Warlord of the Xili Kingdom
Fire Incident

Twenty years ago ...

A great fire broke out in the Royal Armory. Back then, many warriors were practicing martial arts and swords in the front yard of the camp. Seeing the smoke, the soldiers ran to see what was happening.

They were very surprised, when they saw the red hero in action displaying his intelligence. The fire was getting bigger, because in the arsenal many items made of wood, as well as other materials that are flammable.

Immediately, they ran around carrying water to conquer the red hero. But what happened? Instead of extinguishing, the fire was increasingly devouring the entire building to the roof, and destroyed the surrounding buildings.

"My son!" Shouts of a beautiful woman running towards the flames.

People were shocked by the incident. They tried to dissuade the woman from approaching the building that was currently burning heavily. "Don't be rash, Your Majesty! This is very dangerous, "prevent them while continuing to block them.

The middle-aged woman immediately hugged the Empress tightly. "Emer, calm yourself! The guards will rescue Prince Zhaozu. So you have to be patient for that. We pray to God to protect the Prince from distress." Shaoshin's aunt said.

On the sidelines of the Empress's cry, came the handsome man who immediately embraced her. "Pacify yourself, my wife!" he said softly while hugging tightly. "Hows it? Have you found my son, Zhaozu?" emperor Zhihu asked the soldier who was putting out the fire.

A soldier answered the Emperor's question doubtfully. "Yet, your honor. Possibly, the Prince already ...."

His words had to be interrupted by Empress Jian's shout. "No! Don't say that. My son must have survived!" while crying, she kept struggling to escape from her husband's embrace. "Take me off, my lord! I'm going to save my son. I don't want to lose my son a second time. I don't want to," he said as he continued to beg.

The Emperor hugged his wife tightly. The sadness of losing her son again made her feel guilty. In the past, the same thing happened to his first son. Zhaoliang, Zhaozu's brother. Fire in the same place, military armory. As of today, the fire, which has no known cause, must make Zhaoliang lose his life.

At that time, Zhaoliang was picking up a sword in the armory at the behest of General Qin because he was one of the disciples of the General. However, a large explosion occurred there, accompanied by a large fire. The fire quickly devoured the entire room made of wood, as well as other flammable items.

Zhaoliang, who was in the room, could not escape because he was trapped by the ruins of a building that had been burned by fire. All the soldiers tried to help him, but still Prince Zhaoliang's life could not be saved.

Although he could be removed from the burning room, but the healer said he could not save the Prince's life, because the Prince inhaled too much toxic substances from the smoke of the fire.

The materials contained in the weaponry as well as other items that were there, became poisonous when exposed to fire. The material is also very dangerous if the fire can not be extinguished in a fast time, and burn it to the end.

This is what happened to Zhaozou. She was trapped inside the military armory, with the same circumstances as her brother had experienced before. Zhaozu is now eight years old. Therefore, he could not escape quickly because his strength was still too weak.

"Find my son quickly! I want you to save him alive!" order His Majesty the Emperor to his soldiers who directly obeyed them.

The Emperor's soldiers and bodyguards intervened to search for Prince Zhaozu within the destroyed building. After a long search, finally an Emperor personal guard found him in a terrible state.

"I found it, Your Majesty." A bodyguard named Fan Go was holding Zhaozu in front of the Emperor, and placed it slowly after he broke through the flames.

Immediately, everyone swarmed over the little Prince and felt dejected at his current state. Nearly eighty percent of his body was burned, and he was dying.

"My son" cried the Empress, accompanied by tears. "Zhaozu, wake up son!" pinta's mother lirih.

Emperor Zhihu directly carried his son and brought him to his room. All the best healers in the city around the Xili Kingdom were immediately summoned to the Palace. One by one expressed their inability to cure the Little Prince.

The Emperor and the Empress were almost desperate back then, as no one could cure their son. Amidst the despair, came a grandfather in black robes and a face covering, entering the Emperor's room secretly at a time when there was no one. I don't know where the grandfather came from, until they were shocked.

"Who are you? Why are you suddenly here?" ask the Emperor in a high tone. "Supervisors. Come here!" he shouted again to call his guards. However, no one had come to the Emperor's room.

"Hey, who allowed you to approach my son!" hardik the Emperor was angry. "Go! Stay away from my son!" he snaps again with rage.

The old grandfather paused for a moment, then looked at the Empress who was holding her son in fear. "Do you want your life saved?" asked the grandfather in a cold and flat tone.

The emperor who was preparing to throw a punch was instantly speechless, hearing the old man's words. He stared intently at the old man, before saying. "What do you mean, grandpa? Can you save my son's life?" ask the Emperor seriously.

Without turning his head towards the Emperor, grandfather immediately nodded making the Emperor and Empress happy. However, the Emperor was furious after hearing Grandfather's next words. "I can save him. As long as you give him to me!" pinta grandpa direct.

"What's? How dare you ask my son? How presumptuous of you, old man!" the Emperor snarled loudly. "I don't care if you can save my son or not. To be sure, I won't hand my son over to a stranger like you!" he continued then with anger.

The old grandfather smiled as he said. "So you chose your son to die?" the old grandfather's question made the Emperor silent. "Nobody can save your son's life in this whole country, except me. If you agree, then give your son to me. I will heal the wounds all over his body, and I will make him as he was. Hows it? You agree?" ask the old man next.

The old grandfather's offer was very tempting. Which parent does not want their child to survive? However, the request of the old man was so heavy on the hearts of the Emperor as well as the Empress. If they refuse, then his son's life is at the end of death. But, if they agreed to it, then they would have to let go of losing their son forever. Isn't that the same thing? But that way, they can keep their son alive even if they have to separate.

"I agree!" the Queen said without hesitation.

The emperor looked at his wife. "Are you sure, my wife?"

"I'm sure, my lord. At least, Zhaozu remained alive. I'd willingly give up anything to exchange for my son's safety, even if it's my own life" the Empress said. "If farewell is the only way to save my son's life, I'm sincere." he continued with teary eyes.

The emperor spoke a thousand languages. He cannot think at this moment. Should he take Zhaozu like his wife? What about the throne he had? Who will succeed the throne of the kingdom, if the Crown Prince leaves here?

"You take it easy, Emperor! I asked your son for ten years. After ten years, your son will return on his own. I promise!"

The old grandfather's words made both of them relieved. Now, they could let go of Prince Zhaozu calmly without worrying about anything more. But, how did the old man heal the wounds all over his son's body?

The old grandfather asked Empress Jian to stay away from the bed where Zhaozu was lying. Now he sat down beside the bed, then took out a bottle from his pocket. Drop by drop, the liquid from the bottle was poured all over Zhaozu's body without being touched by her hands. After evenly dispersing, a second later, Zhaozu's body shook violently accompanied by a loud shout from the boy.

"Aaaarrgghhhh, it hurts so much!" zhaozu shouted while writhing in pain.

This would have made the Emperor angry. "What the hell is he, huh? Are you sure you're going to cure my son?" hardiknya while gripping the neck of old grandfather.

The Emperor gritted his teeth while raising his hand, preparing to hit. However, the Empress's cry stopped her actions. "My lord, Zhaozu!" exclaimed the Empress, making the Emperor turn his head. "You're awake, my son. Thank goodness!" she hugged him tightly, and her lips kept on peeping all over her son's face.

The Emperor who witnessed that, immediately approached and took off his grip. "Zhaozu, are you okay, son?" the Emperor asked worriedly. The tone of worry was clearly heard.

Zhaozu stood up showing her better condition. His body that peels and charred earlier, now back white and clean without any defects. "I'm fine, Dad, mom. Look, I'm fine!" he cried with a joyful smile. "So, I was scared when I saw a fire in the barn. There's a big pole falling on my body. It was very heavy and I felt hot. The smoke was so much, it made my chest tight and my throat like it was suffocating a strong hand. After that, I don't know anything. But now, it's like I'm reborn." Zhaozu said of the fateful incident that happened to her.

The emperor hugged his son tightly, rubbing the ends of his slightly watery eyes. "Thank God, son. I'm so worried!" said gently.

The empress did the same, and the three of them embraced to shed some happiness over the return of her life. But that happiness did not last long. Because, the words of the old man made them aware of something. "Don't break your promise, Your Majesty!"

"Promise?" the two couples instantly fell silent looking at the old grandfather, then turned to look at his son. "Yes God!"

...Connect ......