Final Thoughts
As I put pen to paper to write these final thoughts, my heart was full of complicated emotions: guilt, reluctance to part, and the relief of finally bringing the story to a close.
First, I want to sincerely say to everyone who opened this book, followed the story, or even waited quietly during the long hiatus: I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.
That long hiatus has weighed on my mind all this time. Unexpected matters in my life, ups and downs in my mood, creative blocks, and all sorts of things beyond my control forced me to stop updating and delay the story again and again. I know that dragging things out let down the readers' original hopes and disappointed those who had been following along. Whenever I think about how long you waited, I'm filled with remorse.
Even during the hiatus, I never truly forgot the characters in this book or the story that was still unfinished. Those vivid characters, the journeys they hadn't completed, the clues planted along the way, and the promises left unfulfilled have always circled through my mind. I didn't want the story to end badly, and even less did I want everyone who loved it to be left with a lifelong regret. So, after all the twists and turns, I finally made up my mind to bring the story to a proper close, give the characters somewhere to belong, and give all of you an answer.
I'm deeply grateful to everyone who stayed, never blamed me, and was still willing to read to the end despite the long hiatus. Your messages, encouragement, and quiet companionship gave me the courage to pick myself up and finish the interrupted story when I was ready to give up for good. Your patience and support are the most precious gifts I've received on my writing journey. They've also shown me that every line written with care has been taken to heart by someone.
The road of writing has never been smooth. There's the exhilaration of putting pen to paper and the struggle of barely managing to take a step; the passion of updating every day and the helplessness of being forced to stop. For me, this book has been a singular creative journey. Though the interruption left its mark, that very imperfection taught me to cherish my original passion for writing and better understand my responsibility to my readers and my story.
Now the story has officially come to an end. Perhaps the ending isn't perfect, and perhaps it hasn't fulfilled everyone's expectations, but it's the best answer I can give this story and all its readers. The characters' curtain has fallen; their story ends here, while all of us must continue on with our own lives.
Finally, thank you again to every reader who crossed paths with this book. Please forgive my hiatus and delays, and thank you for accompanying me along the way. May we all find peace and good fortune in our daily lives, with nothing to trouble us. And may we meet again in the future through even better writing.
I'll lay down my pen here. Until we meet again in the world of martial arts.