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…”

Morgana’s racing thoughts. Despite considering all three possibilities, she couldn’t find a single reassuring answer. All she wanted now

***

mountains, Jagoan and Maria tirelessly monitored real-time footage from surveillance cameras

the mountains, with only two small towns

were scarce, but to improve their efficiency, Maria enlisted the help of Marius, Keagan, and Larry, four octogenarians, each operating a computer to share the workload. Jagoan also administered

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

of a woman walking determinedly along

camera?” Jagoan

than 20 kilometers from where Morgana disappeared, near a town called

her journey. I suspect she left the highway somehow. Why would she

head, Maria said,

driver, she waved a wad of red banknotes, persuading him

bewildered. “Where is Morgana

shrugged. “I can’t fathom it,

eye on

traffic routes, allowing Maria to track the van’s movements

town,

van, Morgana was eager to escape China. She messaged her crew, urging them

exit the country using the same route she used to enter, but the unexpected turn of

from a tunnel, and Morgana recognized the bridge