Upon the black rocks, the three figures faced one another, the air as cold and sharp as drawn blades. The sea of Lý Sơn roared on, waves crashing and exploding into white spray, like ten thousand silver stallions galloping beneath the midnight sky.
Lê Hồng Liêm sheathed his blood-red sword slightly and let out a chilling laugh, each note scraping against iron, enough to freeze one's marrow.
"Phạm Quang Minh, Nguyễn Bích Thủy… Youthful blood runs hot, but do you two truly understand what it means to possess the secret manual? Why fight over it? Better you let me safeguard it. Soon, the Trần dynasty shall crumble. At least you may keep your lives."
Even as he spoke, he flicked his wrist. A red sword-light slashed forward. Though the blade had yet to touch flesh, its killing aura swept forth like icy wind. Bích Thủy staggered half a step back. Quang Minh roared, thrusting his sword in defense, his Thiên Vân Sword Technique flowing like drifting clouds and cascading water, its silver arcs spinning a web of shining threads amid the pouring rain.
Lê Hồng Liêm gave a cold snort. His sword shifted abruptly, striking like thunder. A loud clang rang out as Quang Minh was forced back three steps, blood trickling at the corner of his lips. Bích Thủy did not hesitate; with a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a palm strike. Her Thủy Vân Palm sent sprays of seawater crashing toward the Blood Sword Elder's face.
Yet Lê Hồng Liêm merely twisted his body, moving with ghostly speed. He sneered:
"Excellent! Bích Hải Dragon Maiden indeed lives up to her reputation. But alas… tonight, I must claim your lives to pave my path to glory!"
Suddenly, his figure darted in. The blood-red sword danced like a coiling serpent. In a heartbeat, Quang Minh felt a chilling blade's edge sweep past his throat.
Just then, Bích Thủy cried out:
"Look out!"
She flung herself in front of Quang Minh, intercepting the blow with her own body. A spray of blood burst forth, staining her pale turquoise robe crimson. Lê Hồng Liêm laughed cruelly, his sword still thrusting forward.
Fury blazing in his eyes, Quang Minh bellowed:
"Scoundrel!"
With a flash of steel, he unleashed the Thiên Vân First Strike, a blade of dazzling silver piercing straight for Lê Hồng Liêm's chest. The elder's face paled as he twisted aside. The blade skimmed past, slicing a bloody gash across his arm. Roaring in pain, Lê Hồng Liêm struck Quang Minh with both palms, sending him flying backward. Then, with a fierce leap, he vanished into the sheets of rain, his voice echoing behind him:
"Boy… keep your manual. Sooner or later, death will come for you!"
In the blink of an eye, his silhouette disappeared beyond the curtain of storm, leaving only his cruel laughter mingling with the crashing surf.
The wind howled colder than steel. Bích Thủy staggered, blood pouring from her wound and soaking her flowing robe. Quang Minh caught her in his arms, his voice trembling:
"Why… why would you risk your life for me?"
Bích Thủy forced a faint smile. Her dark eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
"The Long Tàng Secret Manual… must never fall into men like his. Among them all… you alone… I can trust…"
Before she could finish, her strength gave out, and she collapsed unconscious in Quang Minh's arms. He held her tightly, heart twisting as if blades sliced through his chest. The wind shrieked through the rocks, carrying the sharp tang of blood over the roaring surf.
Quang Minh carried Bích Thủy into a narrow crevice among the cliffs, while waves boomed relentlessly outside. He laid her gently upon a dry patch of stone, tearing a strip from his robe to bind her wound. In the damp shadows, his gaze lingered on her pale, fragile face, sorrow and turmoil surging in his heart.
"She and I were sworn enemies… yet she shed blood to protect me. Could it be… that the Long Tàng Manual conceals secrets far beyond what I imagined?"
Bích Thủy let out a faint moan, her brows furrowing in pain. In her fevered delirium, she murmured broken phrases:
"The manual… not just martial arts… it hides… the dragon veins… my father… was framed…"
Quang Minh froze in shock. Leaning close to her pale lips, he whispered urgently:
"Bích Thủy! What about your father? How is he tied to the manual?"
But Bích Thủy had already slipped into deep unconsciousness, her breathing shallow and ragged. Outside, lightning flashed again, illuminating her blood-smeared robe and lips turning faintly purple.
Beyond the cliffs, the waves crashed ceaselessly. Inside Quang Minh's mind, countless questions surged like the raging tide. He glanced down at the tightly bound scroll hidden within his robe, his fingers clenching around it.
"The Long Tàng Secret Manual… what truth does it conceal? Why has it driven so many to kill and betray? Bích Thủy's father was falsely accused… could my master's slaughter also be tied to this hidden secret?"
Suddenly, a cold killing intent swept past the narrow crevice. Quang Minh whipped his head around, eyes flashing with fierce vigilance…