Upon hearing the news, Ryang immediately entered Hyangdo through the north gate, where the gate tower had been burned down. Ga'ahn led him to the governor's office. Juyeong Hyo lay slumped over his desk. The summer heat had already hastened decomposition, the exposed flesh on his hands and face a dark, purplish hue. A blackened silver rod lay on a neatly folded cotton cloth.
"Poisoning or suicide?" Ryang asked Ga'ahn.
"We couldn't find a suicide note," Ga'ahn replied.
"Has anyone entered this room since the body was discovered?"
"I've forbidden anyone from entering. Only the physician came in to examine the body."
The timing of his death coincided with the attack on Hyangdo and the raising of the blue flag in Nahmgyo, making it difficult to determine whether it was murder or suicide. If it was murder, the culprit must still be within the city, as all ships connecting Hyangdo to the mainland had been burned. A jug and a cup sat on the desk. Noticing Ryang's gaze, Ga'ahn explained, "The physician said the alcohol in the jug was poisoned."
Ryang looked around the office. Papers peeked out from the drawers of the desk. Has someone been searching through them?
"Everyone, leave," Ryang ordered Ga'ahn and the soldiers.
He began examining the desk and shelves, leaving Juyeong Hyo's body where it lay. He found documents exchanged between Hyangdo and Sunyahng in one drawer. He thought these might shed light on the situation in Sunyahng, then noticed something at the bottom of the drawer. A piece of paper was hidden beneath a tear. Ryang carefully removed it, revealing a plain envelope containing a letter. The paper inside was thick and luxurious, unlike those used for official documents. Ryang unfolded it and read:
"...My sister is attempting to disrupt the nation with her childish curiosity. Do not cooperate... Even if something happens to Kyeong'ui, the Princess's life is not worth jeopardizing the future of the nation. Should there be any repercussions, I, the Crown Prince will handle everything..."
Ryang's heart pounded as he read the ruthless words. He folded the letter and tucked it away, then went outside and questioned Ga'ahn.
"Did Princess Kyeong'ui make any requests to Hyangdo recently?" he asked.
"She requested warships to transport additional supplies for the relocation to Sahpung, but the governor refused."
Ryang pondered this, then ordered Ga'ahn, "We need to examine all documents from the governor's office and Hyangdo's archives. Mobilize the soldiers and load them onto the ship. Some of us will remain in Hyangdo."
"Yes, High Councilor," Ga'ahn replied.
On the ship back to Nahmgyo, Ryang was troubled. He retrieved the hidden letter and examined it. Every sentence hinted at Kyeong'ui's planned demise, and the letter bore the seal of the Crown Prince. Would I have failed to capture Kyeong'ui if not for the Crown Prince's order? The credit for the first victory and the reclamation of Birahng might belong to the enemy's Crown Prince. He recalled Kyeong'ui's envious words about the close bond between him and his sister.
Ryang returned to Nahmgyo late in the afternoon, just before the victory feast, with a mountain of documents. He reported to Seong that Hyangdo had surrendered, demoralized by the loss of their ships and the governor's sudden death.
"Were there any other issues?" Seong asked.
"No," Ryang replied, lowering his gaze.
"Good," Seong said. "It's fortunate that Hyangdo surrendered without a fight."
"I'll ask Baek Ryucheon to send the report immediately," Ryang said.
"Do that," Seong replied. "And don't be late for the feast. Or should we invite him to the feast?"
"He's not trustworthy of an invitation yet," Ryang said, shaking his head. "I'll summon him separately tomorrow."
As the sun set, the victory feast commenced at Seong's command. The Lord and the Lady of Dongrahng and Seorahng were absent, defending their respective territories, as it was still unclear if Dahnians were aware of the situation in Birahng.
Seong raised his cup as he addressed the crowd.
"First, I propose a toast to the souls we lost," he said.
He paused, offering a silent tribute to the fallen, then emptied his cup in one gulp. The commanders and soldiers followed suit.
"I commend your valor in leading us to victory," Seong continued. "I witnessed each of you, holding high the flag of Sahngjon against the enemy's fierce resistance. May you forget your worries tonight and revel in this triumph. But there is one among us who deserves special recognition."
The lively atmosphere quieted at his words. Seong glanced at Joon, whose hands were clenched into fists.
"The greatest contributor to this victory is undoubtedly Joon of House Kyeongseon," he declared. "Joon shielded the Guardian of the Crimson Star from the princess's arrows and led us to victory, fighting on the front lines. Sahngjon answered his devotion, and the power passed down from his founder has reawakened within him. No weapon, no human hand, can harm his new body. The sacred power of House Kyeongseon, bestowed by Sahngjon, will protect you, and me, and Cheon-Wi, and the light of Sahngjon. I commend Kyeongseon Joon and, in accordance with the will of Sahngjon, appoint him the new High Commander, entrusting him with the leadership of our forces. Loyalty to the High Commander is loyalty to me. As you serve me on the battlefield, so shall you serve the new High Commander."
Seong raised his cup towards Joon.
"May the light of Sahngjon guide the new High Commander," he proclaimed.
Everyone drank, and the feast quickly grew boisterous. The soldiers crowded around Joon, offering him drinks, and he was soon drunk. Jeong and Song were also swept up in the revelry, as was Seong. The only ones who remained sober were Norahn, the High Emissary, Seon, who seemed immune to alcohol, Ryang, who discreetly discarded the drinks offered to him, and Yeong, whom no one dared approach.
Ryang slipped away from the boisterous crowd, seeking a moment of solitude. The forced merriment of the gathering was unsettling. Unable to bear the stifling atmosphere any longer, Seong stumbled out, following close behind Ryang. Seong staggered towards Ryang, his knees buckling. Ryang rushed to support him.
"You've had too much. You should stop."
"I can't refuse on a night like this."
Seong leaned heavily against Ryang, his eyes closed.
"I know you resent me," he mumbled, his words slurred.
Ryang froze, his body stiffening. Seong added.
"Don't forgive me."
With that, Seong buried his face in Ryang's shoulder. Ryang stood frozen, holding Seong close. Why would a lord seek forgiveness from his subject? Ryang blinked back tears, calling out to the soldiers.
"Guards! Quickly! Escort His Luminance to his chambers."
After ensuring Seong was settled for the night, Ryang wandered the grounds, bathed in the cool night air. The raucous sounds of the victory celebration echoed through the night. His path led him towards the prison where Kyeong'ui was held captive. Kyeong'ui had been confined to a cramped wooden cell, little better than an animal's cage, since her capture. The flimsy roof offered scant protection from the elements. Unaware of Ryang's presence, a group of drunken soldiers approached Kyeong'ui's cell.
"How does it feel to be a prisoner?" one sneered.
"You must be thrilled. Stuck in the palace, you've never seen a real man. Now you've had a taste of a true warrior's fist..." another taunted.
"Not bad looking, though! Makes me want to show you other pleasures a man can offer," a third chimed in.
Kyeong'ui, who had been ignoring them, finally lifted her head, her gaze fixed on the flushed face of the drunken soldier. Her cheek, bruised and swollen from Joon's blow, throbbed with pain. The soldiers, unfazed by her glare, continued their taunts, their laughter echoing through the prison.
Kyeong'ui's voice dripped with venom. "Say another word," she warned. "And I'll tear out your tongues and balls with my bare hands, and feed them to the dogs."
"You crazy bitch!"
One of the soldiers hurled his bottle at Kyeong'ui. It shattered against the bars, showering her with shards of glass and alcohol. Kyeong'ui brushed the shards from her clothes and spat the wine from her mouth. The stench of alcohol from her soaked clothes was nauseating. The soldiers retreated, their raucous laughter echoing through the prison. As they made their way back, a dark figure stepped out, blocking their path. The soldiers froze, their drunken laughter dying in their throats.
"The victory feast is to celebrate our triumph, not to undermine military discipline."
It was Ryang. His icy glare sobered the drunken soldiers, and they cowered before him.
"Forgive us, High Councilor."
"Maintain the dignity of the Wian army. Return to your posts."
The soldiers scurried away, eager to escape his wrath. Instead of returning to the feast, Ryang headed towards the storeroom where Kyeong'ui's belongings were kept. Atop a chest lay Kyeong'ui's soiled black robes and her crescent moon crown. Ryang stared at the crown, bathed in the pale moonlight.
──────────
Princess Kyeong'ui was tormented throughout the night by the soldiers who visited her tirelessly, their revelry after the victory a stark contrast to her despair. Most merely mocked her with disgusting words, but some reached out through the cracks in the cell, and others poked her with long wooden sticks. Her initial fury gradually gave way to fear as the night deepened, and she couldn't close her eyes even for a moment.
The events that had transpired felt surreal: the rebel's brutal massacre of her encampment, being dragged into Nahmgyo, and now, the relentless taunts of these vulgar men. Only the throbbing pain in her bruised cheeks and the stinging of her cracked lips confirmed the grim reality of her capture.
Where are the soldiers who have been captured alive? Are they imprisoned somewhere, cursing me for leading them to their deaths, a piece in the hands of House Myeonghyeon? Has the advance party reached Sahpung safely and set up camp? Or have they returned, unaware of the situation, only to be slaughtered by the enemy? And who was that monstrous figure, impervious to my arrows, a demon who refused to die? Can I escape this place and return to Sunyahng? Can I rally the Dahnian forces once more and avenge my fallen soldiers? Kyeong'ui endured the heat and hunger, her mind awhirl with these unanswerable questions.
When morning arrived, Ryang found her curled up in a corner, her face gaunt and pale, impossible to tell whether she had slept. Her clothes were stiff with sweat and blood, the soldiers having doused her with alcohol during the night, the stench overpowering. The bruises on her face, swollen and yellow, were a gruesome sight. Ryang approached, making his presence known, but Kyeong'ui remained motionless, like a corpse, refusing to acknowledge him. Ryang glanced down. The rice bowl, untouched, was crawling with insects.
"Are you planning to starve yourself to death?" he asked.
Kyeong'ui remained silent. Ryang pressed, "What would it take for you to eat?"
Finally, Kyeong'ui's eyes flickered open, fixing Ryang with a venomous glare. "Drive your blade through your throat, right here, right now. Then, and only then, might I consider it."
Ryang let out a short sigh and ordered the guards, "Leave us."
The soldiers retreated, and Ryang stepped closer to the cell. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Where is the fund?"
Kyeong'ui burst into silent laughter, her shoulders shaking. Ryang waited, patiently enduring the humiliation of his desperate plea. When her laughter subsided, a sneer curled her lips. "You'll never find it. It's gone to Sunyahng."
Ryang's jaw tightened. Kyeong'ui's eyes swept over the distant guards and then settled on Ryang's clenched fists. "Your lord doesn't know about this, does he?" she taunted.