A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

With a twist of her small hand, the sealed bottle was opened, and Ibuki Suika couldn't wait to put it in her mouth and take a sip.

"Ah~, good wine."

Having satisfied her craving for alcohol, Ibuki Suika turned her gaze to Natsumi, shaking the bottle: "Want to have a drink together, waiter?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Xun thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, by the way, Miss Ibuki, my name is Xia Xun. I'm a new farmer in Gensokyo, not a shop assistant at Minato-tei."

Introducing himself, Xia Xun sat down next to Ibuki Suika and carefully observed the oni girl who was pouring him a drink.

It was a really novel experience.

A glass of wine was placed in front of Xia Xun, and Ibuki Suika raised the bottle in her hand: "Sorry, sorry, I accidentally mistook Xia Xun for a staff member."

"I'll drink first, and apologize to Brother Xia Xun."

After saying that, Ibuki Suika picked up the sake bottle and gulped down half of it.

The image of a petite girl holding a wine bottle high is quite striking.

"Ha~" Another satisfied sigh escaped Suika Ibuki's lips, her face flushed, and she let out another hiccup.

Then, with his drunken, hazy eyes, he looked at Xia Xun and the wine glass in his hand, his meaning quite clear.

Drink up.

Chapter Thirty-Four: The Ghost King's Promise

Xia Xun was swept by the girl's gaze.

A surge of pride welled up inside me—I'm not afraid of you?

He raised his glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp!

"Haha, Xia Xun has a great capacity for alcohol!" Ibuki Suika patted Xia Xun's arm happily and picked up the half-empty bottle to refill his glass.

After downing a glass of strong liquor, Xia Xun, whose alcohol tolerance wasn't very high to begin with, suddenly felt hot all over. All her restraint vanished, and she simply let loose and started chatting with Ibuki Suika.

And so, the two of them started chatting over sake.

Natsumi tells Ibuki Suika how she came to Gensokyo, how she farms, and how she inexplicably made Kirisame Marisa cry today, although she still doesn't understand why.

Ibuki Suika listened, tilting her head and thinking for a long time with blurry eyes, finally managing to utter only one sentence: "Hmm... girls' thoughts are really hard to understand."

The two clinked glasses, drank in one gulp, and sighed in unison, remarking with a shared sentiment: "A girl's heart is indeed the most difficult thing in the world to understand."

Suika Ibuki also started talking about her own experiences, from the oni clan's banquet to interesting stories from the mountains, in a fragmented and whimsical way, saying whatever came to mind.

In actual interaction, Xia Xun discovered that this Ghost King unexpectedly matched her outward appearance: straightforward, innocent, easily amused, and with a childlike silliness.

Amidst laughter and chatter, the bottle of sake was quickly emptied.

"No more alcohol—!" Suika Ibuki shook the empty bottle and pouted.

"The food hasn't been served yet!" Xia Xun banged on her bowl.

The clanging and banging of the doorbell mingled with the two men shouting, "Bring the wine! Bring the food!" creating a noisy commotion.

This is the scene that Okunoda Miyo saw when she came out of the kitchen carrying steaming hot French fries and stir-fried vegetables.

Xia Xun and the ghost girl sat side by side, tapping their bowls and chopsticks, laughing so hard they were doubled over, looking every bit like drinking buddies.

She blinked, looking a little dazed.

How could Xia Xun have become assimilated with this monster in such a short time?

This must be sorcery, a bewitching trick of that demon clan!

Miyo Okunoda clenched her fist secretly: She must rescue Natsumi from this demon!

As she approached the table, she realized that Xia Xun was also quite drunk, swaying unsteadily with a somewhat unfocused gaze.

The dish was placed in front of Ibuki Suika. The drunken oni girl reached out and picked up a golden-brown, crispy French fry. She took a bite with a crunch, and her eyes immediately lit up like stars.

"This is delicious! It would be perfect with drinks!"

She slapped the table with her small hands as if she had discovered a treasure: "Quick, bring me some wine! Only good wine can match such delicious food!"

Hearing this, Xia Xun, who was quite tipsy, hummed smugly, "Of course it's delicious, these are vegetables I grew myself."

He puffed out his chest, his tone becoming increasingly arrogant: "Good wine? When I brew wine of Yixing quality in the future, that will be the finest wine in the world!"

"Xia Xun, you can brew sake?" Ibuki Suika swayed closer, her brown-orange eyes blinking.

"Of course!" Xia Xun raised his chin, his voice soaring, "It's absolutely an unparalleled wine!"

As he spoke, he reached out and placed his hand on the top of Ibuki Suika's head, ruffling her soft blonde hair a couple of times, and loudly announced, "Would you like some?"

"I want to drink~!" Ibuki Suika leaned drunkenly against him, the large horn on her head poking Natsumi's shoulder painfully.

Xia Xun tugged at the two obstructive corners for a moment, then suddenly reached out and slipped his hands under the girl's armpits, scooped her up, and pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her contentedly.

"Ah~ so happy..." His face was flushed with alcohol, and he grinned foolishly, "I wanted to hug them like this when I saw Sunny and the others before, and they really are as soft as a pillow~"

After saying that, she buried her face in Ibuki Suika's hair and took a deep breath like she was petting a cat.

The tipsy Suika Ibuki was a little uncomfortable with the sudden hug. She waved her little hands wildly, trying to break free, but Natsumi held her tightly.

After a while, Xia Xun finally released her hand with satisfaction, chuckling as she pinched Ibuki Suika's puffed-up cheeks:

"Hmph, I've had enough hugging."

"Just you wait, I'm sure I'll brew an unparalleled wine."

He hiccuped, his eyes glazed over but his tone was quite boastful: "If you want a drink later, remember to give me another hug."

"Hiccup~" Ibuki Suika also let out a small hiccup, staring at this audacious human with blurry, drunken eyes:

"I'll be waiting. If the wine isn't good, I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"

After saying that, Ibuki Suika raised her little fist and waved it at him.

Xia Xun burst into laughter upon seeing this.

"Then you'll never be able to land your little fists on me in your entire life."

As he spoke, Xia Xun felt a surge of heroic spirit, picked up the sake gourd that Ibuki Suika had placed beside him, twisted it open, and put it in his mouth.

dong dong——

The wine gourd fell to the ground.

Xia Xun's face contorted in pain, and she managed to squeeze out a trembling wail from her throat:

"It tastes...it's awful!"

Before he could finish speaking, his body swayed, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud, never to move again.

"Mr. Natsumi!" Miyo Okunoda cried out in anguish.

"Oh dear~" Suika Ibuki scratched her head upon seeing this, her previously dazed consciousness becoming more clear.

She crouched down, placed her hand on Xia Xun's nose to check, and clapped her hands in relief.

"He just passed out drunk, it's nothing."

"Hahaha, the wine of the Ghost Clan is not so easy to drink."

With a giggle, Ibuki Suika lifted Natsumi up with her small hand and placed her on a stool to the side. Then she went back to enjoying the delicious food and wine.

While eating, Suika Ibuki imagined the fine wine that Natsumi had promised her.

What kind of delicious wine must the farmers who are so proud of growing such high-quality crops make?

Slurp!

The thought of the sake she had never tasted before triggered Suika Ibuki's drinking addiction, and she picked up the new bottle and gulped it down.

Her gaze fell upon Natsumi, who was being cared for by Okunoda Miyo, her little face full of anticipation.

The agreement made with the Ghost King must be absolutely followed, especially since she had already paid the reward.

After happily finishing her meal, Ibuki Suika paid and slowly left.

As she left, she waved and said, "I had a great meal today, I'll come back next time."

Only Okunoda Miyo, who was stunned by what she heard, remained in the shop.

The girl, who had just saved Ni Tun Ting's happiness, froze instantly, staring blankly at the girl who disappeared into the night. Now, she turned her gaze to Xia Xun, who was covered in alcohol and fast asleep on the stool.

In that case, at the very least, we must protect Xia Xun!

Okunoda Miyo made up her mind, and with a serious expression, she reached out and placed her hand on Natsumi's head.

A strange force began to cause confusion and affected Xia Xun's memories.

Okunoda Miyo is a zashiki-warashi (a type of Japanese house spirit).

The ability is the capacity to manipulate the memory of an intoxicated person.

—Author's Note—

P.S.: Thank you so much, Hibiki-chan, for the huge success! A huge thank you for the generous donation!!

Chapter Thirty-Five: Wow, it's an ability from the other world!

Spring 3.5

[Cultivation +874 +500]

[Collect +426 +200]

[Money +2000]

"Unfamiliar ceiling..."

At six o'clock in the morning, Xia Xun's consciousness slowly rose from the drowsiness, and the semi-transparent settlement panel unfolded in front of her right on time.

He rubbed his still slightly dizzy head, propped himself up, and looked around. This wasn't his home.

This is a room full of girlish charm. The light pink curtains filter in the morning light, and there is a faint scent of soap in the air. The bed is soft, and there is a handmade whale doll on the pillow.

"Where is this?" Xia Xun looked bewildered, trying to piece together the fragmented memories from last night.

Marisa running away crying, the brightly lit Minato-tei late at night, the busy Okunoda Miyo, and that petite figure with big horns on her head, whom she held in her arms and rubbed against.

"hiss--!"

Xia Xun gasped, instantly becoming eight-tenths more awake.

"What the hell did I do last night?!"

He couldn't help but let out a frustrated cry, grabbing his hair tightly with both hands.

The absurd scenes from last night flashed through my mind: clinging to the Demon King Ibuki Suika and brazenly boasting about brewing unparalleled sake, even snatching her sake gourd and taking a swig.

Memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern, each frame making him wish he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

If he could travel back to last night, he would definitely give that arrogant version of himself a good beating!

But the next second, the soft golden hair seemed to linger on his fingertips, and the faint sweet scent of alcohol emanating from the girl seemed to still linger in his arms.

Xia Xun's annoyance was replaced by a silly smile with a hint of reminiscence.

"Although...but..." he muttered to himself, "he'll do it again next time!"

Xia Xun let out a long yawn, feeling heavier than usual, as if her energy hadn't fully recovered.

He guessed this was probably a side effect of not getting enough rest last night and drinking that sip of sake from the Ibuki Suika gourd.

Even after a night had passed, the taste still made his stomach churn.

It was bitter and astringent, with an indescribable sour smell like rotten fruit. It was as if it had been made from the worst wild fruit and was something that should never be eaten.

"How could the Ghost King carry such terrible wine?" Xia Xun couldn't help but mutter under his breath.

But then he suddenly perked up again.

"Hmph, just you wait. Once I unlock the brewing technology in the system and brew truly fine wine."

Imagine luring that drunken little demon king with the rich aroma of fine wine, watching her cling to the wine jar and finally become dizzy and let herself be rubbed.