Beware Of Chicken v7c50: The Younger Brother

Journeying as a cultivator never lost its thrill. Gou Ren bounded through the woods with effortless poise, traversing li in leaps that his mortal self would have coveted. He covered in minutes what once took a full day, and he could manage it utterly soundlessly if he chose. To a hunter like him, it felt downright cheating.

Yet at this moment, silence was nowhere in sight. Gou Ren journeyed alongside Xiulan, Xianghua, Tigu, Yin, Loud Boy, Rags, Delun, the Torrent Rider, Shaggy Two….

“We dig down! We dig deep!” Master Gen bellowed from his perch on Gou Ren’s back.

“Ooh ooh! Ah ah!” rang out the reply from the monkeys surrounding their party. They vaulted through the trees, swung from limbs, or just hollered while the slower ones hitched rides on folks to match the speed. The whole group was practically covered in monkeys; they perched on shoulders, gripped backs, and a pair even dangled from Tigu’s feet like furry slippers, giggling with every step.

“Pick and hammer, strike the stone!” Gou Ren shouted the following verse.

His gaze landed on Xianghua. His… well, his wife now beamed with a huge grin, belting out the tune as loudly as any monkey nearby.

“Heave and haul! Don’t slow the beat!” Xiulan belted.

“Ooh ooh! Ah ah!” the Spirit Beasts roared.

Gou Ren wore just as foolish a grin as Xianghua’s.

They were guiding the esteemed Master back to Crystal Hill, since it lay along their path... and Gou Ren had to confess they proved excellent traveling mates.

Still, he was adjusting to them dubbing him brother. It turned out Gou Ren and Yun Ren shared blood with the foxes via their mother… and likely with the monkeys through their father.

Gou Ren felt utterly at ease with the Spirit Beasts… and they with him. That bond hit instantly, a deep sense of kinship. But the tail truly clinched it—the fresh limb he’d sprouted now coiled round his waist like a sash.

It confirmed every childhood jeer about his looks had hit the mark. He really was a monkey—but truthfully? He was starting to embrace it.

His wife’s delight in toying with it helped, along with her joy when he looped it round her waist during embraces.

His grin widened even more at the memory. He was wedded now, to a truly splendid woman. Xianghua truly was unparalleled. Wedlock hadn’t shifted much, yet somehow… it rang truer? Sturdier? He couldn’t pinpoint it. But one certainty burned bright: he yearned to share his days with her forever. She hid countless facets. Most folks caught only the flashy, commanding front; they missed her tender, thoughtful core. She poured her soul into every pursuit, full throttle. She recalled the smallest traits of those she cherished, even picking up new knowledge just to chat about their passions. Alone together, she grew hushed; her smiles softened, her gestures mellowed… yet their sincerity never wavered.

She truly shone. At times, it sparked self-doubt, wondering if he could equal the boundless affection and loyalty she showered on him—but only one path lay open: give his utmost.

That drove him toward her sect partly. He gulped at the notion, anxiety twisting in his belly, then shoved it aside.

“We dig down! We dig deep!” Yin trilled.

He simply pressed onward. They covered solid ground that day, and the next as well. Nights saw them camping beneath the stars, with Xianghua sharing his sleeping roll.

But gazing at the night sky late, the unease and qualms surged anew.

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Occasionally during their trek, his thoughts would linger, trapped.

At times he sensed adrift, despite striving to hold steady. Even this very venture left him… uneasy.

Winter had offered little to do, so a swift jaunt south had come easily enough.

Now though, spring bloomed. Right at peak labor season. He’d served as Jin’s farm hand for two, almost three years already… yet departing felt like forsaking it all.

Jin’s farm stood as home now, rivaling his parents’ place in Hong Yaowu. Or surpassing it, post-upgrades. His old boyhood room, once bunked with Yun Ren, vanished. The family hunter’s cabin had ballooned into a proper estate. His father even griped about needing hired help for its size… until the foxes arrived. Now visitors thronged daily.

Thanks to his efforts and labor, the whole village had transformed. The rundown, deserted houses crumbling away since the Year of Sorrow had vanished; fields lay perfectly organized now. Every tiny grievance the villagers once held had been resolved. He took pride in these accomplishments, yet the village no longer served as his ultimate sanctuary of comfort.

His true haven had become the house on Jin’s farm. He had erected it personally with his own hands, weaving in his favored architectural style plus all the innovative notions Jin contributed. He dwelled there alongside Chun Ke, Pi Pa, and Bowu. He cherished the nearness to Meimei, his sister by bond rather than blood. He relished time spent with Jin, truly his closest companion. They ventured into forests side by side, lounged by blazing fires exchanging every thought that crossed their minds, tussled boisterously, and motivated one another to excel.

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Life on the farm proved utterly splendid. Cozy and secure for the most part, save that single flaw. He envisioned spending his twilight years there, leaning on a cane—this vision extended to all of them: Bi De, Tigu, Pi Pa, even Yin. Whenever journeys pulled them away, their minds inevitably drifted back to the farm, encompassing him in those warm recollections.

Words failed to capture the sensation. Warmth and a profound sense of belonging swelled within his chest. Fulfillment, perhaps? He couldn’t say.

Yet here he ventured forth into the wide world, departing that secure haven. Could Yun Ren uphold his vow effectively? Would all remain well upon his return? Would this journey triumph? What did triumph even mean?

Uncertainties plagued him. And the farther south they pressed, the more insistent these doubts grew.

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Crystal Hill loomed without mishap—and Master Gen summoned Gou Ren into the depths of the mines.

As with his other pursuits among the monkeys, it unfolded with uncanny ease. The enveloping darkness and looming ceiling above evoked a familiar companion. They descended far into a barricaded chamber. Yet no gems or treasures filled it, only etched stone slabs.

“Did you find it, child?” Master Gen inquired. A monkey stationed at a desk, scrutinizing various tablets, gave an affirmative nod.

The monkey proclaimed, lifting one stone slab and positioning it upon the desk toward them both. Master Gen perused it, then beckoned Gou Ren nearer.

“Well, I think this settles if you’re kin or not,” Master Gen stated.

Etched faintly into the weathered stone, scarcely readable from antiquity, stood a name.

Gou Ren.

Gou Ren scrutinized the tablet meticulously; deciphering proved challenging. Archaic script adorned it, with portions of the compact slab utterly eroded.

All but its concluding section endured.

Gou Ren exhaled deeply. Like Yun, he too had uncovered lost kin.

Someday, he’d escort his parents here. Or erect a settlement for the monkeys up north. Mom constantly hosted her relatives! Fairness demanded Dad welcome his own kin in turn!

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Two days passed among the monkeys. Gou Ren sampled mining—excavation brought unexpected calm.

“Hey, we can do this together when we’re back home!” Yin exclaimed. “It’s really nice to hit things when you’re frustrated, and you find all sorts of cool stuff! Like crystals, or giant bones!”

Such a vow came effortlessly. Besides, mastering proper excavation was vital! Foundations, basements, root cellars—buildings demanded them all!

During those two days, serenity enveloped him. His thoughts stayed anchored. But soon, the road beckoned once more.

Drawing ever nearer to Misty Lake.

Nerves resurfaced. Gou Ren yearned to stand unyielding as stone, the pillar everyone leaned upon.

Yet his companions perceived his brooding mood.

Xianghua offered no words, merely resting beside him, her quiet presence a balm… until Gou Ren at last voiced his fears.

“I’m scared. I’m scared of letting you down. I’m scared of embarrassing myself. I’m worried that I’m going to mess everything up. You’re the leader of a sect, and I’m just a farmer…” he trailed off, gazing into the campfire. “I don't want to make anything harder for you.”

But Xianghua pressed against him. “You won't,” she affirmed, certainty unshakeable. “You’re going to do perfectly. But husband, listen to your wife well. You are not. You are a cultivator. A great architect. A hero who stood against demonic hordes.”

Each assurance eased the churning anxiety a touch.

“My Brother Disciple is a great hero!” Tigu proclaimed, slamming her fist into his shoulder. “He is no mere anything!”

Xiulan pointed out the last detail: technically speaking, you count as Jin’s top disciple. Both Gou Ren and Tigu froze at her words. “Among everyone here, you’ve grasped the most from his core technique and honed it the deepest.”

“Oh? Bro Gou’s totally dominating you, Young Mistress Tigu,” Yin teased, as Tigu let out a huff.

“Our Brother possesses true mastery, and I feel no disgrace admitting he bests me here!” Tigu snapped back… though she seemed a touch miffed by the truth. “I must tend the fields even harder,” she whispered under her breath.

“Gou Ren, Direct Disciple of Master Jin and bearer of his signature art,” Delun noted with a grin.

“Damn, bro, you’ve got real status,” Loud Boy chuckled. “That’s gotta be the most impressive title around.”

“Ranking above even the Grand Marshal on the ladder!” Rags quipped.

“Seeing it that way, my little brother might be too fine for you, Liu Xianghua; count your blessings that I’ve permitted this union,” Xiulan ribbed.

Xianghua shot back a crude hand sign.

“You’ll smash it, Big Bro,” the Torrent Rider declared sincerely. Shaggy Two yipped right along with him.

…wow, what an awesome crew of friends he had, huh?

Gou Ren exhaled slowly, gazing into the flames.

His friends nailed it. He’d been undervaluing himself constantly. Always assuming others outshone him, so his own work fell short.

But that mindset was dead wrong. He wasn’t merely Gou Ren the hunter, or Gou Ren the farmer.

He stood as Liu Xianghua’s spouse. A cultivator. A grower of unmatched Spiritual Herbs and Gold Grade Rice.

“...my apologies, Xianghua. You’re spot on. Facing your family, everything will unfold flawlessly,” Gou Ren vowed, locking eyes with Xianghua.

A core strength hardened. It took solid shape. Like a base locking firmly into place.

Xianghua gave a surprised chuckle, then nestled against him.

“As if there was ever any question.”

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Elder Bingwen waited at the Misty Lake Sect gates alongside the others.

The Sect Master’s message had arrived first: ready yourselves for her coming, and her husband’s too.

Whispers buzzed through the gathering, wild tales swirling about this mystery man’s identity.

Bingwen knew the youth already. Disciple of Master Rou. Impressively powerful for his years, with a solid base, yet his nature struck as plain and direct. He’d shown clear unease around Bingwen, wary of sect intrigues overall.

Bingwen wished him growth beyond that. A fine link on its own… though some plotted to challenge their Sect Master’s fresh spouse.

Thus they lingered until two figures emerged through the fog, advancing together. Liu Xianghua’s overwhelming power felt known. She rose like a savage heron, steam wings vast enough to enfold them all. The mist split ahead of her, yielding like fortress doors.

The figure beside her halted Bingwen short, widening his gaze.

Where Master Rou embodied a peak, this loomed as a colossal spire. It thrust from the ground like an eternal pillar scraping the skies, a pagoda of one hundred and eight levels. It pierced upward boldly, unyielding as stone, base immovable despite heaven’s gales or earth’s tremors.

As the tower dominated, so did he—the Sect’s loftiest man now. Broad shoulders, sturdy neck. His build brimmed with muscle, yet stayed sleek and agile—echoing the Great Sage Wukong, just as Xianghua described.

From beneath a thick brow, amber eyes gleamed keen and bright. Copper-gold hair framed him, with bushy, prominent side-burns.

He sported the headband their Sect Master now favored, mark of his clan; a blue-and-white coat bore matching emblems. Beneath lay a tunic in Misty Lake weave, plus one of their wide boat-hats dangling at his back.

The intent rang clear. Her colors adorned her now; his took hers in turn.

He marched with intent, steps ponderous as if bearing vast burdens, yet the surroundings lay undisturbed, though the ground seemed poised to shudder beneath him.

At last, a wooden staff rested slung over his shoulder.

“Behold Xong Gou Ren: disciple of Master Rou Jin, wed to the Sect Master,” the herald proclaimed.

“We offer respects to the Sect Master and her husband!” they chorused. As one, they bowed then straightened, and Gou Ren advanced.

The man intoned, “I pay my respects to the Sect of my wife,” while performing the salute befitting his rank. He offered a bow in greeting, yet it carried the poise of one addressing peers. Boldly, his gaze locked onto the eyes of every Elder, showing no trace of fear or doubt. “May we all get along, and work to increase the might of the Misty Lake Sect together.”

All gazes fixed upon this man; yet Bingwen searched for the Sect Master.

Liu Xianghua just grinned widely, as though the entire world swayed to her rhythm.