Chapter 59: The feathered return
From the top of the sect’s training hall, a shadowy figure appeared. A loud, sinister laugh echoed across the courtyard.
Li Ming froze. "Who... what... is that?!"
Grandpa Li squinted. "Hmm... that is... not good."
The shadowed figure stepped forward, wings flaring wide, glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Gasps spread across the courtyard.
Li Ming’s face turned pale. "No... no... it can’t be happening... not now!"
A gust of wind blew, and the shadowy figure landed gracefully on the ground with a single hop. Dust flew everywhere. When it cleared, everyone could finally see who it was.
Standing proudly was a chicken—but not just any chicken.
Its feathers shimmered like silver, its beak gleamed with the confidence of someone who owned the world, and a small golden tag on its neck read in bold letters: Bai Guo.
Grandpa Li’s jaw dropped. "That... that’s a fancy chicken!"
Grandma Li gasped. "Wait... isn’t that—?"
Li Ming groaned. "Yes... it’s him."
The chicken tilted its head. "It’s been a long time, Li Ming."
Everyone froze.
The chicken spoke.
Grandma Li blinked. "Did... did the chicken just talk?"
Li Ming facepalmed. "He’s always been weird!"
Bai Guo spread his wings, looking proud. "After defeating you all those years ago, I traveled the lands, trained in secret, and achieved enlightenment under the Great Rooster of Mount Peckmore. And now..." He flapped his wings dramatically, "I have returned."
"To... what? Start a farm?" Li Ming muttered.
"To settle our unfinished duel!" Bai Guo’s eyes gleamed.
Gasps echoed again. Auntie dropped her cabbage. Grandpa Li cheered. Grandma Li pulled out a small stool, ready to watch.
Li Ming rubbed his temples. "You’ve got to be kidding me. I can’t believe I’m still being hunted down by poultry!"
Bai Guo took a step forward, feathers glimmering like armor. "Do not take this lightly. I have mastered every chicken martial art known to beast or man. Feather Fist. Beak Breaker. The Forbidden Peck."
Li Ming stared at him. "You... you’re a chicken with a skill list."
Bai Guo raised one wing proudly. "Unlike you, I did not waste my time eating buns!"
"Hey! I trained too!" Li Ming said defensively.
"Trained in eating buns doesn’t count!" Bai Guo snapped.
Grandma Li cupped her hands and shouted, "Grandson! Beat the feathers off him this time!"
Grandpa Li nodded. "Or at least don’t fall on a rock again!"
Li Ming clenched his fists. "Not happening! This time, I’ll win!"
"Big words for someone who lost to poultry," Bai Guo teased.
Li Ming stepped into the courtyard, standing across from the chicken. "Fine. If it’s a fight you want, you’ve got one. But I’m not the same guy you fought back then!"
Bai Guo tilted his head. "Still short."
"HEY!"
The family gathered around, forming an audience. Grandma Li had somehow set up a snack stall within seconds. "Piping hot dumplings! Get your dumplings! Watch grandson fight the mighty bird!"
Bai Guo flapped his wings once, sending a small gust toward Li Ming. The air shimmered. Even his feathers carried spiritual energy now.
Li Ming blinked. "He’s serious..."
Bai Guo crouched low. "Come at me, human. Show me the strength you’ve gained."
Li Ming grinned. "Oh, I’ll show you alright."
He charged forward, his fists glowing faintly with Qi. Bai Guo spun, feathers slicing the air. The first clash sent ripples through the courtyard, dust flying everywhere.
Auntie shielded her eyes. "He’s actually fighting the chicken again!"
Li Ming ducked under a flying feather, spun, and kicked. Bai Guo blocked it with a wing, sparks flying where Qi met feather.
"You’ve improved," Bai Guo admitted.
"Yeah? You too. You’ve... got better aim with your feathers?" Li Ming said, ducking another slash.
Bai Guo chuckled. "You still talk too much."
"Yeah, well, you still cluck too loud!" Li Ming snapped back.
Their fight grew faster—punches, pecks, dodges, kicks. The disciples nearby couldn’t even keep up anymore.
One outer disciple whispered, "Is our senior brother... fighting a chicken?"
The other nodded. "And losing."
"HEY! I HEARD THAT!" Li Ming shouted mid-fight.
Bai Guo laughed. "Focus, human!"
Li Ming jumped back, breathing hard. "Okay... I’ll admit... you’re strong. But I won’t lose this time."
Bai Guo’s feathers shimmered gold. "Then prove it."
Both of them dashed toward each other, power flaring, dust swirling around like a storm.
Grandpa Li stood up, eyes wide. "Oh boy... here we go again."
Grandma Li nodded. "Get ready to catch him if he flies again."
The courtyard trembled as their clash sent out a huge burst of air. Everyone shielded their eyes.
When the dust cleared...
Both stood still.
Li Ming’s hand was raised. Bai Guo’s wing was mid-swipe.
The fight... wasn’t over yet.
-----
The courtyard was silent.
Li Ming and Bai Guo stood frozen in the middle, their powers clashing, wind swirling around them. One man, one chicken—locked in a battle of destiny.
Grandpa Li leaned forward. "This... is actually kind of intense."
Grandma Li munched on a dumpling. "I just hope he doesn’t fall again. Last time he broke my cabbage pot."
The pressure broke with a crack. Both jumped back at the same time, eyes locked.
Bai Guo was the first to speak. "Not bad. You didn’t trip this time."
Li Ming panted. "I’ve improved, haven’t I?"
"Barely," Bai Guo teased, flapping his wings.
"Alright, featherball," Li Ming said, cracking his knuckles. "Let’s see how you handle this!"
He spun his hands together, gathering his Qi. A faint glow appeared around his fists. "Azure Sky Fist—First Form!"
Bai Guo blinked. "That’s new."
"Yeah, I actually learned something!" Li Ming said proudly, punching forward.
A wave of energy shot out, kicking up dust and leaves. The chicken leapt into the air, wings spinning like fans, cutting through the blast.
"You’re still too slow!" Bai Guo shouted, swooping down.
"Too slow?! You’ve got wings!"
"Then grow some!"
Li Ming dove sideways, rolled, and threw a handful of pebbles. "Take that!"
Bai Guo slapped them aside with one wing. "You call that an attack?!"
"It worked on Wu Jian once!"
The chicken landed behind him and pecked his shoulder—lightly, but enough to sting.
"Ow! Hey, stop pecking me like I’m bread!" Li Ming shouted.
Bai Guo smirked. "Bread is weak. You are bread."
Li Ming’s eye twitched. "That’s it!"
He charged again, fists flying. Bai Guo met him blow for blow, each strike sending tiny shockwaves across the ground. The disciples who had gathered nearby started cheering.
"Senior Brother, you can do it!"
"Beat that bird, Senior Brother!"
"Don’t lose to poultry again!"
Li Ming turned red. "Stop bringing that up!"
From the sidelines, Grandma Li called out, "Remember, grandson! If you win, I’ll make you your favorite dinner!"
Li Ming froze mid-punch. "Really? What’s for dinner?"
"Fried chicken!"
Bai Guo gasped. "You wouldn’t dare!"
Li Ming blinked. "Okay, that’s kind of messed up, Grandma."
"I’m just saying!" she yelled back.
Bai Guo flared his wings. "You hear that, human? They plan to feast on my brethren!"
"Hey, I don’t control the menu!" Li Ming protested.
Bai Guo’s eyes glowed gold. "Then you leave me no choice... I must unleash my ultimate move!"
The air trembled. Feathers began to glow around him. The ground cracked. Even Grandpa Li’s dumpling fell off his plate.
Li Ming panicked. "Wait wait wait! We’re still in the courtyard! Don’t destroy the sect again!"
Bai Guo ignored him, wings spreading wide. "Secret Technique—Heavenly Peck of Justice!"
Li Ming’s jaw dropped. "What kind of name is that?!"
Bai Guo’s wings folded back, power gathering like a storm. The disciples screamed and ran for cover. Grandma Li dove behind her dumpling stall. Grandpa Li just stood there grinning.
"Finally! A good fight!"
Li Ming had no time to think. He crossed his arms, trying to defend. "Azure Sky Fist—Second Form!"
The two attacks clashed.
BOOOOM!
The courtyard shook violently. Tiles flew off rooftops. Dust filled the air. Chickens squawked in terror.
When the smoke cleared...
Both stood again—covered in soot, panting heavily.
Li Ming coughed. "You good?"
Bai Guo wheezed. "Barely."
They stared at each other for a long moment. Then, at the exact same time—
"Call it a draw?"
"Deal."
Both collapsed backward onto the ground, exhausted.
Grandpa Li clapped. "Well done, grandson! You tied with a chicken!"
"That doesn’t sound like praise..." Li Ming muttered weakly.
Bai Guo lay flat on the ground, staring at the sky. "Not bad... human. You’ve grown."
"Yeah... thanks," Li Ming said, smiling tiredly. "You too... feathery demon."
Bai Guo chuckled. "Feathery... demon... I like that..."
Grandma Li rushed over. "Grandson! Don’t move! I brought herbal soup!"
Li Ming groaned. "No more soup..."
The disciples started gossiping again. "He fought a chicken to a draw."
"Yeah... but that chicken was glowing."
"I kinda want its autograph."
Li Ming sighed. "Can someone please stop spreading rumors about me and chickens..."
Just then, a sudden chill filled the air. The sunlight dimmed. A shadow stretched across the courtyard.
Bai Guo’s eyes shot open. "Wait... this energy..."
Li Ming sat up slowly. "Huh?"
From behind the sect’s main gate, footsteps echoed—slow, heavy, and cold.
A voice drifted through the wind.
"So... you’ve gotten stronger, little Ming..."
Li Ming froze. His face went pale. That voice—he knew it.
Everyone turned toward the gate, eyes wide.
Grandpa Li whispered, "It can’t be..."
Li Ming stood up, trembling slightly. "No way... not him..."
The gate creaked open.
A tall figure stepped out, shrouded in faint golden light.
Li Ming’s eyes widened. "F-Father?!"
To be continued....