Watch out Chicken

chapter 9

“It is an honor to meet you, Brother Jin,” said Tingfeng, clasping his hands in front of him. “I pray that you give us the honor to attend our wedding after harvest.”

I made the appropriate moves as well. “I won't miss it, Brother Tingfeng.” I said, and I really meant it. Meihua and Tingfeng were good people. “But are you sure about this?”

I mean these are the two young pigs that have been given to me. I planned to build a few more things first, but people did not reject generosity lightly. Uh, at least I found a music store while he was bargaining with the guy who sold the cows to him. The pipe is like a banjo, right?

“Brother Jin, for what you do for us, I'll buy you a thousand more, and it still won't be enough payment.”

I breathed deeply. Well, fine then. I hope Tingfeng doesn't beg for himself by paying everyone as extravagantly as he said. Even after I said he didn't have to do anything for me. Fake boy was in prison, and shackled with about ten “spirit” binders a kind of qi suppressor artifact that only works if people are weak enough. Personally, I think it's a bit overkill for such a weakling, but uh, it's better to be safe than sorry.

We were in pretty good spirits as we departed, back along the road to Meimei village. Xian** was behind me again, had me show him how I defeated the villain, and I obediently showed him some kung-fu moves I remembered from poorly translated films. She laughs at me “Hooah!”, “Whatcha!” And a little flipping.

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It was a beautiful night. The moon is bright and full, and the Lightbugs are dancing around in the air, for what is likely to be one of the last times before autumn actually happens. If he was a poet, he might have been inspired. Like that, he was only satisfied with what he could see. They camped at the foot of one of the hills, and Jin climbed higher to get a better view..

“Meimei ..” Her father ventured, and she stared at him, unknowingly stirring up the soup she had cooked for their dinner.

“Yes, dad?” She asked.

“I want to apologize to you, princess. I do not accept your words with the consideration that it is his right, and have embarrassed myself. ” He bowed his head a little to her with regret.

While a part of him was hurt because no one believed him, another part spoke that what he said was also unbelievable. Jin of course did not act like any other cultivator he had heard of. “I forgive you, father.”

“….It wasn't the wolf that night, was it?” He asked after a while.

“It was an Evil Sword.”

His father paled, then laughed out loud.

They sat in friendly silence, until the stew was finished. Meiling scooped up two full bowls, and turned to her father.

“I'll take this to Jin.” He said, “He's not too far.”

His father nodded, but spoke as he began to walk away.

“Meimei.. if this is what you want, go with my blessing.”

His face was colored red. “We've only known each other for five days, dad.” He objected, but his heart did not.

The journey up the hill was relatively easy, even with trees and rocks, and holding two bowls of soup. He filled his nose, and his ears, until he found him. He was sitting on a large rock, an instrument in hand.

He stuck out his tongue in concentration, as he tried to play a song he had never heard before in the pipeline. He held it too far, sideways above his knees, instead of upright, and kept hitting the base notes, or messing with the chords.

“Jin, I bought you dinner.” He said calmly. He started, and then put his instrument to the side. And jump off the rock.

“Thank you, Meiling.” He said solemnly, reached out to take the bowl from him, when he stopped, and glanced back at the stone.

“...want to come with me?” he asked after a while, looking timid. His face was slightly red from embarrassment.

“By pleasure.” He answered, and he once again became his more confident self. He lifted her up, carried her on his chest, and jumped. He came down on the rock much softer than he expected.

The view from the top of the rock is spectacular. It was placed in such a way that it was in a crack in the trees, allowing one to look across the other hills, illuminated by the full moon.

They sat in friendly silence on the rocks, ate their dinner, and enjoyed the view. He was somewhat flattered by the small sound of pleasure that came from the moment he ate.

“What song are you trying to play? I've never heard of it before.” He finally asked, and his face flushed completely this time.