Torsten Hewson
patreon
v3c6.2: Misunderstandings END
🕑 Added 2022-04-24 03:29:43 +0000 UTCIt was quite rare that the Lord Magistrate really had to entertain people. They had entertained in the style of the capital a few times, when he and his wife had first arrived in Verdant Hill. The awed and cowed looks of the people he had invited had been interesting… but the extravagance was simply unfeasible up here. Those of Verdant Hill were rustic in their style and manners. The Lord Magistrate was to the people an approachable man who listened. They enjoyed the more intimate setting of informality, it maintained his image that while not austere, he was not wasteful either.
That, and his Lady had found the less extravagant meals more to her taste.
Today, however, the fine porcelain was set out, on his insistence. One of the few things the Wu clan had deigned to give their crippled daughter as part of her dowry, the finest pieces form the capital. The Lord Magistrate thought they were better suited to be art pieces, but he was born a mere commoner, what did he know?. The meal itself would be somewhat rushed, but same-day meetings simply did not leave time for proper feasts. Still, the chef had given it his all, his eyes set to blazing when he had personally promised to have the perfect meal for such a short notice. There were no complaints; the staff had swung into motion immediately, each knowing that something must be happening, for he never made such demands.
Every inch of the room was immaculate. The room had been cleaned to even Luhai, his head servant’s exacting standard, the man walking around with a white cloth in his crusade against dust. The formal reception room was usually the beating heart of most towns and cities, where words were daggers wielded in gladiatorial combat. Dynasties and deals rose out of this nearly unused room, and The Lord Magistrate didn’t miss that particular facet of city life.
However, a formal dinner request from a superior had been made. To greet him outside this hall was a faux-pas in the extreme. Even if there were only two seats prepared, directly across from each other. Decorum demanded they be seated on cushions, and brought their meals, but this was also a delicate matter. The servants, who would normally bring them most of the food, would be dismissed. Instead, his wife would be serving them both. A show of respect, that even the wife of the Lord Magistrate would serve him.
He was seated on his cushion waiting. The Lord Magistrate was rather lucky that when he was nervous, only his back started to sweat. His face remained clear, and it allowed him to sit perfectly still in his formal dress—even if he had gone through three shirts before, and had changed right before the appointed hour. His mind churned, every possible reason for calling this meeting playing out in his thoughts. Rou Jin had never asked for an official meeting before, and Zhuge Tingfeng had said that “Brother Jin seemed unusually serious.”
Did the Cultivator mean to replace him?
He thought it highly unlikely. Their relationship was cordial, even friendly on the cultivators part. Even if cultivators could be mercurial there was no cause he could think of for removing him from his position, so he discarded that train of thought.
Things could be more complex than they seemed, however, and on consideration he was unable to fully abandon the line of reasoning. Rou Tigu had come in second in the tournament…. Was the man coming to inform him that he had created a sect, and now Verdant Hill was part of his territory? That was more likely than anything else he’d come up with. Sects had the right to collect taxes from towns under their control, and levy the population to battle.
It fit with the arrival of the Azure Jade Trading Company. They were well known to cater to the needs of powerful sects—yet he hadn’t had a transmission from Pale Moon Lake City or Grass Sea City informing him of the change in his status.
He took a slight breath. Hopefully it wasn't—
A quiet familiar voice broke his train of thought. “Lord Magistrate, it is time,” He glanced up at Luhai.
The Lord Magistrate took a breath to compose himself. “I will see him now,” he declared. Luhai rose, and swept out.
He did not have to wait long before Rou Jin arrived, trailing one of his more trusted guardsmen. The cultivator was different today, which only added to his worries. He had actually dressed differently, rather than his rugged, ripped sleeves and boots. His clothes were well made though out of rough cotton, not silk. He was clean and groomed. His hair, normally unruly, was tamed.
The guardsman exited swiftly upon formally announcing Rou Jin, leaving the Lord Magistrate only three people in the room. He didn’t know whether to be grateful that his servants were loyal enough to obey him so easily, or offended that there were none listening in, in case things went south, so they could rescue him.
Well, when all else failed, decorum triumphed. Everything else was in place. He went to greet the cultivator, as protocol dictated, and as usual, the cultivator interrupted him.
“Lord Magistrate!” The man greeted with his usual bow. It always seemed just the slightest bit mocking. Perhaps it was sometimes the pause before it. Like he was deciding whether to bow or not, and he always had a strange, self satisfied smile after.
“Rou Jin,” he greeted, bowing respectfully in his seated position. When he rose, the cultivator was still standing, his eyes flicking over the Magistrate, before he too sat upon the cushion.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice,” the man continued.
“It was no trouble,” the Magistrate said, dipping his head again. His mind raced on exactly what he was supposed to do at the moment. He didn’t know what the cultivator wanted, and Rou Jin had arranged the meeting.
They lapsed into silence. The cultivator smiled brilliantly at his wife, as she set the food in front of them, thanking her. He always did get tense, when the cultivator interacted with his wife…. But he likely wouldn’t do that sort of thing. He had already defended a peerless beauty from another man, the Shrouded Mountain Disciple. That particular vice seemed absent.
His wife raised an eyebrow at the breach in etiquette, but remained silent, bowing deeply.
The Lord Magistrate waited for the cultivator to speak, ceding the conversation, and wondering what he wanted, as they began their meal.
“This is good!” Rou Jin said. “My compliments to the chief!”
“They shall be pleased at your praise, Rou Jin. They have accomplished wonders this night.” he agreed easily, despite barely being able to taste the food.
They lapsed into silence again. The Lord Magistrate’s back was drenched through, as Rou Jin would glance at him occasionally, then simply take another bite.
The silence lengthened until it became awkward. His wife prepared more tea, pouring another cup for them both.
Rou Jin took a sip from his cup then licked his lips. Finally, the cultivator spoke.
“Lovely weather we’ve been having lately.”
The Lord Magistrate was taken aback by the casual statement, and felt a little surge of irritation. “Forgive me, Rou Jin. I have rarely gotten out this past week, but the sun does seem beautiful from the window.”
“Ah, you’re really busy? That sucks—is unfortunate. I hope I haven’t been adding to anything…” The man said with a laugh, joking. The Lord Magistrate felt a surge of irritation, but opened his mouth to respond in the negative.
“It has not been too much—” He caught his wife’s glance, as her eyes narrowed.
“You have, quite a bit, my dear.” His wife interrupted, with mild reproach.
Rou Jin’s laugh died in his throat. The Lord Magistrate felt like she had just punched him in the stomach.
His wife had just chastised the cultivator. To his face. The man had been all too easy-going so far, but The Lord Magistrate couldn’t imagine a world in which he let this go.
And yet, as always when he felt fear, he froze up completely. His body couldn't move to clap his hands over his wife’s mouth and apologize for her slights.
Especially when she kept going.
“The Azure Jade Trading Company coming to town requires an enormous amount of work, as do the roads. Oh, and the cultivators coming through. Just last week one came through town. After decades here without any, all of a sudden our little town seems to be playing host to a great many. My, things are changing quite quickly, and you’re certainly giving my poor husband more than he should have to deal with. Interfering with his quiet, peaceful life.”
Her words were calm and measured, delivered with a sweet smile that looked anything but amused..
The cultivator stared at her, a frown on his face. A moment flashed in The Lord Magistrate’s mind of the horrible shrieking boom, and his wife screaming in pain as Qi burned her body and soul.
An endless parade of memories overwhelmed him. Lady Wu screaming and thrashing, foaming at the mouth as her body tried to shake itself apart. His wife not noticing the small cuts on her fingers, her sense of touch deadened to near unfeeling. It was why they had started using ropes and rougher play in the first place—just so that Wu could feel anything at all though her reduced senses.
The cultivator slumped, looking like the Lord Magistrate’s own son did when his wife lambasted him.
He looked contrite.
“The Azure Jade Trading Company—ugh. I didn’t even think it would be an issue,” he muttered to himself, before he looked back up. The man grimaced. “I’m sorry for adding to the work.”
The lord magistrate let out the breath he had been holding. His frozen muscles unseized, and his shoulders slumped. There was no violence. There was no surge of Qi. No flash of panic and terror as the people closer to the impact died screaming in agony.
Instead, Rou Jin looked wholly apologetic
The Lord Magistrate swallowed thickly, his mind racing.
“It is a bit of work.. But it will likely be a boon to Verdant Hill in the long run.” He said diplomatically.
The cultivator sighed. He scratched at his head, quickly returning his neatly arranged hair to its usual mess. The Lord Magistrate’s eyes landed on his wife, who simply nodded her head like she had accomplished something other than nearly causing him to spit blood.
She refused to make eye contact with him, instead settling down beside him, slipping out her fan and watching Rou Jin.
“Alright. Uh… I can explain all of this, but…how to start this…” he mused to himself, before looking back up. “What have you heard about the Dueling Peaks Tournament?”
The Lord Magistrate paused, remembering the report that had been sent to him. “That the victor was Cai Xiulan, and that the one she defeated was Rou Tigu. It seemed likely that Rou Tigu was one and the same as the young lady of your household. I did not deem it…necessary to inquire further.”
“Yeah… Tigu’er and Lanlan—er, Xiulan fought in the finals. Was there anything else?”
The Lord Magistrate paused at the absurdity of calling Cai Xiulan Lanlan. Did they know each other somehow—?
His mind raced back to earlier this year, when Rou Jin had come to talk about Sun Ken’s death. It was reported that Cai Xiulan had slain Sun Ken, but Rou Jin had already known—
He cut the thought off, and instead focused on the other question. Anything else?
“There was some manner of altercation? The report made bare mention of one.”
The cultivator closed his eyes. “Well, there was… an incident. What I’m going to tell you has been covered up, but I think you deserve to know, and it leads into why I wanted to meet with you tonight.”
The Lord Magistrate felt dread crawl up his spine at the man’s words.
“The Shrouded Mountain Sect attacked Tigu’er, because their Young Master was the guy who I thought was an imposter. It turned out to be true just not the way I thought. Then there was nearly a war between the Azure Hills and the Shrouded Mountain Sect.”
The words were all accurate, but they didn’t make sense. The whole of the Azure Hills was nearly plunged into war?! The Lord Magistrate glanced towards his wife, as some of her decorum broke. She was hiding her face underneath her fan, but her eyes were worried, and her mouth was open.
“Ah, don’t worry, nothings going to happen! I kind of… forced everybody to stop.”
The words sounded so innocent. The Lord Magistrate felt faint.
“.. you stopped the Shrouded Mountain Sect”
“Yeah, we shouldn’t have to worry about them at all again? I made them promise to never set foot in the Azure Hills again unless I let them, but I also kind of don’t trust them…”
The Lord Magistrate's stomach, surprisingly, was absolutely calm. He picked up the bottle of wine, meant to be drunk later in the night, and dearly, dearly wished that he could upend the entire thing, but he would need to remember Rou Jin’s words. Instead, he allowed himself a single sip.
He instantly regretted it, for the taste awoke a powerful thirst. So he handed the bottle off to his wife, to free him from temptation.
She obliged him, draining the rest.
“I guess… I should tell this better.” Rou Jin said with a nervous grin.
========================================
The tale was hard to stomach. Kidnapping, running battles, and the man in front of him strong-arming every sect in the Azure Hills as well as the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
Tao the Traveler wrote more believable stories.
He had known Rou Jin had to have been fairly powerful to possess Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs. But to be a member of the Cloudy Sword Sect?!
The Lord Magistrate felt faint, but was compelled to ask.
“Forgive me… but why are you telling me this? And what could you possibly need from this lowly mortal?”
“Lord Magistrate? How old do you think I am?” The Cultivator asked. The question was an odd one.
“....I do not know.”
Rou Jin smiled, a crooked thing.
“I turned twenty this year. Before this, I was an orphan, living in the slums. I started cultivating when I was twelve.”
The Lord Magistrate rocked back on hearing the words. So young?!
“And now, apparently, I’m the guy everybody looks to for answers.” There was a grimace of irritation. “I came here today to ask for your help.” Rou Jin stated, lowering his head to say in a desperate whisper. “Because I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Everything clicked into place. Everything about Rou Jin that rubbed him the wrong way, that made him seem insincere at times suddenly made sense.
Every bow that the Lord Magistrate assumed to be made in jest had been in complete sincerity. Every gift, not something to put the Lord Magistrate in his debt, but a man giving his technical lord tribute. Every pause before he acted, not because he was deciding whether to show respect or not, but because he had to think about how to act.
The discussion on taxes. Taxes that he actually intended to pay. The work on the roads. Proclaiming his Spirit Beasts at his service. From the beginning, Rou Jin had intended to work with him. From the beginning, each offense caused had been unintentional.
Had… Had he truly been so blind? So hung up on his own insecurities that these obvious tells had gone right by him?
Even now, the young man, who could end his entire town with a single thrust of his fist, sat awaiting his judgement. As if he was a child before an elder.
“Why me? Why here?”
“From everything everybody has said, you’re a good man. What I've seen just confirms it. I need help, and I think you’re one of the only people I can really ask. And kind of… the only official I really respect enough to.” he said, his voice soft and head still lowered.
Rou Jin had just said he had respected him.
The Lord Magistrate licked his lips, wetting them.
“What would you wish to learn from me?”
“I don’t know most things about decorum, and talking to people properly. I know I can’t solve every problem with violence… and even if I could, I don’t want to. I need to be able to solve things with words.. Or at least know when people are trying to jerk me around. ”
The ancient scholars said that civilization is what separates men from beasts. That law and order must be valued above strength. It was an old saying. A wonderful idea that they were required to learn… and then were told in no uncertain terms by their teachers, that such things had to be disregarded in the name of practicality. When cultivators roamed, the strong ruled.
As The Lord Magistrate stared at the cultivator before him, a question bubbled to the surface of his mind, what if the strongest were committed to that old ideal?
The lord Magistrate dismissed the nonsense, banishing it from his mind. He didn’t want to get involved in any cultivator business. Where cultivators lay was madness and misery.
“Please. I need your guidance, Lord Magistrate. I don’t want this town to lose anything. I value the peace I’ve found in the Azure Hills.”
There was a young man before him seeking guidance. Young. Not yet fully ready for the trials of life, despite all his bravado and strength. The Lord Magistrate was not an altruistic man, yet he had often indulged in giving pointers to others. There were few things as pure as a junior’s eyes shining with admiration as he gifted them his wisdom. As they thanked him for enlightening them to the truth of the world.
Having the strongest cultivator in the land calling him teacher with complete sincerity.
That he was saying he valued the peace of the land… well, that was just a bonus.
In his youth, the Lord Magistrate had been an ambitious man. A man who sought to rise to the top, and rule the entire Azure Hills, before he learned the true terror of cultivators, and the benefits of a quieter, slower life.
This was an opportunity that only came once in thousands of years.
It was a gamble. Yet could he really say no?
For the sake of his quiet life. For the sake of his town. The Lord Patriarch of Verdant Hill could only say one thing.
“You may raise your head. We shall work together, then.” The Lord Magistrate decreed, his voice more powerful than he thought he would be able to make it.
Rou Jin’s face lit up.
“Thank you. I won’t let you down, teacher.” The Cultivator said, performing the proper kowtow before him, accepting him as his master in the arts of reason and politics.
They drank a cup of wine together, and then Rou Jin left, saying he would be back on the morrow to work out a schedule with him.
And so the Lord Magistrate simply sat there. His legs had long since gone numb, and he didn’t feel like he could stand. He was absolutely exhausted.
“I did tell you all you needed to do was scold him.” His wife said blandly, as she sipped wine.
“I don’t need your cheek right now, dear wife.”
“Oh? Going to do something about it?” she asked, her eyes challenging.
“When I can stand again.” he returned.
His wife snorted, her eyes looking at the door Rou Jin had exited out of, before glancing back to the Lord Magistrate.
“Poor boy. It always seems that responsibility finds those who don’t wish for it… yet are too stubborn to put it down once they have it.
The Lord Magistrate wanted to deny her insinuation. He was nothing like Rou Jin.
Still.. He did feel a bit lighter. Like... things wouldn’t be too bad. He was just dealing with a lost young man. He could deal with that. And if he could harness this strength….. Well. Then his life would continue to be peaceful.
Perhaps the future held a bit less stomach pain as well?
He smiled to himself, as he looked up at the ceiling. He felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Now all he had to do was teach the man who was apparently the new power of the Azure Hills how to deal with every other cultivator sect.
He paused.
Now he had to teach the man who was the new power of the Azure Hills how to deal with every other cultivator sect!
His stomach churned, as the weight of his newfound goal settled on his shoulders.
His face was still blank with a smile.
Inside his mind, he screamed in terror.
============================
============================
So. the reason why this took so long is because I originally planned on this being a status quo chapter. it was going to be "Magistrate misunderstands Jin again, and effectively gets thrust into Being Jin's "face" to the world."
In the end, i decided that the joke had largely run its course. to grow and change, and to not stagnate was my goal. and so now the Lord Magistrate knows exactly who Jin is, and is moving past some of his issues—
Straight into another set, as he realises he has to teach a boisterous orphan how to be a political animal. With cultivation on top.
So hes still suffering, just now in a different way!
Thanks again to the edit squad.
Edit Squad:
Pastafarian, Heavenly Daoist, Ayje
Verdant Bluegrass, Chris Shaw, Oshi
Comments
Sean Dawson
I like the misunderstanding being cleared up but if Jim does not get a backbone from this teaching I will be upset. Ruining his peaceful life like Jin moved into an area that is 1 week away from the town Jin lives next to and that town is 1 1/2 days from his place. He paid all his bills and taxes and when requested he helped out. If Jin didn’t stop the cultivator that day one of the biggest powers in that town would have hated the magistrate as his sons soon to be wife was taken and he didn’t stop it. These are things he should know but can’t get over Jin about. But his wife has a clear mind and should recognize. This scolding is way over the top. If she would have just explained how it made her husband overworked then ok but a scolding? No wonder she was crippled by a cultivator like WTF. I have lost all respect for them both as this would be the same as if Big D didn’t save the town and all other towns said it was the Magistrate who sent the wolves to kill them. Good moving forward but how it was set up seems bad.
Corwin Amber
'pieces form the' form -> from
shaun
Perfect!!! Love the direction.
BargleNawdleZouss
My first post! I just want to say, CasualFarmer, that I very much appreciate that you've had characters firmly put down the Idiot Ball, as you had Jin comment upon in an earlier chapter. I'm heartily sick of otherwise reasonably intelligent characters continuing a misunderstanding because they simply didn't ASK about it. With the Elders of the Azure Hills, and now with the Lord Magistrate, I feel that you've done the right thing, and your story is all the better for it!
taukid
Especially when Jin, an insanely powerful cultivator, is shockingly bad at it. He'll internally be like "how can you move with perfect speed and grace but can't bow properly if your life depended on it!?"
taukid
I think he's sky realm because he destroyed 5 talismans that could take a blow each from an earth realm cultivator in one blow and that's also the realm where one can create their domain which sounds what Jin does when people feel he is part of the land.
BelligerentGnu
This is so incredibly good. The Magistrate's epiphany is just perfectly executed.
Matt DiMeo
It's also weird level of surpise, given that meimei told Lady Wu that Big D killed sun ken, not Xiulan.
RJKY
The one of image of the Patrician is literally so evocative every single time.
Mislandor
Well done - love to see this wrapped up - although I have had many laughs over their misunderstandings :)
Sam
This worked really well. From the Lord Magistrate's wife's scolding to Jin bungling the telling of the story and the final reveal. It was funny and enjoyable and moved characters and relationships forward. Well done.
Oskatat
I don't think she was wearing her official outfit at the time, or showing her floating swords. He may just not have recognized her. He did leave early, after all.
Nicholas Grey
Xiulan was not exactly subtle back then. They wouldn't have needed to be actually introduced for the Magistrate to notice a powerful, young, female cultivator dressed in Verdant Blade robes. They would also have been two two most important (in-universe) people attending, so they probably would have been introduced.
Carl Mason
Were they properly introduced or were they just both there? I don't remember anymore.
BlueMage_VT
I love this chapter so much. One of my problems with a lot of fiction is that most of the problems in the story could be avoided or solved just by people talking to each other, and while that has been true here, it seems perfectly in keeping with the setting and part of the story itself rather than just a device to keep the story moving. Further emphasized by Jin finally just talking and telling the whole story to the poor Lord Magistrate and solving many of the tensions and misgivings he had about Jin. Only for Jin to saddle him with a new set of problems lol
Nathaniel Jacob moore
Ah yes, when the realisation settles in that congratulations you're technically the most powerful person in the area if only by technicality xD
Luke Preston
This is amazing both story wise and humor wise
Nicholas Grey
“The Lord Magistrate paused at the absurdity of calling Cai Xiulan Lanlan. Did they know each other somehow—?” He knows they’re acquainted. He’s seen them together - he officiated Jin and Meiling’s wedding, and Xiulan was a prominent guest.
KnightRider007
To be fair, managing to keep a straight face when presented with world-altering surprises is kind of the Magistrate’s thing…
BZD
I’m not sure Jin told him that. Maybe I missed that part, but regardless, Jin left that sect.
Armo
As The Lord Magistrate stared at the cultivator before him, a question bubbled to the surface of his mind, what if the strongest were committed to that old ideal? -> As The Lord Magistrate stared at the cultivator before him, a question bubbled to the surface of his mind; what if the strongest were committed to that old ideal?
Crazynorse
Hey listen i really love the series, but there is a minor plot point i fell you NEED to add. When he learns Jins a part of one of the most powerful sects in the WORLD, we should have sort of reaction or comment like everyone else in the world has had when they learned it.
Carl Mason
I honestly felt it was actually really good pacing. Jin is procrastinating out of formal respect for the meal, Lord Magistrate is afraid to broach the topic (not knowing what the topic is), Lady Wife just verbally smacks them in the back of the head and gets the conversation rolling, which breaks the formal etiquette enough to put Jin at ease. If anything was too sudden it was right at the end with Jin leaving before the Lord Magistrate could change his mind.
Artur Vogt
I fucking hate the "missunderstanding" trope. Thank you for resolving it!
Mark
The joke still lives on in a way that the Magistrate is still a nervous wreck lmao. But it's a perfect representation of his personality imo because he's a perfectionist but also a worrywart.
Steven Whitfield
The Lord Magistrate is a duck. All calm and cool on the surface, legs paddling like a madman below the surface... when he can get them to work. ;)
Linkneo5
I'm glad the joke is done now and the characters are growing. Some authors run these kind of misunderstanding jokes into the ground. Thanks for the chapter!
Gentleknife
Thanks for the chapter. This is the perfect direction to take this part of the story.
Geese
Wonderful. As long as the Lord Magistrate is smiling on the outside and screaming on the inside all is well in Azure Hills.
Kawika Myers
*wife scolds powerful cultivator at dinner* : Panik *cultivator accepts scolding and asks for lessons in real politik* : Kalm *realize you now have to teach about cultivator politic* : Panik, Internal screaming intensifies
NeWorlDark
While I'm a bit sad the misunderstandings will end I live the growth in this chapter
Nalhcal
There was an unneeded 'I' in: "My compliments to the chief!" TYFTC!!!!!
Teo
I love the direction the lord magistrate's troubles are heading LOL
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
FlawlessMovement
Literally my favorite character in this whole story. Lmao
Guy L.
I think you made the right choice here, I'm very eager to see how this progresses. There's a thing in fiction that I love to see which you (and my favourite published author Robert Jordan) do quite well, which is showing the point of view character from the outsider's perspective. You've managed to use it for excellent comedic moments, crowning moments of awesome, and for some really heart warming moments.
Sassy
This was well worth the wait! The joke was great, but letting it play out and end was for the best. It's a unfortunate for the Lord Magistrate that this doesn't mean his suffering will end, though. 😂
Fortunis
Hahahahaha, holy shit I love this story.
Zarik0
The chapter is really great, i like how it go and i greatly agree with the choice of the author on this The ending with the joke (Magistrate worry) continue somewhat but in a twisted/switching way as a follow up of the first worry is just so golden xD A little point, i think its a bit too short, a bit editing of it and add some line will go some good (its a great chapter but can do better i think, its the joke who comme to a end and the tension end and a rebegin in another way, so need to take it more slow and enjoy this peak of this plot line in this discussion they have and mutual realization in the middle of the chapter, more slowly unveiling the reveal and interaction and take time to sink it into the character and the situation) For a little example, i really wanted to see a line similar to: "Why did you come here? why here?" I just wanted to find peace and get out and away of all this stuff, alas.... "God its the same as me, he is a kindred spirit, fucking god dammit !! cry in his mind!! why world why?!!?! aahh" Or he direct (suddenly) bow to it and call it teacher in just 2-3 line after the point/subjet come up, feel to abrupt I feel its a bit rushed in the middle of the chapter in their discusion and the unveiling of the end of this plot line, wanted to take a bit more slow with more reaction to enjoy it slowly, feel a bit abrupt and too short for the peak of this plot line and tension, will be good to have added part in editing in the middle of this chapter and when they discuss and get the mutual realization and time to sink into it :)
KnightRider007
I feel you are doing Babe a disservice here...
IG884HIRE
A perfect time to drop the old song and dance and pickup an all new routine for them. I wonder if regular doses of FaRam cuisine prepared by Jin might settle his rebellious stomach once and for all? I'm actually really interested in exploring the various sects we saw during the Dueling Peaks tournament, so the promise of more dealings with them is extra neat.
Heidao
Today's Chapter: Panic Calm PANIC C A L M Relief Tranquility DREAD AND TERROR
Zarik0
Yes i agree it seem a bit too short, a bit editing of it and add some line will go some good (its a great chapter but can do better i think, its the joke who comme to a end and the tension end and rebegin in another way, so need to take it slow and enjoy this peak of this plot line) I really wanted to see a line similar to: "Why did you come here? why here?" I just wanted to find peace and get out and away of all this stuff, alas.... "God its the same as me, he is a kindred spirit, fucking god dammit !! cry in mind!!"
Zarik0
Yes him churning his stomach about needing to deal by proxy Jin with EVERY cultivator sect :)
Tom Marshall
I think my favourite thing about "misunderstanding" comedy is the eventual "D'oh!" moment when everything becomes clearer - that characters clarity ends up being so much comedic for it but is rarely ever explored. Love the chapter.
Summercat
Yes. Yes. It was time.
Osamaru Ta
Out of the pan and into the fire. Poor Magistrate xD
RedFaux
Honest conversation to clear up misunderstanding! The Heavens must be trembling in anger. If he ever gets a tribulation, man is it gonna be strong
Deinos
My work here is done.
RedFaux
thanks man, you scared crap outta me
Oskatat
I think you made the right call. Too many novels run the misunderstanding gag way past the time it's still fun and believable. Any gag really. The catharsis of resolving the misunderstanding is under-rated. Things like this should follow the same rough tension curve as a story, building up to a climax, and then a release.
Deinos
Thanks for thw chappy, a bit sad that this is now The End.
Sebastian Rubin
While I wouldn't have complained if the joke had kept going, this is still by far the superior option; we get the payoff of the magistrate realizing that his misery was self-inflicted, and the setup for many future ulcers to come when he has to feel guilty over Jin blundering through high-level politics with considerably less grace than Babe shows while visiting Miantiao's display room.
StarBat
I'm getting Zetsubo Sensei vibes. Kek. And his plans for the hills will be suddenly moved up a few.... Decades.
Some person
I love how his internal screams just seemed higher pitched to me…. God I love this story
Doug Hollenkamp
I think this was the correct choice. The magistrate misunderstanding Jin had run its course at this point. It was still funny, but not believable that Jin could still have him buffaloed believing that Jin has any clue what he’s doing. I’d give more feedback but it’s past 1:00 AM here and I’m too drunk for more intricate feedback.
Yshua
100% the right call. Too many stories run the misunderstanding gag far past its best by date. Well executed, good job.
Undead Writer
Thanks for the chapter!
Jan Alexander
FIinally misunderstanding cleared! Though stomach aches will continue. Haha
closeded
Good choice; the chapter was great, and continuing the joke would have felt tedious.
Mithril-blade
Oh an author who doesn't just stamp out by the books jokes just because they are easy and require no further work? Say it ain't so! Honestly, yes, I was starting to feel that the joke was also starting to get a bit stagnant, as the Lord Magistrate's character is so tied to it that it seemed like he wasn't evolving as a character at all. I am so, so glad that you took the steps to make sure that the best character of the story was given his due!
ShadeByTheSea
likely when his grandpa comes to visit.
taukid
Love this so much! Thank you for ending the misunderstandings and evolving the reason for THE LORD MAGISTRATE'S worrying.
Reinhold Wuerzner
One running joke ends and another begins. I love it.
Pierre laplant
A perfect end to the misunderstandings, it lasted just long enough that if this were one I would have been tired of it.
webolive
That was nice
Andrew
Thank you!
Umut Numanoglu
Typo: form the capital -> from Thanks for the chapter, I liked that the misunderstanding is cleared.
Ragav Kumar
That final double take... the magistrates horrible epiphany... that line was perfect.
Jeff Petkau
Perfect time to end the misunderstanding status quo. I love how the world shifts for the Lord Magistrate as he realizes where Jin was coming from all along, yet he finds a way to stay true to himself with silent panic and stress and stomach ulcers.
Chad Hagner
The end had me laughing! I like that you ended the running joke, good call. Now you've opened the magistrate up fort new things to freak out about and plenty of laughs at his misery to be seen!
Fiery Diamond
You definitely made the right choice, here, and I enjoyed it immensely. I think moving on from the status quo opens up new avenues of fun stuff that would have remained unavailable otherwise.
AirSak2000
Yeah, I definitely feel like the swap works better. The Magustrates misunderstandings were funny, but they were getting old. This opens the avenue for new, different comedy regarding the magistrate
Carl Mason
We are up to, what, book three, now? It is time for a new running gag.
Qrystof
I'm so glad you made the swap. Too many stories drag on the whole "I'm a god to these people but no one will tell me" trope. You've been excellent about flipping tropes thus far and this right here is another chapter in that saga.
Carl Mason
I think you accomplished your goal with the relationship between Jin and the Magistrate moving on from constant comedic misunderstandings, and that is good to see, but this new relationship of tutor and student contains a lot of room for a new rendition of the same joke. I expect to see more of the Lord Magistrate screaming in his soul as he teaches Jin etiquette and politics, just with a more knowing angle to it.
g00b3r guts
Very well done
STORRM
fucking amazing! absolutely loved it
Powernap
Sheer perfection. This seems even harder to write than you described.
Green0Photon
Excellent character development. You definitely made the right choice instead of rerunning old jokes.
nugitoBambino
also just to add - this chapter was delicate and perfect. Moving the Lord Magistrate towards a new understanding and keeping the dynamic. I think it was a keen writing instinct that brought that about. Salute to you good sir. I look forward to future chapters.
Winston Smith
I really like the chapter. I think it was a good idea to move forward with the storyline. I think it's going to deepen the relationship between the two in a meaningful way.
Justin
I kind of want to see a longer discussion with more of the LM and his wife's reactions to the news.
Austin
I feel like if he keeps eating Jins food he's going to become a cultivator himself. I would love that irony
Darune Albane
Just think of the headache he would have along with the stomach ache when/if jins special booze gets out
Darune Albane
Wonder if some of jins "special" booze will help his stomach issue
Justin
Thanks for the chapter. Enjoyed the wife stepping in and moving the two along.
Andrew Fox
This is honestly great for everybody, Jin is clearly not the type to abuse his power, and he's the most powerful cultivator in the azure hills, if he can learn politics and whatnot he could become the defender and mediator of Azure Hills. Also, I hope that someday we get a confirmation on how powerful Jin actually is.
AnthraxRipple
This was really excellent, thanks for the chapter!
nugitoBambino
this had me cackling - this was just... fucking hilarious man. And beautiful in its own way
Aaron Martinez
Very good avoiding the pitfall but keeping the fun.
HighterDK
Beautiful
GuyWhoReadsALot
Great job... I also thought the joke had run its course, and am glad for this new stage. Can't wait to see where their new relationship goes.
Arnon Parenti
From dealing with one lost boy to raising a bunch of young masters and their spirit animal friends. Lord Magistrate is moving up in the world.
Empty Shelf
Lord Magistrate: Oh thank Heaven. I don't have to deal with an all-powerful Expert, just an all-powerful Novice. ..... FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-
11037
Always nice to get a chapter about the story's true protagonist.
Klien Morretti
Cultivators normally acknowledge old monsters as their teacher. Now here we have Jin acknowledging a mortal as his teacher. I like this trope subversion.
Teh One & TrueTabi
“My compliments to the chief!” Methinks there’s a typo here chief!
Imspinnennetz
The Lord Magistrate's stomach troubles continues. How blessed are we with this great character?
Matt
Poor Lord Magistrate. He'll never truly find peace. And I love it.
RJasdf
Thanks for the chapter!
Ben Allen
I like the way you chose to go, but I think you went to fast
LenoraeKB
I feel like instead of Beware of Chicken this story could have been called something like The Many Trials of a Lord Magistrate. Poor guy. Hes always been my favorite character
Joel Rodriguez
Aigooo~. Maybe the venerable Miss Magistrate should give her husband a massage. XD
CalvinCopyright
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Welp, if this misunderstanding is coming to an end, the only thing to do... is to create a new one!!! Jin's the power in the Azure Hills. But he won't be in the city most of the time. Guess who ambassadors from the sects will end up talking to when they go to the city? How much power will they think Jin's given the Magistrate to decide his affairs? Especially if him and his wife become Initiates from eating Jin's food? I can't wait!!!
Nick
Thanks for the chapter
riley st john
I do like the twist in the lord magistrates suffering. Keeps it fresh if the way he has to worry about jin is for different reasons
