Warlord of the Xili Kingdom
The Shadow Dragon College

At this moment they were silent without any intention of saying a word. It was too hard to accept everything, but they already agreed.

The Emperor's face was visibly riled up at this moment. He could not think of anything to prevent it, because this was predetermined. Wanna deny it? That's impossible! As Emperor, he could not damage his own image.

"Why are you guys quiet? What promise did this grandfather say, so Mom and Dad look tense like that?" zhaozu asked in confusion.

The sadness that was clearly depicted on the mother's face implied helplessness. While his father could not act anything, because this was the initial decision they took.

After a heavy sigh, the Emperor stroked his son's head gently. "Zhaozu, from now on you must come with this grandfather! Respect him as you respect us. Whatever grandfather says, you must obey him!" his father's speech sounded like an order that should not be broken.

"Why should I go with this grandpa? Did Mom and Dad not want me anymore? Was I so naughty, that you guys exiled out the palace?" zhaozu's question stifled the Empress' chest.

That's not what we meant. However, the word could not be expressed by the mother to her son. "Did Zhaozu not believe in your Father and Mother, son?" ask the Empress gently.

Zhaozu was silent for a moment to read the current situation. He was an intelligent child, so he knew what his mother meant. Remember, he just survived death. Likely, this grandfather helped him and both his parents promised him something.

The old man named Lon Thong immediately sat before Zhaozu with a smile. "I know, you're a smart kid. And I'll tell you all, especially you!" said grandpa. "Listen to this, son. Someone has been after your life for a long time. Since you're a kid, you can't fight his powers. But, if you are an adult and have a power far greater than them, then you can defeat everything easily. So, you have to go with Grandpa to train your skills to make you a great man in this whole country. Do you want to?"

Neither the Emperor nor the Empress, was very surprised to hear the words of the grandfather about the man who was after the life of his son. The fire incident was intentional? Then, who's the mastermind?

"Sorry, grandpa! Why do you talk like that? Who would dare to harm a Prince Xili and also the successor to the throne of the Empire?" the Emperor asked furiously.

Grandfather Lon Thong smiled before saying. "It was precisely because he was the next generation of successors, that the enemy wanted to get rid of him. So, I advise you to spread rumors all over the country. Let everyone know that the Prince did not recover completely and was also disabled. Hide her existence from everyone, and no one should know this but us. For the others, I'll take care of it!" Obviously Lon Thong's grandfather.

The Emperor and the Empress agreed to grandfather's plan, to hide the truth about his son. They want to find out the mastermind behind the horrific incident that harmed his son again.

Emperor Zhihu immediately hugged his son before being taken in by grandfather. "Son, study hard! Make sure you deserve to be Emperor. Never let us down with your abilities!" The Emperor's message to his son.

The queen embraced and kissed her son gently. Although it makes him sad, but this road is the best. "Don't waste the chance of life you've got, son! Show the world that my son is great!" empress Cetus then encouraged.

With a forced smile, Zhaozu nodded as she said. "Mom and Dad will always remember! I promise, I will return after I deserve the position of Ruler." he said loudly.

Although it feels heavy, but it's time Zhaozu went with grandfather.

Before actually leaving, grandfather again said something to the three. "From now on, he will be known as Zhaoling. The grandson of the Dragon Tread Swordsman, Lon Thong!"

How surprised the Emperor was to hear the words of the old man before him. This old grandfather was a famous Swordsman in the entire mainland of the Jhajanan Continent. How could he not recognize her?

Dragon Tread Swordsman has another nickname, namely the Drunk God, as well as the Death Swordsman. He is one of the world's most famous heroes. His Silat school was everywhere, but he never set his true face. Everyone knows his name and nickname, not his face.

The Emperor immediately lowered his head in shame before Lon Thong's grandfather respectfully. "Punish my ignorance, Lord Lon Thong! I was being rude to you earlier," the Emperor regretted sincerely.

Grandfather Lon Thong smiled as he helped the Emperor stand up. "It shouldn't be an Emperor like you bowing before me!" said grandpa. "Every parent would be angry if his son was asked by someone else. But, I do like this son of yours, because I see a hidden talent in him. So, now you're not willing to take it off under my guidance?" ask grandpa.

The emperor nodded with confidence. "How can I refuse, if a great Swordsman like you chooses my son? But that's not what made me agree. From the beginning, I promised to give up my son to you, if his life was saved. We feel lucky, because our son can get your guidance" he said.

Although the grandfather was not a famous Swordsman though, Emperor Zhihu would still keep the promise of handing over Zhaozu to the person.

Then, the grandfather held Zhaozu's hand and moved very quickly, until neither the Emperor nor the Empress saw his movements at all. It was common for a high-scientific Swordsman like Lon Thong's grandfather to go as fast as lightning from where he stood. However, it left the Emperor and the Empress dumbfounded at not having seen her son leave.

Since that incident, Zhaozu's true condition has been hidden tightly by her parents. Be it the immediate family or the whole people of this country. In fact, the Emperor's own mother did not know it. So, the Queen Mother still considers that her grandson is a disabled young man until now. He now loves the Son of the Emperor's first concubine, Prince Zhaohan. Because of the Queen Mother's affection as well, which makes Zhaohan always act arbitrarily towards anyone.

Zhaohan was considered the First Prince after the death of the Empress' first son, Prince Zhaoliang. Zhaozu, or Zhaoling, is the Third Prince, due to his age under Prince Zhaoyan. Son of Consort Wang.

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"Yyyyyyyyyyyy ... Haaaaah!" there was a loud sound of the disciples training on the front page of the Shadow Dragon College, which belonged to the Dragon Tread Swordsman.

Among the disciples, a handsome boy wearing a headband was practicing fervently. Although he was the smallest and only student, his spirit was no less high than the other disciples who were bigger than him. That handsome boy is Zhaoling. The Third Prince of Xili Kingdom. The son of Empress Jian Xia.

One by one the students in the martial arts tests they studied here. Then, they are tested to attack each other one-on-one. Whoever wins, will be given a prize, which is the God Pill.

The God Pill was an excellent medicine to increase strength, as the material was made from a rare plant that only grew for once every hundred years on Mount Nanjing. The highest mountain in the North is called the Mountain of the Gods. In addition to its height, the Mountain is also guarded by many powerful demons.

Only the talented and strongest disciples, could obtain the God Pill as a reward for achieving his success from the Supreme Master. Namely, Dragon Tread Swordsman, Grandpa Lon Thong.

Over the years, not a single talented disciple had been able to master the Dragon's Tread Skill like a supreme Master. However, in just five years, Zhaoling was able to master the mainstay of Lon Thong's grandfather very well. He was also able to master the Flying Dragon Force, as well as the Thousand Shadows Skirt from the Ancient Book, which he learned every night before going to bed.

Many senior disciples from the College were envious of him. They thought that Zhaoling was being treated specifically by the supreme Master, as he was brought directly by him. In fact, Zhaoling is just like those who practice every day.

Some students tried to make it difficult. They trap Zhaoling by breaking the entire water jug when he happens to be in the kitchen. The water jug is full of water taken by all students from the river under the College. The river that can be passed only by going down the stairs as many as one hundred and fifty-five steps.

All the college students became angry about it, and did not want to hear the self-defense of Zhaoling. As a result, Zhaoling had to refill the twenty-three jug of water.

Although he was innocent, but Zhaoling still did it willingly. He filled the whole jug of water by passing the steps of one hundred and fifty-five twenty-three times.

While fetching water in the river, he met the seniors who were bathing there. They mocked and scorned Zhaoling with his scathing words.

"Ck, the new boy has been pretentious to take the hearts of all teachers. In fact, the Supreme Master was very dear to him." piqued the one with a lash.

"You're right. But the Great Master still punished him, even though he was the favorite disciple of the Supreme Master. After all, what went wrong must be punished, right!" he laughed out loud.

Zhaoling just passed them without caring about it. He remained focused on carrying the two buckets in his left and right hands, and walked leisurely.

Unheeded, they became upset until they grabbed Zhaoling's leg until he fell to the ground.

Bruckk

"You ...!"