Yun Qing had deliberately walked very slowly.
The instant that little claw broke through the earth behind him, his taut back finally relaxed a fraction. He had "gotten his way," yet an aching tenderness rose uncontrollably in his heart.
"Cheep! Cheep cheep!"
Little Radiant Chick soon caught up with him, anxiously circling his boots and flapping his wings as he tried to jump up. His black, bean-like eyes brimmed with urgency: Look at me! I'm alive!
Yun Qing stopped, but did not look at the anxious golden ball of fluff at his feet. He gazed at the windblown sand in the distance, as though hopelessly mired in grief. "Have I grieved so much that I'm hearing things? Why would I hear Little Huang's voice... no, that's impossible. Little Huang is already dead. He was so small, so weak. It's all my fault for not being strong enough to protect him. I must become strong enough to reverse everything and stand at a pinnacle no one else can reach!"
Such anguish in his voice, such unwavering conviction-it moved even a chick.
Yun Huang-no, Little Radiant Chick-stared blankly at his brother, who was gleefully directing and acting out his own performance. His true body's mouth seemed to twitch.
Yun Qing sighed at just the right moment and raised a hand to cover the lower half of his face, his voice muffled. "Forget it. What's the use of saying any of this? He's already gone... oh, no, the chick is gone. A dead chick cannot return to life. Perhaps it's better that he's gone. He'll never have to live in fear again, never knowing when he might face another parting in life or death..."
"CHEEP!!!"
Before he had finished speaking, an exceptionally loud, utterly furious cry rang out at his feet!
Yun Qing