Chapter 11 — The Prophet Awakens: Shedding the Worthless Shell

News of the official challenge at Đại Thí Trường was widely announced throughout Bắcương in a solemn ceremony held right in the central square. Elder Bách Niên, as the person most knowledgeable about ancient laws, personally read the decree aloud before thousands of people gathered.

"According to the ancient law of Đại Thí Trường, from today, until exactly ninety days later, Earl Ước Liêm Phong of Nam Xuyên will officially challenge to a duel to redefine the legitimacy of Queen Xa of Bắcương, based on the question of implementing the Thousand Year Covenant. Cố Vọng Thần, as the husband appointed by Minh Ước, will be the representative to protect the queen's reputation in this challenge, unless the princess decides to fight herself."

Murmurs arose throughout the square. Many people, although loyal to Tuyết Doanh, could not help but worry when thinking of the image of the lazy beggar having to stand in front of the Dai Thien Truong facing a famous warlord like Ước Liêm Phong.

"Oh my god, can that guy even hold a sword..." A person in the crowd whispered.

"I heard that the queen can personally fight for her husband, maybe she will choose that way."

"But if so, then what is the meaning of the Millennium Agreement? Doesn't that further prove that this marriage is just a formality?"

Those rumors, although not malicious, still caused a tense atmosphere to permeate Bắcương in the following days.

***

At Nguyệt Trạch, Tuyết Doanh convened a closed meeting attended only by Tô Bạch Vũ and elder Bách Niên, to learn more about what would really happen at Đại Thí Trường.

"Elder, please explain more clearly, what will be the specific form of the challenge? Is it a duel, or are there other rituals?" Tuyết Doanh asked, her voice serious.

Bách Niên opened a yellowed ancient book and turned to the page recording the ancient law of Đại Thí Trường. "According to records, the challenge consists of three parts. The first part is the preliminary round, where both sides must send representatives to fight each other by force to prove their ability to defend their titles — this is a test of feasibility, not necessarily an absolute winner or loser. The second part is the argument before the council, where both sides present their arguments about legitimacy. The last part, if both previous parts cannot clearly determine the result, will be the final duel, where the result will completely determine the fate of both sides."

"Preliminary round..." Tuyết Doanh frowned. "Does that mean Vọng Thần will have to face a warrior of Ước Liêm Phong directly from the beginning?"

"That's right, my lord. And according to tradition, the opponent usually sends out their strongest warrior to preemptively demonstrate their dominance from the start." Bách Niên sighed. "I'm worried that if your husband really doesn't have any martial arts skills, this preliminary round could become a disaster, not only in terms of honor but also in terms of life safety."

Tuyết Doanh was silent for a long time, her heart heavy. She knew Bách Niên was right - if Vọng Thần really had to enter the preliminary round with his current weak appearance, he could lose his life right from the first minute.

"I need more time to think about the best plan," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "Thank you, Elder, for your clear explanation. Please keep what we just discussed confidential. I don't want any more false rumors to spread right now."

When Bách Niên left, Bạch Vũ couldn't hide his worry. "My lord, if your husband really has to face the preliminary round, we need to find some way to protect him. Maybe... maybe we should find some expert to secretly train him in the next three months, even though we know it's too late."

"I thought about that," Tuyết Doanh replied, her voice tired. "But three months is not enough to turn someone who has never held a sword into someone who can stand up to a skilled warrior of Nam Xuyên. I need another solution."

***

Meanwhile, in Nam Xuyên, Ước Liêm Phong has begun preparing for the preliminary round with absolute confidence. He called in the strongest warrior under his command - a tall, muscular man named Hàn Bạo, who had been the champion of the entire Nam Xuyên region for five consecutive years.

"Hàn Bạo, the preliminary round at Đại Thí Trường in three months, you will be my representative," Liêm Phong said, his eyes full of confidence. "Your opponent is just an illiterate beggar without any martial arts skills. This will be the easiest victory of your career."

"This subordinate does not disappoint the Count." Hàn Bạo bowed his head, his voice full of complacency.

"But remember," Liêm Phong added, his voice cold, "I don't need you to kill him immediately. I want the whole of Bắcương to witness Xa Tuyết Doanh's ultimate humiliation when her husband was beaten to a pulp in front of thousands of people. That was the real fatal blow — not death, but indelible public humiliation." Hàn Bạo smiled faintly and nodded to obey, not knowing that the seemingly weak opponent actually contained a power that even in his worst nightmares, he could not imagine.

***

That night, when everyone in Nguyệt Trạch was asleep, Vọng Thần sat alone in the room, holding the small package of medicine that Vân Khinh Nhược once gave him. He knew it was time for him to go to that old woman, not to ask for medicine, but to find advice, an understanding that he could not find from anyone else in Bắcương.

He remembered her invitation: "If there comes a day when you need a place to say things you can't say to anyone else, this house is always open." Perhaps, it was time for him to accept that invitation, to prepare for what was to come — not just the preliminary round, but the entire decision of whether he should reveal his true identity or not.

"Ninety days." He thought to himself, looking out the window where the crescent moon was gradually rounding out periodically. "Enough time to prepare a plan, but not enough to erase the fear that has been ingrained in my heart for over twenty years. But I have no other choice."

***

The next morning, news of the preliminary round and the identity of Hàn Bạo - the champion of the famous Nam Xuyên arena - spread to Bắcương through Bạch Vũ's reconnaissance network, making Nguyệt Trạch even more burdened.

"My lord, Hàn Bạo is a famous warrior, having defeated no less than thirty opponents in public matches in Nam Xuyên, and has never lost a single match for five consecutive years." Bạch Vũ reported, his voice filled with anxiety. "If your husband has to face him directly without any preparation, I'm afraid..."

"I understand," Tuyết Doanh interrupted, her voice heavy. "But yelling won't solve anything. I need time to find a solution, and in the meantime, you should continue to strengthen Bắcương's defense forces, in case Ước Liêm Phong has other tricks while waiting for the challenge day."

"Subordinates obey." Bạch Vũ bowed his head, but before leaving, he couldn't help but say one more sentence. "My lord, I have followed you for six years and have never seen you flinch in the face of any difficulty. No matter what happens, I still believe that you will find a way." Tuyết Doanh nodded, her heart warmed by the loyalty of the bodyguard who had accompanied her from the first, most difficult days. But when she was alone, she couldn't stop her anxiety from rising. Ninety days, a period of time that is both long enough to hope and short enough to make her lose sleep.

She walked out into the hallway and looked towards Vọng Thần's room, where the oil lamp was still flickering even though it was late. Part of her wanted to go up and ask him directly again, to get to the bottom of the truth behind the strange things that had happened all this time. But another part, a part that she had never admitted to herself, wanted to trust him unconditionally, the way Tiểu Nguyệt had always trusted her father.

"Three months," she whispered, turned and walked back to her own room. "I will wait, Vọng Thần. But don't make me regret putting my trust in the wrong place."

In the room, Tiểu Nguyệt had been sleeping soundly for a long time, her small face was peaceful and untroubled by the turmoil surrounding the family. Tuyết Doanh sat down next to her child's bed, gently caressing her daughter's soft hair, her heart rising with a strong determination.