A Tale of Hidden Seas is a historical costume drama centered on revenge and political intrigue. It tells the story of Zanghai, who survives the massacre of his family, endures ten years of hardship and growth, and ultimately uncovers the truth and protects his country.
Kuai Duo, chief astronomer of the Great Yong state's Imperial Observatory, is ordered to build a Fengshan altar at the southern foot of Dansui Mountain in the Winter-Summer Kingdom. There, he unexpectedly discovers the Ghost Seal, a treasure capable of controlling ghost soldiers, and hides it away. This stokes the greed of Marquis Pingjin Zhuang Luyin, who has the entire Kuai family of sixteen slaughtered. Only eight-year-old Zhinu, later known as Zanghai, escapes by hiding in a tunnel. In his hour of peril, a mysterious masked man rescues him and takes him to a secluded manor to study.
Ten Years in Hiding and Transformation
Zhinu assumes the name Zanghai and becomes the disciple of Xingdou, who teaches geomancy and construction, and Gao Ming, who teaches political strategy. Over the next ten years, he masters their arts. Xingdou disguises him, erases the traces of his identity, and devises a plan for revenge through cunning rather than force. As he grows, Zanghai faces emotional trials and gradually develops an unyielding spirit.
Revenge and Political Intrigue
Using his skill in construction as a way in, Zanghai approaches his enemy Zhuang Luyin and becomes his adviser. He advances his plan step by step: solving problems with the tombs of the imperial mausoleums, driving a wedge between Zhuang Luyin and his political rival Cao Jingxian, and exposing the Zhuang family's corruption. In the end, he uses Zhuang Luyin's son, Zhuang Zhixing, to kill him.
