Chapter 18 — The God of Light's Swapped Bride

Da Vu ran all night to reach the ancient temple ruins in the suburbs. His legs were bleeding from scratches along the way but he didn't pay attention to the pain. In his heart, there was only one thought that filled his mind: he had to find a way to save Y Nhi before the fateful three days passed.

Arriving at dawn, he knelt down in front of the ruined stone pedestal, placed the small Light Stone on it, and focused all his remaining mind and will to try to evoke more power from it. But no matter how hard he tried, the stone still only emitted a weak light, not enough to fully restore his divine power.

"Not enough," he muttered, his voice filled with desperation. "It's still not enough."

He sat quietly in the middle of the desolate ruins, his mind racing to find another solution. Suddenly, he remembered the Heavenly Emperor's verdict from the past — his divine power would be fully revived when he found the truest light, the one that came from a mortal heart willing to love him unconditionally. He found that light in Y Nhi, felt its strong resonance during the night she was angry at her family's cruelty. But perhaps, that love was still not enough to complete the prophecy, because something was missing - perhaps the moment when he must prove, with his own actions, that he was willing to trade everything, including the remaining life of a fallen god, to protect the person he loves.

He stood up, his eyes firmly looking towards the distant Lam Thanh citadel. "If this stone is not enough," he said, his voice final, "then I will use my own will and love to complete the missing part."

He tucked the Light Stone into his chest, felt its warmth close to his heart, then began running back to the capital at the fastest speed his mortal body could endure.

Halfway through his run, his legs were bleeding, his breathing seemed to rip out his chest, but he didn't dare stop for even a moment. In his mind, the image of Y Nhi being imprisoned, possibly suffering threats and terrible pressure from Co Bat Uy, constantly appeared in his mind, and every time he thought of that, a new stream of strength surged through his veins, urging his legs to continue walking despite the exhaustion of his mortal body.

He remembered the promise he made to Y Nhi in the prison cell, remembered her steadfast eyes when she said she would always be by his side no matter what the day the seal broke brought. It is those memories, not any divine miracle, that are the greatest source of motivation that helps him overcome the limits of his mortal body and continue to rush forward without stopping.

On the way back, when the sun was high, Da Vu stopped by a river to drink water and rest for a moment. At that moment, he accidentally saw his reflection on the water - and he was stunned to realize that his eyes were shining with a pale yellow halo, no longer hidden like before, but clearly visible even in the sunlight.

He touched his face, feeling a stream of energy roiling inside his body, stronger than any time he had felt in the past twenty years. Phan Quang Thach, combined with Y Nhi's sincere love and his own iron will, is gradually breaking the seal that imprisons his divine power, although not completely, but enough to create a clear change.

He continued on his way, and the closer he got to the capital, the more clearly he felt the changes taking place in his body. His black hair began to shine pale golden strands in the sunlight, his skin became brighter, almost luminescent in the dark, and with every step he took, the weeds along the roadside seemed to gently stretch towards him, as if attracted by the energy flowing from his body.

When he arrived at Lam Thanh citadel gate at dusk on the second day, the gate guards looked at him with surprised eyes, not understanding why a man dressed in rags exuded such an unusual, majestic aura.

"You... who are you?" a guard asked, his voice trembling as Da Vu's eyes passed by, revealing a bright yellow light that made him not dare look straight.

Da Vu did not answer, just continued walking, heading straight towards Co Bat Uy's mansion. He had no time to explain or hide anything anymore. Three days are about to end, and Y Nhi is waiting for him.

As he approached the mansion, the sunset dyed the sky red, creating a magnificent scene when the orange-red light mixed with the pale yellow aura radiating from his body, causing passersby to stop in surprise and whisper about the strange man walking in the middle of the street as if carrying the sun with him.

In front of the mansion gate, dozens of armed soldiers stood strict guard, receiving orders to prepare for the forced ceremony that would take place tonight - one day earlier than originally scheduled, because Co Bat Uy was impatient to wait any longer after hearing reports about Y Nhi's fierce resistance.

"Stop!" A guard commander shouted loudly when he saw Da Vu approaching the gate. "This is the Earl's mansion, no one is exempt from entering!"

Da Vu stopped walking, his eyes swept over the guards lining up to block the way, his voice sounded low but contained a weight that made the surrounding air seem thicker. “I came here to bring my wife back,” he said. "You can get out of the way, or I'll open the way myself."

The commander laughed scornfully and signaled the soldiers to rush forward. But as soon as the first spears were swung towards Da Vu, a dazzling light suddenly burst from his body, knocking all of them to the ground, the weapons in his hands flying everywhere. No one was seriously injured, but everyone trembled and looked in horror at the man standing in the middle of that brilliant aura as if watching a god descend to earth.

"Report... report to the Count immediately!" The commander shouted in panic, trying to crawl back away from the spreading light.

Inside the mansion, when news of Da Vu's strange appearance was transmitted, Co Bat Uy was standing in the hall, supervising the preparations for the forced wedding, his face darkened with anger and a vague insecurity that he had never experienced.

"No way," he muttered, recalling the report of an unarmed musician who had scared five of his subordinates away. "I underestimated him."

"Sir, what should we do now?" Ta Khac Dung asked, his voice could not hide his concern.

Co Bat Uy gritted his teeth, his eyes flashed with cruel determination. "Speed up the wedding," he ordered. "I don't care who or what he is. Once the wedding is completed, she has officially become my wife before the law and religion. Even if he is a god, he cannot change that fact anymore. Go, take Y Nhi to the hall right now!"

Meanwhile, in the detention room, Y Nhi heard a chaotic noise coming from the mansion gate, her heart pounded because of a strong premonition that Da Vu had arrived. When the door opened, two maids and a few guards rushed in, intending to drag her out to prepare for the forced marriage. She was ready to fight back with all her remaining strength.

"You can't force me!" she screamed, struggling fiercely as she was grabbed by rough hands. "I will never let you complete this so-called dirty wedding!"

But the guards, under Co Bat Uy's strict orders, did not show any mercy, grabbed her tightly, dragged her out of the room, towards the hall where the forced ceremony was about to take place, while outside, the light from Da Vu's body continued to burn more intensely, destroying each layer of defense that Co Bat Uy had built up over the years.

Y Nhi was pushed into a small room adjacent to the hall, where several maids hastily dressed her in a splendid wedding dress, even though she continuously struggled, trying to tear each layer of fabric off her body. "I won't wear this!" she screamed, pushing down a maid who was trying to put a hairpin in her hair. "You can tie me up, but I will never voluntarily walk down that aisle!"

One of the maids, with a slightly guilty look on her face, leaned close to her ear and whispered very softly: "Miss, please bear with it. I heard there are changes outside, maybe you won't have to endure this situation for long." Y Nhi paused for a moment, a ray of hope flashed in her heart - if there was change outside, it was very likely that Da Vu had arrived.

She stopped resisting violently, but in her mind began to calculate, carefully observing every corner of the room, looking for any opportunity to delay more time, waiting for the fateful moment to come.