As the air grew colder, Zhao Li and Ban Susu approached the Snow Rabbit Village. The village was located at the foot of the Snow Jade Dragon Mountain. A light snow had begun to fall, softening the edges of the pine trees that bordered the path and muffling the crunch of their boots on the frozen ground.

  The closer they got, the more the village revealed itself. Trails of smoke rose to the sky and the faint scent of smoked fish and pine resin, carried on the mountain air. Timber homes with slanted roofs came into sight, designed to shed heavy snow. Lines of neatly bundled pelts of rabbit, fox, and other creatures that thrived in the cold wilderness.

  “Li’er, Welcome to the Snow Rabbit Village,” Susu said, her voice carrying a note of nostalgia.

  Zhao Li didn’t reply but nodded, as her thoughts raced back to the Purple Mist Valley. She reminisced on how she’d been treated as an outsider, an Axsumite. Would these villagers look at her with the same suspicion and disdain? She mused to herself, concerned.

  She could only hope, that wasn’t the case this time.

  As they passed through the main gate, a simple wooden arch marked with carvings of rabbits and mountains, Zhao Li noticed the stares immediately.

  Villagers paused their work—unloading fish from sleds, folding pelts, or chopping firewood—to glance at the newcomers. Their expressions ranged from polite curiosity to thinly veiled surprise.

  “We’ll go straight to Elder Han. He’s the village leader, and if we gain his acceptance, the others will follow.”

  Zhao Li looked up at Lady Susu, who held a confident smile as she stared back at her. It nurtured a feeling of acceptance within Zhao Li, but just abit. The pain of how she was treated within the Purple Mist Valley was far too deep, for her to ever think she’d be accepted.

  The elder’s home stood near the center of the village, slightly larger than the surrounding houses. Its wooden beams were dark with age, and its windows glowed faintly with firelight. The door creaked open before they could knock, revealing Elder Han himself.

  He was a wiry man, his face weathered by years of mountain life. His gray beard was neatly trimmed, and his piercing eyes held the weight of a man who had seen much but spoke little. He squinted at Ban Susu, recognition slowly dawning. “Lady Ban Susu,” he said at last, his voice gravelly and deliberate. “You’ve returned.”

  “I have…It’s been a long time, Elder Han.” She said with bow, then placed her hand on Zhao Li’s shoulder, reminding her to show the man respect as well.

  “Five years to be exact,” he said firmly. He stepped aside, “but whose counting?” He finished firmly. “Come inside, winter has just started…it wouldn’t be good for both of you to freeze after just arriving.

  “Thank You Elder Han,” Susu said, she turned to Zhao Li who bowed again.

  Susu and Zhao Li entered the elders home and was greeted with warm air, a strong scent of pine wood and herbs. A fire crackled in the hearth, and simple wooden furniture filled the room.

  Susu and Zhao Li settled in the middle of the room, a few yards off from the fire place. Elder Han walked to the nearest chair and allowed his eyes to drift to Zhao Li. “Who might this little one be?” he finally asked.

  “This is my daughter, Zhao Li.” Susu said, resting her hand on Zhao Li’s hands. “Its OK Li’er, you can take off the gloves and hat.”

  Zhao Li took off her conical hat, revealing her thick matted hair, then she pulled her veil free, finally revealing her face.

  Elder Han eyes widened from surprised and blinked meticulously upon seeing Zhao Li’s face and dark skin, then she removed her gloves, showing her trueself.

  An Axsumite.

  “Well this is a surprise,” Elder Han said, rubbing his chin.

  “Would raising her here be a problem Elder?” Susu asked callously.

  “ Is she evil? Does she want to kill me?”

  “No…but as you can see…she’s an Axsumite by birth,” Susu said firmly.

  “Is that where you disappeared to?”

  Silence blossomed between Elder Han and Susu, it was stifling, making Zhao Li feel uncomfortable. The fire popped and crackled, filling the room with a warm glow. Elder Han’s gaze remained fixed on Zhao Li, though his expression softened slightly.

  “Yes, I went to Axsum,”

  “Interesting…you’ve been far indeed, Ban Susu.”

  “Far, and through many trials.”

  The Elder harrumphed, then leaned back, his fingers steepled. “Little one, will you cause trouble?” He asked.

  “I won’t! I promise!” Zhao Li said quickly.

  “Then I will take your word for it. But it’s best to address the village. People will have questions.”

  “Yes Elder Han,”

  Dusk fell and the villagers gathered in the square, their breath visible in the cold air. Lanterns hung from poles, casting a warm glow over the village square. Children huddled beside their parents, their eyes wide with curiosity as they whispered between each other

  Elder Han stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back. “Many of you remember Ban Susu left us years ago. Apparently, she has been traveling beyond Huaxia.” His said calmly, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd.

  “I remember,” An older gentleman chimed in. “Searching the Snow Jade Dragon mountain for weeks looking for her…its good to say you’re alive,” He finished, in an accusatory tone.

  “Yeah…San Ti almost died in the search.” Another villager grunted, chiming in.

  Susu stepped forward, bowing her head reverently. The crowd erupted in whispers and murmurs as if disgusted by her gesture. In truth She didn’t know this would’ve happened, when she left, she didn’t have the village in mind…she just wanted to leave for Axsum.

  She didn’t even head down the mountain path, she used her qinggong across the trees, heading for Faizou, the northern border of Huaxia. She should’ve known the villagers would’ve look her, the Snow Rabbit village, was a familial one.

  One that she hoped Zhao Li could be accepted here, but insulted them, by not letting them know she left…and for that. She was truly sorry.

  “My apologies,“ Susu said with a bow, “I didn’t think I needed to say anything before I left. This was my fault…”

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  “Of course you didn’t,” A woman snapped to their left.

  Susu didn’t react, she stood their bowing, awaiting for the crowd to calm down.

  Elder Han raised his hand, trying to calm the villagers. He brought his hand down, watching as the villagers shouted their protest. Susu stood their, still standing, and Zhao Li stepped back, scared.

  The crowd kept their derision up, but Elder Han raised his hand up once more after five minutes. “Everyone, Please. Lady Susu is used to living on her own. She’s not used to interacting with much people, forgive her…this once. I’m sure some form of compensation…”

  A vein popped out of Susu’s forehead, but it quickly dissipated as she turned to Elder Han who smiled primly at his own announcement. As their eyes met, Elder Han just nodded and Susu did the same. “That wouldn’t be a problem,” She said stiffly.

  “Good Good!” Elder Han said, “Now that she’s returned, she has blessed us with someone new…her daughter.”

  The crowd looked at each other, whispering, which made Zhao Li’s skin rise. She was scared, as she should. There was a small amount of people who liked her, and they were in the Purple Mist Valley.

  Susu stepped forward, holding Zhao Li’s hand. She was veiled and wore her gloves along with her conical hat. Susu ushered Zhao Li forward and bowed slightly to the crowd.

  “Everyone,” Susu said calmly. “I’ve been in Axsum for the past five years. I thank you for your hospitality over the years and hope that you can share the same with my daughter…Zhao Li.”

  The murmurs continued as the crowd as stared up at Zhao Li. She froze, her heart pounding as every last eye from the villagers landed on her. A flood of memories swarmed in her mind, the jeers, the whispered curses, all of it came back to her and she hated.

  “Go on,” Susu whispered, nudging her gently.

  Taking a shaky breath, Zhao Li reached up and untied her conical hat. She removed it slowly, letting her tightly coiled hair frame her face. She slipped off her gloves, revealing her dark hands, and stepped forward hesitantly.

  Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by an almost deafening silence. Zhao Li braced herself for rejection.

  Then, a young boy’s voice cut through the tension. “She’s pretty! Can I marry her?”

  The crowd went dead silent…then slight laughter erupted from the crowd, warm and genuine. Even Elder Han chuckled, shaking his head. The boy, emboldened by the laughter, stuck out his tongue playfully.

  Susu smiled faintly but fixed the boy with a stern look. “Mind your manners,” she said, though her tone carried no real bite.

  Zhao Li blinked, the tension in her chest easing. She noticed, for the first time, the diversity among the villagers. While many bore the pale skin typical of Huaxians, others had darker tones closer to Susu’s complexion.

  “Introduce yourself,” Susu murmured, placing a reassuring hand on Zhao Li’s shoulder. Summoning her courage, Zhao Li stepped forward. “My name is Zhao Li. Thank you for welcoming me.”

  “Welcome to the Soft Rabbit Village!”

  Life continued in the Snow Rabbit Village and it was unlike anything Zhao Li had experienced. The villagers were industrious, spending their days preparing for the upcoming winter.

  It was unlike her time in the Purple Mist Valley, she was given the task of gathering firewood. She joined villagers who ventured into the nearby forest. The snow-crusted ground crunched beneath their boots as they worked together, chopping and stacking logs. Though her arms ached from the unfamiliar labor.

  The crisp mountain air and the camaraderie of the villagers made the effort worthwhile. In the afternoon, she’d help the women of the village prepare pelts and fish for storage. They taught her patiently, laughing at her initial clumsiness but always offering encouragement. Zhao Li found herself smiling more often, her shyness gradually giving way to a budding confidence.

  By the third day, Zhao Li had settled into the village’s rhythm. She woke early to help fetch water from the nearby stream, carried firewood to the central storehouse, and assisted in the kitchen with simple tasks. The villagers treated her with warmth, their acceptance a balm to her long-held fears.

  One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars began to twinkle in the sky, Zhao Li and Susu sat together outside their home. The air was cold, but the faint glow of the lanterns and the warmth of their shared meal kept the chill at bay.

  Zhao Li gazed at the Snow Jade Dragon Mountain, its peak shrouded in mist. Her thoughts wandered to their journey—how far they had come and how much they had endured. She glanced at Susu, who sipped her tea with an air of calm, her gaze distant yet thoughtful.

  “Do you miss the Purple Mist Valley?” Susu asked softly, breaking the silence.

  “No…” Zhao Li admitted, “…I miss my father, Uncle Ying, Auntie Lin, Grandfather Xiabo Jun and Little Qing.”

  “I see…”

  “Will we be staying here forever?”

  Susu shook her head and looked at Zhao Li, “That depends on you,”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you…”

  Zhao Li looked up at Susu confused, why would it depend on me? Her eyes spoke, but she didn’t voice it. Susu set down her cup, her expression turning serious. “Li’er, if you want…I can take you to Axsum. I’ve spent four of the last five years living there. Would you like to know about where you came from?”

  “I guess…” She said softly.

  “Hmm…is there something else on your mind?”

  Zhao Li begin to twiddle her thumbs, and shake her head. Susu scoffed and shook her own head, as if she knew the habit Zhao Li had gained the past few days. “What’s on your mind, child?” She asked firmly.

  “I would like to know about my mother,” Zhao Li said, twiddling her fingers.

  Susu froze, remembering how she died unexpectedly in front of her and Zhao Xing. She let the sight linger in her mind for for a few seconds, then turned to Zhao Li…”she was a warrior and very beautiful.”

  “How did she die?”

  “Bandits attacked her…you’re father was enraged when it happened, so enraged, his veins turned white with some alien power.”

  “Is that why everyone hates me?”

  “They are ignorant my dear,” Susu said, cupping her cheek. “You’re one of the sweetest child in the world. They just let their ignorance reign supreme.”

  “Is that why my heart feel so empty Lady Susu?”

  Susu looked down at Zhao Li, tears were flowing from them like waterfalls. She scooped her into her lap, and cradled to her for a long while. Zhao Li looked up at Susu and the elder woman smiled back at her. “I felt the same as you, probably worst. I was a slave…but my master saved me and took care of me.”

  “Slave?”

  “Yeah…”

  They sat in silence for a moment, the soft murmur of the village and the distant howl of the wind filling the space between them. Susu straightened, her expression shifting to one of quiet resolve.

  “It’s time,” she said, breaking the stillness.

  Zhao Li didn’t ask, she just looked up at Lady Susu, confused. Susu smiled and rose from sitting and brushed the dust off from her robes. “Would you like to learn martial arts?” She asked looking down at her.”

  “Me?” Zhao Li asked, surprised eyes widened.

  “Of course you,” Susu said with a laugh, “you’re the only one here for me to ask.”

  “I can learn martial arts?”

  “If you want to,”

  Zhao Li sat there, contemplating Susu’s words. Her mind flashed back to her father. He’d never mentioned training her, but she felt as though he wanted to.

  She looked up at Susu, and squeezed her fists. She wanted this, but did she deserve it? After all, she was an Axsumite. “Before you answer,” Susu said calmly, “always remember they are consequences to choices…so let me tell you what the consequences are.”

  “Consequences?”

  “Yes…consequences,” Susu said firmly. “If you choose to learn martial arts, we will not head to Axsum…we will stay here for you to learn martial arts.”

  “I can go to Axsum?”

  “Of course my dear, you can do whatever you want…but do you have the strength to?”

  Zhao Li sat there, thinking. She wanted to be as strong as Lady Susu. She had watched her fight with such grace and poise…the urge to be just like her was there…but could she be?

  “Can I be as strong as you?” She asked Susu.

  Susu smiled and knelt down. She clasped her cheek and patted it gently. “My dear, I hope you can be stronger than me. That way, no one in this world would ever try to hurt you.”

  As Zhao Li sat in silence, she clenched her hands into fists as she stared at the ground. The weight of Susu’s words pressed on her chest, each one a reminder of the choice before her. She could return to Axsum, the land of her birth, and uncover the mysteries of her heritage. Or she could stay here, in the Snow Rabbit Village, and learn martial arts.

  As her mind raced, memories flashing like shards of glass. The jeers of the children in the Purple Mist Valley. The cold stares of the elders. The way her father’s face had hardened whenever someone spoke of her mother. And then, the warmth of the Snow Rabbit Village—the laughter of the boy who had called her pretty, the kind hands of the women who taught her to prepare pelts, the gentle acceptance of Elder Han.

  She thought of her father, Zhao Xing, and the way his veins had turned white with power when her mother died. She thought of the emptiness in her chest, the ache that never seemed to fade. She thought of Susu, standing tall and unyielding, her movements like water and fire combined, a force of nature that no one could oppose.

  “I want to learn,” Zhao Li said at last, her voice trembling but firm. She looked up at Susu, her dark eyes shining with determination. “I want to be strong. Strong enough to protect the people I care about. Strong enough to never feel weak again.”

  Susu’s lips curved into a small, proud smile. She knelt before Zhao Li, her hands resting on the girl’s shoulders. “Are you sure, Li’er? This path will not be easy. You will lose your bliss of innocence. Training will demand everything from you—your body, your mind, your spirit. There will be pain, and there will be failure. But if you are willing to endure, I will teach you everything I know.”

  Zhao Li nodded, her resolve hardening like steel. “I’m sure.”

  Susu’s smile widened, and for a moment, her eyes glimmered with something akin to pride. “Then let us begin.”

  Hey Everyone,

  The Lost Black Dragon series is my passion project, and I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be starting work on Book 3: The Paths of Awakenings very soon! I’ve already outlined the story, and I can’t wait to dive into the writing process. This book is going to take Zhao Li’s journey to new heights, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

  Gatts