Chapter 8 — I am the Fourth Thien Co

“Miss Ky is not dead.”

The veteran's words were like a thunderclap exploding in my head. I sat frozen in place. For a moment, I even doubted I heard wrong. Ky Truong Anh is not dead yet? The person recorded in history books is a traitor. The person has disappeared for many years. The person who all Dai Chu thought was gone. Still alive again?

“Are you sure?”

I immediately asked. The old soldier looked at the half-piece of soldier talisman in my hand. Steady eyes.

“I'm not sure where she is.”

“But I'm sure she's not dead.”

“Because three years ago.”

“Someone with the symbol of a falcon came to see me.”

“That person said one sentence.”

He stopped. Hoarse voice.

“Not the end yet.”

“Then don't admit defeat.”

My heart beats strongly. That is the saying of Ky Truong Anh. Can't be wrong. Leave the noodle shop. There's only one thought left in my mind. Find Ky Truong Anh. If Co Thanh Hoa left a secret. If Thuong Minh Chau left evidence. So Ky Truong Anh may very well be the last person to hold the truth. But I want to find her. We must follow the symbol of the eagle. According to the veteran. In Dong Thanh there is a very small aromatherapy shop. Old signboard. Guests were sparse. But below the corner of the sea is carved a very small eagle. If not intentionally looking. No one will find out. Two days later. I stood in front of that shop. The store is not big. Inside were just a few boxes of normal spices. A woman in her thirties was sitting and grinding incense. Heard footsteps. She raised her head to look at me. Calm eyes.

“What do you want to buy, lady?”

I don't answer. Just take half a piece of the warrior talisman and place it on the counter. The moment of seeing the falcon symbol. Her movements stopped. A very long time later. She gently closed the shop. Then turned back to look at me.

“Finally someone brought this.”

I have found the right person. Her last name is Luc. Everyone calls her Luc Lady. According to her words. She used to be the person in charge of the communication line of the former Tay Canh camp. After something happened to Ky Truong Anh. She silently retreated to the capital. Open an aroma shop to cover the eyes of others. We ask the first question.

“Is Ky Truong Anh still alive?”

Lady Luc was silent. Then nodded. My heart felt like someone was squeezing me hard. Even though I was mentally prepared. But when you actually hear the answer. I still can't help but feel emotional.

“So where is she?”

Lady Luc shook her head.

“I don't know.”

“Or rather.”

“No one is allowed to know.”

She looked straight into my eyes.

“Thien Co Giam has not given up yet.”

“They are still looking for her.”

“If only she appeared.”

“Those who followed her will be in danger.”

I slowly tightened my grip. It's Thien Co Giam again. From Co Thanh Hoa. Arrive at Thuong Minh Chau. Go to Ky Truong Anh. It seems like behind everything there is their shadow. Lady Luc continued:

“Miss Ky knows she will be hunted down.”

“So many years ago.”

“She has prepared everything.”

“If one day a fourth person appears.”

“These will be delivered.”

She stood up. Go into the backyard. A moment later. Bring out an iron box. The box is very similar to the box we found behind the Ky Truong Anh painting. But bigger. I accept it. My heart somehow started beating fast. Inside the box are three things. A map. A list. And an envelope yet open. Let's open the map first. That is the contact map of the former Tay Canh camp. Each symbol. Every dot. Both represent one person. One route. A place to hide. A place where news can be transmitted. I looked at it and my scalp felt numb. Ky Truong Anh not only left behind people. She also left behind a network. The second list lists the names of veterans who followed her. Someone sells noodles. Someone opened a pharmacy. There are people who work as blacksmiths. On the outside, they are all civilians. But just the falcon symbol appears. They will know what to do. Some people left tears. Someone left money behind. Ky Truong Anh left behind an unresolved army. The person who hasn't returned is not necessarily the person who lost. Maybe she is just waiting for the opportunity. I picked up the envelope. The envelope is still sealed. Above is just one line of text.

“To the fourth person.”

I looked at Lady Luc. She nodded slightly.

“This is what Miss Ky told you to hand over.”

I took a deep breath. Then open the letter. The first page has only one sentence. One sentence made my pupils immediately shrink.

“People harm us.”

“Not just at Thien Co Giam.”