Hyeok, caught off guard by the unexpected blow, stumbled backward. He quickly regained his balance and, clutching his stinging cheek, glared at Yeol. Sensing the tension in the room, the surrounding officers and soldiers discreetly retreated.
"You know the situation, and yet you let the Princess lead you around by the nose!" Yeol roared. "You've been by her side all this time. What have you been doing?!"
"Brother."
"Why did you even volunteer for the selection in the first place?" Yeol continued. "It was a disaster from the start! Do you have any idea how serious this is? Because of you and your stupidity, our family is caught in a rebellion!"
"I know! I know all that! But…"
"But what?"
Hyeok, his bravado fading, his eyes brimming with tears, choked out, "I love her."
Yeol stared at him, dumbfounded. "What?"
"Once the monsoon season starts, we won't know if she's dead or alive until autumn," Hyeok pleaded. "I can't just sit here and do nothing."
Yeol struggled to contain his anger. "Then you should have protected her properly in the first place. You couldn't even protect your own woman and let her fall into the hands of a handful of rebels?"
"If they're just a handful of rebels, then why do we need to wait for reinforcements?" Hyeok countered.
"You…!"
"If you had helped us when we asked, none of this would have happened!" Hyeok cried. "There was nothing wrong with our plan! I warned her not to trust House Myeonghyeon countless times! She wouldn't listen!"
"You must have acted recklessly for her to ignore your advice!" Yeol countered. "Even though she's young, the Princess wouldn't dismiss your counsel without reason. It's too late for regrets. Get ahold of yourself. If we fail to rescue the Princess, not only us, but our entire family will be ruined."
Despite the harsh reprimand, Hyeok continued to defy his brother. "Then let me go and rescue her! Just give me ten men. I'll go!"
"You don't have a shred of military experience," Yeol scoffed. "What makes you think you can lead troops? Do you think infiltrating enemy territory is child's play?"
"I'm not playing! I'm risking my life!"
"Shut up!"
Yeol's fury threatened to erupt again, but Hyeok stood his ground, unflinching. Yeol took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I'm returning to Sahcheon to send a message to Sunyahng," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "You stay here and don't do anything stupid."
Hyeok simply gritted his teeth. The silence that followed was heavy with tension. Before leaving, Yeol turned back and threatened, "If anything goes wrong, I'll personally see to your punishment."
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"The Ministry is being abandoned in Nahmgyo," one of the elders grumbled, his aged lips trembling.
Ten elders sat in a circle before Norahn, their voices a low murmur of discontent. Cheongro stood behind them, a lone figure supporting their frail backs. Norahn sat with his back straight, his head held high, maintaining a dignified posture, but his eyes remained downcast.
"The decision has been made," he said. "House Myeonghyeon's reasons for relocating align with the Guardian's interests. Besides, Nahmgyo is a sacred city. Why would the Ministry feel abandoned guarding it?"
"Then at least keep the Guardian here," another elder pleaded.
"The decision is final," Norahn repeated, his voice firm despite the tremor that betrayed his unease.
"The matter of the Second Emissary shouldn't have ended with mere weapons," an elder insisted.
"Our forces are limited," Norahn countered. "You must understand that excessive demands could turn public opinion against the Ministry."
The eldest among them, his eyes clouded with age, fixed Norahn with a piercing gaze. "What about the matter of your heir?"
Cheongro's eyes were fixed on Norahn's rigid shoulders. Norahn struggled to catch his breath.
"The Third Emissary is absent," he finally replied. "We will begin preparations after her return."
"You always postpone things," the elder chided. "It's a terrible habit."
Norahn's forehead glistened with sweat as he finally escaped the unpleasant meeting. Cheongro, who had bowed deferentially before the elders, followed Norahn out and offered him a handkerchief with his left hand.
"Wipe your brow, Your Sanctity," he said.
The white cloth felt like a brand, a mark of humiliation. Norahn ignored him and returned to the guesthouse.
All of Nahmgyo was abuzz with the relocation of House Myeonghyeon and the Wian forces. The Ministry, newly armed and beginning their training, added to the commotion. But the guesthouse where Norahn resided remained eerily quiet. Even Princess Kyeong'ui, who had been making a fuss for days, was silent today. Alone in his room, with the door closed, Norahn felt truly abandoned in Nahmgyo, just as the elders had lamented.
The most dreadful part of Norahn's day was the mandatory meeting with the elders every few days, where he had to report on current affairs and seek their counsel. The elders had decreed that Norahn must consult with them until he reached the age of fifty. His only consolation was that the time remaining for these meetings was less than the time he had already endured. These meetings had been slightly more bearable when Sobi was by his side, but Sobi was gone, having departed for Soyeol. Norahn's thoughts drifted, wondering where Sobi was now, whether she had reached Soyeol safely, or was still at sea.
Suddenly, a burning sensation engulfed his eyes, and Norahn stumbled backward, his hands flying to his face. Another vision? The last one had been a grim experience, and he hesitated to open his eyes. He cautiously lifted his eyelids, and a strange scene unfolded before him. A large room, filled with people dressed in brightly colored clothes, each with an ornate sword at their hip, lined up on either side.
This wasn't Birahng or Sunyahng. Norahn recalled the attire of the Soyeolish merchants who remained in Nahmgyo. Is this Soyeol? His gaze was drawn to a small figure huddled in the center of the room. Even though he could only see his back and shoulders, Norahn knew instinctively that it was Sobi. Is this a vision of what is happening, or what is to come? Either way, Norahn felt relieved that Sobi had reached Soyeol safely. Sobi's body trembled as he began to speak, but her words were muffled and indistinct.
Norahn followed Sobi's bowed head to the feet before him. He focused his attention, trying to identify the person Sobi was addressing. Is it Jongwon Soh, the King of Ju? He followed the line of the ankles upwards, taking in the black robes. He concentrated, his gaze rising to the face. And then his breath hitched.
Cheon Hwan. It was Cheon Hwan who was receiving Sobi's obeisance. His face was more mature, tanned and gaunt, but it was undoubtedly him. Cheon Hwan slowly rose from his seat, his eyes cold as he looked down at Sobi. His hands moved as if to draw his sword, and Norahn instinctively reached out to stop him, but his arms were too short, his feet rooted to the spot. Hwan's eyes seemed to burn with a crimson fire, and then his entire body was engulfed in flames. His clothes burned away, leaving him naked, but he remained unfazed, a leisurely smile playing on his lips. And then his eyes met Norahn's.
The vision vanished like a dream. Norahn collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. It was Cheon Hwan, no doubt about it. The same fierce flames that had danced in Seong's hands now enveloped Hwan's body, larger and more menacing than ever before.
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Weapons were quickly distributed to the Emissaries. Following Joon's instructions, Nahmgyo's officers began training them, and the sound of their drills echoed through the wide training ground behind the government office every morning and evening. Joon stood at a distance, his face creased with displeasure as he observed the training. Seong approached and stood beside him.
"How's the training going?" he asked.
Joon sighed deeply. "It would be easier to train thirty Ryangs," he grumbled. "At least I won't have to witness this clumsy spectacle once we move to Hyangdo. It's frustrating just to watch."
"They'll get better," Seong said reassuringly.
"Do you really believe that?" Joon asked.
Seong responded with unwavering conviction. "Regardless of the reason, once we've decided to arm them, they're our troops. We have to ensure they can fight effectively."
He patted Joon's shoulder. "Get back to work."
"Where are you going?"
"To see the Guardian Crimson."
Joon hesitated, then asked, "Is she... alright?"
"I'll find out when I get there," Seong replied with a faint smile.
He headed towards Yeong's chamber. When he arrived, Yeong was being treated by the Ministry's physician. Seong waited patiently for them to finish. Once Yeong was dressed and the physician had left, they were alone. Seong looked at Yeong's slightly uneven shoulders and asked, "How's your shoulder?"
"Much better," Yeong replied. "The pain is almost gone. Are the preparations for the move going well?"
"There's not much for me to prepare," Seong said. "Everyone's busy with the lack of time."
Yeong suddenly turned to him and asked, "Will there be people in Hyangdo?"
"There are a few hundred Dahnian soldiers who surrendered," Seong replied.
"I meant children," Yeong clarified.
"There will be Dahnian families as well," Seong said. "I hear many of them settled in Hyangdo and started families there. Why do you ask?"
"I liked it here," Yeong replied flatly.
Seeing the hint of sadness in Yeong's expression, Seong felt an urge to embrace her. He had been afraid of Yeong when she acted as Sahngjon's messenger, but whenever she showed her human side, Seong felt as if he were facing the most beautiful being in the world. Can I hold her? Will Yeong accept my embrace after our kiss? Seong hesitantly approached Yeong and reached out. Yeong didn't resist. Relieved, Seong gently pulled her into an embrace and whispered, "You'll like Hyangdo too. I'll make sure we make good memories there."
A sweet fragrance emanated from Yeong. Drawn to the scent, Seong unconsciously brushed his lips against Yeong's neck. His lips, sliding softly, gently parted Yeong's collar and touched the healed wound where the raw flesh had been. He felt her muscles tense beneath his touch, and his wandering mind snapped back to reality. Seong pulled away in a fluster. Yeong's eyes were wide and unfamiliar.
"I should go," Seong mumbled. "Rest well."
With a brief farewell, he turned and left.
Though Seong had bid her farewell and wished her a restful night, Yeong found herself unable to sleep until late, even after completing her daily routine. The spot where Seong's lips had grazed still felt warm. Yeong traced the path with her fingers, trying to recreate the sensation, but it wasn't the same intoxicating feeling. Why do I crave it again? Is this what desire felt like? The emotion was unfamiliar and sweet.
Amidst her confused thoughts, she heard a knock, followed by Norahn's voice.
"Guardian Crimson."
"Enter," Yeong replied, quickly straightening her clothes and composing herself.
Norahn entered and bowed deeply. His slender neck quivered with the effort, and Yeong felt a sense of foreboding.
"You've come at a late hour," Yeong remarked.
Norahn bowed again, pushing back the white cloth covering his head. His eyes, still glowing with the remnants of the vision, were revealed. Yeong tensed.
"I've received a vision," Norahn announced.
"What did you see?" Yeong asked sharply.
"I saw Cheon Hwan," Norahn replied.
Yeong's eyes widened in surprise. She leaned forward expectantly.
"He sat on the throne of Soyeol, receiving obeisance from Sobi," Norahn continued. "And his entire body was engulfed in flames."
Yeong's mouth fell open, but she remained silent. Norahn knelt, his eyes filled with a desperate plea.
"How should I interpret this vision?" he asked. "I cannot fathom Sahngjon's will. Please, give me an answer."
"Have you spoken of this vision to anyone else?" Yeong asked.
"No," Norahn replied.
A heavy silence fell between them. Only the sound of their tense breathing filled the room, conveying Yeong's unprecedented turmoil. Finally, she spoke.
"Say nothing of this until I give you further instructions."
"But Guardian…"
Yeong's gaze was sharp and forbidding, silencing Norahn's protest.
"As you command," Norahn conceded, bowing his head.
"You may leave."
Norahn retreated with a series of backward steps. Once the door closed, Yeong knelt where she stood, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, as if trying to pierce through it to the unseen heavens above.