Chapter 4 - In Search of Answers

Wei Long watched as the medallion glimmered under the pale moonlight. The intricate details of the metal piece seemed to hold ancient secrets, every curve and engraving evoking mysteries he could not yet comprehend. But what drew his attention the most was the central symbol—a rising dragon, its wings spread as if challenging the heavens. This medallion wasn't just an heirloom; it was a key to his past, a reminder of everything he had lost.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Shen, his travel companion and loyal friend. He was seated on a bamboo mat, his eyes calm but deeply concerned. "Seeking revenge won't bring peace to your heart, Wei Long."

Wei Long clenched the medallion in his hand, as if the act could solidify his resolve.

"This isn't just about revenge, Shen. It's about answers. This medallion belonged to my family. If I can find out who stole it and why, maybe then I'll understand what happened that night."

Shen remained silent for a moment, studying the young man before him. He had known Wei Long since he was a child, a boy full of hope and curiosity. Now, that same boy stood before him, transformed by the tragedies the cruel world had imposed. Finally, he sighed.

"Very well, then. But remember, the search for truth may cost more than you're willing to pay."

Wei Long didn't respond. Instead, he placed the medallion into his leather pouch and bowed deeply to Shen.

"Thank you for everything, Shen. I'll return when I have answers."

Shen nodded, though the tightness in his chest betrayed him. He feared for the young man but knew this journey was something Wei Long needed to face alone.

The road north was treacherous, winding through the mountains like a sleeping serpent. Wei Long walked with steady steps, every movement calculated, his senses alert. He knew his journey wouldn't be easy. The man who held the answers he sought, Zhao Ren, was a well-known merchant but also a notorious collaborator with shadowy clans operating in the dark.

By late afternoon, Wei Long arrived at a small village called Rongxia. The place was eerily quiet, with its streets almost deserted. Only a single herbal vendor was present, arranging his goods with trembling hands.

"You're a stranger here," said the vendor, narrowing his eyes. "Be careful who you seek."

Wei Long raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you say that, elder?"

The man hesitated, as if afraid of being overheard. Finally, he leaned forward and whispered:

"Zhao Ren. He passed through here two days ago. Left a trail of blood. Those who asked too many questions… disappeared."

Wei Long nodded in acknowledgment and continued on his journey. The vendor's words had warned him but didn't deter him from his goal. He knew Zhao Ren was involved in something dark, but that only strengthened his resolve.

The following night, Wei Long reached the edge of a grove that, according to rumors, Zhao Ren often used for clandestine meetings. He hid among the trees, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. Soon, he heard voices and saw the flicker of torchlight.

Two men were speaking in low tones, while a third, imposing in stature and dressed in elegant clothing, inspected something inside a wooden box—Zhao Ren.

Wei Long held his breath and crept closer. He needed a plan. Attacking head-on would be suicide. He decided to wait, observe, and use the element of surprise.

"This medallion is priceless," said Zhao Ren, lifting a familiar object into the torchlight. Wei Long's heart raced. It was the medallion! "The client will pay a fortune for it. They say it holds ancient powers."

"And what about the man who's been chasing it?" one of the henchmen asked.

"Eliminate him," Zhao Ren replied coldly. "We can't leave any traces."

Wei Long clenched his fists, restraining his anger. He knew he had to act quickly. When the men dispersed, he followed Zhao Ren, who walked alone toward a carriage.

"Zhao Ren!" Wei Long shouted, stepping out of the shadows.

The merchant stopped, surprised, but quickly donned a sardonic smile.

"And who are you to interrupt my business?"

Wei Long drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the torchlight.

"Someone who came for answers. And revenge."

Zhao Ren laughed, but his expression was wary.

"You truly think you can defeat me, boy? I'm not just a merchant."

With a quick gesture, two henchmen emerged from the shadows, armed. Wei Long took a deep breath, focusing. He wasn't afraid. The memory of his family and the weight of the medallion gave him strength.

The battle was fierce. Wei Long fought with precision and grace, his movements a blend of discipline and desperation. He quickly took down one of the men, but the second was more skilled, forcing him to momentarily retreat.

"You have talent, but you're too young to understand the real world," Zhao Ren taunted, watching from a distance.

Wei Long ignored the words and concentrated on the fight. With a deft maneuver, he disarmed the second henchman and left him unconscious. Now, it was just him and Zhao Ren.

"No more games," Wei Long said, pointing his sword at the merchant's chest. "Tell me everything you know about the medallion."

Zhao Ren raised his hands as if surrendering, but his eyes betrayed sinister intentions.

"Very well. That medallion belonged to your family, didn't it? They hid something very powerful, something many desire. But you're making a mistake if you think you can protect this secret alone. There are forces far greater than you, boy. Forces even I dare not challenge."

Wei Long stepped closer, his sword now pressing lightly against Zhao Ren's neck.

"You'll tell me what you know, or I'll make sure you never sell another lie in your life. Who stole the medallion? And what do you know about my family?"

Zhao Ren let out a nervous laugh, his eyes scanning Wei Long with a mix of fear and malice.

"It was the Black Serpent Clan that ordered the attack on your family. They were after something else—something only the medallion can lead to. I'm just a middleman, boy. A trader. I wasn't part of the bloodshed, only the gold that came afterward."

A chill ran down Wei Long's spine. The Black Serpent Clan. He had heard stories about them—a group of mercenary warriors and assassins known for their cruelty and ability to infiltrate anywhere. But why would they be interested in his family? And what was this 'something else' Zhao Ren mentioned?

"Where can I find the Black Serpent Clan?" Wei Long demanded, pressing the blade harder.

"They have a hideout in the Silent Mist Mountains to the north. But beware, boy, if you go there, you won't come back alive. They spare no one."

Wei Long studied him for a moment, deciding whether to kill the merchant then and there or let him live. Though consumed by hatred, he knew killing Zhao Ren would be a mistake. The merchant was just a piece of the puzzle, not the true enemy.

"Consider yourself lucky, Zhao Ren. The next time we meet, I hope you've changed your ways." Wei Long lowered his sword, but with a swift strike, hit the merchant's neck with the hilt, rendering him unconscious.

Before the henchmen could regain consciousness, Wei Long grabbed the medallion and disappeared into the forest, blending into the darkness.