In the room, Thien remained fixed on the flowing river outside. Bao Uyen looked at him curiously.
"Brother Thien... what are you staring at so intently?"
Thien turned his head. "Nothing much. I just wanted to admire the water."
Bao Uyen sat on the bed, swinging her legs back and forth. "Since we're already in Quang Yen, why don't we go out somewhere?"
Thien glanced at her. "And where would you like to go?
Bao Uyen scrambled up and hugged his arm. "I heard there's a very special temple in Quang Yen... It's called Chua Giua Dong—The Temple in the Middle of the Fields."
Thien was surprised. "That's the first time I've heard that name."
Bao Uyen shook his arm playfully. "Let's go see it together, okay? Please?" She flashed him a pleading, pouty look.
Thien chuckled and patted her head. "Alright, let's go then."
Delighted, the two of them headed outside. They took the electric bicycle from the yard; Thien took the handlebars while Bao Uyen hopped onto the back seat, wrapping her arms around him.
"Let's head out!" Thien said.
The bike rolled out of the house, weaving through the streets of Quang Yen. After a while, a massive bridge appeared before them. It featured a striking orange-red steel arch and cable-stayed architecture, with the slogan "Ride the Waves to the High Seas" displayed prominently. Near the foot of the bridge were small stalls and the site of the old ferry terminal.
As they ascended the bridge, the vast Song Chanh River opened up on both sides, dotted with fishing boats and large vessels anchored or drifting with the current. The bridge was long, and the wind blew fiercely, whipping the water into violent waves.
However, deep beneath that turbulent surface, the water was unnaturally still. The charcoal-black and ember-red submarine glided silently through the depths. Inside the control bridge, hologram screens flickered. A black-clad soldier reported:
"Sir, the target is in our vicinity."
The Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon looked at the monitor, gripping his dagger tightly. His eyes swept across the data. "Continue tracking."
"Yes, sir!"
His eyes flared, and a surge of killing intent radiated from his body, piercing through the hull and striking the river's surface. It triggered a sudden wave several meters high, catching the attention of everyone on the bridge, including Thien and Bao Uyen. Thien's necklace vibrated faintly in response.
Bao Uyen looked out, impressed. "The waves are so refreshing!"
But Thien felt it—that wave was anything but natural.
They descended the bridge into Ha Nam Island. The roads ran along the dikes, flanked by vast rice paddies and shrimp farms.
"This is Ha Nam Island," Bao Uyen explained from behind.
Thien looked around. "It's beautiful. The atmosphere is just like my hometown."
After riding for a while, they reached a sprawling field. In the distance, a temple with a prominent red-tiled roof sat nestled amidst the emerald green rice. A small path led straight to the gate. As they entered the grounds, they were greeted by the Tam Quan gate, featuring massive wooden pillars and elegantly curved eaves. The courtyard was spacious and paved with clean bricks, surrounded by ornamental plants, fruit trees, and towering areca palms.
The temple's structure was magnificent; every pillar, beam, and rafter was crafted from precious ironwood, intricately carved with dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers in the distinct style of the Ly and Tran dynasties. Thien's eyes widened in shock when he noticed one particular motif... a pattern that looked exactly like a wooden stake.
Inside, the scent of light incense and aged wood filled the air. Splendid gold-leafed Buddha statues stood in the high, airy space. Notably, Thien saw two tiger skins displayed with great solemnity.
As Thien stood in awe of the architecture, Bao Uyen tugged at his arm. "Brother Thien, stop staring and let's light the incense. I heard this temple is incredibly sacred."
Thien nodded. They lit the incense and placed them in the burner. As they stepped out of the hall, the wind suddenly died down. The temple bell gave a soft ring, though no one had touched it.
Deep beneath the river, inside the submarine, the Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon turned to his men. "How are the preparations?"
"Everything is ready, sir."
He spun his dagger effortlessly. "Good. Prepare for the final phase."
"Understood!"
He looked back at the screen. "Where is he now?"
"Sir, the target is stationary at one location."
The Dragon smirked. "Then while we wait, let's go pay him a proper visit. Shadow Assassins!"
Three figures materialized—not by walking in, but by dissolving into existence from the very air. The space warped slightly, the water vibrated, and the temperature dropped instantly.
"We are here."
"Go to him. Since he's finally arrived, we should offer a warm welcome."
"As you command." The three vanished.
The Crimson-Eyed Black Dragon's eyes glowed with a crimson-pink light. "It seems... things are finally getting interesting."
On the Bach Dang River, the water continued to churn violently as if bracing for the coming storm. Deep on the riverbed, a single red eye snapped open.
This time, it was looking directly at the shore.