Chapter 12 — I am the Fourth Thien Co

The moment Tieu Lam Uyen said that sentence. The whole person seemed to be frozen. All this time. I still think about that torn page. That is the last piece of Co Thanh Hoa's story. Might as well be the most important clue. But I never thought. It is in the hands of Tieu Lam Uyen. I immediately asked. Tieu Lam Uyen did not answer immediately. He bowed his head and looked at his hands. That was the first time I saw him showing such obvious fatigue. Not tired because of illness. It's like someone has been carrying a secret for too long. It's been so long that I can't stand it myself. A moment later. He then said slowly:

“Before reading it.”

“There is something I have to tell you.”

Outside the window. The early spring sunlight falls on the stone floor. The study room is very quiet. I sat opposite him. For the first time, I didn't feel like I was facing Ninh Vuong. It's like facing someone with a heavy burden.

“Thien Co Khe.”

He said softly.

“Have you heard?”

I shook my head. Tieu Lam Uyen looked into the distance. His eyes gradually became cold.

“Thien Co Giam not only records Thien Co Nu.”

“They also created the Thien Co Khe contract.”

“The contractor will receive some knowledge, power, or assistance.”

“There are things that are not allowed to be known.”

“There are things that are not allowed to be said.”

My heart trembled slightly.

“You once signed?”

He nodded.

“After the battle that year.”

“I used to think that Thien Co Giam was the one who helped Dai Chu stabilize.”

“I need their strength.”

“They need my power.”

“So I signed.”

I clenched my fist. Everything started to come together. Tieu Lam Uyen is not the mastermind. But he was once a part of that system. A part large enough to affect many things.

“A lot of things we don't see.”

“Or see it too late.”

His voice was very low.

"Co Thanh Hoa encountered a problem."

“I just received a report that she fell down on her own.”

“Thuong Minh Chau encountered a problem.”

“I was only informed that she was seriously ill.”

“Ky Truong Anh was accused of being an enemy.”

“I see that the documents have been completely prepared in advance.”

I said nothing. Just listen quietly. Because right now. The important thing is not to justify. Which is the truth. Tieu Lam Uyen closed her eyes.

“But I don't use that as an excuse.”

“Because the results don't change.”

"I'm still walking on the path that Co Thanh Hoa repaired."

“I still use silver from Thuong Minh Chau.”

“We still won the battle thanks to Ky Truong Anh's medical staff.”

“I am not innocent.”

I look at him. For the first time, I felt that the person in front of me was no longer the supreme god of war. But a real person. There are mistakes. There is regret. And there are also things that cannot be fixed. Tieu Lam Uyen opened the drawer next to her. From inside took out an old wooden box. The box is not big. But when I saw it. I suddenly had a very strong premonition. This is what he kept for many years. He placed the box on the table. Push towards me.

“I found it the night something happened to Co Thanh Hoa.”

“But by then it was too late.”

My hands are shaking a bit. Slowly open the box. It's a yellowed piece of paper. The edges of the paper are rough. It was clearly the part that was torn from the diary. Last page. The page we've been looking for since the beginning of the story.

“Why did you give it to me now?”

Tieu Lam Uyen was silent for a moment. Then smiled softly. The smile is very faint.

“Because before.”

“Even I don't dare to look straight at it.”

I bow my head. Look at the paper in your hand. Right at that moment. His voice rang out from the other side again.

“I don't ask you to believe me.”

“I don't ask you to forgive me either.”

“I just want this time.”

“His eyes looked straight at me.”

“I don't stand behind myself anymore.”

That moment. Don't understand why. I suddenly remembered the three people in the painting. Maybe what you girls need. Not a perfect person. But someone who finally stands up for the truth. I took a deep breath. Then open the page. Co Thanh Hoa's familiar handwriting appeared. Perhaps these were the last lines she wrote before something happened.

“I understand.”

“I finally understand.”

“The scariest thing is not Thien Co Giam.”

“It's not even the royal court.”

“It's what's underneath all of that.”

My heart beats strongly. We continue to read down. The handwriting below becomes more urgent. It's like the writer is trying to record the truth before it's too late.

“The Thien Co Formation did not call people.”

“From the beginning.”

“It never wanted to save anyone.”

“It's choosing who to take.”