W

hen wars were raging, there was the Ba Vi mountain range covering an area of about 50 km2 in Ba Vi, Luong Son and Ky Son districts, was still at peace. In fact, Ba Vi mountain range was called "the lord of mountains" (nui chua) in the Vietnamese spirit though it is not the highest mountain range in Vietnam.

In here, there were many peaks in this range, but the most famous one was Tan Vien. Tan Vien Mountain was 1,281 m high. In Vietnamese mythology, for all practical purposes, as well, this mountain was the home of Son Tinh, the mountain god. Moreover, the highest mountain in this range is Vua Peak (or Emperor Peak), which was 1296 m in elevation. A shrine of Ho Chi Minh was controversially located at the summit of this mountain.*

At this moment, when the sun had not come out, at the top of Tan Vien, a boy was now taking his meal. To all appearances, he was getting on three or four years old. He had big eyes which was the same as two rolled marbles. His hair was flash black.

Especially, his meal was really a great party for twenty people although it's just for him. On the table, there are so many dishes made everyone's mouth waters, such as Pho, cha gio, sweet and sour pork ribs, Vietnamese sandwich, cha ca, banh cuon (1). Besides, he finished them all as his stomach was a bottomless pit.

First time, as Giong got strong when he's three years old, he went on a bender. In former time, eating and drinking was just a hobby. However, seven hundred years ago, when he's Four Immortals (2), he, together with Lieu Hanh, Son Tinh, Chu Dong Tu, fought against a dangerous Xi Chi in order to protect the universe, they're suffered severe injuries. As a result, expect Lieu Hanh, remaining Four Immortals was affected. For example, he, Thanh Giong, must have a meal like a great party, in order to regain his strength, in the short term

By the way, Giong reminisced about his tender age, as well.

Three thousand years ago, a time after Second Universe War having occurring, on the Earth, in Van Lang kingdom's territory, Giong village, there was a footprint. No one knew where it had come from. One day, a woman saw this one and tried her foot on to compare. Then, she was pregnant and born a son twelve months later, named Giong**. It's him but few years after, the he could not speak or smile.

One day, the kingdom was under danger of being occupied by invader from outer space which was known as Xi Chi. Enemy was so strong that Hung king had to ask an envoy who was member of Chim Lac in order to search for those that could fight against the enemy. Unexpectedly, Giong gained ability to talk and asked his mother to see messenger. Then, he requested to arm him. Next, the village where Giong lived fed him and then he grew instantly into a mature man. Simultaneously, Chim Lac used Bambusium, one of the hardest metals in the whole universe, to product for Giong a set of "iron armor", in the way that people called it, along with whipping rod and an iron horse, an android. When Giong dressed his new armor, he was on Iron Horse and defeated invader, including his traditional enemy, Yin.

It was very long story. Nevertheless, Giong sometime still thought that it was just yesterday. From strange child, he wrote his own legend. Afterward, he met friends and warranted not only his legend but also Fours Immortal though the cost was great.

Suddenly, a gentle man whose name was Manh approached him to give him a tablet that brought him back to reality. Apparently, the gentlemen man was slim middle-age man. Mr. Manh had oval face. His forehead was much wider than the chin. His eyes are large and set quite far apart. In fact, he used to be a Kitchen God. However, for thousand years ago, God of Heaven ordered him to come to the Earth in order to establish Chim Lac. Basely, he had been on this planet for four thousand years

"Twenty four hours ago, an alien fleet planed on South Pacific. After, Coalition Force made an attack on Zacktonian ship. However, Zacktonian put them to rout. It is on emergency. We need you, Giong"

"They were Zacktonian, right?"

The little boy wondered

"Yes. Though they were at war with Xatian, an Ancient Species which had seemly disappeared for four thousand years, they still charge human race."

The gentlemen Mr. Manh explained.

"This time, enemy's target was Giant Dong Son drum which was inside this planet's core."

Thanh Giong said.

"Don't worry. I'll ask Tien Dung princess (3) to give us a hand?"

Mr. Manh said confidently.

"You know where Chu Dong Tu was, right?"

Giong asked. Mr. Manh did not answer. Together with Son Tinh, Chu Dong Tu had been missing, as well. Nevertheless, he seemly hid on purpose.

Anyway, something must be done as numerous Zacktonian ships were all over the world.

"By the way, is there anything else?" Giong said.

"Honestly, we found Chosen One, Giong. However, there were two boys and one girl" Mr. Manh said seriously

For his part, the little boy looked at Mr. Manh and said:

"All right, these things happen. For all practical purposes, further hardship is in store for human race. At any rate, I saved the world, including Chosen one"

Then, he said:

"By the way, I didn't get to finish my final bowl of rice"

Actually, Giong's saying really made Mr. Manh laugh.

To be honest, if there had been somebody here first time, they would have wondered why this kid had meal while The Earth was being attacked by invader from outer space. Nonetheless, it was necessary action to take back his power.

Then, the boy stood up and turned back.

"Eating and drinking really takes too much time."

Next, he tapped screen behind him, the same as Dong Son drumhead. Suddenly, a gate came out from nowhere. On the gate, there was intricate moon links, the same as remains of Hong Bang dynasty. Next, Giong touch his hand to the gate.

"Confirm, Welcome to Chim Lac's *** secret base, Thanh Giong" a voice resounded automatically as second door opened Afterward, it opened slowly

"Mr. Manh, Let go inside our basement" Giong said as he got inside, together with Mr. Manh.

After, they went inside basement which was built inside Ba Vi mountain range. In the basement, there were so many high technological weapons. On the wall, there was specially symbol, known as Chim Lac. Apparently, its beak was so long, like a drill. Its crested head was the same as a small hill. Its tail was as forked as a beautiful paper fan

Besides, there were some normal supplies, as well, such as television, glass of water, exercise machine. Especially, they were using by a horse which was able to speak, in Vietnamese.

"Hello master, now it's time for the real battle, right." Iron Horse opened its mouth and said excitingly.

In contradiction with Iron Horse's attitude, Giong did not reply. He just got on the horse. Then, the gate on the top of Tan Vien opened again. After, Giong and his horse got out basement. The horse flew faster and faster, reached a speed of one hundred kilometer an hour. Then it reached a speed of two hundred, three hundred, five hundred.... .

When Giong left, Mr Minh got close to Dong Son bronze drum****. The patterns on drum bore a realistic style and show stilted houses, dancing people, people pounding rice, beating drums and sailing, together with animal and birds. Specially, in center of drum head, there was there's a classic "starburst", with a various number of spikes radiating out from a center, similar to Dong Son drumhead that Mai had seen

While Dong Son drum was resounding and Giong on his way, three children were in danger because they was surrounded by countless alien troops

At this moment, a crab-shaped creature was getting close to Mai, Cuong and Duy. It wore shirt, like molten lave that made everyone be fear. Its pincer was the same as human hand. Especially, it was standing up on his hind legs.

For Zacktonian, they had no time. Basely, Chim Lac had made their move. Therefore, they must make it snappy.

"Stay back" Duy and Cuong warned the alien. Then, Duy pointed their gun which belonged to death soldier at the enemy. However, the alien just took a dim view of him. In fact, Duy and Cuong were the same as a child who tried to threaten an excellent gladiator

"What do we do now?" Duy asked. Honestly, he didn't want to die. However, when there was no choice, he was ready to sacrifice.

"Run. Promise me to protect Mai." Cuong said like his last words.

As a matter of fact, there's hope. Truly, if they had wanted to kill them, I would have done. In fact, Cuong's still a child but when his friend's life was at risk, he became intelligent, calmer, strangely. However, he just had an even chance of winning.

Suddenly, as they hang by a single hair, a little boy who was in the saddle, appeared between them and alien's troop, like a God.

"Who the hell are you, little boy?"

Alien wondered as they pointed the laser gun directly at Giong.

Giong did not show his attitude. Instead, he just said:

"Clear up! Clear away!"

Zacktonian officer was shocked as a child dare to challenge him. So, he ordered:

"Kill him"

However, as laser beams was shot at Giong, they were stopped by a bamboo fence.

Inside the bamboo fence, a voice resounded.

"I'll tell you what"

After, "The little boy" crossed his two hands on his chest. Suddenly, wind blowing. Next, the strange wind blew through "The little boy" and wrapped him. Then, a sound resounded. Next, the all little boy's body glowed. For this reason, it caused everyone around him to close their eyes. Afterward, the boy grew up so stinking fast, in a literal sense. Before long, he's now an adult in front of everyone.

Honestly, it's hard to describe Yeno crab-shape face. Nevertheless, Giong could feel the panic bubbling up inside the enemy.

In fact, Yeno was not his real name. His homeland was Water planet where Thuy Tinh ruled. Since Yeno joined Zaktonian army, he had had this name. He was now a warrior, assassin. Ironically, at this moment, he's facing one of Four Immortals, a group found by daughter of Than Tru Troi

As the matter of fact, like other legends, more peoples in the whole universe had heard about The Four Immortals, Son Tinh, Thanh Giong, Chu Dong Tu and Lieu Hanh princess. Seven hundred years ago, when Xi Chi was the strongest New Species, Four Immortal put them, especially their Emperor to rout. Unfortunately, today he had to face one of The Four Immortals. Though there was only Giong, four immortal was so fearsome that Zacktonian troops took no action against Giong. However, it did not last long. At the moment, most of world was overrun. Besides, as matter of fact, Giong was never that same after. Moreover, Zacktonian Empire was now very strong, in the whole universe.

Therefore, he had to fight like four thousand year ago. Giong pulled a crossbow, known as Magic Crossbow. Visually, the Magic Crossbow was smaller than a submachine gun. Especially, it was engraved with Chim Lac shapes, like Dong Son drumhead.

Then, he pulled an arrow which contained an image of man riding iron horse. After, he placed it in the barrel of the crossbow, aligning the cock vane of the arrow in the barrel channel.

"Transform". Giong called out and used the magic crossbow to shoot into the air.

Next, the arrow changed into countless bamboo trees. Now, Giong was being surrounded by these bamboo trees and it converged on him, forming his armor that there seven bamboo sticks on his chest, shoulder, legs and hands. His eyes glowed a brighten green

As Giong transformed completely, Zacktonian troops fired their laser gun to stop Giong but in their right, an iron-horse moved at so high speed that created great power to destroy all enemy. It stopped at Cuong group

"Jump on to my horse" Giong said

"Hurried up" Iron Horse said.

As the horse lifted up his voice, three children were so surprise that they were as dumb as an oyster. Honestly, in the 2060s, there was no one who believed in folk, even children. However, up to now, they had witness firsthand so many amazing things. Especially, when they were in danger, very dangerous, legend was saving their life.

Later, three children jumped on to iron horse to get out dangerous zone. Nevertheless, they were now at the gunpoint.

Suddenly, Iron horse lifted up his voice, again:

"Close your eyes"

Then, when three child did as it said, it inhaled a couple of threats and slowly opened its mouth

"BANG" an explosion thundered.

In point of fact, after Giong's pet opened its mouth, a big fire pillars that contained a dense whiteness and wind was spat out. The fire pillars combined with the wind and both turned into a monstrous flame, which poured into the invaders. The temperature quickly rose. However, children were fine because they're on horseback. Nevertheless, more Zacktonian troops were not so lucky. Between fire and smoke, there were cries of anguish and despair.

Afterward, the horse took off like a plane. It flew toward a big ship, belonging to VPA (Vietnam People Army), was waiting for.

As three children were safe, Giong focused on fighting.

This time, Yeno rushed forward Giong like a huge train. At any rate, he used to under Thuy Tinh command. In order to fight back, he waited for him to get closer and closer. Then, he grabbed the two hands, turned around, took advantage of the force of his hand and speeded of, sent Yeno to a house nearby. Afterward, he smashed into the house. However, he immediately tried to stand up and shook his head for sake.

"Not bad, as Thuy Tinh's minion. However, you chose wrong" Thanh Giong said.

At the meantime, other Zacktonian troops, took this opportunity, made repeated attack on Giong like thunder of laser beams. In the point of fact, they wanted to use strong firepower to defeat Giong but it did not work. In response, Giong whipped tens of enemies with his iron rod. The rod was over 3 meters long.

Hopelessly, a few enemy troops fixed laser bayonet, the same as light saber in Star War, in order to be at rips. All at once, hundreds of enemies charged at Giong like a Tsunami However, they were soon stopped as a flood was prevented by a dam.

Besides, he shouted:

"Stick together, stick together"

All at once, a bamboo forest quickly surrounded enemy. In fact, bamboo was popular plant on Earth, especially Vietnam. Moreover, human could cut it easily by knife or saw. However, these ones were special. Exactly, they were not bamboo trees. As a matter of fact, it was the hardest material in universe, known as Bambusium. In past, all Ancient Specie's weapons were made of it. Besides, enemy was stuck at the end of these one as its owner's will.

Therefore, the rest of Zacktonian soldiers were really stuck at the end of the "bamboos". Some of them desperately tried to cut bamboos by laser bayonets but they failed. Moreover, Yeno was stuck, as well

"It's over. I said I would tell you what."

Giong said. After, he stamped his foot on the ground. Next, more "bamboo" came out from nowhere and formed a launching dock. Then, on the launching dock, he jumped as high as he could into the air like the bird. In the sky, Giong turned around and flew towards enemies like ballistic missile. Finally, Zacktonian troops got blown away like dozens of firework, as Giong went through the enemy

However, there were still giant monsters, ogres, right there. At this moment, they were continuously shooting big fireballs, as big as truck at Thanh Giong. Moreover, a young man suddenly appeared and assaulted Giong. Apparently, haft of his face was very terrible like evil in horror stories. Especially, he wore black clothes like a specter. Then, he drew his big sword. The sword was as big as a motorbike. Its color was as black as the shadow.

"It's just you, Yin (4)" Between fire and smoke, Giong's voice resounded.

"Long time no see, my old enemy." His voice resounded. Besides, Yin smiled scarily as some was trying to break the glass

...............................

Once up on a time, Yin was just a Xi Chi officer. However, he was one of rarely Xi Chi really made sacrifices for the fatherland, for emperor. So, he, in common with Xi Chi fleet headed for the Earth.

Then, the Earth was ruled by a technologically backward species, known as Human being. Therefore, Xi Chi troops easily landed on this planet. Coincidently, the place that they sat foot on was Van Lang Kingdom, ruled by Children of Dragon, Grand Children of Fairy.

In fact, their mission was to control the dark energy reactor, inside the Earth core. At first, it's an easy task because enemy was too weak like the hunt trip. However, everything had changed as a little boy who was on horseback, known as Thanh Giong, came out. After, It was like a snowy nightmare from which there was no awakening.

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*Wikipedia

** Thanh Giong (God Giong) also known as Phu Dong ( sky king), Ong Dong (sir Giong) and Xung Thien Than Vuong (holy king of the sky) is a mythical folk hero of Vietnam's history and one of The Four Immortals. The boy Giong grows in size to be a giant hero, who rides on an iron horse leading the Van Lang kingdom (ancient name for Viet Nam) to victory against northern invaders (Han Chinese)

*** Chim Lac: it was "Chim Lac", a kind of bird only found in stories as it was the symbol in the surface of bronze drum (Trong Dong)

**** A Dong Son drum (also called Heger Type I drum) is a bronze drum fabricated by the Dong Son culture in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam.

(1) Vietnamese food

(2) The Four Immortals refers to the four chief cult figures in the pantheon of genii worshiped by the Vietnamese people of the Red River Delta region

(3) Tien Dung princess: Hung King's daughter, Chu Dong Tu's wife

(4) Yin: according to legend, they were Thanh Giong's enemies.