Just then, from below the cliff, a clear eagle's cry echoed.
'That sound...'
Shen Ningning lifted her tear-filled eyes, a little dazed.
'Why does it sound so familiar?'
Fang Qingdai quickly looked down from the cliff. She saw a massive black figure flapping its wings, breaking through layers of swirling, thin clouds.
"Old Wang, it's Old Wang!" Shen Ningning pointed at Hei Diao, her tears of sorrow turning into tears of joy.
Hei Diao always referred to himself with the royal "we," so back at the border, her mother, Shen Siyi, had given him the affectionate nickname "Old Wang."
Over time, Shen Ningning had picked it up too.
Everyone liked calling him that—everyone except Hei Diao himself.
"This king is not Old Wang! It is This King! You mortals, hmph!" Hei Diao flapped its wings, executed a beautiful turn in the sky, and then slowly landed behind Shen Ningning and the others.
It leaned over slightly, and the unconscious Second Master Xie rolled off its back.
