It was a silent night, with countless stars shimmering in the sky. In a far corner of this world, where the royal palace still bathed in golden light, hundreds of guards stood vigilant to protect the kingdom. Five years had passed since the day a special child was born to King Tang Ye Chen and Queen Zi Yan—Tang Lie.
Much had changed over those five years, but the most astonishing transformation occurred within Tang Lie himself. Though born blind, his body, consciousness, and depth of energy were no longer that of an ordinary child. Shortly after his birth, his uncle Yan Lie made a difficult decision—to seal Tang Lie's power. He knew the power within this child was immense, and releasing it too early could invite catastrophe.
Now, Tang Lie was a quiet and composed five-year-old boy. He wore an expression of calm silence, yet his eyes—though always closed—held an unusual charm. He was not playful like other children; rather, he was serious, thoughtful, and deeply aware. His body was lean and strong, and his every movement hinted at the presence of great inner strength.
Despite his blindness, Tang Lie moved with confidence. He had learned to sense everything—through the sound of each step, the flow of air, and even subtle tremors in the ground. His ability to perceive his surroundings surpassed the need for sight.
From an early age, Tang Lie had been tutored by Mei Yan, the Queen's younger sister—an expert in both cooking and etiquette. She had taught Tang Lie how to cook, identifying ingredients by scent and taste alone. His culinary skills often surprised others and proved that his blindness was no obstacle to mastery.
One morning, a royal announcement echoed through the court. The King of the neighboring Fenghua Kingdom, Jian Yu, was arriving with his daughter Kai Lin to strengthen diplomatic ties.
Kai Lin—a mysterious young girl—already carried a cold sharpness in her gaze at the age of five. Her snowy white hair seemed sculpted from ice, and her crimson eyes glowed with a fiery intensity. She walked with regal pride and wore a face of aloof indifference. When she first saw Tang Lie, her expression showed nothing but disdain.
"You can't see, can you? A weak prince," Kai Lin said.
Tang Lie responded with nothing but a gentle smile.
Days passed. Tang Lie continuously tried to stay near Kai Lin, showing her around the palace, singing for her, and even cooking meals for her. One day, he surprised her with a dish he made himself.
Slowly, the ice on Kai Lin's face began to melt.
"Why don't you get annoyed by me?" she asked one day.
"Because you might become my first friend," Tang Lie replied.
Kai Lin didn't respond, but the next day, she came to him on her own. A unique friendship began to blossom between them—a bond that brought hope to both King Tang Ye Chen and Queen Zi Yan.
"This friendship isn't just between children," King Tang Ye Chen remarked. "It could be the future of both kingdoms. If Tang Lie and Kai Lin one day marry, our nations will be united as one."
Queen Zi Yan nodded, "I agree. They complete each other in ways we cannot yet understand."
Politically, such a friendship had enormous value. And so, both kings reached a silent agreement: Tang Lie and Kai Lin would be betrothed in the future.
Kai Lin's father, King Jian Yu of Fenghua, a wise and strategic ruler, said,
"Though Tang Lie cannot see with his eyes, his inner sight is sharper than most. I see in him the potential for a great leader."
The palace was filled with celebration and light. Yet deep inside, Tang Lie remained unaware of the immense challenges his future held. For his sealed powers could only be unlocked through facing trials of immense danger—and those trials were soon to begin…
End of Chapter 2
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