Chapter 14 — The Most Despised Son Who Shocked the World

After Khinh Vu's direct threat aimed at Ha Thu Nhan, Vo Ky, his three seniors and Duong Tuyet Y decided to hesitate no longer. If they let their mother and younger brother continue to stay in Tuong Phu Thanh, they will forever be hostages in Khinh Vu's hands, a threat hanging over their heads that could strike at any time.

Tiet Dien Senior revealed a secret hideout he knew about from his years as a swordsman-guardian — a small village named An Van Trang, deep in the northern mountains, far from any major trade routes, where an old friend of his, now a gentle old farmer no longer involved in gangster resentment, lived.

"That place is far enough and remote enough that Khinh Vu will find it difficult to find in a short time." Senior Thiet Dien explained, his voice calm but decisive. "But we need to act very discreetly, not letting anyone in Tuong Phu Thanh know our travel route, including the people we trust the most."

The plan is meticulously outlined, calculating every smallest detail to avoid all possible risks. Taking advantage of a heavy rainy night when most of the janitors and disciples were asleep, Vo Ky and Dao Truong Vong Ky secretly took Ha Thu Nhan and Ha Nhat Pham - still sitting in a crude homemade wheelchair because their legs had not yet healed - out of the janitor's area through a side gate that few people passed through, where Senior Thiet Dien had secretly bribed the gatekeeper with a large sum of money and a promise to never reveal it.

On the way, Nhat Pham, although still weak, still tried to smile to reassure his brother. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I'm just a little sad because I have to leave the place where I've lived for the past seventeen years."

"It's just temporary, baby." Vo Ky replied, tightening his grip on the wheel of the wheelchair, trying to keep his voice optimistic even though his heart was heavy with anxiety. "When everything is over, I will take mom and you back so we don't have to live in fear anymore."

Ha Thu Nhan sat in the small carriage, looking at the scenery of Tuong Phu Thanh receding behind through the gap in the curtain, a complex and indescribable emotion arose in her heart. For seventeen years, even though she was despised and endured many humiliations, this place was still the only home she had known since the day she left her family's fading order of wandering monks.

When the group stopped to rest at a small roadside inn at midnight to wait for morning to continue their journey, Thu Nhan finally decided to tell her son the full truth about the father he had never known.

"I think it's time for you to know everything." She spoke, her voice trembling, her eyes looking far away at the flickering candle on the table. "What's your father's name, I can't say because it's a rule between the two of us, a way to protect each other from enemies chasing everywhere. He is a person with Demon Essence, living a wandering life because he is considered a threat that needs to be destroyed by many forces. I met him when I was a daughter of a small order of monks that was about to die, when my clan was attacked by evil spirits. He saved the whole village, using his own Demon Cot power to fight off dozens of evil monks and the same. time."

Vo Ky listened attentively, his heart beating faster as each piece of his father gradually appeared clearly in his mind.

"We love each other, but he knows he's always being chased and can't give mom a safe life." Thu Nhan continued, her voice choked. "When I was pregnant with you, he heard rumors about the three seniors who had protected the Demon Essence bearer at Tuong Gia, even though they had been expelled from all positions. He took me there, told me to seek refuge, and promised to return to look for us after eliminating a threat that was pursuing him. But he never came back. I heard rumors that he died in a large-scale raid against evil, but there was never a solid confirmation."

Tears rolled down Thu Nhan's face, while Vo Ky sat silently, clutching the curled cactus-shaped jade pendant that Senior Thiet Dien had given him, which now had a much deeper meaning.

"Thank you for telling me, Mom." He said, his voice choked, his hand holding his mother's hand tightly. "Wherever dad is, I believe he will be proud of what I'm trying to do."

"I'm always proud of you, Vo Ky." Thu Nhan hugged her son, her voice trembling with emotion. "For the past seventeen years, watching you endure so much humiliation without a word of complaint, I have never felt worthy of being your mother. But now, knowing that you are about to enter a decisive battle, I only hope for your safe return."

"I will return, mom, rest assured." Vo Ky smiled slightly, a rare smile appearing on his always calm and cold face. "You still have to keep your promise to take your mother and sister back to Tuong Phu Thanh properly and not have to hide like this anymore."

The next morning, the group continued their journey, finally reaching An Van Trang safely. Thiet Dien Senior's old friend, a gentle old farmer affectionately known as Mr. Vong, warmly welcomed the whole family, promising to take care of and protect them like family members.

An Van Trang is hidden in a small valley surrounded by steep rocky mountains, with only one trail leading in, making it easy to defend and difficult to detect. Old Vong, even though he was over sixty, still maintained the sophistication of a man who had experienced many life-and-death battles in his youth. He carefully examined the surrounding terrain and arranged a few simple but effective surveillance measures around the compound.

"Brother Thiet Dien, if it hadn't been for you to save my life, I would have left my body on the northern battlefield." Old Vong said, his voice full of kindness as he sent Senior Thiet Dien to the gate. "I will treat this family as my own blood relatives and take care of it, you can rest assured."

"I believe brother." Senior Thiet Dien nodded and held his old friend's hand tightly, both of their eyes carried memories of a turbulent youth.

Before leaving to return to Tuong Phu Thanh in time to participate in the first rounds of the Training Trial Congress, Vo Ky hugged his younger brother tightly and gave him careful instructions. "You stay here obediently, listen to old Vong, wait for me to come back to pick you and your mother up."

"You must win." Nhat Pham held his brother's hand tightly, his eyes steady even though his body was still weak. "I'll sit here and wait for good news from you. I believe you can do it."

Ha Thu Nhan also walked out to see her son to the village gate, her hands tightening her hem, her eyes not willing to leave. "Remember to take care of your health, don't exercise too much. Whether you win or lose, you are always my greatest pride."

"I know, mom." Vo Ky hugged his mother one last time, feeling the familiar warmth that had protected him for the past seventeen years. "I'll come back to pick you and mom up, I promise you that."

Vo Ky nodded, turned and walked away before the tears he held back could spill out. On the way back to Tuong Phu Thanh with Vong Ky Dao Truong, he felt somewhat relieved knowing that his closest loved ones were temporarily safe, but at the same time he was also heavy with a vague sense of insecurity, as if the biggest storm was still waiting ahead.

"You did well." Vong Ky Dao Truong spoke, breaking the silence on the way, his voice carrying sincere comfort. "Now I can focus wholeheartedly on the Trials Conference without having to worry about the safety of my family."

"I hope so." Vo Ky replied, his eyes looking towards Tuong Phu Thanh in the distance that was gradually appearing on the horizon, silently thinking that the final days before the decisive battle had officially begun.

"One more thing." Vong Ky Dao Truong added, his voice thoughtful. "From now on, you will no longer have any way to contact your mother and younger brother directly, to avoid leaving any traces exposed. I have arranged for Mr. Vong to send messages through a private line, once every fortnight, and only contact more frequently in emergencies."

Vo Ky nodded, even though he couldn't help but feel disappointed at the thought of not being able to see his mother and younger brother until the Trials Conference ended. But he clearly understood that this was the necessary price to ensure absolute safety for the people he loved most, and he was willing to accept any sacrifice in exchange for that.