“You’re right, child.” The old man stepped forward, put his hand on the little boy’s shoulder, his eyes full of love and encouragement. “Every day is a new beginning and a continuation of hope. Wherever Jack and the others are, they must be hoping to get in touch with us.”
"But can they really cross the world and find their way home?" the young traveler couldn't help but ask, his tone filled with both doubt and deep concern.
"As long as there is light in your heart, the path will never disappear." The mysterious traveler spoke again, his words like a whisper in the night sky, soothing the hearts of everyone present. "Jack and his companions possess power and wisdom beyond our imagination, and more importantly, they have each other. In this universe, there is no stronger force than unity and trust."
The postman, who had been listening intently, suddenly seemed to remember something important: "By the way, on my way to deliver mail, I overheard some travelers talking about some strange phenomena that have recently appeared in the Misty Forest in the western borderlands. Some say they see strange lights at night, accompanied by low chanting, as if some ancient being has been awakened. Do you think this could be related to Jack and his friends' adventure?"
These words caused another uproar in the teahouse. People discussed it animatedly, some saying it was a natural phenomenon and there was no need to worry too much; others firmly believed it was a clue left by Jack and his crew, or a sign that they were about to return.
"The Misty Forest...that place has been shrouded in unknowns and dangers since ancient times." The middle-aged man with round-framed glasses adjusted his glasses, a thoughtful expression on his face. "But if it really is related to Jack and his group, shouldn't we do something? At least investigate?"
The woman put down her knitting, her eyes flashing with unprecedented determination: "If we just sit here and wait, the answer that Jack and his men risked their lives to find might slip through our fingers. Even if our strength is meager, we should do our best, at least to let future generations know that we tried to follow in their footsteps and understand their choices."
"I'm willing to go!" the little boy shouted, raising his hand. His face was full of determination. "I want to see those strange lights. Maybe I can find clues about Jack!"
"Good lad, you have ambition!" The young traveler laughed heartily. "If you go, I'll come with you. After all, it's always good to have a companion on an adventure."
As night deepened, the people in the teahouse reached a consensus: they would organize a small team to explore the mysterious phenomena in the Misty Forest, paving the way for Jack and his companions' return. Amidst the atmosphere of discussion and preparation, the proprietress softly concluded the gathering: "Let us greet tomorrow with hope and courage. Perhaps one day in the future, we will witness the glorious moment when those valiant explorers traverse the stars and return to their homeland."
As the words fell, silence descended upon the teahouse, broken only by the occasional cry of a night bird in the distance, intertwined with people's deep longing for the unknown world. The little boy clutched the letter in his hand, gazing at the endless night sky outside the window, silently repeating Jack's words in his heart: "When the stars shine, do not forget the way home."
"Jack, wherever you are, we will be here, waiting for your legendary return." He whispered his promise, his eyes shining with a determination and anticipation beyond his years.
The next morning, as dawn broke, the town's main street was already bustling with activity. Postmen were busy distributing mail, while a young traveler and a little boy were preparing their gear in front of the town's blacksmith shop, attracting the attention of passersby.
"Look at that child, so young yet he dares to run into the Misty Forest, he's really brave!" An aunt wearing an apron stopped and whispered to her friend beside her, "Unlike my son, who only knows how to hang around the stove all day long."
“Hey, dreams have no age limit,” her friend, a carpenter with a beard, chimed in. “I remember Jack was like that when he was a kid, always dreaming of exploring the unknown. Now it seems they’re following in Jack’s footsteps.”
Inside the blacksmith's shop, the young traveler tested the newly forged longsword, its sharp blade flashing past. "Not bad, substantial enough, suitable for dealing with the wild beasts of the forest." He nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the little boy who was choosing a knife. "Have you chosen one, young man? This one is small but sharp, perfect for you."
The little boy held a delicate folding knife, his eyes shining with excitement: "This is it! I want to be like Uncle Jack and bravely face all challenges."
The two were fully equipped and about to leave when they were interrupted by hurried footsteps. A middle-aged man with round-framed glasses came running up, panting, holding an old map in his hand: "Wait a minute, this is the most detailed map of the Misty Forest that I found in the library. It might be helpful to you."
"Great, thanks!" The young traveler took the rather heavy map, unfolded it, and the complex terrain and routes immediately caught his attention.
Meanwhile, inside the teahouse, the woman and several other villagers who had volunteered to join the expedition were also ready to set off. Some carried packs, others carried spears; although they were of different ages, the determination in their eyes was the same.
"Let's go, let's venture into the unknown." The young traveler waved, and the group embarked on their journey to the Misty Forest. Along the way, villagers spontaneously gathered to cheer on the small expedition team.
"May good fortune be with you!" An old man waved his cane, a warm smile hidden in the wrinkles on his face.
"Come back safely!" A group of children ran after them until they were called back by the adults.
The edge of the Misty Forest gradually came into view. The dense trees formed a natural barrier, blocking most of the sunlight. The swirling mist draped the forest in a mysterious veil.
"Are you all ready?" The young traveler turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the expectant little boy.
"Ready!" the team shouted in unison, their courage and determination coalescing into an unstoppable force.
As they stepped into the mist, the surrounding sounds gradually faded away, leaving only the heavy, firm sound of their footsteps and a faint, low chanting in the distance that seemed to match the night postman's words.
"That sound...is it coming from deep in the forest?" The little boy gripped the young traveler's clothes tightly, both nervous and excited.
“That’s right, it seems we’re not far from the answer.” The young traveler responded softly, his gaze resolute as he looked ahead into the unknown journey.
"Remember, no matter what we encounter, we must be like Jack—brave, wise, and most importantly—united." His words passed among the team members, and everyone nodded silently, an invisible bond tightly connecting them.
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