A Stardew Valley farmer came to Gensokyo.

This little demon, who had succumbed to sloth and greed, was someone Xia Xun was really prepared to give Yuyuko an extra meal if Xia Xun hadn't just spoken up.

Yukari Yakumo noticed Suika Ibuki's suppressed anger and slammed her folding fan shut, laughing, "Oh dear, love can really change a person very easily."

Even the Ghost King is no exception.

“Then let me see where Mistya is.” Yukari Yakumo gently shook her folding fan, her smile deepening.

She then used her fan to part the space, and a gap slowly opened up as she began searching for her target.

"Oh my, it seems like we don't need to lift a finger~" Yakumo Yukari suddenly paused, a funny smile appearing on her face.

The gap opened, and the image was clearly displayed.

A pink-haired monster was tightly bound to a burning fire. Through the gaps, she saw a bloody mess, and then a strange, surging flame erupted again.

"help me!"

—Author's Note—

P.S.: Thank you to all the readers for your votes, subscriptions, and donations.

Good news! This Friday, my editor recommended a long story, so I've decided to start updating like crazy with the drafts I've saved up over the past two weeks. I'll be updating eight times a week, but if I only update six or seven times a week in the following days, that means I've run out of drafts!

Chapter 131 Mistya almost died

On the newly paved farm ground, wisps of smoke from the embers of the fire still rose in the drizzle.

"Reporting to the Great God of Cucumber, we are performing a purification ritual on the monster that dared to trespass into the sacred domain."

Kawashiro Naritoki straightened his small frame and reported to Natsumi with a serious expression.

Behind them, Saigyouji Yuyuko, pulling Youmu Konpaku along, curiously approached the still-warm pile of ashes and gently sniffed around Mistya.

Waaah—!

The already pale-faced little night sparrow was so frightened that it started rolling its eyes, especially when it felt the murderous gazes of the kappa around it. It just wanted to dig a hole and bury itself right away.

What does it mean that a human attacked out of momentary greed is not only the Demon King's companion but also a god of the Kappa clan?

Mistya originally only wanted to find Natsumi, the one Okunoda Miyo had mentioned who could take cooking to the next level.

They source high-quality ingredients from him to compete with the currently popular Nitsune-tei.

Although she suffered a crushing defeat in the festival battle, she believes that with the reputation of her night market stall built up over many years and her grilled eel skills, she will eventually turn things around.

However, when she finally arrived at Xia Xun, she saw him open the wooden box in his arms, and a very delicate yet exceptionally high-quality fish aroma wafted out.

With her keen sense of smell honed from years of grilling eels, Mistya instantly deduced that the wooden box in Xia Xun's hands contained eels of unprecedentedly high quality.

If she succeeds, she will definitely be able to revive the Night Sparrow Diner.

So, Mistya made her move.

She had considered buying it with money, but the Night Sparrow Diner was nearing financial collapse, and such an unparalleled eel couldn't be bought with a small sum of money.

Mistya, whose abilities were specialized in dealing with humans, easily succeeded, and then she decided to go all the way.

They launched a direct raid on Stardew Valley Farm in Summertown, intending to steal some high-quality ingredients from there.

What happened next.

Mistya, who was trying to steal vegetables, was spotted by the highly vigilant kappa as soon as she appeared in the field. Instantly, countless kappa firepower was aimed at her, and the patrolling kappa squad rushed in and captured her on the spot.

No matter how Mistya tried to explain, the fact that she intended to steal vegetables was undeniable, and she had committed a serious crime of blasphemy against the sacred domain of the Cucumber God. The kappa sentenced her to death and carried it out immediately.

If Xia Xun hadn't returned quickly, and had he delayed seeking revenge even slightly, Mistya would have been reduced to ashes, remaining on the farm to nourish the land.

"Well done, Nitori." After hearing what had happened, Xia Xun patted Nitori Kawashiro's head with satisfaction.

"Hehe~, as long as it can help the Great God of Cucumber." With a happy laugh, Kawashiro Nitori's expression immediately turned terrifying as he stared intently at Mistya: "But Great God of Cucumber, although you have forgiven this monster for her sin of invading the divine realm, she actually dared to attack the great you!"

"I request that the purification ritual be held immediately again to completely eradicate this monster."

"Eek!"

Mistya screamed as Kawashiro Nitori stared at her with a terrifying gaze. Finally, feeling she could no longer hold on, she fainted with a snap.

Seeing this, Xia Xun couldn't help but smile.

How dare you steal from me! I even patronized your business during the festival.

"Alright, Nitori, she didn't intend to hurt me after all. The death penalty is a bit too much." He reached out and picked up Nitori Kawashiro to prevent the furious kappa from rushing up and kicking Mistya twice.

This wasn't Xia Xun being overly pessimistic; she had recently heard that he had been attacked by Mistya, and after being rescued, she was surrounded by kappa and relentlessly attacked by them.

The little nightingale, now unconscious, was not only covered in cigarette ash and its clothes were covered in footprints, but also had a bruised and swollen face, looking utterly miserable.

After a long period of coaxing, He Chenghe finally calmed down, put down the box, and obediently returned the stolen wooden box to Xia Xun.

Meanwhile, her eyes kept darting around, feeling that the kappa couldn't continue like this.

We must further strengthen the protection of the Great God of Cucumbers and not allow these impudent people to dare to offend His great divine body.

Xia Xun took the wooden box back, opened it and took a look. Sure enough, everything was still there, and there were even a few half-ripe cucumbers.

He didn't die unjustly.

Seeing this, Xia Xun's initial sympathy for Mistya's miserable state dissipated.

"Nitori, this is a reward for protecting the Sanctuary." He took out twenty ordinary fish, twenty silver star fish, and two gold star fish, and beckoned Kawashiro Nitori over.

The lively, wriggling fish was caught by Kawashiro Nitori and a group of kappa, each of the kappa girls happily embracing the gift from the cucumber god.

As kappa, they naturally love fish, and the Cucumber God even holds the power of fishing, bestowing upon them such abundant fresh fish!

Especially the golden catfish being hugged by Kawashiro Nitori, her eyes were sparkling, because this was the legendary rare earthquake catfish, which she had seen in books before, but now the great cucumber god had bestowed upon her directly.

"Let's cook all of these for everyone to eat," Xia Xun instructed, lest these little guys, out of faith, turn the fish into offerings.

He then carried the wooden box toward Mistya, while Reimu Hakurei, Suika Ibuki, and the others who had come with him observed the surroundings after the matter was resolved.

Seeing that Xia Xun had finished interacting with the kappa, they all gathered around.

Click!Click!

A barrage of flashes went off, and Aya Shameimaru appeared swiftly in front of Natsumi, excitedly raising her notebook: "So Natsumi, you're the cucumber god worshipped by the kappa now! Please grant me this interview!"

"May I ask, is your marriage to the Demon King Ibuki Suika intended to use the power of the kappa's faith to bring the demons back to the Youkai Mountain and to revive your recently failed plan to take control of Gensokyo?"

"Oh, I see." Before Natsumi could speak, Aya Shameimaru nodded repeatedly, his pen scribbling rapidly on the paper: "I see, I see, that's really profound."

"The Hakurei Shrine Maiden, the Mage of Mist, was just an appetizer after all. Now that she has taken down the Demon King, her next plan is actually the Princess of the Underworld, and her ultimate goal is the Youkai Sage, Yakumo Yukari?"

Completely fabricated, Aya Shameimaru secretly slipped a photo of Miyo Okunoda into the corresponding message location. Natsumi saw this and her forehead veins throbbed, her fists clenching.

To be honest, Yuyuko Saigyouji and Miyo Okunoda do look somewhat alike.

"You Wenwen News, you really haven't changed your ways!" Xia Xun reached out to snatch the Wenhua Poster, but his speed was no match for the fastest tengu in Gensokyo.

Aya Shameimaru appeared in the distance in a flash, raised her camera and snapped several photos, then flapped her wings and disappeared!

She didn't want to stay and be beaten by Xia Xunyao's group.

Xia Xun was so angry her teeth itched: "Fine, if you're heartless, don't blame me for being unjust!"

"Niiwa Mamizo's pajama photobook is almost ready, and we'll distribute it throughout Gensokyo soon."

"Oh, so I'm also Xia Xun's target." Saigyouji Yuyuko stepped forward and said with a grin, then her covetous gaze fell on the wooden box in Xia Xun's hand.

Gudong.

"Xia Xun~, can you feed me fish of Venus quality?" Saigyouji Yuyuko asked sweetly, her soft body leaning against Xia Xun with sparkling eyes.

"Lord Yuyuko!" Upon seeing this, Youmu Konpaku cried out in distress, hurriedly stepped forward to pull her princess away, and repeatedly bowed to Xia Xun in apology.

"Ugh~, Youmu is so strict." Saigyouji Yuyuko puffed out her cheeks and muttered, "Even though Youmu secretly went to see Natsumi and ate some delicious food."

"I also want Xia Xun to give me something delicious."

Chapter 132 Sign it, this contract of servitude

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!

The sound of grilling meat filled the air, and Mistya awoke from her coma to the rich, enticing aroma of grilled fish in the air.

"You're grilling this eel the wrong way!"

Her ears twitched, and she caught a faint smell of burnt grilled eel. Mistya's instincts as a grilled eel master kicked in, and she couldn't help but shout out.

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized that she was tied up and lying on the ground of the farm, and the gazes coming from all around made her shrink back.

Looking up, Mistya met Saigyouji Yuyuko's hungry gaze, and tears immediately streamed down her face.

"Waaaah, don't eat me! Night sparrows don't have much meat, and they're all bones. They don't taste good!"

Upon hearing this, Natsumi, who was trying to grill eel, put down her tools and handed the semi-finished product to Okunoda Miyo, who had been watching with disapproval.

Xia Xun walked a few steps to Mistya, squatted down with a smile, and patted her still dark little face: "Do you remember what you did to me, Mistya?"

"Private Marseille!" Mistya almost shouted, her strong will to survive driving her to beg for mercy even though she was bound like a caterpillar: "I beg you, please spare my life, I promise to make up for all my losses!"

Xia Xun, who had originally intended to act like a villain, was speechless. Looking at Mistya, who was practically about to expose her belly to apologize, he helplessly scratched his head.

"Alright, I didn't intend to kill you, after all, you didn't really hurt me." Xia Xun said, looking at Mistya who was excitedly raising her head, "But you have to compensate me for the stolen goods at double the price, is that alright?"

"Mmm-hmm!" Mistya nodded faster than ever before in her life. "I'll definitely pay for it, I promise there won't be any problems."

“Very well, then let’s calculate the total value of the things you stole.” Xia Xun then took a list that had already been written down from the table.

"First, here is your catch: 51 common fish, 56 silver star fish, and 5 gold star fish. I've listed the quantity and price of each type of fish, totaling 22209 coins."

Xia Xun handed the bill to Mistya, who was now dumbfounded, and said calmly, "Then the double compensation is 44418 coins."

"You're robbing me!" Mistya blurted out upon hearing this.

Xia Xun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, instantly causing Mistya to tremble with fear once again.

Immediately, Mistya saw a pair of large hands reaching towards her, and she was so frightened that she felt her pants were almost soaked: "Chu! I'll give you anything, as much as you want!"

"Please, please give me another chance! I promise I will never dare to resist again!"

With her eyes tightly shut in fear, Mistya screamed and trembled as she awaited her judgment.

But then, she suddenly felt her bound body loosen, and she opened her eyes to find, to her surprise, that she had actually been freed.

Mistya collapsed to the ground with a thud, carefully picking up the exorbitant compensation bill like a precious treasure. Even though she could no longer imagine any hope of receiving compensation, at least she was alive for now.

Just then, a rich aroma of food wafted into her nostrils, causing her hungry stomach to rumble and groan.

"Try it, so you don't really think I'm joking with you." Xia Xun carried a plate with several pieces of roasted silver eel meat on it.

Gudong~

Mistya glanced at Xia Xun with some fear, but found that he was not angry at all, and instead maintained a friendly demeanor.

She breathed a slight sigh of relief and timidly took the plate, determined that even if the taste was ordinary, she would still praise it as delicious.

Picking up her chopsticks, Mistya reached out towards the eel, her professional instincts kicking in as she subconsciously made an assessment.

If the fish skin is grilled a little too long, the moisture and oil in the fish meat will be lost, turning what should be a perfect dish into a less than perfect one.

However, this skill level is already quite high compared to others.

With a hint of smugness in her heart, Mistya picked up a piece of grilled eel and put it in her mouth. Instantly, the fresh and fragrant aroma of the eel surged up like a raging tide, overwhelming her.

"tasty!"

Unable to help but let out a gasp, Mistya then forgot everything else, even her own life, and only remembered to keep eating with her chopsticks.

As Mistya put the last piece of grilled eel into her mouth, her chopsticks struck the plate with a crisp clinking sound.

She looked down in astonishment. "Where's my grilled eel? Who stole it?!"

Mistya looked up angrily and saw the figures of large monsters all around her. Fear and the instinct for survival made her instantly suppress the question that was about to be asked.

But at this moment, she finally understood that Xia Xun's price list for the catch was not a rip-off.

Even if the price doubled, she would still want to taste this delicious food.

"Eat up, there's only one bite left." Xia Xun brought another plate to Mistya, with just one bite of eel meat on it.