Yolanda wanted to have Maria’s Lightning Struck Wood, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask for it. After all, it had
been a cherished possession of Maria for over three hundred years, holding a profound significance for her.
Yet, Yolanda understood that there was no need to rush. Even if Maria were to bestow the Lightning Struck Wood
upon him, he lacked the expertise to refine it. With this in mind, he gazed at Maria and posed a question that had
been burning in his curious mind, “Miss Clark, I am genuinely intrigued. How have you managed to survive for over
three centuries?”
Maria replied, “As I am not proficient in reiki and am no match for Morgana, Nujia has spent the past three hundred
years constantly evading pursuit. However, the first two hundred years were relatively uneventful. During that time,
transportation was arduous and communication was underdeveloped. It was not easy for Morgana to track me
down.”
With a thoughtful tilt of her head, Maria reminisced and recounted, “After my father’s funeral, as a young and
powerless individual, I roamed through various remote locations in the southern province for decades. To avoid
arousing suspicion, my family would settle in one place for five to eight years before moving on. It was during that
period that my family developed a fondness for Pu’er tea.”
“While traveling to different places, we took the opportunity to learn and experiment with the art of making Pu’er
tea. Eventually, we resided by Heaven Lake in the southern province for a few years, where I taught the local tea
farmers how to enhance the quality of Pu’er tea.”
“After witnessing the tribulation of the Pu’er mother plant, my family felt as though we had lost our spiritual
sustenance. Following decades of evading capture, we managed to accumulate some wealth and acquire valuable
experience in survival. We settled elsewhere for a few years before it was time to move on. That’s when we left the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsouthern province,” Maria continued, her voice resonating with the weight of countless experiences.
“Leaving the southern province, my family dared not venture back to the mainland. Instead, we journeyed
southward and further to Myanmar, dwelling in several countries within the Myanmar region. Finally, we resided in
Penang for a while,” she added.
“Later, my family embarked on a journey to Brunei and Indonesia, followed by a boat trip from Indonesia to India
and finally traversing the Middle East to reach the Ottoman Empire. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in
Europe, my family was astounded by the rapid advancements in science, technology and academia. We began
traveling to European countries, assuming different identities and studying in numerous universities. But our time in
Europe was cut short by the British invasion of China. Witnessing the hypocritical actions of the so-called British
gentlemen, who colonized and flooded the world with opium, instigating the First Opium War, ignited a deep-rooted
hatred within me. Hence, I left England and sailed to North America,” Maria explained.
“However, my family struggled to adapt to the environment in North America. It was a lawless land where white
settlers incessantly seized territories, enslaved Black individuals and mercilessly slaughtered the indigenous
population. Bloodshed and chaos permeated every corner. Consequently, we boarded a merchant ship and
ventured to Japan once the Civil War began,” she added.
“In Japan, during a phase of rapid cultural influence and assimilation, I observed the evolving national landscape.
Intrigued by Europe’s accelerated progress after the Industrial Revolution and witnessing Japan’s remarkable
transformation during the Meiji Restoration, I yearned to return to China and contribute to my homeland. Hence, I
traveled from Japan to Hong Kong Island, dedicating myself to the Azure Society,” Maria disclosed.
Yolanda was left speechless, utterly flabbergasted by Maria’s account. He had assumed she spent her years
evading capture in remote, inaccessible locations, never suspecting that she had traversed the globe, perpetually
at the epicenter of world affairs.
Moreover, Maria’s desire to aid China, aligned with Lucius Clark’s values, demonstrated that the apple hadn’t fallen
far from the tree.
Unfazed, Maria resumed her narrative, “Upon arriving at Hong Kong Island, my family established contact with the
Azure Society through previous connections. However, just as we were about to meet them, we were ambushed by
remnants of the Warriors Den. We barely managed to escape with our lives.”
Curiosity getting the better of him, Yolanda inquired, “Was the secret leaked at that time?”
Maria nodded solemnly and expressed, “My family was unaware that Morgana’s agents had already begun
infiltrating the Azure Society.”
Continuing her account, Maria revealed, “Following that narrow escape, my family realized that Morgana’s
influence and schemes extended far beyond Asia, permeating the entire world. As a result, we sought refuge in the
relatively underdeveloped regions of South America.”
“On the brink of the First World War, upon hearing of the last emperor’s abdication, my family rejoiced so intensely
that we couldn’t close our eyes for three days. Filled with excitement, we took the risk and returned to China, only
to encounter the September 18 Incident,” she conveyed.
“After the September 18 Incident, sensing a sudden shift in the situation up north, my family returned to Eastcliff,”
Maria continued.
“With the advent of the July 7 Incident in 1937, as Japanese fascists launched an all-out invasion of China, coupled
with the responsibility of caring for certain children, it was impossible for us to flee the country during the war.
Therefore, we had to take them back to the United States, only leaving after the conclusion of World War II,” she
revealed, surprising Steven.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmUnable to contain his astonishment, Yolanda exclaimed, “You’ve been constantly on the run, yet you managed to
care for children as well?”
Maria assumed a serious expression as she explained, “Throughout our years of travel and evasion, enduring
hardships alone was truly arduous. At times, I suffered injuries, even breaking a leg, with no one to offer a helping
hand. Consequently, my family began adopting abandoned infants and displaced orphans one after another. We
raised them, provided them with education and taught them to read and study. When we were in a particular
region, the children accompanied us. For those who displayed negative character traits, we left them with some
funds and entrusted them to suitable individuals before moving on from the area,” she continued, her voice filled
with compassion.
“As for those who stayed by my side, as I believed their character to be sound, I would reveal the secret of my
immortality at the appropriate time. After all, I had raised them since childhood. Even without divulging the secret,
their suspicions would arise due to my unchanging appearance,” Maria stated.
“Throughout our travels, my family amassed considerable wealth and acquired various assets worldwide.
Therefore, once these children passed certain tests and grew up, my family would provide them with wealth,
opportunities and even entrust them with businesses. Over time, they flourished in their own endeavors,” she
elucidated.
Alder, bewildered, questioned, “Are all of them your adopted sons and daughters?”
Maria shook her head, replying, “Not entirely. I deliberately maintained a clear boundary to avoid excessive sorrow
when they passed away. Since their youth, they have referred to me as ‘Miss Nujia,’ and even when they reach old
age, they still address me as ‘Miss Nujia.'”
Update of The Charismatic Charlie Wade by Lord Leaf