Chapter 41: The Village and a Daughter’s Return
They left the cave as the sun set, the five fragments safe in the jade box. The Whispering Gorge was quiet now, the wind’s whisper soft, and they walked to the nearby village— small, with wooden houses and a central square— as the stars began to twinkle.
Wen led the way, his heart racing. He walked to the first house, knocking on the door. A woman answered, her face pale. “Wen?” she said, surprised. “You’re alive.”
“I’m looking for Mei,” Wen said, his voice tight. “My daughter. Where is she?”
The woman hesitated, then stepped aside. “She’s inside. She’s been here since Lord Xiao’s men left— scared, but safe. We’ve been taking care of her.”
Wen rushed inside, and there she was: Mei, sitting by the fire, her hair tied in a braid, a doll in her hand. She looked up, and her eyes widened. “Father?” she said, her voice small.
Wen knelt, opening his arms. Mei ran into his embrace, crying. “I thought you were gone. I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I’m here,” Wen said, his voice breaking. “I’m never leaving you again.”
Lin Yue and the others stood in the doorway, smiling. Xiao Yu squeezed Lin Yue’s hand, and his father clapped him on the shoulder. “We did it,” his father said. “We saved the realm. And we brought a family back together.”
That night, the village celebrated. They ate stew and bread, drank hot cider, and listened as Wen told the story of the fragments, the Dark Dragon, and the fight to seal it. Mei sat on his lap, her head resting on his shoulder, and Lin Yue felt a warmth in his chest— a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in years.
The next morning, they said goodbye to the village. Wen and Mei walked with them to the edge of the forest, where they would part ways— Wen and Mei would return to their old home by the sea, while Lin Yue’s team would go back to Azure Cloud.
“Thank you,” Wen said, shaking Lin Yue’s hand. “For saving me. For saving Mei. I’ll never forget what you did.”
Lin Yue nodded. “Take care of her. And if you ever need help— send word. We’ll come.”
They watched as Wen and Mei walked away, hand in hand, before turning back toward Azure Cloud. The sun rose higher, casting warm light over the forest, and the road ahead was clear.