Jang'gyeong Yoon's return sent ripples of unease through Wicheong Palace. The guards at the entrance, failing to recognize his scarred face, were caught off guard by the sudden arrival of the swordsmen. His mother, Keumpyeong Yu, rushed out, her sharp eyes recognizing her son despite his disfigurement. After the initial confusion subsided, Kyeongseon Ung, accompanied by Joon, briefly questioned Yoon and the other sailors before reporting to Seong.
Are the Celestial Scions uniting now that the Guardian of the Azure Scripture has awakened his powers? The reunification of the fractured Wicheong Palace should have been a cause for celebration. But Seong couldn't shake off a sense of unease.
"Where is he now?" he asked Ung.
"We've separated him from the others and confined him," Ung replied. "We can't keep so many of them in the mountains..."
"And the ship?"
"He said they hid it at Seobyeok. They left five men to guard it."
Seobyeok. It was a suitable location, one of the few places along the coast of Birahng where a ship could be safely concealed. It was also where Seong had last encountered Hwan. The memory surged within him, and he quickly changed the subject.
"How is his mother?"
"Relieved to see her son alive," Ung reported. "It was quite touching to see them embrace. Keumpyeong Yu has endured a lot within Wicheong, all for Yoon's sake. I ordered the others to avoid contact with them, but she insisted on allowing her to see him if she wished."
"You did well."
Ung presented Seong with a bundle of crumpled papers. "Yoon offered these to you as a token of his loyalty," he explained.
Seong unfolded the papers and began to read.
"...The initial atmosphere was tense, but Princess Kyeong'ui has begun to trust the High Councilor. He will be even more cautious, considering Wicheong instructed him to feign cooperation... The High Emissary Divine has manifested a miraculous power, his eyes glowing with a blue light. The High Councilor said it seemed as if he was receiving a revelation from Sahngjon... Princess Kyeong'ui's Royal Attendant is a spy planted by Sung within the Dahn royal court... However, the High Councilor has also discovered his true identity..."
Seong's fingers tightened around the papers, his blood turning to ice.
"Who wrote this?" he asked.
"Dara, House Myeonghyeon's servant," Ung replied.
Dara. Seong could easily picture her face. She was always by Ryang's side, a constant presence in his shadow. The one closest to Ryang, privy to all the information flowing through Wicheong Palace and Birahng. The one who didn't belong to Wicheong Palace, yet resided within its walls. Is this why Hwan has been so confident that I won't discover his spy? He had never spoken to Dara directly, but he had no negative impression of her. He had trusted her because of her loyalty to Ryang.
The secret messages were filled with countless mentions of Ryang, information that wasn't necessary to convey. Such meticulous betrayal, yet she addressed Ryang with such familiarity. The papers crumpled in his fist.
"Do you think she's escaped?" Seong asked.
"It's possible," Ung replied. "If she believes her identity remains a secret, she might still be in Nahmgyo. But I wouldn't take that risk. Ryang has returned alive."
"Who else knows about these messages besides you?"
"The High Emissary."
"Why would you share this with him without consulting me?" Seong retorted.
Ung looked flustered. "The High Emissary is second only to the Guardian. He needs to be informed of such matters. Why shouldn't he be?"
"Word could spread within the Ministry and complicate things. This could make it seem like Ryang is involved somehow."
"Surely no one would think that. It's not wise to exclude the High Emissary from such a critical matter."
Seong sighed, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Bring Yoon to the meeting chamber," he ordered. "And summon the others."
"Should I summon the Guardian Crimson as well?"
Seong hesitated. Yeong had been with Yoon, however briefly. He didn't know what had transpired between them, but if it could jeopardize her position, if it revealed more of Cheon Hwan's wrongdoings, it was best to keep her out of it. He was already uneasy about the secret messages being shared with the Ministry of Emissaries Divine.
"No."
"Understood."
Ung bowed and left. Seong straightened his clothes and headed towards the meeting chamber.
Once everyone was assembled, Yoon was brought before Seong, flanked by two soldiers. He prostrated himself, his head bowed low, his shoulders slumped. His clothes were stained with blood. Seong wondered whose blood it was. His brother's? Like Ryang, Yoon wasn't a warrior, so he wouldn't have dared confront Hwan directly. But with thirty swordsmen at his disposal, even Hwan wouldn't have stood a chance.
Seong's first question was sharp and cold.
"Did you kill my brother?"
Yoon flinched, about to answer when Ung interjected.
"He says he left him on the deserted island where they were anchored. Keumpyeong Hui and Yirahng stayed behind."
"No," Yoon corrected, "Keumpyeong Hui is dead."
Seong's eyes narrowed dangerously. Yoon, sensing his anger, hurriedly explained, "It happened during the escape."
"Did you kill him yourself?"
"It was an accident."
"An accident..."
"I was aiming for Yirahng," Yoon explained, "but he jumped in front of the blade. I would have avoided him if I could, but I'm not that skilled with a sword..."
Did Yoon know that Yirahng was carrying Hwan's child? Would he have struck her down regardless? Seong's anger flared.
"You betrayed Wicheong, sold out House Myeonghyeon to the Princess, left our soldiers to starve, betrayed your own lord, and now you've killed your own comrade. Why should I welcome you back?"
Yoon bowed his head, pleading for mercy. "I deeply regret my actions. I have no excuses, only a plea for the Guardian's forgiveness. Please forgive our foolishness in misinterpreting Sahngjon's will."
Guardian. The title felt like a mockery coming from Yoon's lips. He'd probably addressed Hwan with that same title until this morning, perhaps even last night. Seong was disgusted by this pathetic creature, bowing and scraping before him after abandoning his lord to die on a deserted island. He pitied his brother, betrayed by this wretch. Why is the thought of Cheon Hwan, abandoned and alone on some unknown island, more agonizing than the memory of my own near-death experience? Is my hatred for Hwan not strong enough? He wanted to condemn Yoon solely as a traitor, but he couldn't.
"Please have mercy on our foolishness," Yoon pleaded again. "Now that Sahngjon has finally answered our prayers, where else can we turn but to the Guardian's protection?"
"If there are other spies within Wicheong besides the one who wrote these messages," Seong demanded, "reveal them now."
"I don't know of any other..."
Norahn, standing to Seong's left, interrupted. "Guardian, with all due respect, you should be clear in your accusations. The one who wrote the messages was Dara, the High Councilor's servant."
Seong looked at Norahn, his gaze lingering on his downcast eyes, the blue light within them dimmed by his lowered lashes.
"The specifics are irrelevant," Seong dismissed.
Norahn finally met his gaze. "Can we be certain that the High Councilor had no involvement in this?"
The atmosphere in the room grew tense as those present, mostly unaware of the messages' contents, exchanged uneasy glances.
"Don't be absurd," Seong snapped.
"That servant has been loyal to House Myeonghyeon since her father's time," Norahn insisted. "She's been the High Councilor's right hand for years. I've never seen her act without his instruction. Don't you find the contents of those messages suspicious? You must uncover the truth. It's the only way to clear the High Councilor's name. If he's truly innocent, that is."
"We don't even know if he's alive," Seong countered. "Don't you think your suspicions are a bit harsh? Cheon Hwan tortured him. We all saw his condition when he returned to Nahmgyo. Do you think he would've suffered like that if he'd been collaborating with Hwan?"
"We can't be certain it wasn't a ruse."
"Norahn!" Seong's anger flared.
Ung stepped forward. "If you have such suspicions, why not ask Yoon directly?"
"Do you think he'll tell the truth?" Norahn countered.
"If you don't trust Yoon, then we need to verify the authenticity of these messages."
"So you presented these to the Guardian without even verifying their authenticity?" Norahn challenged.
Ung raised his voice. "Are you trying to pick a fight?"
Yoon stepped forward hesitantly amidst the commotion.
"I don't know if Myeonghyeon Ryang—no, the High Councilor—is involved in this matter. However..."
All eyes focused on Yoon's fading words. Yoon hesitated, rolling his eyes several times. Seong also watched Yoon's mouth. After a while, Yoon continued.
"I can't assure you that he's not involved. Cheon Hwan didn't tell me everything."
"What are you trying to pull?!" Seong shouted.
Seong was furious. At that moment, a small flame erupted from his hand gripping the armrest, blackening the wood. The gathered people simultaneously recoiled and stepped back. Yoon, who had only heard of the power from Hui, couldn't take his eyes off it despite his fear. Seong hurriedly removed his hand from the armrest. He tried to calm himself, but the flashing flames didn't subside easily. Seong quickly dismissed the gathered people.
"Everyone, leave for a moment. High Commander, stay."
Everyone except Ung rushed out. Yoon also rose from his prostrate position, and two soldiers attached themselves to him and dragged him out. Seong rubbed his palms together, clenching and unclenching his fists, unsure what to do. He didn't want to show his flustered appearance in front of his old master, but his inexperience was plain to see. Ung also just watched with regret, unsure how to help. Only after a long time, as his surprised and rapid breathing finally calmed, did the flames die down. Ung waited patiently for Seong to speak. In the quieted air, Seong finally spoke.
"I don't like him."