Just as Hou Niao spotted the woman, the wind high above cut like knives, and a fierce gale slammed into her from the side. Like a little boat in a vast ocean, she struggled a few times before losing control and tumbling downward. That fall would likely cost her half her life, if it did not kill her outright.
He sighed. He wanted to leave her alone, but simply could not stand by and watch. Swooping down, he caught her by the belt as he drew close and roughly hauled her up, returning to an altitude of six thousand zhang. A sweep of his Divine Sense told him no one in the air below had noticed his movements, so he checked his bearings again and flew toward the Yaoguang Mountains in the Northern Borderlands.
Over the next two hours, he changed direction several more times, only lowering his altitude a little once he was certain he had shaken off pursuit. Even he found flying six thousand zhang above the ground taxing, let alone with such a burden in tow.
His broad hand landed hard on the woman's ample backside. "Stop playing dead. What are you after, following me like this? If you don't tell the truth, I'll seal your Law Power and throw you straight down. Turn that pretty flesh into a heap of pulp!"
The woman twisted her waist in enjoyment, her starry eyes hazy. "My dear Hou, how did you end up looking like this after only a few decades apart? All that wind and sun have left you dark and skinny, and you've even developed a hunchback?"
Something stirred in Hou Niao's mind, but he acted as though he had noticed nothing. "Crazy woman, what nonsense are you talking about?"
The woman giggled sweetly. Her hands turned