The night of Shun's resurrection ended with the villagers gathered in Granny Zhao's humble hut. Her home was modest, with walls lined with faded scrolls depicting ancient legends. The flickering light of a single lantern cast long, wavering shadows across the room, exaggerating the wrinkles on her weathered face.
Despite her frail frame, Granny Zhao commanded an aura of authority that none dared challenge. She raised a hand to silence the murmurs of the gathered villagers, her voice steady and firm.
"What you have seen, what you think you know… it must remain here," she began, her sharp eyes sweeping over the crowd. "The gods, the spirits, or whatever forces are at play—they've brought Zhong back to us. But mark my words: this is not a blessing. It's a test. A test of our unity and our silence."
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, their fear of the unknown battling against their loyalty to their elder. Granny Zhao's gaze lingered on Shun for just a moment longer than necessary, and he felt his stomach tighten.
"Zhong is… different," she continued, her words deliberate. "Perhaps the gods allowed his spirit to return. Or perhaps it is something darker. Either way, we must not speak of this to anyone outside the village. Keep your mouths shut, or the heavens themselves may punish us."
The villagers reluctantly nodded, their unease still evident. As the crowd dispersed, Granny Zhao called out softly, "Zhong, stay behind."
Shun hesitated, his heart pounding. He stayed as instructed, the room emptying until it was just the two of them.
Granny Zhao leaned on her cane, studying him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. "I know you're not him," she said bluntly, her voice low but resolute.
Shun stiffened, his mind racing for an explanation. "What do you mean, Granny Zhao?" he asked, feigning innocence.
She chuckled, the sound dry and humorless. "Don't play games with me, boy. I've lived long enough to know when a soul doesn't match its shell. But don't worry—I'm not your enemy. Not yet."
Shun forced a nervous smile, masking his growing alarm. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm Zhong."
Granny Zhao leaned closer, her gaze piercing. "You wear his body like a cloak, but his spirit has not returned. Whatever you are, tread carefully. This village is riddled with secrets, and the wrong step could destroy us all."
He nodded slowly, unsure whether to view her as an ally or a threat. "I'm here for answers, Granny. That's all."
She regarded him in silence for a moment before speaking again. "Then find your answers quietly. And remember: silence can be as powerful as a sword."
Shun left her hut with a heavy heart, her words echoing in his mind.
The next morning, Shun awoke before the sun, the lingering tension of the previous night still weighing on him. He left Zhong's house quietly, careful not to wake Mei. The cool morning air carried the scent of dew and woodsmoke as he circled the house, his mind restless.
As he inspected the exterior of the home, a small detail caught his attention—a tiny hole in the wooden wall near the back of the house. He crouched to take a closer look, his curiosity piqued. Pressing his eye to the hole, he peered inside.
What he saw made his blood boil.
Inside, Mei was locked in an intimate embrace with the village priest. Their movements were slow and deliberate, their whispers laced with both guilt and desire. Shun's fists clenched as he strained to hear their conversation.
"Did you kill him really?" Mei asked, her voice trembling slightly.
The priest smirked, his tone cold and calculating. "He's dead. I made sure of it. Zhong was a fool, Mei. He would have ruined us both. Now, you belong to me."
Mei hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "And the village? What if they find out?"
The priest chuckled darkly. "They'll never know. The gods have blessed me with their favor. Soon, this village will be mine to command."
Shun pulled away from the hole, his mind reeling. The anger coursing through him was almost unbearable. So, the priest killed Zhong… and Mei was complicit in it. These bastards will pay.
As he paced back and forth, an idea began to form in his mind. A grin spread across his face as the plan took shape.
By midday, Shun had gathered a small group of Zhong's old friends—villagers who believed he was still their comrade. Among them were Liang, a burly farmer, and Wen, a mischievous young man with an appetite for trouble.
"Zhong, what's going on?" Liang asked, his brow furrowed in concern. "You've been acting strange since you came back."
Shun clapped Liang on the shoulder, his grin widening. "I've been through a lot, my friend. But I've also discovered something incredible—something magical."
The group exchanged skeptical glances.
"There's a magician in the village," Shun whispered conspiratorially. "He's been hiding his powers, but I found him out. And today, I'm going to show you proof."
Wen's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A magician? Really? Where?"
Shun motioned for them to follow. "You'll see. But first, we need to gather the villagers. Trust me, you won't want to miss this."
Word spread quickly, and soon a crowd of villagers had gathered near the back of Zhong's house. Shun led them to the wall with the tiny hole, where he had written a message in charcoal: "Peek here to see magic for free!"
The villagers whispered excitedly, jostling for a chance to look through the hole. Shun raised a hand, his expression serious.
"The magician inside is performing a delicate ritual with his magical wand," he announced, his tone commanding. "If we make too much noise, we might ruin everything. Just take turns and keep your voices down."
One by one, the villagers peered through the hole. Gasps and murmurs of shock spread through the crowd as they witnessed the scene inside.
"What is this?" someone whispered.
"Is that… the priest?" another voice asked, laced with disbelief.
As the whispers grew louder, the door to the house creaked open. Mei stepped outside, her face pale and panicked. Her eyes darted to the hole in the wall, then to the crowd of villagers.
The priest followed her, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice booming with authority.
Granny Zhao appeared at the edge of the crowd, her presence silencing the murmurs. She stepped forward, her cane tapping against the ground.
"Explain yourself, Priest," she said coldly. "Why are the villagers whispering about… magic?"
The priest stammered, his composure faltering. Mei clung to his arm, her face a mask of fear and guilt.
Shun stayed in the shadows, a satisfied grin on his face. This is just the beginning, he thought. The truth will destroy them.