The air of the night was shadowed and peculiar; the silence held its own unique sound, and the mountains seemed to transform into the silhouettes of monstrous beasts, restlessly lurking all around us. The heavily fortified Xu Family Fort, after five days of determined defense, had finally reached its limit.

Though the elders of the Xu family had poured their utmost effort into constructing the fort, they could never have anticipated that their descendants would face a siege of this magnitude. The combined might of the Four Great Bandit Clans of Tai'a County amassed over five thousand men, including five peak masters at the Tenth Level of Inner Strength, and more than a dozen masters at the Ninth Level.

This immense force was absolutely beyond the ability of any single prominent family in Taicang County to resist. For five full days, led by He Wude and Xu Yinjie, all the core disciples of the He, Xu, and Cheng families fought in shifts, emerging almost universally wounded and utterly battered.

During these five days, they had repelled the bandits' assaults countless times; beneath the walls of the Xu Family Fort, the corpses of the bandits had reached an astonishing count of nearly a thousand. Among these nearly one thousand dead bandits were strong experts at the Seventh and Eighth Levels of Inner Strength, and even two formidable masters at the Ninth Level.

Such heavy losses infuriated the bandit leaders, yet only solidified their grim resolve to slaughter everyone within the Xu Family Fort. At this moment, everyone inside the fort knew: once the walls were breached, not a single soul within the compound would be spared.

"Ah..." A shrill, piercing scream tore from the ramparts, echoing far and wide across the silent night sky. Yet, those nearby seemed not to have heard it at all, not even bothering to glance in its direction.

Xu Yinjie lightly clapped his hands. His gaunt facial structure was deeply sunken, making him appear horrifyingly spectral in the darkness.

Wherever he passed, the disciples of the three families straightened their backs, their gazes fixed on the old man, who looked like a desiccated bamboo pole, filled with admiration and gratitude. This night marked the seventh hidden bandit he had personally discovered and slain on the battlements; if this elder had not tirelessly patrolled the walls himself, their defensive line would surely have been broken already.

However, gazing upon the three families' disciples, who had fought their way through blood and fire, a profound heaviness settled in Xu Yinjie’s heart. His gaze fell upon the city walls, where several breaches had already appeared—gaps that, even with the combined strength of the three families, could no longer be mended.

The arrival of these bandits had been too sudden, and their strength, too overwhelming. "Brother Xu, you’ve claimed another one; one more than my tally from yesterday," a hoarse voice drifted in from another direction.

He Wude strode over purposefully, followed closely by the smiling Elder Cheng Ningsheng. It seemed as though the ground beneath him was not a blood-soaked battlement battered by days of combat, but rather the magnificent rear garden of his own Cheng estate.

The surrounding younger disciples and the servants, retainers, and guests of the three families felt their spirits lift upon seeing his smile, as if the fatigue of the past few days had momentarily vanished. Xu Yinjie inclined his head toward them, and the three elders converged silently on a section of the wall.

With a wave of Xu Yinjie’s hand, the few guards stationed there bowed deeply and quickly withdrew. Though only three old men stood there now, they represented the most formidable martial power in Taicang County.

If any bandit dared to attempt a breakthrough from this direction now, it would undoubtedly be a suicide mission. The distant eyes watching them saw a massive torch burning beside the elders; its light illuminated Cheng Ningsheng’s face, making his subtle smile clearly visible to all.

Yet, while the smile remained fixed on Cheng Ningsheng’s face, his words were lowered to a confidential tone, and they held no trace of humor: "Brother Xu, tonight the situation feels unusually grim." "Indeed, I feel it too. They have started massing their forces below." Xu Yinjie stated coldly.

The old man’s face showed no emotion, but no one found this unusual; everyone knew Elder Xu cultivated the Withered Wood Art. A placid expression was expected; if he were to mimic Elder Cheng’s look and force a smile, it would signal that the heavens themselves were about to collapse.

He Wude sighed softly. His back remained rigidly straight; having weathered over eighty years of wind and rain, his vigor was comparable to that of mere youths.

"If we are not mistaken, they should launch a general assault at dawn tomorrow," his gaze swept over the damaged sections. "I fear this time, we truly cannot hold them back." Although Xu Yinjie and Cheng Ningsheng remained silent, their eyes betrayed shared agreement.

Cheng Ningsheng suddenly spoke, "Brother He, Brother Xu, I have a proposal. What do you think?" "Speak," He Wude replied gravely.

"It seems inevitable that the three great families of Taicang County face certain doom this time. However, we cannot simply allow ourselves to be extinguished.

If you do not object, I propose gathering all the most outstanding third-generation disciples. When the bandits launch their attack at daybreak, let He Quanyi, Xu Xiangci, and my family’s Jia Yun lead them out through the small path behind the mountain, striving to break through and escape." Even as he spoke these words, Cheng Ningsheng’s smile did not fade, bringing a sense of calm to all who watched him.

"Why choose them?" Xu Yinjie objected, "Let Xiangqian replace Xiangci." "Absolutely not," Cheng Ningsheng countered sharply. "I understand your feelings, and I know Xu Xiangqian is the foremost among the Xu family's second generation.

But precisely because of that, if you assign this task to Xu Xiangqian, he will inevitably draw too much attention, sealing off the only chance of survival for the entire third generation." "Brother Cheng speaks the truth. If we intend to send out the most promising and capable of the third generation, then not only must we remain, but Cousin Xiangqian must stay behind as well," He Wude sighed deeply.

Cheng Ningsheng smiled knowingly. "It is a pity.

If your Xu family’s Old Ancestor could return now, we would have no need to fear not just four bandit clans, but even ten." A complex light flickered in Xu Yinjie’s eyes—a mixture of regret and vexation. "Brother Cheng, why speak of such things now?" He paused, then asked, "Have you already selected your candidates?" "Yes," Cheng Ningsheng confirmed.

"I chose seven. They have tasted blood in this conflict, their mental fortitude is sound, and they show potential for growth.

Entrusting the future of the Cheng family to them grants me considerable peace of mind." He Wude shrugged slightly. "Our He family is sparse in number.

Upon receiving the news, we had those whose Inner Strength was below the Sixth Level already slip away into the woods. Those who accompanied me were only Quan Yi, Quan Ming, Yi Hai, and Yi Xuan.

After consultation, Quan Ming will take Yi Hai and Yi Xuan and attempt a breakout; I will remain with Quan Ming." Xu Yinjie’s expression shifted subtly. He suddenly stated, "Your proposal is excellent, both of you, but I think a small alteration is necessary." He Wude and Cheng Ningsheng exchanged confused glances.

Could this old man really have some unforeseen stroke of genius? This was quite unlike his usual demeanor.

Xu Yinjie’s voice dropped lower still; even the two men standing close by had to concentrate intensely to catch his words clearly. "Tomorrow, I remain alone.

You two must leave." He Wude and Cheng Ningsheng both rolled their eyes. Cheng Ningsheng objected indignantly, "Don't joke, Brother Xu.

If we abandon you here while we make a grand exit, I guarantee not a single one of you will escape." A strange expression surfaced in Xu Yinjie’s eyes. "Gentlemen, there is something you do not know.

Within the Xu Family Fort, there is a secret passage leading directly to the rear mountain. This passage has existed since the fort was first built, but it has not been utilized for over a century." Surprise mixed with elation instantly lit up the eyes of He Wude and Cheng Ningsheng.

With such a secret route available, while it couldn't save everyone in the compound, ensuring the core members got out was certainly feasible. Xu Yinjie continued, "Tomorrow morning, these bandits will likely launch their final assault.

You must seize this moment, quickly finalize your numbers, and depart." Cheng Ningsheng hesitated slightly. "And you?

Will you not come with us?" Xu Yinjie gave a wry smile, offering no direct answer, only a self-deprecating sigh. "We three families boast as the great powers of Taicang County, yet compared to them, we are nothing.

Heh, Taicang County, Taicang County—it is simply too small, and too weak." The complexions of He Wude and Cheng Ningsheng also darkened. Indeed, their combined strength represented more than half of Taicang County's martial force.

But set against the entirety of Tai'a County, or even just the Four Great Bandit Clans within Tai'a County, they appeared insignificant. This truth was hard to swallow, causing the expressions of He Wude and Cheng Ningsheng to sour.

"Enough talk of that," Xu Yinjie sighed. "Let us return separately and select the promising disciples of our respective families to send away.

Do not be stingy; leaving them a chance to live is far superior to dying here. Moreover, I believe that after surviving this ordeal, the younger generation will undoubtedly strive to rise again, restoring the fame of our three families throughout Taicang County, perhaps even into Linlang Prefecture." "And you?

You truly will not leave?" Cheng Ningsheng suddenly asked. Xu Yinjie surveyed the fort, his eyes holding countless moments of reluctance.

"This is my home; I was born here, and here I shall be buried. Furthermore, I must give an accounting to everyone who relied upon the Xu family." He lowered his gaze.

"Xiangqian knows of the passage. Once you select your people, go to him; he will lead you out." In their discussion, the three men spoke only of the core disciples of their three families; the servants, retainers, and guests were not mentioned once.

Xu Yinjie showed no discernible concern even for the women within the Xu Family Fort. It was clear that in their minds, ensuring the safe escape of the core heirs was sufficient.

He Wude gave Xu Yinjie a long look, then turned abruptly and walked away. Cheng Ningsheng took a few steps back, then suddenly halted.

"Yinjie, you don't blame me for leading those bandits here, do you?" Xu Yinjie smiled faintly. "Brother-in-law, the four great bandit clans of Tai'a County joining forces—do you truly believe their target was just the county seat?

Even if you and He Wude hadn't come, they would have razed the He family and the Xu Family Fort to dust. Otherwise, why would they travel all this way?" Cheng Ningsheng gave a wry laugh, said no more, and slowly descended from the wall.

As shadows shifted, a figure emerged from the gloom: Xu Xiangqian, the most outstanding of the Xu family’s second generation. "Father, why did you tell them about the secret passage?" Xu Yinjie shook his head slightly.

"Xiangqian, remember this: Taicang County is our foundation. This territory can never exist in a vacuum.

We can allow the He and Cheng families to become the leading powers of Taicang County; we can swallow our pride and submit to them. But remember, whenever there is even a sliver of opportunity, do not allow outsiders to establish a foothold here." Xu Xiangqian's expression flickered, as if about to protest, but Xu Yinjie shook his head.

"I know what you mean. If another He Wude were to rise in the county, you must employ every means to make him a true resident of Taicang, make him genuinely consider this place his homeland.

Do you understand?" Xu Xiangqian finally lowered his head. "Yes, I understand." "Good.

The Xu Family Fort is doomed this time. After you lead everyone out, immediately send word to the Old Ancestor for aid.

Though the Xu Family Fort perishes, if the Old Ancestor is willing to intervene, rebuilding one fort, let alone two or three, will be effortless." Xu Yinjie's voice was deep and commanding. "This is a vital opportunity, perhaps the only one.

You must grasp it." Xu Xiangqian responded with a heavy affirmation, then suddenly asked, "Father, you truly won't leave?" "Nonsense," Xu Yinjie retorted, arching his eyebrows. "This is my home.

Anyone who attempts to invade my home will pay a sufficient price." Though his words were casual, they carried an unquestionable, resolute finality. Xu Xiangqian clenched his fists tightly.

He knew countless eyes were fixed upon him now; he absolutely could not betray the slightest hint of their plans. If the garrison suspected that the core members of the three families planned to abandon the fort, all morale would instantly collapse.

A single charge from the bandits outside would be enough to slay everyone within. Taking a deep breath, Xu Xiangqian turned and walked away.

With each step, a wave of sorrow washed over him, for he knew this was the last time he would ever see his father. ※※※※ A thousand meters beyond the base of the fortress wall, a company of bandits patrolled cautiously, ready to intercept and mercilessly slay anyone attempting to slip away from the fort.

A tall, lean man with a cold, sharp countenance tightly locked his serpentine gaze onto the Xu Family Fort under the night sky. This man was Zhong Wei, the leader of the Wolf Fang bandits, one of the Four Great Clans.

Though he appeared only in his early forties, his true age far exceeded sixty. The paramount leaders of the Four Great Bandit Clans of Tai'a County were all men over sixty, and all renowned masters at the Tenth Level of Inner Strength.

However, the Red Scarf Bandits boasted two Tenth Level masters, giving them, in terms of sheer martial power, a slight, almost imperceptible edge over the other bandit organizations. After receiving the invitation from the Red Scarf Bandits, Zhong Wei deliberated long and hard before finally agreeing.

Besides wishing to secure a share of the spoils, he also harbored an unwillingness to offend the Red Scarf Bandits. After all, even among the Tenth Level Inner Strength masters, there were distinctions in strength, and Zhong Wei was undoubtedly the weakest of the five leaders.

The initial progress heading toward Taicang County had been smooth. Who could have predicted that after so easily taking the county seat, they would run into this stubborn obstacle in the Xu Family Fort?

In comparison, the county seat felt like a wall made of mud—it crumbled at a push. Facing the towering walls of the Xu Family Fort, even with a host of masters among the bandits, it took a grueling five days and the loss of nearly a thousand men just to carve open a few gaps in the ramparts.

But those few gaps were enough. Zhong Wei licked his slightly dry lips, a ferocious gleam in his eyes.

He slowly clenched and then released his hands, circulating his Inner Strength through his meridians. As it passed his right shoulder, a dull ache flared up.

The muscles in his face twitched almost imperceptibly, and the killing aura radiating from him intensified, causing his subordinates to shiver involuntarily, recognizing that their leader, famous for his brutality, was entering a state of vicious focus once more. During the very first assault on the walls, Zhong Wei had clashed directly with Xu Yinjie.

After exchanging a few palms, Zhong Wei was struck on the right shoulder by Xu Yinjie’s blow. Though not fatal, it had caused him considerable agony.

Now, he had resolved that once the breach was secured at dawn tomorrow, he would personally capture the old Xu man alive. In front of him, he would execute every male of the Xu lineage one by one, and all the women would be distributed among his brothers for violation.

He wanted the old man to deeply regret injuring him. Suddenly, another scream echoed from the darkness, followed by the thud of a heavy object hitting the ground.

Zhong Wei frowned. "Are the night ambush teams still being deployed?" One subordinate immediately replied, "Great Chieftain Zhong, the infiltration teams have not ceased; they are all managed personally by Chieftain Hai." Zhong Wei grunted dismissively.

In his mind, since the general assault was set for dawn, there was little need for more night raids. However, since the arrangements were made by Hai Huiqiao, he immediately dismissed any thought of interfering.

Hai Huiqiao was Lan Hanyang’s wife; the couple served as the Great Chieftain and Second Chieftain of the Blue Sea Bandits. Though one was a Tenth Level master and the other Ninth Level, they specialized in coordinated combat, their Inner Strength techniques complementing each other perfectly.

Together, the power they unleashed approached that of two Tenth Level masters combined. More importantly, Hai Huiqiao possessed extraordinary intelligence and was widely known as the 'Wisdom Star.' In this raid of five thousand bandits upon Taicang County, it was only Hai Huiqiao who strongly advocated attacking the Xu Family Fort first, before striking the main county town.

It was unfortunate that, aside from Lan Hanyang, no one else supported her plan, likely due to a reluctance to be bossed around by a woman. However, the ensuing battle had proven Hai Huiqiao’s foresight.

The Taicang County seat proved to be hollow in reputation, falling in a single blow. But the alerted Xu Family Fort became the thorn in their side, requiring the sacrifice of nearly a thousand bandit brothers just to glimpse the dawn of victory.

Though the final assault tomorrow should secure the fort, who knew how many more brothers would be buried here forever? Not far off, formations of men began to gather.

Over the past five days, these men had taken turns residing in the nearby Xu Family Town. As for the town's inhabitants, they were either hidden inside the Xu Family Fort or already dead in the bandits’ hands.

The bandits had occupied the entire town, using it as their massive base camp for thousands of fighters. Now, though the sky was still dim, the town's populace had all assembled here.

Though they were bandits, they possessed a discipline no less rigorous than a disciplined army. Thousands moved silently through the dark, infusing the entire area with a palpable, heavy killing intent.

While bandit assaults often lack sophisticated siege equipment, these were no ordinary men; they were practitioners of Inner Strength. For them, while the city walls presented a massive obstacle, they were not insurmountable—a fact demonstrated clearly in the defense battles of the past few days.

Naturally, if there had been no walls and the thousands of bandits had been free to charge into the fort on horseback, everyone inside the Xu Family Fort would have collapsed and been exterminated long ago. Currently, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the top masters, the walls of the Xu Family Fort showed several breaches; one determined charge with sufficient numbers would guarantee final victory.

By Zhong Wei's side, five other individuals now stood. Among these five were four men and one woman.

They were Guan Qing, the Great Chieftain of the Red Scarf Bandits; Guo Shaofeng, the Second Chieftain; Xu Hanbai of the Fierce Tigers; Lan Hanyang of the Blue Sea Clan; and Hai Huiqiao. Although the four men had distinct appearances, the youngest among them, Lan Hanyang, was well over sixty.

However, despite his relatively younger age, in terms of cultivation level, he was unquestionably the most powerful among the group; even Guan Qing was hesitant to engage him in a direct duel.

“Are the people all here?” Guan Qing’s voice boomed like muffled thunder.

“They are.”

A voice, by no means pleasant, issued from Hai Huiqiao’s lips, yet none of the men present dared to look down upon this woman any longer.

This was not because of her husband, but due to the status she had earned through her own efforts.

The gazes of several people shifted almost synchronously toward their objective.

That black battlement, which looked ever more menacing in the deep night!

The sky grew darker; the moment before dawn is the deepest darkness of the day.

No one spoke; they waited. Even the raiding parties that had ceaselessly attacked over the past five days had ceased.

As if by some shared telepathy, even the walls fell silent, as if both sides were waiting for the instant the first ray of sunlight appeared.

On one side of the sky, a pale, milky-white streak had drawn itself thin, seeming to bind all the surrounding peaks together. Then, a drunkenly spreading crimson hue began to stain the expanse, followed by a heavy, dense cloud of gray!

The sky was still a pale blue, very light in color. In the blink of an eye, a rosy glow appeared on the horizon, slowly expanding its reach, intensifying its light, until finally, the very first light of morning emerged…

Hai Huiqiao nodded slowly. Guan Qing raised his hand high, and all the bandits gripped their weapons tightly, a frenzied light flashing in their eyes.

However, just at that moment, they heard a world-shaking, colossal roar, like the crashing of mountains and the fury of a tidal wave…

※※※※

On the rampart, Xu Yinjie kicked out, sending a bandit who had just scrambled up flying off the wall.

His face remained as still as an ancient well, devoid of any expression, as if what he had just kicked away was not a person, but a fallen leaf.

Suddenly, he turned and saw a very familiar face—a face he had been sparring with for decades.

There was a hint of inquiry in his eyes, as if wondering why this old fellow was still standing atop the battlements.

He Wude walked slowly to his side, hands clasped behind his back, gazing down into the darkness.

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“I wish to leave, but if I go now, a lifelong ambition will remain unfulfilled.”

“What ambition?”

“I want to see whether your Withered Wood Art is superior, or if my Great Guan Blade is truly invincible.” He Wude pointed into the blackness ahead. “There are plenty of bandits out there; enough for us to settle it.”

Xu Yinjie finally widened his eyes a fraction more, and the pupils sunken deep in their sockets seemed to gain a spark of vitality.

“Where is your Great Guan Blade?”

He Wude started, then gave a wry smile. “I gave it away.”

Xu Yinjie lowered his head again, his voice carrying a trace of envy. “You have a good grandson.”

He Wude let out a loud laugh. “Indeed. As long as there is Yi Ming, there is hope for the revival of the He family.” He clapped his hands suddenly. “But don’t worry, even without the Great Guan Blade, my Hand Blades will not be much inferior.”

“Tsk, tsk, a fine Hand Blade. This old man would certainly like to see it.” Cheng Ningsheng approached with a chuckle.

Xu Yinjie and He Wude turned their heads simultaneously, both wearing looks of utter disbelief, as if they had suddenly seen the sun rise in the west.

Though Cheng Ningsheng possessed a notoriously thick skin, at this moment, a flicker of embarrassed anger crossed his features.

“What are you looking at?” Cheng Ningsheng demanded angrily.

He Wude exclaimed in surprise, “Brother Cheng, have you gone senile? Do you, the Old Fox of Taicang, truly have no fear of death?”

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Xu Yinjie’s mouth. Though he said nothing, his reaction clearly conveyed his meaning.

In his youth, Cheng Ningsheng was renowned as the Fox of Taicang; in old age, he naturally became the Old Fox of Taicang.

This old fox had calculated countless schemes in his life, and it was thanks to this old fox that the Cheng family maintained an exceedingly dominant position even when their peak martial strength waned, never truly being suppressed by the Xu and He families.

Furthermore, Cheng Ningsheng’s greatest weakness throughout his life was his fear of death.

Perhaps being as cunning as a fox also made him deeply suspicious, indecisive in critical moments, and caused his progress in martial arts cultivation to stagnate.

This was his inherent nature, branded into his very bones, something that could no longer change.

Neither He Wude nor Xu Yinjie had ever imagined he would ascend the battlements at this juncture; they hadn't dared to harbor such a hope even in their dreams.

Cheng Ningsheng came to stand beside them, mimicking He Wude’s stance with his hands clasped behind his back. “I originally didn't intend to come, but suddenly there was something I couldn’t let go of, so I came back to join the fun.”

“What matter could possibly keep even you here?” He Wude asked, surprised.

Cheng Ningsheng snapped irritably, “We have battled each other for a lifetime; what I most want to know is which of you two is truly the foremost master in Taicang.”

He Wude and Xu Yinjie exchanged a look, then looked at the enraged Cheng Ningsheng, and finally burst into unrestrained laughter. Even Xu Yinjie, who cultivated the Withered Wood Art, rarely showed such a terrifying smile, one that seemed fit for a starving ghost.

The sky seemed to have darkened to its utmost limit. They ceased their laughter and gazed down toward the base of the wall.

Cheng Ningsheng spoke slowly, “Having you two as rivals, my life has not been lived in vain.”

The two old men, He and Xu, remained silent, yet their hearts echoed the same sentiment.

The dawn's rosy light gradually appeared. The sun was hidden behind the peaks, casting a soft luminescence around them. This light gradually permeated the surrounding pale blue sky, and golden sunlight slowly emerged in the heavens.

The first ray of light appeared under the watch of countless eyes…

The gazes of the three old men simultaneously turned scorching hot. Their inner energy slowly gathered, and their powerful auras suddenly surged.

However, just at that moment, they heard a world-shaking, colossal roar, like the crashing of mountains and the fury of a tidal wave…

※※※※

In a courtyard near the back mountain of Xu Family Fort, nearly fifty people, led by Xu Xiangqian, He Quanming, and Cheng Jiahui, stood before a gigantic rockery.

Xu Xiangqian channeled his ninth layer of inner energy and slowly moved a corner of the rockery, revealing a pitch-black passage leading nowhere, wide enough for three people to walk abreast.

Countless steps lined this passage, testifying to the infinite effort the Xu family ancestors had expended to build it.

The sky was already very dark; only the torches held by the people cast light, bringing a sliver of warmth to the endless darkness.

“Let’s go,” Xu Xiangqian stated in a deep voice. “Yu Cai, scout ahead; the He brothers follow; the Cheng brothers in the center; Xu family disciples cover the rear.”

Xu Yucai answered, and his voice carried a faint trace of a sob. Yet, at this moment, no one felt the inclination to mock him.

The ones leaving the Xu family this time were all elites, the true elite. Moreover, not a single woman from the Xu family had been brought along, including Xu Yucai’s own mother.

“Wait a moment,” He Quanming said softly.

The gazes of Xu Xiangqian and Cheng Jiahui both turned toward him.

He Quanxin stated solemnly, “Third Brother, Yi Hai, Yi Xuan, come kowtow to Father one last time.”

He turned and knelt toward the direction of the city wall. He Quan Yi, He Yihai, and He Yixuan did the same, striking their heads heavily onto the ground.

Xu Xiangqian and the others paused slightly, and slowly, everyone knelt down voluntarily. Aside from the sound of heads forcefully meeting the earth, only pervasive sorrow and gravity remained.

The morning mist was still thick. A pale green tinge appeared on the eastern horizon, floating lightly, like wisps of cooking smoke.

The first ray of light broke into everyone’s sight.

He Quanming rose, a look of final severance flashing in his eyes. He shouted sharply, “We move!”

However, just at that moment, they heard a world-shaking, colossal roar, like the crashing of mountains and the fury of a tidal wave…

※※※※

From far away, a figure appeared within the range of their sight.

That first ray of morning light, like a blade cleaving through darkness, sliced across the night sky, illuminating him.

It was like a dazzling, astonishing flash tearing through the gloom, carving a fissure across the sky, the earth, in people’s eyes, and in people’s hearts.

He raised his head and roared, a clap of thunder that shook the earth and moved the mountains.

He rode the clouds, carried the rain, and brought the momentum of surging, turbulent waves,

Swallowing everything,

Rolling forward relentlessly…

Ps: A new week, asking for recommendation votes!