The very moment Vy heard Ho Lam Uyen utter that Void Lust stood before them, her hands instinctively gripped her three-section staff. In a heartbeat, light burst forth from the weapon, and the pair of glasses she always wore slid down perfectly into position over her eyes. Every movement was sharp, precise, and fast—like an instinct drilled into her bones.
With a fierce shout, Vy swung her staff directly at the cloaked figure in black. The moment her weapon struck, his aura erupted—flickering in a deep, ominous violet glow. Their clash created a wave of energy so sharp it tore through the market air, carrying with it a cutting sound as if the wind itself was being ripped apart. The rattling of the staff rang out, drowning every other sound in the bustling market.
From beneath the dark hood, a pair of bright, eerie eyes gleamed through the shadows. Yet before anyone could take a breath, the man's aura pulsed outward, his body shifted, and then—he was gone. Vanished without a trace.
That single second was enough to paralyze both Khanh and Vy. Their bodies froze, suffocated by the crushing weight of his presence. Khanh's heart slammed against his chest; his breath grew shallow, his vision trembled, and his knees threatened to give way. Beside him, Vy collapsed to the ground, shoulders quivering. Her lips pressed tightly, but her silent sobs betrayed her. Two long streams of tears rolled down her cheeks, dripping endlessly.
Ho Lam Uyen, however, remained steady. With a laugh, she broke the tense silence that had seized the entire market.
"Just a minor clash, haha. Nothing more."
Her voice carried over the crowd, steadying their panic, and she swiftly led Khanh and Vy away.
Even after they had gone far, Vy kept her head low, silent, tears still streaking her pale face. Ho Lam Uyen, walking ahead, suddenly spoke with a lighter tone:
"Don't worry so much. That wasn't Void Lust himself—just a spy sent to pick up the document. If it really had been him, well… we'd already be dead. Hahaha."
Her attempt at humor fell flat. Khanh couldn't laugh. His mind reeled, shaken by the terrifying aura of the cloaked man. That power… he was already overwhelming beyond imagination. If that was only a spy, then how dreadful must Void Lust truly be?
The weight of the thought made him shiver. It was as if he had glimpsed a god—one who could, with a mere snap of his fingers, hurl Khanh across a thousand miles.
Their feet carried them forward, and soon the three found themselves before a small clay pot rice tavern nestled quietly by the roadside. Its humble sign swung gently with the breeze.
Without hesitation, Ho Lam Uyen pushed open the door. "Three clay pot rice sets, please!" she called out cheerfully.
Moments later, the dishes arrived. The clay pots were still sizzling, steam curling into the air. The rich fragrance of toasted rice filled their nostrils. The grains were soft yet firm, golden and crisp at the edges, the heat clinging to the bowls so that even the table seemed to hum with warmth.
Ho Lam Uyen picked up her spoon, smiling faintly as she spoke, her eyes landing firmly on Vy.
"That man—neither of you could have beaten him today. But the future is uncertain. Vy, I believe one day you will surpass even him."
Vy, who had remained bowed in silence, slowly lifted her head. Her tears had ceased, though her eyes were still wet, shimmering with unspoken pain. She did not speak, only gazed at her master, her expression still heavy with sorrow.
Khanh's eyes lingered on her, his mind clouded with questions. Why does Vy hate Void Lust so bitterly? Who is he to her? What kind of wound could make her tremble so deeply at just his name?
The unspoken questions burned in his chest, but no answer came.
Then Ho Lam Uyen's voice cut through the silence, light and casual again:
"Come now. Eat. If you want to train and grow stronger, first you must fill your stomach."
At her words, the tension at the table finally eased. Vy's trembling shoulders stilled, her tears slowing as she reached for her spoon.