"They don't treat me properly at the inn. The taxes they pay to Nahmgyo are too low compared to the profits they earn and the favors they receive. Myeonghyeon Ryang is preventing Seon from interacting with me."
The content varied slightly each time, but these were common complaints about the Myeonghyeon from her son. Today, however, his expression was more desperate than usual. Jin replied nonchalantly, "House Seolyo was given Nahmgyo so we could step forward when summoned."
"If you're so naive," Yeong retorted, "why did you set those conditions?"
Instead of answering, Jin exhaled a long plume of smoke.
"What do we gain by taking such a risk?" Yeong pressed.
"And what do we gain by groveling?" Jin countered.
"At least they won't cross over to Birahng to eliminate us," Yeong argued. "The moment we raise the flag of Wi on the south gate, we become traitors! Are you trying to destroy our family and die together?"
Jin's eyelids lifted slightly, her dark eyes piercing. Yeong faltered, intimidated.
"Hyangdo has been in Birahng for a long time," she said. "How long do you think this indifference will last? The lords from the north to the southern coast have been eliminated. Yeongshin Won isn't a fool who doesn't know what kind of city Nahmgyo is and what kind of family House Seolyo is. It'll be our turn soon. Do you think the Princess was sent here just because of the star?"
"Things might be different if we yield first," Yeong argued.
"Those with backbone are already dead," Jin retorted. "Those who yielded were simply eliminated later."
Jin's resolve to side with the royal family of Wi, as long as the conditions set for Ryang were met, seemed firm. Seolyo Yeong, who had never succeeded in persuading his mother on any matter, gave up.
"If only we had arranged a marriage with House Myeonghyeon..." he muttered.
"As if Seon would marry a boy like you!" Jin snapped. "Get out if you're going to keep whining!"
Yeong recoiled at her outburst. Jin glared at her son, who resembled his Soyeol merchant father in appearance but inherited neither his temperament nor hers. Although the war was a first for the experienced Jin, and she needed her bloodline by her side, she couldn't expect such filial piety from Yeong. She missed her two daughters, who had been sent to Sung. Yeong, sighing heavily, left, and Jin burned through several more pipes of tobacco.
Unaware of their argument, Ryang left for Wicheong Palace under the cover of night. Although Kyeong'ui had assured him that she had withdrawn her surveillance troops, he couldn't trust her, given her constant tests. He kept three men ahead and behind him, vigilant as he traveled. The moon, just past its full phase, lit up the mountain path, making him even more nervous.
As dawn approached, the entrance to Wicheong Palace came into view. The cave bustled with activity as people woke and started their day. The soldiers and Emissaries Divine he encountered bowed respectfully, acknowledging his new title, but their gazes were distant and wary. Do they resent me? How do they perceive me, the disgraced High Councilor who had been charmed by a servant, harboring a spy for years, only to execute her with my own hands? The High Councilor who has gained another title thanks to his lord's favor, meant to preserve his tarnished reputation?
Ryang ignored their gazes and hurried on, then stopped abruptly. Jang'gyeong Yoon stood before him, flanked by two soldiers. Yoon's neck was stiff, but his eyes met Ryang's with a subtle boldness. It was the same twisted face Ryang had seen in the tent with Hongyoo. He was overcome with regret for not recognizing Yoon then.
"I was on my way to Mother..." Yoon offered without prompting.
"You wander around freely," Ryang observed coldly.
"Freely? Don't you see those guards behind me?" Yoon retorted. "I'm under constant surveillance."
"A fitting treatment for someone whose hobby is betrayal," Ryang said.
He vividly remembered Yoon's triumphant face as he pinned Ryang and Seon to the dirt floor of the rear garden, sword raised, four years ago. Yoon's return had been a significant catalyst for the recent turmoil. Seeing him here in Wicheong Palace filled Ryang with rage. Emotions are fleeting, he reminded himself, barely managing to control his anger.
Yoon stepped closer. "Can't you be a bit more lenient?" he asked. "Everyone makes mistakes. I didn't know Sahngjon's will before. How could I have? But now everything is clear. Look at my face. I've paid the price."
He spoke as if he had forgotten that Ryang had lost his father on the day Yoon stormed the rear garden with Hwan. Ryang glared at him.
"No, you haven't," he said. "Not at all."
"If you're upset about your recent ordeal," Yoon said, "let's be clear. I've been imprisoned in the Dahnian camp since the Guardian Crimson. I first heard about your disappearance from the Royal Attendant. I was captured by that crazy bastard and tortured, barely escaping with my life. You saw me there. Your suffering has nothing to do with me."
The Royal Attendant. Ryang's mind stopped at those words. He narrowed his eyes.
"Why did he release you?" he asked.
"Release me?" Yoon scoffed. "I escaped on my own."
Ryang didn't believe him. Kyeong'ui's camp wasn't a place Yoon could escape from on his own.
"Why did he release you?" Ryang pressed. "You treacherous bastard."
Yoon smirked. "Why do you think he released me?" he countered.
Ryang's right hand shot out, grabbing Yoon by the collar and shoving him against the cave wall. Yoon was momentarily startled, then regained his composure and taunted Ryang.
"What are you going to do here?" he sneered. "It was the Guardian's decision to accept me. Cheon Hwan escaped alive. He'll be back soon. Do you think Wicheong can handle him without me?"
"Answer my question," Ryang demanded. "Why did Hongyoo release you?"
"Your family seems to have a lot of enemies," Yoon replied. "It was a mutually beneficial agreement. Of course, now that I've switched sides, I no longer need to follow Hongyoo's orders. That deal is meaningless now, so don't worry. You might think I'm untrustworthy, but I could even sacrifice my life for Cheon Hwan. I've always been loyal. And it'll be the same for my new lord."
"What did you do?" Ryang accused.
"Do? I only told the truth about what happened. Are you still upset about Dara?"
"Don't you dare speak her name," Ryang hissed.
Yoon chuckled. "I wasn't lying, was I? Dara had to be dealt with. Would you have gotten rid of her so cleanly if I hadn't spoken up? I helped Wicheong. Everyone except you."
Ryang didn't want to be drawn in further. He tightened his grip and pressed Yoon for answers. "Does the Royal Attendant know about Cheon Hwan?"
"I wasn't foolish enough to be caught," Yoon retorted. "I told him myself. I told him who could destroy House Myeonghyeon."
Ryang shoved Yoon's head against the cave wall, then released him. Yoon straightened his clothes and sneered.
"You've gotten a temper, haven't you?" he taunted. "But anyway, I'm your elder. How dare you call me a bastard?"
"Shut up and address me properly," Ryang warned. "You'll be interrogated again soon, so be prepared."
"Are you planning to torture me?" Yoon scoffed.
"If necessary, I'll even summon Hongyoo to do it," Ryang threatened.
He turned and left.
Sung may know about Cheon Hwan.
Another thread was added to the tangled web of Wicheong Palace.
──────────
News of Ryang's arrival and his altercation with Yoon reached Seong. Seong waited patiently for Ryang's report. He had been about to summon Ryang, so he was curious about the reason for his sudden visit. Ryang's voice finally reached him, and he entered respectfully, bowing deeply. Seong was relieved to see some flesh on his face, but he struggled to find the right words. He couldn't greet Ryang casually, as if nothing had happened, but he also didn't want to appear insensitive. He settled on a less comfortable topic.
"I heard you grabbed Jang'gyeong Yoon by the collar as soon as you arrived," he remarked.
"Words travel fast," Ryang replied as he sat down.
"Why are you acting out of character?" Seong chided. "Many eyes are on you these days. Be careful."
"I will," Ryang assured him.
"What brings you here?" Seong asked. "I haven't heard anything from Joon."
"Sung knows about Cheon Hwan," Ryang reported.
Seong's eyes widened, and he demanded to know the source.
"I learned it during the altercation," Ryang explained. "It seems Jang'gyeong Yoon was released from the Dahnian camp after revealing this information. I don't know yet if only the Royal Attendant knows or if Baek Ryucheon is also aware."
"What's the worst outcome?" Seong asked.
"If Baek Ryucheon knows," Ryang replied, "Sung has another option. If they decide we won't cooperate, they might try to use Cheon Hwan instead of you. Jang'gyeong Yoon must have given them information about the base, so it won't be difficult for them to contact Cheon Hwan if they wish."
"Hwan won't be manipulated by Sung," Seong said.
"He might act differently if he sees an opportunity," Ryang countered.
"You had no idea?" Seong asked.
"In hindsight, I should have questioned the circumstances of my disappearance," Ryang admitted. "But he readily believed my excuse about not remembering. This is just a guess, but... I should have investigated Jang'gyeong Yoon's activities. I missed that. I apologize."
"Don't blame yourself," Seong reassured him. "You haven't had a moment to think clearly. Please investigate when you return. Find out how much Sung knows about us."
"I will," Ryang said. "I can't stay in Wicheong for long, so please interrogate Jang'gyeong Yoon further."
"Alright," Seong agreed. He changed the subject. "You wouldn't have come all this way just to discuss that. What's the real reason for your visit?"
Ryang retrieved a document from his robes and placed it before Seong. It was a copy of the secret record he had received from Kyeong'ui. Seong's face hardened as he scanned the text.
"Are you aware of this?" Ryang asked.