The Revelation from the Jade
Within the murky currents of time, Giang Long’s lineage was a forgotten tributary amidst the mortal realm. Generations had waned in hardship, and the light of his clan seemed long extinguished. Yet, inside the humble hut, a faint ember still glowed—sealed within the Jade of Celestial Whispers, a tablet holding the tranquil green of an autumn sky. This jade was more than an heirloom; it stood as a silent witness to a prophecy etched into their bloodline.
Returning from the stream, Giang Long’s mind still echoed with the revelation beneath the water. That night, in the quiet darkness of his room, his grandmother retrieved a vermilion cloth bundle from a worn chest. As the fabric parted, the emerald light of the Jade of Celestial Whispers pulsed, softly illuminating the room.
“The hour has come, my child,” his grandmother whispered, her hands trembling as she placed the stone into his palms.
The moment his skin touched the relic, the jade grew scorching hot, beating like a living heart. Warmth coursed through his veins, making his chest throb like a war drum. In that instant, the characters upon the stone transformed into golden sparks—each word falling like a shooting star into his mind:
“In the final era of the Fa, when the human realm is plunged into chaos, the Great Fa shall spread to save all sentient beings. He who bears undying faith, carrying forward the lineage, shall pave the way for the light across heaven and earth.”
This resonance was a call from ancient times, awakening the divine bloodline slumbering within him. Giang Long drew a heavy breath. His heart no longer belonged solely to himself; it had merged with the destiny of his family and the cosmos.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Responsibility and Faith
Giang Long knelt, raising the jade tablet with both hands. His grandmother watched him, her aged eyes bright with solemnity. She placed her hand upon his head, her voice deep like a bronze bell:
“Our family has awaited this day for too long. The path of cultivation is filled with glory, but fraught with peril. Remember this—faith is the most powerful treasure of the Fa. The prophecy is not a crown of pride, but a heavy mandate. If no one steps out from this mountain, our faith will remain a legend forever.”
Giang Long bowed until his forehead touched the floor:
“I will not fail you, Grandmother, nor our ancestors.”
The Wheel of Destiny Begins to Turn
Early the next morning, before the mountain vapors dispersed, the forest ahead stretched endlessly, shrouded in a wash of ink. Giang Long donned coarse clothes and concealed the jade against his chest. As he crossed the boundary of Van Lac village, the heavenly decree silently shifted.
In the shadows of the forest edge, wild eyes flickered alongside low growls—a warning of the darkness waiting to devour the faint-hearted. He wavered for an instant: “Am I strong enough?”
Yet the warmth radiating from the jade dispelled all doubt, merging with his grandmother’s voice in his mind. He clenched his fists and set his gaze on the thick mist ahead. Faith was meant for action, not hesitation. His footsteps pressed onto the solitary path toward Bich Van Terrace, leaving the village behind to open a new chapter for humanity.
CANTO XXIII: THE FAMILY PROPHECY
A family in decline, a prophecy untold,
The jade tablet of green, a truth to hold.
Faith burns immortal, through the bloodline refined,
The light of Truth shall shine, leaving darkness behind.
An ancient bloodline, by long grief tormented,
Now wakes to bear the mandate skies presented.
The ancient promise, in their bones cemented,
Shall guide the youth to where the Great Fa rested.