Norahn politely, yet coldly, rejected Seong's offer. He rose from his seat, bowed, and turned to leave.
Unable to bear the suffocating silence of the empty room, Seong headed to Sahngcheon. Sensing his simmering anger, the soldiers discreetly withdrew, leaving him alone. He splashed cold water on his face, but it did little to cool his rage. He was furious with Ryang, Norahn, and even Ung, who offered no helpful advice amidst the chaos. Seong dipped his right hand into the water. The crimson reflection of the torchlight rippled on his palm. He focused his mind. A small flame flickered to life in the water, then suddenly erupted, splitting the water with a powerful blaze. An explosion followed. Startled by the roar, soldiers rushed towards the water's edge, but a thick fog obscured their vision. Seong's voice rang out from the mist.
"It's nothing. Leave me."
The soldiers, startled, retreated without a sound. Seong sat down on a rock. The water level of Sahngcheon had dropped by a handspan. His power responded readily to his anger and remained difficult to control. He scoffed at his inability to subdue his subjects despite wielding such power. Just then, the surrounding fog condensed into water droplets. The droplets swirled in the air and were sucked back into Sahngcheon. The fog cleared, and Seong saw Yeong standing behind him. He glanced at her, then looked away.
"Precious water is not meant to be wasted," she remarked.
Seong scoffed without turning around. "Why didn't you show up at the interrogation? You should have seen the mess you created."
"I can hear everything I need to without being there," Yeong replied.
"You sought me out," Seong said, "so it must have been quite entertaining."
Yeong frowned, annoyed. Though it was hard to believe they were twins, given how little they resembled each other, when Seong glared with fiery eyes or sneered like this, she was reminded that they shared the same blood. She sat down next to him.
"You are the Guardian of the Azure Scripture," she said. "Their lord. Do you intend to use your power for childish displays like that? You could have incinerated the Second Emissary and made them all obey."
"That's something Hwan would do," Seong retorted.
"What do you intend to do?" Yeong asked.
"Persuade them somehow," Seong replied. "Norahn, the elders of the Ministry, and Ryang."
"Do you have a plan?"
Seong, who had been staring at the water, turned to look at Yeong. Unable to argue, he suppressed his frustration.
"Do you want to protect the High Councilor?" Yeong asked again.
Seong's eyes widened. "Do you have a way?" he asked, unable to hide the desperation in his voice.
"If the Two Guardians are united," Yeong replied, "the Ministry won't be able to defy us. I'll handle the Ministry. But make the High Councilor execute the servant himself."
A flicker of relief crossed Seong's face, then vanished. "Are you insane? Execution isn't the High Councilor's duty. It's a punishment reserved for the most heinous criminals."
"As you said, execution is a punishment, not a duty," Yeong countered. "You have a long road ahead. If the High Councilor is to stand by your side, he needs to learn from this incident. Execution will be a sufficient punishment."
"It's excessive," Seong argued.
More than anyone, he knew the poison that killing someone, especially someone dear, instilled in one's heart. Is she telling me to inflict the same pain on Ryang, the pain that will haunt him until his dying breath? It was difficult to accept Yeong's proposal.
Sensing his hesitation, Yeong cupped his cheek, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You are not like Cheon Hwan. When he pushed you to kill Myeonghyeon Seung, he was neither your lord nor anything else. But now, you are the High Councilor's lord. He is your subject before he is your cousin. If a subject commits a crime, if he repeatedly makes wrong judgments blinded by love, the lord can punish and enlighten him."
"But what if I make a wrong judgment, blinded by my own feelings?" Seong asked. "Who will punish me then?"
"No one can," Yeong replied. "Only Sahngjon can punish the Guardian of the Azure Scripture."
Seong's eyes still wavered with uncertainty. Yeong reassured him, "You want to know what the High Councilor prioritizes most, don't you? You are his lord. You are the one he must protect above all else. But that is wavering now."
"The Ministry won't accept it," Seong argued.
"I told you I'll handle them," Yeong assured him.
"Why are you suddenly intervening?" Seong asked.
"I'm not just going to observe anymore," Yeong replied. "The High Councilor is necessary to you."
"Will he remain necessary even after I make him kill his beloved?"
"If this changes him," Yeong said, "then you must be able to cut him down."
She rose from her seat and turned to leave, heading towards the Ministry's quarters. Seong hesitated, then called out, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me prematurely," Yeong said without turning around. "Nothing has been resolved yet."
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Norahn's footsteps faltered as he returned to his chamber. He spotted Sobi walking towards him, her shoulders slumped. She bowed in acknowledgment but didn't speak, walking past him. Norahn called out to her.
"Was everything alright in Nahmgyo?" he asked.
"Yes, everything was alright," she replied curtly.
Norahn was taken aback by her curtness. "I see," he said awkwardly. "Thank you for your hard work."
Sobi started to walk away, then stopped and turned back to Norahn. "No matter what anyone says, the High Councilor is the one who has been most harmed by this incident. I don't understand why you're collaborating with the Second Emissary."
"Collaborating with the Second Emissary?" Norahn echoed.
"Isn't removing the High Councilor his long-held desire?" Sobi challenged.
"It's not just his wish," Norahn argued. "From the Novice Emissaries to the Council of Elders, everyone agrees that the High Councilor is unfit."
"What about your opinion?" Sobi asked, her clear eyes fixed on him.
Norahn flinched under her direct gaze. He always found it difficult to meet her eyes when she questioned him like this. Her trusting, bright eyes, which seemed to expect more from him than the others, held both expectation and reproach. It was as if she saw right through his pathetic self, compromised by Cheongro. Norahn evaded her question.
"The future of the Ministry depends on this matter," he said. "If you learned anything in Nahmgyo that could be helpful to us, inform the Second Emissary without reservation."
A bitter smile touched Sobi's lips. "The future of the Ministry hinges on a mere scandal?"
"Sobi," Norahn warned.
"I'll inform him without reservation," she said. "But I'm not sure I know anything more than him."
Their conversation was interrupted by another Emissary who came looking for Norahn.
"Your Sanctity," the Emissary said, "the Guardian Crimson has arrived. Since the Third Emissary is also here, why don't you both go together? She has summoned both of you and the Second Emissary. She's currently in the Sanctuary."
It was unprecedented for Yeong to come to the Ministry of Emissary Divine and summon Norahn, Sobi, and Cheongro together. Norahn and Sobi, unable to fathom the reason, hurried towards the Sanctuary.
Without preamble, Yeong revealed that she had been aware of all the facts related to Dara but had remained silent. She declared that with Seong's legitimacy as the rightful Guardian of the Azure Scripture confirmed, she would no longer remain passive.
"The High Councilor and the servant have committed no further offenses," she stated firmly. "So, let this matter end here."
Cheongro, who had been listening silently, finally spoke up in defiance. "If we are allowed to interrogate them, we can create further offenses. You've witnessed everything that has transpired, so you must know what kind of man the High Councilor is. He has no faith. For that deceitful man, the Azure Scripture is merely a tool to gather and control the soldiers of Wicheong. To such a man..."
"Do you have faith to speak to me, the Guardian Crimson, like that?" Yeong interrupted, her expression terrifying as she stepped towards Cheongro.
Cheongro recoiled under her oppressive presence. The holy water placed in the Sanctuary suddenly swirled around Yeong, rising into the air. She choked Cheongro, just as she had done to Norahn. His body lifted off the ground, constricted by the water.
"Before we uncover the servant's other crimes," Yeong said, glaring at him, "we can start by revealing yours."
Norahn and Sobi, horrified, prostrated themselves behind Yeong. She continued to choke Cheongro until his eyes were bloodshot, then threw him to the floor. He lay gasping, coughing up water.
"G-Guardian..." he choked out.
"I do not tolerate those like you within the Ministry out of trust or mercy," Yeong warned, looking down at him. "Remember this day whenever you feel like speaking insolently before me."
Norahn stepped forward. "We will obey your will," he said. "However, to quell the discontent among the Emissaries, we need something."
"Isn't fear enough?" Yeong retorted.
Norahn, though intimidated, answered clearly, "Allow the Ministry to rearm itself. As you know, it was a right we held in Sunyahng, but it was forbidden when Wi fell and we retreated to Birahng. Is it acceptable for the Emissaries to be unable to defend themselves when threats loom at every moment?"
Yeong was caught off guard by the unexpected request and didn't answer immediately. Norahn pressed his point. "Or do you intend to choke us all to death?"
"I will discuss it with him," Yeong replied curtly.
She informed Seong as soon as the situation in the Ministry of Emissary Divine was settled. Seong accepted Norahn's condition. Whether to allow them to rearm themselves was a matter requiring further consideration, but the fact that they had set a condition meant they had agreed to the resolution, and he didn't want to prolong the matter. He headed to Ryang's chamber to finalize the proceedings.
Twice the usual number of guards stood before Ryang's chamber. They bowed their heads and opened the way for Seong. Ryang, sensing his arrival, stood waiting and bowed when Seong entered. Seong informed him of the decision. As he expected, Ryang's face paled.
"You just have to accept it," Seong said.
"What if I don't?" Ryang asked.
"Then I'll do as the Ministry initially demanded," Seong replied. "I'll allow the interrogation of the servant, and any further offenses revealed will affect the punishment for both you and her."
Ryang remained silent, and Seong took it as agreement.
"I'll summon everyone soon," he said. "Be prepared."