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Beware of Chicken #4
Beware of Chicken 4
17 hours and 26 minutes
A laugh-out-loud, slice-of-life martial-arts fantasy about . . . farming????
Jin Rou wanted to be a cultivator. A man powerful enough to defy the heavens. A master of martial arts. A lord of spiritual power. Unfortunately for him, he died, and now I’m stuck in his body.
Out in the middle of nowhere, I’ve managed to escape a life of cultivation and politics. Until now, that is. I guess it was inevitable they caught up with me eventually. I haven’t exactly been subtle. You know, what with the talking animals performing heroics all over the Azure Hills and Xiulan constantly calling me a Hidden Master.
A part of me wants to run away again. The memory of my death still haunts my dreams. But this is my home now. And I’ll be damned if I give it up without a fight.
I mean, all I have to do is learn how to navigate xianxia politics and train for battle while simultaneously running my farm and uncovering an ancient cataclysm that apparently destroyed the Azure Hills back in the day.
Meanwhile, I’m about to be a father . . . Man, I’m kinda screwed, aren’t I? At least I can call in the cavalry—ahem, poultry—to help.
The fourth volume of the blockbuster progression-fantasy series—with more than 20 million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
A laugh-out-loud, slice-of-life martial-arts fantasy about . . . farming????
Jin Rou wanted to be a cultivator. A man powerful enough to defy the heavens. A master of martial arts. A lord of spiritual power. Unfortunately for him, he died, and now I’m stuck in his body.
Out in the middle of nowhere, I’ve managed to escape a life of cultivation and politics. Until now, that is. I guess it was inevitable they caught up with me eventually. I haven’t exactly been subtle. You know, what with the talking animals performing heroics all over the Azure Hills and Xiulan constantly calling me a Hidden Master.
A part of me wants to run away again. The memory of my death still haunts my dreams. But this is my home now. And I’ll be damned if I give it up without a fight.
I mean, all I have to do is learn how to navigate xianxia politics and train for battle while simultaneously running my farm and uncovering an ancient cataclysm that apparently destroyed the Azure Hills back in the day.
Meanwhile, I’m about to be a father . . . Man, I’m kinda screwed, aren’t I? At least I can call in the cavalry—ahem, poultry—to help.
The fourth volume of the blockbuster progression-fantasy series—with more than 20 million views on Royal Road—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
18 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 19, 2024
703 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
December 4, 2024
For a series that I've enjoyed immensely so far (actually re-read the first 3 books earlier this year), I have to admit this one was a disappointment. It really felt like a filler book after the events of the previous one, with barely anything of note happening in this book. I feel like this entire novel tried to focus on the interpersonal, but without any tension or real progress being made, merely setting up events for the next book. Additionally, why would I want 15% of the book to be dedicated to a story about a historical event?? Like, sure, it helps with the worldbuilding, but it really felt like the author is just struggling with the direction the story is supposed to go in.
I will still read the next instalment, of course, but I have to admit I'm disappointed in this particular book.
I will still read the next instalment, of course, but I have to admit I'm disappointed in this particular book.
December 10, 2024
It is frustrating to simultaneously love a story while wishing it would get on with it. I guess there's about 20% "cosy" I'd like replaced with dynamic tension. Am I the only one who believes it is possible to portray a pleasant existence, while admitting that every life has challenges?
November 21, 2024
It just isn’t a series for me anymore. For one, the story has absolutely gotten too full of characters for the breezy tone. You don’t really spend enough time with anyone or if you do it’s not your top three or five. I don’t care about 1/3rd of these people and what’s going on with Pippa’s emotional state is more interesting to me than the war against demons that the Crimson Empire is fighting. I really cannot emphasize how this book just had too many characters for me, and I love the Iliad.
For another, it’s not really “slice of life,” fiction and hasn’t been since book 3. Probably I’m an anomaly since I didn’t care about the cataclysm is the last book more of the same isn’t going to rock my world. I was hoping it’d get back to more of what made book 1 fun for me, but in the end, it just seems this series isn’t “slice of life,” but am incredibly slow burn shojun. You do get some “pay off,” for the SOL plots, Mei’s pregnancy gets a conclusion, you get way too much detail on the cataclysm, etc… but over all I think this is where my journey with Jin and Co ends.
For another, it’s not really “slice of life,” fiction and hasn’t been since book 3. Probably I’m an anomaly since I didn’t care about the cataclysm is the last book more of the same isn’t going to rock my world. I was hoping it’d get back to more of what made book 1 fun for me, but in the end, it just seems this series isn’t “slice of life,” but am incredibly slow burn shojun. You do get some “pay off,” for the SOL plots, Mei’s pregnancy gets a conclusion, you get way too much detail on the cataclysm, etc… but over all I think this is where my journey with Jin and Co ends.
June 1, 2024
I’ve read it on royal road and ITS SUCH A GOOD ARC . MY GOD HOW DOES THIS MAN KEEP PUMPING OUT BANGERSSSS . DEFENITLY READ AND REREAD !!!!!
December 10, 2024
What a let down
I have really enjoyed all the other books. This one was a slog to get through. Read the other two and three star reviews, they are all correct. I will continue the series.
I have really enjoyed all the other books. This one was a slog to get through. Read the other two and three star reviews, they are all correct. I will continue the series.
November 28, 2024
I'm still enjoying this series. The writing is high-quality, and the comedy is well-executed, unlike the wannabe slapstick I often see in comedy gamelit.
There are a ton of characters and it seems more keep getting introduced with every book, but despite that I haven't had much issue keeping track of who's who. And this is despite most of them having foreign (to me) names and with many similar names. That I can pick this book up almost a year after reading the previous volume and still remember all these characters is a testament to this series.
Something kind of weird is that I don't really know how I feel about the serious undertones the story is developing in the background. I mean, I guess the series has to go somewhere plot-wise, but considering it won me over with the cozy, slice-of-life elements, it just feels strange that we have a serious world catastrophe brewing in the background.
In the previous volume, I'll admit to skimming quite a bit of the subplot involving Bi De's crystal. For whatever reason, the flashback stuff didn't bother me as much in this volume, maybe because it felt more anchored in Tianlan's backstory.
This book provided much of the same enjoyment as previous volumes while steadily setting the table for more serious events. Book 4 tends to be a crossroads for me in a series and I'm happy to say I'm still all aboard with this story.
There are a ton of characters and it seems more keep getting introduced with every book, but despite that I haven't had much issue keeping track of who's who. And this is despite most of them having foreign (to me) names and with many similar names. That I can pick this book up almost a year after reading the previous volume and still remember all these characters is a testament to this series.
Something kind of weird is that I don't really know how I feel about the serious undertones the story is developing in the background. I mean, I guess the series has to go somewhere plot-wise, but considering it won me over with the cozy, slice-of-life elements, it just feels strange that we have a serious world catastrophe brewing in the background.
In the previous volume, I'll admit to skimming quite a bit of the subplot involving Bi De's crystal. For whatever reason, the flashback stuff didn't bother me as much in this volume, maybe because it felt more anchored in Tianlan's backstory.
This book provided much of the same enjoyment as previous volumes while steadily setting the table for more serious events. Book 4 tends to be a crossroads for me in a series and I'm happy to say I'm still all aboard with this story.
April 12, 2025
I think this volume is a kind of return to a similar form as the first book, with a majority of the story devoted to cozy homemaking, and little corners devoted to world-spanning epic developments. It gets docked a star or so for continuing to be rather too droning and diffuse, and the cast too large. At times, I'm more inclined to zone out than pay attention when characters I care less about have time in the spotlight. I often can't remember who's who or what was happening with them when there are a couple dozen hours of narration in between their appearances.
I may go back and read the full serial with my eyes eventually, since I feel a little guilty for not giving the audiobook my full attention 100% of the time. With an ebook I'll have a search function available to seek out how this one or that one among half a dozen older men contributed to the larger narrative.
As usual, Travis Baldree's narration was quite good, evoking the proper emotions in the proper places. Regardless of my minor gripes, this is a pleasant vacation of a read.
I may go back and read the full serial with my eyes eventually, since I feel a little guilty for not giving the audiobook my full attention 100% of the time. With an ebook I'll have a search function available to seek out how this one or that one among half a dozen older men contributed to the larger narrative.
As usual, Travis Baldree's narration was quite good, evoking the proper emotions in the proper places. Regardless of my minor gripes, this is a pleasant vacation of a read.
July 31, 2025
The slow in-between one
This is the slice-of-life-est of the entire series. There are no earth shaking battles or great conflicts here. People got pretty banged up in book 3 and they take time to heal and recenter themselves. The fact that CasualFarmer can make something so mellow feel so engaging is proof of his writers chops.
Side note: It took me nearly a month to read this book because I only read it while on the couch with my wife. some times a cat would join us. That was a very nice way to read this book in particular. I've been trying to spend more time just being present. Hobbies & video games can wait for nights she's at work.
This is the slice-of-life-est of the entire series. There are no earth shaking battles or great conflicts here. People got pretty banged up in book 3 and they take time to heal and recenter themselves. The fact that CasualFarmer can make something so mellow feel so engaging is proof of his writers chops.
Side note: It took me nearly a month to read this book because I only read it while on the couch with my wife. some times a cat would join us. That was a very nice way to read this book in particular. I've been trying to spend more time just being present. Hobbies & video games can wait for nights she's at work.
Read
February 19, 2025DNF @ 12% - wasn’t vibing with this which was a huge shame after how much I enjoyed the others
April 14, 2024
Read on Royal Road - love this series and love the audiobooks
January 16, 2025
Rating 5.0 stars
I love this series. It is like putting on a warm coat on a cool night. It just feels right. I love the characters. It always puts a smile on my face when I listen to these stories. Did a lot happen in this book? Not really. Do I care? Not really. For me it is all about the characters. It is about those little nuggets of wisdom about life in a silly fantasy book. We get a lot more backstory in this one. How the world broke, the purpose of the rituals. For me, I didn't care about that as much but if this is something you were wondering about then this is the book that has the answers. There wasn't much new here. There is growth and change but characters also remained steady and reliable. Again, nothing wrong with that. It is hard for me to believe that an author named Casual Farmer is on the top of my favorite authors list.
I love this series. It is like putting on a warm coat on a cool night. It just feels right. I love the characters. It always puts a smile on my face when I listen to these stories. Did a lot happen in this book? Not really. Do I care? Not really. For me it is all about the characters. It is about those little nuggets of wisdom about life in a silly fantasy book. We get a lot more backstory in this one. How the world broke, the purpose of the rituals. For me, I didn't care about that as much but if this is something you were wondering about then this is the book that has the answers. There wasn't much new here. There is growth and change but characters also remained steady and reliable. Again, nothing wrong with that. It is hard for me to believe that an author named Casual Farmer is on the top of my favorite authors list.
April 3, 2025
Like the last one, but more lore.
4.6 🌟
4.6 🌟
December 20, 2024
Audiobook review:
Wow! I’m so glad I get to end the year with this book series. It hits just the right spot with the cultivation aspect, comedic undertones and slice-of-life scenes. The story is set directly after a tournament arc in the previous book, so there was no fighting, nevertheless, we got a lot of world building and each individual character had their moments. We also got a firmer understanding of the power levels in this cultivation world.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with this book. This series in general has become one of my favourite calm/slice-of-life stories. And what a narrative performance by Travis Baldree!
Wow! I’m so glad I get to end the year with this book series. It hits just the right spot with the cultivation aspect, comedic undertones and slice-of-life scenes. The story is set directly after a tournament arc in the previous book, so there was no fighting, nevertheless, we got a lot of world building and each individual character had their moments. We also got a firmer understanding of the power levels in this cultivation world.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with this book. This series in general has become one of my favourite calm/slice-of-life stories. And what a narrative performance by Travis Baldree!
November 21, 2024
wow
Wow. Wow. Wow.
So much fun. So well written.
This is the best. I stopped reading it on the free site so I could just consume it in big gulps. Who needs sleep, anyway?
Wow. Wow. Wow.
So much fun. So well written.
This is the best. I stopped reading it on the free site so I could just consume it in big gulps. Who needs sleep, anyway?
December 7, 2024
Snooze fest
A chore to read following a great third book. Never before has so little been said with so many words. The editing has also further lapsed, resulting in many typos.
A chore to read following a great third book. Never before has so little been said with so many words. The editing has also further lapsed, resulting in many typos.
October 15, 2025
Not a bad arc. This is where I stopped reading the web version, but it was better in audio. The backstory is interesting but dominates this book. I do feel like the cast is getting a bit too large, so it's hard for the author to give everyone screen time. Overall, a good read that makes you excited for the future.
January 6, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars
This was a nice way to start the new year. I got bogged down in the middle of the story as I've over dosed on world building with other books lately but loved the beginning and ending. I'm looking forward to part 5.
This was a nice way to start the new year. I got bogged down in the middle of the story as I've over dosed on world building with other books lately but loved the beginning and ending. I'm looking forward to part 5.
June 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this entry. It's a bit different than the others so far, but I think I can tell why. Where the first three books all seem to be one contained story in the ever evolving lives of the denizens of the Azure Hills, this book is more a collection of shorter stories happening mostly in chronological order. There isn't a big plot event happening here, but several smaller stories happening between the end of the events after the tournament in book 3 and the time shortly after Mei Mei has her baby.
Not that I'm complaining, though I do notice that several other reviewers are. It's honestly fun to have a short story collection in a long series of books sometimes. I think this is the one problem with this series that no one mentions. Just calling every book Beware of Chicken (insert number here) means we don't know what to expect. That's fine, I guess, if we have each book dedicated to one general idea but is less obvious when we hit one like this that is a story collection with maybe a novella in the middle if you want to get super technical.
But yeah, this is kinda a point I'm hammering in for anyone who might read the other reviews and decide to stop the series before this entry. I say stick it out because there is a lot of fun to be had here. The only other down side, as of this writing, is that this is the most current book. I want more so badly right now, but I have a feeling there's a bit of a wait ahead of me, especially as an audiobook reader.
Not that I'm complaining, though I do notice that several other reviewers are. It's honestly fun to have a short story collection in a long series of books sometimes. I think this is the one problem with this series that no one mentions. Just calling every book Beware of Chicken (insert number here) means we don't know what to expect. That's fine, I guess, if we have each book dedicated to one general idea but is less obvious when we hit one like this that is a story collection with maybe a novella in the middle if you want to get super technical.
But yeah, this is kinda a point I'm hammering in for anyone who might read the other reviews and decide to stop the series before this entry. I say stick it out because there is a lot of fun to be had here. The only other down side, as of this writing, is that this is the most current book. I want more so badly right now, but I have a feeling there's a bit of a wait ahead of me, especially as an audiobook reader.
February 26, 2025
4,5/5 stars
I get why some readers enjoy this book a bit less. This really is more of a filler episode/book in the series. Despite the general low stakes there's a big chunk of backstory that had some heavy implications and isn't as lovely as the slice of life stuff of our main cast. I still really enjoyed myself reading this book, and I do like that Jin and the Magistrate have mostly come to an understanding, I am looking forward to the next storyline that has been set up in this book.
I get why some readers enjoy this book a bit less. This really is more of a filler episode/book in the series. Despite the general low stakes there's a big chunk of backstory that had some heavy implications and isn't as lovely as the slice of life stuff of our main cast. I still really enjoyed myself reading this book, and I do like that Jin and the Magistrate have mostly come to an understanding, I am looking forward to the next storyline that has been set up in this book.
January 4, 2025
2025/01/04 Notes: 1st Audiobook Read
I love the series, but not as in love with the audiobook version as when I read it on Royal Road.
It was weird to see the mix of what I had remembered and what I had forgotten. Happy to have the audiobook as a reminder!
Need to pencil in time to read more on RR. While the writing may be less polished on RR, my imagination draws a clearer and consistent picture than when I listen to this story.
I love the series, but not as in love with the audiobook version as when I read it on Royal Road.
It was weird to see the mix of what I had remembered and what I had forgotten. Happy to have the audiobook as a reminder!
Need to pencil in time to read more on RR. While the writing may be less polished on RR, my imagination draws a clearer and consistent picture than when I listen to this story.
September 13, 2025
This one was epic and very much appreciated at this specific time.
There is more family, less farming, more of the lord magistrate and lovable characters
There is more family, less farming, more of the lord magistrate and lovable characters
August 29, 2025
I don't know if I have enough kokodżambo i do przodu in me to last me until December. I need the fifth book yesterday.
April 26, 2025
Shen Yu cool
Breaking of @&&@“$ flashback was fantastic
Many wholesome scenes and comfortable sleeping places in this book
Breaking of @&&@“$ flashback was fantastic
Many wholesome scenes and comfortable sleeping places in this book
December 2, 2024
Lost its momentum from the third book
The third book had excellent momentum from the tournament arc and Jin’s power being unveiled to the rest of the Azure Hills, and it set us up for more intrigue and power games as he tried to keep his peaceful life. Instead, this book squandered that momentum, going back into the slice of life storytelling with barely any difficulties for Jin to overcome. The winter and new year drag on with endless celebrations, and much time is spent on the pregnancy and birth, with a tortuous attempt to symbolically link it to Shen Yu fighting demons somewhere else. A very disappointing sequel.
The third book had excellent momentum from the tournament arc and Jin’s power being unveiled to the rest of the Azure Hills, and it set us up for more intrigue and power games as he tried to keep his peaceful life. Instead, this book squandered that momentum, going back into the slice of life storytelling with barely any difficulties for Jin to overcome. The winter and new year drag on with endless celebrations, and much time is spent on the pregnancy and birth, with a tortuous attempt to symbolically link it to Shen Yu fighting demons somewhere else. A very disappointing sequel.
December 3, 2024
A bit disappointing
The first 3 books were wonderful, and I expected this one to be the same. But, no. There's a darker tone to it. A feeling of hopelessness. If the first books had been like this, I wouldn't have continued reading the series.
Along with the darker tone, too many characters are introduced. It's confusing and muddies the story. I will continue the series while hoping the author brings back the joy of the original storyline.
The first 3 books were wonderful, and I expected this one to be the same. But, no. There's a darker tone to it. A feeling of hopelessness. If the first books had been like this, I wouldn't have continued reading the series.
Along with the darker tone, too many characters are introduced. It's confusing and muddies the story. I will continue the series while hoping the author brings back the joy of the original storyline.
December 3, 2024
Lots of words
Only about a quarter of the way through, but the style of writing has changed from the first books in this series. Just a lot of boring words.
Only about a quarter of the way through, but the style of writing has changed from the first books in this series. Just a lot of boring words.
November 24, 2024
What a let down!
The book is mostly filler and a hommage to the trivialities of life. While the story is still cute i just didn't care about the feelings of the immense ammount of introduced characters and their day to day life experiences. Interestingly, i didn't care a bit about the ancient history part either.
While i loved the manga pictures and the parts about Bi De, the traders and the grandfather the majority of the book was disappointing as nothing important happened.
The book is mostly filler and a hommage to the trivialities of life. While the story is still cute i just didn't care about the feelings of the immense ammount of introduced characters and their day to day life experiences. Interestingly, i didn't care a bit about the ancient history part either.
While i loved the manga pictures and the parts about Bi De, the traders and the grandfather the majority of the book was disappointing as nothing important happened.
November 23, 2024
Filler. This is the book version of a 24 episode anime filler season. We see ton of characters, do little catch up sessions, get their inner thoughts, etc. but overall, nothing much of consequence happens. The story progresses little and while I’ll check in for the next book, every book after the first has provided clearly diminishing returns.
December 23, 2024
While I'm still enjoying the series, I felt that this book ended up being a resting spot, where not a whole lot happens, and what does take place seems to be a bit meandering.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews