Chapter 21: The Divine Bird and the Trickster

A piercing, resounding cry echoed through the sky, so powerful it seemed to halt the clouds in their tracks. Instinctively, Quenxi gazed toward the southern heavens and found himself utterly transfixed.

The sky was awash in crimson, with rose-tinted clouds mirrored above, casting the entire forest in shades of purple. The horizon burned as if a great fire had erupted, transforming a fleeting moment into an eternal spectacle of beauty.

In the distance, streaks of crystalline red—like blood—rose and exploded into flames that rapidly filled the sky. The enormous blaze soared upward, and the vibrant birdcall sounded out once more, reverberating through the air.

A mass of fire! A streak of living flame flew across the horizon!

Quenxi’s first thought was that it was merely fire, but soon he realized it was not. Instead, it was a bird—a bird of incredible proportions!

He could hardly believe his eyes. He murmured in disbelief. Never before had he seen a bird able to stride upon flames, igniting such spectacle. It was terrifying, awe-inspiring.

At that moment, a figure hurried out from a nearby structure. All around, the feathered people bowed their heads in reverence, calling out, "Feather Shaman!"

The one addressed as Feather Shaman paid them no heed. Her eyes were locked onto the blazing bird above, her excitement almost indescribable, muttering, "Sacred bird… it’s the sacred bird…"

"Sacred bird?!" Upon hearing this, the surrounding feathered folk knelt toward the divine bird at the edge of the sky. Their actions prompted all others to follow suit, each according to their own custom.

A vast crowd of feathered people knelt in worship to the celestial bird, and Quenxi, unwilling to stand out, imitated their rites, bowing to the sacred bird soaring across the heavens.

Even the mysterious bird beside him was stunned by the display, perching quietly on a nearby tree, not daring to lift its head.

"The sacred bird descends…" "Feather God protects…" The Feather Shaman murmured on, her words at first comprehensible, but soon drifting into utterances none could understand.

No one dared interrupt, believing she was communing with the Feather God. To disturb her, they feared, would anger the divine and bring down punishment.

After about ten minutes, the sacred bird passed overhead, leaving behind a trail of fiery clouds.

Seeing this, the Feather Shaman finally opened her eyes, releasing a long breath, and addressed those around her: "What just passed was the Feather God’s most beloved sacred bird. It will bring us a bountiful harvest!"

A cheer erupted from the feathered people.

Quenxi, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned, then overwhelmed with joy.

Could the Feather Shaman truly communicate with the Feather God? If so, might he ask her about the deities?

Once this thought took root, it could not be shaken. Just then, the feathered person who had brought Quenxi here made an introduction: "Feather Shaman, this is a clansman from outside—he is a wingless sea bird. He says he comes from the southeast, and has no wings."

Quenxi immediately assumed a humble demeanor and bowed to the Feather Shaman: "Feather Shaman, I am Quenxi, a wingless sea bird, seeking to live in the ancestral land."

The Feather Shaman merely nodded, as if unmoved by honor or shame, and as though everything was beneath her control.

"I have long known your intent, for the Feather God informed me of your arrival."

Her tone was calm, her presence so transcendent that all those nearby believed her without question. Even Quenxi’s heart raced, and he asked breathlessly, "Feather God… does He know me?"

"Of course." The Feather Shaman smiled, lifting Quenxi up and speaking, "Quenxi of the wingless sea bird tribe, the Feather God knows you come from the great sea in the southeast. Look, the sacred bird’s descent heralds the harvest and signifies your tribe’s return to the great Feather Clan, becoming part of our people."

"Feather God!" "Feather God!" "Feather God!" The feathered people began chanting, their devotion to the Feather God unwavering.

This ritual left Quenxi bewildered and uncertain.

Wingless sea bird? It was a name he had fabricated on a whim...

He was not truly of the Feather Clan, but a member of the Merman Royal Court!

His heart beat wildly at the thought, yet he did not reveal the truth. He had no wings and could not fly—if he exposed his merman identity and angered the Feather Shaman, he might be killed on the spot.

In just these few minutes, Quenxi had discerned that here, the Feather Shaman was an absolute monarch.

He had only ever met two kings: his father, the late king, and his younger brother, King An.

His father, he remembered, was cruel and merciless; any merman who dared deceive him would suffer the agony of ‘scale removal’ and die in misery.

King An was gentler, but even in his softness, he harbored the wrath of a ruler. Rebels or those who defied him would also be executed.

Here, Quenxi was a stranger, with only the mysterious bird to rely on. A conflict would mean certain death.

Beads of sweat formed on his brow at the thought.

Seeing this, the Feather Shaman assumed Quenxi was simply overwhelmed by the Feather God's favor and laughed heartily, "Do not worry, the Feather God watches over you. From now on, you are one of the Feather Clan. You may choose a place in the ancestral land to build your home."

"Thank you, Feather Shaman!" Quenxi feigned exuberance. "Feather Shaman, our tribe has always lived near water and cannot be without it. I wonder if there is a lake or such nearby—I wish to dwell there."

"There is," the Feather Shaman replied, waving her hand. "But it is not in the core region, and the defenses are weak. If you are attacked there, we cannot respond rapidly. Are you sure?"

"Feather Shaman, please rest assured. I am certain," Quenxi replied.

The Feather Shaman nodded. "Cloud Twenty-Nine, take him."

"Yes!" The feathered person who had brought Quenxi bowed respectfully and prepared to lead him to the water source.

"Very well, you may all depart," the Feather Shaman declared. With that, she unfurled her golden wings and took flight. The others stepped aside, their expressions reverent.

"Feather God protects, Feather Shaman blesses!" the feathered folk called out.

Hearing their chants, Quenxi felt a bitter pang.

He had thought he had found a Feather Shaman able to commune with the gods—a shaman unlike any king.

But now, he realized she was a fraud, exploiting divine authority to rule through deception.

Did the Feather God truly have no objection to this?

Quenxi could not know, and his mind was heavy as he walked.

It was only when Cloud Twenty-Nine broke his reverie that he came back to himself.

Cloud Twenty-Nine clapped Quenxi’s shoulder with friendly enthusiasm, smiling broadly: "Brother, you’ve reached Feather God Lake."

"From today onward, this is your home!"