Cain, Liana, and Selene observed the group disappearing into the mountain pass. Liana contacted Hyun:

* Do you have images from inside the valley?

* Yes, I have the images.

* Wait there! We will be back soon.

Liana sounded a bit anxious. Cain immediately said:

* For now, just keep watching. Those people don't pose an immediate threat to the kid's life.

* Okay, I understand.

Liana sensed the coldness in Cain's words, but his eyes remained fixed on the litter-carrying Nea until it disappeared into the mountain pass.

All three could recognize it as a heavily guarded area, not one to be casually approached. No matter how much they wanted to proceed, creating chaos now would not be wise. So, all three turned back to the campsite.

****

The rays of the late-day sun filtered through the mountain pass, casting a golden hue over the fields of wheat, the villages, and the grand fortress nestled deep within the valley. The shadows of Gióng and the princess stretched along the road leading to the glorious citadel bathed in the golden glow. The distant sound of horns echoed for a while, followed by the gradual opening of the large fortress gate. As they entered, Gióng slowed his warhorse. The people within the fortress poured out into the streets, eager to glimpse the two and the trophy of their victory.

Gióng and the princess suddenly saw a familiar figure standing at the gate leading to the forbidden palace. Gióng dismounted, bowing down respectfully, and all the surrounding people and soldiers followed suit.

The person standing there is Hùng Vương, the King ruling over the entire land of Viet. With a solemn demeanour, he smiled, nodded, and looked at the people in the city with satisfaction. The elderly King raised his weathered hand, full of scars, stroked his white, thick beard for a while, then spoke loudly:

* O citizens of ours, to celebrate the safe return of our hero after facing the monster and the upcoming wedding of my daughter. I decree a feast for seven days and seven nights.

After his speech, the King laughed heartily, and the entire populace joined in immediately. Cheers, laughter, and lively chatter echoed throughout the valley. Gióng and the princess followed King Hùng into the gate leading to the forbidden palace while the soldiers inside the city returned to their posts, some assigned to assist the people in preparing for the upcoming feast.

****

* Hey, senior!

The young soldier raised his voice to call the older soldier who had just finished guarding the gate.

* Huh! Why are you so slow, new guy? Quickly return to your position; don't just stand there like a statue!

* The work is still here, and I can do it anytime.

While giving a bright smile, he said:

* Can you tell me about our general senior?

* You ask interesting questions! The glorious feats of our general are known even to kids. Don't be too curious; hurry up with your work.

* Just tell me!

The older soldier paused momentarily, staring intently at the young recruit who seemed to enjoy that attitude. But then he began to tell the story!

****

Two years ago.

At that time, Viet was immersed in a war against foreign invaders from the North. The country had been peaceful until the princess was betrothed to a powerful figure in the sacred mountains located in the South. Unfortunately, at that time, two powerful figures were vying for her hand in marriage due to her exceptional beauty. The King had to set a condition, and whoever fulfilled it would marry his daughter. Eventually, one person met the condition and was married to the princess. The other person had also fulfilled it, but it was too late. He seemed dissatisfied, and from then on, every month, he caused chaos throughout the southern lands.

At that time, the North had a robust and expansive Hoa state. Despite their vast territory, they sought further expansion. Though more minor, the Viet was not inferior in military strength, and its mountainous border terrain made it challenging for the Hoa forces to conquer. Despite attempts at invasion over time, the Hoa army had not succeeded once.

But eventually, the time was ripe. Due to the chaos caused by the powerful figure and the dissatisfaction of the one who came later to the South, the second suitor failed to marry the princess. The King had to mobilize a large army to help the people. The Hoa forces seized the opportunity and immediately launched an invasion.

The border war lasted nearly a year. The invading forces poured in continuously from the North, and natural disasters ravaged the South. Viet, at that time, was plunged into a state of exhaustion.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

The King tried sending people to search for talents from all directions to protect the country. And then one day, one of those sent to find talents brought back a strange and vital piece of information for the King:

* O Hùng Vương! ...

****

To the west of Vietnam, in a small village, there was a middle-aged widow. Then, one day, this woman discovered that she was pregnant in a strange way because since her husband passed away, she had not been intimate with anyone. Not to mention that she was someone who was considered unable to have children due to her complex illness, so when her husband was alive, they also never had children.

Although initially frightened, she gradually felt joy knowing she could have a child. The woman decided to keep this strange pregnancy. Then, after nine months and ten days, she gave birth to a healthy and robust baby boy. The woman was overjoyed at having a child for the first time, and she named the baby Gióng, a name she had heard in her recent dreams.

The baby was normal and healthy, except he neither spoke nor laughed, even though he was over 16 years old. His mother was distraught despite having given birth to a child after so long. Then, the fateful day arrived when the messenger of Hùng Vương finally came to the boy's village.

Upon hearing the call from the messenger to resist foreign invaders, Gióng immediately told his mother to invite the messenger back home for a conversation. His mother was both surprised and delighted because this was the first time Gióng had spoken. Although she didn't understand what was happening, she quickly followed her son's first words.

The messenger came to the house, and Gióng requested the messenger to convey to the King that he needed a suit of iron armour and a strong war horse. He claimed that he would drive away the invaders. The messenger was skeptical; how could such a small child demand to go to battle and defend the country? Nevertheless, the messenger quickly wrote a letter and returned it to the royal court through a carrier pigeon.

****

King Hùng pondered over the story and said:

* This is truly strange!

At that moment, Hùng Vương's trusted bodyguard, Lý Thạch, spoke up:

* It may be best to send me there to investigate. The village is close, and I can make a round trip in a day's work.

King Hùng, stroking his white beard, replied:

* If it's your suggestion, I won't refuse. If my top guard recommends it, I can rest assured. Go see what's happening, then report back to me."

* As your command, my King!

Lý Thạch ordered his subordinates:

* Prepare what the young man requested. I will personally deliver it to him."

Having given the command, he immediately set about preparing for the journey.

Early the following day, Lý Thạch set out for the village where the young man lived. Upon arrival, the messenger came out to welcome him. Seeing the lively atmosphere around, Lý Thạch inquired:

* Is there a festival in this village?

* No, sir, not at all. It's because of the young man named Gióng.

Noticing a hint of amusement in the messenger's voice, Lý Thạch was about to ask for more details, but the messenger quickly continued:

* Sir, after I sent the letter, something extraordinary happened.

****

After finishing the conversation with the royal messenger, Gióng asked his mother to cook a lot of rice for him to eat. Although his mother was still quite puzzled, she followed her son's request. Gióng ate continuously, without stopping. The village gathered to watch as he ate the rice his mother cooked. As Gióng ate, his body grew larger. He kept eating until there was no more rice in the house. However, Gióng still seemed eager to eat more. The neighbours then contributed more rice for him to eat. This strange event drew the attention of the entire village, and soon, everyone was contributing rice to feed Gióng.

****

* Sir Lý Thạch, that's how it is. Allow me to lead him to you.

The scene took aback before Lý Thạch. The person the messenger described as a slender young man was now twice as tall as him, with muscles bulging, firm as a mountain. For a moment, the astonishment left him speechless.

* You're the one bringing supplies to me.

Gióng looked straight at Lý Thạch with confident eyes, then continued:

* Let the enemy be for me; I will disperse them immediately.

Seeing this, the messenger exclaimed:

* Nonsense! Do you even know who you're talking to? This is Lý Thạch, the chief guardian of King Hùng, a talented...

* Enough, I came here to verify this person. This might be a prodigious individual; otherwise, a skinny boy can't become a robust man like this.

With a serious expression, Lý Thạch brought a sword to Gióng. He knelt earnestly:

* Please help our country defeat the foreign invaders.

Gióng burst into laughter and then accepted the sword:

* Surely!

Lý Thạch asks an underling to return to the capital to prepare a larger suit of armour and choose a stronger horse. Then, he turned to Gióng and said:

* Please come back to the capital. I believe the King will be delighted to meet you.

Gióng replied:

* Alright, I will go.

After that, Gióng returned to his mother, knelt beside her, expressing gratitude for her care and promising to return. This sight warmed Lý Thạch's heart, and he silently thought:

"Perhaps this nation has given birth to another hero."

****

The group returned to the capital quickly, and Gióng was granted an audience with the King. Hùng Vương was delighted to learn about the situation, and he asked Gióng:

* How many more soldiers do you need to accompany you?

* Your Majesty, only me is enough.

Seeing Gióng's impressive demeanour, Hùng Vương couldn't help but rejoice silently. Just then, Gióng's stomach growled loudly, and the King noticed. He immediately ordered a feast to be prepared. As Hùng Vương witnessed Gióng's extraordinary appetite, the more he ate, the more robust he appeared. Even though he had heard about it, seeing it with his eyes astonished the royal monarch. In his heart, he silently thought:

"Perhaps this person can indeed do it!"