The preparations for departure took an entire day. Wu and Seo'oh, having barely finished packing before the ship's gangplank was raised, boarded in a state of near exhaustion. They collapsed onto their beds in the cabin, falling into a deep sleep before they could even experience seasickness. The first day passed in a blur, which was perhaps a blessing in disguise. Once they recovered the next day, both Wu and Seo'oh, who had never been on a sea voyage before, were plagued by severe seasickness. Wu, already suffering from morning sickness, was practically reduced to a living corpse.
But the physical discomfort was the least of her worries. Her hand trembled as she discovered a faint bloodstain on her undergarments. It wasn't entirely unexpected, considering the late nights and the added stress of seasickness. But there was nothing she could do about it now, so she shoved the soiled garment into a chest and tried to ignore it. Confined to her bed, she could only bark orders at Seo'oh, who, surprisingly, obeyed without complaint.
The journey took three days. Princess Kyeong'ui, eagerly awaiting the scholar's arrival, had been watching the horizon since the first sight of Dahn's flag. Seolyo Jin remained out of sight, sending an envoy to confirm the unwelcome arrival of Dahn's fleet. The fleet soon docked at Nahmgyo's port, and the gangplank was lowered. The white sand of the beach shimmered under the bright sun as Wu and Seo'oh stepped onto the shore, shielding their eyes from the glare. At the end of the gangplank stood a small, imposing figure, a crescent-shaped golden crown gleaming atop her head. It was Princess Kyeong'ui. She stood on a platform draped in iridescent-black silk, flanked by soldiers bearing flags emblazoned with the golden emblem of the tiger-bird. She recognized the figure in white robes as the scholar from the Sanctuary. A horn blared, announcing their arrival. Kyeong'ui watched with a keen eye as Wu and Seo'oh performed their first formal bow. Wu bowed twice, and as she straightened, Hongyoo, standing behind Kyeong'ui, spoke.
"Three times," he corrected.
"Pardon?" Wu looked up, confusion clouding her features.
"It is proper to bow three times to the Princess," Hongyoo explained.
Wu awkwardly knelt again and bowed her head. As she and Seo'oh rose, Kyeong'ui returned the gesture, her posture graceful, her hands clasped.
"Master," she acknowledged.
Seo'oh, his head still bowed, stole a glance at the Princess, her crowned head lowered in respect. He knew it was customary for even the King to show deference to scholars from the Sanctuary, but witnessing a royal bow before them filled him with pride and wonder.
Kyeong'ui straightened and greeted them with a smile. "Welcome. I apologize, but I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Princess Kyeong'ui. This is my Royal Attendant, Hongyoo. To be honest, I wasn't sure if my request would be granted."
Wu bowed again. "I'm Wu of House Song'un. This is Seo'oh, my assistant. He'll be aiding me during our stay on Birahng."
Kyeong'ui's dark eyes scanned their faces. Despite her youthful appearance, her gaze was sharp and appraising, making even the usually nonchalant Wu feel a flicker of unease. Kyeong'ui nodded curtly.
"Let's not prolong the formalities," she said. "Shall we proceed to the encampment?"
Leaving the crew to unload the ship, they headed towards the encampment. Kyeong'ui, eager to show them the sphere, led them straight to the designated tent. It was taller than the others, its unusual shape hinting at its contents. Inside, Wu and Seo'oh were speechless. The sphere, flawless and mesmerizing, filled them with awe.
"This is..." Wu breathed.
Kyeong'ui smiled proudly. "Astonishing, isn't it?"
"May I touch it?" Wu asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Hongyoo frowned at her casual tone, but Kyeong'ui readily agreed. "Of course. It's now entrusted to your care."
Kyeong'ui gently guided Wu towards the sphere. Wu took a few hesitant steps forward, then, as if suddenly shedding her shyness, she rushed towards the sphere, her hands tracing its smooth surface, her fingers tapping lightly against it. She peered at her reflection, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Wow... Look at this..." she exclaimed, beckoning Seo'oh closer.
Seo'oh, usually eager to examine anything new, hesitated, his gaze darting between the sphere and the Princess. Wu, sensing his hesitation, pulled him closer. He, too, was captivated by the sphere, his fingers tracing its surface, his face reflected in its depths.
Kyeong'ui watched them with a pleased smile, then, after a moment, she spoke. "I requested a scholar well-versed in the Azure Scripture from my father, but I wasn't sure if he'd grant my request. Technically, there shouldn't be any scholars studying the Azure Scripture within the Sanctuary."
"The Sanctuary is filled with old men who cling to rules," Wu replied, her gaze still fixed on the sphere. "If you hadn't summoned me, I'd still be suspended."
Kyeong'ui chuckled. "So you were caught as well?"
"I was unlucky," Wu admitted. "Have you ever read the Azure Scripture, Your Highness?"
"I was caught as well," Kyeong'ui confessed.
Wu turned to look at her in surprise. "And nothing happened? You weren't punished?"
"I was lucky," Kyeong'ui said with a shrug.
"As expected of the King's favorite," Wu remarked. "Even the rules bend before royalty."
Seo'oh, who had been completely absorbed in the sphere, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to look at Kyeong'ui and Hongyoo. Hongyoo's face was contorted in fury, but Kyeong'ui's expression was merely a mask of displeasure. She didn't seem inclined to reprimand them.
"How many times have you read the Azure Scripture?" she asked Wu.
"Does it even matter?" Wu countered. "I've read it countless times, revisiting certain passages whenever necessary. There's no point in keeping count. To be honest, many scholars in the Sanctuary study the Azure Scripture and its commentaries. It's absurd to forbid it. All knowledge is connected to the Azure Scripture in some way. Forbidding us from reading it is like telling us to climb a hill without touching the ground. So, we all read it, some out of curiosity, others out of necessity."
"Judging by your suspension," Kyeong'ui observed, "you must have gone beyond mere curiosity."
Wu shrugged. "If I answer incorrectly, will I be dragged to the execution grounds when I return to Sunyahng?" she asked with a nervous laugh.
Kyeong'ui smiled. "Don't worry. Whatever happens on Birahng stays on Birahng. I agree with you, Master. Wi might have fallen because of its obsession with the Azure Scripture, but it was still the foundation of our realm for a thousand years. We can't build a new nation on a foundation that's been completely erased. It's not even possible."
Wu, emboldened by Kyeong'ui's words, continued, "I'm glad you think so. To be honest, I believe the light of Sahngjon and the light of Reason and Intellect are one and the same. I'm not alone in this belief, of course. Many before me have held similar views. They were all dismissed, of course. But think about it, Your Highness. The sun being light doesn't make the moon darkness. Sure, there are some absurd claims in the Azure Scripture, but if you read closely, it echoes the teachings of the Sanctuary. They're not entirely different truths. How can truths contradict truths?"
At that moment, Kyeong'ui's expression hardened, and Wu quickly backtracked. "Did I speak too much?"
Kyeong'ui smiled reassuringly. "Not at all. I've heard similar comments recently."
"It's a sentence from the commentaries," Wu said. "Whoever said it seems like an interesting person."
After a bit more light conversation, a soldier arrived to announce that the ship had been unloaded. Kyeong'ui led them to a different tent and offered them tea. After taking a sip, she asked, "How is Sunyahng?"
Wu, missing the underlying intention behind her question, simply replied, "Same as always."
"Isn't there unrest due to the star?"
"Ah, the star!" Wu exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
Wu finally set down her teacup and replied, "It's utter chaos. All sorts of nonsensical songs are spreading through the streets. The patrol guards are everywhere, trying to crack down on them, but how can you catch a song? Melodies drift on the wind. Just recently, there was another uproar when a group was caught performing a secret ritual outside the east gate."
"It must be tiring for the King," Kyeong'ui remarked with a subtle smile that made Seo'oh uneasy. Wu, however, seemed oblivious to the underlying tension.
"Oh, right!" she exclaimed, nudging Seo'oh. "The ship's been unloaded. Go fetch it."
"Yes, Master," Seo'oh replied with a bow before hurrying out.
He soon returned with two soldiers carrying a large chest.
"What's this?" Kyeong'ui asked.
Wu looked puzzled. "Didn't you request this?"
"Ah, yes, of course. My apologies. Things have been rather hectic lately..." Kyeong'ui's voice trailed off as she rose and walked towards the chest. She lifted the lid to reveal a stack of books nestled amongst charcoal, their edges carefully wrapped in paper. The scent of fresh ink filled the air.
"Thank you for your efforts," Kyeong'ui said.
"You'll find everything you requested," Wu assured her.
Kyeong'ui examined the books, checking their titles. Wu and Seo'oh exchanged puzzled glances. Her reaction was surprisingly subdued, considering she'd sent a secret envoy all the way to Sunyahng to gather these books. Her eyes met Wu's curious gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kyeong'ui asked.
"You seem rather melancholic," Wu replied.
"Do I?"
Kyeong'ui quickly changed the subject, engaging them in light conversation about the current state of affairs in Sunyahng. As dusk fell, she dismissed them, suggesting they retire for the night.
"So the insensitive scholar noticed the Princess's melancholic expression?" Seo'oh teased as they left the tent.
"Anyone could've noticed," Wu retorted. "She practically had a raincloud over her head. I wonder what's bothering her. I thought those books were incredibly important, but she barely glanced at them."
They continued their idle chatter as they walked away. Kyeong'ui and Hongyoo remained in the tent. Kyeong'ui's smile, which she'd maintained throughout the meeting, finally faded, replaced by a weary frown. Hongyoo, sensing the lingering tension from the incident with Myeonghyeon Seon, carefully chose his words.
"His Majesty sent more reinforcements than expected," he remarked.
"Indeed," Kyeong'ui replied curtly.
"Are you pleased with the scholar?"
Kyeong'ui's gaze sharpened. "Are you not?"
"Not exactly," Hongyoo replied cautiously. "She seems a bit... impertinent."
Kyeong'ui's lips curled into a faint smile. "Did you expect someone who met my specific requirements to be ordinary? There are far more eccentric scholars in the Sanctuary."
"Still, I found her rather excessive."
"It doesn't matter. As long as she's capable of handling the sphere. If she lacks both manners and ability, she'll be held accountable for her words. We'll observe for now."
"Her attitude aside, even her words suggest she's not well-regarded within the Sanctuary. Such a person is of no use to us, even if we tried to win her over. Do you think His Majesty would've sent her if he'd been more attentive?"
"I never requested someone influential. I requested someone knowledgeable in the Azure Scripture and the study of the natural world."
Kyeong'ui fell silent, her expression unreadable. Hongyoo, who prided himself on knowing her better than anyone, couldn't discern whether she wanted him to stay or leave. He followed the line of her neck, his gaze lingering on the curve of her jaw. A surge of desire coursed through him. He remained silent for a while, then finally asked,
"Those books, were they meant for Myeonghyeon Ryang?"