As apex predators, hunting other birds is an instinct coded into the genes of an ordinary Beaked Eagle.
But Qi Zai was different.
It was a Spirit Beast that had awakened its intelligence and embarked on the path of cultivation, and Yang Qi’s instructions were an "ironclad rule" it had to obey.
Besides, ever since it had tasted Spirit Rice Balls, ordinary prey was merely a "snack" for an occasional change of pace. It was far less appealing than food that contained Spiritual Qi.
However, Huang Zhongmu, Cheng Xiaoou, and the others clearly didn’t think so.
They looked at the massive, dark silhouette circling in the sky, then at the innocent, pure-white Chinese Merganser in its crate. Worry was written all over their faces.
Director Zhao from the Forestry Department, in particular, had his brows deeply furrowed. He clearly found the proposal of "a bird of prey escorting a waterfowl" to be utterly absurd.
Seeing this, Yang Qi didn’t insist. He thought for a moment and suggested an alternative.
"Since you’re all worried about Qi Zai, let’s just let the merganser fly back on its own."
As he spoke, he crouched down, faced the merganser in the transport crate, and used the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, speaking gently.
"Little guy, do you remember where your home is? The place you told me about before."
The merganser tilted its slender neck, its black, bead-like eyes fixing on Yang Qi as it called out twice.
I think I remember.
It paused, then added.
Once I fly out and see the sky and the mountains, I should be able to remember.
"That’s good."
Yang Qi smiled and stood up. Facing the doubtful gazes of the crowd, he said, "No problem. It can find its own way back."
"Well..." The crowd exchanged glances, and finally, all eyes turned to Director Zhao.
Director Zhao pondered for a moment. He glanced at Qi Zai, still circling in the sky, then at Yang Qi’s confident expression, and finally made a decision.
"Then we’ll do as Xiao Yang says and let the merganser fly back on its own. However—"
His tone shifted as he turned to look at Yang Qi.
"Xiao Yang, call the Beaked Eagle down first and keep a close watch on it. Don’t let it fly for the time being. We’ll go to the clearing up ahead to release the merganser. Once the merganser is far away, you can let the Beaked Eagle move freely again."
’Just how scared are they that Qi Zai will attack the merganser...’
Yang Qi found it somewhat amusing but understood their caution. After all, the pairing certainly defied common sense.
"Alright."
Yang Qi nodded. He walked over to a clear spot, formed a ring with his thumb and forefinger, brought it to his lips, and blew a long, clear whistle.
The sound of the whistle echoed through the mountain forest.
The next moment—
"WHOOSH—!"
The sound of massive wings slicing through the air filled the clearing as a dark shadow dove like an arrow. With a final flap, it landed steadily on a horizontal branch of a pine tree near Yang Qi.
It was Qi Zai.
It folded its wings, its golden pupils calmly sweeping over the distant crowd before finally landing on Yang Qi. A low "coo" rumbled in its throat by way of greeting.
"Qi Zai, rest for a bit. Don’t take to the sky for now."
Yang Qi spoke in a normal voice while simultaneously sending a reassuring thought through their bond, ’You can be active again after that duck flies away.’
Qi Zai tilted its head, seemingly confused, but still gave an obedient "coo." It then preened its chest feathers with its beak, adopting a posture that said, ’I’ll just be staying right here.’
"Let’s go."
Seeing this, Director Zhao quickly motioned for everyone to leave.
However, he was clearly still uneasy and deliberately had a young staff member stay behind to "accompany" Yang Qi.
In reality, the man was there to monitor the Beaked Eagle and prevent it from suddenly taking flight.
Yang Qi didn’t call him on it. He simply watched as the group carried the transport crate and hurried toward the forest clearing a few hundred meters away.
The staff member who stayed behind stood nervously a short distance away, his eyes darting toward Qi Zai in the tree. His hand subconsciously went to the walkie-talkie on his hip.
Yang Qi smiled at him.
"Relax. Qi Zai is very obedient."
"Uh... Right, right." The staff member nodded sheepishly, but his body remained tense.
...
「In the other clearing.」
Huang Zhongmu, Cheng Xiaoou, Deng Lei, and several people from the Forestry Bureau and Forest Police stood in a circle.
Director Zhao personally stepped forward and carefully opened the gate of the transport crate.
Inside the crate, the Chinese Merganser seemed to sense the air of the outside forest. It grew excited, its slender neck twisting and turning nonstop.
It took a tentative first step, planting its foot on the soft earth.
Then, it took a few steps on the ground to acclimate itself, turning its head to look at the surrounding "Two-legged Beasts," a flicker of confusion in its bead-like black eyes.
Next, it flapped its wings a few times, took a few running steps, and with a powerful beat of its wings—
"FLAP FLAP FLAP—"
Its white feathers gleaming softly in the sunlight, the merganser soared into the air.
"It’s flying!"
"So beautiful..."
Everyone tilted their heads back, watching the rare bird return to the blue sky, a sense of relief welling up in their hearts.
The merganser circled twice over the clearing, as if getting its bearings or, perhaps, expressing its gratitude.
"Look, it seems to know we’re the ones who saved it."
Cheng Xiaoou whispered to Huang Zhongmu, raising her camera to snap several shots in quick succession.
"All living things have a spirit," Huang Zhongmu agreed.
Just as everyone was thinking the merganser would now fly north, marveling at how this bird seemed to understand gratitude—
The merganser in the sky suddenly executed a graceful turn, reversed course, and started flying back!
It flew straight toward Yang Qi’s location.
"Huh? What’s going on?"
"Why is it flying back?"
"Did it get its directions mixed up? North is that way!"
The group was stunned. Forgetting all about being quiet, they broke into a run, chasing after the merganser on the ground.
"Quick! Follow it and see what’s happening!"
"Don’t let it get lost!"
The whole group scrambled after the white silhouette in the sky.
A few hundred meters wasn’t far, and they soon ran all the way back to where Yang Qi was.