Once upon a time, in the dark and shadowy valleys between the mountains, there lived a creature of great power and great evil. His name was Qiongqi.
He was huge and terrifying, with the body of a mighty tiger, covered in sharp, needle-like spines instead of fur. But what made him most strange were the great, leathery wings that grew from his back, allowing him to swoop down from the sky like a storm.
He had sharp claws and terrible teeth, but his most dangerous gift was his mind. Qiongqi could understand every word that humans spoke. He knew their language, and he knew their hearts.
But he used this knowledge only for wickedness.
He was the symbol of cruelty and injustice. He did not like to see people happy or peaceful. His greatest joy was to come between friends, to turn brothers against each other, and to make the strong bully the weak.
One sunny day, two farmers, who were also good neighbors, were working happily in their fields.
"Let us share our harvest this year," said the first man. "We have worked well together."
"Yes," smiled the second. "We are lucky to have such friendship."
High up in the clouds, Qiongqi saw them. A wicked smile spread across his face.
"Oh, how boring!" he hissed. "Peace and kindness are such dull things. I must bring some excitement!"
He flew down silently and landed behind a bush, where he could not be seen.
First, he changed his voice to sound exactly like the second farmer. He whispered through the window to the first man:
"Did you know? He says you are lazy and that you take more than your share. He plans to steal your crops tonight!"
The first man frowned, feeling a spark of anger. "Is that true?" he thought.
Then, Qiongqi flapped his wings and flew to the other side. Now he sounded just like the first man.
"He thinks you are stupid," he hissed to the second farmer. "He laughs at you behind your back and says he will take all the best land for himself!"
Doubt and anger grew like weeds in the men's hearts. Soon, they began to argue. Shouts turned to fights, friendship turned to hatred, and the beautiful fields were destroyed in their rage.
High above, Qiongqi laughed a loud, terrible laugh. He feasted on their anger and their pain. That was his favorite food.
He loved to do this. If he saw a loyal and honest man, he would attack him and drive him away. If he saw a wicked liar, he would give him gifts and praise him. He always took pleasure in seeing good people suffer.
A wise old man from the village saw what was happening. He looked up at the sky and recognized the shadow of the wings.
"Alas!" he cried. "It is Qiongqi! He is the one who twists the truth! Do not listen to the voices in the dark, for they seek only to divide us!"
The people realized their mistake. They stopped fighting and looked for the beast, but Qiongqi had already flown away, cackling into the distance, looking for new places where he could cause more trouble.
He never changed his ways. He flew through the world forever, a creature of darkness who could never bear to see the light of harmony shine.
And so, parents warned their children: "Beware the Winged Beast, for he wears the voice of a friend but carries the heart of an enemy."
And he still flies in the shadows today, seeking to turn love into hate.