The illusionary realm of the sorrowful forest from the Legend of the Betel and Areca had completely dissipated. The crystalline path reappeared, but this time, it was no longer cold and transparent. It seemed to have absorbed the essence of the three trials they had just overcome; its surface glowed with the gentle jade-green light of compassion, the steadfast golden hue of willpower, and the pure, unblemished white of true kindness.
The five stood there, no one uttering a single word. The atmosphere was incredibly solemn. They had not simply passed through three gates. They had just experienced a journey through the very soul of the nation. They had faced the wrath of nature, seen through the truth behind bitter injustice, and felt the immense power of love and sacrifice. Each of them had gained their own profound enlightenment.
Ly Tin, a general who had known nothing but blades, spears, and battlefields his entire life, understood for the first time that true strength lay not only in a mighty army, but also in the indomitable will of mankind in the face of natural disasters. Trinh Cong, the loyal veteran retainer, gained a deeper comprehension of the complexity of the human heart, of the fragile boundary between good and evil. Lam Vy seemed to have had her soul cleansed; the naivety of a sheltered young miss was gone, replaced by profound empathy and an inner resilience.
As for Tran Kien, he had reaped the greatest harvest. The three trials were, in fact, the three most profound layers of meaning within Lac Viet culture. They helped him realize that the Lac Viet Cosmic Array was not merely a magical formation. It was a philosophy. The Sun Essence Guardian represented the will to endure. The Hundred Viet Coral represented diligence and creativity in life. And the Lac Plumes Soaring represented harmony, flowing in accordance with nature. He felt that he had finally touched the ultimate door to truly comprehending this legacy.
"The path ahead... has changed."
Uncle Sword suddenly spoke up, his gaze grave as he looked forward. The crystalline path no longer stretched all the way to the dragon mountain. It ended in a void, and there, a colossal gate of light, formed from countless ancient Shamanic runes, was slowly revolving.
"This is likely the final trial," Uncle Sword said. "The most important trial. Everyone, brace yourselves."
Saying so, he was the first to step forward, without the slightest hesitation. Tran Kien and the other three immediately followed.
As they stepped through the gate of light, a sensation of space and time turning upside down washed over them. Their minds reeled. By the time they regained their bearings, the surrounding scenery had completely transformed.
They were no longer in the profound secret realm. They were standing in the middle of a boundlessly vast and majestic Great Hall. The hall was supported by colossal ironwood pillars, so massive that two people could not wrap their arms around one. Carved onto those pillars were coiling dragons and soaring Lac birds, incredibly lifelike. Beneath their feet was a floor of smoothly polished stone. On either side stood two rows of civil and martial officials dressed in ancient court attire, holding jade tablets, standing in silent, solemn reverence. The aura exuding from each person was immensely powerful and unfathomable.
And high above, upon a throne carved with a nine-rayed sun, sat a majestic, towering figure. This person was robust, clad in imperial robes made of beast hides, wearing a crown adorned with pheasant feathers. His face could not be seen clearly, obscured by a layer of hazy mist, but his eyes shone like two suns, seeing through heaven and earth, seeing through the very souls of those standing below.
A coercive pressure that did not stem from a cultivation base, but rather the imposing aura of a sovereign, of a Sacred Ancestor, enveloped the entire Great Hall. Under that pressure, Ly Tin and Trinh Cong involuntarily trembled, almost wanting to kneel. Even Uncle Sword had to bow his head, not daring to look directly at him.
Only Tran Kien and Lam Vy, the two who possessed the purest Lac Viet bloodlines, were able to stand firm, though a deep sense of reverence and veneration welled up from the depths of their blood.
This was... the legendary royal court of the Hung King!
"Descendants," the voice of the Hung King rang out, vigorous and majestic, holding neither joy nor anger. "You have overcome the three trials of the 'soul', proving that you understand your origins. But to inherit the power of the Dragon Vein, mere comprehension is insufficient. You must prove that you possess the qualifications to shoulder the destiny of an entire nation."
He waved his sleeve. The surrounding illusionary realm changed once more. They saw parched, cracked fields. They saw the people starving, living in misery. They saw at the borders, an invading army with banners blotting out the sky and gleaming weapons, preparing to flood in.
"The nation is on the verge of annihilation. Natural disasters within, enemy threats without," the Hung King's voice echoed again. "I give you one opportunity. Each of you shall present a strategy to save the mountains and rivers. The one with the best strategy shall be the chosen one."
This was the final trial. A trial of governing the state and saving the world, of the mindset of a sovereign king.
Ly Tin, with the instinct of a general, immediately stepped forth. "Reporting to the Holy Sovereign! In my humble opinion, the foreign enemy is the greatest threat. We must commit the full force of our army, fighting a battle to the death at the border, smashing them to pieces so they never dare to raise their heads again. Only when the borders are secure can we focus on resolving internal matters!"
An incredibly fierce strategy, perfectly fitting the style of a martial artist.
But the Hung King said nothing, only gently shaking his head.
Trinh Cong stepped forward. "Reporting to the Holy Sovereign, this old retainer believes that 'the people are the most precious, the state comes next, the sovereign is the least'. Only when the people are well-fed can the nation be strong. We should temporarily seek peace with the foreign enemy, concentrating all our efforts on relieving the famine and stabilizing the hearts of the people first. Once the people's hearts are at peace and the national strength has recovered, it will not be too late to fight."
A strategy rooted in the people, incredibly steady. Yet, the Hung King still shook his head.
All eyes fell upon Tran Kien.
Tran Kien took a deep breath. He had read countless military treatises and historical records. He knew that both of the previous strategies had merit, but neither was absolutely perfect.
He stepped out, not looking at the Hung King, but turning to look at everyone in the Great Hall.
"Reporting to the Holy Sovereign," he said, his voice no longer that of a youth, but of a true grand strategist. "General Ly's strategy is 'hard', but that which is too hard easily snaps; committing our entire force to the border, if we fail, our interior will be utterly empty, and the nation will instantly collapse. Elder Trinh's strategy is 'soft', but that which is too soft becomes weak; seeking peace with the enemy is no different from inviting a tiger into the house, it will only make them more ferocious."
"Then what is your strategy?"
"My strategy," Tran Kien raised his head, his eyes flashing with absolute confidence and wisdom. "Is only four words: Strike from within and without."
"Strike from within and without?"
"Yes!" Tran Kien said, his voice resolute. "We cannot only fight the enemy at the border, nor can we only focus on famine relief in the rear. We must turn every single citizen into a soldier! Turn every single village into a fortress! Turn this entire nation of Great Viet into a colossal battlefield!"
He pointed at the illusion. "We will not fight to the death at the border. We will execute the 'scorched earth' strategy, luring the enemy deep into our territory. At the same time, we will launch a war of all-people resistance. The farmers will become guerillas, harassing the enemy's supply lines. The blacksmiths will forge weapons. The women will handle logistics."
"We will not face their power head-on. We will use this very land, use the unity of the common people, to wear down their will, to drown them in an ocean of people's war!"
"This is not a war fought by the army alone. This is the war of an entire nation! Only when the common people are of one mind can we create an invincible power, capable of not only driving out foreign invaders but also conquering natural disasters!"
"Earth - The Common People of One Mind!"
As Tran Kien's final words echoed, the entire Great Hall shook. The hazy mist obscuring the Hung King's face suddenly vanished, revealing a benevolent yet immensely majestic countenance, looking at him with the utmost admiration.
The illusion of war and starvation also dissipated. The crystalline path reappeared. And at the end of the path, the great dragon mountain and the beating heart of the dragon were pulsating vibrantly, seemingly cheering, welcoming their true master.
They had overcome the final trial.