Inside the square high-walled box made entirely of black lacquered wood, there is a gourd.
The whole body is reddish-brown, about the size of two adult fists. Under the sun, it exudes a soft gleaming light. You don’t need to identify it carefully. As long as you see this gourd, you can determine the age of this gourd.
It's quite a long time.
However, for Jason, the age and the like are not important at all.
What matters is the taste!
He had smelled the strong 'food' smell before.
When the box is opened, the smell becomes even more intense.
Almost coming at you.
It's like steaming steamed buns when the steamer is opened.
Not only is it hot, but it also has the unique flavor of pasta.
However, the gourd in front of me smelled of 'wine'.
The rich 'food' taste is mixed with a touch of wine.
Although the smell is weak, it is very clear.
Jason frowned slightly.
It's not that he doesn't drink.
In fact, to some extent, Jason liked wine quite a bit.
When I was in my hometown, drinking and having skewers was one of the joys of life.
Next to the street on a summer night, when the sun had completely set and there was still a little heat on the ground, I moved a small table with a friend or two, sat on the side of the road, and shouted to the boss: '10 meat, 10 tendons'
, 4 large kidneys, grilled eggplant, two beans, and three boxes of snowflakes, I want them iced! Let’s have a plate of peanuts and edamame first!'
This feeling is so wonderful.
It's so beautiful that Jason can't even dream of it now.
Because he was worried about drinking too much.
Being drunk is not a good thing.
It’s not just a decrease in reaction ability, confusion, and inability to cope with sudden dangers.
It is also possible to ‘tell the truth while drunk’.
Jason has too many secrets.
Everything you say will have unpredictable consequences.
Therefore, he really didn't dare to get drunk.
"The 'food' smells like alcohol, will it make you drunk?"
Jason guessed.
On the side, Huakai Yuanqing was telling the origin of this gourd.
"This is a gourd made by a craftsman in the early Warring States period, imitating the gourd of a certain great demon. It looks like a real gourd, but in fact it is made of iron, with secret techniques imprinted on it. In addition to being able to hold wine, it can also be used to store wine.
Under the premise of knowing the enemy's birth date and possessing the opponent's blood, putting the opponent into the gourd is a rare prop. It's a pity..."
"What's the pity?"
The fascinated girl Sasakura asked anxiously.
"It's a pity that the method of using this gourd has been lost."
"My ancestors tried many methods but could not activate this gourd."
"It just became a decoration."
Huakai Yuanqing spread her hands with a look of helplessness on her face.
A look of pity also appeared on Miss Saakura's face.
Jason, on the other hand, was moved in his heart.
Why does this gourd sound familiar to me?
“Can it be accessible to everyone?”
Jason asked.
"Of course it's impossible."
"It's just a knockoff!"
"The highest storage limit is the ultimate limit for mortals!"
"However, if that big demon's gourd is used, it should be able to accommodate everyone, right?"
"Of course, these are all rumors, and I don't know whether they are true or false."
Huakai Yuanqing laughed as she spoke.
Although he is a member of the "Mysterious Side", in the heart of this young onmyoji from the Hanakaiyuan family, he has some doubts about the legends passed down by his family.
Because he knows some of the family's practices too well.
Or rather...
History is written by the victors.
Every twenty or thirty years, the family books are re-edited.
The external view is to organize, modify and protect.
In reality?
hehe.
Therefore, if you really believe those records, it will really trick people to death.
"As I said before, this is my apology, please accept it."
Huakaiyuan Qing took out the gourd and handed it to Jason.
"Um."
Jason nodded and put the gourd away.
He has a high probability that the rumors are true.
But it’s just a high probability, the final result?
Jason didn't know.
However, Jason knew that Huakai Yuanqing in front of him was a pretty good collaborator.
The cooperation has not really begun yet, but he has already obtained the 'Prayer Stone', 'Arrow of Rice' and this unknown gourd from the other party.
Therefore, Jason's view of the young man in front of him has changed considerably.
He may have the arrogance of a big family, but he is not stingy and does what he says.
And then, the words that the flowers bloomed in the courtyard increased Jason's favorability by +1.
"Now that all three of our team have gathered."
"Then I'll be the host tonight, okay?"
Huakai Yuanqing asked.
Miss Saakura nodded repeatedly.
Jason would naturally not object if there was something to eat.
"I promised Mr. Jason two banquets before, one of which was after everyone has gathered. It just so happened that everyone was here this time, and I also booked the banquet location early."
"Sir Jason, Saakura, do you have anyone you want to bring?"
“The banquet hall is large and can accommodate many people.”
Huakai Yuanqing added.
Miss Sasakura subconsciously wanted to call all her friends.
However, when she thought that she was going to participate in the 'King of Fighters-King of Fighters Tournament', she immediately gave up the idea.
After all, she signed a confidentiality agreement: she was not allowed to take the initiative to tell others about the 'other world'.
"No."
Saakura shook her head regretfully.
"I probably have a few friends coming."
Jason said directly.
Whether it is the old monk Tongshou Temple, He Tai, Hui Lijing, Ryosuke, or Urashima, they are all people who are familiar with the "other world", and naturally there is no need to hide it.
"OK."
"It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I will send someone to pick you up at 6 o'clock."
After Hanakai Yuanqing accurately explained the time, she temporarily left the 'Tongshou Temple'.
Saakura did not leave with him.
Compared to Hanakai Yuanqing, Miss Saakura prefers to stay with Jason.
After Huakai Yuanqing left, the old monk Tongshou Temple walked out of the main hall.
"Soul-harvesting gourd?"
Looking at the gourd in Jason's hand, the old monk from Tongshou Temple looked surprised.
"You know this?"
Jason tossed the gourd in his hand.
"Well, according to records, it was a prop made by a craftsman who imitated the gourd of a certain great demon."
"It is rumored that this gourd hides quite a few secrets."
"However, this is just a rumor. After the method of use was lost, it became a decoration."
"If it can still be used, it will never appear in the Huakaiyuan branch."
The old monk said the information he knew, and then turned his head to look at Miss Saakura.
"Hello, I am monk Tongshou Temple."
The old monk greeted me kindly.
"I'm Saakura!"
Miss Sakura answered carelessly, and then, as if thinking of the teachings she had received in daily life, she should not be so rude when facing older people, she immediately bowed again and said: "This is the first time we meet, please take care of me."
"Hahaha, it's okay, it's okay."
"There's no need to be so polite."
"Would you like tea and snacks?"
"I remember there was one in the wing."
Facing the polite children, the old monk Tongshou Temple was very happy.
"Sorry for your trouble."
Sasakura bowed again.
Jason looked at the two of them, stood up silently, and walked towards the wing on the left.
This is his room in Tongshou Temple.
A lot of satiety was consumed.
Now is the time for replenishment.
After closing the door, placing several [Keya Seals], and confirming that all accessible locations were blocked, Jason walked towards the bed.
Although he was in Tongshou Temple, Jason would not lose the habits he should have.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Jason took out the 'Prayer Stone' first.
After smelling it, I threw it directly into my mouth.
Slightly sweet, but not rich. When the teeth are pressed hard——
Click!
The entire 'prayer stone' cracked.
Inside is... peanuts?
Peanuts wrapped in sweet coating?
It's not peanuts soaked in old vinegar. Although it's a bit weird, it's still delicious.
[Swallow ‘Prayer Stone’ (Small)]
[Physical strength, energy, and injuries have recovered slightly!]
[Satiety +10]
【Satiety: 604】
…
10 points of satiety is not much for Jason now.
But this kind of satiety that can be obtained without hunting is somewhat of an unexpected gain for Jason.
Then, Jason picked up the fragments of the 'Arrow of Inawa'.
Different from the slight sweetness of the 'Prayer Stone', the fragments of the 'Inawa Arrow' are richly sweet.
It's like a ball of butter.
Moreover, it is the kind that melts in your mouth.
It's as sweet as taking a bite of butter.
"tasty."
Jason commented in his heart.
Sweet, always makes people happy.
Therefore, people unconsciously tend to prefer sweet taste.
No matter how bitter life is, when sweetness appears, the bitterness will be diluted.
Do you still remember the bowl of sugar water your mother made when you were taking medicine when you were a child?
How many people are afraid of getting sick?
But it's because of this bowl of soup.
The pain became less terrible.
There may even be some expectations.
Of course it's not illness, it's sugar water.
Sweet, really wonderful.
What's even more wonderful is the text in front of Jason's eyes.
[Swallowing ‘Inawa’s Arrow’ (Fragment)]
[Physical strength, energy, and injuries are moderately recovered!]
[Satiety +25]
【Satiety: 629】
…
Feeling the sweet taste that had not yet dissipated in his mouth, and looking at the text prompt in front of him, the corners of Jason's mouth curled up.
Then, he picked up the 'Soul Gourd'.
The food is right in front of you, and the aroma is getting stronger.
but!
The smell of wine is also becoming clearer.
Although it was mixed with the smell of alcohol, Jason could not help but open his mouth wide when faced with the aroma of food.
He wanted to taste the gourd.
At the same time, dishes such as drunken shrimps appeared in my mind involuntarily.
But there was a voice in my heart that kept echoing.
Stop!
Can't eat it!
If you're not sure about the results, don't try it!
Learn to fight hunger!
Don't be controlled!
The sound came from Jason's cautious habits.
Or rather...reason!
Tell Jason rationally about the dangers of doing so.
But the gourd was getting closer and closer to Jason's mouth.
10 cm, 5 cm, 2 cm.
When Jason's teeth were about to touch the shell of the gourd, Jason stopped.
It's not a simple stop.
But it's trembling.
Jason's body seemed to be pressing on a mountain, and he was holding a mountain in his hands.
Moreover, these two mountains are also Cishan!
Magnetic Mountain with the positive and negative poles facing each other!
Great attraction appears in both.
The distance that originally stopped began to falter again.
Then--
Snap!
Jason slapped himself hard with his free hand.
The slap was crisp and loud.
However, it was of no use at all.
Jason still wanted to eat.
And... he even stuck out his tongue!
The gourd was not far from Jason's mouth.
When the tongue sticks out, it can naturally touch the gourd.
Once you get a taste of gourd...
Jason's remaining sanity allowed Jason to understand what the result was.
Maybe he'll have a big meal.
But it's more likely that he passed out drunk.
Of course, this is the best result.
Worst?
Naturally, he ‘spoke the truth while drunk’.
no!
This can't happen!
Telling himself from the bottom of his heart, Jason pushed his chin sharply with his free hand.
This push leaves no room for anything.
After the teeth come into contact with the protruding tongue, it is...bitten off!
puff!
The tongue fell on the bed, dripping with blood.
Under the stimulation of pain, Jason's eyes became clear for a while.
He suddenly wanted to loosen his grip on the gourd.
But he held the gourd's hand and didn't obey the command at all.
Without hesitation, Jason shook off his free hand.
Click!
The bones in his wrist were broken and the gourd fell straight onto the bed.
Then, looking at this gourd with no tongue and broken wrist, Jason was still filled with yearning from the bottom of his heart.
Boom, boom, boom!
Every beat of his heart made Jason's yearning increase by one point.
And the remaining sanity was expelled.
Bang!
Bang bang bang!
Jason raised his hand and hit the left chest.
Continuous, non-stop pounding.
It was smashed until it was bloody and bloody.
It broke the bones and tendons.
It broke my heart.
It was smashed until it was lifeless.
Death has come.
Then, life emerged.
After waking up, Jason escaped from the bed as if he was electrocuted, leaning against the door and breathing heavily.
Whoops! Whoops!
Jason seemed to be fished out of the water, beads of sweat dripping to the ground.
At this time, Jason was even more exhausted than after experiencing a real life-and-death battle.
Fighting hunger is never easy.
Jason has quite a say.
After he awakened from the talent of [Predator], he fought against hunger almost all the time.
It was impossible to resist from the beginning.
I can resist a little bit later.
As long as you don't start eating, you can resist most of the time.
What Jason has experienced and sacrificed is definitely beyond everyone's imagination.
And if you start eating like you just did, can you still resist?
The price just paid could not be clearer.
However, this is just the beginning.
Jason stood behind the door. After five minutes, Jason finally calmed down completely.
He approached the bed carefully little by little.
It seems like there is some huge danger there.
It took Jason a full minute to move a distance that was only a few steps away.
When he finally got close to the bed, and the throbbing hunger in his heart was about to emerge again, Jason returned to the door again and began to breathe heavily.
After ten times in a row, Jason finally calmed down.
But this is just a simple approach.
By the time he was able to pick up the gourd, it was completely dark.
How many attempts did it take?
Jason couldn't remember.
He only knows that he is still successful.
Pulling out a rope tied to the gourd, Jason hung the gourd around his waist, then pushed the door open and walked out.
The flowers outside the door are blooming and the courtyard is sunny. I have been waiting for a long time.
Seeing Jason walking out of the door, Huakaiyuan Qing stepped forward and asked with a smile: "Sir Jason, what happened?"
"Overslept."
Jason answered casually.
Faced with this perfunctory answer, Huakai Yuanqing did not ask further questions.
He didn't want to ruin the good relationship between the two parties because of some side issues.
"Oh, let's go then?"
Huakai Yuanqing asked.
"good."
Jason nodded.
"Let's go! Let's go!"
"Feast! Feast!"
The carefree Saakura had already started cheering.
The old monks from Toshouji Temple and Ryosuke and Urashima also went there with the slightest expectation.
Of course, Hui Lijing has also called to inform her.
However, just as everyone walked out of Tongshou Temple, a servant of Huakai Yuanqing ran over in a panic.
"Sorry, Master Hanakai Yuanqing, your invitation to the 'King of Fighters - King of Fighters Tournament' has been taken away!"
