The early summer forest path was wide and open, but the humid air muffled sound, limiting visibility. Ryang and Sobi walked with guards positioned ahead and behind them. The day was hot, and beads of sweat glistened on Ryang's forehead. Sobi constantly fanned herself with her hand, the collar of her robe damp. They stopped by a creek to rest. The guards cupped their hands, drinking water and splashing their faces and necks to cool off. Ryang retrieved a clamshell cup from his belongings, filled it with water from the creek, and offered it to Sobi first. The cold water rippled, reflecting the iridescent colors of the shell. After Sobi drank, Ryang filled the cup again and drank as well.
"I want to apologize on their behalf," Sobi said, her voice barely audible above the gurgling water.
Ryang remained silent, as if he hadn't heard her. Sobi was embarrassed and was about to pretend she hadn't said anything when Ryang replied curtly, "Why would you apologize?"
"Recently..."
"I made a mistake," Ryang interrupted. "The Guardian punished me, and the traitor is dead. That's all."
His voice was cold, and Sobi was certain he harbored resentment towards the Ministry of Emissary Divine. As a fellow Emissary, she knew she couldn't expect the same kindness from him as before. If she were Ryang, she would also hate the Ministry, everyone who served under Norahn.
"Are you alright?" Sobi asked cautiously. "Crystal Haze is a potent drug, handled with care even within the Ministry."
"You're not trying to pry, are you?" Ryang asked.
"There are rumors circulating in the Ministry," Sobi said, flustered, "but I reprimand those who speak of them."
"I wasn't reprimanding you," Ryang said. "There's no problem. You don't need to worry."
He rose to his feet. They continued walking. As the slope of the mountain path gentled, Ryang turned to Sobi.
"We'll walk separately from here," he instructed.
Sobi nodded and sat down on a nearby rock. Ryang addressed the guards.
"Don't follow too closely," he ordered.
The three soldiers remained in place, watching Ryang walk away, then slowly followed. The remaining soldiers waited with Sobi. After a while, when Ryang was out of sight, half of them turned back towards Wicheong Palace, and the other half accompanied Sobi. She continued towards Nahmgyo. Soon, the forest path merged with a wider road, and the gate tower of Nahmgyo's east gate was visible in the distance. The sky was already turning red, and Sobi quickened her pace.
When Ryang arrived at Yeonyahng, only U'nso was waiting for him at the back gate. Seon was nowhere to be seen. Ryang instructed U'nso to prepare a separate house for Sobi, who arrived shortly after through the main gate. She left her belongings at the house and headed straight for the rear garden. The guards, who recognized her, didn't stop her. She found Seon's chamber, following her memory. It was evening, and candles lit up the room. Sobi called out to Seon, then opened the door. Seon sat with an unfamiliar man. Sobi was startled to see him, and the man seemed equally surprised. It was Baek Ryucheon. He no longer bothered to hide his visits from Ryang and would even stay late into the night, or even until morning, as if to flaunt their relationship. Sobi regretted not waiting longer before entering, as their faces had been close when she opened the door.
She was wary of Ryucheon. Seon, noticing her hesitation, asked, "I heard you were coming, but you arrived earlier than expected. What brings you here?"
Sobi, startled, finally collected herself and greeted Seon. "It's been a while," she said. "Nothing in particular. I wanted to chat since we haven't seen each other in a while."
"Who is this?" Ryucheon asked Seon.
"The Third Emissary Divine of Wicheong," Seon replied.
"The Third Emissary Divine..."
"Just know she's the third highest-ranking person in the Ministry of Emissary Divine," Seon interrupted.
Sobi was even more surprised that Seon revealed her identity so readily. Who is this man that she can speak so openly about Wicheong Palace? Ryucheon's gaze, assessing Sobi, was blatant and arrogant, which annoyed her.
"An Emissary Divine..." Ryucheon mused. "To think I'd meet a living Emissary Divine. Well, it's a pleasure regardless. I'll take my leave."
Ryucheon bowed his head slightly and excused himself, leaving Sobi and Seon alone. Sobi sat facing Seon, her expression grave.
"Who is that man that you would reveal my identity to?" she asked.
"Don't worry," Seon assured her. "He's our ally."
"We have allies?" Sobi asked, surprised.
"I made one," Seon replied with a proud smile. "I heard you are going to Soyeol with the Guardian's letter. We need you to return successfully after completing your mission to make the most of this alliance."
Seon didn't offer further explanation, and Sobi couldn't fully grasp her meaning. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Seon, she returned to the guesthouse. Lying in bed, she couldn't shake off the image of Ryucheon. Who is he that Seon called him an ally? Why was he so close to her? Is he her lover? He was handsome, but not exceptionally so compared to Seon, and Sobi particularly disliked his arrogant eyes. Has he returned to Seon's chamber after I left? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy and disheartened she felt.
Early the next morning, Ryang summoned Sobi to the rear garden. He sat her down, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and meticulously explained her mission in Soyeol. The most important task was to deliver the Guardian's letter to Jongwon Soh, the king of Ju, and return with his reply. Ryang placed the letter he received from Seong on the table. The scroll, wrapped in blue silk, was a sight that chased away Sobi's drowsiness. The original was sealed tightly, so Ryang handed her a copy to read.
"Am I allowed to read this?" Sobi asked.
"You need to be able to answer if Jongwon Soh asks any questions," Ryang chided. "It's disrespectful to send an envoy who can't even answer questions."
Sobi exhaled nervously.
"We need to prepare for this today and tomorrow," Ryang continued. "I'll be pushing you hard, so please bear with me."
He was true to his word. That night, Sobi couldn't leave the rear garden until past midnight, and the next night, she was kept up, unable to sleep. Ryang relentlessly questioned her, listened to her answers, and corrected any that were unsatisfactory or concerning. The relentless questioning made the task feel urgent, and Sobi couldn't afford to feel tired or bored.
On the morning of her departure, Sobi packed her belongings and went to bid farewell to Ryang.
"I trust you understand I can't see you off to the harbor," Ryang said. "We must be cautious."
He handed her a silk pouch. Sobi accepted it, surprised by its weight. Ryang gestured for her to open it. It was filled with gold ingots. She looked up at him, bewildered.
"This is too much," she said.
"I don't believe it will come to this," Ryang replied, "but if we fail, even against Princess Kyeong'ui, don't return to Birahng. Use this to settle elsewhere."
Despite the grim prediction, his eyes were calm.
"Is this the Guardian's order?" Sobi asked.
"It's my own," Ryang replied.
Sobi was overwhelmed with thoughts. What is the price of this? Is it the price of my life? Or perhaps the price of Wicheong Palace's survival? Will my acceptance of this lead to starvation or death for others in Wicheong Palace? To Ryang, it was simply gold, but to Sobi, it felt like flesh carved from Wicheong Palace and House Myeonghyeon. She refused firmly.
"Thank you for your concern, but I cannot accept this. Even if things go wrong, I will return."
"Take it," Ryang insisted. "There might be no one to welcome you back."
"High Councilor," Sobi's eyes welled up.
"I'm certain we'll succeed," Ryang said. "This is just a precaution. I was the one who insisted on sending you to Soyeol. So it's my duty."
Sobi stepped back and bowed deeply. "May you be victorious," she said.
"Be sure to return with Jongwon's reply," Ryang said. "I'll raise our flag in Nahmgyo to guide your way."
Sobi bowed once more, then returned to the guesthouse, retrieved her belongings, and left. Three agile soldiers Ryang had assigned as escorts followed her. Ryang didn't come out to see her off, but Seon accompanied her to the south gate.
"This is your first sea voyage, right?" Seon asked with a smile. "Take this with you."
She handed Sobi a wooden box.
"What is it?" Sobi asked.
"Dried ginger slices," Seon replied. "They're good for seasickness. It's best to eat them before you feel nauseous. But don't eat too many, or you'll get a stomachache."
Sobi smiled, amused and grateful for the siblings' concern.
"I'll take good care of it," she said.
"Return safely with good news," Seon said, squeezing Sobi's hand.
The warmth of her touch lingered on Sobi's skin. She walked towards the harbor, her footsteps light. The familiar smell of seawater grew stronger as she approached the coast. The House Myeonghyeon merchant ship was bustling with activity. A man stood on a stack of boxes on the deck, shouting at the sluggish sailors to hurry, as the monsoon season was approaching. Sobi boarded the ship, the deck swaying beneath her feet. She went down to the lower cabin, settled in, and opened the wooden box, chewing on the dried ginger slices. After swallowing several, her tongue tingling, the ship set sail, catching a favorable wind and heading southeast.