Beware of chicken, p.27
Beware of Chicken, page 27
In addition, the mortal soldiers would receive their compensation. They had fought bravely and had taken heavy losses to the ambushes, but their families would not be left paupers by their sacrifices. They had done their duty, and that was honour for their family.
Even so, many children would be without their fathers. It was a sobering thought, and one that plagued her heart. But none of the adoring crowds saw that.
Her robes were pristine white. Her hair was immaculate. It was like she had fought the Whirling Demon Sword Gang and sustained not a scratch.
This was pomp and circumstance. Word had been sent ahead of her arrival. Fresh clothes had been provided for her, as well as medics, to see that she had no scars or blemishes. They found none, for Senior Sister’s healing was perfect. Her appearance showed that the Verdant Blade Sect was powerful. That their Young Mistress was untouchable.
The Sect leader, the Elders, and the disciples had been gathered. They stood with stern faces and proud bearing in the main courtyard, elevated above the mortals.
They reached the correct distance, and as one, her party dropped to their knees, clasping their fists, and bowing their heads.
“Sect Leader of the Verdant Blade! Honoured Elders! This Cai Xiulan returns from her mission, successful! The Whirling Demon Blade Sun Ken, and the Whirling Demon Blade Gang lie vanquished! Their bones are shattered, and their lifeblood now nurtures the earth! No longer shall the wicked plague the world!”
She reached to her back and presented the sword.
“I present to you, honoured Elders, the Crimson Demon’s Tooth, as proof of Sun Ken’s demise!”
They made the appropriate noises of approval as the crowd roared and cheered her name.
“Rise, Daughter of the Verdant Blade Sect,” her honourable father called. She could see the pride in his eyes. “You shall be rewarded for your triumph.” He looked to Elder Yi, the second most powerful man in the Verdant Blade Sect. His face was inscrutable and cold, as he assessed her victory, yet he nodded at her honourable father.
“Go!” Elder Yi commanded, “Take the news to all corners of the Azure Hill! All must know of Sun Ken’s defeat at the hands of our Verdant Blade Sect!”
The crowd roared in approval.
Though it was her duty to present things like this, the praise tasted like ashes.
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“Its demon is suppressed, and I dare say leashed—remarkable! Daughter, how did you accomplish this feat?”
Her honorable father’s gaze turned to her from the Crimson Demon’s tooth. Slowly, the joy faded as he beheld her.
“My daughter, what troubles you?” he asked, quenching his excitement. The crowds had long since been left behind, as she gave her report privately. His eyes were concerned as he stared at her conflicted face.
“May … we have some privacy?” Xiulan asked.
He nodded his head, and with a flick of his hand, the others that were in his room exited, though Elder Yi seemed a bit suspicious. The silencing formation was put up, and her father’s eyes softened.
“Now, tell your father what ails you, little orchid,” he commanded quietly.
Xiulan considered the question. Master Jin wished for his privacy, yet she could not lie to her father. The two instincts battled as guilt mixed with shame. She would not tell her father Master Jin’s whereabouts. But she needed at least one person to know the truth.
“It was not I who slew Sun Ken,” she stated, hoping to speed through the worst of it. Her father’s eyebrows disappeared into his hair. “I was on death’s door, crippled by Demonic Qi. When I finally retrieved the blade of Sun Ken, he was already dead.”
“Then, how did this occur? How did you survive?”
She bowed her head. “I had a fortuitous encounter. I was taken in by a Hidden Master and I was healed. Then I was gifted with profound techniques and new training, presented with Sun Ken’s blade, and told to take the credit. With his assistance and his wisdom, I have reached the Fourth Stage.”
Her father’s jaw dropped. “He … assisted you so greatly?! And raised you so high in mere days? Is there a way he could be convinced to join our Sect?”
She shook her head. “No. He wishes not be disturbed. I will not betray this single task he has set before me. I beg your forgiveness for this, Father, but I must honour his request.”
Her father pondered her words. “How powerful was he?”
“I could not see his depths.”
Her father nodded and stroked his beard. “We shall abide by his demands. Thank you for telling me, Daughter. To insult a Hidden Master who has done you such a kindness is the height of dishonour.”
“He also gifted me this and requested that I attend his wedding with Senior Sister.”
Cai Xi Kong opened the bag of rice. It was the finest silver-grade rice he had ever laid eyes on, nearing gold-grade.
And it was absolutely stuffed with Qi. Sweat beaded on his brow.
“Then we must prepare a suitable gift for him, Daughter. Can you consider anything that he would desire?”
Xiulan considered. Her gaze turned to the Crimson Demon’s Tooth. Her lips quirked into a smile.
“He mentioned wanting a plough.”
Her father stared at the blade as well and began laughing. “The wicked whoreson’s blade as a farming implement?! I can think of no better insult!”
CHAPTER 37
REWARDED
The Lord Magistrate checked over the prices one last time as he paced around his office. It was sure to be enough to placate the cultivator.
At least he hoped it was. He may need to make a request from the man, and if Rou Jin was not satisfied or sufficiently compensated, he might refuse.
Reports had come in of Sun Ken—the Whirling Demon Blade and his ilk had come north.
Reports that were days late. Really, is it so hard to use a transmission stone?!
According to the scattered reports, the roving band of scum had been bled, but most of their cultivators had survived. The Lord Magistrate’s men were scouring the countryside, searching for them. He had authorized the use of minor transmission stones as well, just in case his men found anything. The stones were rare—and expensive—but he wanted to have as accurate information as possible.
The Lord Magistrate hoped to find the bastard before any more villages were destroyed. They were his tax base!
Damn the Verdant Blade, couldn’t they have taken them out?! He didn’t want to have to deal with cultivators! He might even have to personally visit the places of devastation. He hated the smell of blood. He always had to take that disgusting concoction to calm his stomach before he went anywhere near the substance, lest he void his stomach! What sort of Lord Magistrate vomited at the sight of a little blood?
It was even worse because Sun Ken would occasionally hide after attacks and ambush the relief parties. There was one thing the Lord Magistrate hated more than blood, and it was danger. He always ended up freezing in the moment. He wanted to run, heavens damn it, not stand there like some unflinching, stoic fool.
The Patriarch of Verdant Hill was stern and unflappable, after all. The men and women under his aegis couldn’t see weakness. They wouldn’t think so highly of him then.
Damn cultivators, damn Sun Ken, and damn Rou Jin. Damn all of them. Why did they have to come here?!
His stomach was killing him.
“Lord Magistrate, any more of this and you’ll wear a hole in the floor,” First Archivist Bao chided around a mouthful of dumpling. “I see no reason to be worried. He is a calm man. I’m sure he will hear you out, especially after he learns what kind of vile demon is lurking about his home.” He ate another bite of his lunch.
His second lunch.
How dare Bao chide me about nervous habits, when the man eats whenever he’s upset?
But it had the desired effect. The Lord Magistrate’s pace stopped just as a guard came in and bowed. “Lord Magistrate, sir, Rou Jin has arrived, as requested.”
“Excellent, excellent, what about his demeanour?” he asked.
“He seems to be pleased with the recording crystal, Lord Magistrate,” the guard replied. “He also obtained candied orange peels, cinnamon, sugar, and several other spices, along with red lacquer, rabbit fur, red glass bottles, bells, and the antlers of deer.”
He considered the strange purchases … and decided he had no idea what the cultivator would use them for. Some kind of pills, formation, or ritual?
Feh. Cultivators.
He turned to Bao, and the other man nodded. “Good, good, thank you, Ren Ji,” He told the guard, who puffed up with pride. He always had been good with names. It cost him nothing to remember them, and his men were all the more loyal for it. “Now, if you could fetch him? He and I must speak business.”
“At once, Lord Magistrate.”
It did not take long for the cultivator to arrive. Rou Jin hadn’t changed much since he had last laid eyes on him, nearly a year ago now. If one didn’t know better, he could be mistaken for any other farm boy, if a slightly taller specimen than typical.
He had a large, happy grin on his face as he entered.
“Lord Magistrate, First Archivist, I hope you are in good health,” the cultivator said, clasping his hands in the proper courtesy.
The Lord Magistrate was certain the boy was mocking him. No, he was not in good health! His stomach felt like there was molten lead inside it, and he longed to throw the inkwell at the cultivator but stayed his hands. To do such a thing was courting death.
“I am well, Rou Jin,” he said, trying to sound as stately as he could. “Has our Verdant Hill treated you well?”
Rou Jin nodded. “Yeah, thanks for telling me about the rice, First Archivist.”
The Lord Magistrate’s eyes shot over to Bao. He had thought they had agreed not to question the cultivator about the matter and then bring it up next time! That was what they had agreed on! He started sweating. “And I … trust things have been resolved satisfactorily?” he asked, hoping that the cultivator would be pleased.
“Better than satisfactory, really. Thank you for finding the recording crystal for me. I really needed this. And don’t worry about the rice. It was an honest mistake, and I don’t mind selling it at that price if you can’t afford the higher one. We could do a trade like this again, if that’s what you want. I do have certain things I need.”
Well! Well, that was good, at least. The cultivator was happy with his service and was willing to work with them in the future. Honesty was apparently a good policy. He wasn’t angry at all!
But now came the hard part. Rou Jin was happy, and now the Magistrate would potentially make him angry.
“Well, it is good that all parties were satisfied. I would ask you something, however. Have you heard the news of Sun Ken?” he asked leadingly.
Rou Jin nodded. “That he’s dead?”
His face froze. Sun Ken is dead?
The cultivator was calm and absolutely serious. Well, there went the plan to ask Rou Jin to kill the barbarian.
The Lord Magistrate’s gut churned …
His mind raced …
He made a choice.
“Ah … yes, that joyous news, yes,” he managed to get out. “Ah, well, I just wished to inform you of his demise, if you hadn’t heard already!”
Rou Jin nodded. “Well, thank you for informing me. Did you need anything else?”
“Oh no, no, I just wanted to make sure everything was fine after our little mix-up. You know how things are!”
The cultivator smiled brightly. “Then if that is all, I need to get back home. I’ll be leaving today. I hope that the heavens favour you, Lord Magistrate.”
“And you as well, Rou Jin …” he replied.
Rou Jin bowed, displaying proper courtly manners, before he turned on his heel and left.
The Lord Magistrate whipped his head around to the First Archivist. The man only shrugged, looking just as perplexed.
One of his scribes rushed in.
“Lord Archivist, priority message from the Verdant Blade Sect! Sun Ken, the Whirling Demon Blade, was slain by Cai Xiulan, the Young Mistress of the Sect!”
“Was he now … ?” the Lord Magistrate asked.
“Yes, Lord Magistrate!”
“Well, that is good news. I will make an announcement in … one hour. You’re free to go, Fang Hei. and close the door behind you.”
“Yes, Lord Magistrate!”
The scribe left. The Lord Magistrate slumped onto his desk and groaned. “This is … good news,” the Lord Magistrate decided.
“Indeed,” the first Archivist said, putting down his food for the first time since they had found out Sun Ken had come north. “But … how did he know that Sun Ken was dead if we just got the news?”
“I don’t care. Sun Ken is dead. The cultivator is happy. Recall the men.”
It was good news! It was a good day!
Now, if only his stomach would cease its incessant roiling.
At least his wife listened to his woes, patting his back and murmuring to him with amused kindness.
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You know, I finally realized why everybody liked the Magistrate now. The man was really nice. Calling somebody up just to apologize for the rice mix-up? He should have had people for that, but he’d done it himself.
No wonder he was “The Patriarch of the Verdant Hills”!
I smiled. I’d have to do something nice for the guy.
The recording crystal was mine. Like most “profound” things, the only problem was it didn’t really come with an instruction manual. I’d be futzing around with this thing for a while to make sure it recorded the way I wanted.
The spices and orange peel I’d bought were for my family gingerbread recipe, red lacquer for my sleigh, and antlers for my pigs. I got glass to decorate a tree. Rabbit fur, for the white trim. Yes, I know the “traditional” garb of jolly Saint Nick was invented by a certain corporation. But it was iconic and had stuck around for a reason.
In any case, this was the shortest I’d ever been in Verdant Hill since this time, I was in a rush. As soon as Peppa and Chunky had gotten back with the kids’ “Christmas List,” I had started running. Turns out you can make the trip in a day if you really push it.
It was nearly to the solstice.
Hopefully, the village would like my additions even if they weren’t traditional.
Ho, ho, ho, boyos.
Jin-ta Claus is coming to town.
CHAPTER 38
PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT
Pi Pa observed the Master. Ever since they had returned with the letter from Hong Yaowu, he had been a flurry of activity: painting things red, “knitting” small caricatures of animals, or mixing some kind of dough.
Today, though, there was an absolutely wonderful smell permeating the house. It was spicy and tantalizing, and it came from what the Master called an oven. Oh, she could just eat it all up!
These things intrigued her. The dough smelled absolutely divine. She wondered what the occasion was.
Bi De thought he knew what was happening but had said that he needed more time to confirm his thoughts. She had left him to his musings. The arrogant cock who had gotten her dear Chun Ke hurt was no more. He had shown proper remorse, and so she would treat him as a gentleman, and a gentleman was allowed time to properly convey themselves.
Indeed, she was quite pleased with his transformation and repentance. He was almost enjoyable to be around now, instead of a morose boor.
Tigu didn’t know either but acted like she did. Really, that kitten fooled no one. She was the most rattled by the Master’s revelation and story, yet pretended she was fine. Such a child, that one. A nasty, rude, and arrogant child, but a child all the same.
Her dear Chun Ke had been at peace with the story, just as happy before the Master’s revelation. He just loved life, and this place let him live as he pleased. He received the training he wanted, the food he wanted, and the play he wanted, and so he was content—a simple, happy soul, her dear, even after the horrors visited upon him.
As for herself, she didn’t mind much either way. It was a lady’s duty to take care of the household, however large that it may be. She didn’t exactly know how she knew that, but it seemed right. Her dear lived here, and the Master lived here, so she would remain.
Even if she would occasionally have to perform some unladylike actions. The most recent interlopers had been disgusting—so disgusting, she was still getting bellyaches a week after they had been dealt with, and the pains had only started to subside after the Master had given her some of Miss Meiling’s stomach medicine.
But now, she was curious about the event that was occurring. The Master seemed to sense their curiosity and had bid them gather in the main room. Even Wa Shi, the glutton, was collected. The slimy thing had the gall to call them similar. Nay, he was a nasty little bottom feeder, messy and gross, a beggar who wanted to get fat.
She was a lady. Her bites were precisely as big as they were meant to be, and her appetite within all reasonable realms.
Everyone knew that.
The Master paused in his work as they all entered, Wa Shi, dangling from her mouth. She placed him gently against the floor.
He made a rather sharp report as he slapped onto the floor, then began to whine piteously.
She laid him down a second time, for good measure, just so that he could properly know he was at their destination.
She ignored his blabbering and sat primly before the Master.
The Master looked greatly amused by the arrival of Wa Shi. “I’m guessing you want to know what’s going on?” the Master asked.
She nodded with great dignity.
He put down his needles and picked up Wa Shi. The slanderous glutton was put into his jar, and the Master sat once more. “Well, I’ll first ask you a question. Have you noticed the nights getting longer?”
Bi De’s eyes lit up, and the rooster nodded.
She supposed they had been. The days had been much longer when she was a piglet, hadn’t they?
