Beware Of Chicken Chapter 303 v7c50: The Younger Brother

A few months prior

The journey of a cultivator never lost its novelty. Gou Ren moved through the forest with a fluid grace, traversing the ground with strides that he, as a mortal, would have found astonishing. He could cover in mere minutes what once took him a full day, and with an almost unnerving silence if he so desired. For a hunter, it felt like an overwhelming advantage.

However, silence was not the order of the moment. Gou Ren was traveling alongside Xiulan, Xianghua, Tigu, Yin, Loud Boy, Rags, Delun, the Torrent Rider, Shaggy Two… and an entire troop of monkeys besides.

"We dig down! We dig deep!" Master Gen's voice boomed from his perch on Gou Ren's back.

"We work hard, never sleep!" the monkeys responded in unison around their group. They swung through the air, leaped from branches, or simply shouted from the backs of the slower ones who had clambered onto people to maintain the momentum. Monkeys covered nearly every surface; they rode on shoulders, clung to backs, and two were even perched atop Tigu's feet like fuzzy boots, chattering with each step.

"Pick and hammer, strike the stone!" Gou Ren led the next line.

'Carve the mountain to the bone!'

His gaze met Xianghua's. His… his wife, now, wore a wide smile, her voice ringing out as loudly as the monkeys surrounding them.

"Heave and haul! Don't slow the beat!" Xiulan sang.

'Feel the rumble 'neath your feet!' the Spirit Beasts chimed in.

Gou Ren knew his own grin mirrored Xianghua's foolishly wide one.

They were accompanying the respected Master back to Crystal Hill, a route that happened to be convenient for them… and Gou Ren had to concede that they made for excellent travel companions.

He was still adjusting to their referring to him as their brother. It turned out Gou Ren and Yun Ren shared a maternal link to the foxes… and likely a paternal connection to the monkeys.

Gou Ren felt an effortless comfort with the Spirit Beasts, and they with him. An immediate sense of familiarity resonated between them. Yet, it was the tail that truly solidified their bond. The new appendage Gou Ren possessed was currently coiled around his waist like a belt.

It served as undeniable proof for all the childhood taunts about his appearance. He was, in truth, akin to a monkey—but surprisingly? He was coming to terms with it.

It certainly helped that his wife found the thing delightful to play with, and genuinely enjoyed it when he wrapped his tail around her waist during their embraces.

Wife. His smile broadened considerably at the thought. He was married, and to an utterly wonderful woman. Xianghua was truly exceptional. Their marriage hadn't drastically altered things, yet simultaneously… it felt more concrete? More substantial? He couldn't quite articulate it. But one thing was certain: he wished to spend the remainder of his life with her. She possessed so many facets. Many only perceived her boisterous, dominant persona; they failed to see her inherent caring nature and thoughtfulness. She committed herself fully to every endeavor, one hundred percent. She retained minuscule details about those she held dear and diligently learned more solely to engage them on topics they found interesting. In private, she was considerably quieter; her smiles were more reserved, her actions more subdued… but they were no less sincere.

She was, without question, amazing. At times, it made him question his own worthiness to reciprocate the profound devotion and love Xianghua seemed to hold for him—but he could only resolve to give his utmost effort.

This very resolve was a primary reason for his journey to her Sect. He swallowed, a knot of nervousness tightening in his gut, before consciously pushing it aside.

"We dig down! We dig deep!" Yin sang.

'All the mountain's wealth we reap!'

He simply needed to press onward. They made excellent progress that day, and continued the next. For the most part, they camped beneath the stars, with Xianghua sharing his sleeping quarters.

However, as he gazed at the night sky, his lingering doubts and unease would surge back with potent force.

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During their travels, his thoughts would occasionally become fixated.

At times, he felt adrift, even as he exerted his greatest effort to remain composed. Even the present undertaking made him feel… uneasy.

Throughout the winter, there had been little of consequence to occupy his time, so a swift journey south had been easily managed and overcome.

But this time, it was spring. The very peak of his working season. He had been Jin's farmhand for merely two, almost three years by this point… yet departing felt akin to abandoning something vital.

Jin's farm had evolved into a home, rivaling even his parents' former residence in Hong Yaowu. Significant renovations had transformed the space, erasing the shared childhood room with Yun Ren. What was once a simple hunter's hut for his parents now resembled a grand manor. His father had even jested about needing to hire servants due to its increased size, a notion that became even more relevant with the arrival of the foxes and the constant stream of visitors.

The entire village bore the mark of his efforts. Dilapidated houses from the Year of Sorrow had vanished, replaced by a more organized and functional layout of the fields. Every long-standing grievance of the villagers had been addressed. Despite his pride in these accomplishments, the village no longer felt like his most comfortable sanctuary.

That distinction now belonged to his house on Jin's farm. A structure he had meticulously built with his own hands, integrating his preferred aesthetic with every ingenious idea he'd gathered. He cherished living alongside Chun Ke, Pi Pa, and Bowu. Being near Meimei, his sister in spirit, brought him profound joy. His friendship with Jin, his closest companion, was equally precious. Together, they explored forests, shared deep conversations by crackling fires, and spurred each other towards self-improvement through friendly competition.

It was a life of comfort and contentment on the farm, largely shielded from peril, save for one lingering concern. This tranquil existence was the future he envisioned even in his old age, a future shared by Bi De, Tigu, Pi Pa, and even Yin. The farm served as their collective anchor, the place their thoughts invariably returned to during their travels, and he was central to those thoughts.

The sensation was ineffable, suffusing his chest with a profound warmth and sense of belonging. Was this fulfillment? He wasn't entirely sure.

Now, he was embarking on a journey into the wider world, away from this haven. Would Yun Ren uphold his promises? Would all remain well in his absence? Would this endeavor prove successful? What, truly, constituted success?

These questions lingered, becoming more insistent as they journeyed further south.

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Their arrival at Crystal Hill was uneventful, after which Master Gen summoned Gou Ren to accompany him into the mines.

Much like his previous endeavors with the monkeys, the task felt surprisingly natural. The subterranean darkness and the overhead expanse felt like familiar companions. They descended deep into the earth, reaching a sealed vault. Within, however, lay not crystals or treasures, but intricately carved stone tablets.

"Did you find it, child?" Master Gen inquired. Another monkey, who had been diligently examining several tablets at a desk, nodded affirmatively.

"I found it, Master Gen," the monkey announced, carefully lifting one of the stone pieces and placing it on the desk, oriented towards the two of them. Master Gen read the inscription, then beckoned Gou Ren closer.

"Well, I believe this confirms whether you are kin or not," Master Gen stated, his gaze thoughtful.

Etched into the stone, its legibility diminished by the passage of ages, was a name.

Xong Shou Ren. Born to Xong Lian Ren and Song Hua En.

Gou Ren scrutinized the tablet, finding the task challenging. The characters were ancient, and sections of the small tablet were utterly indecipherable.

All, that is, except for the concluding phrase.

Travelled north to become a hunter.

Gou Ren exhaled slowly. Much like Yun... he too had uncovered a piece of his lost family history.

He resolved to bring his parents here eventually, or perhaps establish a village for the monkeys in the north. His mother's side of the family was always visiting! It was only fair that his father's extended family could also be welcomed!

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Their stay with the monkeys spanned two days. Gou Ren even tried his hand at mining, discovering a peculiar sense of calm in the act of digging.

"Hey, we can do this together when we get back home!" Yin exclaimed. "It's really satisfying to hit things when you're frustrated, and you uncover all sorts of amazing finds! Like crystals, or colossal bones!"

It was an easy promise to make. Besides, he needed to master the art of proper excavation! Foundations, basements, cold storage—all these were indispensable elements of construction!

For those two days, a sense of contentment enveloped him. His mind remained undisturbed. But then, they were back on the road.

Drawing ever closer to Misty Lake.

The familiar anxiety resurfaced. Gou Ren wished he could be as steadfast as a rock, the dependable figure everyone leaned on.

However, his quiet broodiness was evident to all. Xianghua offered a silent companionship, her mere presence a source of unspoken support, until Gou Ren finally broke the silence.

"I'm afraid. I'm terrified of failing you, of making a fool of myself, and of ruining everything," he confessed, his gaze fixed on the crackling campfire. "You lead a Sect, and I'm just a farmer... I don't want to complicate things for you."

Xianghua nestled closer. "You won't," she stated with unwavering certainty. "You'll do wonderfully. But, my husband, heed your wife's words. You are more than just a farmer. You are a cultivator. A magnificent architect. A hero who stood against the demonic legions."

Her words offered a measure of comfort, slightly easing the turmoil within him.

"My Brother Disciple is a true hero!" Tigu exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "He is far more than 'just anything'!"

"And consider this," Xiulan interjected, drawing Gou Ren's and Tigu's attention. "Technically, you are Jin's most accomplished disciple." Both Gou Ren and Tigu paused. "Of all of us, you've grasped his primary art the most profoundly and practiced it the most diligently."

"Oh? Brother Gou is truly outclassing you, Young Mistress Tigu," Yin chimed in, earning a huff from Tigu.

"Our Brother is exceptionally skilled! It brings me no shame to admit my inferiority in this regard!" Tigu retorted, though a flicker of discontent crossed her features at the realization. "I truly need to focus more on my farming," she mumbled under her breath.

"Master Jin's Direct Disciple, Gou Ren, inheritor of his foremost art," Delun added, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Damn, bro, you've got some serious cred," Loud Boy chuckled. "That might be the most impressive title here."

"Higher praise than even the Grand Marshal!" Rags jested.

"When you put it that way, perhaps my little brother is too good for you, Liu Xianghua. Be grateful I've permitted you to be with him," Xiulan teased, her tone light.

Xianghua responded with a playful, rude gesture.

"You're going to do great, Big Bro," the Torrent Rider assured him earnestly. Shaggy Two offered an enthusiastic yip in agreement.

...He truly had some wonderful friends, didn't he?

Gou Ren exhaled, his eyes reflecting the flames of the campfire.

They were correct. He had been caught in a cycle of self-doubt, perpetually believing he wasn't good enough, that others surpassed him, thus diminishing his own efforts.

But that perspective was flawed. He was no longer merely Gou Ren, the hunter, or Gou Ren, the farmer.

He was Liu Xianghua's husband. He was a cultivator. He was a man capable of nurturing unparalleled Spiritual Herbs and Gold Grade Rice.

And he was destined to become the world's greatest architect.

"...Forgive me, Xianghua. You are right. Everything will go perfectly when I meet your family," Gou Ren declared, meeting Xianghua's gaze.

A sense of certainty began to form, solidifying like a foundation finally laid secure.

Xianghua let out a small, surprised laugh before leaning into him once more.

"There was never any doubt."

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Elder Bingwen stood at the expansive gates of the Misty Lake Sect, accompanied by the assembled members of the Sect.

The Sect Master had dispatched word in advance, requesting preparations for her arrival and that of her husband.

A buzz of hushed conversation filled the air, with numerous rumors circulating regarding the true identity of this man.

Bingwen had previously encountered the young man. He was Master Rou's disciple, possessing considerable strength for his age and a solid cultivation base. However, he also exhibited a rather simple and direct demeanor. During their interactions, the young man had appeared quite nervous, both with Bingwen and concerning sect politics in general.

Bingwen hoped he would overcome this apprehension. While he was an adequate match solely based on the connection... there were factions within the sect who intended to test the mettle of their Sect Master's new husband.

Thus, they waited as two figures emerged from the mist, walking in unison. The potent aura of Liu Xianghua was familiar; she stood like a majestic heron, her steamy wings capable of enveloping them all. As she advanced from the mist, it seemed to part before her, much like the gates of a grand castle.

The individual walking beside her gave Bingwen pause, causing his eyes to widen considerably.

If Master Rou was akin to a towering mountain, then this man was a magnificent spire. He rose from the earth like a monolith reaching for the heavens, a pagoda of immense stature, proudly piercing the sky. He stood as steadfast as ancient rock, his foundation unshakeable against even the fiercest tempests of heaven and the most violent upheavals of earth.

The Third Stage of the Profound Realm.

Just as his imposing presence loomed, so did he physically dominate the space, the tallest man within the Sect. His shoulders were broad, his neck thick, and his entire physique was both powerfully muscled and remarkably trim and agile—his musculature truly evoked the image of the Great Sage Wukong, as Xianghua had once described.

Amber eyes, sharp and intelligent, gazed out from beneath a heavy brow. His hair was a striking shade of copper and gold, adorned with magnificent, proud, and bushy sideburns.

His attire mirrored that of their Sect Master, proudly displaying the emblem of his own people. A blue and white coat, adorned with similar symbols, concealed a tunic fashioned in the distinctive style of the Misty Lake. Completing his ensemble was a broad boat-hat, suspended from his back.

The subtle declaration was unmistakable: just as she had adopted his colors, he had now reciprocated, embracing hers.

With deliberate steps, each carrying an almost palpable weight, he advanced. His presence was so profound it seemed the very earth held its breath, a hair's breadth from trembling, yet he moved with an unsettling stillness.

Slung across his back was a wooden staff, a silent testament to his journey.

"Presenting Xong Gou Ren: Senior disciple of Master Rou Jin, and husband to our Sect Master," boomed the herald's voice, echoing through the assembled crowd.

"We offer our deepest respects to the Sect Master and her esteemed husband!" the collective reply resonated. As they bowed and straightened in unison, Gou Ren took a step forward.

"I extend my respects to the Sect of my wife," the man stated, his voice resonating with authority as he performed the solemn gesture of respect befitting his status. His bow was not one of subservience, but of an equal acknowledging another. His gaze swept across each Elder, meeting their eyes with unwavering confidence and zero apprehension. "May harmony prevail amongst us as we strive to enhance the prestige of the Misty Lake Sect."

All eyes were fixed upon the newcomer; however, Bingwen's attention was drawn to the Sect Master.

Liu Xianghua responded with a broad grin, as if every event unfolded precisely according to her grand design.