Chapter 117: Ghostface Vine Juice

The drink in Chu Ping’s hand was a vivid crimson, like blood. Its scent was intensely metallic, reminiscent of iron. But that wasn’t the most shocking part.

The most shocking was the anguished, twisted face floating atop the red liquid—a grotesque visage that looked as if a tiny person had been crushed into a bloody beverage by the lord himself.

It was terrifying!

“Oh, you mean this,” said Yeda as he lifted the bamboo cup and took a big sip.

To enhance the flavor, he had even gone outside into the snow to fetch ice, chilling the drink before drinking.

Ah!

The smooth, sweet liquid slid down the throat, and you’d realize that the metallic scent wasn’t blood at all, but rather a flavor akin to red ginseng with a hint of iron. Yet that faint iron taste was insignificant compared to the complex layers of sweet and sour notes.

The silky juice of the ghostface vine first brought a cool, sweet-and-sour sensation, followed by a rich herbal aroma with a fruity fragrance reminiscent of bayberry. As the delicious liquid settled in the throat, a lingering sweetness remained.

It was nothing like a typical drink that leaves behind an overwhelming or cloying aftertaste.

Instead, it was remarkably refreshing—like a sweet soup or tea after a meal, leaving one with a pure, crisp sensation.

“Refreshing!” Yeda said, taking another large gulp amidst Chu Ping’s horrified gaze, then explained slowly, “This thing is called ghostface vine. It looks terrifying, but it’s actually just a kind of plant.”

“If you find its fruit scary, just scoop it out!”

Saying that, Yeda conjured a long, thin petrified fingernail and poked the ghostface floating in Chu Ping’s cup.

“Pffft!”

Chu Ping’s face was splattered with bright red liquid. At that very moment, he thought he heard the ghostface’s agonized scream.

Yeda grinned, popping the ghostface into his mouth and chewing happily. “Mmm, I didn’t expect the ghostface vine to be tasty even eaten raw.”

“Uh…”

Chu Ping was genuinely frightened this time. When Yeda poked out a glistening, blood-red ghostface and offered it to him to taste, his head shook vigorously like a rattle.

“No, no, thank you, Lord. I’ll pass.”

Unbeknownst to him, a drop of the ghostface vine’s juice was slowly sliding down his face toward his lips. It itched slightly, so he habitually licked it.

Sweet!

The first sensation was intensely sweet, like tasting pure honey.

Then a subtle sourness followed, mingling with a slightly rusty fruity aroma that spread throughout his mouth—a refreshingly clean flavor.

This was...

The taste of ghostface vine?

He hadn’t expected something so eerie in appearance to be so delicious.

After tasting the ghostface vine himself, Chu Ping realized he had misunderstood his lord. This drink wasn’t made from tiny people at all but from a plant that resembled them.

So good, so crave-worthy.

But having just declined his lord’s offer, would it be awkward to ask for more now?

Ah, what a dilemma!

Chu Ping was torn between fear and craving, his mind consumed by the desire to drink more.

Just a single drop on the corner of his mouth was gone before he fully savored it.

He longed for another sip!

So when Yeda turned to clear away the pots and pans...

Chu Ping hurriedly gulped down a large mouthful, then swiftly set the cup down as Yeda glanced back, pretending nothing had happened.

Yeda clearly noticed Chu Ping’s sneaky move but said nothing. Instead, he resumed tidying up.

Yet just as Chu Ping raised the cup again to drink, Yeda smirked and suddenly turned back.

“By the way, Chu Ping…”

“Pft!!”

Chu Ping immediately sprayed water from his mouth and coughed repeatedly, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Cough, cough…”

“Lord... my lord, what orders do you have?”

[Loyalty: 94% (Feeling guilty for secretly drinking without permission; now willing to comply with any request.)]

Huh?

Chu Ping’s status bar had updated again?

Interesting.

Yeda had only intended to tease Chu Ping, but unexpectedly, Chu Ping’s reaction triggered new status updates.

Amused, Yeda said, “Take off your clothes.”

“Huh?”

Chu Ping was momentarily stunned.

But whether due to the status effect or his rising loyalty, he actually began undressing.

“My lord, you wouldn’t be thinking...” Chu Ping shyly covered his chest. “I’m really not that kind of person!”

“What are you thinking!” Yeda rolled his eyes. “Even if I were thinking that, I wouldn’t be interested in you!”

“I want you to take off your clothes so I can embed a fire-element rune stone in you to keep you from freezing outside,” Yeda explained. “Your clothes are too thin; the place we’re going this afternoon is quite far.”

Chu Ping’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Also,” Yeda took Chu Ping’s clothes and then, with a cheeky grin, asked, “That drink tasted good, didn’t it?”

“My lord, you knew all along?”

Chu Ping felt a bit embarrassed but also grateful his lord had opened up. Now he could enjoy this refreshing drink without guilt.

It really was delicious!

Life here was blissful—meals, drinks, and even custom-made heated clothing from his lord!

For the first time since arriving in this world, Chu Ping felt he was treated as an equal, not a slave begging for scraps but cared for and respected.

[Loyalty: 96%]

Seeing Chu Ping’s loyalty rise again, Yeda was slightly surprised.

This guy...

Was self-improving again?

Yeda took ten pieces of charcoal from the fireplace and a fine stone, placing them into the material slot on the workbench.

[Discovered materials for fire-element rune stone: 10 units of fine charcoal, 1 unit of fine stone.]

[Forge now?]

Yeda pressed yes.

In the next instant, the small hammer on the workbench moved on its own, as if a ghost were wielding it, tapping rhythmically against the white jade stone.

The sight of the unmanned workbench startled Chu Ping.

“My lord, isn’t this an alchemy station?”

“This is a workbench,” Yeda replied. “Used to craft various rune stones... Hey! It looks like we can now make water-element rune stones too.”

[Water-element rune stone: 10 units of fine ice blocks, 1 unit of fine stone.]

While forging the fire rune stone for Chu Ping, Yeda realized there were plenty of ice blocks outside—perfect for crafting water rune stones.

If the fire rune stone served to warm, then the water rune stone should be for producing water, right?

That was exactly what he needed now.