Beware Of Chicken Chapter 301 v7c48: Water, Earth, Fire

Shui Xinling, the Mistress of the White Water Sect, lounged on one of the benches, a faint smile playing on her lips. The night up to now had proven utterly splendid. She had secured considerable influence for her Sect, and presently savored the occasion alongside her Sect's disciples and Elders, together with three out of her four daughters. Xinlai lingered in Grass Sea City with the Acting Lord Magistrate 'doing her duty', as she put it.

Put simply, ensuring the flies swarming her man didn't gain an advantage on her during her absence. It was adorably charming; everyone concurred. And though her lover was mortal, he stood out as a man of exceptional caliber. Xinling understood that perfectly.

Nevertheless, her daughter missed out on quite the entertaining spectacle. Xinling adjusted her position, feigning a brief intent to rise. Every gaze from the crowd awaiting their chance to greet Master Rou fixed upon her instantly. Huifang, Sect Master of the Fragrant Resin Sect—who had snagged the subsequent slot—halted in anxious suspense.

After all, Master Rou had taken delight in Xinling's music, granting her the credentials and, crucially, the precedent to interrupt at will. Who, pray tell, would block her from inquiring if the esteemed Expert desired further amusement?

Yet toying with their discomfort before graciously yielding the way proved far more entertaining. Xinling flashed a smile at Huifang, easing back into her seat, prompting the other woman to scowl. How impolite! Xinling mused with a smirk. And here she'd been so gracious to the lady, who flaunted far more cleavage than usual. To imagine the notorious prude—and confirmed spinster—who lobbed snide remarks at Xinling donning a gown with such plunging décolletage?

Absolutely ridiculous.

Xinling remained straightforward about it all. She recognized the game at play and refused to act superior. A man might cherish a vibrant array of flowers… just as a Lady might maintain a stable of splendid steeds! Fair exchange.

Huifang advanced only once fully assured Xinling wouldn't meddle, and Xinling permitted it. Another motive kept them seated here, besides.

Gathering intelligence. Those nearest to Master Rou possessed sufficient knowledge of him to bypass this phase. Sects shoving ahead to flaunt superiority over rivals proceeded in ignorance.

Xinling had forged a solid first impression; now came the chance to build on it, observe his responses, and extract whatever insights possible from this formidable Expert. Her daughters watched intently too, striving to pick up clues.

Yet the revelations proved scarce indeed. Witnessing such a Master humbled them, revealing total self-mastery. His demeanor radiated pure genuineness. This celestial figure appeared genuinely pleased by tales of their deeds and territories, akin to a parent beaming at a child's dirt pile. No arrogance showed. No disgust toward the lowly insects before him. His Qi flowed warm, welcoming, and true.

During Xinling's initial encounter with him, stress had flickered briefly—worries, deep frowns, sudden silences. It jarred against her scant familiarity with the Cloudy Sword Sect, yet his might was authentic, marked by his emblem—and the Solstice disclosure tied it all together.

Xinling would have fretted far more than slightly had the sect she relied on against northern demons abruptly abducted his daughter. Three Earth Realms and a Sky Realm—then an Imperial Realm past the Sea of Snow!

Little surprise he'd tempered his vengeance, offering the Shrouded Mountain Sect an escape. Ultimately, events unfolded per his design. Enemies defeated, he traded relentless cultivation and exhaustive preparations for well-earned leisure.

It accounted for his every move now; in high spirits, he granted them face, much like sects funding lavish mortal celebrations.

Some useful notes emerged, though. He spared not a look at bared flesh. Women presented to him received treatment like youngsters chatting with grandpa. He and his wife conversed amiably, lauded their talents, then dismissed them with kind words.

His wife earned mounting admiration too. Lady Hong ignored blatant overtures entirely. Utterly assured of failure, she embodied the poised, elegant, immensely potent sort to claim such a man.

Huifang departed with a slight smile. Master Rou's gaze skipped her, seeking the next in line.

Ah, the Crossed Branches Sect. Xinling smiled, granting them their turn.

"So, what have we learned?" she inquired of her daughters.

"He relishes discussions of natural splendor. Chatter of riches leaves him unmoved—of course, being Cloudy Sword Sect, it's like handing a king a dirt clod." Xinlei huffed, pressing on. "He probes into mortals' lives and doings, yet has pledged nothing whatsoever tonight."

"He's so affable. He chats and grins, and everyone leaving him bears their own smiles," Xinyue gazed perplexed at the man. "He's nothing like Lord Lu Ri in behavior."

"He keeps stealing looks at his mortal attendants, and during pauses, he murmurs to them," Xintong noted after pausing, tilting her head. "And… I swear I've caught that name before. Doesn't his surname match Xinlai's target?"

"Oh?" Xinling prompted. She eyed the strikingly handsome mortal. He'd aged with grace, and oh goodness, quite the osmanthus rice cake, right? Yet Xintong spoke true—something rang familiar…

"Intriguing. Well, time's up anyway," Xinling declared, rising while perfecting her look and robes. "Come along, dears. First impressions set; now let's seal them."

The queue reluctantly yielded for her and her daughters, clearing space, and soon they stood before him.

"Master Rou, a delight to perform for you once more," Xinling saluted, bowing deeply. His aura loomed immense always, but up close? It draped over her shoulders… yet weighed nothing. No pressure to kneel, unlike insecure weaklings. Rather, it buoyed her.

This defined power. True might. Exquisitely divine. Mere proximity to this Yang pillar quickened her inner Yin torrents just a touch. Fancy cultivating amid such potency? She'd rival only Master Rou himself—maybe his wife. Or better… a few nights of fervor. He'd receive exquisite care, and she'd likely ascend to Spiritual Realm. Mutual triumph.

Still, desperation ill-suited a Lady; she clung to some dignity.

"Lady Xinling, delightful to meet again. Your music made a splendid opener," he responded. The commendation echoed anew.

"I'd gladly entertain you and your Lady wife anytime; here, or somewhere more secluded," Xinling offered, locking eyes with the mighty lady and bowing her Qi too. The woman arched a brow at the words and obeisance.

"...Perhaps," Lady Meiling replied after a beat. "Pleasure meeting Miss Xinlai's mother too. Tales of her virtues abound. You've nurtured an exemplary daughter."

Xinling reeled from the accolade, then swelled with pride. She resolved to thank Grand Marshal and Tigu somehow. Those two dispensed praise generously, not hoarding it—and Xinling conceded their prowess.

"Xinlai excels; the Acting Lord Magistrate's a gem. He retrieved my stolen guzheng even. We owe tonight to him, I suppose."

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"Indeed we do. We're heading to see him next. His parents eagerly await news of his adventures."

He faced the mortal servants, and Xinling steadied her breath. Related, then! But…

"Ah, his father serves you?" she probed. "So he acted under your command…?"

The whole affair orchestrated by him? Grass Sea City in his grasp?

"Regrettably, our son possesses… quite the adventurous spirit, one might say? He kept his Special Inspector role secret from us," the dashing elder man stated with a charming, guileless grin. Xinling read mortals sharper than Master Rou, and truth rang clear.

Ah, no calculated conquest—just a man schooled by Master Rou and Cloudy Sword Sect, enacting good works for the province. Logical.

And elevated Xinlai's chase delightfully!

"Wonderful that my son assisted you, Lady Xinling. Your music enthralled," the mortal lady servant added softly.

"Oh! Goodness, yes, your son's the ideal gentleman!" Xinling exclaimed. Progress! An opening! Daughter wed to Master Rou's servant? Ideal. "And a dashing rogue too. Clear where he inherits it."

Both laughed lightly.

"Would you recount how he aided you, My Lady? Details have been scant…" the lady pressed, eyes beseeching.

"Certainly! Master Rou, if you permit?" she sought.

The man assented. "Gladly, and I'm keen on this guzheng theft tale myself. Sounds entertaining."

Xinling inwardly cheered. Masterful ploy! Fortuitous indeed!

=========================

Dulou Gan strove for patience, curbing his spiraling thoughts. His debut as Sect Master loomed. Upon him rested the Sect's fate.

With Uncle's self-crippling, he'd abdicated leadership. He vowed atonement for his past wrongs through life's remainder.

Uncle Gang now handled basic chores—from their memory crystal. He scrubbed Wreckerball shells clean, prepared their favored massive salads, and tidied nesting creches. Beasts he'd once vowed to eradicate received his utmost gentle care.

He performed it all sans cultivation, eyes sightless. He tripped. He tumbled. He collided. Muscles screamed near rupture.

Still, he pressed on his path, regret-free.

Gan admired his uncle's earnest devotion—the brash, vulgar, tough old rogue transformed into a beacon of patience and calm that awed Gan breathless.

This shift swayed the Wreckerballs profoundly, bolstering their fragile bond. Gan labored beside uncle, aiding as able. Communing with former kin-like beasts, seeking understanding—and he'd forged a few bonds, or so he hoped.

Wounds lingered deeply. Their accord hung by a thread… yet within Lord Yao's shell—who'd sacrificed shielding them—peace budded.

Sect Master selection hadn't occurred to him at first. An Elder seemed likelier.

Yet they picked him.

Not merely Sect heads—the Wreckerballs, consulted by uncle, endorsed him too.

As closest to the Ancestors, they claimed.

Thus here he stood.

Approaching a Cloudy Sword Sect member.

No pressure at all.

'That the Mountain Man?' Beizi queried from under Gan's shirt. The tiny Wreckerball molded to chest and belly like armor. Barely past childhood by Wreckerball reckoning—early teen, diminutive for his breed.

"Yes, that's the Mountain Ma—Master Rou," Gan answered his sly little companion. Other Wreckerballs grew deeply cautious hearing of the mighty cultivator hill-touring. Though Gan trusted Master Rou harmless to them, they opted staying in Lord Yao's shell.

Most, anyway. Beizi slipped away solo, reached the Peaks, pleaded to meet the 'Mountain Man'—Gan's descriptor for Master Rou's 'mountain-like' power.

'He feels pleasant,' Beizi proclaimed shortly. 'Feels like a pal.'

…Promising, at least. Now just avoid embarrassing himself before the mighty cultivator.

He inhaled, steadying. Xianghua approached, honoring her 'fellow Sect Master.' Lady Xinling passed, hunting uncle likely to crow… but snorted in frustration spying his absence. Xintong smiled and winked; Xinyue puckered a kiss.

He fought blushing.

His moment arrived. Xiulan—Grand Marshal—offered smile and nod, cue to advance.

He gulped, strode forward.

Nothing prepared beyond his greeting. Sect too chaotic for gifts. Hoped it wouldn't offend.

He offered salutations impeccably; Master accepted graciously. Gan braced for end, but Beizi pulled a foolish stunt despite vows of stillness.

Shirt wriggled; Beizi's head emerged, sniffing.

'Beizi pays respects too!' the youngster piped. Master Rou blinked startled. Gan freaked.

"I'm so sorry, Master Rou—" he blurted, but the man grinned broadly—wife too.

"Well met, Beizi," Master Rou greeted, comprehending the Wreckerball effortlessly and returning the salute. Months Gan needed for reliable Wreckerball speech; many cultivators heard none! "Pleasure meeting Lord Yao's kin."

Beizi wriggled excitedly, vaulted to table. He chattered gleefully. "You know Lord Yao! Friend you are!" he proclaimed, proffering knuckles Wreckerball-style.

Master Rou bumped fists gently against the wee Spirit Beast's.

"Quite the lively fellow, eh?" he remarked warmly.

'Everyone says so!' Beizi nodded. 'Others all scaredysmells. Shell-hidin'! Said you big scary mountain-strong, but mountains fun to roll, not scary!"

"I bet!" Lady Meiling beamed at the chest-sized Spirit Beast. "You roll mountains much?"

'Yeah heaps! Best near…' Beizi launched into tale for the amused lady, as Master Rou addressed Gan.

"I've heard of Wreckerballs and your sect; anticipated this encounter."

"Sorry! No offense meant, they just feared—" Master Rou dismissed Gan's alarm.

"Perfectly natural," he assured without trace of letdown. "If I unsettle them, I won't impose."

…Master Rou embodied true benevolence.