The Strange Blade Hero

The cold wind cut like a knife.

Across an endless forest of maples, a gale swept through, lifting the golden dead leaves scattered over the ground. One by one, they drifted helplessly on the wind.

A narrow, winding path ran through the woods and vanished into the distance. Its lonely trail seemed to have no end.

Clip-clop, clip-clop.

Suddenly, the rapid beat of hooves came from the far end of the path, and a black steed appeared.

The horse was swift as the wind, racing closer from afar and soon charging into the maple forest.

Mounted on it was an old man with white-streaked hair and beard, dressed in a light gray robe. As the horse galloped, the robe streamed behind him in the wind.