Chapter 8 — Fire Race

A vague drawing gradually appeared. Not writing. It's a... strange symbol. It resembles a circle, inside is a picture of a snake swallowing its own tail. Ouroboros. Symbol of the Tail-Swallowing Serpent organization! Why did it appear here?! Could it be that... "The Mandarin of the Court" wasn't a clue left by his grandfather? “So, he created the ‘Calming Mind Plan’.” “The goal is… to completely ‘disappear’.” “And protect what is most important to him.” “That talisman?” I burst out. Mr. Luc Ly glanced at me: "Do you know about 'protective charms'?" “My father… my brother told me.” “Lin Kien Quoc, right?” Mr. Luc Ly sighed. “He… also endured a lot.” “So what exactly is a ‘talisman’?” I asked impatiently. “It…” Mr. Luc Ly's expression suddenly became extremely serious: “It is not a simple proof.” “It's not even about money.” “It is… a key.” “A key… can open Pandora's box.” “Involving a secret that has the power to upset the fate of many people.” Pandora's box? A secret that can change fate? What is the matter? “What shape is that key…?” “Where is it?” "I do not know." Mr. Luc Ly shook his head. “A Vien works very carefully.” “He broke the plan into small parts.” “Assigned to different ‘contacts’.” “Each person only holds a part of it.” “My job is only to preserve the 'treasures' that lead to the next step.” “It is this lotus-shaped jade piece.” “And another corresponding thing… ‘key’.” He pointed to the brocade bag in my hand. “Along with… a saying that needs to be passed on.” “What question?” “Find ‘The Tide Watcher’.” Tide watcher? Another code name? “What does that mean?” “I don't know either.” Mr. Luc Ly shook his head again. “These are the words A Vien left behind.” “He said, when you came to me with the lotus jade…” “Then I have to say this again.” “Tell you to go find the ‘Court Watcher’.” “And who is that person, where is he…” “You have to find it yourself.” “Do you know what 'Tour Watcher' is?” “Do you know grandpa's plan?” Lam Kien Quoc was silent for a moment. “I know some of it.” “But… not enough.” “My grandfather that year… really left a way out.” “But you don't trust anyone.” “Even you.” “You hide the most important thing… in a place only you know.” “Is that a ‘talisman’?” "That's right." Lam Kien Quoc nodded. “I just know… it's related to that year's mission.” “It also has to do with… my mother.” “Your mother?” “My mother… is not an ordinary Jiangnan woman.” Lam Kien Quoc took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. “Your family… has a very deep relationship with the organization ‘Sa Vi Xa’.” What?! My mother… is related to the Snake Tail?! How is this possible?! “That year my grandfather was on duty.” “He infiltrated the Snake Tailed Snake organization.” “It was during that time… he got to know my mother.” “She… is the pawn that the family places within the organization.” “But she loved my grandfather.” “Choose to… betray the family and assist him.” “She provided you with a lot of important intelligence.” “Even… after he ‘sacrificed’, she continued to silently spread the news.” “Until… giving birth to you.” “Her identity was revealed.” “Neither the family nor the organization… will forgive her.” "I won't forgive... you either." My mind was buzzing. Mother... is the one who betrayed the Snake-Tails? And my rare DNA sequence... comes from my mother's family? “So… what is that amulet anyway?” “Is that what the Snake Tail wants to get?” "Correct." Lam Kien Quoc nodded. “It was my mother… who stole from the heart of her family.” “What specifically, I don't know.” “Grandpa just told me…” “That is the ‘lifeblood’ of the Snake Tailed Snake organization.” “Also… the last shield to protect you.” “Only when we find it,

Only you can… escape your fate.” “What about ‘The Tide Watcher’?” “That was the only clue my grandfather left me.” Lam Kien Quoc said. "He once said, if one day, I bring a jade pendant to Luc Ly..." "Then Luc Ly will guide me to find 'The Court Watcher'." “And ‘Tide Watcher’… is not a place.” “It's… an item.” “Something… is in my mother's relics.” Mother's relics? I try to remember. Mom didn't leave many things behind. Besides the diary, only a few pieces of jewelry and clothing remained. There's also... Wait! I suddenly remembered! There's one thing! I still never paid attention! Those are the earrings that my mother loved the most when she was alive! A pair of… pearl drop earrings! Pearls... In ancient times, they were also called "fisherman's pearls". Legend has it that on the night of the full moon, a fisherman cried on the shore, his tears turning into pearls. Full moon night... is also the time when the tide in Tien Duong River rises! Watching the tide... fisherman's tears... pearls! “The one who watches the tide”… is that pair of pearl earrings?! “You!” “Is that a pair of pearl earrings?!” “Teardrop shape!” Lam Kien Quoc looked at me in surprise. “How do you know?!” “I guess!” I shouted excitedly. “Where are those earrings?!” “Still in the old house!” Lam Kien Quoc said. “I still keep it, don't dare touch it!” “Let's go back and get it immediately!” I immediately said. “No way!” Lam Kien Quoc flatly refused. “It's too dangerous to go back now!” “The Serpent Snake's people must have been keeping an eye on the old house!” “We can't fall into the trap ourselves!” “So what to do?!” I asked worriedly. “If we don't get those earrings, the clue will be broken!” “As for Chu Hao, he might still be being held by them!” Lam Kien Quoc was silent. The atmosphere in the car became stuffy and tense. Suddenly... He suddenly turned the wheel. The car left the main road and turned onto a small, secluded road. “Hey, where are you going?” “Go somewhere… maybe safer.” Lam Kien Quoc replied. “It's also… one of the 'safe bases' my grandfather once prepared.” “Grandpa, are you even preparing another way out?” "YES." Lam Kien Quoc nodded. “You know, the most dangerous place is often the safest place.” “This base… is right under the eyes of the Tailed Snake.” The car followed the winding mountain road for a long distance. Finally stopped in front of a ruined temple. The temple is deserted and overgrown with weeds. It looks like it has been abandoned for a long time. “Is this the place?” I almost couldn't believe my eyes. “Yes.” Lam Kien Quoc got out of the car and cautiously observed his surroundings. “Follow me.” He led me around to the back of the dojo. Push open an unattractive underground door. Inside… it's a completely different world! It is a stone staircase leading down deep. At the end of the stairs... is a clean, neat cellar. There are beds, food and water provisions. There's even... an old walkie-talkie! “This is…” “One of my grandfather's secret contact points back in the day.” Lam Kien Quoc said. “Later it was abandoned, but the basics are still there.” “The Snake-Tails won't expect us to hide here.” He closed the underground door and turned on the light in the cellar. “At least, for now… we are safe.” “Let's rest a little first.” “Then think about what to do next.” I nodded. Sitting on the edge of the bed, my mood gradually stabilized a bit. But thinking about Chu Hao still having no news, and those pearl earrings holding such important meaning, anxiety rose in my heart. “Brother.” “We must find a way to get those earrings.” “I know.” Lam Kien Quoc frowned. “But we can't rush in recklessly.” “There must be a very thoughtful plan.” He walked in front of the old walkie-talkie. Finger

His hand brushed off the dust covering it. (*Note: this paragraph contains a bot advertisement – omitted to preserve the story line.) “Maybe… this will help.” “Walkie-talkie?” “This is a military-grade shortwave radio.” Lam Kien Quoc explained. “Can be used for encrypted communication.” "In the past, my grandfather... also used this to communicate with the outside world." “Maybe… we can contact him?” A ray of hope suddenly flashed in my heart. How can I contact my grandfather? Is that possible? “Before he disappeared, he arranged for me to have an emergency frequency and a signal.” Lam Kien Quoc said. “But it's been more than twenty years, and I've never used it.” "I don't know... if it still works." “Try it!” I immediately said. “It's our only hope now!” Lam Kien Quoc nodded. Start calibrating the radio. In the tunnel, only the crackling sound of electricity could be heard. Time passes minute by minute. His forehead was soaked with sweat. He continuously sent out signals that were engraved in his memory. 【Call 'Ban Thach', call 'Ban Thach', 'Thanh Tung' please connect.】 "Ban Thach" - is my grandfather's code name. “Thanh Tung” – is Lam Kien Quoc's code name.