The night winds gradually died down, and the ancient rooftops of the Old Quarter returned to their usual silence. Scattered broken tiles were the only silent witnesses to the fierce clash from the night before—a few hairline cracks in the walls, a small section of a collapsed roof. To the local residents, it was just another old house giving way to the elements.
At the hotel window, Van Thien stood alone, leaning against the railing. He gazed down at the street below as the eastern sky shifted to a pale blue. The weak morning sun glinted off the necklace around his neck, a faint cyan spark flickering within it. Thien exhaled slowly. He knew the battle with Duan Thiet was far from simple. Looking at his own hands, he thought:
"It's a good thing he withdrew on his own. If not..."
He closed his eyes, replaying Duan Thiet's final words: "Keep yourself alive. I still want to hunt you a few more times."
Van Thien opened his eyes, his mind racing. "Duan Thiet... what exactly is your endgame?"
Right then, Mrs. Tu's voice echoed from the hallway. "Everyone, get ready! We're heading out for breakfast, then we'll visit the Co Loa Citadel"
Hearing the call, Thien took one last look at the horizon before turning back inside. A short while later, the tour group stepped out of the hotel. The morning sun bathed the city in warmth as the streets surged back to life. The air was filled with the rhythmic honking of motorbikes and the iconic cries of street vendors:
"Sticky rice, corn, and Banh Khuc here!"
"(Xôi lạc, xôi khúc, ngô bánh khúc đâyyy!)"
"Hot, crispy bread! Freshly baked bread here!"
"(Bánh mì đặc ruột thơm ngon, bánh mì nóng giòn đây!)"
Bicycle bells chimed amidst the crowd. The city moved as if the battle on its roofs had never happened. Mrs. Tu announced, "We'll grab some breakfast first, then head straight to Co Loa."
Mr. Nam added excitedly, "I heard there's a famous chicken pho place nearby. Should we try it?"
Mrs. Ba looked surprised. "Oh? Chicken pho? I've only ever heard of beef pho. Is there really a chicken version?"
Mrs. Tu laughed. "Then it's settled! Chicken pho for everyone!"
The group boarded the bus, and it slowly rolled away from the hotel. Van Thien rested his hand on the window frame, watching the dense traffic. Soon, they arrived at a small shop near the lake: Huyen Huong Chicken Pho (20 Bao Khanh).
The shop was clean and organized, with a humble yet cozy atmosphere and neat wooden furniture. Each person ordered a bowl. As always, Thien asked for his without green onions. When the steaming bowl arrived, he took a bite. It was delicious. The group chatted vibrantly, surrounded by the morning rush of locals.
Meanwhile, on a distant rooftop, Duan Thiet stood looking down at the city streets. A cloaked subordinate materialized before him.
"How are the preparations?" Duan Thiet asked.
"Sir, everything is in place," the soldier replied.
Duan Thiet smirked. "Good. Proceed to the next phase."
"Understood." With a flicker, the soldier vanished.
Duan Thiet turned his gaze toward the direction of the pho shop where Van Thien was eating, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
Back at the shop, Van Thien felt a sudden chill. He snapped his head toward the building where Duan Thiet had been standing, but there was no one there. He frowned. "An illusion?"
Once finished, the group piled back into the bus to continue their journey to the Co Loa Citadel. As they crossed the massive, two-tiered steel structure of Thang Long Bridge, Thien leaned out the window. Below, the Red River flowed steadily, crowded with boats and ships.
After a few more turns, the urban landscape began to fade, replaced by the peaceful scenery of the countryside. Co Loa greeted them with lush bamboo groves, longan orchards, and vast green rice fields. Thien noticed the high embankments and winding moats that curved like a snail's shell—the legendary architecture of the ancient citadel. Ancient banyan trees shaded moss-covered temples and communal houses.
The bus stopped at the entrance of the Co Loa relic site. As the group got off, Thien was struck by the sight of the arched gate with its weathered, upturned eaves. Massive banyan roots gripped the earth like giant claws, their thick canopies cooling the entire area. Ancient stone stelae and a pair of stone dragons guarded the entrance. Next to the gate, the Co Loa market was buzzing with locals selling offerings and iced tea.
"This is incredible," Thien muttered.
Mrs. Ba spoke up, "This place is huge! Let's split up into smaller groups, otherwise, we'll never see it all!"
The group agreed. Just as Van Thien was about to wander off alone, Minh ran up to him. "Brother Thien, can I go with you?"
Thien raised an eyebrow. "Why? Aren't you going with the aunts and uncles?"
"No way, that's boring. They just talk about grown-up stuff. I want to go with you, it'll be much more fun!"
Van Thien gave in with a shrug. "Alright, then. Let's go together."
The two of them headed into the depths of the ancient citadel.