The helicopter passed over a towering mountain, revealing an unknown valley below. Nestled against the rugged terrain stood a heavily fortified stronghold, its defenses tight, with anti-aircraft guns lining the perimeter.
Inside the helicopter, Shang-Chi and Xia Ling remained silent. Both of them instinctively looked down at the place below—it was where they had grown up, and also the one place they never wanted to return to.
The helicopter landed. A group of black-clad men stood neatly assembled in the plaza. As soon as Wenwu and the others stepped out, they bowed in unison.
"My son has returned!"
Wenwu announced loudly.
The black-clad men bowed again.
"Take Xia Ling back to her room," Wenwu ordered one of the men beside him.
Xia Ling was led away, while Wenwu wrapped an arm around Shang-Chi's shoulders and brought him into the fortress.
---
At dinner, the three of them sat together. Wenwu appeared to be in high spirits, but Shang-Chi and Xia Ling both kept cold expressions, leaving the atmosphere at the table stiff and awkward.
"How did you find me?" Shang-Chi finally asked. He had always believed he had hidden himself well over the years—taking on different jobs, never revealing his martial arts skills—all to avoid Wenwu's pursuit.
"I have always known where my children are. That is a father's responsibility."
Wenwu smiled and continued,
"I gave you ten years to live the life you wanted. What did you gain from it? Now, it's time to return to my side."
Shang-Chi shot him a sideways glance. "Not a chance."
His answer was firm and without hesitation. Wenwu merely chuckled, lifting his teacup and taking a sip without responding further.
"I have an interesting story to tell you both."
Setting down his cup, Wenwu suddenly spoke again.
"A few years ago, an American terrorist tried to destroy his own country. He stole the name of my Ten Rings—my Ten Rings. But since he didn't know my real name, he made one up… the 'Mandarin.' Surprisingly, it worked. The entire United States fell into panic."
The terrorist Wenwu referred to was Killian. In his eyes, Killian's actions were nothing more than a trivial farce—an idiotic fool playing at something far beyond him.
Shang-Chi and Xia Ling said nothing. Of course, they had heard of Killian—he had been defeated by Iron Man of the Avengers and that so-called "monster."
"In truth, I have had many names in my life, but all of them were tied to destruction and slaughter. For a long time, I thought that was the meaning of my existence. But after I met your mother, everything changed."
Wenwu let out a sigh, his eyes filled with memories. That had been the happiest time of his life. Though his initial intentions had been impure, he had gradually fallen in love with her—the woman named Ying Li.
Ying Li had been a guardian of the sacred land of Ta Lo. She had stopped Wenwu when he first came searching for it. Through repeated encounters, the two fell in love. In the end, Ying Li broke the rules of Ta Lo and left with Wenwu. It was a cliché story, perhaps—but for her, Wenwu sealed away the Ten Rings and swore to live an ordinary life.
After their marriage, they lived in this very fortress. Back then, it was just the two of them and a few servants. They had been truly happy.
Later, Shang-Chi and Xia Ling were born, and their life became that of a family of four. Wenwu and Ying Li taught their children martial arts, played games with them, and spent evenings curled up on the couch watching television. For the first time, Wenwu felt he had found someone worth growing old for.
But in the end, Ying Li still died.
"Come with me."
Wenwu tossed down his napkin and stood up, heading outside. Having little appetite to begin with, Shang-Chi and Xia Ling followed.
---
The three entered a study filled with ancient books, even stacks of bamboo scrolls.
"I was lost for a long time," Wenwu said. "But not anymore."
He walked to a large desk and opened an old book, revealing a piece of parchment tucked inside.
"At that time, the two of you had already run away from home. I was desperate to communicate with your mother's spirit, so I devoted myself entirely to researching her homeland."
He removed the parchment. On the page was a drawing of a towering mountain.
"Your mother's homeland is called Ta Lo. I couldn't find its entrance—but I did discover what it truly hides."
Wenwu handed the book to Shang-Chi and continued,
"In the mountain where Ta Lo lies, there is a gate. Your mother is waiting for us there."
He looked at his children, but both Shang-Chi and Xia Ling wore expressions of disbelief.
"I know this is hard to accept. If she hadn't told me herself, I wouldn't believe it either."
"What are you talking about? That's impossible."
Xia Ling didn't believe a word—she thought their father had gone mad.
"I was sitting right here."
Wenwu pointed to a wooden chair by the desk.
"I was completely absorbed in my research. Then your mother spoke to me—just as if she were really in this room. I could feel her breath against my face, her hand resting on my back."
Wenwu smiled faintly, as though reliving the moment.
"She told me she needs our help."
"Help? What kind of help?"
Shang-Chi frowned. The story still sounded utterly absurd to him.
"To rescue her from her own people."
Wenwu's gaze was unwavering.
"After we fell in love, your mother wanted us to live in Ta Lo. She went to ask the elders for permission. But they refused. They said I was unworthy of remaining in the sacred land. If they hadn't rejected us, your mother wouldn't have died—we would have lived there together. And now, they've imprisoned her behind that gate as punishment."
Hearing this, Shang-Chi and Xia Ling exchanged a glance, both seeing the same disbelief in each other's eyes.
"Don't you understand? She left us clues. She wants us to find her, to save her, so our family can be reunited."
Wenwu's voice grew more impassioned. For years, he had been searching for the entrance to Ta Lo. The first time, he had stumbled upon it by chance—but afterward, it had vanished.
"Dad, Mom is gone. She's not behind some gate talking to you. She didn't leave us any clues."
Shang-Chi tried to persuade him to let go of his obsession and stop clinging to the past.
Without a word, Wenwu opened a brocade box and took out two pendants—Shang-Chi's and Xia Ling's.
"Then what are these?"
The two were confused. They were just pendants—given to them by their mother. Did they hold some deeper meaning?
"Come with me."
Holding the necklaces, Wenwu left the study. Shang-Chi and Xia Ling hurried after him.
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