Torsten Hewson
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v5 Epilogue: The Winding Threads of Fate
🕑 Added 2024-11-29 04:05:26 +0000 UTCTo the south-east, Zang Shenhe and the Shrouded Mountain Sect travelled. They moved at their best speed. They used the roads when they could, but unlike mortals the forests, hills, and valleys were of no impediment to them. Their bounding leaps took them many hundred Li per day—the pace was still not particularly fast for cultivators, truthfully, but they still made good time.
Their path took them to the Outer Fangs—the great barrier that separated the Howling Fang Mountains from the Azure Hills. The rolling foothills rapidly turned into towering titans of grey stone. The sheer cliff faces were near impossible for mortals to climb and were treacherous even for cultivators, but it was faster by far to go this way rather than heading all the way south to Stone Gate. Here, having so many experienced Outriders including Shao Heng was a blessing. Despite the dangers, their path was as easy as it could be. They scaled the mountains, and headed for the nearest outpost for resupply. One of the larger ones, a hub for the surrounding area.
But once they entered the mountains, it became clear how much things had changed.
The outpost was empty. The sub-formation that initiated the fulmination transportation array was deactivated and destroyed. Perhaps if this was a truly isolated output, but this close to the Sect, it should have been well-manned and supplied.
When they went into the nearby town, the mortals were relieved to see them. Not just relieved, but genuinely happy. They had noticed something was amiss, as the men from that outpost frequented the town for supplies and drink.
“We were wondering if they were all alright!” the Lord Magistrate of the town said. “We’ve had no answer from the transmission stones, and we heard some rumors—ah, they were foul things, Master Cultivator, and we didn’t believe them! But some blackguards are saying that the sect is gone, so that they can do as they please. We have heard tales of a group of bandits actually daring to harass people…”
Shenhe nodded. “We shall get to the bottom of this,” she told the man. “The outposts will be manned soon.”
After a brief resupply, they left, though with a small detour. The burgeoning bandit problem was dealt with.
It was only when they finally got to the heartlands of their territory that they were finally challenged. A single Outrider confronted them, barring their way… before his eyes widened.
“Elder Shenhe! When you fell completely out of contact, we feared the worst!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening at the size of their troupe—nearly seventy Cultivators in total with two Elders. He looked quite happy to see them… but then his eyes landed on Zeng, and they narrowed. “Elder, I need to speak with you. Things have… changed.”
“I know what has occurred.” Shenhe’s voice was soft. “We now go to the sect. Tell me, who won?”
“The Elders defeated the Patriarch. Elder Chongyun has taken over interim leadership of the sect,” the man dutifully replied.
“Inform them of our arrival,” she commanded, and it was so.
Their retinue slowly grew as they approached the sect. Outriders and members of the sect on patrol joined them, swelling their numbers, until they finally set their gaze on the Shrouded Mountain.
The Mountain was… just a mountain now. It was no longer cloaked in mist and storm clouds. It was revealed, laid bare for all the world to see.
They walked through the city at the foot of the mountain. Nervous, curious stares of mortals followed them.
The guards did not stop them as they approached. They merely pointed the way before falling in behind her.
The walk through the sect revealed a surprisingly little amount of damage. Some of the manors were smashed. Some buildings were ruined. There was the occasional scorch mark. But for the most part, things had clearly been limited to the section they were approaching.
The great stadium that had once stood here had been near-completely destroyed. The walls had fallen, leaving only a few sections of the stands intact. A gaping hole instead of an entrance greeted them.
There, they were awaited. What stands remained were full. Others had to make do with standing on the ground.
Again, the numbers surprised her. There were still a lot of disciples. When she heard there was a civil war she had feared that they would be reduced to half, or less than that—but the crimes of the Zang family and of the Inquisition had been great enough that the righteous had turned against them.
And the righteous had outnumbered the wicked greatly, it seemed.
Chongyun stood at the head of the gathering. He had bandages on his limbs and had a patch over his eye, yet he stood tall, the rest of the Elders and Pavillion Masters behind him.
Lishu was one of the first and foremost. The Pavillion Master stood with Chongyun, though in contrast, he was untouched. At Chongyun’s other shoulder stood Che Hanbin, Patriarch of the Che clan. He was missing an arm, and great scars adorned his body, but he still stood. He was the only one who did not have a neutral expression on his face. His was twisted into a scowl, which changed to surprise and then joy as he noticed Che Han walking to her right, a place of honour.
There was an air of tension between Shenhe’s party and the sect. The disciples watched on from the seats of the stadium.
“Shenhe,” Chongyun began. “It is good to see you returned to us alive—when we lost contact with your forces, we feared the worst.”
“The enemies we fought were more insidious than we could have ever imagined. Our force was defeated and captured, but with the help of Lord Shen Yu and his disciples, we escaped and destroyed a base of the enemy. Even as we speak, the Cloudy Sword Sect and the Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect have deployed their Elders to bring low this threat.”
There were gasps and murmurs as they got a look at her and her forces. The half that remained were still covered in wounds, but they assembled behind her.
“Truly?” Chongyun asked, concern flashing across his face.
“Yes. For the past week we have partaken of the hospitality of Master Rou and Lord Shen Yu—where we learned of what has happened in this sect.”
Again, there was muttering.
“And? What are your thoughts, Zang Shenhe?” Chongyun asked.
Shenhe took a deep breath of the air on the mountain. She tasted the nervousness and tension in the air.
“My intention is simple: we will make things right. For the wronged. For those who have suffered. For those that believed in the righteous name of our sect—In the name of the Emperor, I shall return us to the path of Zang Yong,” Zang Shenhe declared, raising high the jade talisman given to her by the Herald. “Atonement and glory will be ours—built not on a lie, but on the words we received from our true founder! Strength Above All: To Protect What We Love.”
Her declaration rang out, washing over everyone present. Her voice and Qi filled the mountain, rumbling like a peal of fresh thunder. The mountain itself seemed to shudder in joy and acknowledgement as a single stormcloud formed above them all, sparking and cracking.
There was a pop as Nezan appeared, materializing on her shoulder.
Even unflappable Chongyun’s eyes widened.
“Shenhe!” one of the disciples shouted.
“Shenhe!” another roared.
Her name was taken up, as the world rumbled and shook with the power of the cloud above.
Chongyun sank to his knee, bowing his head. “Chongyun pays his respects to Zang Shenhe, Master of the Shrouded Mountain Sect.”
The others followed.
And on the mountain, broken and bleeding, there was hope.
========================
The sect had been brutalized by the short war. Even on his last legs the Patriarch had done damage before he had died. They had completely lost most of their information gathering capabilities with the destruction of the Inquisitors. Their territory was being probed from all sides.
The sect had been wounded. But if Shenhe had her say, it would live on.
Though the biggest question… was that of the Zang family. Her line was small, and had been spared the violence. Fengfeng had been protected by her companions, while Haoyu was too young to have fought.
The other branches were treated less kindly, especially the Patriarch’s branch. Some had been killed—especially those who had openly taken up arms against the ‘rebellion’.
Most, however, had simply surrendered—too shaken by the truth and the suddenness of the shift to put up a fight. There was even a tale of an old mortal groundskeeper who had averted tragedy by putting himself in between a group of enraged rebels who got it in their mind to attack the youngest members of the clan—his scolding of the men and women attempting to hunt innocent children had shamed the disciples so badly they had ceased their attack—and when confronted by Che Hanbin himself, had refused to give an inch before the man who had lost the most to the Zang family gave his own word that they would be unharmed.
Then the old man had simply gone back to tending the manor he was in charge of, saying it had to be kept clean for Young Master Bi De’s return.
Shenhe ended up assigning more cleaners to that manor, just to make sure the old man wasn't too overworked.
There were bitter feelings on both sides. But Shenhe would not start things off with killing the innocent. She had been blamed her entire life for the actions of another. She would not inflict that curse on anyone.
But neither would she force them to stay with the sect while they were hated. She gave them the same choice as Zang Zeng—atonement, or exile.
In the end, Zang Zeng himself chose exile. Zhang Zhong was dead, having tried to help the Patriarch. Zang Sheng was unaccounted for, having disappeared during the fighting.
“There is nothing left for me here,” the man said simply. “I will find my son, or I will perish. Either way, you shall see no more of me.”
Shenhe honoured her word. Zang Zeng left.
And so began the long road to healing the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
=====================================
A thousand Li away, a man whose name used to be Zang Sheng sat atop a mountain.
He had escaped during the chaos of the Sect’s civil war. He had wandered in a daze, his mind whirling from the revelations.
“Strength Above All. To Protect What We Love.”
The words were complete, but they made no sense to him. He could not understand them. What was it to love? Why did that make Zang Yong so strong?
He did not know what they meant, but he had made a decision.
He abandoned his name, for his namesake was a worthless being, unworthy to be carried by himself.
His cultivation was that of the Third Stage of the Initiate’s Realm. He had broken himself, because his cultivation had been built upon a worthless foundation. It had been built to follow in the footsteps of a weak man.
So he had discarded that, too.
And now… now the man formerly known as Sheng wandered. He observed. He wanted to understand. He would achieve it—that beautiful, pure strength, untouched by weakness or deceit. He would find it, and then return to his home. He would return to his mountain, and then kowtow before his true ancestor, the leader of the Lightning Brigade.
But until that time…
There was a scream below him. Far down the mountain, a mortal ran from a Spirit Beast. A Spirit Beast in the Profound Realm. The beast had been haunting this area, according to the tales of the mortals.
Strength Above All. To Protect What We Love.
“… Youchen.” Protector of the morning. A much better name than Sheng.
Youchen stood. The enemy was a Realm above him. Yet that was of no consequence. The truly strong would bridge the gap; if he was not strong enough, he would die. And that was that.
Youchen’s roar matched the Spirit Beast below. His voice boomed like the thunder of a storm.
He would be strong. No matter what it took. No matter how many times he would have to reforge himself.
So swore Youchen.
====================================
Far, far away, Yulong could take no more. Trekking across the Crown of the World to avoid being captured had taken the last of his reserves.
He found a cave, fortified it the best he could, and then finally allowed himself to sleep.
He drifted off into the darkness… and then felt a tug. The same tug he had felt back at the base that he had shrugged off.
He opened his metaphorical eyes again, and there, in his dream, was a patch of darkness.
“Disciple. I was trying to reach you,” the little spot of darkness chided. “But you were so intent on working you missed my warning. I spent quite a bit of power on that, you know, power I didn’t have.”
Yulong blinked, then flushed.
“My apologies, Master,” he said with a bow. “It warms my heart to see you still live.”
The tiny patch of darkness let out a chuckle. “It was a near thing. The only reason I am as coherent as I am right now is because you remember me speaking like this. In the waking world… well. It is unpleasant, to say the least.”
Yulong grimaced.
“I’ll do everything I can to restore you to your former glory, Master,” Yulong promised.
“Oh? You will, will you?” the darkness asked, a toothy, gummy, smile appearing on the patch of nothingness. His spirit swelled, the darkness from his Master coiling along the corridors of Yulong’s mind… before receding.
Then his Master started to laugh, and Yulong chuckled too.
“Ah! Too honest. Most of my kind would have taken that as an invitation to steal your body, boy.”
Yulong shrugged. “Would you even be capable of such, in your current state?”
“No, of course not. You would have snuffed me out like a candle flame! And besides, what sort of fool just eats such a promising disciple?” The mirth partially drained out of the voice. “I know you will help me, my disciple. But it will take some time before I can do anything of value. You will have to step in for me… completely. As the new Demonic Master.”
“For that future… I’ll do whatever you need, Master.”
The pit of darkness’s smile widened.
“Continue across the Crown of the World. Head for the Azure Dragon Continent. I have some allies there who will be most useful.”
====================================
Ming Jie, Messenger of the Lord Magistrate of Verdant Hill, trudged through the snow. His cloak was warm, his bag was waterproof, and this entire journey had been more pleasant than he was expecting. The equipment devised by his Master and the man named Lu Ri was holding up very well! His newest report was very detailed on the boots especially. They had to be of good quality!
He would be at Grass Sea City soon, to find his Master’s wayward son. It had been quite some time since he had seen the Young Master!
He wondered how the man was doing.
========================
The Acting Lord Magistrate for Grass Sea City squinted at the transmission stone message.
Extended? He thought incredulously. Replacement delayed until at least spring of the new year?
What the Hells was this? Why were they dragging their feet? He wanted out of here! Being the Lord Magistrate was far too stressful. He pressed his hands into his forehead.
It was only a matter of time until his parents found out about this!
=======================
Su Yuanlin smiled as she finished penning the letter to Nezuha, and the rest of her tribe. They had family here, and they would be safe here, while Uncle sorted everything out in the Howling Fang Mountains.
She sealed her letter. She would be headed to the Mountains to give the letter, and the all clear to her kin, now that things had finally calmed down.
She looked at the bags of pills and sprigs of Spiritual Herbs she had received as thanks from the Cloudy Sword Sect. High grade items, perfect for cultivation… and according to Elder Shou, perfect for helping to strengthen one’s bloodline.
Yuanlin had come to say hello to distant kin… and fate had instead given her and her kin the best things they could have hoped for.
She had a spring in her step as she went off to say goodbye to Lu Ri for now. She was breaking through to him, she just knew it. The man had been all too happy to have tea with her the past couple of days, as they spoke about long range transportation of goods.
Her path was unimpeded. The Cloudy Sword Sect had created their own base, courtesy of Elder Yukong and Elder Ge, in minutes. It had been humbling to watch the clouds descend, and then the rock be hewn and formations laid down faster than she could perceive.
Lu Ri was currently on standby, while the others were analysing the demonic artifacts they had recovered, so he should be in his room.
Her course set, she knocked on his door, and poked her head in. Lu Ri always left his door unlocked, and didn’t mind her visiting. “Lu Ri I—”
Yuanlin froze.
“Ah, Miss Yuanlin! I could use a second opinion, but this is quite the idea, is it not?” Lu Ri said from between Xiao Su Ge’s legs. He was holding a piece of measurement string against her bare thigh.
The Young Mistress of the Cloudy Sword Sect, who had been smiling brightly the moment before, suddenly turned her eyes to Yuanlin, and a blush spread across her cheeks. She was standing with her arms out, and there were multiple drawings and measurements of the woman on the walls.
She was currently wearing a uniform of some sort. Yuanlin’s practiced eye evaluated the costume… and she could only blink in shock and awe that the stiff, prudish looking Young Mistress had designed something like that.
“That looks absolutely fantastic! The coat, the hat, look at how swishy that skirt is!” Yuanlin declared.
Su Ge paused at her words, and her slowly building anger guttered out. Li Ri blinked. “Truly? Is it not an impediment on a long journey when delivering mail?”
“Delivering mail?” Yuanlin replied. “Oh! Oh, I suppose that's interesting too. Better for the cities though, I think…. Uh, could I have the designs for that when you’re done? I know a lot of people who would want that—and if you are making a uniform, the design is really important to be memorable! The Young Mistress has a great eye—you should work with her more on this!”
Su Ge actually did a double take at Yuanlin’s words, and Yuanlin gave her one of Yun Ren’s ‘thumbs up’ gestures when Lu Ri looked back at Su Ge.
“I hadn't thought of that. Hmmm. Thank you very much. And Young Mistress, thank you for taking an interest in my work. I am humbled and honoured that you have chosen to assist me.”
Su Ge smiled awkwardly. “You are welcome…?”
=============================
I was rather surprised it took so long for Gramp’s friends to visit, but I suppose that they did have a lot of work to do. But today was the day. Gramps had called us over to greet his friends… and had decided to do a little trolling.
Elder Ge, Elder Shou, and Elder Yukong stared at us.
“I told you my Disciple is a proud, erect fellow,” Shen Yu said as he held out his hand, a massive, shit-eating grin on his face. “Truly, he is the most magnificent of cocks.!
Bi De bowed.
Tianzhe Minyan raised an eyebrow.
“A chicken?” she asked, sounding utterly flabbergasted.
========================================
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To Be continued in BOC Volume 6!
I will be pausing patreon on the 30th and taking at least 2 months off to plan, edit, and hopefully relax. BOC will resume in the new year!
Thank you so much for continuing to read and support Beware of Chicken!
Editors: Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer, BargleNawdleZouss,
Comments
Melanie Me
Great!! Thanks!!! I really had the geography all mixed up. Lol
Gray Code
Found the link to a version of the map from early November: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/818247535189295114/1303263708289568808/Crimson_Phoenix_Empire.jpg?ex=6757f169&is=67569fe9&hm=b103645a3a11957e61de4999d865091ff6725c63eee55e9d62251dbd911153da&
Melanie Me
It seemed like to get to Azure Hills you need to go thru the Stone Gate. I thought that was where the Howling Fang mountain is. Also near Yellow rock plateau. So South of the Azure Hills. So confusing
Gray Code
Of these, only the Soul Damage could potentially at "Not the same Jin Rou." Everything else is attributable to "found it somewhere in the archives," "heard it along the way," and/or "had an idea and talked it out" and neither Shou (who was probably in closed-door cultivation the entire time) nor Lu Ri (who basically classified him as a minor outer disciple before he was killed) has the reference to notice personality difference, and even Shen Yu has chalked it up to "He got nearly murdered, then spent three years recovering and remaking himself."
Gray Code
Relative to the Azure Hills, Howling Fang Mountains is to the East, Yellow Rock Plateau to the South, the Badlands and Grey Shard Coast to the West, Sea of Snow to the North. I don't think it's been revealed the direction that the CPE entered the Azure Hills from; South or West seems most likely. I believe there's an official map being worked on, WIP versions have been linked in the Discord intermittently.
Melanie Me
Didn't the sign get taken out with the great pillars of Fa Ram?
Melanie Me
You know... I get confused a lot about the geography. Is there any chance we can get a map of the Phoenix Empire? I know that the Azure Hills is to the North. But which way did they enter it when the mist wall came down? And which direction is the Howling Fang mountains?
Sacchito22
I'd also love a pic of Bi Di from the final battle.
Dave Stone
BRAVO! Another triumph.
D J Meigs
“A chicken?!” Never gets old! 😂
Angela Roberts
@Mark, okay, hope that's true.
KnightRider007
Especially an intelligent, “disturbingly sane” one - those are always the most interesting ones.
John D Jones
One upcoming thing is that several people are now in a position to compare notes on Jin and realize that he's not really the same Jin Rou who was in the CSS. Lu Ri told Jin about the Raging Cloudy Sword technique and Jin recognized it and immediately responded with the Schrodenger's Cat thought experiment. Shen Yu has spotted that Jin's soul damage from the Unclouded Fist has been repaired by an "ancestor spirit." Elder Shou will see the greenhouse and know that no one else has ever thought of doing things that way.
Mark Greenberg
The only thing missing is the ALM (former SI) thinking about how stressful it is having two cultivators and a former gangster princess always up in his grill.
Mark Greenberg
Exactly, ZH. Yulong seems to have gone north and Wa Shi is going to go south. Not saying they CAN'T meet up, but that does have Yulong going the LONG way around.
Mark Greenberg
@Angela: If Yulong is crossing the Crown of the World, that sounds like something in the far north. That would put the Azure Dragon Continent east or west of the Phoenix Empire. Don't see how Wa Shi could meet up with them by going south.
Mark Greenberg
Su Ge mentions the uniform twice. First in v4c11 after she returns to her room and thinks Lu Ri might like seeing her dress in a mail-delivery uniform, maybe even- (one more risque?) The second time was v5c66 when she got out the tea set to serve Lu Ri but left the clothes in her storage ring, for now, even though she was SURE he'd enjoy seeing her in them.
Mark Greenberg
I don't think that scene made it to the books. I just looked through all four of them and can't find anything about when he chose to suffer and atone, although he IS seen in Book 4 ch 55 during the great demon battle.
Mark Greenberg
That would be Jin, Mei and Yu, if you're only giving first names.
Samantha Kuhn
Thanks so much, CF; I love your work! One quick suggestion for the next volume: make sure the opening scene is from the POV of one of the CSS Elders or Minyan, describing what they expect of Shen Yu's new disciple, what they see once they are introduced to Bi De, and their internal reaction to the handsome, dashing, mighty CHICKEN who was probably busy doing something like hunting down worms for his special seasoning stash, lol! Since the final scene is Jin, Mei, and Shen seeing the Elders' shell-shocked reaction to Bi De, it's only fair to describe what caused their reactions, lol!
Harish
:)
Calicofer
Good luck on the break and enjoy the holidays~
abigail lillie
We need a picture of the cloudy sword sect members meeting Bi De
Comeback Kid
Never kill off a good villian. You never know when you might need them later.
Jonathan Ponce
Man that old demon is terrifying, the worst enemies are the ones that know how to plan ahead and have the patience wait it out. Those allies he mentioned worrying as well.
Scott Lawlor
Wonderful book and great ending. Enjoy your break! looking forward to the next part
NameGame
Naturally Shen Yu would invite his friends over to gaze upon his magnificent cock. He seems that sort of person. Thanks for the chapter.
Fluffy druid
Speaking of books: I tried to find the interlude about that CSS guy, who became a penitent. Any ideas, which chapter in what book it is hiding?
Ch W
Did Yun Ren set his camera on spy mode? I didn't hear the chime from capturing the Bi De introduction
John D Jones
Since Book 3(4) comes out in paperback in June, will we also be getting Book 4 going to Kindle then as well?
John D Jones
I want Youchen to come to Fa Ram to learn the true nature of love. And Ha Qi.
Andrew Hales
Thanks
Stuffed Duck
I think you could take https://www.patreon.com/posts/cloudy-sword-114503561 as reference
Andrew Hales
Okay, so I didn't see anyone mention it, is the costume she described a reference to something? If it is a reference I missed it.
Zebrababies
I mean worst case scenario I’m out 5$ not the end of the world lol, but hopefully it works the way it’s supposed to
Andrew Hales
If it works correctly. Another creator (shirtaloon) is also doing a month or two pause and patreon basically locked me out of the membership saying it is a problem with my payment (even though the successfully charged it for casual farmer a few days later). So if I go to shirtaloon's page it says I have silver tier membership but I can't view anything. Its as if I didn't have any membership at all, can't even comment. And I can't fix it or change membership because patreon says my membership payment is pending.... Since the 15th. Basically I am saying this only works if patreon doesn't break it, and patreon is pretty bad about breaking it every time.
Angela Roberts
*groan*
Angela Roberts
Right? I'm suddenly afraid for the expedition in a whole new way.
John Brady Anderson
Nah, I meant CSS acting like a gang, the very beginning of book 1 is them being nothing more than what SMS have been since they were founded as a sect.
Srikanth Kotagiri
Especially now that Yianlin knows Su Ge is as uptight as she thought.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Gwyn
Okay, I need some fanart of that last scene. Old man shen yu trolling his friends with his new disciple. Perfect way to end the volume.
Kuma
End the volume on a dick joke is pure beauty. 100% success.
ENK
I am conflicted. On one side, I am not getting the absolute hilarity of the top powerhouses reacting to Bi De and the rest for another 2 months, on the other hand, it means that there will be a lot of chapters about it when the series resumes. I guess I'm happy overall, but man I want to read some peak content when they are shown around. I am not good at waiting..... (tho, in seriousness, have a good vacation, good holiday, etc etc)
M e
It's about what I was expecting for the epilogue. Just a little bit of a tease. My headcanon was actually the group stopping at the sign to read "Beware of Chicken" and be confused, looking up to see a spiritual realm rooster above the gate, then BOOM. End of book. I predict the next volume will open with Elder Ge or Elder Shou's POV as they enter the farm.
Nick Slow
I appreciate the hard work getting this book out! I hope you enjoy a well deserved break!
Just A Dude
I'm an atheist, but a broken clock is right twice a day and 1 Corinthians 13 is pretty damn spot on about the nature of love. In the end, three things remain. Hope, faith, and love. Of these three, love is strongest. Youchen is already half way there, I think. He's charging headlong into mortal danger with a declaration of victory or death, because to do otherwise is unthinkable. He just needs to unlearn the coldness beaten into him and embrace the feeling of selflessness he has in that moment.
Shawn Banks
Fantastic wrap-up! Thanks so much for another great read! “See” you next year!
HungryWaffl3
thanks for the story and happy holidays friend!!
Z H
I think they're headed in opposite directions but I'm sure The Dread Pirate Wa Shi will keep an eye out on his voyages!
Z H
Bold of you to assume that Yaunlin sees Su Ge as a rival and not an added bonus.
Z H
The poor old man just can't help waving his cock around and showing it to everyone. Someone really needs to take him in hand!
Z H
Look the Mountain is going through some stuff right now okay? There's no need to be mean about it and point out it's tiny cloud toupee!
Z H
Always nice to see Bi De rose to the occasion like this
BelligerentGnu
The joke that will never, ever get old. Enjoy your break, Farmer!
Baqc∞ART
Happy holidays, and see you later to watch the revenge against the Wu family, the farm visits, the expedition to the south or anything else you can think of.
Sardeed
Old timers are here, time for a bit of trolling.
Namorat
Poor old man, waiting for Bi De... Poor old me waiting for more BoC. What a wonderful book once again. Have a wonderful time off :)
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter! 😁 Great ending! Can't wait for the next! 😁
valinorhelena
Did Yulong just get instructed to cross the northern pole to another continent? We knew that the demonic conspiracy was big, but damn...
jord
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and thank you for your wonderful works. We all will look forward to whatever comes next.
DrNutella
Nice. They should realy rename their sect though. They can't seriously keep the name Shrouded Mountain Sect, right?
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Truedragon5374
They have flying ships and cultivators that can fly on swords. They likely know everything connected to their continent to some extent. Well Su Ge IS part of the most powerful sect in the Empire. Foxy is smart enough to know she can't beat Su Ge, so if she wants to have a chance then she will have to join her rival instead.
Pope Yoda I
I have definitely seen this video.
Truedragon5374
On the one hand, I am a little disappointed at how the SMS civil war is already over. But it is all very in keeping with Casual Farmer's style, and it lets up get back to the wholesome comedy. I will say though, the SMS needs to choose a new name. Both as a fresh start, and to reflect the change to their home. But OMG that ending was exactly what i wanted. The only thing that could make it better is if in happed in front of the 'Beware of Chicken' sign.
Anzer'ke
Glorious from start to finish, and you even left us with an eager need for more while we wait. The SMS stuff did not disappoint and our recently renamed best boi up there has the promise of a great return when he shows up again. Love what you have done with his total unfettered resolve. Meanwhile the promise of more serious enemies keeps things super interesting, and the foxes have a chance to return to their full bloodline and Su Ge just got a great new friend and the fa ram visit is the first thinf in vol 6 and woo I need to take a breath and say I hope your break goes great because this was awesome and I look forward so mich to your return!!!!
Demian Buckle
Thank you. It is a brilliant end to the book. Enjoy your break, wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Hasenearl
It was like 30h before, now it's around 17. Must have been a mistake before since book 4 is only 700 pages on kindle compared to 800 of book 3. Book 3 has 19 h listen time so new time checks out
kkkkkkkkk
Thank you! Enjoy vacation, holidays and the rest!
Stark Trist
I really enjoy BoC and it brightens my day. Your attension to detail and characters is fantastic. Keep up the fantastic work. 👍
Stark Trist
Thank you! ❤️
Angua de Blubb
Start of the next Volume? End witch cocks, start with cocks XD
BritAnon
Don't worry, the visit's only just begun. I don't doubt we're going to get about six to eight chapters at the start of the next book showing their reactions to Fa Ram
Timothy Dana
Maybe MeiMei and Rizzo help out and figure out that lithium catalyzed nitrogen reduction reactions work better with Trihexyltetradecylphosphonium and Bi(triflouromethylsulfonyl)imide and Washy’s electrolysis. (Tigu thinks it smells really bad, like rotten eggs). Jim’s insight involves something badly remembered about gold. Meimei and Lu Ri figure out Lithium alkoxide is involved(much head scratching of Jin’s notes are involved)
Kris Piskorski
I will miss this
Nemoboi
it's all overrrrrrrrrr thank you CF for another amazing book!!!! I cried and laughed and was never bored thank you!
Timothy Dana
I want Jin to explain Haber- Bosch process to Elder Shou… Imagine the elder alongside Bowu; making fertilizer and gunpowder
WolfKnight22
hahahahahahahahhahahahzhahhahzhahaha
Peter Gerganov
That's the SMS (though not so shrouded any more). CSS arriving only for a Chicken?! double take is justCF doing a little trolling of his own. Though honestly I'm kinda happy we're leaving the Fa Ram reveal for next volume. It feels like there's a lot of story lines that can kick off from there, and I'd prefer it's not rushed in an epilogue chapter.
acaBeast
Thank you and congrats for finishing the current book!
V01D
Like grandson, like grandfather.
Fabledranger
Once again, the mystery of what exactly the fire potato is eludes us... Looking forward to learning more about it in the next volume!
John Brady Anderson
Same here, but it does at least wrap up nicely how their sect should be acting/is now. It ties very nicely back to the very beginning, when they had fallen to be just another power hungry gang that called themselves a sect.
linkhyrule5
That *never* gets old. And Yulong and his master remain a threat. I still hold out hope that Jiasheng will turn out not to walk the walk if he ever manages to return to the point where he *could* theoretically succeed, but given Yulong's own reasonable-villain tendencies, I'm starting to doubt it.
Justin
Thanks and enjoy your break. I enjoyed the tying up of loose ends
Zebrababies
Thank you!
Seaspike
Well, with Azure Dragon and Crimson Phoenix, I'm now expecting a Turtle and a Tiger.
Duke of Coffee
(“A chicken?” she asked, sounding utterly flabbergasted.) Cue in the spitting of blood.
Seaspike
NGL, feel a little let down by the CSS visit.
Kasinki
I love it. Thank you cf!
Peter Zaharis
Thank you for such a great story. This was the perfect finish. Enjoy your break. Also, I can totally see the fox's setting up a coffee house when Jin finally gets his hands on some beans.
MatrixM
He's said iirc that the CPE is about the size of Eurasia. Azure Hills about the size of Ontario, I think he said. I suspect all the geography isn't nailed down mathematically, especially with relation to how it'd affect the astrophysics side.
Harish
That did not even occur to me. Huh... That might just be fun.
MatrixM
No, i might be wrong but j thjnk she's from a small island not far off the southern coast, near the soaring isles, I think. Pretty sure it's on the map of the continent, still a part of the Empire.
StarBat
He's having far too much fun with the double entendres.
Nick
Thanks for the chapter and enjoy your well deserved break!
MatrixM
Kuudere
MatrixM
That's true! Still untrained, though, but talented. And we know in the Unbroken timeline he's a spymaster. Maybe in a few years or decades he'll go over to help the reconciliation and take the post for a while.
Synova Vitale
I love this so.. so much.. like the whole clan is moving next door. And then when the monkeys realize Gou Ren is from their blood line and they move next door as well.. it’s going to be so great. The poor lord magistrate.
Insertnamehereokokipressedokok
All hail Shen Yu, the Master Troll!
MatrixM
The continental are liked via the north pole? I had no idea. Is that shown on the map? Does the Phoenix Empire even know, have they explored that far north?? I gather that Su Yuanlin isn't adverse to having a sister-wife, then. I suspect Su Ge isn't so open to the idea (for no real reason, really, she just seemed the type) so I wonder how that would go. If Yuanlin finds out they're engaged she may step down, but then again she IS a Fox (/casual racist steroeotyping :p) and Lu Ri is an uber rare catch. (Not that she'd succeed)
Quinn
It pauses for a month. Any payment date, such as 2nd of Nov into 2nd of Dec, will get skipped over with access remainining until 2nd of Jan instead. So if you subscribed yesterday, the 28th, you'd still have access until the 28th of January.
Alibhai
I can see it now Bi De being dressed up as a Phoenix in the future for some ceremony. Only for the populous to later find out the remarkable pheonix is a chicken.
seth4bucks
I'm glad that Youchen is turning over a new leaf and is committed enough to break his own cultivation for it. Really looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. I'm hoping he gets roped into guarding a caravan that just so happens to find its way to Fa Ram so that he can truly learn what that motto means. Also, I love intelligent bad guys who DIDN'T try to snuff out a potential rival or a master who didn't try to body snatch his disciple. It makes the losses make more sense and the ultimate victory that much sweeter! Enjoy the holidays.
Timothy Dana
Did the audiobook book 4 run just change on audible ? I swear it was longer
Arnon Parenti
Enjoy your break, waiting anxiously for the next book.
Patanahi
Happy thanksgiving !
Angel
Well said!!!
Laura Hemly
Thanks for the chapter, a perfectly delightful chapter/epilogue. So many things are turning out well for all our friends in xianxia world! I won't mention my favorite highlights because I'd just list the whole chapter. 😆 The ending, though! 👨🍳💋 I'll suffer the two months you're off, I know, especially since Shirtaloon is off all of December, too. At least your next audiobook will be out soon to brighten our lives! But enjoy your time off, and if Patreon totally fucks up the pausing, do what other authors give up and do: let us know when you'll be off and we can cancel our own accounts for that time if we want to. Personally, I think authors such as you, who bring such wonderful and frequent writing to us, deserve a paid vacation!! So given the choice, I'd prefer letting my account continue. Think about it. In any case, get lots of rest and enjoy the holidays! I'm looking forward to seeing you in February!
Patanahi
THANK YOU CF, hope you have a fun vacation! Thank you for vol 5!!!
THEMIGHTYBOXHEAD
thank you for making volumn 5 end with a great and mighty laugh! i am thoroughly enjoy this series and have been since book one. i would not have gotten to this point if not for looking up what other series travis baldree narrated for. so thank you for getting him to narrate your first book and keeping me hooked ever since
Zebrababies
I just resubscribed, if it pauses on the 30th do I still get another 28 days when you’re back or how does that work?
Vicente Huerta
God bless you and happy Thanksgiving
Aaron Schwartz
Im picturing Shen Yu as Rodney Dangerfield at the end of the 1980 hit comedy "Caddieshack" but instead of "HEY EVERYBODY! WE'RE ALL GONNA GET LAID!" its "HEY EVERYBODY! YOU HAVE GOT TO CHECK OUT MY GRANDSON'S MASSIVE COCK!!" then somewhere on the lands of Fa Ram, a newly awakened gopher spirit beast emerges from the destruction caused by the final battle and starts dancing awkwardly for no reason
Laura Hemly
Either a casualfarmer of warm fuzzies or a bi de of warm fuzzies...
Qahlz
If the demons fled to the other continent, we might actually get to see more of Wa Shi in action when he sets out with the traders on that expedition.
Qahlz
If previous time off periods are an indicator, we might get some more AU stories during that time.
Brian
Is it named the Azure Dragon continent after the Azure Dragon Empire? Are we going to get the classic Red vs Blue?
ABTelford
Have a wonderful holiday and break from pushing out new stuff. Creative juice can’t come from nothing. And I love this last post/chapter as the ending for a book. It feels like a proper ending for a book. Heck, if it takes you a year to come out with the next material after this then I would still be satisfied because you ended this so well. I will be waiting for what comes next though. I love Beware of Chicken.
Hound
Yaaaassss, he did the thing!
this will work
YOUCHEN!, YOUCHEN! GO GET THAT ROUND TWO FROM BIG D AND BRING A BISCUIT FOR THAT TWO PIECE YOU'LL BE GETTING
Geoffrey Sullivan
*Indeed!*
Weebeedee
What a tease haha. Now I have to wait for the elders reaction to FA RAM.
Harish
That reaction never ever gets old. Add in the fact that Bi De is at his strongest in his Spirit Beast form means that future fights are going to be a trollfest because how does a cultivator even complain that they were faceslapped by a chicken. Sheng was pretty much what I expected it to be. Looking forward to Youchen's growth as he pursues the path of Zang Yong. Azure Dragon Continent: This raises a good question. What is the true size of the Crimson Phoenix Empire? Are there other empires in this world? What are the diplomatic relations like? Lu Ri's burgeoning harem is a literal riot. Especially because of his Anime Protag levels of obliviousness. Really looking forward to where this goes next. All of this raises another question: How many other are aware of the Earth Spirits? SUGGESTED EDITS: i) "Elder Ge, Elder Shou and Elder Yukong stared at us." Replacement: "Elder Ge, Elder Shou and Elder Yukong stared." I believe this would fit the scene better. ii) "Tianzhe Minyan raised an eyebrow." Considering her reaction to Bi De, it should have been "Tianzhe Minyan's eyebrow twitched." or something alike. This would fit with her dialogue better.
Zero Wrath
Oof gonna miss this for the next 2 or so months but definitely worth it for you to get some rest and to keep up the fantastic quality! Happy holidays (if you celebrate thanksgiving) and hope you have a good break!
Wolf Eiyn
Thank you for your hard work! Happy Thanksgiving!
Timothy Dana
Right!
Chi Kit Wong
Tftc
H
ROFLOL
NightmareChild92
Perfect reactions
Trish Brown
Stay cool and safe on the roads. Eat plenty of ham and prawns for us x. Look forward to a new adventure next year with you x
Seiden Kyoukai
BECAUSE ITS A CRIME TO END A BOOK WITHOUT A DICK JOKE!
Kreylix
😎😍🐓😍😎
Mr Fox
Go take your break you deserve it. I'll just console myself next month with the vol 4 audio book instead
SGA
Happy holidays, see you in the new year.
Zeromaru2
That reaction will never get old.
Denielle Restauro
Azure dragon continent? Was that where one of the storm wings homeland? Discount Japan?
Angela Roberts
Excellent epilogue! Some info with enough teasing to make Feb/Mar a long ways away.... Enjoy the holidays and time off.
WarStrider72
Shen Yu: BEHOLD, MY DISCIPLE! Jin: BEHOLD, MY COCK! Bi De: BEHOLD, FA RAM! Readers: PERFECTION!
Chris Warner
TFTC!
taukid
I love how the herald isn't there so the emperor hasn't found out about the chicken, yet, and Gramps can still present Bi De for honors to shock him, lol
Southmonk
2 months off? Shit
The GrandMage
Thanks for another fine volume! Now, enjoy yourself on the holidays, and don't work too much. I wait six long years for A Dance with Dragons, I can wait a few extra months for you to make sure you get some relaxation in alongside that planning and editing.
WarStrider72
Bi De would be proud of Old Lin! And would wish to visit soon!
ItWasIDIO!!
Well shit 2 months till the theories are proven or disproven 2 months till the great dragon vein restructuring 2 🤬 MONTHS... sigh 😮💨... rest up happy holidays
Daniel
Thank you for everything. Enjoy your break. Can’t wait to see the next adventure of our group
Southmonk
Man imagine when they found out an imperial realm lost because it was a chicken.
Npad11111
Happy holiday CF, enjoy your break. See you next year. 😁
James Paparella
Thank you for the completion of another great book. I will look forward to book 6. Have a productive rest.
JC Weiss
Great epilogue!
Pope Yoda I
Congratulations on the milestone. Alas, the chapter should have ended with a tour of Tigu's statues. "Cocks! Cocks everywhere!"
Southern Mountains Loose Cultivator
What a ride, congratulations on finishing another volume.
Anon
Fantastic chapter
Some guy
Have a nice break. See you in February???
Cyrus McEnnis
Have a nice break sir!
Case
Congrats on finishing v5! Enjoy the break 😁
Andrew Bazhaw
Enjoy your break but I wouldn't mind any AUs if you get the mood for that
WarStrider72
Happy Thanksgiving to my peeps in the states and enjoy your break CasualFarmer! Always delighted to have the alt universe chapters.
WarStrider72
Ah, what a good end to the volume. Shenhe takes the reins of the Shrouded Mountain Sect with Nezan there to help out. Youchen strives for something to believe again while Li Ru designs the swishy skirts to praise the heavens! But darkness is on the horizon as there are always two Sith Lords to deal with. And a new continent to explore next time! Washy's food adventure is about to begin!
Andrew Denton
Does anyone know the collective noun for a group of warm fuzzies? Can we agree that it's a casualfarmer of warm fuzzies?
Aki_Iokua18
So excited for Book 6. Thank you so much for all your hard work. I wish you all the best on your break; may you have happy holidays and a happy new year.
Aaron
Thank you! Be careful with the pausing as I know Shirtaloon has had an absolute nightmare whenever he pauses subscriptions.
Sean Ulrich
Everyone enjoy the holidays! And praise master worm!
Gear-2557
2nd Oh, this going to be good. And fox girl helping Tsundere? I can't wait to see where you'll take this.
WarStrider72
And then Jin says: "Don't forget to bow to the Cock of the walk"
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. The positive about your break is that in 19 days the next audiobook is out (YEAH!) and we get a new book when you get back. Hope your holiday is restful and soul refreshing. Thanks much for the great picture you've been painting with your words.
CringeWorthyStudios
Lu Ri is great, as usual, even if that was a little painful to read. Ah, and that last scene. Just perfection! Thanks for the chapter!
liam funk
Thank you so much for such a wonderful story. Have a good break
Andrew Denton
"They had completely lost most of their information gathering capabilities with the destruction of the Inquisitors." You know, TECHNICALLY, Yun Ren is still an inquisitor. Just sayin'.
Dnaps
And thus the joke comes along again. Thanks Casual, it's been a fun ride!
BargleNawdleZouss
Enjoy your very-well-deserved break, Casual!
Angel
Happy Thanksgiving you awesome Canadian! 🦃😋
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you!!
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
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