He looked at the crucian carp at the Beaked Eagle's feet. Its gills were still pulsing—the fish was so fresh it had clearly just been caught in the river.
Qin Ziwen's voice grew grave. "Didn't I tell you to come straight back? Why did you go to the river to catch a fish? What if a crocodile had bitten you?"
Hearing the displeasure in its master's voice, the Beaked Eagle ducked its head and tried to sneak away.
But a hand grabbed its neck, stopping it in its tracks.
"Stay still."
The Beaked Eagle let out a few soft squawks, trying to appeal to its master's paternal instincts.
Qin Ziwen stared at it for a moment before his tone softened. He ruffled the feathers on its large, fluffy head. "Forget it. You just got here, so it's normal that you didn't understand me. The important thing is you came back safe. You did well in the fight tonight, so this fish can be your meal for tomorrow."
