Phong Tr?n ?? was extremely delighted and immediately introduced a worthy Prince. Phong Tr?n possessed a strong patriotic heart, but was deeply disappointed to see King Chau Ng?c T? ?? maliciously destroy the kingdom, both internally and externally. He always hoped to find a method to return the kingdom to its former golden age. This was the main reason he had asked Han Th??ng ????? to invite Noe ?? to the capital to meet, hoping to have his wish granted the moment Noe appeared.
King Chau Ng?c T? ?? had 15 sons. All of them resembled their father, from their personality to their preferences and habits—they were violent and belligerent, always vying for superiority. Only the fourteenth Prince, Chau Ng?c Yên ??, was different. He had a gentle face and mild temperament like the previous king, was eager to learn, trained diligently, was receptive to education, and was a good listener. However, Chau Ng?c Yên ?? was too young and disliked by his own father for not being like him, making his chances of inheriting the throne very low.
Noe ?? smiled and said: "That is not our concern; that is the matter of the Heavenly Dao ??. We only need to complete our mission to educate this child, and for him to become a good king in the future, that is enough."
Phong Tr?n ?? asked: "How shall we educate him? I am merely a soldier, I just follow orders, so I cannot help with that."
Noe ?? said: "You are sufficient as you are. Your mission is to be a stable shield ??? for the Little Prince. As for the teaching of the Art of the Emperor, I recommend two people: H?u Thành Danh ?? and Doanh Th??ng Quan. Both are my disciples. Both possess the talent for teaching."
Phong Tr?n ?? nodded and said: "I understand. I will arrange this matter."
Phong Tr?n ?? was silent for a long time, then asked: "We are on the same side this time, aren't we?"
Noe ?? was also silent, then said: "I have never changed sides. I always stand with the Heavenly Dao ??."
Phong Tr?n ?? sighed and said: "And I am loyal to the Pearl Jade Nation. I don't want to plan to kill you again."
Noe ?? nodded and said: "I understand. I don't want that to happen either."
- Recruiting the Teacher: H?u Thành Danh ??
Soon after, H?u Thành Danh ?? was invited by Phong Tr?n ?? to the capital to become a teacher—a place everyone else was trying to run from, because being near the King is like being near a tiger ??, risking death at any moment. Phong Tr?n ?? clarified that this was not an official government post, just a teacher with no rank or title, in a small school in the capital. This only made H?u Thành Danh ?? angrier, and he refused decisively. He was comfortable where he was; plunging headfirst into danger and having to suffer was unacceptable, so he insisted on not going.
Phong Tr?n ?? was not one to rely only on words. A squad of the Dark Shadow Army ?? was dispatched to 'invite' H?u Thành Danh ?? to the capital. But this was no easy task. H?u Thành Danh ?? was a Fire Mage (H?a Pháp S?) ?? and a Beast Tamer (Ng? Thú S?), with the beautiful Spiritual Fox (Linh H? M? Nhan) as his Foundation Establishment-level spirit beast. The two combined were formidable; they could simultaneously summon nine Fire Foxes ??, which would automatically attack surrounding enemies. In H?u Thành Danh's ?? hand was also a Spiritual Fire Orb (Linh H?a C?u), a fire crystal that had awakened its sentience and was fiercely loyal.
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The Spiritual Fox Beauty (Linh H? M? Nhan) ?? originally preferred to stay in the forest, disliking crowded cities because she had to constantly maintain her transformation spell, hiding her ears and tail, which was exhausting. Therefore, H?u Thành Danh ?? had to occasionally go into the forest, ostensibly for hunting, so that the Spiritual Fox could return to the form she found most comfortable, and without soldiers following them.
The two were strolling when the Dark Shadow Army ?? attacked using flying darts ?? imbued with yellow stunning talismans and red explosive talismans.
H?u Thành Danh ?? immediately retrieved his Spiritual Fire Orb (Linh H?a C?u), which glowed brightly. It automatically flew in circles, deflecting or destroying all the flying darts. Both instantly entered battle mode, drawing their swords. Nine Fire Foxes ?? were summoned to fly around the two, ready to attack anyone who rushed forward.
The Dark Shadow Army ?? did not charge directly but instead performed hand seals. This was their method of casting spells silently, engaging in combat without closing the distance. They shot out fireballs ??, wind spheres ??, ice arrows ??, and sharp stones ??, are basic magic but the number is too much, which rained down upon the pair like a storm.
The Dark Shadow Army squad had over 20 members, specifically trained for such specialized missions, equipped with all the necessary information to counter H?u Thành Danh ??. He was forced to flee. The Spiritual Fox had to transform into the Three-Tailed Fire Fox (H?a H? Tam V?) to carry H?u Thành Danh ??, hoping to escape the pursuit of the Dark Shadow Army.
After running a considerable distance, H?u Thành Danh ?? saw Noe ??, his Master, sitting ahead, accompanied by another Dark Shadow Army squad.
Noe ?? invited H?u Thành Danh ?? to sit down with him. This hot-tempered disciple immediately said: "They are holding Master hostage to threaten your disciple. They are too much!"
Noe ?? smiled and said: "Not at all, my son. They are here to protect me. Their invitation to you was also my idea."
H?u Thành Danh ?? frowned and said: "What are you planning, Master? Why didn't you come directly to talk to me instead of using these people?"
Noe ?? smiled and said: "I understand why you are angry, but this is the perfect way to conceal your news. I even need the Dark Shadow Army to create a fake death for you ??. Of course, if you refuse, nothing will happen. You are free to return home and continue your work as City Lord."
H?u Thành Danh ?? began to feel curious and intrigued, saying: "Then, please tell me, Master. If your disciple likes it, your disciple will participate."
Noe ?? smiled again: "It's not that easy. Once you've listened, you must participate, whether a little or a lot. There is no standing on the sidelines to watch. Do you want to hear it?"
H?u Thành Danh ?? began to laugh: "You know your disciple, Master. The more interesting it is, the more I care, the more curious I get. Fine, go ahead and speak. I promise I will participate, a little or a lot."
Noe ?? happily told him about the Heavenly Dao's mission ?? to educate a son of Chau Ng?c T? ??. H?u Thành Danh ?? listened for a while, his ears buzzing, and immediately spoke up: "Wait, wait! Are you saying I will teach a Prince, and this Prince will become King in the future? That means I will become the State Grand Master (Qu?c S?)! That is an interesting position, far superior to being a City Lord. But wait, are you sure that Prince will become King? Choosing the wrong person would not only waste time but also cost us our lives—it would be treason, Master!"
Noe ?? nodded and said: "Absolutely. I have checked. Later, I will even perform a grand ceremony for his enthronement, and the Heavenly Dao ?? will confirm it."
H?u Thành Danh ?? thought it over and said: "You've thought this through very carefully, Master. If we fail, they won't know who I am, and my family and relatives will be safe, since they will believe I've been dead for a long time. If we succeed, my family and relatives will be highly praised."
Maximum risk minimization, maximum benefit maximization.
"I agree to participate in this endeavor. I put my full trust in your choice, Master."
Noe ?? smiled and said: "I would never harm my disciples. Rest assured."