Chapter 13 — Beyond the Milky Way: The Miner Who Became a God of War

After the failed assassination attempt in the Frozen Labyrinth, Lam Vũ was taken to the medical area of the Abyss Arena to treat skin wounds, under close supervision of the organizers. He declared that the injury was caused by colliding with a sharp piece of ice while moving, not daring to say a word about the actual attack, because he knew that if the truth was revealed, both he and those involved would be in greater danger.

The three days of mandatory rest between rounds became valuable time for Lam Vũ, Tinh Nhược and Bốc Vấn Sơn to consolidate their plans. But it was also during this time that something new and warm began to blossom between Lam Vũ and Tinh Nhược — a bond that went beyond the initial pure alliance.

One evening, when Bốc Vấn Sơn was busy with logistics and couldn't come to practice, only Lam Vũ and Tinh Nhược were left in the familiar abandoned maintenance room. The weak flashlight shined on the two faces, creating a rare private space in the midst of dangerous days.

"Do you ever regret going to the Blackstone Mine?" Lam Vũ asked, breaking the silence while the two rested after the energy control exercise.

Tinh Nhược thought for a moment before answering. "At first, I just saw this as a mission to complete — find evidence, exonerate myself, and then leave. But now..." She paused, her eyes flashing with a rare hint of confusion. "Now I realize I found more than I expected."

"What's more?" Lam Vũ asked softly, his heart beating faster even though he tried to stay calm.

"A new purpose," Tinh Nhược replied, avoiding looking directly into his eyes. "And perhaps... someone I don't want to see hurt, in a way I haven't felt for anyone since I lost all my comrades in the battle of the Cold Ash Belt."

Lam Vũ looked at her, clearly feeling a warmth spreading in his chest, an emotion that he had never experienced during his twenty-three years living at the bottom of a despised society. "Me too," he said, his voice sincere. "Since the day you appeared, I no longer feel alone in this war. I... I think I've started to have feelings for you, Tinh Nhược." This was the first time he called her directly by her real name, instead of the fake name Tư Lam that she used to hide her identity. Tinh Nhược raised her head, her eyes met his for a long moment, containing an undeniable vibration.

“This is not the right time to talk about these things,” she said quietly, but there was no rejection in her voice, just a cautious worry. "We are facing an enemy that could take both of our lives at any moment."

"Maybe that's why I want to say it now," Lam Vũ replied, holding her hand. "If tomorrow I don't have the chance to speak anymore, I don't want to regret being silent."

Tinh Nhược was silent for a long time, then gently squeezed his hand, a small gesture but containing so many pent-up emotions. "Okay. I also have feelings for you, Lam Vũ. But we must promise each other one thing — no matter what happens, we will not let these feelings shake our determination to complete our mission."

"I promise," Lam Vũ replied, a rare smile appeared on his lips, dispelling some of the tense atmosphere that had covered the past few days.

That warm moment, although brief, became a new source of motivation for both of them in the following days. They continued to train together, not only as allies, but with a deeper understanding and care for each other.

Three days later, when the practice session ended, Bốc Vấn Sơn came with urgent news, his face full of seriousness. "I have found a clue about Kỳ Hàn Ngự. He is not an ordinary Saint Guard, but one of the few most elite assassins directly under the command of Kha Bạch Vân himself, only mobilized on extremely important missions."

"That confirms that the assassination order came from Kha Bạch Vân himself," Tinh Nhược said, her voice serious.

"That's right," Bốc Vấn Sơn nodded. "And I found another clue. During my investigation, I overheard a high-ranking logistics officer mention the Archives of Antiquities — a place rumored to hold top secret documents related to the history of the Holy See, including events that the Holy See wants to erase from public memory."

"How can we reach that place?" Lam Vũ asked.

"That's still a difficult question," Bốc Vấn Sơn admitted. "But if you continue to advance into the Grand Trial, especially if you are among the top contestants, you will have the opportunity to attend a special audience in the central hall of the Holy See, which is closer to the Archives than any other public area." Lam Vũ nodded, clearly feeling the pressure of the mission weighing heavily on his shoulders. Not only must he survive each dangerous round, he must also find a way to sneak closer to the enemy's power center without having his true intentions discovered.

"How long will the fifth round take place?" Tinh Nhược asked, turning her attention to the plan at hand.

"According to the announced schedule, about a week from now," Bốc Vấn Sơn replied. "I heard that this round will have a big change in the rules, maybe half of the remaining contestants will be eliminated to shorten the list for the semi-finals."

"It means the level of severity will increase many times," Lam Vũ commented.

"Exactly," Bốc Vấn Sơn nodded, his eyes filled with worry. "I'm afraid that Kỳ Hàn Ngự, after this failure, will not easily give up the assigned task. He may find another, more sophisticated way to accomplish his goal of assassinating you."

"I will prepare more carefully," Lam Vũ promised, clenching his fist. "Next time, I won't let him have the opportunity to overwhelm me like that again."

Tinh Nhược placed her hand on his shoulder, her eyes filled with encouragement. "I believe in you. And I will always be by your side, watching every step you take, no matter how risky it is."

"I'll do it," he said, his voice determined. "For your mother, for Thôn Tà Huy, and now, for Tinh Nhược as well."

Tinh Nhược looked at him, her eyes filled with trust and a warm affection that she no longer tried to hide. "We will go together to the end, Lam Vũ. No matter how difficult the road ahead is."

Before saying goodbye, Bốc Vấn Sơn pulled Lam Vũ aside, his eyes were both serious and filled with the love of an adoptive father. "I realize that the feelings between you and Tinh Nhược are much deeper than I thought," he said softly. "I do not object. On the contrary, I am happy for you because you have found a worthy companion on this difficult path. But you must remember, that feeling must not make you forget the necessary caution."

"I understand, Uncle Vấn Sơn," Lam Vũ replied, bowing politely.

"Your mother, if she knew that you had found happiness amid this adversity, she would definitely be very happy," Bốc Vấn Sơn continued, his voice suddenly low and filled with emotion. "She always wants you to have a perfect life, no matter how dire the situation is. I will try to find a way to tell her this news, if I have a chance to visit her next time." Lam Vũ nodded, his heart filled with longing for his mother. He told himself that no matter how difficult the road ahead was, he had to survive, he had to win, so that one day he could bring Tinh Nhược back to meet his mother, so that she could witness her son not only survive adversity, but also find sincere love amid the darkest days of his life.

That night, when the three people parted ways to return to their places, Lam Vũ felt a profound change in his heart. He was no longer just fighting for duty or simple survival, but also for a new, precious feeling that had begun to take root in his heart amid these stormy days. He lay on the familiar thin blanket of the contestant's resting area, his hand gently touching the wound that had begun to heal on his shoulder, thinking about Tinh Nhược's rare smile, about the warm eyes she gave him, and about a future that he longed to build with her, once all these storms were over. He silently promised himself, no matter how difficult the road ahead was, no matter how strong and cruel the enemy was, he would never let this budding love be extinguished by the hands of the Holy See of Quang Nguyên.