“A lone wolf may survive the winter…
but only a leader brings the pack home.”
– Saying of the Poison Tribe.
The first lesson of the Poison Tribe was simple.
Never trust the forest.
The second was even simpler.
Never trust yourself too much.
The Black Marsh rewarded arrogance with death.
…
Zhao Long was now six years old.
The other children had grown stronger.
Some could climb cliffs faster than monkeys.
Others could throw poisoned darts with frightening accuracy.
But today…
None of that mattered.
Grandmother Wu stood before twelve children.
In her wrinkled hand was a small wooden token carved with the image of a black serpent.
“The Trial of the Black Marsh begins today.”
Every child’s eyes lit up.
The trial was held only once every three years.
Those who passed would be recognized as true children of the Poison Tribe.
Those who failed…
Would train for another three years.
Grandmother Wu looked at them one by one.
“You have three days.”
“No food.”
“No water.”
“You may only carry one knife.”
“The mountain will decide who returns.”
A large boy laughed loudly.
“I’ll finish first!”
The old woman merely smiled.
“The mountain enjoys eating confident children.”
The laughter vanished.
…
The twelve children entered the forest.
Almost immediately, they scattered in different directions.
Everyone wanted to prove themselves.
Only Zhao Long remained where he stood.
He knelt.
Touched the damp earth.
“The wind changed…”
he murmured.
A small girl blinked.
“What?”
“There’s a storm coming.”
“You can tell that?”
He nodded.
“The birds left.”
“The insects are quieter.”
“The air smells heavier.”
She looked around in confusion.
“I don’t notice anything.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I do.”
Without another word, Zhao Long walked toward higher ground.
The little girl hesitated…
Then followed.
By sunset…
The storm arrived.
Rain flooded the lower marshes.
The children who had rushed ahead found themselves trapped by rising water.
Some climbed trees.
Others cried for help.
One by one…
They realized strength alone could not defeat nature.
…
That night…
Zhao Long built a shelter from broad leaves and fallen branches.
He caught rainwater in hollow bamboo.
He lit a small fire using dry bark hidden beneath an ancient tree.
The little girl watched in amazement.
“How do you know all this?”
He smiled faintly.
“Someone taught me.”
In truth…
He had learned from two lives.
One had taught him knowledge.
The other had taught him survival.
…
On the second day…
A scream echoed through the marsh.
Without hesitation, Zhao Long ran toward the sound.
Three children stood frozen.
A giant black python coiled around the path.
The largest boy stepped forward.
“I’ll kill it!”
Zhao Long grabbed his arm.
“No.”
“Then what?”
He pointed upward.
A swarm of poisonous hornets hung from a nearby tree.
Then he pointed to a patch of bitter herbs growing beside the trail.
“Cover yourselves with those leaves.”
“They hide your scent.”
The children obeyed without understanding.
Zhao Long picked up a stone.
He threw it…
Not at the snake.
At the hornets’ nest.
The nest shattered.
The furious swarm descended upon the python.
Within moments…
The massive serpent fled into the swamp.
The children stared.
“You defeated it…”
Zhao Long shook his head.
“No.”
“I simply let the forest fight for me.”
Grandmother Wu, hidden among the trees, watched everything in silence.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Most children tried to conquer the Black Marsh.
Only Zhao Long had learned to become part of it.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, she whispered to herself:
“The greatest rulers do not force the world to obey…”
“They understand how to move with it.”
Far away, beyond the poisoned forests, kings sharpened their swords and dreamed of conquest.
None of them knew…
That the child who had just passed his first trial was already learning a lesson they had yet to understand.
Sometimes…
The wisest victory was the one won without drawing blood.
Sometimes the greatest strength is not power, but the will to endure.
Thank you for following Zhao Long’s journey.
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