The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Hearing these words, Morgana felt an icy chill shoot through her from the soles of her feet to her scalp.

It was a sensation she hadn’t experienced since the accidental rescue by Morvel more than three centuries ago on Shiwan Mountain.

The last time panic had gripped her was when she stumbled upon Morvel’s portrait online. But now, she faced the shocking revelation that her master, who had seemingly reached the end more than 300 years ago and ventured westward, might still be alive today. The impact of this revelation was utterly unprecedented.

Morgana couldn’t contain the fear welling up in her heart. With a voice quivering, she stammered, “Master… Your Disciple… I… I know that I was wrong…”

In that moment, an enraged shout pierced Morgana’s ears as Morvel’s frigid voice commanded, “Begone!”

His words struck Morgana’s heart like a thunderbolt. She dared not hesitate any longer.

Trembling, she rose, bowed to the stone wall, and whispered, “Master, I seek forgiveness for my sins. I will depart…”

Turning away with haste, she dragged her leaden legs out of the cave.

Once outside, Morgana didn’t dare linger. She briskly exited the mountain, her heartbeat racing faster and heavier than ever before.

She muttered to herself, “How is this possible… How is this possible… Didn’t he reach his end more than three centuries ago? Why is he still alive today?”

Her mind swirled with doubts. “No! It’s not certain whether he’s alive or dead! Perhaps he truly isn’t dead, or maybe his consciousness endures even after death. Perhaps he died long ago, leaving behind nothing more than an illusion to torment me…”

possibilities, she couldn’t find a single reassuring answer.

***

tirelessly monitored real-time footage from surveillance cameras within dozens of kilometers of

in the mountains, with only two

Larry, four octogenarians, each operating a computer to

till dawn, fatigue eluded them, and dry eyes remained at bay. Then,

along a rural road early in the morning. She was heading towards the

Jagoan inquired

from where Morgana disappeared, near a town

I suspect she left the highway somehow. Why would she suddenly reappear here? If this was her destination,

said, “I

passing van in the footage. After a brief exchange with the driver, she waved a wad of red banknotes, persuading him to accept her offer. Morgana

bewildered. “Where

can’t

let’s keep an eye on her and see where that van takes

mountain towns, surveillance was primarily concentrated on traffic routes, allowing Maria to track the van’s movements by switching

van exited the town,

her crew, urging them to arrange a route for her to fly

to exit the country using the same route she used to enter, but the unexpected turn of events made her impatient

and Morgana recognized the bridge where she had abandoned