Ryang returned to the city before nightfall. As darkness fell, the soldiers who weren't part of the advance party retreated to their tents, seeking shelter from the night dew. Those in the advance party slept in the cabins of the moored warships. Less than half the original number of tents remained, including Kyeong'ui's. Forty to fifty soldiers crammed into tents meant for twenty, and Yool, the esteemed guest, shared Hyeok's tent with Hongyoo.
Kyeong'ui planned to collect the remaining tents and load them onto the ships after the advance party departed. It was easier to deceive this way. If Ryang finds out I have lied about the date, he will be hurt. Disappointed. What can he do, though? She was still anxious that he might refuse to follow her. What should I do if he doesn't? Should I pretend I don't know and let him live as he has been? Or should I ask Father to eliminate them? The fate of House Myeonghyeon, which she held in her hands, felt tangible, and she didn't doubt her dominance over them.
Before retiring for the night, Hyeok came to Kyeong'ui and relayed a message he had received from Yeol late in the afternoon.
"The evacuation of Sahpung is complete," he reported. "We can depart as scheduled."
Kyeong'ui smiled. Everything was proceeding smoothly.
"I'd like you to lead the advance party to Sahpung tomorrow," she told Hyeok. "Can you do that?"
"Of course," Hyeok replied readily. "Will there be a reward if I complete the mission successfully?"
His suggestive gaze annoyed Kyeong'ui.
"Is that all you think about?" she chided.
"What else is there to think about?" Hyeok retorted with a grin.
He suddenly pulled her close and kissed her.
"I'll unload the cargo and return to escort you soon," he said, then left with a playful smile.
Kyeong'ui sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
"It's driving me crazy," she muttered.
She was frustrated for having to put up with his antics after sleeping with him. She wondered if she could live happily with Hyeok if she got drunk every night, like on Summer Greetings. She sat at her desk and prepared a report for her father, to be sent on the ship carrying Yool back to Sunyahng tomorrow. The opening was as simple and mundane as the last one.
'I inform Your Majesty of the relocation of the camp from Birahng to Sahpung.'
Kyeong'ui paused after writing the first sentence, a lump forming in her throat. She was leaving Birahng tomorrow. What have I gained during my stay on this strange island? She was excited, as if she would return to Sunyahng in triumph, but she hadn't achieved anything concrete yet. Her father had ordered her to return with a solution to quell the unrest in the nation. Taking the sphere back to Sunyahng without understanding its true nature would only add another verse to the ominous songs circulating in the streets. Although she had decided to help Song'un Wu and Seo'oh, she wasn't sure if she wanted the sphere to be the Jiwigum described in the record or just a curious object. If the record proves true, will I become a traitor for shaking the nation's foundation? Or will I become a ruler who achieves what even the Founder and my father couldn't? She wanted to examine the sphere's clear surface, but it was now carefully concealed on the ship bound for Sahpung.
Sahpung was also uncharted territory for Kyeong'ui, who had never been outside Sunyahng. She had to finish her task there, so she might end up staying longer than she did in Birahng. Her thoughts drifted towards the long, harsh monsoon season that would block the sea routes and the clear, cool autumn beyond. She picked up her brush and continued writing.
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Wicheong Palace was bustling with activity. The soldiers packed light, leaving most of their belongings behind. They didn't know if they would return. The Emissaries Divine, burdened with their belongings, would remain in the forest north of Nahmgyo until the battle ended. Cheongro, the Second Emissary Divine, argued for the Ministry to be armed, but Seong refused. He reasoned that they couldn't even protect themselves, let alone kill enemies, with spears. Instead, they were to safeguard Wicheong Palace's history.
The Ministry's ceremonial objects, the few books they brought from Sunyahng, and the records compiled during their time in Wicheong Palace amounted to a considerable load. Ryang had also set aside specific items to be taken. The unchosen belongings remained, untouched. With more left behind than taken, Wicheong Palace still felt lived-in, like a place to return to. In each empty room, the soldiers left a handful of uncooked rice and a box of dried food for the deceased of Wicheong Palace. Although Norahn, the High Emissary Divine, taught that souls return to the light, not the earth, he didn't stop them from leaving food offerings out of compassion for their lingering regrets.
Amidst the preparations for relocation and mobilization, the Kyeongseon family was the busiest. Ung, Joon, and Song would lead the main force towards the Dahnian camp, while Jeong would assist Seong in Hyangdo. Jang'gyeong Seol sighed at the sight of her children going to war, and Joon reassured her, claiming the battle would be easy since Birahng was practically their land.
Ung was unaware of the tender exchange between mother and son. He watched Joon sternly drilling the soldiers, pleased with his harsh treatment of his son upon his return. He wished he could bestow the family sword, engraved with the name "以剛 (Yigang)," upon his eldest son on the day of departure, but it was lost in Sunyahng. His only regret was not being able to pass down the sword. Joon, however, never mourned the inability to wield it in battle. Father and son didn't share their regrets and sorrows.
On their last night in Wicheong Palace, after the soldiers had retired, Joon remained alone in the training grounds. He wasn't sleepy, his body full of youthful energy. He heard footsteps approaching and straightened, looking towards the passageway. It was Seong. Seeing him approaching alone, Joon stood and bowed.
"What brings you here?" he asked.
"Why aren't you asleep? You have an important task tomorrow," Seong chided.
"I couldn't sleep," Joon replied. "I need to familiarize myself with the operation."
"The one who designed the operation isn't familiar with it?" Seong teased.
Joon chuckled. Seong's playful expression turned serious. Joon straightened his face, awaiting his words.
"I know you'll do well without me saying this, but I'm entrusting Yeong to you tomorrow," Seong said.
"Why would you worry when she'll be following our plan?" Joon asked.
"You never know what might happen," Seong replied. "Yeong is uncontrollable. By anyone."
His anxious tone made Joon question him. "Is there a problem?"
"Yeong's body isn't invincible like mine," Seong confessed.
Joon frowned. "When did you find out?" he asked, lowering his voice.
"She pricked her hand on a thorn when we went out to the forest together."
"Shouldn't you inform everyone and have her withdraw from the battle?"
Seong shook his head. "Ryang is right. We need to suppress their warships and cannons, and Yeong is our best option right now."
"Then everyone should at least be aware."
"If the soldiers know Yeong can be harmed, they might panic. So keep it a secret for now, and just protect her. Don't let her get within firing range."
Joon nodded silently. Seong squeezed his hand.
"Be careful yourself," he said.
Seong saw Joon off to his chamber, then returned to his own and lay down. Sleep came quickly, and he woke before dawn, the darkness still deep. It had been a short rest, but the sleep on this last night had been deep and sweet, leaving him refreshed. He rarely slept so soundly, and the renewed energy that filled him felt unfamiliar. He conjured a small flame in his hand. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than before, and he often practiced alone. This flame would be used in battle today. The thought of the mission that had to be successful today made even the training with Yeong seem trivial.
He strapped two swords to his waist, one of them Yeom'myeol. He drew Yeom'myeol, the gleaming white blade catching the faint light. The two characters, "念滅(Yeom'myeol)," seemed to pierce his eyes and burrow into his soul. The inscription, passed down from the Founder a thousand years ago, was both chilling and calming. He felt strangely at peace with the thought of his blood one day mingling with the Founder's on the blade. He couldn't imagine the trials he would face on the path to destruction. The only certainty was the end, and today's mobilization was the first step towards that predetermined end. At the beginning, Seong vowed to focus only on the end. He sheathed the sword.
The soldiers gathered in the open space within the cave for the Victory Ritual. An Emissary Divine informed Seong that the preparations were complete. Seong didn't look back as he left his room. Walking down the passageway, he noticed the remaining belongings scattered in the rooms but didn't linger on them. There was no attachment to the familiarity he had known all his life. The end he had always wished for Wicheong Palace was unfolding, not through disbandment, but through a different path.
The soldiers and Emissaries waited, watching Seong approach. The space was cramped, and some spilled into the passageway. Yeong, who had arrived earlier, also watched him. Norahn stood in the center, flanked by Cheongro, with the elders of the Ministry behind them. Seong felt a surge of anxiety as all eyes turned to him. Yeong met his gaze, her eyes calming. Seong took a deep breath and stood beside her. Cheongro struck a bell, signaling the start of the ritual.
Norahn began to chant. "Sahngjon, light brighter than any light, answer the long wait of the Celestial Scions."