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…”

no solace to be found in Morgana’s racing thoughts. Despite considering all three possibilities, she couldn’t find a single reassuring answer. All she wanted

***

monitored real-time footage from surveillance cameras within dozens

only two small towns along

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

them, and dry eyes remained at bay. Then, Maria exclaimed, “It’s Morgana!” pointing

a woman walking determinedly along a rural road early in the

this camera?” Jagoan

more than 20 kilometers from where Morgana

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

her head, Maria said, “I

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 promptly climbed into the backseat once the

was bewildered. “Where

shrugged. “I can’t

an eye on her and see where that

the underdeveloped mountain towns, surveillance was primarily concentrated on traffic routes, allowing

van exited the town, heading towards

dilapidated van, Morgana was eager to escape China. She messaged her crew, urging them to arrange a route for her to fly directly from

she had planned to exit the country using the same route she used to enter, but

tunnel, and Morgana recognized the bridge where she had

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