Chapter 17 — The Marquis was wronged, I hid with my young master, and later overturned the capital to collect debt.

I grabbed his arm, my fingertips were cold, shaking constantly.

“Chieu Nhi, don't listen to him.”

“We're not going, we're not going anywhere.”

My voice carries a plea that I don't even realize.

“The capital is hell, have you forgotten?”

“We worked so hard to escape, how can we go back?”

Co Chieu did not turn around. He just used the hand that wasn't holding the knife to gently cover the back of my hand. His hands are very steady. Bringing with it the characteristic hot temperature of a heroic teenager. He softly called me.

“I don't forget.”

“Every scar on my body, every nightmare in my head, is reminding me, I can't forget.”

“These twelve years, every day I have lived, I have not lived for myself.”

"I live for my father, for my mother, for the entire Co family, more than three hundred lives of those who died unjustly."

His voice was very calm, but like a heavy hammer, pounding straight into my heart. I have no words to answer. How can I, ask him to put down. How can I be selfish and keep him in this forest forever? He is not my son. He is the last drop of blood of the Co family. What he carries on his shoulders is so heavy that I can never imagine. He turned and looked at my face. In those deep eyes, my figure is reflected.

“Ah lady, you once said that wolf cubs must eventually return to the wolf pack.”

"I'm here, learning to be brave for twelve years."

“Not to stay in the mountains and be a hunter all my life.”

“But one day, I can return to the real forest and bite off my enemy's throat.”

He looked at me, and in his eyes, finally showed reluctance and guilt.

“Sorry, lady.”

“It has made people worry.”

“But this road, I must go.”

After speaking, he turned his head and looked at Ve Huan again.

“I will follow you.”

He said every word, clearly and decisively.

“But not now.”

Ve Huan's eyebrows raised slightly.

“I have to take my wife with me.”

“Besides, I want to say a proper farewell to this camp.”

“This place is my second home.”

“They are my relatives.”

Ve Huan was silent for a moment. Then, he nodded.

“I give you three days.”

“Three days later, at sunrise, I will wait for you at the gate of this camp.”

Having finished speaking, he led his men and turned away, stationed in the forest outside the mountain. He didn't say another word. He knew, this little wolf that he had been waiting for for four years. I've made up my mind. No need to use any more words to urge. I looked at Co Chieu, looking at his face that was still a bit immature, but full of determination. I know I can't keep him anymore. My eagle has grown up. His wings are full. What he longed for was that sky full of thunder and storms. What we can do is just let go. After that, use all your strength to prepare for the long trip for him. During those three days, I hardly slept. I took out all the precious medicinal herbs that I had accumulated over the years. Carefully classify and wrap each item one by one. There are antidotes, there are medicines to treat injuries, there are medicines to help stay awake, and there are also some things... that are colorless and odorless. I left the sword Ly Ba left behind, sharpening it over and over again. Until the blade of the knife, the silhouette of a person can be seen...following him I alone took all of our accumulated silver and sewed it into the hem of Co Chieu's shirt. Mrs. Ah also came. She leaned on a snake-headed cane and quietly watched me busy. She did not advise me, nor did she advise Co Chieu. She understands better than anyone that there are destinies that cannot be resisted. She just took out a small object, wrapped in black cloth, and stuffed it into my hand.

“A Dien, this is the sacred object of our camp, the ancient king chrysalis.”

"If you have no choice but to do so, absolutely do not open it."

"Remember, the hearts of people in the capital are ten thousand times more poisonous than the snakes and centipedes of the mountains and forests of Omengshan."

I knelt down on the ground and bowed my head strongly three times to her.

"Ah, great kindness, great virtue, I will not forget this life."

The people in the camp also came. They bring their best stuff, stuffing it into our luggage. There is pre-smoked dried meat, freshly made rice cakes, and the softest animal skins. They surrounded Co Chieu. The teenagers who grew up with him, their eyes red, punched him in the shoulder.

“Brother Zhao, in the future, remember to come visit us.”

Co Chieu nodded. His eye sockets were also red. Separation always makes people heartbroken. Even if it was because of entering a war, it was predetermined in fate. Three days later, early in the morning. The horizon, just revealed the white light of the fish's belly. Me and Co Chieu, carrying our luggage, went to the camp gate. The whole camp came to see us off. They stood silently in the morning mist. Like a black, solid forest. Ve Huan was waiting there. He still had the same cold appearance, but in his eyes, there was a little more gentleness that was hard to detect. Co Chieu turned his head and took one last look at the place where he had lived for many years. He looked at Mrs. A, at A Chau, at all the familiar faces. Then, he bowed deeply. Not a word. But more than a thousand words. I dried my tears and held his hand.

“Chieu Nhi, let's go.”

He nodded. We turn around and step onto the path leading out of the mountain, the path of the unknown. Behind, the sound of the camp people singing, in the Nam Cuong language, an ancient song. It is a song of blessing for those on the journey. The singing is cold and distant. Echoing forever in the morning valley. I don't turn back.