The following days passed in rare peace. The Vạn Bảo Caravan had entered the heart of Thanh Châu province. The landscape shifted to rolling hills covered in golden-brown grass and jagged limestone mountains piercing the morning mist. The air was no longer just the smell of earth, but was tinged with the scent of medicinal herbs and ores being transported from all corners to Thanh Châu City, the region's largest trade hub.
Trần Kiên no longer rode on a supply wagon. Vạn Tam Thông had given him a strong black steed, and he now rode alongside the merchant's own carriage. Every day, besides his grueling nightly training, Kiên dedicated himself to learning. He learned how to read maps and identify herbs from Vạn Tam Thông. He learned how to tie a sturdy knot and predict the weather from the wind's whisper from the older guards. He was like a dry sponge, greedily absorbing any knowledge that could help him survive and grow stronger.
One evening, as the sun dipped low, the caravan stopped to rest at a large waterfront known as Two Dragons Dock, where two small rivers merged. The dock was bustling with other caravans, a lively cacophony of men and horses. A simple teahouse stood under the sprawling branches of an ancient banyan tree.
Vạn Tam Thông invited Trần Kiên to the teahouse. But instead of ordering tea, he took out an old, worn Chinese Chess set, the pieces smooth from years of use.
"Care for a game, Young Brother?" Vạn Tam Thông asked with a knowing smile.
Kiên, though surprised, nodded. He knew that Chinese Chess was more than just a game; it was a microcosm of strategy, a test of foresight and adaptability.
Vạn Tam Thông made the first move—a powerful Central Cannon opening. Kiên calmly responded by developing his Horse, establishing a solid defense. Vạn Tam Thông's moves were aggressive and decisive, much like how he ran his caravan. But Kiên's defense was impenetrable. Each of his moves was carefully calculated, quietly weaving a net while he waited for an opportunity.
After more than twenty moves, Vạn Tam Thông's brow furrowed. He realized that despite his relentless attacks, he couldn't break through Kiên's defense. On the contrary, the boy's two Horses had silently crossed the river and, in coordination with his Chariots, were now forming a pincer attack that threatened his own General.
"Well played!" Vạn Tam Thông laughed heartily, setting down a piece and conceding the game. "A flawless defense and a sharp counterattack. You don't just have strength; you have a mind for strategy. I have lost."
Kiên merely offered a humble smile. "Master Vạn was just going easy on me."
"Not at all," Vạn Tam Thông shook his head, his expression turning serious. "I wanted to teach you a lesson. This Thanh Châu City we're approaching... it's just like this chessboard. Strength alone is not enough to survive there. The truly fearsome powers don't display their strength foolishly like the Blue Sand bandits. They hide in the shadows, laying intricate traps, waiting for their prey to make a single mistake."
He gestured towards a luxurious but small convoy stopped in the distance. It consisted of only three carriages, but they were escorted by warriors clad head-to-toe in black armor, their faces hidden behind iron masks that revealed only cold, emotionless eyes. A cold, deathly aura radiated from them, causing other caravans to unconsciously keep their distance. Their banner was pure black, embroidered with a menacing silver centipede.
"Do you see the Black Panther Guards of the Black Dragon Camp?" Vạn Tam Thông said in a low voice. "They are one of the three largest underground powers in Thanh Châu City. Their leader, the Old Devil Hắc Long, is a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. But what's truly terrifying is his cunning and ruthless mind. He never strikes directly, preferring to manipulate other forces into destroying each other while he reaps the benefits. For them to be moving so quietly with a shipment like this… it's certainly nothing good."
Kiên's sharp gaze fell upon the Black Panther Guards. He couldn't sense any strong spiritual energy, but he felt something far more unnerving: iron discipline. Each guard stood as still as a stone statue, unmoving in the sweltering heat. This was not a motley crew; this was a well-trained army.
Just then, a little girl of five or six, chasing a bamboo dragonfly, toddled precariously close to the Black Dragon convoy. Her mother screamed in terror, "Little Thúy! Come back! It's dangerous!"
But it was too late. The girl tripped and fell right at the feet of a Black Panther Guard. The guard said nothing. He slowly bent down, picked up the bamboo toy, handed it back to her, and then gently patted her head in a surprisingly tender gesture.
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, something horrific happened.
In a movement as swift as lightning, another guard stepped forward. With a clean, sharp shing, he drew his saber. The cold light of the blade flashed.
Thwack!
A sickeningly clean sound rang out. The head of the guard who had patted the child's head flew from his shoulders and rolled across the dusty ground. Blood erupted like a fountain as his headless body crumpled to the earth.
The executioner sheathed his blade, his face an emotionless mask. His chilling voice carried across the now-silent dock. "The rules of the Black Dragon Camp are absolute. On a mission, there are no superfluous actions, no displays of emotion. Violators will be executed without exception. Let this be a lesson to anyone who forgets."
The little girl shrieked in terror. Her mother snatched her up and fled. The entire bustling waterfront fell deathly quiet, the only sound the whistling of the wind.
Trần Kiên's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked. A burning rage surged within him. Cold. Cruel. Inhuman. Was this the kind of enemy he was destined to face?
Vạn Tam Thông sighed, slowly packing away the chess pieces. "Do you see now, Trần Kiên? That is the real Thanh Châu City. A chessboard where a single wrong move costs you your life. Your strength can kill a Black Wind Wolf, but to survive and win on this board, you'll need more. You'll need a sharp mind, incredible patience, and most importantly, you must understand the rules of their game and learn how to face enemies who have no heart."
Trần Kiên said nothing. He stared at the guard's lifeless body, then toward the distant silhouette of Thanh Châu City, bathed in the fiery red of the setting sun. The twilight cast his young face in shadows, revealing a frighteningly resolute expression.
He knew Vạn Tam Thông was right. To revive the legacy of Lạc Việt, he needed not only peerless strength but also a cold mind to deal with these demons in human form. This chessboard of Thanh Châu City—he was determined to win.