The wind abruptly shifted direction.
Van Thien halted mid-step, his gaze lowering. Killing intent. It was close. It was unmistakable.
VUT!!
A black shadow blurred past them, moving so fast it left only a distorted afterimage in the air.
"!"
Thien reacted instantly, pulling Bao Uyen violently to the side.
SLASH!!
A wind-splitting strike swept through the space they had just occupied, cracking the ground behind them. The black-clad soldier landed, his back to them, before slowly turning around. His eyes glowed a sinister red.
"Come with us."
Thien didn't offer a word. He stepped forward, shielding Bao Uyen, his eyes burning with resolve.
"...No."
The air grew heavy, frozen for a heartbeat. Then...
"In that case," the soldier's eyes flared, his killing intent exploding, "you will die."
VUT!!
A second soldier appeared behind Thien, a punch driving straight for his spine. Thien raised an arm, blocking the impact. The ground beneath his feet dipped, a web of cracks spreading through the stone. His gaze darkened.
"Get back," he commanded Bao Uyen.
VUT! VUT!!
The two attackers lunged simultaneously, flanking him from both sides. Thien dropped his center of gravity into a traditional martial arts stance.
Spin.
THUD!!
A horizontal punch sent the soldier on the left flying, while the other unleashed a high kick. Thien ducked low, sweeping his leg across the ground. The attacker crashed face-first into the dirt.
"Impressive."
The first soldier stood up, a twisted smirk on his face. A black blade materialized in his hand, the metal reflecting a light as cold as ice. "But it's still not enough."
VUT!!
He charged, faster than before, relentless. Thien retreated one step, then two—not out of weakness, but because Bao Uyen was right behind him.
SLICE!!
The blade grazed his shirt. In that split second, Thien seized the attacker's wrist and slammed him into the pavement. The man was pinned firmly against the stone floor.
But the other one had vanished.
"!"
Thien snapped his head around.
VUT!!
The soldier appeared directly in front of Bao Uyen, his blade flashing. The distance was only a few centimeters.
VUT!!!
Thien vanished and reappeared behind him. A sweeping kick connected as the necklace around his neck...
FLARED BRILLIANTLY.
BOOM!!
The soldier was kicked clear across the square, crashing into a tree. The two attackers stood up, silent, sharing a single glance. Then...
SHINK!!
Both sliced their own wrists, revealing an 'X' symbol etched into their skin.
STAB!!
They plunged their blades directly into the marks. Black energy erupted, shrouding their bodies as their eyes turned a feral crimson. The wind howled; the ground trembled.
Thien narrowed his eyes. "This energy...!!"
VUT!!
The two vanished into thin air.
CRASH!!!
A heavy blow descended. Thien was sent reeling, slamming hard into a stone pillar.
"Khụ!"
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth; his body throbbed with pain.
"Brother Thien!!"
He braced his hands against the ground, forcing himself up. "I'm okay." His eyes never left the front. "Just stay there."
The two shadows pressed their advantage, their strikes coming in a relentless barrage. Fast. Heavy. Unstoppable.
THUD!! THUD!!
He blocked, but the blows still landed, rattling his frame. "...!!"
In the moment he was cornered, he unleashed a powerful kick.
BAM!!
Both attackers were pushed back. For a second, the space went still. The necklace glowed even brighter, a blue light flickering in Thien's eyes. The two lunged again with a synchronized kick. Thien caught them both, his hands gripping them tight.
Then...
BOOM!!
He hurled them backward. One soldier lunged again, his dagger aimed for a killing blow. Thien dodged, pivoted, and KICKED! The man was smashed into the ground. But the other soldier didn't target Thien.
He lunged toward Bao Uyen.
"...!"
VUT!!
He sped away.
"Bao Uyen!!" Thien roared, giving chase.
But the soldier on the ground sprang up, grabbing Thien's limbs from behind, pinning him.
"...Let go!!"
The necklace vibrated violently; the light exploded. Bao Uyen closed her eyes as the blade came within millimeters of her throat.
...
RUMBLEEEEEEEE!!!!
The earth shook. The air itself seemed to shatter. From the distance, the waters of the Bach Dang River suddenly surged upward.
BOOM!!!!
A pillar of brilliant golden energy shot straight into the sky, as if piercing through space and time. The two black-clad soldiers were blown away by the shockwave, sent tumbling into the river. The water erupted in waves.
THUMP...!
THUMP...!
THUMP...!
The sound of war drums echoed—no one was playing them, yet they thundered through the air. For a fleeting moment, Thien saw them... rows of ancient wooden stakes piercing through the water's surface, and the shadows of warriors in battle robes gliding past like apparitions... before vanishing.
Space returned to silence. Thien stood still, his breath ragged, his gaze cold.
"I told you..." his voice was a low growl as he stared at the water. "...don't touch her."
Then, his gaze shifted toward the square, toward the three towering statues.
Ngo Quyen.
Le Dai Hanh.
Tran Quoc Tuan.
The light reflecting off them was... unnatural. For a heartbeat, a figure in battle robes seemed to flicker past. The wind rose, the world went quiet, and the necklace vibrated with ferocity.
Then...
DARKNESS.
Bao Uyen rushed over and hugged him tight. "...Brother Thien..."
"It's over now," he said, stroking her hair. "It's okay."
But his eyes remained fixed on the three statues. A connection. Very faint. But very real
Deep beneath the river, inside the warship.
"Sir, both squads have been neutralized."
The Red-Eyed Black Dragon sat there, idly spinning the knife in his hand. His eyes narrowed.
"...Fascinating," he chuckled softly. "He... truly exceeds expectations."
His gaze settled on the screen showing the necklace.
"...And that thing as well." His smile deepened. "Prepare the next phase."
"Yes, sir."
Outside, the river returned to its ca
lm state, as if nothing had ever happened. But in the depths, something... was still watching.