Nackpan Beach is a forgotten gem at the end of the world, with its pristine, delicate sands gently extending into the transparent blue depths of the sea. Surrounded by lush coconut palms, the sea breeze intertwines the dampness with sunlight, creating a mesmerizing canvas. In the evening, the golden afterglow paints the entire beach with dazzling light. Amid such a dreamlike scenery, Leng Ru stands alone, his footsteps slow yet firm as he walks along the edge of the beach, his shadow stretching long on the damp sand. His name, Leng Ru, is already well-known in the small town. He often quietly meditates or wanders alone among the hardest-to-reach reefs, always appearing different from others in the village.
On this day, Leng Ru is heavy with thoughts. He tightly clutches a small wooden box, which was left behind by his grandfather before he passed away, intricately carved with mythical beast patterns on the lid. Leng Ru never knew the meaning of that design until late last night when he saw his grandfather in a dream, his expression serious and solemn, speaking to Leng Ru in a deep voice: “Go to Nackpan Beach; you must face the trial that belongs to you.”
Leng Ru should be afraid, as strange stories are often told about the beach at night, such as “the sea spirit appearing” and “the dark tide attacking the shore,” which are mostly just tales to scare children. But this time, Leng Ru vaguely feels that it is not merely terrifying rumors. He still remembers the heavy weight of his grandfather's words, so he bravely embarks on this unknown journey.
When Leng Ru reaches the solitary rock that is constantly battered by waves, strange ripples suddenly arise from the sea surface. The originally calm sea begins to shimmer with glowing water patterns, as if a giant beast is waking from the depths. Leng Ru instinctively holds his breath, his hands trembling slightly, but he still does not step back. He looks up, and in the mist, a pair of bright golden dragon eyes slowly appear, their gaze cold, deep, and overwhelming. Then, the water splits open, revealing a dragon with a body of green and gold, like one carved from jade, spiraling out with wings trailing mist, its scales glistening with a chilly luster. It rides the waves, its whiskers flowing, and opens its mouth to let out a low roar that seems to announce its sovereignty over the earth.
This is the sea dragon legend in ancient Chinese texts. It looks down at Leng Ru, its piercing dragon gaze revealing a scrutinizing and warning light, as if waiting for an important choice. Leng Ru sweats profusely but does not choose to escape. Though his legs feel somewhat weak, he forces himself to straighten up, holding the gaze of the giant dragon.
The dragon speaks, its voice deep like the echo of an ancient bell: “Human, do you know the secret of the box in your hand?”
Leng Ru looks around; besides the sound of the tide and the damp, salty sea breeze, there is no one else. He tries to suppress the trembling in his throat and cautiously answers, “I do not know, but I am willing to seek answers and truths with sincerity.”
The dragon’s pupils slightly contract, stirring up fine sand in its breath, its voice becoming more solemn: “Wisdom, courage, and faith—none of these can be lacking. Have you come to seek the legacy of the brave? If so, you must pass my trial.”
Leng Ru nods vigorously, holding the faded box tightly in his hands, his breathing gradually steadying. He understands that avoiding the truth will not lead to understanding, and he cannot fulfill his grandfather’s final entrusted mission. Thus, he takes a deep breath and meets the dragon's judging gaze.
“If so, you must answer my three questions. Answer all three correctly to obtain the legacy. If you answer even one incorrectly, you will forever remain in ignorance of the source of wisdom.” The dragon’s voice resonates over the surface of the sea.
Leng Ru bites his lip hard to focus his mind. He knows that each answer will affect his fate.
The dragon slowly poses the first question: “What is inside the box? What does it connect?”
Leng Ru recalls his grandfather's words: “At the beginning of all things, it descends in the heart and is made manifest in sincerity.” After thinking for a moment, he responds: “The box contains not only objects, but also the hopes and vows of our ancestors. It connects the soul and destiny of the family, guiding me to find my own path in times of peril.”
The dragon's whiskers tremble slightly, and it nods in approval.
The second question follows: “If danger befalls the world, how would you protect your loved ones?”
Without hesitation, Leng Ru answers with clear eyes: “With my own body, I will protect them. Not by force, but by guarding with my heart. In the face of fear and darkness, I will not evade or compromise; even if I can only walk alone, I will become a torch that illuminates others.”
This time, a hint of tenderness flashes in the depths of the dragon's eyes, a recognition of the sincerity and bravery of his answer.
The final and most crucial question arises: “If sacrifice and gain are hard to weigh, how will you choose?”
Leng Ru lowers his gaze, gazing into the deep, boundless night sky. He thinks of the night his grandfather passed away, recalling his own fear of loss but also understanding the true meaning of growth. He contemplates for a long while and finally speaks: “To give up is to entrust my beloved and responsibilities to the world, allowing faith to continue beyond oneself; to gain is to accept the mission and burden. Only by truly seeing the interdependence of sacrifice and gain can one move forward with ease. If I must choose, I wish to be the one who sacrifices first, allowing hope and strength to be preserved for future generations.”
This answer resonates in the night sky for a while, merging with the sound of the waves into a distant, lingering melody.
The dragon raises its head and roars; the sea splashes violently, and the golden light dances in the night. Then it looks down at Leng Ru, its voice finally revealing a trace of imperceptible affection: “You have passed my trial. Wisdom, courage, and faith—you possess them all.”
After saying this, the dragon raises a bridge made of water droplets, shimmering with the same intricate beast patterns as the box. With a flick of its whiskers, the wooden box in Leng Ru's hand opens automatically, and a gentle yet radiant light wafts out from within. Inside the box lies an ancient bronze medallion, engraved with patterns of dragon scales entangled with waves.
Leng Ru takes the medallion in both hands, feeling the heavy expectations of his ancestors and the power bestowed by the dragon within it. He suddenly feels a weight on his shoulders, a new mission arising within him. The dragon gazes at him, its tone growing gentler: “With the legacy, do not forget your original intention. You will be the new guardian of the family; Nackpan Beach will remember your name.”
Leng Ru bows deeply, thanking it respectfully. As he turns to leave, he looks back at the dragon still swirling on the deep blue sea, like an eternal light in mythology. He clutches the wooden box close to his heart, filled with fearless courage. He knows that from now on, no matter what storms come his way, he will confront them just as he did before the dragon today, undaunted.
As night falls, the beach quiets down, with only the gentle kisses of the waves on the sands and the faint sounds of the distant nightingale. Leng Ru steps onto the path home, each step firm and resolute, feeling the voices of his ancestors beneath his feet and the resilience gained through trials. The legend of Nackpan Beach adds another glorious chapter, witnessing the fearless young soul and the sacred pact with the dragon. In this world where moonlight and the shadows of waves intertwine, a legend belonging to the brave quietly begins to unfold.