The Charismatic Charlie Wade

As Jagoan and Maria descended from Greenwood Temple, Jagoan held the agarwood bracelet tightly in his hand. He was determined to decipher the meaning behind the bracelet left for him, but after much contemplation, he remained perplexed.

He decided to consider Maria’s interpretation, the twenty-eight beads on the bracelet symbolized his current age. The mysterious sender had deliberately placed these twenty-eight beads within the bracelet, anticipating that Maria would notice the anomaly and return to Greenwood Temple to investigate.

But what message did the sender intend to convey by leaving this bracelet behind?

Puzzled, they descended the mountain only to retrace their steps back up the winding mountain road.

During their uphill journey, they encountered a group of local elderly women. These women walked together, descending the mountain slowly, each carrying a basket woven from vines containing various items, including sesame oil, paper money, and earthen incense.

Observing this, Maria approached the elderly women and inquired politely, “Where are you all headed?”

One of the elderly women replied, “We heard that Greenwood Temple has reopened. We’re on our way there to pay our respects to Buddha and offer incense.”

Maria asked with curiosity, “Has Greenwood Temple been closed for a long time?”

The woman nodded, “It’s been shut for about ten or twenty years. There are fewer and fewer people in the mountains, and the temple lacks incense. All the previous nuns have left. Yesterday, the villagers informed us that a new nun had arrived, so we decided to visit together.”

Maria quickly interjected, “You may want to reconsider. The new nun at Greenwood Temple has also departed.”

“Left again? Why?” Several elderly women looked disappointed. “Why did she leave just a few days after arriving?”

Maria explained, “Perhaps she felt there wasn’t enough incense being offered here.”

The elderly women hesitated, torn between continuing or turning back. Eventually, one of them suggested, “The nun may be gone, but the Buddha statue remains. Since we’re already here, why not light a few incense sticks?”

the temple. Maria, seeing their sincere devotion, decided not to dissuade them any further. She cautioned, “Please take care, and

turned to Jagoan and remarked, “It seems like

possible they noticed our arrival or Morgana’s intention to

that they know us and Morgana quite well. They might even be monitoring us in some way

you ever get the chance to meet the

***

inconspicuous Buick commercial vehicles smoothly cruised along the road. These vehicles bore license plates from Bloomington, the capital of the southern province, and belonged to a reputable car rental company in

model was one of the most common MPVs in China, blending in seamlessly with the traffic. No one would suspect that the individuals

Business vehicles had little in common with their commercial counterparts. Undergoing systematic modifications, these vehicles had evolved significantly in

at the mountain’s base. Seated beside her was the elderly lady who had acted as the head nun, Joyce

the very person who had

Turk turned to the lady and inquired respectfully, “Madam, what are

Hill. We’ll stay at a Temple there for now, and both of you will accompany me. Upon reaching Aurous Hill, keep

Ms. Turk nodded and added, “I’ll inform the

would you like to meet next among

Nanako Ito. Among these girls, she shows the most potential for

said, “I’ll do my best to

remarked, “I heard she’s studying martial arts

confirmed. “She’s there, along with

lady commented, “Their talents can’t compare to Nanako Ito’s. Unless they encounter a great opportunity,

Turk voiced her concern. “Madam, Nanako Ito is

What’s crucial is her character and intentions. Whether she’s Chinese or not, if her character is