The dust and the pungent, spicy scent of pollen in Ghostgate Canyon gradually settled, yet the chaos left in its wake lingered.
The abrupt infighting between Bloodrefiner and the Ghost-Faced Emissary, followed by the descent of the Azure Cloud Sect's army, had transformed the entire region into a veritable flesh-grinding crucible. The clash between the Orthodox and Demonic paths, coupled with the bloody strife among factions of the same demonic power, had created a slaughterous spectacle—providing the perfect cover for the escape of the four little fish that had slipped the net.
Tran Kien's group of four dared not halt. Taking turns carrying the elderly and exhausted Trinh Cong, they traversed dense forests, following the secluded trails Tran Kien had mapped out beforehand. They traveled for two days and two nights, only stopping when they truly could not take another step. They ate dry rations and drank from mountain springs, not daring to light a fire or cause the slightest disturbance.
Their physical exhaustion had reached its absolute limit, but their spirits were incredibly invigorated. They had done it. They had faced a deadly trap and an enemy force dozens of times their size, yet they had escaped with their lives intact. The grand play at Ghostgate Canyon, a stratagem born of pure desperation, had become a fatal thrust of the spear, forcing the hunters to bite and tear at one another.
On the afternoon of the third day, as they crested a low mountain ridge, a vast and vibrantly alive valley suddenly unfurled before their eyes. The air here held none of the wilderness's desolation; it was crisp, carrying an abundant, pristine spiritual energy. In the distance, curved pavilion roofs and ancient, moss-covered city walls could be seen, half-hidden behind towering ancient trees. A solemn, archaic, and majestic aura enveloped the entire expanse.
"It's Lam Kinh..." Trinh Cong murmured, his voice trembling with emotion. He had been here once in his youth, alongside the old Duke Dingguo.
Even Ly Tin, a formidable general, could not conceal the reverence in his eyes when he beheld this land. This was not merely a stronghold. This was Lam Kinh, the cradle of the Later Le Dynasty, a holy land in the hearts of all the people of Great Viet.
Tran Kien, however, experienced an entirely different sensation. The moment he stepped into the valley, he felt the Heart of the Dragon—the Dragon Vein crystal he had inherited in the secret realm—suddenly throb violently. A warm, familiar aura from deep within the earth surged forth, harmonizing seamlessly with the Primordial Qi within his body. He felt like a wanderer who had finally returned home.
The Dragon Veins... he thought inwardly. This place is exactly where the Dragon Veins of Great Viet originate.
They bypassed the central sector of Lam Kinh, where the mausoleums and temples were heavily guarded. Following the covert signals left by Uncle Sword, they headed toward a bamboo forest in the west.
Just as they arrived, two figures silently emerged from the bamboo grove. It was Uncle Sword and the real Lam Vy.
"Grandpa!" Lam Vy—still in her disguise as a maid—cried out joyfully upon seeing Trinh Cong, rushing forward.
"Young Miss!" Trinh Cong was equally overjoyed.
The reunion was silent yet profoundly warm. Once certain that everyone was safe, Uncle Sword turned his gaze to Tran Kien, his eyes holding undisguised admiration.
"Well done. I have heard the news. Stirring up both the Black Dragon Stronghold and the Azure Cloud Sect single-handedly. Your chess game at Ghostgate Canyon is worthy of being recorded in military manuals."
"It was merely a bit of luck," Tran Kien replied modestly, having already restored his true appearance.
"Now is not the time for modesty," Uncle Sword shook his head, his expression turning solemn. "Although your spectacle successfully diverted the enemy's attention, it has also alerted all parties. Right now, the full attention of Marquis Yong'an, the Black Dragon Stronghold, and the Azure Cloud Sect has converged upon this very Lam Kinh."
He pointed toward the ancient ruins. "I have scouted the perimeter. This place has lost its inherent tranquility. Hidden among the pilgrims and travelers are numerous experts from major powers. They are all searching for something. Most likely, Marquis Yong'an has leaked a fraction of the secret regarding the Lac Viet Heritage to rope in more allies."
"Then... that third aura you sensed earlier..." Tran Kien inquired.
"They belong to the Azure Cloud Sect," Uncle Sword answered. "I crossed paths with their Sixth Elder. He bore no ill intent, merely stating he was ordered by the Sect Master to investigate the 'anomalies' here. But I do not trust him entirely. For such massive sects, the Lac Viet Heritage is too fat a piece of meat to ignore."
In the chessboard of Lam Kinh, there were indeed far more players than they had anticipated. Now, it was not just two, but three major factions locking their sights on them.
"Then what is our next move?" Ly Tin asked. "Do we just wait here?"
"To wait is to court death," Tran Kien shook his head. "The more numerous the enemies, the faster we must act. We must find the 'Heart of the Dragon' before they find us."
He brought out the Shamanic map. Under the resonance of the Dragon Veins in Lam Kinh, the Shamanic runes on the parchment seemed to emit a faint, ethereal glow.
"The map is reacting," he said. "It is showing us the way."
He looked in the direction indicated by the aura on the map. It wasn't pointing toward the main mausoleum complex, nor to some remote, desolate corner. It pointed directly toward a seemingly ordinary mountain positioned behind the main temple grounds. That mountain, according to Ly Tin's geographic map, was named Mount Lam Son—the very birthplace of the Lam Son Uprising in years past.
"Everyone assumes the greatest secrets are buried within the royal tombs," Tran Kien said, his eyes glinting. "But perhaps, the most dangerous place is precisely the safest place. The true ruins might just lie in plain sight, where everyone knows of it, yet no one pays it any mind."
"Good!" Uncle Sword said decisively. "Tonight, when the moon reaches its zenith and the Dragon Qi is at its most prosperous, we make our move! This time, we will no longer flee. We will march straight into the heart of it and take back what is ours!"
Night gradually descended. The ancient Lam Kinh sank into tranquility, but beneath that calm facade, violent undercurrents were churning. The major powers had all taken their positions. One final, life-or-death endgame was about to commence upon the most sacred land of Great Viet.