Kyeong'ui, though shaken, scoffed at the contradiction. "Two Guardians chosen by Sahngjon?" she retorted. "Has your god gone senile?"
"It seems our Guardian was a fraud," she said in quiet despair. "Perhaps Sahngjon enjoys playing games as well."
Her eyes held no resentment or loyalty. She was beyond caring. Kyeong'ui pressed her for more information, and Seon continued.
"He left Birahng and became a pirate in Soyeol," she explained. "He reappeared after the star fell, then disappeared again after witnessing the Guardian awaken to his powers. He didn't give up. He went to Ju and eventually goaded Jongwon Soh into a duel. But even the agile Cheon Hwan was no match for Jongwon Soh. He was stabbed through the heart. Yet, he survived, gaining the same powers, the same body, as the Guardian. They say in Soyeol that he was reborn in the light. He incinerated Jongwon Soh, who refused to submit, and became the King of Ju, unifying Soyeol in a single season. Now, he's coming for Birahng."
Kyeong'ui understood Seon's resignation, her lack of any desire to fight. Despite her attempts to demonize them, she couldn't deny the inherent goodness she had witnessed in Cheon Seong during their brief encounters. He had visited her regularly, enduring her harsh words and glares, patiently inquiring about her needs, then quietly taking his leave. His persistence had slowly chipped away at her burning hatred. She had even started to pity the man she had once longed to see dead, a realization that forced her to rekindle her anger.
But a kind heart alone couldn't defeat the man who had conquered Soyeol in a single season. Even though her knowledge of Soyeol was limited to tales of their pirate raids and the brave warriors who repelled them, she knew that fear of Soyeol was widespread among the people of the shores of Dahn. If Seon's words were true, if her understanding was correct, then Cheon Hwan was the first king to truly unite Soyeol. Whether he was good or evil, if he possessed the same powers as Cheon Seong, then Cheon Seong stood no chance. That was the root of Seon's fear, a fear that quickly infected Kyeong'ui.
How could the Hundred Isles be unified in a single season? How could they agree to cross the sea so quickly? The saying that any Soyeolish with a sword in hand was a pirate might be an exaggeration, but war still required careful planning and preparation. To Kyeong'ui, Soyeol's swift and sudden mobilization seemed like the reckless madness of moths drawn to a flame.
But the puzzle pieces that had been missing finally fell into place with the mention of Cheon Hwan.
"Was it he who captured and tortured Myeonghyeon Ryang?" she asked.
"It was," Seon confirmed.
Kyeong'ui scoffed. The realization that her act of mercy had inadvertently aided the rebels stung.
"I almost owed a great debt to Cheon Hwan," she remarked dryly.
Seon, ignoring her sarcasm, recalled the relationship between Ryang and Hwan. "They were rivals since childhood," she explained. "They never got along. But it wasn't just my brother. Cheon Hwan, though frail as a child, excelled at everything he learned. But his excellence bred arrogance. He couldn't tolerate those who wouldn't submit. Despite his talents and charm, he had few followers in Wicheong. Only the Guardian, his own brother, always defended him. But even his efforts weren't enough to change people's perception of him. Cheon Hwan, desperate for recognition, grew more and more ruthless. But that only alienated him further from his uncle and his teacher, our father. He believed my brother was turning everyone against him, that even our father had abandoned him. They used to play together once; they weren't always at odds. But at some point, their rivalry became irreconcilable."
Kyeong'ui, intrigued by the history of Wicheong Palace, couldn't comprehend Ryang's actions.
"Even if he's your cousin, he's still a royal descendant, and your brother is a mere subject," she argued. "And Ryang was just a boy back then. How could he possibly isolate a royal?"
Seon's lips curled into a smirk. "The royal family hid in that cave for half a century, surviving on our family's resources," she explained. "With multiple potential heirs, the power to choose who to serve lay with House Myeonghyeon. But my father was a humble man. My brother, however, was not. Father often scolded him, but Ryang wasn't exactly an obedient son."
As Kyeong'ui processed her words, Seon added another intriguing detail. "Come to think of it, you might not know that it was Cheon Hwan who informed you of our existence. The man you know as Mahnry."
Kyeong'ui's gaze sharpened.
"His name is Jang'gyeong Yoon," Seon continued. "The same Jang'gyeong you know. He was one of Cheon Hwan's few followers. He tried to use your influence to keep House Myeonghyeon occupied in Nahmgyo while he weakened Wicheong. When that failed, he used Dara to lure my brother out."
"Dara?" Kyeong'ui's eyes widened. "You mean..."
"Yes, the servant who was always beside my brother."
Kyeong'ui tried to piece together the events, her mind reeling.
"Cheon Hwan captured my brother and left him tied up in Haewol Cave as the tide came in," Seon continued. "He sent a message to the Guardian, who rushed to rescue him, knowing it was a death trap. They both nearly drowned that day. People are starting to believe that one has to face death to awaken to Sahngjon's power."
Kyeong'ui was stunned. She had been so consumed by her anger towards Ryang and Seon, the ones who had betrayed her, that she had forgotten her own role in their story. She had saved Ryang, and they had repaid her with betrayal. But now, she realized she had been a mere bystander in their struggles. She thought of Cheon Seong, his gentle, unremarkable face. The man who, with a small island as his only possession, had vowed to free those bound by the prophecy. Learning that he had gained his powers by risking his life for Ryang filled her with a strange jealousy.
"Do you not desire such power?" she asked Seon. "Would you not face death for it?"
"Such powers weren't passed down in House Myeonghyeon," Seon replied flatly. "And even if they were, I wouldn't risk my life for them. It's foolish."
Her weariness resonated with Kyeong'ui. Though she couldn't condone Nahmgyo's surrender, she understood it.
"Was it Seolyo Jin's decision to betray you?" she asked.
"She was murdered by her own son," Seon replied.
A brief wave of pity washed over Kyeong'ui. Her prediction of a reunion in the afterlife had come true, but it brought no satisfaction. Nahmgyo might be prosperous, but Birahng was a small island compared to the vast lands of Dahn. She despised the son who had killed his own mother for control of a tiny island.
Their late-night conversation, filled with revelations and shared anxieties, was reaching its conclusion. They both knew it was time for a decision, a compromise.
"I cannot serve Cheon Hwan, no matter the weight of our family's legacy," Seon declared. "But I cannot pledge my loyalty to Cheon Seong either."
"You're not offering your allegiance to anyone," Kyeong'ui observed. "Not even to me. Then why offer to help me, even contacting Sahpung?"
"It's always good to have options," Seon replied.
"Tell me how I can escape safely to Sahpung," Kyeong'ui commanded. "If I return alive, you will be safe in Sunyahng."
"How can I trust your promise?" Seon questioned.
"I am not like you," Kyeong'ui retorted. "A royal's word is unbreakable."
"Did you not deceive us about the departure date?" Seon challenged.
Kyeong'ui, unfazed by her insolence, replied, "It was a mere test. Whether I left earlier or later, had you followed me to Sahpung, I would have given you everything I promised. Had you chosen to abandon your lord then, neither of us would be in this predicament."
"I admit our mistake in not severing ties with the royal family sooner," Seon conceded. "But even if your words are true, you can only keep your promise as long as you live. You've already shown your true colors in Birahng. If you fail to become king, will you even be able to protect yourself, let alone us?"
"I'm talking about after we escape this place," Kyeong'ui retorted. "Your concerns are irrelevant right now. And if you were truly worried, you wouldn't have come here. You've already made your decision, haven't you?"
Seon remained silent.
"Tell me your plan," Kyeong'ui demanded.
"I have Mujin, the officer of the Shadow Legion," Seon replied.
Kyeong'ui sat up, her eyes widening. "Is Mujin alive?"
"I found him barely alive, covered in blood," Seon explained. "He had a deep wound on his leg. I was worried it would fester in the heat, but he recovered well. Though I doubt he'll be as agile as before."
Relief washed over Kyeong'ui.
"I've never seen such loyalty, except from my brother," Seon continued. "He was so quiet all summer, I thought he was mute. But when I asked if he could help you escape, his expression changed."
Kyeong'ui calmed her excitement. "So your plan is to have Mujin escort me, and we somehow slip past the guards and escape?" she asked.
"That's correct."
Kyeong'ui scoffed.
"It's not impossible," Seon insisted. "I told you Soyeol is coming. Your best chance is when Hyangdo is most vulnerable. I don't think they'll last long. Once the attack begins, no one will have time to worry about you."
"So my best chance is when those Soyeolish seals are swarming outside the city?"
"You can't even leave this house now, can you?"
Kyeong'ui's frustration grew, but she had no other options. Seon explained her plan, a desperate gamble with little room for error.
"I'll provide Mujin with a few soldiers," she said. "A ship from Sahpung will come to retrieve you. The waters around Hyangdo are treacherous, limiting the landing sites for large warships. That's your chance. Mujin will scout a suitable location for the Sahpung ship to dock. When you hear the cannons fire, he'll come for you. Escape with him. The rest is up to you."
Though Seon's plan was risky, it was their only chance of survival. Kyeong'ui accepted the gamble.
"What about your brother?" she asked. "What are his plans?"