597: The mysterious wine shop owner

He had spent the entire afternoon and could basically consider himself to have returned with a full load; in addition to drinking water, he had also bought a large amount of food.

The space compression technology on this planet was very advanced. The drinking water was packed by the shopkeeper into a sealed canister only about the size of a human palm, while they also had something resembling a shipping container that was only the size of a backpack, which was also used for storing items; all the food was tossed into that small box by him.

Of course, at a certain mechanical factory, Tang Ku had custom-made some energy modules to serve as supplies for Zun Zun.

However, after buying so many things, the one thing Tang Ku wanted the most had not been bought.

That's right, it was the signature liquor of this planet!

On this planet, fine liquor was definitely considered a luxury item. Of course, there was also cheap, low-quality alcohol, which was for the common people to consume for leisure. Although Tang Ku wasn't picky, since he had money now, there was no need to be stingy, right?

"Stellar Treasure Source... Why is this name so archaic?"

Tang Ku looked at the four crooked alien characters and couldn't help but frown slightly.

"This is a shop opened by a member of the Human Race from another planet, specifically for selling various fine liquors... You'll know once you go in; the layout inside is similar to a tavern on Earth!"

Zun Zun said.

Tang Ku smiled bitterly and immediately walked inside.

Come to think of it, high-end liquor was expensive, but this tavern was located right in the middle of a busy market. Could everyone on this street afford to consume it?

However, looking at the deserted appearance, Tang Ku didn't quite understand what was going on.

As soon as he entered the door, Tang Ku saw familiar furnishings and scenes... If one were to compare it to the layout of the Tongfu Inn from the "Martial Forest" series, it was basically seventy or eighty percent similar.

There was only one waiter at the counter, dozing off with his arms propped up. Even his attire was that of an ancient shop assistant; of course, this was a Kenda star native.

Tang Ku walked up and tapped the counter lightly, saying, "Waiter, waiter, I want to buy some wine!"

The waiter woke up with a start, then took one look at Tang Ku and said, "Oh, it's a distinguished guest. That, that, our boss... uh, our shopkeeper said that for any member of the Human Race who comes to buy wine, there is a fifty percent discount... Take a look at which kind you want; our liquor selection is complete, ranging from high to low grade..."

Tang Ku smiled bitterly. He looked at the dazzling array of goods. Besides jars, there were actually some strange liquors in other strange bottles, which must have been brewed by other races on other planets. Looking further back, Tang Ku's pupils couldn't help but constrict, and he was stunned, unable to speak.

"?"

"?"

Whether it was the waiter or Zun Zun, both felt strange about Tang Ku's attitude.

Tang Ku's emotions at this moment were quite complex; there was emotion, surprise, and even more so, a sense of disbelief...

What had he seen?

He saw a flat glass bottle, a small two-tael bottle that could basically be grasped in one hand, standing on the counter.

"Oh, customer, do you like this?"

The waiter followed his gaze, took the bottle of wine off the shelf, and chuckled, "This is a sample. If you like it, I'll have the robot go to the back and get it for you... Would you like to taste it now?"

Tang Ku took the bottle and, looking at the familiar label, forcefully suppressed the urge to curse.

Chinese characters shouldn't exist on this planet, especially not such extremely familiar Chinese characters.

Red Star Erguotou?

Although the original logo was missing, the color scheme, shape, and that familiar name all indicated that the origin of this bottle of wine was extraordinary.

"What's wrong? You recognize this kind of wine? Hmm, it looks like clear water..."

Zun Zun asked in confusion.

"Do you know how many years after the Tang Dynasty this thing would appear?"

Tang Ku asked in his consciousness with a strange expression.

"Uh, how many years?"

Tang Ku remained silent. According to historical records, true distillation technology only appeared after the Yuan Dynasty, so high-proof white spirits should have started appearing from that time, and Erguotou... 52-degree high-proof liquor, how did it appear on an alien planet? Furthermore, even if someone on an alien planet could brew this kind of high-proof white spirit, why was even the name the same? And why were they all using Chinese characters?

Was it a coincidence?

Such a coincidence was basically infinitely close to zero!

"Is your boss... a member of the Human Race?"

Tang Ku suddenly asked the waiter in front of him.

"Of course, of course. He is the largest liquor distributor on our Kenda star, and he has cooperation with our government. The royal family's wine is basically supplied by him... Uh, why are you asking this?"

"I want to see him!"

Tang Ku picked up the glass bottle in his hand and said, "The person who can brew this kind of white spirit is definitely not simple. I want to meet this extraordinary person. Can you help me contact him?"

The waiter suddenly hesitated and said, "The boss is currently not on Kenda star; he went to the headquarters of the Galactic Alliance to discuss a big business deal. If I disturb him at this time, I'm afraid..."

"How much of this wine do you have in your shop? I want it all... Oh, and that kind..."

Tang Ku saw another familiar white porcelain bottle and couldn't help but say, "That kind, I want it all too! Calculate how much it costs, and help me pack it into this box later!"

"What did you say? You said all of it?"

The waiter was so surprised he was almost speechless. He widened his eyes, "Do... do you know how much money that is?"

"I will pay whatever the amount is... As long as you help me contact your boss, I really want to see him!"

Tang Ku said in a deep voice.

"Alright, alright, I will contact him for you right now, I will contact him right now... Oh, no, I'd better get the wine for you first... Hehe, what a big customer, a big customer indeed. Our boss said that as long as a member of the Human Race buys wine here, there is a fifty percent discount..."

The waiter perked up and operated several robots to go to the back warehouse to move the wine, then said, "There are some side dishes in the display cabinet over there. You can drink first, and this sample bottle is on the house!"

Tang Ku smiled bitterly: "You are quite good at doing business... Hehe, fine, I will taste this wine and see how it is..."

Saying this, he took four side dishes from the counter. These side dishes were served in ordinary four-inch plates; they were actually familiar peanuts, Pig Head meat, cucumber salad, and jellyfish skin... These were the most ordinary home-cooked dishes, but on an alien planet... where were these things transported from?

Carrying a belly full of questions, Tang Ku unscrewed the cap and took a big gulp. The spicy stimulation carried a long-lost mixture of bitterness, spiciness, sourness, and sweetness, and he swallowed it all in one go.

"The taste of Erguotou, not bad at all..."

Tang Ku frowned tightly, picked up a handful of peanuts, threw one into his mouth, and his eyes suddenly brightened, "It really is peanuts..."

That's right, Tang Ku could no longer be sure if this ordinary food was real or not.

In a trance, he had a feeling of having returned to Earth, back to the retro tavern of his previous life.

The identity of this tavern owner became increasingly mysterious.