Beware Of Chicken Chapter 300 v7c47: Small Talk

The performance turned out to be fun and captivating. Honestly, I had braced for some boredom from all the fancy rituals, but it ended up as a real blast. We saw poetry recitals, artifact showcases, calligraphy displays… plenty of "refined" pursuits, dotted with occasional martial shows, like the Grand Ravine Sect's, where their cultivators swung through the sky like Spider-Man with rope darts, looking badass as hell. Everyone loosened up, Meimei included, the entertainment calming her jitters. She relished the hockey act every bit as much as I did.

All through it, we savored a delicious spread, which got explained after the initial three acts. It mimicked a historic banquet, or the closest they could manage. They'd dug up a menu from a library under the mountain for a feast once held right here.

Much of it echoed the dishes from the Framed Sun Sect, yet unique twists appeared. Grand Ravine specialties shone through: dumplings packed with lamb, yogurt topped with berries, and squeaky cheese curds way tastier than back home. My thoughts jumped straight to poutine.

Besides those regional highlights, plenty seemed tailored for Spirit Beasts, something the announcer overlooked. Humans probably weren't meant for that much steak tartare or raw bone marrow; the giant salad soaked in assorted underground roots carried flavors odd to human tongues. Not unpleasant at all, just intense.

Washy appeared blissed out, sampling every novel dish. One packed with fish and lake reeds particularly delighted him.

"Oh, I remember that one," Tianlan said. "The Lord of the Lake loved it. It's specially made to taste good to dragons, and the lazy fish always had one of his priestesses feed him. Said lounging while being pampered made it taste better."

I snorted at the vivid picture.

At last, the displays wrapped up. The meal got devoured.

"And that concludes tonight's presentation. The Earthly Arena will now undergo transformation to make a space better for socialization."

Sect Masters avoided crude staring, yet the focus locked on us as lights brightened.

The platform shook, dropping our main viewing area level with the ground. Benches and chairs popped up like mushrooms, while fountains emerged to block views and offer sound buffers for discreet chats. Our tables vanished, opening space for approaches.

Then mingling kicked off. Folks started maneuvering for spots right away… or at least the "less prestigious" ones did.

"The Grand Ravine Sect will pay their respects first, as is their right," Xiulan whispered.

It clicked perfectly. The elder at their table's head, whom all deferred to, stood up.

He seemed around sixty, like Gramps, with a muscular build intact. Built like a wrestler slimmed for a lighter class. His skin held a light tan, weathered by choice in the Spiritual Realm, not sun damage. A bandana bound his head with geometric prints matching his group's. His right arm stayed sleeveless, revealing a tattoo from neck to hand. Full beard completed the look of a veteran biker boss—who'd survived every trial life hurled.

None sported typical Imperial garb. Their outfits evoked Mongolian styles more.

"Ulagan Baatar and the Grand Ravine Sect pay their respects to Master Rou and Lady Hong," the elder declared, his sectmates bowing beside him. I spotted Guo Daxian and his biker-dad lookalike. A fresh face joined: the lovely Sarnai, Xiulan's assistant, whom she'd flagged earlier. Actually, I knew most Sect Masters here. Xiulan had schooled me back home on sects and top figures. "We hope that the small skills of our province were agreeable to you."

"It was a fine bit of entertainment. I greatly enjoyed the hockey match—it was good to see it played here," I replied.

"It is a good thing for the Younger Generation to engage in. Training, and a game. It is a wise Master who makes the necessary things in life fun," Baatar said…. and he truly grasped it. Meant for enjoyment, not endless grind. "Young Mistress Tigu has shared with us Laku Rou Se. A fine sport for summer, and a fine sport for winter," he nodded to Tigu, who grinned back.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Tigu and Yin have spoken to us of their competitions against Tarkhan and your Grand Ravine; they say they are a good challenge." The Young Master of the Grand Ravine Sect puffed up proudly, while Baatar beamed with fatherly pride.

"It is rare that one can trade pointers with those outside our sect, and that he may do so with your daughter is a blessing," Baatar replied. "And yourself, My Lady?"

"It was an enjoyable evening. I am of like mind with my husband," Meimei said, offering a gentle smile.

Baatar nodded approvingly. "Then we are content; we only wished to show our appreciation. We shall bother you no more tonight unless you call upon us; there is no point in taking up the Great Expert's time when he has generously given it to us by agreeing to travel to the Grand Ravine."

I arched a brow at his quick exit, but nodded. Expected him to hog our time, yet it stayed short and sweet, noting future access. Polite, direct, light on flattery.

"If the food in the Ravine is anything as good as it was here, I'm looking forward to our trip," I said. The elder's eyes lit up briefly at the compliment.

The old man smiled. "I guarantee it, Lord Rou. My daughter and granddaughter shall attend to your family personally."

Xiulan's assistant waved shyly at 'granddaughter", then flushed realizing it, itching to flee but holding firm.

Been there. I shot her an encouraging smile; she blushed deeper.

With that, the Grand Ravine Sect moved along the table. "Young Mistress Tigu, your work was exemplary in setting up this event. Now may I have the honour of greeting your fellow disciples?"

Tigu, Washy, and Babe seemed startled… as did Bane of the Black Lances when Baatar addressed her directly as a disciple. She and Babe had braced for dismissal. But Baatar showed no pause with the Spirit Beasts. Either a master actor… or sincerely engaging to learn their tastes.

I bet on the latter. He exuded sincerity, aligning with Xiulan's intel. Grand Ravine held positive views toward us.

With luck, all encounters stayed this smooth.

The Hermetic Iron Sect followed. Delun had planned secrecy for the betrothal, dodging extra scrutiny.

Tigu, predictably, when spotted hugging Delun and teased about engagement, shot back, "We already are."

Word spread like wildfire. By noon, all knew.

We chatted lightly after—Delun's grandparents improved, thanks to Meimei's aid, glad tidings. Then Delun and wife bowed out, next group advancing.

"Lady Meiling, it's good to meet you at last," Cai Xi Kong said, smile genuine.

"And it's good to meet you at last as well, Master Xi Kong. It's long been my desire to meet the father of my Sister," Meiling replied.

Xi Kong and Meiling bantered briefly before vowing deeper talks later. Xianghua and Gou Ren "formally" greeted too, mostly joking. Xianghua unleashed an over-the-top poetic spiel, eyes sparkling mischievously.

"And so I hope a thousand blessings shall fall upon you and your line," she wrapped her epic ten-minute oration, as waiters behind grew visibly irked.

Hilarious watching her stall the queue while I nodded sagely or rubbed my chin now and then.

"You have my thanks, Liu Xianghua. Truly, you have a way with words," I replied, tone deadpan.

Xianghua, hips cocked, nodded smugly.

Then unknowns arrived.

…and the opener unfolded as anticipated.

"The Azure Horizon Sect is exceeded only by the Grand Ravine Sect, and with the return of our ancestor's arts? We only go from strength to strength. We would be delighted to show Master Rou our hospitality—our manor is the finest in the hills. It is situated on the sea, where one may view the endless blue horizon," boasted Azure Horizon's Sect Master, Tian Shen. Proud type, I humored him politely until his shocker. "You surely know deep secrets of the sword, Master Rou—your daughter and even this Spirit Beast have profound Sword Intent. I would trade pointers with him if possible," Babe perked at that.

'This one is but a novice, but if the Elder wishes to trade pointers, it would be this one's honour,' Babe said, voice soft yet clear to Tian Shen. The man's eyes bulged.

"You speak well!" the cultivator exclaimed, stunned, then composed. "You are quite skilled in my estimation, yet you call yourself a novice?"

'I have witnessed a Cloudy Sword and an Unconquered Blade. I am indeed a novice,' Babe stated flatly.

The man halted. "Of course. I am but a frog in a well. The Disciple of Master Rou would have indeed seen things that would be the equal of our ancestors. Truly, our paths were meant to cross!"

…we needed seaside lodging for journey's end anyway, and Babe seemed keen.

"We are headed to the sea, so perhaps our paths will cross," I hedged vaguely, unsure fully, but it sufficed. He departed smirking triumphantly, rivals envious of his "win".

I kept neutral as the next approached. Jade Dew Sect: Azure Hills' top alchemists.

The man brought his daughter along, not subtle in parading her.

She appeared uneasy and swamped, forcing smiles amid wary eyes.

Meiling, nose twitching at pill fumes, showed mercy anyway.

"What manner of medicinal pills do you make?" she queried the girl… likely older than her.

The woman jumped, rattled off their lineup… then Meiling probed real details on crafting, drawing her in.

By end, she grinned relaxed, both departing pleased.

I eyed the lingering queue subtly shifting.

…long night ahead. Yet buoyed by the show, mood solid so far. Mostly chit-chat.

Though curious how we appeared from their side.