Chapter 5 A Blurry Past

• The bracelet tied around Zi Han’s wrist reminded him of a mysterious past. But it all felt like a forgotten dream, and he could barely believe his strange visions.
• Still in two minds about whom to trust, Zi Han looked around him like a helpless hare caught in a snare.
• “What is going on with me? Why do I see faces I can’t even remember?” he asked in a quivering voice, his breathing shallow and fractured. “I swear I am just an orphan. I can’t be any Great Dragon. You are making a mistake.”
• Dongxiang hastily unbuttoned Zi Han’s left sleeve and pulled his hand. “Then how do you explain this?” he asked, pointing at the dragon-wing scar glowing on Zi Han’s wrist. “This is the mark of the dragon.”
• Zi Han’s heart raced inside his chest as he tried to make sense of his present situation. Although it was an uncommon scar, he had always dismissed it as a birthmark.
• But he could find no explanation for the shocking memories swimming before his eyes. He had never met those people in his life, yet their faces seemed familiar somehow.
• “My parents died when I was just an infant. I don’t have any family in this world,” Zi Han mumbled, trying to steady his breathing. “I cannot be your leader. I am just a normal college student.”
• “You are anything but normal, master,” Dongxiang replied with a wistful smile. “You are a Jade Immortal. The most powerful among all Celestial Warlords.”
• Zi Han’s eyes widened as he heard those words. “A Jade Immortal?”
• He had only read about Jade Immortals in old books and had always dismissed such tales as untruthful myths or old legends blown out of proportion. Yet, here he stood, surrounded by a gang of believers.
• “You are pulling my leg, aren’t you?” he asked, trying to force a smile.
• But Dongxiang shook his head. He fished out a matchbox from his pocket and struck a match. Holding it over Zi Han’s outstretched palm, he instructed, “Hold your index finger up for me.”
• Although a little confused by his strange request, Zi Han decided to do as instructed.
• As soon as Zi Han clenched his fist and held up his index finger, the flame flickered and brightened. Seconds later, it magically separated from the matchstick and landed on his fingertip like a firefly.
• “What the hell is this? How are you doing this?” he questioned, staring at his finger in disbelief. Despite holding the flame without any protection, it wasn’t burning his skin.
• “I am not doing anything. In your past life, you had complete mastery over the five elements.” Dongxiang turned to Zhen Lee and pointed at the wall. “Let’s show our master that we haven’t forgotten him.”
• “Yes, Elder Dragon.” Zhen Lee bowed and quickly rushed across the room to press a hidden button.
• Immediately, the wall split open, revealing two wooden panels. As Zhen Lee pressed the button again, the panels were pulled apart, and an old painting surfaced from behind.
• Zi Han’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open as he looked at the picture. In it, he looked much older, and he was sitting on a crystal throne, wearing a gold-embroidered jacket and a crown glittering with emeralds.
• “This is your legacy, Great Dragon. It is who you are,” Dongxiang reiterated the idea, gesturing toward the painting. “You died one hundred years ago trying to save your kingdom and protect those you loved. But your soul never perished. Now, the Heavenly Emperor has allowed you to be reincarnated on earth as a human.”
• After seeing and hearing everything, Zi Han could not turn a blind eye to the truth anymore. Although he still could not remember his past life clearly, he was now willing to take a leap of faith and accept his lot.
• It almost felt like fate was giving Zi Han a final chance to turn his life around, and this time, he was ready to do anything to change his situation.
• Even though his old memories were blurry, he could tell the men in this room looked up to him. It was the first time he felt respected by people, and he wasn’t going to toss this chance away.
• “What exactly happened to me in my past life? And who are you people?” he asked.
• “You sacrificed your life during the Celestial War. Shen Yorn defeated your army and conquered your realm. Most of your loyal followers died that day, and those who survived were banished from the Celestial Realm. We are your dragons, master. The chosen swords sworn to serve you faithfully forever.”
• “We are ready to live in your shadow, Great Dragon!” Zhen Lee declared, crossing his heart to show his loyalty. “Please take us under your wing again.”
• All this was too much for Zi Han to wrap his head around, but he decided to take things one at a time. For now, he did not care about the past but only wanted to focus on the present.
• Having lived his whole life as a worthless orphan, the thought of having the city’s most feared gang at his disposal made Zi Han thrilled beyond measure.
• Though he knew very little about the criminal life, he was already starting to enjoy the power he had in the palm of his hand.
• “We have waited for you for over a hundred years. I wish we had found you sooner,” Dongxiang spoke yearningly. “From this day onward, the Black Dragons are yours to command, master.”
• Hearing this, Zi Han’s face beamed with pride, and he felt his heart pumping louder than ever. Without uttering any replies, he walked up to the large rectangular mirror on the wall and looked into it.
• “I look nothing like an Overlord,” he mumbled, staring at his reflection. “I don’t remember who I was, but I remember the sadness and the pain. It's all so blurry,” Zi Han sighed, clenching his fist.
• "It will take time for you to remember your past life. But it will all come back to you once you reconnect with your old self."
• Zi Han turned around and looked at Dongxiang. “All my memories are blurry and disjointed. I trust you, but I am still lost at sea. I will need your help if I am to rediscover my past. Guide me so I can remember who I was.”
• “We are always yours to command, but time has blurred my memories as well,” Dongxiang replied, kneeling to show his humility. “I only remember my allegiance to you and your family, master.”
• “I will start over then and keep digging till I find the truth,” Zi Han spoke in a heavy voice, swearing to rewrite his story.
• “And we will do our best to honor your every wish,” Zhen Lee spoke aloud, his eyes burning with adoration for their great leader. “Once you regain your memories, even the heavens will kneel before you.”
• Zi Han sighed, his voice filled with frustration, and looked away from the mirror. “I have been living like a worthless orphan all this time. But no more. I am tired of being trodden upon!” he exclaimed, clenching his fist. “Maybe this is divine intervention or maybe this is just fate. All I know is, I am sick of my old life.”
• Dongxiang was quick to come to Zi Han’s aid.
• “Allow us to alleviate your troubles, master.” He reached into his pocket and held up a gold debit card in front of him. “We always knew you would come back one day, so we pooled all our resources to give you a humble present. This account has a hundred million yuan in it. I know it is just a trivial sum, but please feel free to use it as you see fit.”
• “And if you need soldiers, the Black Dragons are always yours to command!” Zhen Lee declared his loyalty with a mighty thump on his chest. “Welcome back, Great Dragon! We await your orders!”
• As Zi Han took the card from Dong, he felt like he could finally turn his life around.
• He had been reborn into a poor family in this life and orphaned at a young age, but now that fate had offered him a second chance, he was ready to change everything.