Beware Of Chicken-Novel

I had strode into the pavilion as resolved as I could be. Senior Brother Lu Ri was already waiting for me. His dark hair in a topknot. Dressed to the nines in courtly clothes sitting in the pavilion "with moonlight shining on him. It was like something out of a book. If you looked up “severe court scholar” you’d probably get an image of Lu Ri.

Tea from the district Rou was from. Something within me spasmed when I smelled it. A warm flood of nostalgia, remembering the times Rou’s parents made this, mixed with sorrow and grief, threatening to burst out of the dam that I had built around my memories.

I was off balance and reeling when he went and delivered the finishing blow.

I’d expected at least a bit of posturing. Of dancing around the issues. But that went out the window.

I stared blankly at the envelope that Lu Ri held out to me. I recognized Gramp’s handwriting scrawled across the front.

The memories came unbidden. The little shack we lived in, after gramps pulled me off the streets. Him teaching me the courtly characters. Every morning, running through the katas I still ran through. Playing in the river. Throwing dung at his head. Him chasing me down and tying me to a tree in retaliation. Falling asleep against his side, after we ate a slightly burned dinner, because the old man could barely boil water.

What the hell?

With shaking hands, I took it from Lu Ri, the man’s face as inscrutable as the Lord Magistrate’s. I briefly contemplated tearing it open right then, my friends looked on curiously, and Lu Ri sipped his tea.

“When you looked at how to leave the Sect, did you not also read the sections on honourable departure?” he asked curiously.

“Ah… no?” I replied.

“In addition to mail, you may also rejoin the sect at any time, and may beg for refuge for your kin in times of peril,” Lu Ri stated authoritatively.

“It's a bit strange that they have those rules,” I admitted. Lu Ri looked vaguely amused at the statement.

I toyed with the letter, flipping it back and forth, before sighing.

“…thanks,” I whispered. Lu Ri nodded his head magnanimously.

“It took longer than I expected, but this is a good result,” he stated. I glanced at the date on the letter.

It was sent nearly a year ago.

I leaned back in my chair, and looked at his clothes again. They were fresh, and well cleaned, but his hat had been mended multiple times and he seemed a bit tired.

“I see your defeat did not crush your spirit entirely, Jin Rou. It speaks well of you. Did you end up becoming a farmer?”

Again, Lu Ri’s words were knocking me off balance. Honestly, they shouldn’t have. Lu Ri was the man who gave me back my money when I left the sect. There was only curiosity in his eyes. There was no real reaction to my friends, other than a nod in their direction.

Just small talk over tea. No threats, no sudden fight in the Pavillion. Just a mail delivery.

I smiled tentatively.

“Yeah. Yeah, I did. It’s been pretty great, actually—here.”

I opened up the box I had brought along. I had made it on a whim. Just in case the meeting did turn out to be nothing, and to take my mind off the impending meeting.

Candy-making is really easy when you can use a Sun-rabbit as a stove.

Lu Ri raised an eyebrow, as the fudge was revealed.He sniffed indecorously. “Maple…?” he ventured, his tone curious.

“Oh, you’ve had some before?” I asked curiously.

“Yes, I have. A delectable offering, but the city contains no more—” He paused, looking up at me, before closing his eyes, and chuckling. “It appears the heavens are fickle. To think that I had something produced by your hands months ago. It reinvigorated me during my search.”

He took a piece and put it into his mouth. His eyes closed briefly, as the taste hit.

“I’ve been growing rice, wheat, veggies…” I took a gamble. “And some of the Lowly Spiritual Herbs.”

“You actually managed to grow them here?” he asked. He was surprised, but unconcerned. He frowned slightly, and shook his head. “Remarkable. I am glad that you have had good fortune, Junior Brother, to create things of such quality.”

He took another bite of fudge, and a sip of tea, considering how the flavours blended together. He seemed to be mulling something over.

And just like that, the tension ratcheted back up. His back straightened again, and he held his hands in front of his face, inclining his head.

“Jin Rou. The Cloudy Sword Sect wishes to apologise for the actions one of its Young Masters took against you. The man has been punished. Such an occurrence was not meant to happen, and we accept full responsibility.”

I was floored. The sects did not apologise. The Cloudy Sword Sect did not go to weak outer disciples, and say “sorry for getting you beat up.”

Just what the hell was going on? Why me?

“Additionally I would request that you return to the sect with me,” Lu Ri stated. “You will be reinstated as a disciple, and reparations will be paid for this unfortunate occurrence. Your Disciples are of course welcome to come with you, and they will be under my, and the Cloudy Sword Sect’s protection.”

Lu Ri’s calm, matter of fact voice warred against the impossible things coming out of it. I think I was getting a taste of my own medicine here, with the whole “shocking revelation” thing. My heart thundered in my chest. I felt a light headed.

“…why?” I croaked out finally.

“Because the Elders wish it,” Lu Ri stated simply. “Your benefactor is of great importance to the sect.”

Lu Ri looked at my expression, and took another sip of tea.

“I have given you much to ponder. I do not need an answer immediately. You may take your time. We shall meet again tomorrow, if it pleases you. If you need me, I am available.” He placed a crystal on the table in front of me, as I just kind of sat there, chewing my lip.

Lu Ri left the pavilion. I didn't get up.

I stared at the letter.

A letter that got the Cloudy Sword sect to find me and ask me to return.

I broke the seal.

Jin Rou dropped the letter on the table, and rubbed at his eyes. The pale moon cast its glow across the pavilion, staining the leaves and the flowers silver.

He looked up at the sky, leaned back in his chair, and sighed. Remembering.