Ta Lo Village.
Led by Ying Nan, everyone entered the reception hall and sat down.
Elder Guang looked at Xu Wenwu and the others and spoke.
"We are very glad to see you alive again, and fortunate that you were given another chance at life. But I remember that, for the sake of being with this man, you gave up your identity as one of Ta Lo."
Xu Wenwu, sitting beside her, immediately retorted.
"Watch your words, old man. What do you mean gave up her identity? Ying Li only gave up the power of the Dragon to be with me. She is still a daughter of Ta Lo."
The white-haired Guang bristled at being called "old man" by someone who looked far younger, but though he huffed and glared, he could not refute it.
Ying Nan then said firmly,
"Guang, Ying Li is one of our people. And her children, too—they carry the bloodline of Ta Lo."
Guang clicked his tongue, displeased.
"I have no problem with the children. It's him I don't like."
His eyes turned to Wenwu, but Wenwu remained utterly unbothered. His look seemed to say: Yes, I make you uncomfortable—so what? If you have the ability, kill me.
Most in Ta Lo had never approved of Ying Li marrying Wenwu. Ying Nan did not try to argue that point, but instead asked,
"Ying Li, aside from telling us of your resurrection and having the children recognized as part of Ta Lo, is there something else you've come back for?"
To Ying Nan, Ta Lo might never accept Wenwu as a son-in-law, but her sister's children were another matter. They carried Ying Li's blood. Theoretically, they had the hope of awakening the Dragon's Heart. They could never be cast out.
Though, as her elder sister, Ying Nan herself had not awakened the Dragon's Heart and could not wield its power, fighting only with weapons forged from dragon scales.
Ying Li looked around at those gathered, then spoke.
"Yes, there are other reasons. My resurrection itself is one of them. I believe you are curious how it happened. Wenwu passed a trial, met a dragon in the outside world, and made the wish that brought me back."
Gasps filled the room. Ying Nan's voice shook.
"A dragon? You mean there is one outside, like our guardian dragon here?"
Guang scoffed in disbelief.
"Impossible. Ta Lo's guardian dragon is unique. Even ours cannot resurrect the dead. This makes no sense."
At that moment, Shangqi and Xialing spoke up.
"Aunt Nan, it's true. We were there when Father made the wish. That dragon was magnificent and powerful. Reviving Mother was nothing for it."
Ying Li continued,
"To bring me back, Wenwu joined the organization protected by that dragon. My purpose in returning now is to speak with our guardian dragon, to see if it knows the dragon outside."
"If the two dragons are connected, then should the Soul-Eaters and their legion ever break free of their seal, we might gain the help of the outside dragon as well."
"My second purpose is to have the guardian dragon test my children, to see if they can awaken the Dragon's Heart."
"And third, I wish to leave a legacy here—for Shangqi and Xialing to meet suitable partners, husbands and wives, so that our bloodline may continue."
At the mention of bloodline, Guang's eyes lit up. Ying Nan had never married, and her Dragon's Heart bloodline had not been passed on. If Ying Li's children married into Ta Lo, the bloodline could continue, perhaps bringing forth another true guardian.
Ying Nan asked softly,
"Sister… would Shangqi and Xialing be willing?"
Ying Li smiled.
"Let's call it arranged introductions. Whether love grows is up to them."
The two children had already been told on the journey. If it were a forced marriage, they would have resisted. But introductions, a chance to meet? That, they could accept.
"Aunt Nan, we can agree to meet people. But it will depend on the connection," Shangqi said.
Seeing both children accept, Ying Nan nodded in approval.
Guang added,
"Ying Li, since you are thinking of the village, I have no objection. As for meeting the guardian dragon, that will depend on yourself. We haven't seen it in many years. We cannot make it appear for you."
Having once held the Dragon's Heart, Ying Li understood the dragon more than they did, and she knew where it resided.
"I still carry the Dragon's Heart. I believe it will meet me."
Guang nodded and said nothing more.
······
Meanwhile, in the outside world, the Red Ribbon Group continued to heat up the publicity for their superhero team and the draft for the Black Robe Seven.
They spread profiles and heroic exploits of Selene, Michael, Wesley, and Alexei across the web—such as their recent destruction of an organ-trafficking ring and a major fraud syndicate. Eddie had filmed plenty of footage during the operation.
The four also worked with Eddie to record videos of themselves punishing criminals, which were uploaded to a dedicated site the Red Ribbon Group had built, calling on more superheroes to join.
With heavy media coverage, they naturally attracted the attention of other extraordinaries.
Even Daredevil, the lawyer vigilante, found his interest stirred.
At a café, Foggy spoke to Matt.
"Matt, this Red Ribbon superhero team—they're recruiting. Why don't you sign up? I think you'd have a strong advantage. Everyone you've helped would vote for you."
With the Hand destroyed and the Kingpin's empire toppled, Matt had once more left Stick's side and returned to Hell's Kitchen. By day, he served the poor as their lawyer. By night, he wore the mask again to fight crime.
The Kingpin was dead, but evil never truly vanished. The people still needed him.
Matt frowned.
"But if I join a superhero team, my identity will be exposed."
Foggy leaned in.
"The Red Ribbon Group will back you. Identity won't be a problem anymore. And look who's behind them—Stark Industries, Vanko Industries, Capsule Corporation. You know what that means."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]