South County, and even some commoners had heard of it. To these commoners, a noble bringing out tea leaves close to Lion's Tea meant the 'Spirit Medium' was sure to lose.

Unless...

The 'Spirit Medium' could produce Lion's Tea.

But how could that be possible?

How could a 'Spirit Medium' possibly possess Lion's Tea!

"It's over, we're done for, that gentleman is going to lose!

But this might be good news for you, Norma!

When he is down, your appearance will be his salvation!"

The innkeeper's daughter spoke repeatedly, quite pleased to use the term she had heard from a traveler.

Norma paid no attention to her best friend, instead watching the ongoing event with concern.

The son of a hunter family looked dejected by her side.

The blacksmith's son patted his friend's shoulder, then glared at the innkeeper's daughter.

The innkeeper's daughter noticed the blacksmith's son's stare and shot right back at him without any courtesy.

She even kicked at the blacksmith's son's foot.

The blacksmith's son's face turned bright red with anger, but with everyone watching, he dared not retaliate and struggled to contain himself, which only made the innkeeper's daughter more smug.

The minor altercation among the four youths didn't draw the attention of the surrounding people, who were all intently focused on the center—

As Arthur agreed, the two sat opposite each other, spaced three meters apart.

Jimte placed the small can of tea leaves on the tea table and then began to set out a beautiful set of silver tea ware.

Looking at the exquisite teaware, the hearts of those around filled with lament.

Arthur was certain to lose.

Kalal's smile grew even broader.

But in the next moment, that smile stiffened.

People were surprised as they looked at the teaware on the tea table in front of Arthur.

All of them unconsciously widened their eyes.

Because the teaware on Arthur's tea table was...

Porcelain!

The teapot, covered bowl, cups, and lid rest stood like a painting, with their thin bodies and light glaze shining pearly and translucent. They sat there not needing anything else to give off a sense of elegance.

Looking at this set of porcelain, those around almost forgot to breathe.

Even those who knew nothing about teaware thought this set was incredibly beautiful.

No need for any decorative images, the mere shape alone attracted everyone's gaze.

And just as everyone was drawn to this set of teaware, Arthur brought out a box of tea leaves—this box, like the teaware, was also left behind by Marinda.

And as Arthur took out this box of tea leaves and brought out the remaining brew, Kalal's expression changed dramatically, exclaiming.

"Lion's Tea!"

This cry surprised everyone.

Then, the corners of everyone's mouths turned up.

This was the scene everyone wanted to see.

Who would enjoy seeing an overbearing noble win the contest?

It was clearly more appealing when someone, pushed to the brink, played their trump card and turned the tables.

Even if there were some illogical aspects, people loved to watch, and it was also more conducive to ensuring that Kalal "completely disappeared from people's view"—

"Heh, this guy is doomed!

I heard that the 'stake' in this Tea Duel was tax exemption rights!

Now that this guy has lost, the Marquess of Ainhars will certainly not let him off!"

Those in the know started discussing amongst the crowd.

"Will they hang him?"

"What a joke, he's a noble, at worst they'll just strip him of his due honors, and send him off to some manor to live out his days!"

"Living out his days in a manor is a punishment?"

Many in the crowd looked incredulous.

Because that was something they could never achieve in their lifetimes.

Yet such a goal was merely another's punishment.

This disparity was hard for people to accept.

More difficult to accept was that the other party clearly did not want it.

"Is this what it means to be a noble?"

People sighed.

Then, their gaze unconsciously shifted to Arthur's opponent.

Arthur, with Lion's Tea in his possession, was already firmly holding the winning ticket in this 'Tea Duel.' What would the noble look like?

Everyone was looking forward to it.

Unexpectedly, though Jimte's face showed surprise, he did not give up, but instead began to boil water and brew tea methodically.

Even those who disliked nobles couldn't say much about his focused demeanor.

Several young girls were even full of praise.

Like the daughter of the innkeeper.

"Not giving up even in dire straits, that is a true noble!"

"Hmm, the one in dire straits just now was that 'Spirit Medium' mister!"

The blacksmith's son started to butt heads with the innkeeper's daughter.

Although he couldn't punch his opponent in the face, the blacksmith's son wouldn't just do nothing.

He had already thought of what to say next, ready to teach this person a harsh lesson.

But after waiting quite a while, the blacksmith's son didn't hear any retort from the innkeeper's daughter. Glancing over unconsciously, he realized she was staring blankly into the arena.

"What's so good about boiling tea..."

His words hadn't finished when the son of the blacksmith stopped abruptly.

Ordinary tea boiling really wasn't anything interesting.

Just like Jimte's, although graceful, his methodical approach couldn't captivate anyone.

But Arthur was different. Before brewing the tea, he directly poured boiling water onto the covered bowl; the lid trembled gently, producing a crisp sound like the strike of metal on stone. After the boiling water had rinsed all the teaware, a crane-mouth scissors cut open the pack of tea, which he then placed into the covered bowl, the warm cups releasing the first scent from the tea leaves.

As Arthur shook the covered bowl like rolling dice, the tea aroma was fully unleashed, and brought to the nose for a sniff.

A smile appeared on the face of the young 'Spirit Medium.'

Those who saw this smile could imagine the delightful aroma within.

His subsequent pouring of water was truly an Eye-Opener.

Because when he rotated the lid to scrape away the tea froth, it actually 'clung' to the edge of the covered bowl.

No!

It was hovering!

Before people could take a closer look, the lid was pressed into the bowl and swiftly agitated; afterwards, the entire bowl moved with his fingers, and in the end, even the saucer followed in the rotation.

As people's eyes followed the saucer's rotation, the covered bowl was quickly lifted, the tea divided into three cups. And as people turned back to the cups, Arthur hooked them with his pinky, flipped the saucers over, and then inclined the bowl on top, with the lid suspended above it at another angle. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

For a moment, the saucer, bowl, and lid appeared in an extraordinary posture before everyone's gaze.

Everyone stared blankly at the scene before them.

They had never imagined that tea could be brewed in such a way.

The dazzling movements deeply captivated every person present.

Especially the scene of the lid hanging on the covered bowl was something that left a profound impression.

Many were instantly keen to try it out, but unfortunately, they didn't have the teaware, and even if they did, they wouldn't dare to attempt it.

What if they broke it?

So...

How about trying with a pot and pot lid?

They're both round, after all.

While many were eager to give it a go, Arthur had already picked up one of the cups of tea, placed it on the coaster, and gestured invitingly—

"Please!"