Chapter 5 – A Prince's First Friend

Several days had passed since the Banquet of Ten Thousand Immortals.

The Heavenly Realm returned to its usual tranquility.

Clouds drifted lazily between floating mountains, immortal cranes soared beneath golden skies, and streams of spiritual energy flowed like rivers across Heaven.

Within the Celestial Palace...

A certain little prince sat cross-legged on the floor with a very serious expression.

Before him lay dozens of wooden pieces.

He frowned.

"No..."

"This goes here..."

He placed one piece on top of another.

The tiny tower immediately collapsed.

"..."

He stared at the scattered pieces.

Then looked toward the ceiling.

"...It attacked me."

A nearby palace maid quickly covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

"Your Highness..."

"I believe the tower simply fell."

The prince crossed his arms.

"I remain unconvinced."

---

Outside the chamber, the Moon Empress listened to the exchange.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"He is becoming more expressive."

The elderly nurse standing beside her nodded.

"His Highness is curious about everything."

"He asks questions from sunrise until he falls asleep."

The Empress laughed softly.

"And does he allow you to answer?"

The nurse hesitated.

"...Not always."

"Sometimes His Highness answers his own questions before we can."

The Empress's smile deepened.

"That sounds like him."

---

Later that afternoon...

The prince wandered through the Celestial Gardens.

Today, he had politely escaped three tutors, two attendants, and one elderly physician who insisted he drink another bowl of bitter immortal medicine.

"I'm perfectly healthy..."

He muttered.

"Why does healthy medicine taste so terrible?"

He sighed dramatically.

Just then...

A faint sob reached his ears.

The prince stopped walking.

Someone was crying.

He followed the sound through a grove of blooming peach trees.

Behind one of the trees sat a little girl.

She couldn't have been much older than him.

Her long silver hair covered part of her face as she quietly wiped away tears.

The prince recognized her immediately.

She was the shy girl who had once gifted him the carved wooden horse.

He remembered her name.

"Lian."

The girl quickly stood and bowed.

"Y-Your Highness."

The prince shook his head.

"We're not in court."

"You don't have to bow every time."

She lowered her eyes.

"My father says... respect should never depend on where we stand."

The prince thought about that for a moment.

"...Your father sounds wise."

"He is."

"But..."

Her voice became quieter.

"I disappointed him."

The prince tilted his head.

"How?"

She hesitated.

"Today was my first lesson in swordsmanship."

"I couldn't even lift the practice sword."

"My brothers laughed."

"They said I would never become an immortal general."

The prince looked at her small hands.

They were slightly red from gripping the wooden sword.

Without saying anything...

He sat beside her on the grass.

For several moments...

Neither spoke.

Only the sound of flowing water filled the air.

Finally...

The prince broke the silence.

"When I first learned to walk..."

"I fell."

"A lot."

Lian looked at him.

He smiled sheepishly.

"I once fell into Father's robes."

"I accidentally stepped on Mother's dress."

"I even walked into a pillar."

She blinked.

"...Really?"

"I blamed the pillar."

A tiny laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

The prince grinned.

"There."

"You're smiling."

She quickly covered her mouth.

"I... I wasn't."

"You were."

"I wasn't."

"You absolutely were."

The two children looked at each other.

Then both began laughing.

---

Above them...

Hidden among drifting clouds...

The Heavenly Emperor and Moon Empress watched quietly.

The Emperor spoke first.

"He noticed her sorrow."

The Empress nodded.

"And chose to sit beside her..."

"...instead of speaking immediately."

The Emperor's gaze remained on the children.

"Listening."

"Is often a greater kindness than advice."

The Empress glanced toward him with a faint smile.

"Is that today's lesson?"

"No."

He answered calmly.

"It is one I am still learning."

She chuckled softly.

Even after countless ages...

There were still things they learned from one another.

---

Back in the garden...

The prince stood.

"Come."

Lian looked confused.

"Where?"

"To prove something."

A few minutes later...

They reached a quiet clearing.

The prince picked up a practice sword.

It was nearly as tall as he was.

He struggled to lift it.

His face turned red with effort.

He managed exactly three steps before...

Thud!

The sword slipped.

He landed on the grass.

Lian gasped.

"Your Highness!"

"I'm fine..."

He rubbed his head.

"I think."

She hurried over.

Then suddenly stopped.

The prince was laughing.

Not embarrassed.

Not frustrated.

Simply laughing.

"It really is heavy."

Lian stared.

Then looked at the enormous wooden sword.

Slowly...

She smiled.

"It is."

The prince climbed back to his feet.

"So..."

"If we both can't lift it..."

"Does that mean we're both hopeless?"

She quickly shook her head.

"No."

"Exactly."

He pointed toward a much smaller practice sword resting nearby.

"So let's start with one we can lift."

Lian looked at him silently.

No one had ever said something so simple.

Or made failure seem so... ordinary.

She picked up the smaller sword.

This time...

She lifted it easily.

Her eyes brightened.

"I did it..."

"You did."

She smiled more brightly than before.

---

Just then...

A familiar blue screen appeared before the prince.

【Hidden Mission Completed】

A Ruler Lifts Hearts Before Kingdoms

You comforted someone without seeking reward.

Reward Obtained:

Passive Skill – Inspiring Presence (Beginner)

People who spend time with you recover confidence more quickly.

The prince blinked.

"...That's actually a useful reward."

For once...

He had completed a mission without even realizing it.

As he watched Lian practice her first careful sword swings, a thought crossed his mind.

Maybe becoming a ruler...

Doesn't always begin on a battlefield.

Sometimes...

It begins by helping one person smile again.

Far above, the Heavenly Emperor silently watched his son.

A trace of pride shone in his ancient eyes.

Without a single word, he turned and walked back toward the palace.

The Moon Empress followed beside him.

"Our son..."

She whispered.

"...is beginning to understand the hearts of others."

The Emperor gave a slight nod.

"The day he understands them completely..."

"He will possess a strength that no cultivation technique can bestow."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***