Beware Of Chicken

All those who knew how to cook were seconded into his service. From the victor of the tournament, The Demon Slaying Orchid, to his own disciples. From the Demon Slaying Orchid sprung forth thirty two knives, each one wielded with elegance and grace.

Rou Tigu, the second place in the tournament, and her pet, a monkey of some manner that had fur of gold and a face as blue as the frosts, attended to the tables. She served mortals and cultivators alike without reservation.

The Lord Director and the Azure Jade Trading company both added their considerable wealth to the festivities.

An accounting of the feast is as follows: three thousand baskets of Pork Baozi. Two thousand servings of Dandanmian. Some three thousand fish and ten thousand pots of rice…

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Xiulan sat with her father in the tea room. The scent of tea was heavy in the air. There were noises of amusement from the guest house. Her father seemed… unsettled. He was silent, deep in thought, so Xiulan let him think. It was good to have a moment to gather one’s thoughts, especially after such a feast, and it was nice to once more have tea with the honoured father. He had arranged some lotus mooncakes. Both of their favourites.

“You’ve been speaking at great length to the other Young Masters and Mistresses, daughter,” Xiulan’s father observed quietly, finally breaking the silence.

“Yes, Father. I have,” she stated. Internally she sighed. Xiulan wasn’t sure she was prepared to speak to her father of her plans for the future. It was all… tentative. Approaching all the others, weakened as she was, had been a gamble. But in their minds, she was still the woman who had slain Sun Ken, and fought against the Shrouded Mountain Sect. The respect was there. It had earned her enough credit to be heard. Tigu had volunteered to come with her, when she had told the girl of her intentions; it had heightened her legitimacy.

So when she had spoken to them of the possibility of a summit of the Younger Generation, most were receptive to it.

A step forward. A step towards her own path.

Her father studied her, but he did not immediately press for answers on why she was meeting with the others, like Elder Yi. Instead, there was simply trust.

“I see… well, enough about that. What are your plans for the future? Though your strength may be diminished for now, if you are certain it will return, you may still be made an Elder,” he ventured.

Xiulan pondered it. It ought to have been an honour. She had earned it. But… Xiulan didn’t feel quite ready to take the title. To take that step. She had things she wanted to do, and being an Elder… the responsibilities would hinder that. Xiulan was not ready to settle quite yet.

“With my injury, I cannot accept the title of Elder at the moment,” Xiulan stated. “With your permission, father, I would rest and recover my strength for a few months before returning—and then, I will depart upon my Dao,” she said with conviction.

Her father’s gaze was intent for a moment, before he sighed, seeming almost sad. “He has truly helped you greatly,” he said quietly. “This man… who is he to you?”

Xiulan smiled at the question. Hidden Master. Strange farmer. Younger than her. A good friend.

“He is… Jin.”

Her father met her words with silence. He took a breath at the look on her face, and sighed. “Very well. You have my permission, and my blessing,” her father said, bowing his head.

Xiulan bowed deeply in return. “Thank you, father.”

She would stay several months, if they would have her. She did want to see that dance Bi De talked about. Perhaps… to the new year? Yes. To the new year. And then… in the spring, she would set off again—

“Though I would request an invitation to the wedding,” her father said.

It took her a moment to process her father’s words. Xiulan jerked her head up, her eyes going wide. She gaped at her father, her face burned red with embarrassment.

“Ah, wha—?! No, father, there will not be a wedding!” Xiulan spluttered.

Her father’s face fell. “No marriage? I see. Unfortunate…” her father said, a seemingly troubled look on his face. “Will I meet the children of your union?”

Xiulan felt like Zang Li had lit her face on fire all over again.

“Father, no, our relationship is not like that! We are not… He is my sworn brother!” she insisted. Her father raised an eyebrow, and she could not tell whether he was teasing her or not.

“Hmmm. Pity.”

“Father!”

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