CHAPTER 143 — THE BOY THE SHADOWS RAISED
The desert wind moved softly.
But between Long Hao and Zehell, something far heavier lingered.
Bronze Squad had drifted farther down the ridge, giving them space without being told to. The dragon's presence had receded into the cave once more, silent but not gone.
Zehell stood still.
"I am not from this world."
His words hadn't been loud.
But they had shattered something.
She didn't interrupt him.
Didn't question immediately.
She just waited.
"Explain," she said quietly.
Long Hao looked at the horizon.
The sky was blue.
Peaceful.
Deceptive.
"I wasn't born as Long Hao," he began.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her spear.
"I was someone else."
The wind shifted.
"My name… was never spoken publicly."
"In my previous life."
"They called me Shadow King."
Zehell's eyes searched his face for hesitation.
There was none.
"Where?" she asked softly.
"Not here."
"Not this realm."
"Not under this Heaven."
