Chapter 19 — The Prophet Awakens: Shedding the Worthless Shell

During the chaotic night after the kidnapping, when Nguyệt Trạch was immersed in an extremely tense atmosphere, a familiar figure suddenly appeared at the palace gate, asking to meet the queen in person. That's Vân Khinh Nhược.

"Old woman, now is not the right time—" Bạch Vũ intended to stop, but Tuyết Doanh, remembering the strange encounter before, hastily ordered her to enter.

"Let her in here," Tuyết Doanh said, her intuition told her that this meeting was not accidental.

Vân Khinh Nhược entered the hall, her eyes immediately found Vọng Thần standing silently in the middle of the room, his hands still shaking from suppressed anger. She came closer, placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes full of understanding.

"It's about time, right?" She asked softly, just loud enough for him to hear.

Vọng Thần looked at her, then nodded slightly, no longer having the strength to deny or hide anymore. The crisis of losing his child broke down all the psychological defenses he had built for more than twenty years.

Vân Khinh Nhược turned to Tuyết Doanh, took a deep breath before speaking, her voice was solemn as if she was performing a long-forgotten sacred ritual.

"My Queen, I think it's time for you to know the whole truth, so you can make the best decision tonight," she said, looking straight at Tuyết Doanh. "Your husband, Cố Vọng Thần, is the last living descendant of the Thien Co Pavilion - the legendary organization of Prophetic Mages that was considered extinct more than a hundred years ago. He is the person mentioned in the Nine Heavens Prophecy, an ancient oracle that predicted the day when the last blood bearer of the Thien Co Pavilion would awaken to protect a land in danger."

The entire hall was in absolute silence. Tuyết Doanh stood dumbfounded. Even though she had somewhat premonitioned this from what she witnessed at the Đại Thí Trường, when she heard it confirmed clearly and truthfully in every detail, she still couldn't help but be shocked.

"The prophecy of the Nine Heavens..." she muttered, memories of the Thousand Year Covenant suddenly rushing back to her mind - about "the one appointed by the stars", about the night the comet swept across the sky when Vọng Thần appeared at the Northern Cuong border. "So... the Millennium Covenant was not a random arrangement or unreasonable imposition by the council of elders. It really chose the right person."

"Exactly." Vân Khinh Nhược nodded. "The Thousand Year Covenant, over many generations, its original meaning has been forgotten, remaining only as a formal marriage ceremony. But its true nature is a more ancient prophecy - that when the fate of Northern Cuong is most in danger, the leader of this land will be connected with the heirs of Thiên Cơ Các, to together protect the land from destruction. That year's comet night, when Vọng Thần appeared at the border, was no coincidence - that was it. signs that your ancestors recorded in ancient books."

Tuyết Doanh turned to look at Vọng Thần, her eyes filled with countless mixed emotions — surprise, emotion, and a deep understanding of the years he had suffered in silence.

"So for the past six years," she said, her voice trembling, "you have been more than just a husband chosen according to ancient tradition. You are the destiny my ancestors have been waiting for to protect Northern Cuong."

"I don't want you to see me as a 'fate' or a 'prophecy'," Vọng Thần said, his voice choked. "I just want to be your husband, Tiểu Nguyệt's father. That's why I've hidden myself for so many years — I'm afraid, once this identity is known, I will no longer be myself, but just a symbol, an instrument of destiny."

"You are always yourself in my eyes, and in Tiểu Nguyệt's eyes." Tuyết Doanh held his hand tightly. "But now, our daughter is being held somewhere, and you have the power to save her. Vọng Thần, I beg you, don't hide yourself anymore. Not because of Bắcương, not because of the thunder, but because of Tiểu Nguyệt."

***

Vọng Thần looked into his wife's eyes, then turned to Vân Khinh Nhược. "Please help me with something. I need to find out exactly where Tiểu Nguyệt is being held in Nam Xuyên, but my spiritual abilities have been limited too much after more than twenty years of not fully practicing."

"I will help you." Vân Khinh Nhược nodded and pulled out a small blue pearl from her body - an ancient magical weapon of Thiên Cơ Các that she had kept all her life. "This gem can temporarily amplify consciousness. Combining your power with it, you will be able to see beyond the normal limit, enough to determine her exact location."

They both sat down, Vọng Thần held the pearl, closed his eyes and focused his whole mind. Vân Khinh Nhược placed her hand on his shoulder, channeling some of her remaining internal strength to support him.

After an endless period of tension, Vọng Thần suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes shining unusually bright. "I saw it. A secret manor deep in the forest, about half a day's journey from the Nam Xuyên border, carefully disguised as a horse farm. The girl is still safe, just detained, not harmed." Tuyết Doanh breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, but immediately clenched his fists again. "Then we need to plan a rescue immediately. But be careful, Ước Liêm Phong has definitely arranged strict defenses there."

"I'll go with you." Vọng Thần stood up, his eyes more determined than ever. "This time, I will no longer hold back my power, whether the world knows my true identity or not. My daughter is more important than any fear I have ever had."

Vân Khinh Nhược looked at the couple, with a hope in her heart that she had never had during more than a hundred years of living in seclusion. "If you need more help, I know a few secret passageways of the ancient Thien Co Pavilion still exist around the Nam Xuyên area - ancient tunnels built when the organization was still flourishing, used to spy on hostile forces. Maybe they are still useful for your rescue plan."

"Please give detailed instructions." Vọng Thần bowed his head, his eyes filled with new hope. This was the final piece of the puzzle he needed to turn his reckless rescue plan into a solid strategy, instead of relying solely on strength.

***

While Vân Khinh Nhược began to draw the diagram of the ancient tunnels that she still remembered, Tuyết Doanh called Bạch Vũ over. Her eyes had now regained some of their usual sharpness and determination, even though the mother's heart was still aching with worry.

"Bạch Vũ, it's time to activate the signal sent to the Thanh Lang Bộ and the Tây Hải Bộ," she said, her voice decisive. "We need Lăng Chiêu Dương's force to approach the Nam Xuyên border from the north, creating diversionary pressure, while the Tây Hải Bộ fleet is ready to block the southern sea route, preventing Ước Liêm Phong from escaping by water if the situation is unfavorable for him."

"I will send someone to take the token away immediately," Bạch Vũ replied, his eyes shining with seriousness mixed with excitement. This is the moment when all the preparation efforts over the past few months will be proven truly valuable.

"One more thing," Tuyết Doanh added. "I want you to directly lead a small elite team to coordinate with Vọng Thần on the mission to rescue Tiểu Nguyệt. You are the person I trust the most, and she is also familiar with you."

"This subordinate is willing to use his life to protect the young lady's safe return." Bạch Vũ knelt on one knee, his voice filled with determination.

Tuyết Doanh nodded, then turned to look at the map of the ancient tunnel that Vân Khinh Nhược was sketching, gradually forming a master plan in her heart - not simply to rescue her daughter, but also to take into account the possibility of how Ước Liêm Phong would react when discovering that the plan was ruined, and how to ensure absolute safety for Tiểu Nguyệt in all possible unexpected situations.

"We don't have much time," she said, her eyes scanning everyone present in the room. "Ước Liêm Phong will not sit still and wait. As soon as he discovers that the plot is revealed or we make a move, he will definitely have another plan to deal with it. We must act quickly, but we must not be negligent."

That night, while the whole Nguyệt Trạch hurriedly prepared for the rescue operation, Vọng Thần stood alone by the window, looking out at the starry night sky. For the first time in over twenty years, he no longer felt alone in his burden — by his side now was a wife who fully accepted him for who he was, an ally with intimate knowledge of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's past, and a strong network of alliances that had been quietly built over the past several months.