The newcomer's feet were… exquisite.
Ronn wasn't a foot-fetishist, but even he had to admit it.
Clear, rounded toes; a small, pale foot you could cup in one hand.
Tap, tap, tap…
As she stepped fully into the tavern, Ronn finally saw her face.
Beautiful—like she'd stepped out of a painting.
Cool and aloof, large foxlike eyes with a natural sultriness; green irises gleaming like emeralds.
She wore a pale violet-pink hanfu, hem lifting just enough to show two long, fair legs…
A pair of fox ears rose from her hair, their inner fur a soft blush, adding an otherworldly charm.
Behind her trailed a tiny fox demon, wide-eyed and curious about everything in the room.
The elder was Tushan Honghong—the Fox King of the Fox Spirit world and strongest in the demon realm—
also the fourth guest today with unmistakable "big-sister energy."
The little fox behind her was Tushan Yaya, future lord of Tushan.
"Welcome," Tohru said, stepping forward with a smile. "What would you two like to drink?"
Honghong paused, surprised when she met Tohru's red-gold slit pupils and the horns on her head.
Like herself—clearly not human.
And the blonde behind the bar slacking off (Lucoa), the twin maids (Ram and Rem)… none of them were ordinary either.
Even the black cat napping on the balcony felt… wrong.
"Anything is fine. Serve what you think best. Sorry to intrude."
Honghong didn't speak aloud; the cold, emotionless voice was thrown by ventriloquism—or rather, a long-range voice-casting art.
She hadn't really come to drink.
She wanted to confirm whether the "voice" in her mind was a delusion… or whether this tavern truly existed.
"Sis, I like it here! The aroma's amazing. And this uncle's liquor smells great."
Yaya tugged her sister to the counter, drooling a little.
She loved wine; the gourd on her back, as tall as she was, sloshed full.
Rayleigh kept his head down, drinking in silence.
Terrifying.
Even if this silent woman wasn't on par with the End Emperor… her aura still prickled his scalp.
"Drink less, and don't cause trouble," Honghong sighed. She turned to Ronn.
"You're the proprietor?"
"That's me," Ronn smiled. "Ronn. A pleasure, Lady Tushan Honghong."
Just then, Tohru shouldered out a big clay jar and set it before them.
"Please enjoy."
"Nü'er Hong," Ronn introduced. "You should have it in your world, too."
He lifted the seal and poured a cup for each sister.
Rich, mellow fragrance rolled out—
Nü'er Hong's signature scent; the longer it aged, the deeper it grew.
Even Honghong, not much of a drinker, couldn't help taking a sip.
Gulp.
Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, savory, astringent—six flavors bloomed together, like tasting all the flavors of life at once.
"Good wine," Honghong admitted softly.
Ronn glanced at the hesitant Yaya.
A petite fox-eared girl. The look was… promising.
Small, yes, but very well developed. Black hair, drooping fox ears, a red-and-white dress slipping off one shoulder—
And then Yaya ignored the cup, grabbed the jar, and started chugging.
So much for the fantasy.
Thud!
After half a jar, she slammed it onto the counter and groaned with satisfaction.
"Ahh—爽!"
"Boss, your wine's good. I'm coming every day from now on."
She reached under the counter and gave Ronn's shoulder a hearty slap.
"You're always welcome," Ronn said, helpless.
Watching this, Rayleigh frowned.
"Can the little lass handle liquor?"
Despite the aura and the "keep away" vibe, he still saw Yaya as a cute kid.
"The 'little lass' is older than you," Ronn teased.
"In terms of seniority, calling her ancestor wouldn't be wrong."
Rayleigh's face went black.
What kind of cursed day was this? Everyone he met was more absurd than the last.
Yaya lowered the jar long enough to pout.
"Boss! It's rude to discuss a lady's age. Careful or I'll have Sis beat you up!"
She shook her pink little fist at him.
Ronn leaned forward and scrubbed her head.
"When you're a bit older, you won't need your sister. You'll handle it yourself."
Grown-up Yaya…
Mm. Unspeakably wonderful.
Yaya shook off his hand and went back to drinking, ignoring him.
Honghong, however, arched a brow.
"Older? What do you mean, Proprietor Ronn—can you predict the future?"
"I'm no oracle," Ronn said mildly.
"I mean, don't let Yaya just copy you. She has a better path."
Yaya was the textbook definition of sister-complex.
She mimicked Honghong's power-type techniques; even later, using long-range voice arts to speak, she did it because her sister did.
"You are an oracle! Sis is the strongest. Learning from her can't be wrong!"
Hands on hips, Yaya glared at Ronn.
"Mind your manners."
One glance from Honghong, and Yaya deflated, sitting down with a tiny huff.
"We'd be grateful for your guidance," Honghong said, taking another delicate sip.
"She's a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. Best for her to cultivate ice arts."
Ronn pointed at the little drink machine.
"Keep at it, and she can reach the pinnacle of cold—Absolute Zero Domain."
"At that point, she'll be stronger than you are now."
For the first time, a ripple crossed Honghong's calm gaze.
Absolute Zero…
In a thousand years, no demon had ever pushed cold-attribute demonic qi to that level.
Yaya, seeing her sister waver, bristled—
but then Ronn took Honghong's cup.
In the same instant, the wine inside froze solid.
Everyone stared.
Wine freezes at a very, very low temperature… and he'd done it like snapping his fingers.
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