Chapter 60 — The Medicine Bearer Through the Chaos

News From the North

Yen Phung capital, just a few hours after news of the attack by Bac Dich spread, was completely different from its usual bustling atmosphere. The sound of alarm drums rang out from the watchtowers on the citadel walls, the army of vehicles carrying food and weapons followed each other towards the North gate, the faces of the people passing by had an expression of anxiety that was hard to hide, completely different from the fake peace that had enveloped the city during the days of Tinh Yen's imprisonment.

Tinh Yen returned to the Royal Hospital in a completely different position than the day she was escorted away - no longer a criminal awaiting trial, but a newly exonerated medical student, welcomed by the whole hospital with a new respect. But she did not have much time to enjoy that feeling, because immediately, all the thoughts in the hospital were focused on preparing human and material resources to support the border line in danger.

"Great Khan Truy Phong led more than fifty thousand troops to overcome the Western defense line, attacking Long Mon pass on a scale not seen in many years." Kinh Ba Van announced in an emergency meeting of the whole hospital, his voice was heavy. "The royal court has ordered the mobilization of additional military medical aid. The Royal Medical Institute has been assigned the task of sending a team of experienced medical officers straight to the front line as soon as possible."

Tinh Yen walked out in the middle of the meeting, without hesitation. "I would like to volunteer to join the support team, Lord Chancellor. I have many years of experience at the Long Mon military hospital, understanding the terrain and battlefield conditions there better than most other Royal Physicians in the hospital."

Kinh Ba Van looked at her for a moment, his eyes contained both worry and absolute trust. "I agree." No further consideration was needed, he said. "You will lead a small medical team, coordinating with the military hospital on site. I will also send Doctor Ngan with you. His experience will be very necessary in urgent combat situations."

Ngan Ba Thuyen, standing in line, nodded slightly to receive orders. His eyes when looking at Tinh Yen carried a new consensus, completely different from the reserved and distant attitude of the first days. "I will go." He spoke briefly. "It's time, what we can do, is not just keep quiet anymore."

That afternoon, before leaving, Tinh Yen took the opportunity to stop by the old prison one last time, not to visit anyone, but to meet the law judge who defended her, to give her sincere thanks, and to stop by Su Van Can's residence to hand over all the records she had collected about the old charity case, asking him to keep them safe during her absence.

"Miss, please rest assured and go to the front line." Su Van Can said, accepting the paperwork with special respect. "I will keep it carefully, waiting for the day when the lady returns to continue this unfinished path."

In the evening, Thanh Phong went to meet Tinh Yen at the guest house. This time there was no need to be as sneaky as before, because they were both about to leave for the North - he returned to the army to support the defense, she joined the military medical team to provide support.

"Let's go to Long Mon pass together again." Thanh Phong said, a small smile appeared on his lips even though his eyes were still heavy with worry over the war situation. "It's just that this time, the circumstances are different from the first time we met there."

"That's right." Tinh Yen replied, smiling slightly. "At that time, I was just a new student following my master in the middle of battle, not yet knowing what was ahead of me. Now, I have learned more, experienced more, and I believe, I am more ready to face whatever lies ahead."

Thanh Phong looked at her, his eyes filled with an indescribable pride and sadness at what she had gone through in just a few short months since arriving in the capital - from an ambitious medical student, to a criminal awaiting trial, and now, once again becoming someone preparing to embark on a fierce battlefield.

"About Can Ba Thong..." He said, his voice low. "I know we have to temporarily put aside our search for the truth, but I want you to know, I will never forget that name. When this war is over, no matter how long it takes, I will work with you to find the whole truth, and force him to pay for what he did."

"Me too." Tinh Yen replied, her voice determined. "But right now, there are more urgent lives that need our help. The truth, no matter how painful, has waited twenty years, it can wait a little longer. But the soldiers waiting to be saved on the battlefield, cannot wait another moment."

Before leaving the guesthouse, Au Ba Tuong came to see Tinh Yen, looking somewhat awkward as always, wanting to express something sincere. "I was not chosen to go with the support group this time. Lord Chancellor kept me to take care of the unfinished work in the hospital." He said. "But I want you to know, since that day in court, I have seen you differently than before. Go in peace, and don't let people like me who treated you badly make you forget, there are still many people in this institution who appreciate what you have done."

"I won't forget." Tinh Yen replied, smiling sincerely. "Thank you for your testimony that day, Au brother. Without it, perhaps things would have gone in a completely different direction."

The last night before leaving, Tinh Yen took the opportunity to write a long letter to Nhuoc Lan at the old Long Mon military hospital, even though she knew the letter would probably arrive after she herself had set foot there, recounting everything that had happened over the past few months - from the first meeting with Kinh Ba Van, to the unjust case, to the name Can Ba Thong that had just been revealed. She wrote, her hands shaking slightly with emotion, that although the road ahead was still difficult, she never once regretted leaving her familiar home on the border to enter this challenging period, because those challenges helped her become more mature, more steadfast, and closer to the truth that she had searched for all her life.

The next morning, the military medical support team of Thai Y Vien gathered at the square in front of the city gate, preparing to leave for the North. Tinh Yen stood in the middle of the group of people, wearing a new military uniform, wearing a surgical kit that Vu Khac Tuan had given her on her waist, and in her hand were still intact the Bach Thao Chan Sutra and half a piece of white jade - legacies that had accompanied her through many ups and downs throughout the long journey from the small Lach Dua fishing village.

Kinh Ba Van and Nhuoc Tran were both present to say goodbye, their eyes both carrying an unavoidable trust and worry for the dangerous journey ahead.

"Go in peace, and return in peace." Kinh Ba Van spoke, his rare voice carrying complete warmth. "The Imperial Hospital will be waiting for you to return, along with the entire truth we have left unfinished."

"I will continue to quietly collect more evidence while you are on the front lines." Nhuoc Tran added, her eyes sharp as usual. "Can Ba Thong will not be able to hide in the dark forever. When you return, I hope we will have what it takes to bring him to justice."

The group set out as the sun just peeked behind the magnificent palace roofs of Yen Phung citadel, heading straight to the North, where the sound of the North Dich army's horse hooves was echoing like a storm about to strike. Tinh Yen sat in the car, looking back one last time at the sign with the name Thai Y Vien disappearing behind her, her heart carrying a complex mixture of anxiety before the upcoming war, pride for having overcome injustice, and an iron determination that, no matter how many thorns the road ahead was, she would never give up the oath she had carried throughout the entire journey - save people first, ask about their identities later, and never let the truth sink in forever. darkness.

Far away on the horizon, gray clouds are gathering, signaling a great storm not only of nature, but of an entire era that is changing violently, sweeping every fate, every oath, every unfinished secret into a new vortex, where the boundary between life and death, between justice and crime, will be tested more harshly than anything Tinh Yen has ever experienced during the long journey that has passed since leaving the small fishing village in 1999. come on.