Though Sobi doubted Ryang's sincerity, she bowed deeply, kneeling on the floor.
"Third Emissary, don't block my way," Ryang said. "Get up."
Sobi rose, then corrected him. "I'm not the Third Emissary anymore."
"Whatever," Ryang said dismissively. "Just move."
"Where are you going?" Sobi asked.
"To set things right," Ryang replied. "But first, I need to confirm something. How did the lords react to the Guardian's letter?"
He looked at her expectantly. Sobi recounted what she had witnessed.
"The lord of Seorahng was greatly agitated, but the lady of Nahmgyo immediately ordered preparations for defense. She showed no signs of changing her mind."
"The lord of Seorahng was present?"
"I heard that Seolyo Yeong sent urgent messages to Dongrahng and Seorahng while I was away."
Ryang's brow furrowed. "And Dongrahng?"
"She returned to her city before I arrived. I heard she initially agreed to resist."
"We'll see about that." Ryang paused, seemingly lost in thought. He walked towards the door, then turned back to Sobi. "I'll go speak with the Guardian. Look after the child. I'll instruct them to provide her with clothes and a room."
"Yes, High Councilor."
Ryang hesitated, then added, "And try to compose yourself."
He left and found Seon waiting for him in the courtyard. She stopped him as he was about to leave.
"I wasn't eavesdropping, but..." she began hesitantly, "aren't you going to see the child?"
"Why would I?" Ryang asked. "She must be uncomfortable with men right now."
Seon stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You know how those children can fabricate stories. Are you going to turn the Ministry upside down based on her words alone?"
"I already have," Ryang replied.
He hesitated, his mind filled with doubts. He had detained Norahn and the lords' families, ordered his troops to prepare for death, and now he was about to intervene in the Ministry's affairs for the sake of one child. Is it truly about morality, or is it merely revenge? Or perhaps it is simply a way to ease my guilt. He had no certainty. His decisive righteousness shown to Sobi was perhaps just a stake driven deep to anchor his own fragility.
He straightened his shoulders, reaffirming his resolve. "This is the right thing to do," he mused.
Seon sighed, her expression disapproving, but she didn't stop him as he left for the government office.
Ryang reported to Seong on the state of the city walls, his observations from earlier that morning. His expression, however, was troubled, his mind preoccupied. Seong sensed that his visit was related to his encounter with Sobi. As Ryang began to speak of the Ministry, Seong summoned Yeong. Ryang recounted the events, then declared, "The Ministry hasn't changed. Not after the fall of Wi, not after the Crimson Star's arrival, not after you displayed your powers, not after they rearmed, and not even now, facing this crisis. The High Emissary has shown no desire to reform the Ministry. Therefore, I believe we can no longer afford to leave them to their own devices."
"I agree," Seong said without hesitation. "It's a matter of timing and method."
"Punish Cheongro first," Ryang instructed. "We can investigate the others once the situation stabilizes. For now, reduce the Ministry's numbers to thirty and conscript the rest into the army, stationing them in Hyangdo. There's no need for them to maintain such a large force."
Yeong, however, was wary. "Many within the Ministry are no different from Cheongro," she warned. "And they're armed now. There will be resistance. Can you handle it?"
"Even with the Ministry armed, Lady Seolyo still controls Nahmgyo," Ryang assured her.
"Why did you remain silent, knowing all this?" he asked.
"I did not descend as a judge," Yeong replied. "It is up to you to solve your own problems."
Seong watched them both anxiously. Despite Yeong's challenge, Ryang remained firm.
"Now that the issue has come to light, we will resolve it," he declared.
"Your resolve is admirable," Yeong conceded, "but this will be seen as an excuse to suppress the Ministry. Can you honestly say you have no ulterior motives?"
"I cannot deny that entirely," Ryang admitted. "But if Sobi had appealed to the Guardians instead of me, would you have made a different decision?"
Though he mentioned the Guardians, his question was directed at Yeong. Seong silently pleaded with her to intervene. Ryang bowed his head.
"If not," he continued, "then I ask for your judgment as well."
Yeong didn't question him further, tacitly approving his decision.
"Can I see the child?" Seong asked Ryang.
Ryang shook his head. "It's best not to let anyone see her for now."
Before sending a messenger to Nahmgyo, Seong visited Norahn. Norahn sat motionless, Sobi's discarded white robes and the jade pendant before him. He rose and bowed as Seong entered.
"Have you come regarding Siu?" Norahn asked.
"I have," Seong confirmed. "I intend to make a decision you failed to make. I came to hear your thoughts."
"If you order Cheongro's arrest," Norahn warned, "the Ministry will rebel."
"You are the High Emissary," Seong countered. "Will you not try to control them?"
"I would have done so long ago if I could," Norahn pleaded. "Guardian, you will regret this. I speak with the utmost loyalty."
Seong sighed. "Your loyalty always seems to contradict my wishes."
Norahn fell silent. Seong turned his back on him and rose to leave.
As the messengers prepared to depart for Hyangdo, night fell, and the sea grew dark. Sailing at night was dangerous, and Seong couldn't risk the messengers being stranded at sea. He decided to send them by land. However, he still anticipated resistance from the Ministry and struggled to choose who to send. Kyeongseon Jeong volunteered. Joon tried to dissuade her, but she was resolute.
"Nahmgyo is dangerous for anyone right now," she argued. "But they'll be less likely to harm me."
"I know," Joon said. "But if something happens to those you take with you... it will be unbearable."
"We all have to endure in times like these."
Joon, unable to offer any alternatives, simply embraced his sister. "Be careful," he pleaded. "Don't lose any of our soldiers."
With a final farewell, Jeong set off for Hyangdo with seven soldiers, carrying Seong's message. As the others dispersed, Ryang watched the dust cloud kicked up by the departing horses. He sensed someone approaching from behind, but he didn't turn, recognizing Ryucheon by the scent of his tobacco.
"I've been observing your family matters without comment," Ryucheon remarked, "but to stir up trouble with the Ministry at a time like this? Are you insane?"
"You should have continued observing without comment," Ryang retorted.
"I understand your concern for that girl," Ryucheon said. "But jeopardizing your mission for your inner peace is foolish."
"So you sacrificed your family for the sake of your mission?" Ryang countered.
Ryucheon's composure faltered. "It's unwise to pry into matters you don't understand," he warned.
"That's what I'm saying," Ryang retorted.
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The Ministry was in an uproar before daybreak, the disappearance of Sobi and Siu fueling chaos and confusion. Cheongro, facing the bewildered elders and Emissaries, demanded that they immediately dispatch a search party to Hyangdo to apprehend Sobi and Siu.
"This is treason!" he declared.
"Don't jump to conclusions," one of the elders cautioned.
"If they didn't run away," Cheongro argued, "then why would they disappear together in the middle of the night? They must have gone to Hyangdo."
"If they went to Hyangdo, it's hardly treason, is it?" the elder countered. "The chosen Novice Emissary was taken to the High Emissary. It's unusual, but she's where she's supposed to be, isn't she?"
"That's not what I meant!" Cheongro exclaimed, his frustration growing.
He couldn't accuse Sobi of absconding with Siu without revealing the truth. Gyuhwa, a senior Emissary, saw through his anxiety. She pulled Cheongro aside, leading him to a secluded corner of the garden.
"You did it, didn't you?" she asked.
Cheongro's lips tightened.
"Don't play coy with me," Gyuhwa scoffed. "Do you think keeping quiet will magically fix this mess?"
"Will you be quiet?" Cheongro hissed.
"You should have asked me for help," Gyuhwa chided. "I would have covered for you, regardless of Siu's condition, and sent her to the High Emissary's bed. Why did you have to be so clumsy and let her escape? I bet that bitch is stirring up trouble, complaining to the High Emissary, the Guardian, even House Myeonghyeon."
Cheongro glared at her. "Remember this," he threatened. "I won't go down alone."
"Are you planning to bring the whole Ministry down with you?"
"If I'm going to die, what does the Ministry matter?"
Gyuhwa chuckled, then stepped closer, tilting his chin up with her hand. "You're not the only one who's going to die," she said. "The Ministry, Nahmgyo... we're all doomed. You need to think bigger. This isn't the real problem. Solve the real problem, and the smaller ones will resolve themselves."
Cheongro nodded slowly. "You're right. I was too panicked to think clearly."
Gyuhwa kissed him, her lips lingering on his. "Do you have a solution?" she asked.
A sly smile spread across Cheongro's face. "I always have a solution."
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Seolyo Jin always dined alone. The envoys from Hyangdo, arriving at dawn with the order to arrest Cheongro, were kept waiting at the guesthouse. Jin kept the message to herself, instructing the envoys to remain silent. Throughout the day, rumors swirled around the government office about the envoys' purpose. Nahmgyo was now home to armed Emissaries, and Jin, having witnessed their nightly escapades to Yeonyahng all summer, had no illusions about their obedience. She ate her meals in silence, her mind preoccupied.
In the evening, her son, Seolyo Yeong, brought her dinner.
"What's this?" Jin asked.
"Orders from Hyangdo," he replied. "Join me for dinner tonight, Mother. I have something to discuss."
"I'm sure this meal will give me indigestion," Jin grumbled, but she didn't refuse his offer.
They sat down to eat. The rice, a mix of summer barley and newly harvested grains, was fragrant, and the autumn fish, plump and oily, was delicious. But Seolyo Yeong suddenly struggled to swallow, his body drenched in sweat. Jin watched him, a strange numbness spreading through her chest and legs. Her breath grew heavy, and she gripped the table for support.
"You..." she gasped.
Seolyo Yeong, his voice trembling, tried to explain. "Don't look at me like that," he pleaded. "You brought this upon yourself. Cheon Seong is finished. I'm trying to save Nahmgyo from your stubbornness."
Jin's lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I never wanted your father," she said, her voice hoarse. "I never wanted you. I let him into my bed and bore you only to protect Nahmgyo. And I have succeeded. At least until now."
Seolyo Yeong's breath grew ragged, and Jin's voice grew stronger.
"I didn't regret giving birth to your sisters, even when they left Birahng," she continued. "But I regret you. I regret your father. I regret everything. I was foolish to trust you, my own son. You're nothing but a Soyeolish bastard after all... I pity the people of Nahmgyo who will perish because of you."
She gave a final, bitter laugh, then choked, unable to speak. Her body convulsed, the food she had eaten spewing from her lips. She collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. Seolyo Yeong watched, his own breath ragged, as his mother's face turned blue, her life draining away. Then, he rushed out of the room.
Cheongro, who had been waiting in the courtyard, was delighted to see him emerge. He approached the distraught Seolyo Yeong and patted his shoulder.
"You've done a great service, Young Master," he said. "You won't regret your decision. Now, it's time to welcome our new lord and rescue our High Emissary."
"Should we raise the flag of surrender now?" Seolyo Yeong asked, his voice trembling.
Cheongro shook his head. "Not yet. Don't be hasty. Let's wait a few more days."
He used those days to consolidate his power within the Ministry, rallying his supporters and manipulating the elders. He imprisoned Kyeongseon Jeong and the other soldiers who had come as envoys, tearing up the Guardian's orders before the gathered Emissaries.
"Third Emissary Sobi conspired with the High Councilor to undermine me and destroy the Ministry," he declared. "Can we acknowledge a Guardian who would oppress us, who would condemn Nahmgyo to death at the hands of Soyeol? Sahngjon's will was decided the moment the star fell!"
Those who lacked power remained silent, while the elders and the other Emissaries, seduced by Cheongro's promises, voiced their support. The tide had turned. Seolyo Yeong, now the lord of Nahmgyo, sent letters to Dongrahng and Seorahng, declaring their intention to surrender to Cheon Hwan. He then executed all the soldiers except for Kyeongseon Jeong, sending their severed heads back to Hyangdo in a chest.
Seong, upon hearing of Jeong's solitary return, turned to Ryang.
"What happened in Nahmgyo?" he demanded.
"Seolyo Jin was murdered by her own son," Ryang reported grimly.
"And?"
"The heads of our soldiers were returned."
The battle had arrived in Birahng before the enemy.