Beware Of Chicken Chapter 304 v7c51: To Stride Forward, Undaunted

Despite the words of encouragement offered the previous night, the actual meeting with the Sect still brought a wave of nerves. He felt that familiar tightening in his throat, the precursor to nausea, but he pushed through it.

Jin's advice echoed in his mind: 'fake it till you make it.' This was for Xianghua's sake—and, truth be told, his own. This endeavor was poised for immense success!

Indeed, things seemed to be progressing favorably. Elder Bingwen's initial surprise quickly morphed into a smile as he began stroking his chin. The others stared with wide eyes, and numerous disciples had their mouths agape. He maintained the shroud of Qi around himself, just as Xianghua had instructed. This display of power felt peculiar; it wasn't a common practice back home, where cultivation level held little significance. But here, the strength of one's cultivation meant everything. Apparently, he was now as potent as the former Sect Master, with Xianghua advanced two stages beyond him.

"Thank you for the warm welcome, my disciples and Elders!" Xianghua's voice resonated powerfully throughout the stunning courtyard. The architecture was breathtaking, featuring massive stone pillars adorned with veins of topaz, jet, and white jade carved into the likeness of koi. The flagstones formed a grand, swirling mosaic of water currents, mountains, and clouds, interwoven with a majestic dragon. It was all truly exquisite. "Now, you already know Elder Bingwen, don't you, my husband?"

"I do. Thank you for your blessings at our wedding, Elder Bingwen," Gou Ren replied, offering a nod.

The Elder stroked his beard with a slight smile. "It was my pleasure to be invited to Master Rou's home—and congratulations upon your ascension. It hasn't been long since we last met, yet you have already surpassed yourself. Your skill commands my admiration."

More gasps arose from the crowd following the Elder's statement. The other Elders exchanged glances, looking from Bingwen to Gou Ren.

"As always, the Sect Master's intuition is flawless," remarked another Elder, standing tall with one arm behind his back and his right foot angled slightly. Clad in a red sash, this was Elder Yanling.

Xianghua seldom described individuals by their facial features; instead, she focused on their bearing or characteristic attire. This approach, surprisingly effective, compelled him to observe people more closely and offered insight into her unique perception of the world, given her peculiar affliction that rendered faces indistinct to her.

It also facilitated his descriptions of people to her when he truly paid attention.

He recognized all the Elders present, including Sei Fen, Xianghua's mother.

Gou Ren noted the resemblance in her cheeks and facial structure—yet Xianghua never wore such an expression. He understood what Xianghua and Bowu's parents had done, having discussed it thoroughly with both of them.

The act of crippling one's own child, of discarding another so readily—it was incomprehensible to Gou Ren. The sheer shock and alien nature of it left him speechless.

And there she stood, composed and impassive. Her bearing was erect, her eyes devoid of emotion. Every movement was precise, formal, and businesslike—less akin to a mother and more like the indifferent interactions between rival scribes at Verdant Hill.

His fist clenched momentarily as she approached, but Xianghua's gentle fingers on his wrist halted his impulse, as did his promise.

Xianghua had made him vow not to confront her mother, assuring him she had a plan and urging him to trust her.

So, he complied.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Sect Master," the woman stated flatly, offering a deep bow before stepping back.

"We shall naturally hold a celebration here and speak our oaths before our Ancestors," Xianghua continued, without sparing the woman another glance. "But first, we have another delivery. Elder Boshai! My brother, along with my husband, have crafted more steam furnaces for us!"

A ripple of happy murmurs spread through the Sect, while one of the Elders appraised Gou Ren with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Master Gou Ren can craft the furnaces?" Elder Boshai inquired. He wore blue inner robes and carried the sixth iteration of Bowu's Spirit Furnace on his back, featuring a canted vent—powerful, but unstable without a steady hand.

"Yes. My brother imparted all he learned from his experiments, so that I might assist my wife and her Sect," Gou Ren explained. "I would be pleased to collaborate with the Sect's Elders to integrate his insights."

While Bowu possessed superior skills in furnace creation, Gou Ren lagged behind. Xianghua and Miantiao, in contrast, excelled in this area. However, it seemed the Sect encountered significant challenges in furnace production without Bowu's expertise, evidenced by an Elder still relying on a sixth iteration model.

Xianghua, meanwhile, utilized what Bowu would classify as his fifteenth iteration, completely reconstructed after the Solstice. This furnace was filled with water, heavily infused with Xianghua's Qi, making it noticeably denser. It was powered by both a fire crystal and compressed rice stalk pellets, providing an extra boost. This concoction apparently retained enough Qi to burn hotter and longer than most other fuel sources.

Elder Boshai considered Gou Ren for a moment before nodding. "That would be most welcome, Master Gou Ren."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Enough of that! We can speak more after dinner. My husband must see our home," Xianghua interjected, her word being final. Linking her arm with his, they began to walk forward, the rest of the Sect following behind them.

It still felt incredibly surreal. He attempted to maintain a stoic and composed demeanor, in control… but that facade crumbled when he beheld the manor.

"What an absolutely beautiful Pre-Cataclysm manor," Gou Ren exclaimed with admiration, adopting the term Jin had begun using for most archaic things before Tianlan sustained injuries.

He had viewed a substantial portion of the memory crystal, though the cultivation aspects hadn't truly captured his interest. Bi De had mentioned the structures, prompting Gou Ren to expedite the playback solely to examine them. The peculiar little Spirit Guy within had assisted him, despite appearing rather crestfallen when Gou Ren declared his disinterest in becoming Emperor. The intricate shaping of the clay roof tiles, the detailed craftsmanship on the stairs—whoever had designed this place was undoubtedly a master architect. "And it's so remarkably well-preserved!"

"You possess knowledge of this architectural style?" one of the Elders inquired, surprise evident in his tone.

"Yes, I've been studying it extensively. Observe, the interplay of color choices? How the manor's entrance is perceived first through the mist, with the structure receding and the rest of it simultaneously revealed? Your ancestors truly understood their craft."

Gou Ren paused, a blush creeping onto his face as he realized his own actions. These individuals actually resided here! Yet, upon stealing a glance backward, he saw everyone gazing at the manor with what appeared to be newfound appreciation. A few disciples were subtly shifting their weight, as if to better experience the "reveal." Elder Bingwen stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"…I never truly considered that," Xianghua remarked after a moment. "But when it's highlighted, the effect is indeed quite striking. Please, continue, husband."

Thus, an hour was spent traversing the Misty Lake Sect's manor, with Gou Ren offering commentary on its doors, lintels, and interior design in comparison to more contemporary styles. While not an expert, the majority of the Sect found his discourse sufficiently engaging to avoid outward displays of boredom.

Gou Ren began to ease into a more relaxed state. Xianghua was content. He was impressing her Sect. Now, his sole remaining objective was to discover something that would truly astound them.

And so, he gave his utmost effort.

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

"Our Sect Master has captured a dragon," Elder Boshai stated, shaking his head.

"In any other era, we would have ascended to the pinnacle," Bingwen concurred. Indeed, in any age apart from perhaps that of the Ancestors themselves, Xianghua's marriage to Gou Ren would have been a union propelling them to become the preeminent sect in the Azure Hills. It was even conceivable that it still could.

Gou Ren had been present for merely a week, yet he had irrevocably altered their circumstances. Had he only brought his proficiency with steam furnaces and his inherent knowledge, he would have been an unparalleled match, a heavenly boon bestowed upon them. Bingwen had exchanged techniques with him, discovering Gou Ren's physique to be akin to a practitioner of the Hermetic Iron Sect, complemented by a cultivation form so robust and refined that Bingwen found himself incapable of overcoming it. Bingwen's superior speed proved inconsequential, as the young man effortlessly anticipated every strike, even those launched from blind spots or obscured by mist.

However, Gou Ren brought more than just steam furnaces and his personal might. He was the Disciple of Master Rou, the esteemed Spiritual Herb Master of the Cloudy Sword Sect.

He arrived bearing legendary gifts: Seven Fragrance Jewel herbs, Qi-infused rice, and other nourishing provisions. Yet, transcending these material blessings was his profound knowledge.

This knowledge he fully intended to impart freely to his wife's Sect.

The man had entered their Spiritual Herb gardens, surveyed their diligent efforts, and expressed his strong disapproval.

"You are not cultivating these correctly," he declared unequivocally.

Had anyone else dared to look down on their efforts as he did, a confrontation would have surely ensued. Instead, heads were immediately bowed, and his commands to change the soil, redesign the water flows, and reposition the pots were heeded. His Qi coursed through them, employing a technique so refined that they could only dimly grasp its intricacies, though he casually claimed it was 'fairly easy to learn.'

Merely a week later, the Spiritual Herbs were visibly greener and taller than they ought to have been, radiating a more potent vitality.

"I must concede to your insight, Elder Bingwen," Elder Boshai stated. "You never wavered in your conviction, and your wisdom has proven unparalleled. He even conducts himself admirably among the mortals."

On the third day, the leaders of the floating villages arrived to pay their respects, adhering to ancient pacts. The assembled structures that floated had docked around the island at the heart of the Misty Lake, and the mortals proceeded to meet the husband of their Lady.

They exchanged their wedding vows for all to witness, standing before the Lakemen and the ancestral funerary tablets.

Gou Ren then took a seat among the mortals and engaged them in conversation. He spoke of cultivation of the land, of fishing, and inquired about their methods for constructing their grand rafts, hunting game, weaving reeds, and trading the bounty of the Misty Lake.

Within a single night, he captivated the hearts of the Lakemen who had come to see him; he may have humbled himself perhaps more than was strictly fitting… but his youthful fervor certainly had its benefits.

"Even the way he occupies his time is better than we had dared to hope," Elder Yangling murmured.

Truthfully, they had anticipated Gou Ren would remain with Master Rou, but when questioned about his intended place of residence… his response took them by surprise.

"My master still has much to impart to me," the man replied. "However, I shall establish a second home here amongst you, so that our children may know their heritage and I may learn your ways."

He genuinely intended to become an integral part of their Sect.

"And what of your thoughts, Elder Sei Fen? Do you have any opinion?" Bingwen turned to Xianghua's mother. This woman had remained silent throughout the proceedings.

"I shall reserve my final judgment until after an heir is born," the woman finally declared, her voice utterly devoid of emotion. "But for this moment, he is deemed acceptable."

A hush fell over everyone at that statement. That… that was indeed the crucial point.

"The heavens have shown us favor thus far. Let us pray we remain within their good graces," Elder Yangling said, his tone becoming somber.

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

"And well, yeah. It… wasn't very eventful, I guess? I think it went pretty good, but I was really concentrating on not messing up," Gou Ren concluded his account.

I offered a smile at the end of his story. It was quite late already, but it felt genuinely good to hear everything he had experienced.

"My husband handled everything splendidly!" Xianghua exclaimed with pride. "Naturally, he awed every Elder and earned the love and adoration of my entire Sect!"

"I wouldn't go quite that far…" Gou Ren demurred, a blush rising on his cheeks as he glanced away from Xianghua, seeking our reactions.

"Sounds like you did a great job," I replied, giving him an encouraging nod.

"I'm happy you're not moving away," Meiling added.

Gou Ren's blush deepened slightly, morphing into a gentle smile.

Xianghua beamed. "Indeed, you shall be seeing a great deal of us! Especially since I shall require your abilities, Elder Sister!"

Meiling blinked in surprise. "Why, did something happen? Are you alright—" Her words trailed off. Her gaze shifted from Xianghua's eyes down to her stomach. "Oh, heavens, so that's what's occurring with your Qi, it's barely flowing!"

Xiulan gasped. Rags and Loud Boy froze in place. Tigu's hands flew to cover her mouth.

Gou Ren's eyes widened considerably. "Wha?" he inquired, turning his attention back to Xianghua.

"I'm pregnant," Xianghua announced calmly.

Gou Ren's expression shifted dramatically, cycling through a spectrum of emotions—shock, panic, and sheer terror—before his features settled into a look of firm resolve. He drew a deep breath, composed himself, and met Xianghua's gaze directly.

"That's absolutely wonderful news," he stated, his voice imbued with genuine sincerity. "You are going to be an incredible mother."

I witnessed firsthand the precise moment Xianghua fell utterly in love with Gou Ren all over again.

We remained awake the entire night. The room naturally divided, with the men and women separating. The ladies gathered around Xianghua, while the men congregated around Gou Ren, offering him hearty slaps on the back and solemn, approving nods.

"You're going to do amazingly, Gou Ren," I told him reassuringly.

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We're going to do amazingly," he replied, his gaze fixed resolutely on the distant horizon.