Beware Of Chicken Chapter Volume 2 38: Wager

‘Bi De instructed. Both regal rabbit and burned snake looked curiously at it. It had been two days since that encounter, and Bi De was still unsure of how to broach the subject. Should he just bluntly confront it? Should he never tell them? He did not know. Both of them were warming to him, however. Sharing meals had a way of bringing people together.

Yin observed, blinking long eyelashes languidly at the concoction. The village Bi De visited had remembered him, and had a ready supply. The slightly charred coins he had been given by Miantiao had easily covered the cost, after the snake had refused to let Bi De pay for it.

Miantiao scolded half-heartedly.

Yin snorted. ‘’ she corrected, her voice haughty.

Miantiao ignored the sass, as Bi De chuckled.

Yin shrugged, unconcerned with the potential damage to her fur.

the snake commanded, and Yin straightened up immediately, her eyes blazing.

‘.’ She grabbed the pail of lacquer in her mouth and strode toward the reconstructed shrine with purpose.

‘’ Bi De called after her retreating form, and she nodded, eyes focused intently. She bounced back easily from her own troubled emotions. Burning bright and hot for a moment, before settling to a simmer. Blunt, direct, straightforward.

‘.’ Bi De told the snake, and he cocked his head to the side.

’ he muttered. ‘’

It was a quiet conviction, but one absolute.

‘,’ he declared.

They got to work with their brushes. Miantiao was surprisingly dexterous, even with his broken back, his coats of lacquer thin and even.

‘’ Bi De asked conversationally as they worked.

Miantiao paused. ‘’

‘’

‘’ Miantiao gestured to a section of rubble, ‘

Miantiao’s eyes were lost to memory, his smile triumphant.

‘’ Bi De complemented.

‘.’ The triumph faded. ‘.’

’

His eyes blazed with something ugly, before it faded. Miantiao sighed, and started layering on the lacquer again.

‘’ Yin said cheerfully. ‘.’

‘’ Miantio said affectionately. ‘’

‘’ Yin ceased her work, and leapt down to the ground, so she could begin her dance.

She was very good. Her fur was like captured moonlight. Her aura, graceful and refined.

‘,’ she declared with the conviction of one searching desperately for a purpose. ‘’

She did not see the grimace on the snake’s face, turned as he was against the wood.

Yet the snake put on a satisfied face, as the day progressed. He was animated, wiggling around, and shouting commands at Yin, much to her delight. She performed each one without fail.

‘’ She had a small, satisfied smile on her face, as they sat outside the shrine, the interior finished. ‘

Bi De nodded, but he was troubled.

‘’ Yin hopped off, bouncing along. She was so happy. And her master…

Bi De took a breath. He still didn’t know what was going on here.

Enough beating around the bush. He approached the snake, intent on confrontation.

Miantiao did not know why he did this to himself. Why he came back to the village every year, after searching the rest of the time for something, anything to improve his chances against the Demon.

But there were some things that needed to be done. This was the last way he could honour his Master.

The graves were covered in snow, but still visible. His body screamed at him to rest, but he could not. He could not sleep. Every moment was precious in his quest.

But it was a quest he knew he would fail. He was weak. He was still too weak. With his injuries, he was beginning to doubt he could ever be strong enough to slay the demon.

Hate began to gutter, as it mixed with despair. He had lived through the fire. And for what? The only thing he could say now is that perhaps the house falling on him would not hurt him as badly.

He pondered on his next course of action, as he prepared.

Slithering through snow was a monumental task, especially with his back as it was, but it was something he had long since mastered. He carefully dug away the snow, revealing the ground. He filled the braziers with wood. And as the longest night began, he honoured his Master’s dance.

The Qi was faint, as it always was. Barely there, swirling through the air. Miantiao danced and he mourned. He prayed to the heavens for a sign for something that would let him lay low his hated foe. The fires surged around him.

Miantiao stopped his dance, as the steamer of red Qi .

He set off immediately. It was a sign. The heavens had heard his prayers!

His body surged through the biting cold. Through the powdery snow, and over the hill. Until he found her, sitting in the snow by the stone pillar. Cold. Shaking. Near death from her wounds… and a dead wolf beside her, killed by her kicks. The others sported injuries.

Miantiao beheld a jewel. A bright, silver spark.

And it. The heavens had heard his prayers. Her body was this strong, to do battle against her foes so, and so young.

He drove the rest of the beasts off, and took her. He took her to the house, and warmed her by the fire.

She awoke the next day, frightened and weary.

‘’ she whispered in awe and respect.

‘’

‘.’

Truly, the heavens had smiled upon him.

‘’

If Miantiao could not slay Sun Ken…he would craft a weapon that .

‘!’ he commanded sternly

‘’ the rabbit called.

Miantiao pushed. He pushed and pushed this little spark, pushing it all he could, only mindful if it broke.

Every night, he told her of the wicked demon, and every night, she swore to help him slay it.

It was years. Years of travelling. Of training. Of forging his blade.

Of seeing her blossom like a star in the sky.

They worked in tandem. He offered his everything to the cause. They searched far and wide for power.

They came upon another awakened one. It guarded its patch of spirit grass jealously, and would not listen to his entreaties for a portion.

‘.’

‘’

‘.’

The rabbit smiled, and did as he bid, ever trusting of her Master. Miantiao tasted only bile. He was exactly as Sun Ken had been. Descending upon this place, and slaughtering those who resisted, all for his own aims.

‘’ The rabbit cheered, over the broken form of her adversary.

He would pray for their souls when this was done, even as he stained both himself and Yin.

But he would kill Sun Ken.

They found the village. They found the trail. She was strong. And he was prepared to give her the opening she needed.

His heavens-sent champion would not fail him.

He felt as if he had gotten his back crushed all over again. The people cheering. The laughter. How they said the Demon-Slaying Orchid had proved victorious.

What had he done? What had it all been for?!

Yin… Yin looked just as devastated, but she recovered quickly, turning to him.

‘’ she asked, with the simple conviction that he would know.

Miantiao didn’t know.

All he could feel was the emptiness.

Emptiness, and shame as Yin looked at him with such eyes.

The rooster frowned at the story.

‘’ he asked again, as Miantiao stared off into space. Miantiao sighed, but he supposed he been dodging the question.

‘,’ he explained.

Bi De’s eyes narrowed.

‘.’

Miantiao laughed bitterly.

.’

Miantiao let out a sigh. It did feel good, to finally tell another.

‘,’

The rooster stared, stunned.

‘.’ He knew little of Bi De, only that he was a kind soul. He would surely take Miantiao’s Yin with him, and give her a better life—

He froze, as the wind shifted, and he tasted an all too familiar taste.

Oh no.

There was rustling.

‘’ Yin burst out, her eyes wide with panic. Miantiao grimaced at her appearance, as she nearly tackled her master.

Miantiao sighed, as she pressed up against him. ‘—’

‘’ Yin begged.

How embarrassing, to do this with Bi De here. Really, she was such a difficult child. The rooster pondered them with dispassionate eyes.

‘.’ Miantiao stroked Yin’s head, trying to soothe her.

‘’

’ Bi De interrupted conversationally. The arguing stopped as they turned to him in confusion. He stood tall, his eyes narrow.

‘’

That was preposterous—!

Holy Light filled the clearing. Qi pressed down on them both, forcing them to accept the truth of his words. ‘..’

‘’ Bi De commanded.

The rooster left them, departing the village.

His disciple stayed pressed to his side. ‘’ she insisted. ‘’

Miantiao sighed, and stroked her head again, but his heart was disturbed.

The slayer of Sun Ken was here. Here. Perhaps… perhaps the heavens still were looking out for him.

“’

The rabbit’s eyes narrowed, but she let him speak.

Yin was still not convinced of Shifu's wager, but she had accepted it anyway. Bi De was strong, from all she heard of Sun Ken, and she could believe that maybe, he was stronger.

She would win it. She should show her strength, and her damned Master would’t be so damned .

How dare he make her think he wanted to die. How dare he decide that he was bad for her. Stupid snake! Bastard of Bastards!

They waited for the rooster in the dawn light. Shifu was still quiet, but he had his air back. He was quiet, controlled, and ready. Ready like she hadn’t seen him in months. She could barely wait!

Bi De approached. His feathers were regal, and he was handsome. But she ignored that. Now… now, it was time.

The rooster was silent, observing them both.

Finally, Shifu spoke.

‘,’ he said quietly. ’

The rooster sighed, as Shifu uncoiled, and she got into her stance.

His Qi raised around him. The light of the moon, in the middle of the day.

‘’ Shifu commanded.

Everything she had trained for. Each bruise. Each day. Each moment with Shifu.

Was it wrong to be happy in this moment, while her Master was so sad?

The sun was so warm on her back, as she thought back to the dance she had been taught.

Yin , erupting forward, and wreathed in golden light.

[Armor of the Sun]

Golden armor formed around her body, its sections wreathed in fire.

[Daybreak Rays]

The Rooster’s eyes widened at her speed. Like the sun cresting the horizon, and fully blazing it’s light over the world, she moved. Yet