Chapter 39 — The Medicine Bearer Through the Chaos

The Night Before Parting

The moonlight that night was brighter than usual, spreading a thin layer of silver on the surface of the stream water flowing through the familiar rocks, where Tinh Yen and Thanh Phong had sat together countless times for nearly two years. This was probably the last time they had a complete evening like this before they both had to go their separate ways, even though they were heading towards the same destination.

"I have prepared my luggage." Thanh Phong said, his voice was a bit deeper than usual. "Tomorrow morning, we will leave as soon as it is light."

"I know." Tinh Yen replied, looking down at the water reflecting the shimmering moonlight. "I have prepared myself for this day for a long time, but when it actually comes, I still feel a heavy heart."

Thanh Phong turned to look at her, his eyes contained a rare gentleness that he rarely showed in front of others. "Me too." He said. "For nearly two years, this place, this stream, has become an indispensable part of my life — not only because of the beautiful scenery, but because every time I come here, I know I will see her, talk to her, be myself without having to carry the burden of a general or the son of Tran Bac Hau."

"I feel the same way." Tinh Yen smiled slightly, even though an indescribable sadness was rising in her heart. "This place is like a small corner outside all rules, all the status gaps that always exist between us."

"You know," Thanh Phong said, his voice slow as if he was considering each word, "since the day my father spoke to you privately last time, I've thought a lot about what he said to me afterward."

"What did you say to the young master?" Tinh Yen asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"My father said he had lived long enough to realize that what makes a person truly happy is not status or wealth, but finding someone who makes him want to become the best version of himself." Thanh Phong replied, his eyes looking straight at her without avoiding it. "He said, he saw that in her, and he hoped I would be brave enough not to lose it just because I was afraid of the barriers of morality and identity."

Tinh Yen was speechless, her heart beating faster than ever at those sincere words. "So what do you think, sir?" She asked softly.

"I think, my father is right." Thanh Phong replied, holding her hand, his eyes more determined than ever. "I don't dare to promise a certain future, because these times are too volatile, too many things are beyond both of our control. But I want you to know, whether in Yen Phung or anywhere else, my heart has belonged to you for a long time, since the night you bent down to bandage a stranger's wound in the middle of a battlefield, not knowing that stranger will forever be grateful to you, not only for the life saved, but for the heart that has been awakened."

Tears suddenly flowed from Tinh Yen's eyes, not because of sadness, but because of a happiness mixed with indescribable choking. "Me too, Thanh Phong." She said, for the first time calling him directly by his name without the title "dude", a small gesture but with great meaning between them. "A long time ago, I no longer considered what I felt as mere affection."

Thanh Phong squeezed her hand, then gently raised his other hand, wiping away the remaining tears on her cheek, a gesture more gentle and respectful than any beautiful words could describe. "We will meet again in Yen Phung." He said, his voice as firm as an oath. "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, no matter what I face at court, I promise to find a way to meet you as soon as possible."

"I will wait." Tinh Yen replied, squeezing his hand one last time before they both stood up, preparing for the inevitable moment of separation.

They stood facing each other under the moonlight, no one wanting to be the first to break that quiet moment. Finally, Thanh Phong gently bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead - not a careless or cheesy gesture, but a gentle promise, an appreciation that transcends all temporary desires, consistent with the calm and upright personalities of both people.

"Stay healthy, and stick to your principles." He whispered. "That's what makes me love her the most."

"You too, stay safe." Tinh Yen replied, her voice trembling but her eyes full of determination.

The next morning, when the sky was still dyed a light gray color of incomplete dawn, Tinh Yen along with Nhuoc Lan, Vu Khac Tuan and Ky Ba Nghiem stood at the barracks gate to see Thanh Phong on his way. The small guard team had prepared their horses and light but complete luggage for a long trip to the South.

"Deputy General, I wish you a safe journey and will soon be able to clear the injustice of Tran Bac Hau." Ky Ba Nghiem said, bowing his head according to military protocol.

Thanh Phong nodded in response, then his eyes stopped at Tinh Yen standing at the end of the line. He did not say another word, just nodded slightly, but in those eyes contained so many things that had been said last night, so many promises that had not yet been fulfilled but were enough for both of them to confidently continue on their separate paths.

He got on his horse and signaled the guards to depart. The horse's hooves tapped steadily on the ground still wet with dew at night, gradually disappearing to the south, where the sunlight was beginning to peek behind the mountains, dyeing the sky in a warm orange-yellow color signaling a new day, even though the hearts of the people sending them off were still heavy with unrelieved feelings.

Tinh Yen stood there for a long time after the silhouette of the group had completely disappeared, her hand unconsciously touching her forehead that had been lightly touched by a gentle kiss last night, her heart carrying a strange peace amid all the upheavals - because she knew, although the road ahead was still full of challenges, she no longer had to walk alone, there was another heart, even in the distance, still beating together towards a common destination.

"Are you okay?" Nhuoc Lan asked softly, stepping closer and placing her hand on her friend's shoulder.

"I'm fine." Tinh Yen replied, turning back to look at you with a light smile, although the corners of her eyes were still watery. "It's just... a lot has changed in one short night, more than I ever thought possible."

"I won't ask more, but looking at your face, I can guess a bit." Nhuoc Lan smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's go, there's still a lot of work to do before it's your turn to leave. Don't let the sadness of separation make you forget how many patients are waiting in the treatment area."

Tinh Yen nodded, letting her friend lead her back to her daily routine, but in her heart, the image of Thanh Phong's last look before getting on the horse was still imprinted, like a small fire lit in the midst of the uncertain days ahead.

That evening, Ky Ba Nghiem convened a short meeting with the entire military hospital, announcing that Lu Bat would temporarily take on the top command role during Thanh Phong's absence, and reminded everyone to maintain high vigilance, to prevent the possibility of the North Dich taking advantage of this sensitive time to launch a surprise attack.

"We must not let any loopholes appear, even if the top command is temporarily changed." He spoke, his stern voice filling the entire conference room. "The work of the military hospital must continue uninterrupted, no matter who is where, no matter what is happening in the distant capital."

Tinh Yen sat in the last row, listening to familiar instructions, clearly feeling the life rhythm of the barracks continued to operate like a non-stop machine, despite the great changes taking place behind the scenes. She knew that in just a few short days, she herself would have to leave this familiar machine, to enter a completely new world, where she would have to once again prove herself from the beginning, just like the way she had done in this place.

After the meeting, she returned to her private tent, sat down next to the almost finished packing bag, looking at each item neatly arranged inside - the Bach Thao Chan Sutra, half a piece of white talisman jade, the bronze card of the military hospital, the surgical kit given to her by Vu Khac Tuan, and even a small bundle of letters she had kept for the past months, short notes that Thanh Phong had sent every time he had the opportunity. Each item carries a story, a piece of memory of the past journey, now carefully packaged to accompany her on a new journey, a journey that she knew will have more surprises and challenges than anything she had ever experienced at this Long Mon pass.