DRAGON MOUNTAIN
906 Words
The ancient stone gate groaned as it slowly opened, revealing a staircase that disappeared into darkness. Cold air rushed out, carrying the scent of incense and stone that had been undisturbed for centuries.
Li Chen stood motionless for a moment. His heart beat faster as the Dragon Emperor Ring (***) on his finger glowed with a faint golden light.
"So this is where my journey truly begins," he murmured.
Elder Han nodded respectfully.
"Young Master, this sanctuary has remained hidden for more than two thousand years. Only those recognized by the Dragon Emperor Ring can enter."
Li Chen took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The staircase seemed endless. Ancient dragon carvings lined both sides of the walls, their eyes reflecting the golden light from torches that ignited one after another as he passed. It felt as though the entire passage had awakened to welcome its master home.
After several minutes, the staircase opened into a magnificent underground palace.
Li Chen stopped in astonishment.
The hall was enormous, supported by towering stone pillars engraved with dragons ascending into the heavens. At its center stood a colossal golden dragon statue nearly thirty meters high. Though carved from stone, it radiated an overwhelming aura that made everyone instinctively lower their heads.
Dozens of elderly men and women dressed in traditional robes stood waiting beneath the statue.
The moment Li Chen entered, they knelt simultaneously.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
Their voices echoed throughout the hall.
Li Chen hurried forward.
"Please stand. You are all my elders. You don't need to kneel before me."
An elderly man with flowing white hair smiled warmly.
"You possess both strength and humility. Just as your grandfather predicted."
He bowed again.
"I am Elder Long (***), keeper of the Hidden Dragon Clan."
Li Chen returned the bow.
"My grandfather... did he speak of me often?"
Elder Long's smile became tinged with sadness.
"Every single day."
"He believed that no matter how difficult your life became, you would never lose your kindness."
Li Chen lowered his eyes.
The years of humiliation inside the Su Family suddenly felt heavier than ever before.
His grandfather had known everything.
He had simply remained silent to protect him.
Elder Long gestured toward the dragon statue.
"Your grandfather left something for you."
A young disciple approached carrying an ancient wooden box.
Inside rested a weathered bamboo scroll sealed with crimson wax.
Li Chen carefully opened it.
Only one sentence was written.
'Power earned through hatred destroys. Power used to protect becomes eternal.'
His fingers tightened around the scroll.
Those simple words carried the weight of generations.
Before anyone spoke again, the Dragon Emperor Ring suddenly blazed with brilliant golden light.
The entire palace trembled.
Cracks spread across the dragon statue.
A deafening roar echoed through the chamber.
To everyone's astonishment, the dragon's stone eyes slowly opened.
Golden light burst from its pupils and surrounded Li Chen.
The ring became scorching hot.
A flood of memories entered his mind.
He saw ancient battlefields where dragons soared across crimson skies.
He saw countless warriors kneeling before a throne made of golden crystal.
Then he saw a familiar figure.
An elderly man dressed in white robes stood before the throne.
It was his grandfather.
"Li Chen."
His voice was calm and gentle.
"If you are seeing this, then destiny has chosen you."
"Our bloodline has protected this world for thousands of years."
"But a terrible darkness is awakening once again."
"I wished for you to live an ordinary life."
"Unfortunately... fate rarely grants such wishes."
The old man smiled.
"Never seek power for revenge."
"Protect those you love."
"As long as your heart remains pure, the Dragon Emperor will never fall."
The vision disappeared.
Li Chen slowly opened his eyes.
Tears had formed without him realizing it.
The elders remained silent.
None dared interrupt the farewell between grandfather and grandson.
Moments later, Elder Long stepped forward carrying an ancient sword with a black scabbard decorated by golden dragons.
"This is the Dragon Soul Sword (***)."
"It has served every Dragon Emperor."
"The sword has waited twenty years for its rightful owner."
Li Chen reached toward the hilt.
The instant his fingers touched it, the sword released a clear, joyful cry.
The blade slid halfway from its scabbard on its own.
Golden dragon-shaped spiritual energy spiraled around the hall.
Every elder gasped.
"It acknowledged him immediately."
"It has never happened so quickly."
Li Chen slowly sheathed the sword.
"I don't deserve such trust yet."
Elder Long smiled.
"That is exactly why you do."
Suddenly, a young guard rushed into the palace.
His face was pale with fear.
"Elder Long!"
"We've received urgent news!"
"The Shadow Alliance (**)..."
"They've entered Jiang City."
The hall instantly became silent.
Every elder's expression changed.
Elder Han clenched his fists.
"They found him much sooner than expected."
Li Chen looked at the frightened guard.
"Who are they?"
Elder Long answered solemnly.
"They are the ancient enemies of the Hidden Dragon Clan."
"They have spent hundreds of years searching for every heir of the Dragon Emperor."
"And now..."
He looked directly into Li Chen's eyes.
"They know you're alive."
Far away, atop a lonely mountain, a masked man stood before a blood-red altar.
A dark smile appeared beneath his mask as he looked toward Jiang City.
"The Dragon Emperor has awakened."
"Excellent."
"The hunt... begins tonight."
- Writer
