Meng Yi cradled Wayfinder in one hand while urging his fine horse onward along the riverbank.
It was in that direction. It couldn't be too far now.
But this should be Kuaiji Mountain?
The Kuaiji His Majesty had mentioned wasn't Kuaiji City, but Kuaiji Mountain?
Click!
Suddenly, the mechanical bird made a sound.
Meng Yi lowered his head to look and was startled.
At some point, the mechanical bird had turned its head around. It was no longer pointing out the way for him. Instead, its eyes seemed almost expressive as it looked at him.
Meng Yi could not help reining in his horse.
The mechanical bird gradually revealed its true form. Its tiny body continuously rotated and transformed, changing in mere seconds from a delicate little mechanical bird into a massive steel bird with a wingspan as wide as a person.
The great bird flapped its wings and began circling overhead, raising its head at Meng Yi.
"You... want me to leave?" Meng Yi asked in disbelief.
Then something even more unbelievable happened. The iron bird understood Meng Yi's words and nodded.
Meng Yi fell silent. After thinking for a long while, he pressed his lips together.
"Go on. Fly to where you're meant to go." He grasped the reins, looked at the incredible iron bird, and nudged his horse in the belly.
Since that was the case, then my task was complete.
I should hurry back and report to His Majesty. Your Majesty... you must remain safe.
The great bird watched Meng Yi's retreating figure. Only after confirming that he had disappeared from sight did it beat its wings and soar high into the sky, flying toward Kuaiji Mountain.
Xiang An and his two siblings were roasting fish by the river, chatting about everyday family matters as they