The Revenge Of The Phoenix Princess

Traces of the Past

A cold morning greeted her once again, but this time, Jun Hua Mei felt more prepared. After a week of hard work, her home now felt warmer and cozier. She sat by the fireplace, holding the last apple from her harvest. Her gaze was fixed on the flickering flames, but her thoughts wandered far into a hazy past.

“What really happened before I took over this body?” she murmured softly. Though the memories of the body’s previous owner were still unclear, a deep ache always surfaced whenever she tried to recall them.

After a simple breakfast, she decided to explore another part of the forest. A whisper in her heart told her that the answers to her questions might be hidden somewhere out there. Carrying an empty basket, a small knife, and her warm coat, she stepped out with determination.

During her journey, she came across a path almost buried under snow and fallen leaves. It felt strangely familiar, as though she had walked it before, even though she had no clear memories of it.

“Where does this path lead?” she wondered, her curiosity piqued.

Her steps led her to an old building hidden behind thick trees. The structure looked like a small shrine, its stone walls covered in moss. The wooden door was slightly ajar, revealing a dark interior.

Carefully, she pushed the door open wider. Inside, the atmosphere was silent and cold. Long-extinguished candles stood on an altar, while thick dust covered every corner. In the center of the room was a wooden table with fragile-looking scrolls.

“Could this be… something important?” she murmured, approaching the table.

She picked up one of the scrolls and carefully unrolled it. The handwriting was faded, but still legible:

> _“To Hua Mei, the child I have entrusted with everything… if you are reading this, then our fate has already changed.”_

Jun Hua Mei’s heart raced. The words seemed to be directed at her, though she didn’t recognize the sender’s name. She read further:

> _“Never give up on this world. Within you lies a power greater than you can imagine. Remember, those who betray you will face their own reckoning. But use your wisdom, not your anger.”_

The message ended with a signature, but unfortunately, the ink had faded completely at that part.

“What does all this mean?” she whispered, bewildered.

She placed the scroll in her basket and began to inspect the room more thoroughly. In the corner of the shrine, she found a small chest tightly locked. Though she couldn’t open it now, she decided to take it home.

As she returned to her house, a strange feeling enveloped her. It was as if the shrine held a significant secret about the life of the body’s previous owner. Yet, she knew that uncovering the truth would not be easy.

That night, after lighting the fireplace, she sat in front of the small chest. “I’ll find a way to open this,” she said, promising herself.

For the first time that night, she felt her life was no longer just about surviving, but also about discovering who she truly was.

A new chapter in her life had begun.