Chapter 1
Bauhinia Variegata
According to legend, during the Hong Bang era, the gods blessed humanity with favorable rains and gentle winds. No foreign invaders threatened the borders, and the land knew no fear of marauding bandits.
Yet, on the night when the stars twisted into blazing shadows and ignited the world in flames, the Tree Demon Quy Xuong Cuong was reborn, breaking the ancient seal that had bound it for eternity within the depths of the underworld.
The demonic storm engulfed the vast ocean, flattening every mountain across the world. Some were reduced to mere skeletons, while others were drained of their fresh blood. The supreme gods were cast down into the netherworld.
Lac Long Quan was furious because the sea of blood had flooded the perfect world. He forged The Four Holy Beasts Divine Weapon to burn the monsters. The divine weapon overturned the universe, tilting heaven and earth. Yet, regrettably, it could not eradicate Quy Xuong Cuong. The souls of the minion demons under Quy Xuong Cuong's command descended upon the human world, causing natural and man-made disasters every year.
Fearing that ghosts and demons might be resurrected, Lac Long Quan wielded the Four Holy Beasts' Divine Weapons to exorcise evil and seal off dangerous places. Since then, the Four Holy Beasts' Divine Weapons have remained an eternal myth in the spiritual beliefs of ancient Viet's people. They believe that as long as the Four Holy Beasts' Divine Weapons hold up the sky, demons and ghosts will never rise again.
For thousands of years, the legends of prehistoric times have been passed down from generation to generation. Some believe the legends to be true, while others reject the existence of ghosts and gods. Those who believe in these legends often desire to possess the divine weapons to dominate, slay kings, and rule the world. Meanwhile, those who do not believe live in a realm where truth and lies are intertwined.
The mixed crowd treats legends as tools for profit. The elderly teacher at the edge of the village draws snakes adds legs in his lessons. Wandering singers in teahouses rack their brains to give the dragon its eyes, earning a few small coins in return.
The audience was greatly displeased by the distortion of ancient legends. However, over time, they grew accustomed to it and eventually preferred hearing what others wanted to tell rather than the old stories. This never-ending tale spread across the country and even took root in remote mountainous areas.
The rolling rocky mountains faced the gloomy forest ahead, and cutting through the mountains and forest was a path lined with green grass on both sides. Close to the roadside, people set up market stalls and restaurants along the mountain. Most of the customers gathered at the roadside teahouse to eat, drink, and listen to endless stories of the Hong Bang era recounted by the busker:
- Quy Xuong Cuong being destroyed, the world has to face the demon emperor, who is ten thousand times more powerful. The Demon Emperor controlled the heavenly court, forcing the immortals and gods of the two realms to bow down and acknowledge him as their master. In the end, faced with the earth-shattering power that shook both gods and demons of the ancestor Lac Long Quan, the Demon Emperor was torn into hundreds of thousands of pieces by the Four Holy Beasts' Divine Weapons, permanently unable to resurrect.
Listening to him rambling on, incorporating imaginary endings into legends to attract customers, Lam Thiet Nam shook his head in boredom. Over the past month, the whole village had been playing ridiculous tricks. On this day, the festival was inaugurated, but if he had no prior appointment, he would never have come to this bustling place. He detested noise, yet in the end, he was still tormented.
Thiet Nam frowned and quickened his pace. He had traveled a considerable distance, yet the incessant applause for the jesters entertaining the masses continued to vex his spirit and drive him to madness. Muttering a malediction under his breath, Thiet Nam strode hastily toward the rendezvous deep within the forest.
As his gaze swept the surroundings, he discerned several figures hastening toward a distant valley, far removed from the forest's edge. Once they had vanished from sight, a shadow emerged from its concealment, placing a light touch upon his shoulder.
Thiet Nam turned around and gazed at the young man clad in brocade woven from coarse fabric. He paced around, narrowing his eyes as he examined the other from head to toe. Fragile like a petal in the wind, fabric hood covering nearly all of her hair, with a few strands softly catching the golden sunlight as they fell loosely at the nape of her neck. Her face was dusky, and upon closer observation, one could see that hidden deep beneath the layers of makeup was skin tanned by the sun and weathered by the wind.
Were she a stranger, Thiet Nam might scarcely have recognized the maiden disguised as a man. She was skilled in disguise. Each time they met, she transformed into a different form, leaving him astonished.
She was the one he loved, yet her father forbade their union, and so he had long been unable to see her. Love was fraught with trials, and the two had suffered endless humiliations under her father's sinister schemes.
Thiet Nam deeply felt the sorrowful burden hidden within her gaze. For the sorrow that could not be spoken, the autumn lake eyes that Thiet Nam once adored… were now as bleak as a mist-veiled lake.
She forced a smile, to erase his burdens. She always worried for him. She was still so pure. The lovestruck man, ashamed, berated himself for bringing only sorrow to the one he cherished. Thiet Nam gently tucked all the loose strands at the nape of her neck into the fabric hood. The innocent lovers were forced to sneak about like adulterers, and she sorrowfully lowered her head, whispering softly:
- Now you are a better disguiser than I am. My father will not return to the village until tomorrow.
- This village is adjacent to Hoa Ban village[1]. The people of Hoa Ban village partake in merrymaking even more than those in this village. I fear that exposure will implicate innocent people, like Mother and Thu...
She lowered her head, suppressing the bitterness that filled her tear-blurred eyes:
- Thu threatened to kill herself to force you and I to attend the festival. She wanted to repay the favor of saving her life. Actually, Thu and my mother did not want me to be placed under house arrest by my father. If it were exposed, my father would torture everyone. They took the risk so that I could live like a human being, even if only for a brief moment!
She never complained about the cruelty of fate, only worried about harming innocent people. When he beloved was happy, he watched her smile in silence. When she shed tears, and he silently listened to her cries. No words of comfort could alleviate the pain and humiliation she endured. He held her in his arms, waiting for her to calm down, then gently wiped away her tears:
- We must rejoice, lest everything becomes meaningless!
The two were about to arrive at the festival, and apart from setting aside their worries, they had no other choice. Tears had soaked through her makeup, forcing her to disguise her face as a man once more. He teased her to momentarily lift her sorrow.
- Young master Ban Lan, let's go!
Ban Lan arrived at the distant festival with a wry smile. This year's festival was held at the foot of white bauhinia variegata hill, in a vast valley. Along the slopes of the hill stood towering fire pillars, illuminating the market stalls. The villagers erected bamboo poles scattered everywhere. Perched atop the bamboo stakes were revolving lanterns, swaying gently in the wind.
Typically, countless lively performances danced within the glow of the revolving lanterns. Here, however, each revolving lantern outlined an image to recreate the celestial peach table banquet.
The festival host meticulously draped delicate white silk around the revolving lanterns, ensuring that, with each rotation of the lights, visitors could witness the "group of immortals" descending to earth to join the celebration.
Ban Lan halted, reluctant to leave such a mesmerizing sight. Thiet Nam whispered into her ear. Ban Lan nervously glanced around, finding nothing unusual. She shot him a sidelong glare but suddenly jolted in fright at the ghostly face staring at her. Thiet Nam pulled off the mask, teasing her. Ban Lan pouted and stomped away in frustration.
A person who doesn't like festivals, today breaks the rules. He seldom jested, yet when fortune granted him the chance, he would taunt her, beholding her endearing sulk with quiet amusement. He went to the jewelry stall and selected the most beautiful lapis lazuli ring engraved with a bauhinia petal.
Thiet Nam often played mischievous pranks, making her suspect he is up to some strange trick. Deep down, she is still waiting for the happy moment that her father stole from her long ago. What seemed like a dream come true was regrettably out of reach, for Ban Lan was still disguised as a man, and Thiet Nam dared not present the ring to the woman he loved. The dream person secretly placed the ring in her hand and whispered:
- You love white bauhinia the most! I can't treat this as a joke. To cherish the flower is to cherish you.
Despite being in a crowded place, despite the giggles and all the prying eyes, Lan buried her head into her lover's shoulder, fearing that he might sense her shame for not fully understanding him. Whenever he was in the mood for teasing, Lan would sulk and ignore him, only to catch him off guard with her playful tricks, as he was easily fooled. This time, however, she was more bashful than when they first met, back when she had yet to understand her beloved. At present, he remains a question mark to her. Thiet Nam smiles gently and whispers in her ear:
"To love and to understand each other, I choose love. Do you choose to understand each other, or do you choose love?"
Lan listens to his sweet words, had her rosy cheeks blush like the adorned hues of the twilight sky. Shyly, she withdraws from his embrace. Thiet Nam understands and quickly feigns concern:
- Young brother, have you not recovered from your illness yet? I told you that every time you have a relapse, you get dizzy. But you wouldn't listen and insisted on coming!
Thiet Nam panics, as if Lan is about to faint, and the crowd stops staring at them as if they were an oddity. Lan lightly tapped Thiet Nam's chest, her laughter ringing out to mask her shyness, as she softly said to him:
"Bauhinia is not the thing I like the most!"
Lan quietly confessed her sincere feelings, the pink hue staining her shy face red. She walked forward hesitantly, concealing her emotions for her beloved. A fleeting smile drifted across the valley like the wind, and Thiet Nam silently followed his girl. The lovers' gazes drifted absently over the festival. Amidst countless sights and sounds, only the bauhinia petals fluttering in the wind.
"Flowers" are the sole treasure in the hearts of those who do not fancy festivals.
He paid no heed to the bustling scene, where some carried goods in both hands and under their arms, while others flocked eagerly, drawn by the cheerful invitations of the shopkeepers.
Regular patrons were greeted like old friends reunited after years apart. Strangers, however, shrank in fear at the sight of shopkeepers clamoring and grappling with one another, some even descending into scuffles. Many people panicked and hid in the crowd, despite having to squeeze with the horse-drawn carts moving in opposing directions.
The horse was obstructed on its path, snorting heavily and letting out a long neigh, impatiently pushing its way through the crowd dancing by the bonfire. The chorus scattered hurriedly, making way.
The galloping hooves faded into the distance, their rhythmic clatter drowned beneath the ethereal melody of a song. Yet, even the mesmerizing tune lost its rhythm against the backdrop of the countless burning bauhinia encircling the fire tower, glittering brightly under the starlit sky.
The singer fell silent, and the dancer stood frozen like a stone statue, as though the space itself had paused to marvel at the magical scene. The entire gathering marveled, gazing at the falling petals that drifted down like snowflakes. Thousands of 'snow flowers' softly blowing with the wind, the breeze and blossoms encircled the highland maidens.
Merely by chance, but the flower admirer envisioned the wind and blossoms longing to dance alongside the mountain girl.
The maidens smiled brightly, extending their arms to welcome their "friend from nature". Their slender figure swayed gracefully to the rhythmic melody, while the mountain maiden sang with a voice echoing the rustic essence of the wilderness.
Everyone took turns attending the festival. Lan admired the flowers with infatuation, her lips moving yet unable to utter a word. Thiet Nam watched, anticipating the moment she would lose herself in the beauty of the bauhinia. He feigned calmness, fearing that if he was careless, she might notice.
Lan "flew with the flowers", her soul drifting toward an endless horizon, completely immersed in a sea of flowers. She was unaware of the singing and dancing troupe inviting her to join. Although they had resolved to enjoy the festival, both remained reserved, fearing their identities might be revealed, so they tactfully declined.
The singing and dancing troupe moved around, and warmly inviting everyone, young and old alike, to join the festival. Each graceful dance presented a glass of rice wine, while singing and dancing warmly welcomed guests from afar, accompanied by the melodious sounds of the Hmong reed pipe calling out to friends.
Nam and Lan smiled as they accepted the fragrant glass of liquor from the singing and dancing maiden, quietly seeking a suitable spot to lose themselves in the music.
Sipping the fragrant herbal wine with its spicy warmth, the loving couple wistfully reminisced about the days when they were inseparable. Years ago, at this very festival, Lan danced and sang gracefully like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world, causing the musical ensemble to fall silent. Her voice was quiet and then soared with melodious lyrics, perfectly blending with the night sky:
Mountain girl song, oh, mountain girl song
Echoing songs with the lark.
Passionately drunk, we make friends
A toast to ease the sorrow of distant guests.
Sadness and longing at the time of parting
Like the wind fading away with the clouds of a thousand mountains
Like flowers withering that turn the mountains silvery and the rivers white.
Oh, guest from afar, guest from afar!
I wait for the frost to melt with the cold snow
You wait for the full moon with time.
Brothers from the four seas return for a joyful reunion
We shall forever be intoxicated by the melody of joy!
Every graceful, fairy-like step, every sweet gaze, and every delicate smile in a peaceful haven of happiness becomes an unforgettable memory. This evening, the lovebirds are at the place of their first romantic rendezvous.
The dance of yore is revived; he and she reminisce about the joy of days long past. The lovestruck soul finds the familiar lyrics truly distant, for the one who sings and dances is not she.
After this moment, the destined yet star-crossed pair shall be eternally separated. Only now did they understand why her mother and Thu had insisted she attend the festival with him, despite the lurking dangers. Nam and Lan struggle to appear cheerful. Each time they turn to each other, the response is always a warm smile that washes away all sorrows.
Yet heaven has let mankind down. The sound of the guqin resonated along with the singing lyrics and was suddenly cut off by a scream. Amidst the swirling dust in the forest appeared a band of bandits.
They thundered into the festival on horseback, cracking their whips and shouting curses to drive people away. Pots, pans, and plates were upended, spilling half-cooked food onto the ground. Many shopkeepers suffered severe burns. The guests had no time to react; many were shoved, collided into one another, and fell hard onto the road.
The leader roared with laughter as he seized a little girl from the stall of playthings. Her face turned pale, and she screamed in terror:
- Father, save me!
The man of modest stature stood up in panic amidst the fallen crowd. Ignoring the stains on his superior silk robes, he chased after them, shoving aside objects and those who blocked his path, urging the swordsmen galloping at full speed to rescue the victim.
- Hurry up! If you cannot save the young mistress, you will all die!
He ran as fast as his body allowed, but human strength has limits; he could only watch helplessly as his child was taken away. The swordsmen who heard their master's urging grew irritated and silently cursed under their breath.
The young mistress loathed being surrounded by people. She was stubborn, insisting that her protectors maintain their distance. Her father had indulged her unreasonable demands, and now they found themselves in a dire predicament.
But precisely because the young mistress was captured, they had the chance to prove their valor. Rescuing the young mistress for their master, those who lived by the tip of the sword would cast off their lowly status.
The chance to ascend in one swift move was threatened by a shadowy figure. He surged past the swordsmen, throwing his dagger straight into the bandit's heart, severing the quiver strapped to his back.
The one who took action was Thiet Nam; having slain the bandit, he seized the bow and arrows, mounted his horse, and pursued the band of robbers.
After chasing for a long distance, Thiet Nam closed the gap. He swiftly fired three arrows per round, striking down the minions. The accomplices panicked and cried out for help, but were immediately shot through their bodies. The brigand chieftain, seeing that most of his subordinates were dead, did not grow angry but instead sneered mockingly:
- Those guys who like to be heroes saving girls, all end up with their heads skewered by me. You guys tell me, what should I do with this guy?
The robbers shouted loudly:
- Cut him into pieces and eat him alive!
- He has no arrows left. Castrate him until he dies!
The little girl was frightened and started crying and screaming. Thiet Nam flew over very quickly:
- Release her or die!
They chuckled:
- After killing a few guys, he thinks he's an elite warrior...
Thiet Nam accelerated faster than an arrow, threw out a kukri machete from his sleeves, and cut the throats of the robbers. The brigand chieftain was shocked and begged for his life, but the weapon flew behind him and pierced the back of his neck. The robber vomited blood, which flowed down onto the child. The body fell as a cry rang out:
- Father, I bleed!
The scenery blurred through tears as the little girl stared in bewilderment at the slender figure approaching her. He tore off his shirt and wiped the blood off the child. The victim was mentally unstable, struggling, crying, and pushing Thiet Nam away:
- Don't touch me, get out!
He smiled gently and comforted her:
- Little sister, don't be afraid! I'm not a robber, I'm here to save you!
The little girl heard the warm voice, and her fear disappeared. She looked at the man who said he save her with her round eyes, without blinking. Thiet Nam wiped away all the blood and stains, tending to her gently, as if she were his sister.
The swordsmen arrived, and Thiet Nam handed over the responsibility. The little girl hugged his neck tightly:
- No, I'm so scared! You have to sit on the horse with me!
Thiet Nam smiled bitterly. On the way back, the little girl trembled all over and kept looking around from time to time. Thiet Nam had to comfort her with an ancient story. She temporarily stopped crying, rubbed her eyes, and stared at him:
- Are you a prince?
She pointed at the dark skin on his thin face.
- You're dark and ugly—not as handsome as in the fairy tales!
Thiet Nam chuckled:
- When the baby kisses my cheek, I'm no longer ugly—but more handsome than a fairy tale.
A swordsman said loudly:
- Impertinent...
- I forbid you to speak! - The little girl yelled, glaring at Thiet Nam - I forbid you to call me a baby!
The little girl suddenly said, 'Baby bird!' She leaned in, kissed his cheek, and pressed both hands against his face.
- You don't look like a prince at all. Still as ugly as ever...
Thiet Nam burst out laughing and rode his horse faster toward the festival. The bodyguards quickly chased after him. The father caught a glimpse of his daughter's shadow and frantically shouted for everyone to get out of the way:
- Ngan Ha... Ngan Ha... Are you hurt?
Thiet Nam helped Ngan Ha dismount so that she could throw herself into her father's arms. The father patted his daughter. Ngan Ha burst into tears, afraid of being arrested again, and hugged her father tightly. The smell of blood still lingered and flew into her father's nose.
The father stared at the blood on his daughter's shirt and hair in a daze. His machete-shaped eyebrows twitched, and his kind face transformed into that of an evil god. Fierce eyes burned with overwhelming rage, and the father roared like a wounded beast:
- You savages, I'm going to tear your whole family apart!
People were scared and kept away from him. The bodyguards lowered their heads, not daring to face their master. The father carried his daughter on his back, trying to find a healer. Thiet Nam said briefly:
- The little girl was not injured. It's the robber's blood.
He came to help Lan bandage the broken arms of the injured people. The father immediately asked his daughter. Ngan Ha shook her head and said:
- I didn't bleed. But I was very scared. Fortunately, he saved me.
The boss glared at the swordsmen, as if he wanted to kill them with his eyes. The father brought his daughter to thank Thiet Nam:
- My name is Nguyen Yen Van. Benefactor, could you please tell us your name?
Thiet Nam tied the last piece of cloth:
- My name is Nam.
The father took out a rectangular piece of metal engraved with a meteor shower:
- Meteor Guild's brethren must obey the orders of the holder of this crest!
He handed it to Thiet Nam.
- The taverns and inns of the capital shall regard the benefactor as a most honored guest!
Thiet Nam turned the crest to the left, examining the intricate patterns and the words "Meteor Guild" engraved on it. He thanked Yen Van and tucked it into his pocket. Some swordsmen admired him, while others secretly envied and despised him. A fleeting glare of red eyes flashed before disappearing.
While busy conversing with his benefactor, Yen Van still observed all the bodyguards, his sharp gaze controlling his subordinates' every move. Rage burned within Yen Van, yet outwardly, he masked it with hearty laughter:
- Receiving is receiving, not receiving is not receiving. I like it!
- Formalities are fake. I despise them! - He waved goodbye and continued saving people - Sorry, I'm busy!
Yen Van laughed:
- Today is very interesting!
The swordsman had not yet followed Yen Van for long and thus knew little of his master's temperament. Yet, in deciding to entrust the crest to Nam, even a fool could see that Yen Van placed near-absolute trust in him.
The laughter and cryptic remarks implied a desire to turn Nam into a lucrative commodity. Stealing the opportunity to gain merit while also seizing the most trusted position in the trade guild, the hero, of course, became the target of hatred and envy from the petty villains.
Yen Van's men were steadily establishing dominance in Lang Chau, and he had no choice but to select newly recruited swordsmen to escort himself and his daughter to the festival. Killing two birds with one stone, the father and daughter disguised themselves to patrol fraudulent trading shops in the region. The internal purge was a success, and the daughter safely survived the calamity. The benefactor's abilities far surpassed those of the swordsmen. His personality was free-spirited, much like Yen Van's.
A renowned merchant in the capital like Yen Van commanded respect, both officials and commoners had to show him deference by three parts. Yet this unknown figure showed no regard for formalities when speaking to him. The double happiness at the door affirmed that giving Nam the token was the right decision. Yen Van joyfully bid farewell with a promise to reunite.
- If we are destined, we will surely meet again at... Mau Son!"
Ngan Ha grinned and waved at Nam. As Yen Van's group disappeared from sight, Lan playfully patted Nam on the shoulder and teased him:
- He wants you to be his son-in-law!
Nam frowned and replied:
- Merchants seeking profit must take risks. Yen Van was testing me. If I squandered my days drinking and partying, he would turn the crest into mere scrap metal. But if I met his expectations, the crest would become a binding deal between us.
Thiet Nam was Yen Van's benefactor, and the guild master was bold and unrestrained, never fixated on trivial details. Know a person, recognize face, but cannot know heart. Lan worried that if Yen Van was a cunning schemer, Nam would struggle to escape the wolf's grasp, easily becoming a pawn in his game. She advised him to keep his distance from Yen Van.
- Yen Van has given you an opportunity to advance, but we still don't know whether he is good or bad. One's appearance cannot be a measure of their true character. You shouldn't become too familiar with him!
Poverty and humiliation prevented him from asking for her hand. This opportunity to change his fate was unlikely to come again, Nam accepted the risk of becoming a fool to seize the opportunity at all costs.
- I no longer want to live each day not knowing what tomorrow will bring...
A loud voice interrupted Thiet Nam:
- Bowing to the powerful to rise in rank and fortune, don't you feel ashamed?
footnote
[1]Hoa ban (Bauhinia variegata) is a signature flower of Vietnam's Northwest region, symbolizing purity, a deep connection with nature, and the cultural heritage of the nation.