Chapter 17: Flashback: The Chicken
The sun was setting as Zhang Wei and his Shidi, Feng Yuhan, made their way back from a remote village nestled in the mountains. They had spent the day performing an exorcism, using their Taoist skills to rid of a minor curse that had been troubling the family's home. The grateful homeowner insisted on repaying them.
"Please, take this chicken," the homeowner said, holding out a plump bird. "It's all I have to offer."
Zhang Wei shook his head, lying skillfully. "We are Taoists, and we do not eat meat. Your gratitude is enough."
"I insist," the man replied, his eyes earnest. "If you won't eat it, you can exchange it for money in the nearby town. I will sleep better at night knowing I have repaid your kindness."
Zhang Wei glanced at Feng Yuhan, who shrugged. Seeing the man's sincerity, Zhang Wei finally accepted the chicken. "Very well. We will take it."
As they left the village, the sky turned a deep orange, casting long shadows across the path. They made their way through a dense forest, heading towards the town. After a while, they stopped in the forest when they were not far from the town's edge. Zhang Wei and Feng Yuhan exchanged a knowing smile.
With practiced moves, they set up a small fire. Zhang Wei pulled out various spices from his robes, while Feng Yuhan expertly prepared the chicken for marinating. The aroma of cooking meat soon filled the air, mingling with the scent of pine and earth.
Feng Yuhan took a bite of the roasted chicken and sighed in contentment. "I thought we would be catching pheasants or rabbits again. But chicken tastes the best."
Zhang Wei smiled as he turned the spit, agreeing silently.
Feng Yuhan remarked. "Your skills have improved, Shixiong. All your sneaking off has paid off."
Zhang Wei playfully hit Feng Yuhan on the head. "Stop spouting nonsense."
Feng Yuhan grinned, rubbing his head. "But it's true! You definitely smelled like roasted fish sometimes when you came back. Take me along next time. I want to eat fish too."
Zhang Wei hit him again, this time lightly. "Eat what I gave you and don't be so greedy. Or I'll take the chicken leg back."
Zhang Wei couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for Mei Lin. Her absence weighed on him, and he wondered how she was faring with Mother Superior back. She hadn't shown up to their last meeting. It worried him a little, but she was probably just busy.
Feng Yuhan pouted. "I've been helping you keep your secrets from Da Shixiong, but you're so mean to me in return."
Zhang Wei's expression grew serious. "You need to keep your mouth absolutely shut. Da Shixiong would kill us if he found out, not only for eating the chicken but also for accepting things."
Feng Yuhan nodded earnestly. "I value my life." He mused, "But you know… It's a good thing Da Shixiong is Da Shixiong. Imagine if Pei Shixiong or Wei Shixiong were in charge." He shuddered at the thought. "Da Shixiong might nag a lot, but at least you can approach him."
Zhang Wei snatched away Feng Yuhan's chicken. "You'd better watch your mouth."
Feng Yuhan shamelessly changed his tune. "I was complaining about Pei Shixiong, not you. Wei Shixiong is, of course, the best Shixiong in the world. Even better than Da Shixiong."
Zhang Wei couldn't help but laugh, giving the chicken back. "You are truly shameless."
Feng Yun mumbled, after moving away from Zhang Wei's reach. "The lies I tell for a good meal."
"Come here, you ungrateful brat," Zhang Wei threatened, motioning him to come closer.
Feng Yuhan backed away a few more steps, biting on the chicken leg, resolutely shaking his head.
As they finished their meal, they piled up the chicken bones and feathers in one place. They were planning on extinguishing the fire when they heard a familiar voice behind them.
"You little brats, I was worried and this is what I find?" The angry voice bellowed.
Zhang Wei winced, slowly turning his head to meet the furious eyes of his Da Shixiong. He could feel Feng Yuhan freeze next to him.
Chen Jianyu brandished his sheathed sword, hitting them both on the heads. "You dare call yourselves Taoists!"
Zhang Wei and Feng Yuhan resisted the urge to run, rubbing their heads as Chen Jianyu grabbed them by their now red ears and pulled them along.
Chen Jianyu scolded, his voice rising with each word. "I thought you had run into trouble, and here you are, feasting on chicken!"
Feng Yuhan tried to explain, "Da Shixiong, it's not what it looks like. The villager insisted—"
Zhang Wei wanted to bang his head. That bastard shouldn't have brought the villager into the conversation. Even after warning that idiot.
Chen Jianyu cut him off. "No excuses! You know the rules. We do not accept offerings from the poor, especially not meat!"
Zhang Wei, ever the opportunist, chimed in, "Da Shixiong, we were just trying to respect the villager's wishes. He was so insistent, and we didn't want to offend him."
Chen Jianyu glared at them, but his expression softened slightly. "I understand the villagers' gratitude, but there are other ways to accept their thanks. We must set an example."
On the way back, Feng Yuhan, softly muttered under his breath, "Perhaps violence is the Taoist way of life, since all my Shixiongs seem to be prone to it."
He got another whack for his observation. Zhang Wei couldn't help but cheer at his Shidi getting beaten up, despite the throbbing pain in his ear. The escapade had still been worth it.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
PirateSasha
PirateSasha It feels like a side story but I always enjoyed reading them in main text, so here it is. Feng Yuhan is one of my favourite characters to write about.
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