Chapter 5
Two skies
Before leaving the Garbage Market, Vo Phong returns to his den to pack his belongings. Calling it "belongings" is generous—it's just a uniform, a military badge, and a bit of spare change. In addition, there's a wallet he stole on National Day. He doesn't throw it away; instead, he keeps it as a souvenir of Flying City—because after tonight, he's leaving this city.
Following the tram, the red-haired guy arrives at Route 7 in the entertainment district of White-Eye County. Here, hundreds of signs flash with multicolored lights, towering buildings blast music into the air, and the streets are packed with people—mostly young men and women. Their hair is dyed in all kinds of colors: blue, red, platinum, gold, purple, smoky blue… Their outfits are bizarre, but they all share one thing—metal accessories.
It's already past midnight, but the festive atmosphere is twice as lively as during the day. The place reeks of lust, alcohol, and stimulants. People's minds float easily—perfect conditions for Vo Phong to do business. He has never sold "candy" before, but he's picked up a few tricks. The red-haired guy blends into the crowd, searching for potential customers, whispering constantly, suggesting they buy.
Money Exchange guy wasn't talking nonsense. The selection exam for Sacred Envoy and The Sacred Envoy's guards is approaching, and many warriors are desperate to claim the position—spending money, even risking their lives.
In the warrior world, Sacred Envoys and their guards are always respected and privileged, especially in Skyborne Empire. Every exam is fiercely competitive, and cheating has become inevitable.
The stimulants or "candy" Vo Phong is selling are part of that cheating. In less than two hours, he's sold more than half the bag and earned a hefty profit. His pockets are stuffed with cash, and the red-haired guy feels both thrilled and nervous.
While counting money, Vo Phong suddenly notices a group of six people ahead. Five tall figures, like bodyguards, follow behind a middle-aged man. The man is short and fat, and his fur coat can't hide the wobbling belly that shakes with every step. A worn-out leather bag swings from his shoulder, mismatched with both the man and the setting. Vo Phong's instincts tell him the bag contains something valuable, and his reason warns him that touching it could be deadly.
But as if driven by fate, Vo Phong follows the strangers. He keeps a safe distance, eyes locked on the bag. Under the flickering neon signs, the red-haired guy patiently and silently tails his target. About ten minutes later, the prey and the hunter enter a fast-food restaurant on the second floor of the entertainment tower. The six people sit at a window-side table. Vo Phong sits nearby, ears perked to eavesdrop. He sees the fat man pull out a handkerchief and wipe his meat-filled, sweat-drenched face, saying:
- Was it handled carefully?
- We've buried the body completely, sir. Please rest assured.
The fat man nods:
- Good.
- But why did "the boss" arrange to meet us here? - One man whispers.
- Wouldn't a spaceship be faster? I don't think this is a good idea!
- Don't mention his name! - The fat man hisses – Whatever he wants, we do. No questions!
They continue talking, but their voices are too low for Vo Phong to hear. Still, it's enough for the red-haired guy to guess—they killed someone to steal the bag. Vo Phong curls his lips into a rogue's grin. He has a reason to steal: he only robs the robbers of what they have robbed. Thought becomes action—he slips quietly into the restaurant's staff room while no one's watching.
A while later, Vo Phong returns, dressed sharply, his signature red hair tucked under a soft cap. The place is crowded with guests and staff, so no one notices him. The red-haired guy walks into the kitchen, waiting for the conveyor belt to deliver the fat man's tray. The man orders a slice of cake and a glass of lemonade. Vo Phong takes the tray, quickly pours a bottle of laxative—bought from the Garbage Market—into the lemonade, then serves the drink with a warm and courteous voice:
- Enjoy your meal, honored guest!
The fat man, clearly exhausted, drinks the water with a loud gulp. That's the moment Vo Phong is waiting for. He returns to the kitchen, grabs a frying pan, runs into the restroom, and hides in a concealed spot, waiting for the show to begin. A few minutes later, while eating, the fat man's stomach starts to cramp. He twists in pain, his face turning a pale eggplant purple. He stumbles from his seat, waddling like a duck, clutching the heavy bag. The bodyguards shout:
- Boss, what's wrong?
- It's fine… It's fine… Just stay there!
Sweating profusely, the fat man rushes to the restroom, one hand clutching his stomach, then shifting to hold his rear. At that moment, Vo Phong appears, standing firm like a mountain. He locks the door and swings the frying pan hard at the back of the fat man's neck. A deafening sound rings out—the pan's bottom caves in. The fat man slowly turns around, glaring at the red-haired guy. The red-haired guy glares back. Vo Phong realizes this isn't a movie—one blow to the neck might really knock someone out. The fat man trembles, his lips move slightly, still clutching his rear, and says:
- You… you…
Vo Phong swings the frying pan and smashes it toward the fat man's face. This time, the fat man rolls his eyes, and with a loud thud, his heavy body collapses. The black bag slumps beside him in a heap. Vo Phong sighs—this really isn't humane, because… laxatives wait for no one. Meanwhile, pounding knocks echo from outside the restroom door.
The red-haired guy slings the bag over his shoulder, climbs out the window, grips the pipe running down the tower's exterior, and swiftly slides down. Then he bolts into the nearby street. He rushes out of the amusement zone. Lights flash, and passersby don't see Vo Phong—only a blur of red hair darting forward, accompanied by gleeful laughter.
Vo Phong approaches the Greenbelt River area—low-roofed houses are scattered everywhere. He turns into a desolate alley and rummages through the bag for his loot. His eyes suddenly shine like headlights. In front of him are dozens—no, hundreds—of stacks of cash piled together. Each bundle is worth ten barrels of gold.
If he laid this pile of money across a bed… the red-haired guy is instantly dazzled, imagining himself sprawled out in a grand mansion, arms wide open, embracing beautiful women, with gourmet food spread before him. He'll open a restaurant ten times bigger than old man Lap's, wear luxurious clothes, and spend every night and morning indulging in debauchery. Ancestors The Eternity! He grins.
Overwhelmed with excitement, Vo Phong suddenly notices the bottom of the bag bulging. He digs through the pocket and touches something hard, then pulls it out. It's larger than his palm, made of yellow metal, flat and round like a disc. In the center is a green, polygonal jade piece that occasionally emits a strange glow, with odd symbols circling the rim.
Upon touching it, Vo Phong accidentally presses the jade too hard, causing it to sink inward. The rim of the disc instantly unfolds into ten sharp spikes arranged symmetrically. Vo Phong guesses it's more like a machine than a piece of jewelry.
The ten sharp spikes suddenly begin to spin. Vo Phong feels his body being pulled into the polygonal gem. His vision blurs, and his limbs tremble violently. Panicked, he throws the disc to the ground, his face pale.
Though he's never encountered anything like it before, he's certain it's a magical item. He saw similar things in the Garbage Market. Once the fear passes, the red-haired guy grins again. The black market is ravenous for magical items—if he sells this, he'll be swimming in a fortune.
Stuffing the disc into his pocket, Vo Phong plans to head to the southern port of the city and leave Skyborne Empire. He can't go back to the Garbage Market to pay Money Exchange guy. He must leave before the police soldiers issue a warrant. But before he can take ten steps, a group of people suddenly appears at the mouth of the alley.
Vo Phong stops and sees among them a short, round figure with a bulging belly of fat. It's none other than the same fat guy from earlier. The fat man frowns, clutching his stomach, hair disheveled, wearing a pair of brightly colored pants usually worn by teenage boys.
Vo Phong curls his lips and asks snidely:
- Changed pants?
The fat man grits his teeth, suppressing his anger:
- I don't want to waste time with you. You want money, right? What's in that bag is enough for you to live a happy life. I just want something else…
Vo Phong waves the golden disc in his hand:
- Looking for this?
- Exactly! Give it to me, and you can take the money. We go our separate ways!
Vo Phong says:
- Want the disc? Wait until next National Day! But don't think I'm stupid! You people kill without remorse—You let me get away that easily? Hey, who did you kill earlier?
The fat man's face shrinks in fear:
- You know?
- I heard it all, my dear fat bro! - The red-haired guy grins.
- Then let's see how long you can keep up that cursed attitude!
The fat guy's voice has just fallen when five bodyguards charge forward, short swords extending from their sleeves. Vo Phong turns and runs into an alley. He turns into another path, squeezing into many winding alleyways. Vo Phong is running when a guard from the right corner suddenly swings his sword horizontally.
The red-haired guy instinctively ducks. The sharp metal bar slashes the wall, carving deep grooves. Vo Phong panics, running in a hurry. The remaining four block his path, one by one sealing off all exits.
Vo Phong pulls the bag and slings it diagonally behind his back, leaping onto a vertical wall. With his hands gripping the building's water pipes, he begins to climb. In less than ten seconds, he is on the rooftop, his nimble steps quickly darting across the tightly packed flat roofs. The bodyguards glare at him, accelerating their pursuit below. A voice from the radio on a guard's shoulder says:
- Did you catch him?
- We're still closing in on him, sir! - The guard replies.
- You can't handle one thief? Hiring you guys is a waste of money! - The fat guy's cheeks bulge, his jowls swell. His chubby face blossoms like a fried puff pastry - Kill him now! Kill him instantly! Use your guns! What? A residential area? Ignore the pile of civilians here! Hurry up and shoot him dead!
The five bodyguards draw their handguns and open fire on Vo Phong. Explosions tear through the night sky, and flashes of gunfire and bullets create countless holes in the wall, scattering bricks and mortar. The red-haired guy lowers his body, clutching his head as he runs frantically, constantly cursing under his breath. He glances at a distant bridge, and a crazy idea suddenly comes to mind.
Thinking is doing; he leaps onto a house lower than his current position, then lands on the ground, making a straight dash for the main road. The bodyguards quickly follow. Because there are too many people on the street, they have to put away their weapons. The chase now becomes a pure race of speed, and in that regard, Vo Phong never loses to anyone.
Leaving the low-roof area, Vo Phong runs to a bridge that spans the Greenbelt River. It is a multi-layered bridge with a tubular elevator system for going up and down. The elevator doors open, and people waiting in line are about to step in when Vo Phong suddenly rushes out from somewhere. He shoves through the crowd, shouting:
- Clear the way! Clear the way! Excuse me, ma'am, let me pass!
The red-haired guy pushes the old lady aside, squeezes into the elevator, and quickly closes the doors. Cursed and jeered at by the crowd, Vo Phong still brazenly grins.
The five bodyguards arrive on the scene. They spot Vo Phong, immediately use their elephant-like bodies to push people aside, and squeeze into a nearby elevator. The two elevators slowly ascend, with both sides eyeing each other through the transparent glass doors. The red-haired guy clenches his wallet, and the black-clad bodyguards are already preparing to draw their guns.
Outside the distant cosmos, countless stars are layered one upon another, weaving a sparkling curtain that illuminates the night sky. The silvery-white bridge body gently glides, like a soft ribbon tautened by the wind. On the bridge's railings, countless couples hold hands and watch the starry sky.
A few seconds after the second elevator opens, the bodyguards rush out like arrows, their loud shouts interrupting sweet nothings. The poetic bridge instantly erupts into chaos. Unluckily for Vo Phong, a police patrol happens to be right in front.
- Robbery! Catch the robber!
The police officers, seeing Vo Phong's panicked expression, immediately believe the bodyguards. The old scene repeats: hundreds of people surround him, trying to catch the red-haired guy.
But this bridge is much higher than it was in the morning; if Vo Phong jumps from here, his body will surely be shattered in the river. Looking back and forth, he finds that every direction leads to a hospital or a prison.
But whether intentionally or not, Vo Phong is standing at the end of the bridge. This bridge has a load-bearing steel cable connected to the highway bridge below. The slope is just right, and the cable's diameter fits his foot perfectly! - The red-haired guy's mind analyzes. He immediately leaps onto the railing as the five guards frantically lunge forward:
- Stop!
He laughs like a madman:
- Heh heh! If you have the guts, then chase me!
Vo Phong grips his bag and leaps onto the steel cable, sliding downward as his shoes scrape against the metal, sending sparks flying. The wind roars around him, stinging his eyes. In a fleeting instant, a wave of emotion flashes through his mind.
The young man feels it—he has finally found the place where he belongs. His red hair dances through the vast expanse of space, a tiny figure soaring across an endless world, with only laughter echoing through the sky, as if proving that he truly exists.
His mood is soaring, but Vo Phong suddenly notices a convoy of mechanized vehicles trailing each other on the highway bridge below. He flinches, kicks out wildly, veers off course, and plummets fast—his whole body crashes into the cargo bed of one of the trucks. He tumbles aimlessly inside, his head slamming into something hard. Everything in the red-haired guy's vision plunges into darkness.
At the bridgehead, people jostle forward, craning their necks to watch the red-haired figure. Most of them believe his body has already shattered. The five bodyguards flee the scene, and the fat man's voice rings out again:
- What's the situation? Have you caught the red-haired guy?
The bodyguards exchange glances. One of them replies:
- Sorry, sir. We've lost track of him.
- What? You lost him? Oh, may The Eternity bless me!
***
That same evening, Luc Chau and the guard, Chien Tu, are heading to the palace. The path to the great hall passes through the sky-borne imperial garden, but the princess pays no attention to the deep red vines sinking into the green, nor to the snow-white butterflies or the freshly bloomed flower clusters. Her mind is filled with worries; they press down on her feet, each one heavier than the last. Then the worries rush back up, pushing and shoving against her lungs, making her breathing rapid and her shoulders constantly rise and fall. Seeing this, Chien Tu says:
- Calm down, Princess. Do as I say: breathe deeply, and exhale slowly.
Luc Chau follows his instructions. She stops her feet, takes a deep breath, and slowly exhales. She recalls what just happened. It all came too suddenly, making it impossible for her to accept in the moment.
This afternoon, Luc Thien brought an urgent message from Saint Abyss and went to meet with the princess. Her brother had once advised her that she should refuse the proposal from Saint Abyss. She did possess that right. In theory, a Sacred Envoy's word had always been respected, and if Luc Chau said "no," Saint Abyss could not force her. However, Luc Chau understood that things were far more complicated than they appeared.
If she refused, the Skyborne Empire's standing in Saint Abyss would be shaken. If she refused, other nations would not be willing to send a Sacred Envoy just to catch the Ghost King. This was because a Sacred Envoy was a part of the military force, and losing a Sacred Envoy meant losing a military advantage.
A moment later, the two arrive at the great hall. Before Luc Chau, the great hall's main gate—adorned with a white sun motif, the symbol of the Snowsun family—is tightly and silently shut, like a single eye in a deep sleep.
Luc Chau hesitates for a moment, then asks Chien Tu:
- Chien Tu... can I ask a question?
- You should act like a Sacred Envoy, like a superior. - Chien Tu replies - You are a princess, and you are about to see the Emperor and the Conclave Council.
The princess smiles, feeling a little better. She clears her throat:
- Listen to me, Chien Tu!
- Yes, Princess? - Chien Tu lowers his head.
- Am I a capable Sacred Envoy?
Chien Tu nods:
- Princess, you are a capable Sacred Envoy. You are one of the strongest young Sacred Envoys in Saint Abyss.
- But I'm not a "Grand Sacred Envoy." Only a Grand Sacred Envoy can defeat the Ghost King! I…
Chien Tu interrupts:
- Previously, the princess met with the Grand Sacred Envoy Tay Minh. What did he say?
Luc Chau bit her lip, lost in thought. A few hours ago, she had met with the Grand Sacred Envoy Tay Minh to seek his advice. In the past, her teacher would always give her a lot of useful advice, but that time was completely different…
Two hours ago...
In the center of the Crescent District, stood a great tower facing southeast, named "The Sacred Envoy Tower"—the location of the Mixed Original Holy Land. This place had once been the religious center of the Skyborne Empire, gathering and training most of the Skyborne Empire's Sacred Envoys, and was known for its solemnity and profound history. The tower was ten stories high, and at that time, Luc Chau was on the top floor. She leaned on the railing, gazing at the distant sky, her eyes full of turmoil.
Footsteps sounded, and the princess turned around. A short, elderly man in white robes was walking towards her. The princess lowered her head:
- Teacher Tay Minh!
Tay Minh clicked his tongue, sighed deeply, and the wrinkles on his forehead slightly stood out:
- Had you been waiting long? There were too many candidates for this year's Sacred Envoy selection exam; it seems everyone wants to become a Sacred Envoy!
Luc Chau answered:
- Teacher, becoming a Sacred Envoy is a glorious thing.
Tay Minh shook his head:
- Glory? Was destroying the Ghost King also considered glory?
The princess was startled:
- Teacher already knew?
- I just found out. - The Grand Sacred Envoy nodded - So how do you answer? "No" or "Yes"?
Luc Chau lowered her head. Two choices, two lives. One decision would change everything. But she did not answer; instead, she asked in return:
- Why didn't The Eternity choose a Grand Sacred Envoy? I mean, someone like you? You were the strongest Grand Sacred Envoy in the Skyborne Empire, the most outstanding one in the world. You had many famous disciples who were many times stronger than me. The entire warrior community admired you, and even outlaws respected you. Why was it me, and not you?
Tay Minh shrugged and shook his head:
- Me? I was old! I should have retired ten years ago to travel and walk my dog. If my children hadn't rejected me, I might have been taking care of my grandchildren, teaching them to spell, taking them to play, and buying them ice cream. I'm sorry, but if you accepted this mission, I could not help you. An old man with a backache and rheumatism was often not clear-headed, because he complained more than he thought.
Luc Chau fell silent. Tay Minh continued:
- Was it too difficult? Why didn't you ask yourself what you truly wanted?
- I didn't understand!
- Sometimes, I got tired of always doing what others wanted me to do. Why didn't you ask yourself what you truly wanted?
- A dream?
The Grand Sacred Envoy shook his head:
- That's right!
*
* *
What is the princess's dream? - Chien Tu asks.
Luc Chau smiles:
- I want peace.
The two look at each other, silent for a long time. At this moment, Chien Tu turns and leaves, no longer waiting, because he understands the princess's decision. As the guard's figure gradually disappears, the princess takes a deep breath, composes herself, and steps into the great hall. The great hall's door is open, and the white sun pattern slowly rotates, splitting into two to unfold a cold space. It is slowly enveloping Luc Chau, like a giant hand that is gradually squeezing her heart.
Luc Chau walks on the gray stone floor, and the scene before her eyes appears. Snowsun X sits on a glass throne, intently watching his daughter as she approaches. Below the throne are nine The Conclave—the most important pillars of the Skyborne Empire. They stand submerged in darkness, just as they appear in public and manage the country. Although Luc Chau cannot see their faces clearly, she recognizes nine pairs of eyes silently sizing her up. There is also Envoy Ha Dong. He is eagerly looking toward Luc Chau, clearly hoping for a favorable outcome to bring back to the Sacred Abyss. The princess's back grows cold, and her voice trembles slightly:
- My revered Emperor X... Sacred Envoy Luc Chau is here!
Snowsun X knows she is worried and gently lowers his voice:
- Do you know why you are here?
- Yes, I know.
The Emperor nods:
- Eradicating the Ghost King is extremely difficult. Think it over carefully.
Snowsun X's eyes narrow, full of a hidden meaning that he deliberately lets the princess see. Realizing this, Ha Dong interrupts:
- Princess Luc Chau, please consider carefully! This is a proposal from Sacred Abyss...
- I am sorry, Mr. Envoy! - Emperor X interrupts loudly - I believe you are interfering in the internal affairs of the Skyborne Empire!
The envoy falls silent, uncomfortably frowning. In the center of the great hall, Luc Chau takes a deep breath.
She has already thought of her family and everything she has experienced in the past twenty years. She asks herself what she has truly done over the past twenty years.
Has she become a Sacred Envoy, or has she always lived in the embrace of the emperor and her brother?
For the past twenty years, she has always lived with these questions, and her soul has never been at peace. She has always hoped to use her own way to end that turmoil.
- My revered Emperor... - Luc Chau says - ... I accept the proposal from Sacred Abyss!
Silence.
A seemingly endless silence envelops the great hall, swelling like a huge soap bubble. Then it is broken by Emperor X's hurried voice:
- Are you sure, Luc Chau? Are you sure? Pursuing the Ghost King is not a game! It is—very—dangerous!
Luc Chau places her right hand on her chest:
- I swear on the honor of a Sacred Envoy, the honor of a princess of the Skyborne Empire, and the honor of the Snowsun family. My revered Emperor!
The Emperor looks at his daughter quietly. He can now be certain that he is merely Luc Chau's symbolic father. He has never understood what she thinks or what she wants—that is the painful failure of Snowsun X. Meanwhile, Envoy Ha Dong, as if he has just turned the tide, is overjoyed and says excitedly:
- So the princess has agreed! I request that the Emperor permit me to speak with the princess privately!
Luc Chau lowers her head, smiles at her father, and follows Ha Dong. She guesses that Chien Tu is gathering her guards, and they will appear before her to begin their world-spanning journey. The princess's eyes suddenly turn to the sky behind the palace window. She is about to enter a vast world, a boundless sky. Her small shoulders also begin to feel heavy.
After the princess and Ha Dong leave, a member of the Conclave Council speaks:
- It seems you miscalculated, my revered Emperor.
Snowsun X ponders. He says:
- I want to discuss two things with all of you. One is the Thunder God airship. The second is the Earth Element. I must ensure Luc Chau receives absolute protection.