Xia Muqing asked in confusion, “Are you calling me?”
Flying Bird nodded and commanded arrogantly, “Follow me.”
Xia Muqing had no idea how she had recognized her or if something else had happened, but now, she could only follow her.
The others waiting for Xia Muqing in the cave were a little worried, when they saw that she didn’t return.
Jiang Yifan opened the hole and looked outside. There were still women walking around. They were men, and once they left the cave, they would be too conspicuous. So they could only wait.
When the sky darkened and Xia Muqing still didn’t return, Jiang Yifan and Jin Chao glanced at each other and decided to go out to take a look.
…
Xia Muqing followed Flying Bird to a palace. The sign on the entrance of the palace said, “Hundred Flowers Gathering”. After entering, the palace was split into several sections. A sign was hung outside each area.
So this was the Hundred Flowers Clan.
Flying Bird asked arrogantly, “Which clan are you from?”
She had brought Xia Muqing back because she had mistakenly assumed that she was a member of the Hundred Flowers Clan.
Xia Muqing glanced at the signboards hanging around the palace and casually said, “I’m from the Orchid Clan.”
Flying Bird’s expression changed and she snapped, “Nonsense. I’m the leader of the Orchid Clan. But I don’t recognize you.”
Xia Muqing didn’t expect her to be so unlucky and she didn’t know what to say.
Flying Bird asked curiously, “Are you one of the new ones who just joined the sect?”
Xia Muqing nodded.
Flying Bird was even more puzzled. She had never heard of anyone who joined when she was an adult.
It asked curiously, “As long as you’re above 13 years old, you can participate in the Hundred Flowers selections. Why did you join so late despite your beauty?”
Xia Muqing had already calmed down. “I didn’t participate in the selections previously. This is my first time.”
Flying Bird was even more puzzled, but she didn’t say a word.
She walked forward and said, “Since you’re from the Orchid Clan, that’s easy. I need your help with something.”
She brought Xia Muqing to a room and opened the secret door behind a bookshelf. A long passageway was formed and a deafening sound came from inside. The sound was somewhat familiar.
Xia Muqing’s heart skipped a beat. It was the black eagle’s voice.
Despite feeling anxious, she didn’t show it on her face at all. Her composure made Flying Bird even more satisfied.
“Go in.” With that, she took the lead and entered.
Xia Muqing followed closely behind.
Entering the dark room, Flying Bird lit a candle. Only then did Xia Muqing see everything clearly. Her eyes instantly turned red and fury filled her chest.
The beast imprisoned here was the black eagle. Its wings had been penetrated by two iron nails that were as thick as an arm and it was nailed to the wall. Its neck was tightly bound by a chain. All the feathers on its neck had fallen off, and its bare flesh was riddled with wounds.
Flying Bird pointed at the black eagle coldly and said, “This beast is too disobedient. I’ll leave it to you to guard it in the future. Your mission is to make it tell us where the other Azure Cloud Eagles are.”
Xia Muqing used all her willpower to suppress the anger in her heart. She asked in a hushed whisper, “Why me?”
Flying Bird didn’t detect the strangeness in her voice. “This beast lusts after beauties. Back then, I tricked him out using a beauty. I didn’t expect it to be so useless now. I think you’re not bad-looking, so I’ll let you try.”
“However, this beast is very important to the Goddess Clan. If you accidentally let him go, I’ll skin you alive.”
Flying Bird suddenly approached her. Xia Muqing pretended to be frightened and nodded repeatedly.
Only then did she touch Xia Muqing’s face in satisfaction. ���If you succeed, I naturally won’t treat you badly. You can pick any man in the backyard.”
Xia Muqing asked in surprise, “Really? I’ll do my best.”
Flying Bird smiled and walked out of the dark room.
After she left, Xia Muqing retracted her expression and approached the black eagle carefully.