Chapter 8 — The Prophet Awakens: Shedding the Worthless Shell

In the heart of Bắcương, about half a day's journey from Nguyệt Trạch, there is a giant circular empty space surrounded by ancient stone steps arranged in an arc, accommodating up to tens of thousands of people. That is Đại Thí Trường - a structure that has existed since the founding of Bắcương, where all the biggest power disputes in this land are resolved, not by behind-the-scenes stratagems, but by an open challenge before the entire population.

That night, after Tiểu Nguyệt fell asleep, Tuyết Doanh called the oldest elder in the council, Ton Bách Niên - who understood the ancient laws of Bắcương better than anyone - to ask clearly about what Đại Thí Trường really represented.

"Princess Xa wants to know about Đại Thí Trường?" Elder Bách Niên sat down, his hands shaking as he stroked his silver beard. "It is the place our ancestors left behind as a last safety valve, when any power dispute could not be resolved with words."

"I want to know the detailed terms and conditions," Tuyết Doanh spoke frankly. "If someone wants to challenge the legitimacy of the leader of Bắcương, what must he do, and how must the person being challenged respond?"

Bách Niên pondered for a moment then replied. "According to ancient law, anyone with a recognized noble bloodline in the region — including foreign lords with long-term family or trade ties with Northern Cuong — has the right to officially submit a challenge to the council of elders if there is enough evidence that the current leader has seriously violated ancient rules, putting the fate of the land in jeopardy. Once the petition is approved by the council, the challenge will take place at the Great Thinh Truong within three months from the date of announcement."

"And if the challenged party loses?"

"Losing means losing the right to govern, the title is transferred according to the council's decision based on the results of the challenge." Bách Niên looked at Tuyết Doanh, his eyes full of worry. "Your Highness, are you asking these things because of the letter from the Covenant Seal?"

"That's right." She nodded. "I want to know clearly whether he is qualified to officially challenge me, and if so, what form the challenge will take."

"In terms of status, although the Uoc family is in decline, it still holds the recognized title of Earl, and has had trade relations with Bắcương for many generations, so it is qualified to apply." Bách Niên sighed. "As for the form of challenge, ancient law stipulates that the leader can personally fight, or appoint a representative - usually the husband or eldest son - to protect his position."

At this point, Tuyết Doanh understood all of Ước Liêm Phong's intentions. He did not challenge her directly with force — that was too risky because she was famous for her superior martial arts skills. Instead, he would invoke the ancient tradition of choosing a representative, pointing out that Gu Wangchen—the one who should have been "the one appointed by the stars" to protect Northern Border according to the Millennium Covenant—was a useless person with no martial arts skills, thereby proving that the Covenant had not been properly implemented, causing her entire legitimacy to collapse at its foundation without even having to fight a single battle.

"He won't need to defeat me by force," she muttered, her eyes cold as ice. "He only needs to prove that Vọng Thần is unworthy, which is enough to overthrow me in the eyes of ancient law."

***

The next morning, the news confirmed Tuyết Doanh's worries: Tieu Liêm Phong officially sent messengers to lobby each elder in the council, skillfully sowing arguments about "the responsibility to protect the sacred meaning of the Thousand Year Covenant" before officially submitting a challenge.

"Respected elders," Liêm Phong's messenger said in a private meeting with each person, "we have no intention of infringing on Northern Cuong. We only hope that the council will consider it thoroughly. If the Thousand Year Covenant is no longer properly respected, are you yourselves committing a crime against your ancestors, leaving the fate of the land in jeopardy out of respect for the queen's personal love?"

Those clever words sowed the seeds of wavering in the hearts of many elders, even though no one had publicly spoken out against Tuyết Doanh.

At Nguyệt Trạch, Tuyết Doanh summoned Tô Bạch Vũ to discuss a plan to deal with the situation. "We need to know exactly when Liêm Phong plans to file the petition, and we need to prepare a response plan before he takes action."

"Lord, if he targets your husband's weak point..." Bạch Vũ hesitated, not daring to speak directly. "Should we find a way... for your husband to learn some basic martial arts, at least so he won't be too obvious when questioned?"

Tuyết Doanh frowned slightly at this suggestion, but then shook her head. "A few months are not enough to turn someone who has never held a sword into a warrior who can stand up to the scrutiny of the council. If I fail to do so, I will only make things more ridiculous."

"So what should we do?"

"I don't know yet." It's rare, she admits, for someone who is always confident in every decision she makes. "But I will not let Ước Liêm Phong easily achieve his goal. Strengthen the mobilization of loyal tribes, ensuring they do not waver before his clever words. And..." She stopped, her eyes turned to the backyard where Vọng Thần was playing with Tiểu Nguyệt, her daughter's clear laughter echoed throughout the yard. "I need to talk frankly with my husband."

***

That night, after Tiểu Nguyệt fell asleep, Tuyết Doanh went to Vọng Thần's room and sat down opposite him with an unprecedented seriousness.

"Ước Liêm Phong is about to officially challenge me, arguing that you are not worthy of being the person designated by the Millennium Covenant, to overthrow my power," she spoke frankly, without beating around the bush. "If he succeeds, I will lose everything — my reputation, Bắcương, and perhaps even my life. Vọng Thần, do you understand how serious this is?"

Vọng Thần was silent for a long time, looking at his wife with complicated eyes. This is the moment when he can choose to tell a part of the truth, to give her some peace of mind. But the old fear is still too great.

"I understand," He finally replied, his voice deeper than usual. "But you trust me, okay? No matter what happens, I won't let you and Tiểu Nguyệt be in danger."

"Trust you?" Tuyết Doanh laughed bitterly. "You don't even dare to tell me the truth about where you were injured. How can I trust you in such a big matter?"

"I know I'm not worthy of your trust." He looked straight into her eyes, a sincere look in his eyes that was rare. "But I beg you, please give me a little more time. I promise, when the time comes, I won't let you face Ước Liêm Phong alone."

Tuyết Doanh looked at him for a long time, her heart full of contradictions between her reason telling her to doubt, and a deeper feeling that made her want to believe what he had just said. In the end, she just sighed, stood up and left the room without saying another word, leaving Vọng Thần alone with the burden of a secret that was becoming more and more difficult to keep hidden than ever.

***

That night, Tuyết Doanh couldn't sleep. She sat in her private study, with a map of Bắcương spread out in front of her and a list of loyal tribes that Bạch Vũ had drawn up according to her orders. Three months, that time was long enough to prepare, but also short enough to make her unable to ignore it for a moment.

She thought about the years that had passed - from the day her father died, when she had to shoulder the burden of an entire land at such a young age, to the forced marriage that she once considered the greatest shame of her life. Over the past six years, she has learned to live with that burden, sometimes even forgetting that it was once a reluctant arrangement.

"If I lose in three months," she asked herself in the dark, "what will happen to Tiểu Nguyệt? To the tribes that trusted me? To the entire land that my father put so much effort into building?"