The town where Jiang Hao lived was called Qingxi Town, under Lanxi County in Jinhua Prefecture. His home stood two or three li outside town: three blue-tiled rooms, wooden doors, and a brushwood gate enclosing the yard. It sat halfway up the mountain, with rolling hills visible in the distance—the outlying range of Jinhua Mountain, known as North Mountain.
It was winter now, and the mountains were yellowish green. In the other three seasons, they would surely be lush and verdant.
There was nothing valuable in the house. The most expensive things were the dozen or so books he had studied: the Four Books and Five Classics, along with several annotated editions. After thinking it over, he waved a hand and stored them in his space. Nowhere was safer than there.
Mountains might look close enough to kill a horse, but actually walking there took a long time.
Fortunately, he had Lightness Skill beneath his feet. He seemed neither hurried nor slow, yet he moved at great speed. Dressed in a long green robe, he somehow carried himself with a carefree, elegant grace.
"Chirp chirp~!"
Two cries came from the sky. Jiang Hao looked up, and delight immediately filled his heart. They were actually two common kestrels. Also called tea kestrels or red kites, they were small birds of prey about the size of magpies, extraordinarily swift and nimble in flight.
Jiang Hao spread his hand and used Animal Communication Ability. His spiritual power had advanced greatly now, making the attraction he emitted even stronger. The two kestrels noticed Jiang Hao and flew over lazily.
"Come here!"
He raised his hand, and the two kestrels landed on his arm.
He gently stroked their heads, and both little fellows narrowed their eyes in comfort.
"Help me see whether there are any