"Our objective was to lure Soyeol's main forces to Birahng and annihilate them," Ryucheon explained.
Seon suppressed a flicker of betrayal. "Surely Sung wouldn't mobilize just to teach Dahn a lesson," she remarked. "So the shipment arriving at the end of summer isn't the supplies you promised?"
"Ah, those will arrive as promised," Ryucheon assured her. "The warships will follow next time."
Seon found his eagerness to clarify amusing. "So you're keeping us alive just long enough to be devoured?" she remarked. "I've always been curious about your true motives. It seems I've learned them sooner than expected. Why did you choose to involve us?"
"The journey from Dong'gyeong to Ju is arduous," Ryucheon explained. "But if the Soyeolish forces come to Birahng, the distance is halved. It's a perfect opportunity to eliminate their main forces with minimal effort. Soyeol will be repeating their mistake at Sun River. Well, we can't expect those seals to be clever."
"Even if your goal is to destroy Soyeol, would Dahn allow Sung to bring its fleet to Birahng?"
Ryucheon's smile faltered slightly. "Don't be naive," he chided. "I'm sure negotiations with Sunyahng have already been finalized."
The truth, as it unraveled, was a cruel combination of Seon's worst fears. Her anger simmered.
"There's no reason for Dae-Sung to shed blood in a foreign land," Ryucheon continued. "The Dahnian navy will be the main force. It's not a bad deal for them either. Soyeol have always been a nuisance, and this is their chance to finally seize control of Birahng and the south sea."
"So if we had succeeded in allying with Soyeol instead of Cheon Hwan," Seon remarked, "we would have been the ones annihilated."
Ryucheon's smile returned, his earlier tension easing. "Don't look at me like that," he said gently. "Surely you don't think I wouldn't protect you?"
"You're forgetting one thing," Seon countered. "Cheon Hwan also possesses the same abilities as the Guardian. The Third Emissary said he's at least ten times stronger and far more skilled. Even our indecisive Guardian effortlessly burned down Hyangdo's gate tower and warships. And you've witnessed the Guardian Crimson's power yourself. We don't know her intentions yet, but her power will either be ours or Cheon Hwan's. It will never belong to Sung. Do you really think this will be an easy fight?"
Ryucheon leaned back, his arms crossed, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "That..." he said, "is something no one anticipated."
Seon scoffed. "You speak as if Sung controls the world, and yet you sound quite desperate."
"My Lady," Ryucheon began, "perhaps it's because I'm Sungian, but I've never doubted Dae-Sung's power. Both the King of Dahn and Jongwon Soh were within our grasp. The problem is that Cheon Hwan, who replaced Jongwon Soh, now possesses an indestructible body."
"If it were that easy," Seon retorted, "why not eliminate those who opposed you earlier?"
"Why bother?" Ryucheon countered with a shrug. "We prefer a manageable level of chaos. But this chaos wasn't part of our plan. That's why it's troublesome."
"Any word from Dong'gyeong?" Seon asked.
Ryucheon shook his head. "Not yet. I'm waiting as well."
He picked up his pipe and lit it, the smoke curling from his lips and filling the space between them. Seon noticed the anxiety hidden beneath his nonchalant facade.
"Revealing your true motives to me," she remarked, "it seems you're looking for an escape route."
"What could your lord possibly do even if you expose our plan?" Ryucheon countered. "Killing me would sever all ties with Dae-Sung."
"You were planning to crush us anyway," Seon retorted. "What's one more death to us?"
Ryucheon's expression remained unchanged. "You keep saying 'us'," he observed. "What about you? Is your loyalty to your Guardian, like your brother's?"
Seon's sneer faltered. "Our family seems to have a talent for choosing the wrong line," she said.
Ryucheon leaned closer. "You still have Princess Kyeong'ui," he whispered, his gaze piercing. He pulled her chin and claimed her lips gently. "And you have me," he whispered.
Seon's eyes flickered with a mix of desperation and calculation.
"Are you ready to abandon your brother?" Ryucheon asked.
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The lord of Seorahng and the lady of Dongrahng arrived in Nahmgyo, their ships responding to Seolyo Yeong's urgent summons. Seolyo Jin, the lady of Nahmgyo, though troubled by their sudden appearance, welcomed them to the government office. With Norahn and Sobi absent, Second Emissary Cheongro represented the Ministry. Seolyo Yeong, mindful of his mother's presence, remained mostly silent. It was Wahn, the lord of Seorahng, who was the first to advocate for surrender.
"They're both descendants of the Cheon royal family, are they not?" he argued.
"They are not the same," Jin countered. "Have you not seen what they did to our soldiers?"
"Those were merely threats," Seolyo Yeong interjected.
"Shall I recount Cheon Hwan's past deeds?" Jin retorted. "If he's capable of such acts to make a threat, he's capable of anything."
Lahn, the lady of Dongrahng, agreed. "Lady Seolyo is right. It's foolish to blindly trust his promises of safety. And it's even more foolish to trust those Soyeolish bastards."
Wahn scoffed at their cautiousness. "In the past, we could have appealed to Sunyahng for help," he argued, "but now, with the Scions on our side, we're considered rebels. Let's assume trusting Soyeol is foolish. But is it wise for us, a meager force, to defy Cheon Hwan and his fleet?"
"We have the Guardian," Lahn countered. "Have you forgotten the miracles he performed in the first battle? We have a fighting chance."
"Cheon Hwan claims to have Sahngjon's power too," Seolyo Yeong interjected. "The merchants arriving from Soyeol all say the same. It's not a lie. Even if the Guardian fights alongside us, at least two of our cities will fall."
Jin slammed her fist on the table. "Enough with this dangerous talk!"
The room fell silent. "The High Emissary will return soon with the Guardian's orders," she said. "Wait patiently until then."
Once the lords and Cheongro had left, Jin turned to her son. "What was the meaning of that?" she demanded sharply. "Spreading rumors and summoning the lords before the Guardian has even made a decision? You're only creating chaos."
Seolyo Yeong, though intimidated, stood his ground. "I wanted you to hear their opinions," he explained. "We're in this situation because we chose the wrong Guardian. Can we afford to be picky now?"
"The wrong Guardian?" Jin scoffed. "Have you forgotten that the Guardian Crimson is by his side?"
"If she abandons him, will you make a decision as well?"
"She hasn't made any decision, and the High Emissary hasn't even been in Hyangdo for a day," Jin retorted. "It seems to me that Nahmgyo is in danger because of your recklessness, not because we chose the wrong Guardian. Now go and hold your tongue!"
While the mother and son argued, the two lords and Cheongro exited the meeting room. Wahn didn't hesitate to voice his frustration.
"That old woman is too complacent, acting as if she's already lived her life," he grumbled.
Seolyo Yeong emerged from the meeting room just as Wahn finished his remark. Wahn, worried that he might have been overheard, fell silent and watched Seolyo Yeong cautiously. As Seolyo Yeong approached, Wahn grabbed his arm and demanded, "Did she say anything else?"
Seolyo Yeong shook his head stiffly. "Does she share the same sentiments as the Guardian?" Wahn pressed.
"She says we should wait," Seolyo Yeong replied, "but her resolve seems firm. What can I do? It's my mother's decision."
Cheongro, who had been observing the situation from within the room, stepped forward. "There's always a way," he said, his voice smooth and persuasive. "The fate of House Seolyo now rests with you, Young Master. Do you think your sisters, who left Nahmgyo, will return to save it?"
"The lady is still in charge," Lahn interjected. "Second Emissary, you should be more mindful of your words."
Cheongro bowed his head slightly. "My apologies," he said. "But I urge you to consider the situation carefully. Even with the Guardian's strength, he cannot defend all four cities of Birahng. Do you think he will abandon Hyangdo and come to Nahmgyo? If we choose to resist, the people of Nahmgyo will be flayed and turned into sails. I know Cheon Hwan well. I've known him longer than you have. We were together in Wicheong. He enjoys making a statement. And he despises waste. He knows there's no need to kill a hundred men to make them submit. That's the message behind those sails. If we obey, we won't suffer the same fate."
"Do you not care about Sahngjon's will, or the Guardians'?" Lahn questioned. "Why are you so eager to surrender?"
Cheongro chuckled. "An Emissary who has served Sahngjon as long as I have can sense his will, though not as clearly as the High Emissary. Sahngjon has granted Cheon Hwan the power of the Founder and the Hundred Isles of Soyeol. He's far more powerful than our current Guardian, who has spent his life hiding in Birahng and only managed to defeat a few hundred Dahnian soldiers. Mark my words, the Guardian Crimson will soon make her decision and abandon Hyangdo."
"That's a matter of human politics, not divine will," Lahn countered.
She excused herself, addressing the others. "I must return to Dongrahng," she said. "We need to prepare our defenses, regardless of your decision. Please inform me of any developments."
Cheongro watched her leave, his eyes narrowed.
"That fool," Wahn scoffed. "We treated her with respect, and she repays us with defiance."
"Let her be," Cheongro said dismissively. "She'll learn her lesson."
He turned to Seolyo Yeong. "Young Master, you mustn't hesitate. You haven't witnessed Soyeol's cruelty firsthand, have you? Your mother has ruled Nahmgyo too well. Putting aside Sahngjon's will, we cannot defeat them under our current leadership. If Soyeol breach our walls, Nahmgyo will be annihilated."
Seolyo Yeong's breath quickened.
"You must understand," Cheongro pressed, "this is a matter of life and death."