The days that followed became…
Strangely peaceful.
Too peaceful.
The birds still sang.
Children still laughed.
Hunters still disappeared into the marsh each morning.
Yet every adult carried a weapon.
Even while gathering herbs.
Even while fishing.
Even while working in the fields.
No one mentioned it.
No child asked.
But everyone understood.
Something was coming.
…
One afternoon…
Grandmother Wu found Zhao Long sitting beside the river.
He was watching two ants struggle to carry a seed nearly ten times their size.
“They’ll never make it,” he said.
Grandmother Wu smiled.
“Keep watching.”
A third ant arrived.
Then a fourth.
Soon…
The seed began to move.
Zhao Long’s eyes widened.
“They asked for help.”
“They didn’t ask.”
“They simply trusted one another.”
She sat beside him.
Neither of them spoke.
The wind carried the scent of wet earth across the water.
Finally…
Grandmother Wu broke the silence.
“Long.”
“If one day…”
“I’m no longer beside you…”
“What will you do?”
Zhao Long frowned.
“That won’t happen.”
She chuckled softly.
“Answer me.”
Without hesitation…
“I’ll come find you.”
“And if you can’t?”
“I’ll keep looking.”
“And if the whole world stands in your way?”
The boy slowly stood.
His small hands clenched into fists.
“Then…”
“I’ll walk through the whole world.”
“I’ll never stop.”
Grandmother Wu looked at him quietly.
For just a moment…
She saw not the child before her…
But the man he might one day become.
She reached out and gently embraced him.
“Listen carefully.”
He looked up.
“When you cannot save everyone.”
Zhao Long lowered his head.
“I’ll become strong enough.”
She shook hers.
“No.”
“Strength alone has never saved the world.”
He looked confused.
She placed her hand over his heart.
“Never lose this.”
“The day your heart becomes colder than your enemies’…”
“You’ve already lost.”
Zhao Long nodded slowly.
“I promise.”
She smiled.
This time…
It reached her eyes.
Far away…
Beyond the endless forests…
A column of armored men marched beneath dark banners.
One scout raised his hand.
“The marsh is ahead.”
Their commander looked toward the horizon.
“Good.”
He smiled without warmth.
“Let’s see if the ghosts of the Black Marsh bleed like everyone else.”
We’ve reached twenty chapters!
Thank you to everyone who has supported this novel so far.
The best is yet to come!