The fog thickened, swirling like whispers of destiny. A shadowy figure leaned forward, eyes gleaming with anticipation, waiting for the king's words.
King Han Zhen raised his head, his voice steady yet profound: "Uh… it's simple. The answer is…
Knowledge.The only thing I can truly gain, the only treasure I can earn… is my knowledge. Only my knowledge."
The fog figure trembled, not from fear, but from awe. The king's words pierced through the mist like a blade of truth.
The fog figure stepped closer, a proud smile curling on its lips. "Are you sure? Is this truly the right answer? What if you are wrong?"
King Han Zhen's eyes burned with conviction. "I don't care if it is wrong. In my opinion, this is right. Because the only thing I have, the only thing I have earned by myself… is my knowledge. Only my knowledge."
The fog figure's smile faded into sternness. "I don't want explanations. I want only your answer. Only your answer. Do you understand, King Han Zhen? Then I ask again—are you sure?"
Han Zhen straightened his posture, his voice unwavering. "Yes. I am sure."
The fog figure leaned closer, voice echoing through the mist. "What are you doing, King? What has happened to you? Do you even know the consequences of your answer?"
King Han Zhen frowned, doubt flickering in his eyes. "Why are you saying this? What will happen to me?"
The fog figure's lips curled into a playful, mocking smile. "Nothing… because your answer is correct. And now, you shall take your prize. Ta‑da! Take this map as your prize!"
Suddenly, the box before the king shimmered, its surface glowing with an otherworldly brilliance. It twisted and transformed, unfolding into an ancient map, its parchment etched with golden dragon prints that shone like the sun, radiating a mysterious light.
King Han Zhen's hands trembled as he opened the map. At first, he saw a path—yet doubt clouded his mind. The routes were not direct, not simple roads across his kingdom. Instead, they seemed to bend and twist into something far stranger… a passage leading into a different universe, a realm beyond mortal comprehension.
King Han Zhen clutched the glowing map tighter, his voice trembling with desperation. "Where are the ways that lead me through this map? Can you tell me? Uh! Now… where are you gone? Hey, you—Fog Figure! Where are you gone?"
But the mist only swirled in silence, curling like serpents across the chamber floor. The fog figure had vanished, leaving no trace behind. The chamber grew eerily quiet, shadows stretching long and thin across the walls.
Now, there was nobody in the room—only the king, the ancient map glowing faintly in his hands, and the unanswered questions pressing down on his heart like an invisible weight. Somewhere within the golden layers of the map, secrets waited to be revealed… but only to those who dared to walk its uncertain paths.
King Han Zhen stepped out of the chamber, the ancient map still clutched in his hands. Outside, Chen Rong and Queen Mei Lian were waiting anxiously.
Queen Mei Lian rushed forward, her eyes filled with concern. "What happened to you, my king? Why did you lock yourself inside the room? Is there something else troubling you? Tell me—I will help you."
Chen Rong stood silently beside her, his gaze fixed on the glowing map, sensing that something extraordinary had taken place within those walls.
King Han Zhen extended the glowing map toward his loyal minister. "Take this map, Mr. Chen."
Chen Rong accepted it with hesitation, his eyes filled with doubt, but he remained silent.
Suddenly, Queen Meilian stepped forward, her voice sharp with curiosity. "What is in this map? Is there anything hidden within it?"
The king, troubled and confused, forced a faint smile. "No… nothing, my queen."
But Queen Meilian's gaze lingered, doubtful and piercing. "Are you hiding something from me?"
King Han Zhen's eyes flickered toward Chen Rong, signaling with a subtle movement of his brows. Chen understood instantly and shifted the map away from the queen's sight.
"May I go, Majesty?" Chen Rong asked quietly. The king nodded. "Hmm… go."
Queen Meilian's suspicion deepened, but before she could press further, King Han Zhen gently took her hand and led her back into his chamber, leaving the unanswered mystery of the map hanging in the air.
part :2 Mystery of this MAP
King Han Zhen entered Chen Rong's chamber, the ancient map still weighing heavy in his hands.
Chen Rong bowed slightly, his tone calm yet filled with suspense.
"I'll waited for your arrival , Majesty.
Now tell me—what is the matter? What is the mystery of this map?
And why are you hiding it from the queen?"
The king sighed deeply, frustration flickering across his face. "Hmmm… stop asking questions. Why is everyone questioning me today?"
Chen Rong leaned forward, his voice sharp with curiosity. "Who else has asked you, Majesty?"
King Han Zhen's eyes darkened. "First the fog figure… then Queen Mei Lian… and now you."
The chamber fell silent, the weight of the king's words hanging in the air like a storm about to break.
Chen Rong's eyes widened. "What? Fog figure? Whose fog figure?"
King Han Zhen shook his head firmly. "This is not important. What matters now is what lies within this map… and where it will take us."
King Han Zhen unfolded the ancient map, his eyes gleaming with suspense. "Chen Rong, look! These are the mysterious ways hidden within this map."
Chen Rong frowned, confusion clouding his face. "Majesty… what are you doing?"
The king's voice rose with urgency. "What am I doing? I am showing you the paths—the secret ways carved into this parchment. Look closely, focus!"
Chen Rong leaned forward, studying the map carefully. His expression turned grim. "Sorry to say, Majesty… but I cannot see anything. There are no paths here. It is nothing but a plain white map."
The chamber grew tense, silence pressing down like a heavy weight. For King Han Zhen, the map shimmered with golden routes twisting into unknown realms. But for Chen Rong, it was only emptiness—an ordinary sheet, blank and lifeless.
Han Zhen's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? What are you saying, Chen Rong? You didn't see anything on this map?"
Chen Rong lowered his gaze, his voice steady but uncertain. "Hmmm… majesty, I cannot see anything on this map."
The king's frustration flared. He clenched his fists, his voice sharp. "First of all, stop calling me 'Majesty' here. You promised me—you would call me only by my name when we are alone, or in front of the queen. Why do you call me 'Majesty' now? Here, we are like brothers."
Chen Rong's voice softened, yet carried conviction. "But Han Zhen, you are always my majesty—not only by position, but also from my heart."
Han Zhen smiled faintly, shaking his head. "Hmmm… stop putting sweetness on me."
Chen Rong chuckled, his tone playful yet firm. "Then you must not forget—I am older than you. Got it?"
Han Zhen sighed, nodding with a smile. "Hmmm… okay, I got it."
But Chen Rong's expression grew serious again. "Then tell me—why are you hiding this map from the queen? Is there any problem with her?"
Han Zhen's eyes softened, his voice calm but heavy with thought. "No… not any problem. I just don't want to disturb her."
Han Zhen lowered his voice, sorrow flickering in his eyes. "I already lost my father… now I don't want the queen to be affected by anything in my life. Now, you and the queen are all I have, and…"
Chen Rong interrupted with a teasing smile. "And your stepmother and your lovely brothers? Hmm… are they not your family?"
Han Zhen gave a faint laugh, though his tone carried weight. "Of course, they are my family too. But they don't understand me the way you and the queen do."
The chamber grew quiet, the bond between the king and his minister deepening. The map shimmered faintly in Han Zhen's hands, as if listening to their words, holding secrets that only he could see.
Chen Rong, trying to break the tension, asked: "Then why can't I see anything in this map? Is there some problem?"
Han Zhen frowned, his voice uncertain. "I don't know what the matter is… but perhaps if I try to draw these paths on another map, then you and others will be able to see."
Just as the king finished his words, a sudden whisper echoed through the chamber—soft, chilling, and filled with authority: "Do not think of doing this. If you try, you too will lose the vision. You will no longer be able to see this map. This is the rule of the map. Understand…"
Han Zhen turned to Chen Rong, his eyes filled with worry. "Did you hear any voice… any whispers?"
Chen Rong shook his head firmly. "No. Which voice? What kind of voice did you hear? Whose voice was it?"
Han Zhen's face tightened, his tone uneasy. "Forget it… nothing. Only I have seen this map."
Chen Rong frowned, confusion deepening. "But why only you?"
Han Zhen lowered his gaze, his voice heavy with resignation. "I don't know… but this is the rule."
The chamber fell silent. The glowing map pulsed faintly in Han Zhen's hands, as if acknowledging his words. Its secrets were bound by laws beyond human understanding—laws that chose him, and him alone.
Suddenly, Queen Meilian entered the chamber.
Han Zhen and Chen Rong froze, startled. In a hurried motion, Han Zhen slipped the map toward Chen Rong. Chen Rong quickly hid it inside his robe, while both of them stepped back, forcing a fake smile.
The queen's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What are you doing here, my majesty?" she asked, her tone sharp yet curious.
Han Zhen avoided her gaze, standing stiffly. Chen Rong, sensing the danger, stepped forward with calm composure. "Majesty," he said smoothly, "you told me to finish this work, and I have done it. That is why we are here."
Queen Meilian studied them both, her confusion lingering. She gave a subtle signal of doubt, but Chen Rong's confident words and steady demeanor managed to deflect her suspicion—for now.
Han Zhen's voice carried suspense, his eyes narrowing. "What work? And whose work are you speaking of, Chen Rong?"
Chen Rong hesitated, then replied firmly. "It isn't about you, Han Zhen. This is a secret between us."
Han Zhen's expression hardened, frustration mixing with hurt. "So now you also become the brother of the queen and hide things from me? Remember—she met you late, but our friendship is from childhood."
Queen Meilian stepped forward, her gaze steady, her tone filled with quiet strength. "But now, our bond is greater than you understand, my majesty."
Chen Rong smiled faintly, trying to ease the tension. Han Zhen, with a fake sadness and almost childlike expression, gently took Queen Meilian by the hand and led her toward his chamber.
As they walked out, Han Zhen glanced back. His eyes met Chen Rong's, and with a subtle signal—a tilt of his brows, a flick of his hand—he conveyed the message: Meet me tomorrow. Together, we will solve this mystery.
Chen Rong nodded silently, his smile fading into determination. The hidden map pressed against his chest inside his robe, glowing faintly as if waiting for the dawn of truth.