Chapter 11 — Fire Race

Could it be that my grandfather wasn't just in the northern mountains that year? But have you ever been to the coastal area? "Older brother!" I suddenly had a bold thought. “Do you think… there is more than one way to get to Bach Van Gian?” “Is it possible… is there another way, leading from the sea?” Lam Kien Quoc was momentarily stunned. “The sea?” “But from here to the sea… isn't it a long way?” “Not really!” I replied. “There are mountainous areas, there may be hidden ancient tunnels, or… smuggling trails, leading straight to the coast!” "Who knows... my grandfather used to go this way?" Lam Kien Quoc pondered for a moment. “It's very possible!” "My grandfather... has never followed the usual path!" “So… let's try going to the beach and see?” "Okay!" We immediately turned around. Drive a smaller, more secluded road, heading straight towards the coastline. After a few hours of bumping around on the mountain road, we finally smelled the salty scent of the sea breeze. A desolate sea appears before our eyes. The rocky beach is jagged, big waves hit the cliffs, creating white foam. This place has almost no human footprints. There's only one thing... the abandoned lighthouse. Standing alone on the coastal cliff. “This place… is there a way?” Lam Kien Quoc looked at the desolate scene and was a little skeptical. “We have to find it first!” I replied. We got out of the car and followed the beach to search. Finally, right below that lighthouse, close to the steep cliff, we discovered a spot... the mouth of the cave covered by vines and rubble! The entrance is very discreet. If you don't observe carefully, it's basically impossible to detect. Furthermore, on the cave wall there are clear traces of artificial rock chiseling! “This is it!” I excitedly pointed to the cave entrance. “This is definitely the way to the mountain!” We carefully lifted the vines and went inside. Inside was pitch black. We turn on the flashlight. Ahead appears a... narrow but flat tunnel! Follow the mountain, winding upward! “It is indeed a secret way!” Lam Kien Quoc also became agitated. “My grandfather must have passed this way!” We immediately followed the tunnel, going deep into the mountain… …This is tonight! I held my breath, my whole body froze. “Is tonight… the night of the bloody moon?” “What a coincidence… or rather, was it all pre-arranged?” Lam Kien Quoc's face also became serious. "My grandfather was an expert in astronomy, he... most likely knew this time in advance." “In other words — he brought us here, precisely because of this blood moon night.” My heart was pounding, a melancholy drum sound seemed to ring in my ears. A forgotten village, a mysterious altar, a rare astronomical phenomenon... Every clue, every word, finally converges to one point. “Brother, shall we go to the altar now?” "Impossible." Lam Kien Quoc immediately shook his head. “During the day, actions are too dangerous and can easily be exposed.” “Furthermore, we don't know the specific terrain in the village yet.” “We have to wait until night.” “So what now?” “First find a hiding place.” "Wait until it's dark to take action." “By the way, observe the movements in the village — the group of Snake Tailed Snakes, most likely has hidden themselves here.” I nodded slightly and took back the recorder. The sun gradually sets over the mountain. We quietly followed the back of the mountain, hiding in a discreet cave. Right before our eyes, the blood-red moon slowly rose above the horizon. Blood moon night — about to begin. And we are about to unveil the final curtain of this mystery. It's... tonight! This... is too coincidental! Are not! This is no coincidence! Surely he had it all planned out! He knew we would arrive at this exact moment! He wanted us, on the night of blood

This moon, to that ancient altar! That place... Definitely the ending point of the "Retreat Plan"! It's also the place... to decode all secrets and activate the "virus"! "Older brother!" I looked at Lam Kien Quoc. “Tonight, we must go to the altar!” A look of determination flashed in his eyes. "Okay!" “Tonight, we will end it all with them!” We did not enter the village. Which is hidden in the dense forest behind the mountain. Wait for night to fall. Wait... the blood moon appears. Time passes minute by minute. Finally, night came. A giant moon, emitting a strange red light, slowly climbed into the sky. Blood moon! The whole valley seemed to be covered in a layer of creepy red light. Lam Kien Quoc and I glanced at each other. Bring all the “keys” – pearls, earrings, voice recorder, USB. Quietly sneaked into Bach Van Gian village. The village was strangely quiet. Every house has its doors tightly closed. It's like you're avoiding something taboo. We rely on memories, passing through quiet streets. Heading towards the village center, where there is an ancient altar. The altar is built on a high platform. Assembled from giant green stone slabs. In the middle is a towering ancient stele, the surface is engraved with strange and incomprehensible symbols. And around the altar... Unexpectedly, there were so many people wearing black cloaks standing! Everyone held torches in their hands and stood in a circle. As if waiting for something. A member of the Tail-Swallowing Snake organization! Sure enough, they were here! Furthermore... In front of the high platform, at the foot of the altar stone, I saw a... familiar figure! Chu Hao! He was tied to a wooden stake! Mouth sealed, face full of wounds! But he's still alive! And next to Chu Hao, stood a person... tall, also wearing a black cloak, but not covering his face... was a woman! She looks very young, her facial features are exquisite, but her eyes are cold, carrying a... majesty and cruelty that is not at all commensurate with her age! In her hand, she was playing with a strangely shaped metal device. “K!” Lam Kien Quoc stood next to me and softly uttered a word! She is the person in charge of the Asian region of the Tail-Swallowing Snake organization! Codename: K! They arrested Chu Hao to lure me into appearing! Tonight, this place is a giant trap! “What to do?” I worriedly asked Lam Kien Quoc. “It's definitely not possible to rush forward!” Lam Kien Quoc looked around. “They are waiting.” "Wait until the blood moon completely reaches the top of the head." “Wait for a change to occur at the altar.” “That's also… our only chance!” He pointed to the back left of the altar. There is a collapsed stone wall there. Looks like you can go around to the back of the stone stele. “Let's go from there!” “Approach the stele!” “You must have left your last organ on the stone monument!” We took advantage of the darkness and firelight and quietly followed behind the altar. Hide behind a ruined stone wall. Nervously observing the movements above the altar. The blood moon is getting higher and higher. The red light became more and more strange. The atmosphere on the altar became heavily pressured. The woman, codenamed K, raised the device in her hand. Point straight towards the stone stele. Seems to be searching for something... Suddenly! The Blood Moon has reached the top of the sky! The whole altar seemed to be filled with life! The ancient symbols on the stone stele... began to emit a dim red light! The ground also started to shake slightly! The altar... has truly undergone a change! A look of enthusiasm appeared on K's face! She shouted loudly to the black-shirted people around her. “The time has come!” “Start the ceremony!” The group of people in black immediately chanted ancient and obscure incantations in unison. The firelight from the torches danced and shone

revealing a scene so strange and horrifying! “This is the moment!”{Read full page at Nguyet Hoa Cac} Lam Kien Quoc shouted softly! We suddenly rushed out of the stone wall! Rush straight towards the stele! “Who is it?!” K immediately discovered us! Her eyes are cold and icy! “Get them!” The group of people in black immediately rushed forward! Lam Kien Quoc stood in front of me! Fight with the rushers! His body is extremely flexible! Obviously trained! “Van Van!” “Run to the stele!” "Quick!" He shouted loudly! I gritted my teeth! Ignore everything and rush towards the stone stele! K laughed coldly. She didn't stop me. And turned the device in his hand, aiming straight at the tied Chu Hao! “Lin Van!” Her voice is cold to the bone! “If you go one step further!” “Then this friend of yours… will experience the taste of ‘gene collapse’!”