The first day in Nahmgyo, after raising the blue flag over the south gate, was peaceful and busy. In the morning, three warships approached, and tension filled the air as the cannons on the walls turned towards them. However, the ships didn't anchor and retreated. The Wian forces assumed it was the advance party, returning from Sahpung to search for the delayed rear party. Ryang, worried about the potential danger if the Dahnian ships stopped at Hyangdo on their way back to Sahpung, immediately sent a messenger to investigate.
In the afternoon, after the warships had retreated, Yeong raised the sunken Cannon Ships. Seong had wanted to wait until her shoulder healed, but Ryang insisted they couldn't leave the ships and weapons submerged for long. Seong was apprehensive, but Yeong agreed to his request and led the soldiers to the coast.
The harbor was bustling. Merchant ships, which had taken refuge in Dongrahng and Seorahng under Jin's orders, had returned, and it was as if the battle had never happened. After the soldiers cleared the merchant ships, Yeong parted the waters, the sea obeying her command. The sunken ships rose, water cascading from their decks. The people of Nahmgyo, who had followed Yeong, watched in awe, cheering as the sea surged. Those who had been anxious about the Wian occupation seemed reassured by the miracle they witnessed, the rumors spread by Seon about Seong burning Hyangdo's ships with a wave of his hand, and Yeong parting the sea. Ryang summoned carpenters from Nahmgyo to repair the damaged ships and mobilized all the blacksmiths to examine and repair the cannons Dahnians had brought from Sunyahng.
While Ryang focused on managing the aftermath of the battle, reorganizing Nahmgyo's command structure, and planning the distribution of resources, the Ministry of Emissary Divine treated the wounded and prepared the funerals for the deceased. One hundred and twenty-seven were injured in the first battle, thirty-seven of them severely.
Though they had yet to address Cheongro's injury, the Ministry made exorbitant demands for the funeral preparations. With their assets depleted and the future uncertain, Ryang intended to provide only the necessities, but Seong insisted on fulfilling their every request.
The funeral rites for the fallen were more elaborate than those for Cheon Yong, who had been laid to rest within the confines of Wicheong Palace. The Emissaries ascended Shinsuk Mountain, retrieving water from Seong'go, the sacred pool, to cleanse the bodies. They were then wrapped in fine silk, nearly plundered from the merchants of Nahmgyo. At sunrise and sunset, Norahn led the Emissaries in processions around the pyres, sprinkling sacred water and chanting prayers. The funeral pyres were erected on Sahngseon Coast, a site close to Nahmgyo and the place where Yeong had first been discovered. On the third day after the battle, the fallen were cremated, their bodies consumed by flames. Ung's pyre was built upon a foundation of granite, rising three tiers high, the flag of House Kyeongseon fluttering beside it. His three children watched the flames consume their father, their faces streaked with tears, their cries swallowed by the crackling fire. Jang'gyeong Seol stood beside them, her eyes hollow, the flames reflected in their depths burning with an intensity that mirrored her grief.
The Emissaries chanted prayers throughout the night, anointing the burning bodies with fragrant oils. Their low voices, muffled by the sea breeze, didn't travel far. As dawn approached, and the embers died down, Seong said to Ryang,
"Our elders are almost gone."
Ryang nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the fading flames. Yeong's voice broke the silence.
"You are the elder now," she said. "You are the leader, for the soldiers, for the people..."
After the funeral, Seong rested for half a day, his eyes heavy from a sleepless night. He then summoned Kyeongseon Joon. Joon was in the government office, reviewing the city's weapons and discussing the new command structure with Seolyo Jin's men. They bowed their heads at the sight of Seong.
"Leave us," Seong said.
Once they were alone, Joon asked, "What is it?"
Seong handed him a jade tablet. The title "High Commander" was engraved on it, along with Seong's seal. Joon stared at it, his expression shifting from bewilderment to sorrow, then bowed his head and accepted it. He tucked it away and held out his right hand. He was still struggling to accept his transformation.
"Do Jeong and Song also have this power?" he asked.
"Yeong said the power of the Celestial Scions lies beyond death," Seong replied.
"So we gain power by surviving near-death experiences?"
"But she also said not all deaths carry the light. It's too risky to test if they can become like you and me. They could die."
"Are you sure about that? About the Guardian Crimson's words?"
"There's no way to know. We can't test it by killing ourselves."
"Cheon Hwan would do that," Joon said.
"He probably would," Seong sighed.
He placed a hand on Joon's shoulder. "If you have any questions, go see Yeong. She'll help you."
"I will," Joon said, bowing.
Seong hesitated, as if he had more to say. Joon looked at him expectantly.
"There's something I need you to do," Seong said.
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Ryang stared at Joon in disbelief.
"So the Guardian ordered you to train me?" he asked.
"He said to make sure you can defend yourself," Joon replied.
Ryang scoffed, and U'nso, who stood behind them, struggled to contain his laughter. Seong had been determined to have Ryang learn swordsmanship when they entered Nahmgyo. It wasn't an unreasonable request. Seong must have deemed it necessary after the recent events. But had Seong been capable of defending himself, before he awakened? Ryang was baffled by the unexpected summons and felt slightly ridiculed.
"I can defend myself," he insisted.
"Clearly, you can't," Joon retorted. "Why are you being stubborn? Roll up your sleeves."
Ryang quickly gave in. He sighed, rolled up his sleeves with the leather strap Joon offered, and received the wooden sword. They had trained together as children, so Joon started with sparring. Ryang's skills were abysmal, much to U'nso's amusement. Ryang, who had given up swordsmanship early on, was no match for Joon, a naturally gifted warrior. After being repeatedly struck and knocked down, his body drenched in sweat, Ryang threw down the sword in frustration.
"How long do I have to do this?" he demanded.
"Pick it up," Joon said. "This doesn't happen overnight."
"I don't have time for this."
"I'm the High Commander now," Joon retorted. "I'm not doing this for leisure, either."
Ryang sighed and retrieved the sword. Joon continued to toy with him for the rest of the training session.
They finished as the sun began to rise above their heads. Ryang sat beneath a willow tree, catching his breath, when Joon approached with a cup of cold water. Ryang drank, and Joon sat beside him.
"I apologize for my outburst the other day," Ryang said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I was on edge because the plan went awry."
Joon didn't acknowledge his apology.
"I wanted to kill that Princess," he confessed. "I still do."
"I know," Ryang said.
"What will you do about the Ministry?" Joon asked. "Do you have a plan? Is that why you defied them?"
"It seems everyone is concerned about that," Ryang remarked dryly.
"They've been quiet due to the funeral rites," Joon explained. "But they won't remain silent for long."
Ryang rose, placing a hand on Joon's shoulder. "You are the High Commander now. It's time you took charge."
"Are you asking me to take sides?" Joon asked, his gaze meeting Ryang's. His expression was a mirror of his deceased father, the grief and determination etched in his features. A wave of sadness washed over Ryang.
What have you done? I warned you about the Ministry, didn't I?
Ung's voice echoed in his mind as if he were still with him. Ryang looked at Joon.
"Make your own judgement. A wise one," he said.
Ryang dismissed Joon and sought out Seon, who had already begun her daily routine. Hearing his approach, she greeted him with a sardonic remark.
"What's with the sudden interest in swordsmanship?"
Ryang, reluctant to elaborate, cut to the chase. "Where's Baek Ryucheon?"
"Why are you asking me?" Seon countered.
"He's your nightly companion," Ryang replied flatly.
Seon scoffed. "Just because he's my nightly companion doesn't mean I know his daily itinerary."
"Seon," Ryang began, his voice softer than usual as he recalled her desperate plea before, her hand clutching his arm.
"He said he was going to the west gate," Seon replied curtly.
"Why would he go there?"
"Go ask him yourself," Seon retorted.
Ryang cleaned himself, changed into fresh clothes, and headed to the west gate. The Ministry had set up temporary tents in the large courtyard near the gate, tending to the wounded. Their moans echoed from afar. Ryang found Ryucheon among the busy physicians and Emissaries. Ryucheon's lower face was covered with a black cloth, and he wore an array of unfamiliar tools at his waist. The others didn't seem to recognize him. His hands were covered in blood, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He noticed Ryang but didn't greet him.
"What are you doing here?" Ryang asked.
"What else am I supposed to do with the dying all around?" Ryucheon replied nonchalantly. "I have the skills, so I should help."
There was no hint of boastfulness in his voice. Ryang was surprised. Is he the type to offer his efforts without being asked? Ryucheon lifted the straw mat covering the next wounded soldier. A deep cut had been hastily closed, but it hadn't healed and was now festering, yellow pus oozing, revealing the raw flesh beneath. The stench made Ryang gag, and he turned away, vomiting. The wounded soldier, his eyes rolled back, couldn't even moan. As Ryang wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, Ryucheon drew a dagger from his waist and plunged it into the back of the soldier's neck, twisting the blade. The soldier died instantly without a sound.
"What have you done?!" Ryang exclaimed.
Ryucheon calmly closed the dead soldier's eyes, wiping the blood from his dagger onto his sleeve. "He was beyond saving," he said simply. "A swift death is a mercy."
Ryang stared at him, speechless. Ryucheon's actions were both unexpected and unsettling. He clearly wasn't the physician Ryang had hoped for. Ryucheon moved on to the next patient, then beckoned Ryang with a flick of his finger.
"A word, if you please."
He led Ryang to a narrow, dark alley and leaned against the cold earthen wall. He didn't remove his mask. His gaze, once nonchalant, was now cold and sharp.
"You're hiding something from me," he accused.