Flames erupted from Seong's fingertips, streaking across the air and striking the large target painted on the cave wall. A thunderous roar echoed through the cavern as dust filled the air. When the dust settled, the target was gone, replaced by a blackened scorch mark. Seong's voice, filled with excitement, echoed through the cave.
"Did you see that? Did you see what I just did?"
He cheered, thrilled at hitting the target for the first time. But Yeong didn't share his enthusiasm.
"At your current level, you'll end up killing five of our men while trying to take down one enemy soldier," she said flatly.
Seong's excitement waned under her indifferent gaze. Still, he noticed a faint, warm smile on her lips.
After resolving Ryang's situation, Seong devoted himself to training with Yeong. It was partly to calm his troubled mind, but also because the war was imminent, and he wanted to contribute as the Guardian. He knew he was useless at his current level. Compared to Yeong, who wielded water as easily as kneading dough, Seong was like an infant who couldn't even turn over. The power he had gained was neither sword nor bow, so Ung couldn't train him. Yeong was the only one who could guide him.
Seong groaned and slumped to the ground. "I can control the direction now, but regulating the power is still difficult."
"You still have some time," Yeong said. "Until summer."
"Summer is almost here."
Yeong placed a comforting hand on his tense shoulder. Her touch no longer felt unfamiliar, and Seong was beginning to see her as human.
Since they began training, Seong and Yeong had been spending more time alone. It wasn't their intention, but rather due to Ung's advice. He worried that witnessing Seong's unrefined skills would demoralize the soldiers. So, Seong posted guards around the training grounds and forbade anyone from approaching. Fortunately, Yeong seemed more comfortable alone with Seong than surrounded by attendants. Sometimes, when their eyes met, Seong would recall the impulsive kiss and blush with embarrassment.
The sound of clinking metal approached from afar. A soldier rushed towards them, panting and stumbling as he approached. He bowed, barely managing to maintain his composure, and addressed Seong.
"Guardian," he said, "Young Master Kyeongseon has returned."
Seong, relieved yet anxious, asked, "Is he alright?"
"That's..." The soldier hesitated.
"Where is he now?" Seong pressed.
"With his family."
Seong gave Yeong a brief nod and hurried towards the Kyeongseon family's quarters.
Ung had three children with Jang'gyeong Seol, the daughter of Jang'gyeong Hahn, who had settled in Birahng after the fall of Wi. The eldest was Joon, followed by Jeong and Song. Just as there were two deceased children between Ryang and Seon in House Myeonghyeon, there was one between Joon and Jeong. However, early deaths were common even among the Celestial Scions and hardly considered a tragedy.
The Kyeongseon family had been warriors since their founder, their lineage inheriting the mantle. Joon, Jeong, and Song all received harsh training from Ung. He wasn't affectionate towards any of his children, but he was especially harsh towards Joon, his eldest. Even now, with Joon barely surviving and returning home, Ung was no different. Joon's two younger sisters stood outside their parents' chamber, unable to enter. They looked anxiously at the closed door, then bowed hastily when they saw Seong. He, too, stopped at the door, hearing the angry shouts from within.
Ung was furious at his son, who had returned after losing almost all the soldiers he had sent with him.
"Was my teaching insufficient?" he roared. "Or were my warnings not clear enough? Why did you commit such a foolish act?"
Joon endured his father's rebuke silently, his gaze fixed on the floor. Jang'gyeong Seol stepped between them, shielding her son.
"Please, stop it!" she pleaded. "Is that all you have to say to your son who barely survived?"
"Do not interfere!" Ung shouted. "At least he returned alive! Dozens of others didn't because of his incompetence!"
"Then you should have gone yourself!" Seol retorted. "You're the one who created that monster!"
"Both of you, stop it," Joon interjected, his voice strained. "It's all my fault..."
Seong, his heart sinking with each angry shout, turned away, unable to enter. He hadn't taken more than a few steps when he heard the door open behind him. He turned to see Joon, his eyes red-rimmed.
"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop..." Seong stammered.
Joon simply bowed. "Your Luminance, I have returned."
"Are you alright?" Seong asked.
Joon nodded silently and walked past him, his footsteps heavy.
When Joon didn't appear for a long time, his two younger sisters went searching for him, one going downhill towards Wicheong Palace, the other uphill. Jeong eventually found him by a creek some distance away. She discreetly dismissed the soldiers and sat beside him. Joon didn't acknowledge her.
"Don't mind what he said," Jeong said cautiously. "It's not the first time they've argued."
Joon didn't reply.
"Brother!" Jeong raised her voice.
Still no response. She crouched before him, looking up at his downcast face. He was pale and lifeless, like a corpse.
"Look at me," she pleaded. "Even though Father said those things, he's been going back and forth to Nahmgyo, waiting for you to return. I'm not just saying this to comfort you."
"Where is he now?" Joon asked dryly.
"He's... with the Guardian," Jeong stammered.
"Of course he is," Joon said.
Jeong regretted her honesty. She sat with Joon for a long time, then hurried back to Wicheong Palace before sunset.
Meanwhile, Seong had heard from Ung about Joon's ordeal. The story was both absurd and horrifying. Are Hwan and his men truly that cunning and powerful? It wasn't surprising, considering Hwan had been traversing the sea, facing life and death every day, while Seong and the other soldiers were hiding in Wicheong Palace and the three fortresses of Birahng for the past four years. But are we truly this powerless? Seong despaired, wondering how they could land on the mainland, let alone reclaim Sunyahng, if they couldn't even defeat Hwan.
He wished Hwan had simply sailed away and never returned. But he still couldn't bear the thought of parting with his brother forever. He wanted to ask Hwan if he would have been truly indifferent to his death that day. Does he want me dead? Is he plotting to eliminate me at his destination? Is Yirahng, who claimed to be pregnant, alright? He had so many questions, but Hwan had once again disappeared to an unreachable place.
"Where do you think he went?" Seong asked Ung.
"If what Jang'gyeong Yoon told us is true, he must have gone to Soyeol," Ung replied. "He said it was Baekan Yujeong of Seomy who helped Hwan and handed over the Black Wings."
"Seomy is a small island in Soyeol," Seong said, shaking his head. "He can't achieve anything there."
"But it's where he received help," Ung argued.
"Hwan does shocking things when cornered," Seong countered. "He always has. It's not Seomy. He wouldn't be unaware that his base was exposed because of Jang'gyeong Yoon..."
"Then where do you think he went, Guardian?"
"To Jongwon Soh of Ju," Seong replied. "If he went to Soyeol."
"To the leader of Soyeol?"
"If Jongwon Soh is the leader, winning him over solves everything else," Seong explained. "The documents we intended to send to Ju are in Hwan's hands. He'll use them to plot something. We need to ask Ryang who Ju's enemies are, what they need most. We can't initiate any conversation with Soyeol without knowing that."
"You make a convincing argument," Ung conceded.
"Send a message to Nahmgyo immediately."
Seong gave the order, but he felt uneasy. Will Hwan, who does shocking things so readily, truly act as I predict? He was anxious and afraid of his brother, who always seemed to be one step ahead.
Ung rose and bowed. As he turned to leave, Seong called out to him.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"Don't be too hard on Joon. We all knew Hwan wasn't an easy opponent."
"If we were a proper army with ample troops, he'd face a proper punishment.," Ung replied. "You shouldn't be lenient, Guardian."
He bowed once more and left.
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"Dongrahng and Seorahng will offer their allegiance as soon as the Guardian enters Nahmgyo," Jin assured Ryang.
"Thank you," Ryang replied.
He was finalizing matters with Jin before his urgent departure for Wicheong Palace due to the accelerated attack date. Sensing Ryang's relief, Jin added a caveat.
"But let me be clear once more before we begin. I cannot open the south gate without the Princess alive. Nor can I open it if you fail to burn all of Hyangdo's warships before the battle. If you fail to completely seize Birahng, if the Two Guardians prove to be a farce, or if Dahn crosses over to Birahng before the monsoon season due to your failure to intercept them, I will gladly hand you over to the King of Dahn."
Her dark eyes, set in her yellowed sclera, held Ryang's gaze with intensity.
"Even with the Guardian Crimson and the extraordinary power the Guardian has awakened, as you say, there's still much uncertainty. This concerns the fate of Nahmgyo and House Seolyo, as it does for the Guardian. Understand, even if it sounds harsh."
Jin always remained open to Ryang yet kept a distance. Ryang couldn't disregard her support in the upcoming war, but without her, the war effort was as unsustainable as Wicheong Palace without House Myeonghyeon. Even if she didn't turn her back on them completely, it was clear that the debt they would incur would be substantial.
"I understand," Ryang replied.
To lighten the mood, Jin asked casually, "Any trouble at home? I heard Seon was furious about you handing over the business."
"We had a major fight," Ryang admitted.
"Why did you tell me about it without settling things with her?" Jin chided. "Making things difficult for me."
Ryang, embarrassed, lowered his gaze. "I thought she would agree without protest."
"How could she?" Jin retorted. "You're a wise man, yet you're so blind when it comes to those close to you."
Her reprimand subtly glossed over the past events, and Ryang remained silent, his head bowed. Jin, observing his haggard face, asked, "Are you alright? Your sister was worried."
"I've recovered," Ryang assured her.
"Then hurry back to your Guardian."
Seolyo Yeong, her son, who had been pacing anxiously outside, entered the office as soon as Ryang left. Although he was already gone, Seolyo Yeong lowered his voice, worried he might overhear.
"Mother," he asked, "are you truly going to side with them, trusting Myeonghyeon Ryang's words?"