Beware Of Chicken v7c40: The Jolly Fatty

Ming Mao, the inn's proprietor, lounged just beyond his establishment's boundaries. With his boots propped high, pipe glowing steadily, he stroked the soft coat of Magistrate Fluffy. The venerable old tomcat slumbered and rumbled contentedly in a dignified fashion; his silvery fur was fluffy yet beginning to sparse. In his advanced years, he no longer chased rodents, but a lifetime of dedication earned him special allowances, while his offspring and descendants handled the pest control. Thus, the esteemed Magistrate could devote himself to loftier pursuits—such as providing comforting warmth to folks' laps.

The midday meal frenzy had passed, his son managed the lingering patrons, and the weather was truly splendid. In his view, this respite was thoroughly earned.

Since the cultivators had begun lingering at the Dueling Peaks—for motives that remained mysteriously unclear—his tavern had attracted far more visitors from the immortal realms.

This influx predated the cold season; it kicked off when a graceful and aristocratic young woman arrived alongside a full contingent of cultivators, proclaiming she had “been here before” and praising his family's renowned roast duck.

Ming Mao held no prior recollection of the lady, yet Lady Yin obviously knew his venue and his famed roast duck intimately. She was taken aback by his duck fat fried potatoes, however. That puzzled him. Ming Mao prided himself on remembering patrons' names and appearances, an essential skill in his profession. The sole entity with silver locks and the moniker Yin that lingered in his memory had been a rabbit.

The notion of an animal transforming into a breathtakingly lovely woman was absurd—yet he went with it regardless. She compensated generously, as did her companions, and she was remarkably... well, un-cultivator-like, given her rough speech akin to a highwayman's, but she and her followers caused remarkably minimal disruption. On the rare occasion of a minor mishap, Lady Yin compelled the offending cultivator to mend the splintered floorboards, refusing approval until Ming Mao discerned no disparity between the fixes and his authentic planks.

Ming Mao found himself favorably impressed by the young noblewoman, and he came to anticipate eagerly the returns of her and her “Blazing Swords” troupe.

Nor was it solely them—solitary cultivators or pairs trickled in, requesting his celebrated roast duck. This brought tension, but much like Lady Yin's band, they remained unobtrusive and failed to alarm his steady clientele.

He stretched in a vast yawn of satisfaction, reclining further into his seat, when faint whispers drifted from the primary thoroughfare. They carried tones of awe rather than fear or ire, so Mao investigated, cradling Lord Magistrate Fluffy along. His Excellency voiced strong objections to the disturbance, muttering and snarling, yet the indolent elder refused to budge an inch, permitting the relocation without resistance.

Mao swiftly spotted the source of the town's intrigue—for the spectacle halted directly before his inn. It was the most exquisite carriage Ming Mao had laid eyes on. A colossal structure of deep yet inviting-hued timber, drawn by a Northern Azure Ox; these mighty creatures were famed for their power, but one beast alone hauling such a massive vehicle hinted at extraordinary vigor surpassing the norm. Strangely, bees buzzed around it in swarms, though the diligent pollinators displayed no aggression and appeared utterly serene.

And upon that carriage... a emblem adorned it. A mark that every trader frequenting his inn had swiftly come to identify; the insignia declaring the contents as premium wares, fetching top-tier sums. The rice and foliage transported solely by the Azure Jade Trading Company, in fortified processions.

Ming Mao, buoyed by fresh earnings from the cultivators, had once indulged in a modest flask of maple syrup. It demanded a hefty sum and, while delectably exquisite, left him somewhat underwhelmed relative to the cost.

Until he offered a taste to a duo of cultivators, who extolled it wildly, snapped up the remainder of his flask, and far exceeded his outlay.

The carriage door swung open then, revealing a parade of stunning women, all clad in elegant attire; accompanied by one distinguished elder gentleman who bore command as naturally as a cloak. Evidently, he held rank as a commander or official.

Then the carriage door shut, and Ming Mao recognized a familiar face.

The bearer of the Azure Jade Trading Company’s token! Previously, the fellow had shown up disheveled like a wanderer, but now he sported splendid garments and exuded the aura of one at the pinnacle of success.

“Master Rou?” Ming Mao hailed.

The individual halted, visibly startled to be hailed by name, before a broad grin lit his features. He clutched a vessel under one arm and proceeded to unharness the ox... whose gaze held far too much cunning. A fish peeked over the vessel's rim and scanned about with... eager curiosity? Ah, additional Spirit Beasts, evidently.

“You’ve a sharp recall, sir!” the cultivator responded, warmth in his tone. “Yet you hold the upper hand! I never caught your name on my prior visit!”

“Ming Mao, Honoured Customer!” Mao shot back promptly, before his gaze drifted to the ox... once more, who eyed his inn with keen regard. “Ah, but Honoured Customer, I fear one of your party may not pass our doorways. I… could prepare an outdoor table for him, should it suit?”

Once again, the cultivator displayed delighted astonishment.

“It’s a lovely day. If it’s no burden, we’ll savor the sunlight,” Rou Jin stated, producing his jade token. This occasion, Mao skipped verification; he trusted its authenticity. “We’ll take some of your ducks, plus a variety of vegetables… actually, serve a selection of all your offerings, if you would, but take your time. I understand the challenge of catering to our size on impulse.”

Ming Mao inclined in respect. Evidently, his leisure had concluded. He carefully placed Magistrate Fluffy down, who snorted grandly at the intruders disrupting his nap and voiced his solemn disapproval—but that ceased as Master Rou bent to offer the senior feline due homage.

Mao dashed inside his inn and notified the cooks. Grumbles arose at the abrupt command, but his boy and staff sprang into action, particularly upon learning their guests.

Soon Mao emerged anew, shifting benches and seats while greeting patrons. Magistrate Fluffy had relocated to Master Rou’s knee and slumbered blissfully.

Master Rou, unburdened now by whatever preoccupied him that evening two years past, proved a keenly astute fellow, well-versed in Ming Mao’s craft. He marveled at ever deeming the man simple upon their initial encounter!

That a cultivator grasped inn management so thoroughly seemed odd, yet he plainly comprehended the business and its trials. They bonded over the plague of boisterous, intoxicated guests. Master Rou’s companions were likewise courteous and articulate, fostering a harmonious vibe.

Before long, dishes began arriving too. The fish within the stunningly ornate jar tested various items, flapping its fins against the jar’s side and… cheering enthusiastically.

Solely his commitment to excellent hospitality for the cultivator sustained his energy.

That, plus the lavish acclaim from the fish. “Incredible! The glaze on the duck is ideally balanced! Not overly saccharine, precisely right to enhance the meat’s taste—and the potatoes! In duck fat?！”

The ox got a huge bowl of cabbage and assorted greens, plus foliage from the inn’s orchard trees. It matched his preferences nicely.

The bees were given… honey, naturally. For Master Rou had requested it for them.

The last arrivals in their group were an infant and his mother, a green-haired and utterly adorable lady, revealed as Master Rou’s spouse. She expressed deep thanks that Ming Mao’s girl had minced her child’s portion finely enough for immediate serving.

Master Rou mirrored her satisfaction.

Thereafter, discussions wandered as Master Rou urged their chat to persist. Naturally, he sought the freshest rumors, which Mao supplied willingly—chiefly regarding the evolving cultivator conduct. They patrolled with greater frequency, eradicated brigands, and acted… curiously prominent and engaged.

“Naturally, some folks fret. They suspect it signals an impending cultivator conflict, but I stay hopeful. The paths are safer than ever; And… well, they’ve grown kinder. Most were reasonably magnanimous before, but now… they acknowledge us rather than ignore us.”

Master Rou grinned.

“It seems transformations are truly underway,” the prominent cultivator noted. “Yin appears to be handling matters admirably, as well.”

Ming Mao hesitated. “...your rabbit, or Lady Yin, Master Rou?”

“Oh, they’re one and the same.”

…evidently, a rabbit could indeed become a gorgeous young lady.

From then on, the talk drifted leisurely; and Master Rou shared the hearsay he’d gathered, alongside market rates for select items in Pale Moon Lake City.

He understood the intricacies well.

But the fellow visited merely for dining, not lodging.

“Your hospitality was flawless, Master Ming; and you as well, Lord Magistrate,” Master Rou proclaimed, beaming at the aged feline. Magistrate Fluffy deigned to accept graciously once more, bestowing his approval. The elder pair and his spouse chuckled too.

“Your commendation flatters us, Master Rou,” Ming Mao answered.

“Here, I’ve surplus goods that might serve you—and a token of gratitude for enduring our full-menu order,” Master Rou remarked, withdrawing various pouches and a pair of flasks. Each bore the rice and leaf imprint.

They contained rice liquor—the superior rice Mao had ever encountered. The kernels were plump, virtually shimmering under the sunlight.

Mao knew only legends of Gold Grade Rice from Pale Moon Lake City—of minuscule portions accompanying dinners that cost a king's ransom.

And these were whole sacks.

“Master Rou, this is far too generous!” he objected, for decorum’s sake.

Still, the man pressed; thus Ming Mao accepted the bounty with thanks.

He stowed it securely within, under safeguard. He completed the requisite paperwork for the Azure Jade Trading Company, per their arrangement.

Then he shuttered the kitchen briefly, allowing the team a merited rest.

Afterward, Ming Mao settled behind his inn, in his seat, puffing his pipe, with Magistrate Fluffy upon his knee again. His son and daughter joined him; and his wife fetched goblets to sample Master Rou’s brew.

The wind felt pleasant. The liquor was superb.

It proved an excellent day for innkeeping.

In unison, they observed the grand carriage vanish beyond the skyline, and Ming Mao vaguely pondered the man’s pursuits.

Ah, likely some trading endeavor. The fellow favored subtlety.

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Chen Yang from the Framed Sun Sect gazed at the overcast heavens as the skies cleaved open, and an elongated, serpentine form descended.

Suddenly, the gentle drizzle halted, and a dragon regarded them, its deep stare assessing and evaluating.

“I carry a dispatch from my Master to the Framed Sun Sect’s leader…” the dragon intoned, its majestic timbre echoing like distant thunder.