I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 220: Chapter 91: Jade Plum Association

Amid the orange-red glow of dusk, the music of string and bamboo instruments filled the air as petals from peach, apricot, and cherry blossoms drifted down on the breeze.

In the center, women clad in colorful, sheer silks danced gracefully. Beautiful maids weaved through the tables, carrying trays with an elegant yet brisk pace.

’What a grand event!’

Fang Rui took in the scene with silent admiration, his mind instinctively flashing to the Peach Blossom Assembly from the 1986 television adaptation of *Journey to the West*.

”Please, my lord.”

The beautiful maid set down a small plate, gave a slight curtsy, and withdrew.

On the small, white jade plate before him rested three Jade Plums. Each was about the size of a walnut, with the color of green jade. They resembled exquisite, translucent ice crystals, and upon closer inspection, one could see faint specks of azure light glowing on their skin.

’A Silver Seal Chief Constable like me gets three Jade Plums?’

Fang Rui mused, his eyes sweeping across the hall as he took careful stock of the situation.

He noted that:

Any attendant, regardless of who brought them, received only a single Jade Plum on a small saucer. Silver Seal Chief Constables received three on a small plate; Golden Seal Renowned Hunters received six on a medium plate; and Jade Seal Divine Hunters received nine on a large plate. The Director of the Divine Capture Bureau, Zhou Changfa, had twelve served in a jade basket.

Ge Changgeng, who had been invited by Zhou Changfa, was a Spirit Master. His status was equal to that of the Divine Capture Bureau’s own Spirit Master, Sun Shouchai, so he was afforded the same treatment as a Jade Seal Divine Hunter: a large plate with nine plums.

GULP!

Just then, an out-of-place swallowing sound echoed. It was none other than Li Dadan, who, upon seeing the Jade Plums served, had promptly swallowed one whole.

Just like Zhu Bajie eating a Ginseng Fruit, he didn’t taste a thing. He could only smack his lips in regret and glance around, his eyes subconsciously landing on Niu Bajin.

WHOOSH!

Niu Bajin, his bickering rival, flinched in alarm. He snatched up his Jade Plum, wiped it on his sleeve, and took a huge bite with a loud CRUNCH, sending juice flying.

”Chief, you know, this Jade Plum is actually really good!” he said, leaning over to whisper to Fang Rui while still chewing.

Xun Buhe was slightly better—at least he acted like a normal person, though he was hardly the picture of refinement himself.

’And these are the three characters I brought with me?’

A vein throbbed on Fang Rui’s forehead. He fought down the urge to get up and put some distance between himself and his three subordinates. Looking around, he saw that many others had already begun to eat, their movements far more graceful by comparison.

’I’ve heard that Exotic Fruits like these, nurtured by heaven and earth, are the purest of all things.’

Seeing that most people had eaten theirs without any issue, he picked up a Jade Plum, raised it to his lips, and took a small bite.

Truth be told, Fang Rui had never received any formal training in etiquette. Yet he was brimming with confidence, perfectly composed, and carried himself with a natural grace. Especially with Li Dadan, Niu Bajin, and Xun Buhe as a backdrop, he seemed a cut above the rest.

This, in turn, caused many of the Golden Seal Renowned Hunters, and even some of the Jade Seal Divine Hunters, to nod in silent approval.

Seeing this, the other Silver Seal Chief Constables began to wonder if Fang Rui had intentionally brought those three uncouth louts along just to create a stark contrast and make himself look better.

But enough of that. As for the taste of the Jade Plum...

It was a perfect balance of sweet and sour that made the mouth water instantly. It was reminiscent of a strawberry, but not quite the same. The flavor hit that perfect, blissful spot on the palate—not a hint too much, not a hint too little. It was just right.

Furthermore, the outer flesh had the firm, springy texture of a lychee, while the inside was as crisp as the finest apple. After swallowing, it left the sweet aftertaste of pineapple...

The taste was absolutely divine!

The most magical part was that after swallowing the flesh of the ice-crystal-like fruit, a warm current began to spread from his stomach, filling his entire body with a pleasant, comfortable warmth.

’My digestion is strong, so this warmth is relatively fleeting. But for an ordinary person, the feeling would probably last half a day... It truly is an Exotic Fruit, as magical as they say!’

Fang Rui stopped after eating one, intending to pack up the remaining two Jade Plums and take them home for Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan to try.

He calmly called a maid over, requested a palm-sized Brocade Bag, and placed the Jade Plums inside.

It wasn’t that Fang Rui was in a hurry to pack them up. The simple truth was that the table before him was laden with other delicacies he hadn’t touched yet, and it was getting a bit crowded. He needed to make some room.

’I hear that on the outside, a single Jade Plum goes for over a hundred taels of silver, with people fighting to get one. And even then, they’re impossible to find!’

’If not for that, I’d just buy some more to take back. After all, two Jade Plums really aren’t enough to go around!’

Fang Rui mused, completely unfazed by the strange looks he was getting from his colleagues.

”Silver Seal Fang, are you taking those Jade Plums home with you?”

Duan Yu sneered. ”I suppose that makes sense. It’s your first year, Silver Seal Fang, so you haven’t had as many as we have. But are two really enough to take home?”

”How about this? Why don’t I gift you my three Jade Plums as well, so you can pack them all up together?”

The words were clearly meant as a veiled insult, mocking Fang Rui for being a country bumpkin and trying to shame him.

But who could have possibly expected...

”Thank you.”

Fang Rui had just been lamenting that two Jade Plums weren’t enough, agonizing over how he would divide them among four people—Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, and Nannan. Duan Yu’s unsolicited offer was practically a gift delivered to his doorstep.

Since Duan Yu was sitting right beside him, Fang Rui didn’t even trouble the man to lift a finger. He simply reached over, took the plate, poured the plums into his Brocade Bag, and thanked him again.

’Now I have five Jade Plums. That’s more than enough to go around. Silver Seal Duan really is a good man!’ Fang Rui mused.

”You...” Duan Yu was dumbfounded.

He Never Expected This. Everyone here was a person of status, so how could Fang Rui be so shameless? Give him an inch, and he takes a mile?

Now, it was Duan Yu who was left in an awkward, indefensible position.