Master Phong opened the file and began scanning its contents, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. As his eyes searched for answers within the dossier, the captain's lips curled into a grim smile.

"This can't be-" Master Phong sighed deeply as the weight of responsibility bearing down on him. The mind knew well that once the big corpus sent the uppermen, the situation would escalate quickly. Because of that, the big corpus would cause a nuance of the situation. "I cannot allow the uppermen to intervene!"

The captain nodded, his expression somber with a drag. Both of them knew the big corpus often prioritized the best outcome, even if they had to perform a sacrifice.

While the elders exchanged worried glances, the boys failed to understand the gravity of the situation. As for a mercenary, he failed to roll a perception check on the situation. However, in such a situation, the boy could inquire for more information.

"You must be the new kid-" the captain acknowledged the newcomer and swayed the smoke beyond. "What's the matter?"

"Who are you?" Thần inquired with a prompt demand. "What's your business here?"

"Are you really from around here?" the captain gagged; showed his emblem and took another drag. In the past, the later Emperor of An debunked the plot; co-operated with Nhược Lạp (Leaf Hat) and the Red Army to eradicate the enemies and stabilize An Nam. After peace returned to the land, some of the most skilled individuals from the martial world, disinterested in the imperial court, formed secretive alliances on the fringes and established the official Nhuoc Lap clan. Nhuoc Lap costume proposed an iconic status to their law enforcement in the nation. While doing so, they cooperate with other clans to attain peace between clansmen and An Nam on a macroscopic scale. "Phong and I do have some business to deal with."

"What's the business?" Thần centered his question. "Can I have some information?"

"Kid, don't flatter yourself-" The captain crossed arms and leaned back on his weapons. Even if the man shared the information, a mere low-grade mercenary could ever conduct such an act to the situation. However, a hesitation occurred since an idea sparkled amidst the gray smoke. "Actually, there's something I need to take care of."

Captain Khôi walked away and joined Master Phong for a long discussion. As for the boys, they seemed to tire of the recent punishment and wander off the scene. Yet, some stayed for their upcoming responsibility and duty.

In the bustling training courtyard, Thần approached the apprentice of Captain Khôi, his brow furrowed in frustration. The young man had been recounting his recent battle with a formidable Spell master, a fight that had left him vexed and searching for answers.

"I don't get it!" Thông exclaimed, his voice tinged with irritation. He implored the apprentice for guidance on how to defeat his opponent swiftly, his eyes filled with determination.

Quốc Thông, a seasoned warrior known for his trusty arms and a keen sense of strategy, observed the apprentice's stance, his physical strength, and skill. He carefully analyzed the way the Qi Master closed the gap with a move reminiscent of the graceful White Crane Spread Wings. The battlefield had been transformed into a chaotic whirlwind of energy, where close-combat clashes resembled a deadly dance.

Thông could sense the mystical energy, a vibrant redness that seemed to envelop the apprentice's body. It was as though a surge of otherworldly blood coursed just beneath the surface. And when the critical moment arrived, the young warrior grinned and unleashed his red Qi, hoping for victory. "How can I lose to such a gay-ass Magic Mike?"

As Thông confessed, his voice filled with uncertainty. Thần fell silent, urging Phong to continue with a subtle motion. However, Thông suddenly scrutinized the appearance of the newcomer, questioning.

"Have I met you before—" Thông went on, delving deeper into the issue. Thần remained as still as stone, seemingly considering the implications of Thông's words. After a brief pause, Thông's eyes widened with realization. Aha! Thông snapped out, and stood up since the man who stood affront posed a troublemaker to all of the commotion. Thông declared, his raised eyebrows emphasizing a peculiar discovery. "But, I do not sense a strong Qi in you, not like the one who cast the explosion spell."

Thần shrugged his shoulders casually.

"For real, my G-" Thông chuckled in amazement, clearly taken aback. He had heard rumors of a mysterious mercenary who had recently arrived in the region, causing quite a stir. This mercenary had even dared to confront the former leader of the Pokemen and had survived the wrath of the Void. Some spoke of curses and damnation, while others hailed this enigmatic figure as a hero ushering in a new era. However, everyone agreed on one thing: this mercenary had successfully completed every task assigned. To achieve such feats, one had to possess an array of skills and techniques to overcome various obstacles. Yet, when confronted, this mercenary always seemed to operate alone. Truly remarkable, Thông exclaimed, a sense of awe in his voice, as if the newcomer never participated in a clan. "You're the first one I know who just whooping-ass casually with no association in 'võ lâm'."

As Thần fixed his gaze upon Thông, his eyes were filled with a yearning for deeper understanding. He pleaded silently for Thông to shed more light on the matter that had sparked his curiosity.

Sensing Than's eagerness, Thông nodded knowingly and began to narrate the intricate tapestry of clans in An Nam.

In the land of An Nam, where traditions ran as deep as the roots of ancient trees, clans were not just social entities but the very fabric of society itself. They were the keepers of traditions, the bearers of ancient wisdom, and the guardians of time-honored techniques. Each clan was a tapestry of history, its threads woven with the stories of generations past.

Thông voiced the weight of ages as he explained that in An Nam, the great 9 clans of An Nam, which posed more than just power and wealth; but a source of identity and purpose. Clans held the secrets of martial arts techniques, mystical practices, and the sacred arts of Qi manipulation. The clan composed not merely a group of people; it constituted an establishment of a repository of knowledge, a sanctuary of shared heritage.

After the First Guardian's legacy, several powerful martial combatants reunited to form clans and coexisted, each with its unique martial arts techniques, philosophies, and territories. Clans proudly represented as follows: Six Magnificent (六华), Straw Hat (草帽), Marvel Star (悬星), All Might (全能), Shadow Kill 影杀, Diablo 魔道, Godhood 神道, True Martial Arts (武空), and Red Costume (红衣). As time passes, tensions among those clans begin to simmer. Competition for resources, territory, and influence arose in the nation. Võ lâm (武林) or the martial art community rumored that the legendary stone, known as the "Divine Stone," holding the key to unrivaled power. Legends told that a single stone could obliterate thousand men. Clans desired that unfathomable power, believing that possession of this scroll would secure their dominance. So far, thousands years past, a myth posed a myth, Thông concluded, people might believe in such tales.

"Each clan holds countless opportunities to fulfill your desires," Thông remarked, pulling out his emblem and running his fingers over the ancient words carved on its surface. "Once you climb to the top, you can achieve what you want, perhaps."

Thần listened to Thông's words, detecting a subtle yearning in his tone, but he couldn't quite decipher its depths. Thông, recognizing the shift in Than's focus, returned to the present moment and inquired about Than's current state. He couldn't help but be curious about the motivations behind Than's actions.

"I... I don't really know where to begin," Thần confessed, scratching his head as he spoke candidly. "I got pulled into this, and I just went along."

"I like you, modest and direct," Thông acknowledged Than's response. He adjusted his shoulders and made his way toward the masters. "When you're ready, we can approach them and start the conversation."

"Just in time, friend," the Spellcaster began, his voice warm and amicable as the mercenary approached. Thuận, momentarily breaking his Qi concentration, turned to face Thần with an enigmatic smile. He retrieved two objects from his pockets - a blue bag in his left hand and a white paper with red inks in his right. "You know what it is, right?"

Thần examined the objects and glanced at the Spellcaster, puzzled.

"Qi isn't just about power," Thuận replied, emphasizing the importance of understanding and the delicate balance between control and chaos. He likened the weave of Qi to a tapestry, with each Qi user holding their unique threads.

Thần nodded, captivated by the wisdom in Thuận's words. Qi indeed proposed a captivating realm to explore, and every practitioner had their unique journey of discovery.

"Let's decide what's best for the upcoming journey," Thuận suggested. He explained the contents of the blue bag, which contained Six Magnificent Doxx. Consuming this substance would dramatically boost strength and endurance in a short time, but long-term use led to an uncontrollable obsession. The alternative posed a natural detox approach detailed on the white paper with red inks. Following that regimen would gradually wean the user off Doxx, making them independent from its effects.

"What is this?" Thuận demanded a response after rolling a motion of doubt. "What are you trying to achieve?"

"It's a small treat," The spell caster insisted on the objects since the mercenary had helped the clan in quite some favors. Thus, Thuận would like to offer a little appreciation for the man-of-action. "Please, do not mind it."

"Seize the auth'rity," Gomboc lingered its voice in the deep dark. "t is imp'rative."

"Doxx or no Doxx," the ghost chimed in, emphasizing the importance of Than's decision. The specter reiterated that Thần should make the choice carefully, as it ultimately affected the mercenary.

Thần contemplated for a moment, then, after a few seconds, he made his decision.

Once Thần had chosen one of the objects, the Spellcaster nodded in approval. They both returned to their respective pursuits, with the upcoming event still holding many mysteries awaiting discovery. The boys returned to converse with the Master and the Captain as they anticipated them to come forth.

"We have discussed and finally concluded," The Captain took a drag on his cigarette, exhaling the response. The flamboyant Mikes had stirred up commotion in the central city districts, leading the Straw Hat to send its men to investigate the problems. Much of the information pointed to the ex-leader of the Pokemen, now one with the Void. This problem indicated the growing strength of the Void, posing a terrorism threat that endangered the peace of An Nam and, by extension, the world. The investigation also revealed a connection between the ex-leader and the PooCoin scam, a hot news topic involving celebrities and some officials from major clans. The Straw Hat had enough to arrest all the Pokemen, but unexpectedly, Captain Khôi turned to Master Phong, the enigmatic two-cent crackhead, with an offer: a mission to find evidence that the Six Magnificent had no involvement in the chaos, proving it was the act of an individual.

"In short, we need intel," the Master explained, glancing at the newcomer, Than, and giving his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Do your best."

"W-Wait a minute," Thần protested after hearing the news. "Why do I have to clean up your clan's mess?"

"I've seen your actions," Thuận noted, referring to Than's reputation as a man of action. Furthermore, since Thần hadn't yet joined any clans, he had a clean background, making him a suitable candidate for the mission. The Six Magnificent and the Straw Hat needed to place their trust in him. "The peace of An Nam rests on you."

"You can't refuse this mission," the ghost added, emphasizing the enormous impact the main event had on the clans of An Nam. The nine clans were responsible for maintaining the city's peace, and the ongoing issues threatened to disrupt that peace, even potentially leading to war. "We must resolve this problem."

"But what about school?" Thần expressed his concerns. "I still have exams to finish."

Master Phong acknowledged the importance of Than's exams, as the Six Magnificent's power could only assist so much in his schooling. However, time was running short, and the final exams were fast approaching. Master Phong decided to open a master class to help the boys catch up on their studies, as the sect had done a good job of covering up the commotion, making it appear as an unexplainable supernatural incident.