Chapter 17

Lian stood on the hill, following the faint traces of the ooguri chicken’s aura. At times, his breath was so short and his vision blurred, but he persevered.

‘This place… the power of nature is too strong. Oh, I’m going to die. I must never live in harmony with nature. I will definitely live in a place with lots of people and bustling activity.’

Even with his body already weakened by the spiritual energy, climbing the mountain, where the spiritual energy flowed as easily as breathing, made him feel as if he couldn’t breathe.

The unrealistically beautiful scenery of the autumn leaves, the breath that rose to his throat, the spiritual energy that was starting to turn red, everything made him dizzy.

Just as he was wandering, Zheng Ying and Huayun were about to suggest giving up. Then, finally, he spotted a black and red chicken with feathers that flickered like flames under a large tree.

"Black Moon!"

The ooguri chicken, sensing Lian’s presence, lifted its head. However, it did not approach Lian, only standing elegantly beside the tree.

"Black Moon…?"

"It doesn’t seem like it wants to come here, does it?"

Lian raised a finger to his lips, signaling 'shh,' and carefully approached, wrapping his collar around himself. The ooguri chicken, as he got closer, rubbed its cheek against his sleeve.

"Black Moon, how did you get here? Was it not tiring? Now, let’s go home…"

But when Lian tried to embrace it, the chicken gracefully flew up and retreated, its wings making no sound.

While Lian was surprised, Huayun approached.

"Hmm. It seems like it’s going to leave."

"Just be quiet for a moment, will you?"

Lian glared at the annoying Huayun and turned back to the ooguri chicken.

However, he couldn’t continue speaking. The sunlight filtering through the branches made the ooguri chicken look truly divine.

"Er… Are you really going to leave?"

The bird nodded once in response to Lian’s question, then slowly and quietly disappeared into the grass behind the tree.

"…."

"…."

"…."

Lian stared blankly at the spot, or rather, the tree where the ooguri chicken had disappeared.

"Right now? It said it was going to leave and it really did?"

"It seems so."

"Is it really that simple?"

After all the effort of raising it, it was going to vanish so futilely?

"It wasn’t that simple, considering it came to say goodbye before leaving…"

Lian, who had been in a daze, quickly approached the tree.

Even if he did, he couldn’t find the chicken that had disappeared.

"Let’s go down now."

Huayun approached the dazed Lian and tugged at his collar.

"You just collapsed a few days ago, and I’m not going to search the mountain for herbs again just because of you."

"No, no…."

It was a chicken he cherished, and could he so easily let go after it nodded and disappeared like it understood human speech?

Just as Lian was wavering, a strange, indescribable sound, like the air being torn apart, came from a distance.

Swoosh!

At the same time, a bright and auspicious five-colored light burst forth, casting a large shadow over them.

It was the shape of a giant bird. Although the bright light made it hard to see clearly, it was unmistakable. A large figure with wings large enough to cover a mountain, a long tail, and a beautiful crest, all in various colors, shone brightly in the sky for a while before fading away.

Lian thought he heard a faint chicken’s cry from far away.

At the same time, a few feathers fluttered down from the sky and landed in Lian’s outstretched hand. They were vividly red, as if burning.

"…."

"…."

At this point, Lian also let go of his attachment.

"Hmm. I should tell the kitchen master that the chicken turned into a phoenix and flew away. No one will doubt it."

"…Lian, be careful not to get caught by the magistrate."

"Isn’t there a principle of non-interference by the government?"

"But what if the government changes its mind? And with a phoenix, it’s not just the government; the White Path Alliance and the Black Heaven League will also come after it."

"If I get caught for making a phoenix… I’ll have to bring some sweets."

"Will just sweets do?"

"Rock sugar too. Not the ones made by our uncle. And will only the White Path Alliance and the Black Heaven League come? The Heavenly Market Sect will also come."

Even as he said this, he was a bit shaken.

‘Did I just imagine it? Did I feel a spiritual pull?’

But Huayun only snorted.

"That place is too far. It’s thousands of miles away from here."

"Right! It’s far, so…."

Just as Lian thought, ‘I shouldn’t even dream of going there. Let’s just live here peacefully for a thousand years,’ the feather in his hand suddenly caught fire.

"Ow, ow!"

"!"

"Ah, Young Master!"

All three of them were startled and tried wrapping it in cloth and pouring water from the water flask, but it was no use.

"Ow… Oh… It’s not hot? Oh. The fire is out… it’s gone?"

The three of them leaned in to look at Lian’s hand.

His hand was clean, with no ashes left, only damp from the water.

"Are you okay? Any burns…?"

Lian shook his head and his hand.

"No. I’m fine. Really, I’m fine. Ying, did you use something like the Three Pure Fires?"

He meant it as a joke, but Zheng Ying looked at him with a strangely hurt expression.