The bells rang sweetly from the palace garden roof, their melody drifting through the morning air. Queen Meilian's dress shimmered in the sunlight, drawing Han Zhen's gaze.
"Meilian… Meilian, where are you? Tell me, where are you?" the king called, his voice filled with longing.
Suddenly, he caught her hand. With a full smile and happiness, Han Zhen exclaimed: "I caught you! Where are you going from me?"
But the moment his fingers closed around hers, the world shifted. The sunrise dimmed, swallowed by black clouds. The air stormed violently, and the bells that once rang sweetly now clanged harshly, echoing like warnings.
Queen Meilian turned her head slowly toward him. Han Zhen's smile faded. He recoiled in horror. "Oh! Who are you? You are not my queen!"
Before him stood a woman dressed like the queen, but her face was hideous. Blood streamed from her eyes, her teeth blackened, her beauty twisted into terror.
The ugly woman leaned closer, her voice dripping with mockery. "Aww… is this enough to make you afraid? Then how will you ever reach the ways of the map?"
With a twisted, joking smile, she hissed again: "You are a coward. And cowardly people are always ready for their death."
Suddenly, she lunged forward, her claws reaching for the king's neck.
Han Zhen gasped sharply, his breath breaking the silence. He jolted awake, sweat on his brow, his heart pounding like thunder.
Beside him, Queen Meilian slept peacefully, unaware of the nightmare that had just shaken him. The bells outside had long gone silent, but their echo still rang in his mind.
King Han Zhen sat upon his bed, his breath heavy, chest rising and falling like waves in a storm. The nightmare still clung to him, its shadows refusing to fade.
"How very bad… how terrifying was this dream," he whispered to himself. "Is this dream… related to the map?"
His eyes stared into the darkness of the chamber, lost in thought. The map's glow seemed to haunt him even in sleep, its rules binding not only his sight but now his very soul.
Han Zhen pressed his hand against his forehead, his mind torn between fear and duty. The dream was not ordinary—it was a warning, perhaps a curse. And yet, only he could see the paths. Only he could bear the burden.
part :2 Activities in courtroom
The grand courtroom was filled with murmurs of officials, but King Han Zhen sat lost in thought, his mind still haunted by the terrifying dream of the false queen. His breath was heavy, his eyes distant.
Counsellor Shen stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "My lord, last night in the village… some robbers appeared and—"
But the king's gaze was unfocused, drifting back to the nightmare.
"My lord… my lord!" Shen repeated, his voice louder, trying to pull the king back to reality.
Han Zhen blinked, startled, and finally spoke. "Hmmm… what's the problem?"
Counsellor Shen sighed, repeating with urgency: "My lord, last night in the village, robbers attacked. They stole grain and frightened the people. The villagers beg for protection."
When King Han Zhen heard the report, his full attention finally shifted to the matter. "How did they rob the grain? Nobody could stop them?"
Counsellor Shen bowed. "My lord, because nobody could see them. They came in the dark night, when all peasants were asleep. At that moment, they robbed the grain."
Han Zhen's eyes narrowed. "Hmmm… then prepare some soldiers. Dress them like peasants, and tell them to protect the village. Catch the robbers."
Counsellor Shen nodded. "Ok, my lord."
The court meeting ended. As the ministers departed, Shen lingered, his voice cautious. "My majesty… is there any problem?"
Han Zhen frowned slightly. "No, Counsellor Shen. Why are you asking this?"
Shen hesitated, then spoke softly. "Because I have seen you lost in your own thoughts during the meeting. Normally, you act swiftly and clearly. But today… you seemed distracted. Why?"
Han Zhen looked away, his breath heavy. The dream's shadow still lingered in his mind, but he forced a faint smile.
"It is nothing. Do not worry."
Yet deep inside, he knew the truth—the nightmare and the map were beginning to interfere with his duties as king.
Counsellor Shen bowed deeply and departed.
Han Zhen turned to Chen Rong, his voice low but firm. "Chen Rong… call the astrologers again."
Chen Rong nodded respectfully. "Ok, majesty."
The order carried weight. The astrologers had been summoned before, but now the king's urgency was different. His dreams, the mysterious map, and the strange illusions had shaken him. Perhaps the stars held the answers that men could not.
part :3 again with astrologers
The chief astrologer stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Majesty, is there any problem or clue you wish to share?"
King Han Zhen gave a subtle signal to Chen Rong. Without hesitation, Chen Rong passed the hidden map toward the astrologers.
The chief astrologer unfolded it carefully. All the astrologers leaned in, their eyes scanning the parchment. At first, it appeared plain white.
The chief astrologer spoke with solemnity: "This map shows only emptiness to most eyes. But behind it, countless hidden ways lie concealed."
Han Zhen frowned. "How do you know this map is not truly empty?"
The astrologer's voice grew firm, echoing in the chamber. "Majesty, this is no ordinary parchment. This is the incredible magical Yuan Fen Map. I have read about it in the same ancient book where I studied the legend of Bai Zhen. This map chooses its owner. It reveals its paths only to the one it has chosen. To others, it remains blank. Every way you must walk in life is inscribed here—but only in secret, only for its true owner."
The chamber fell silent. Ministers exchanged uneasy glances. Chen Rong's eyes widened, while Han Zhen's breath grew heavy. The truth was undeniable: the map had chosen him, and him alone.
The chief astrologer's voice trembled with confusion. "That is why this map shows its ways only to its true owner. But… where did you get it? In the ancient book I read, it was said to be extinct. Then how do you possess it?"
He paused, eyes narrowing, then asked with hesitation: "Well… are you truly the owner of this map?"
King Han Zhen's breath grew heavy, suspense filling the chamber. "Hmmm…" he murmured, his silence more powerful than words.
The astrologer's face brightened suddenly. "Then this is good news! If you are the chosen owner, then why do you ask about the way to Bai Zhen?"
Han Zhen's eyes darkened, his voice low and troubled. "Because in this map, the ways are different. They do not seem to be situated on earth."
The chamber fell silent. The astrologers exchanged uneasy glances. The map shimmered faintly, as if mocking them all, its hidden paths stretching beyond the mortal world.
The chief astrologer's voice was steady, yet filled with awe. "Yes, majesty. This map can show ways upon the earth, but not familiar paths. It reveals roads to different universes, places where no one has ever thought of going."
Han Zhen leaned forward, his tone urgent. "Then how do we reach Bai Zhen?"
The astrologer bowed his head, speaking with reverence. "I have read many ancient books. And in those texts, it is written that Bai Zhen is found upon the earth—not in other universes. But on this earth, nobody knows its location. Only this map can reveal it."
The chamber grew heavy with silence. Ministers exchanged uneasy glances. Chen Rong's eyes flickered with curiosity, while Han Zhen's breath deepened. The truth was clear: Bai Zhen existed, but only the chosen owner of the Yuan Fen Map could walk the secret path to it.