Norahn's voice was clear and soft, and the crowd held their breath to listen.
"Forgive us for our corruption and incompetence," he continued, "for abandoning our sacred duty and failing to protect our divine city. Have mercy on our half-century of waiting and bestow a new light from the heavens of Shinsuk to Sunyahng. Grant power to the Azure and Crimson, that they may avenge the blood of their ancestors with blood. Protect them under your shield as the army of Sahngjon marches forth under the blue flags. Upon today's victory, the covenant shall take root, and the light of Sahngjon shall illuminate the path of the Azure and Crimson."
As with every ritual, Norahn's prayer before battle was brief. The words were grand and distant, and the plea to repay blood with blood felt especially alien to Seong. Is it the blood of the enemy or the blood of Wicheong soldiers he spoke of? Either way, the meaning remained unchanged, and Seong's heart pounded. He was afraid of Norahn's prayer, but Yeong, standing beside him, seemed calm and composed.
Cheongro received a golden basin filled with holy water from another Emissary and knelt before Norahn, presenting it to him. Cheongro struck the bell once more, and Norahn spoke again.
"Two Guardians, kneel before Sahngjon."
Seong and Yeong knelt together. Seong drew Yeom'myeol and held it up with both hands. Yeong gently touched his wrists. The sight of the Guardian of the Azure Scripture kneeling before the High Emissary Divine, Yeom'myeol held in his hands, filled the crowd with awe. Norahn dipped his right index and middle fingers into the holy water.
"May the light of Sahngjon descend upon the eyes of the Azure and Crimson..."
He touched their foreheads with his wet fingers. A cold stream flowed down their noses. Seong felt the weight of lives placed upon him with the touch of the holy water. Norahn continued the thousand-year-old ritual, reciting the ancient words.
"Upon their lips, their hearts, their hands..."
With each phrase, Norahn touched Seong and Yeong's lips, chests, and the backs of their hands.
"And upon the sword they wield."
Finally, he touched the inscription on Yeom'myeol with the holy water. He stepped back, looked towards the sky blocked by the cave walls, and said, "With my humble eyes, I beseech Sahngjon to bestow light upon the Azure and Crimson."
The number of soldiers departing from Wicheong Palace was three hundred, as the standing army had been reduced since Kyeong'ui's arrival. After blessing Seong and Yeong with the light of Sahngjon, the three hundred soldiers knelt before Norahn one by one, and Norahn marked each of their foreheads with his thumb dipped in holy water. The soldiers were moved, as if the holy water, which would soon evaporate in the wind, had bestowed an unbreakable shield upon them. Just as Norahn shielded their hearts with the holy water, Seong wanted to protect them all with his sword and flames on the battlefield. The wish, born from his innate powerlessness, saddened and frustrated him.
The Victory Ritual, which began in the darkness of dawn, concluded in the blue light of morning. Seong led the procession out of the cave. Large rocks, prepared at his command, stood at the entrance. Once everyone was outside, Seong addressed the soldiers.
"The glory of victory shines upon the sweat and blood of you, not the black robes of the royal descendant," he declared. "The revival of Cheon-Wi begins with your blades, not my flames. Sahngjon will answer your wait, not the grudges of the royal family. We will not hide again."
Ten soldiers pushed the rocks, sealing the narrow entrance. Seong watched the sealed entrance and took a deep breath. His hands trembled with anxiety, and he looked at Yeong. She blinked slowly, calming his fear. After a deep breath, flames erupted from Seong's fingertips, tearing through the air. The flames engulfed the rocks and soil. The red glow of the heated rocks reflected in the soldiers' eyes, burning bright. The rocks, unable to withstand the heat, melted and fused with the cave wall. Before it could lose its form completely, Seong withdrew the flames. The heat emanating from the rocks wall lit up the surroundings. Yeong tried to cool it with water drawn from the trees, but Seong stopped her.
He watched as the rocks slowly cooled, returning to its original black color. Tiny beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. A few soldiers tried to dislodge the rocks, but the seal wouldn't break. Seong, looking at the sealed entrance, felt the finality of Wicheong Palace. The soldiers, filled with awe, knelt as he turned to face them. He offered a silent prayer to Sahngjon.
"Today," he said, "may the light of Sahngjon illuminate the path of Cheon-Wi."
He didn't prolong his words and raised Yeom'myeol, signaling the start of the march. The order didn't spread through voices but through movement. The vanguard began to descend the mountain. After about half the soldiers had started, Seong followed. Before parting ways with Yeong, who would head towards Nahmgyo with the main force, he turned to her.
"I'll join you as soon as I finish my task," he said. "Take care until then. And be careful."
Although Yeong showed no fear, Seong couldn't shake off his anxiety. He turned away and headed towards Hyangdo. He didn't look back at Wicheong Palace as he walked, his feet sinking into the damp earth. The sounds of weapons and armor faded with the rustling leaves.
They had to reach Hyangdo before sunset to join the others from Nahmgyo at the appointed time, so they hurried on. The soldiers' bags, filled with more rice balls than they could possibly eat, bounced against their hips. Jeong carried a spear and a bow on her back, a sword and a dagger at her waist. Seong felt inadequate, his hands empty except for Yeom'myeol and two other swords. The silence was tense.
"How is your mother?" Seong asked Jeong.
"Worried," she replied curtly.
"Has she asked about Jang'gyeong Yoon?"
"Not everyone with the same name is family. She's not interested in him."
Jeong prodded the ground with her spear as she walked.
"You don't have to force conversation," she said. "We can walk in silence."
"It's not that," Seong said. "I just... wanted to apologize."
"What do you have to apologize for?"
"To you and your family. Your brother and sister..."
Jeong understood his meaning but didn't reply. It was her father's fault, not Seong's, that he had neglected his family for the two royal descendants. She had never resented him for it. Serving the royal family seemed to be his life's purpose. Similarly, she believed her siblings and she had lived fulfilling lives without yearning for their father, relying on their bond as siblings. Seong's apology wouldn't change their different paths.
By the time they reached Hyangdo, the sea was already being swallowed by darkness, and the north gates were open, with the red sunset at its back. It was a relatively new fortress, built only thirty years ago. Despite its imposing size, the walls and gate tower were poorly maintained, making it seem less impressive than Nahmgyo. However, the gate was protected by a strong outer wall, and the long walls were lined with closely spaced crenellations. With enough troops inside, it would be an impenetrable fortress.
The harbor and the north gate were closer than in Nahmgyo. Unlike Nahmgyo, where they had to climb a hill to reach the gate despite its deceptively close appearance, Hyangdo's harbor and north gate were connected by flat land. They could reach the gate from the harbor in a single dash if they spurred their horses. Seong looked towards the harbor. It was deserted, as Hyangdo had failed to attract merchants. A few fishing boats that had brought provisions were still mending their nets. The moored warships were in such poor condition that they wouldn't be able to cross the southern sea even if they weren't destroyed. Still, two or three guards patrolled each deck.
The group hid near the coast, waiting for darkness to engulf Hyangdo. Jeong checked the stars and informed Seong that the time had come. Even with the attack imminent, Seong's eyes were filled with concern for the enemy soldiers.
"If we set the ships on fire now, the guards will burn to death," he said.
"Why are you worried about enemy soldiers burning to death?" Jeong asked, frowning.
"Burning the ships is enough," Seong insisted. "There's no need to kill anyone."
Jeong, exasperated, bit back a retort. "As planned, we'll set fire to the gate tower first," she said, lowering her voice. "The guards will retreat towards the gate. Once the harbor is clear, I'll lead the way. Follow me."
"No, I'll go to the harbor alone," Seong said.
"What?"
"I don't get hurt. You need to conserve your strength."
"But Guardian..."
Before Jeong could protest, Seong dashed towards the harbor, his figure quickly disappearing into the darkness. Jeong signaled the soldiers to nock their arrows. Ten Blast Arrows[1] flew towards the gate tower. Explosions erupted from the north gate, sending roof tiles flying. The left corner caught fire. As Jeong had predicted, the guards abandoned the harbor and rushed towards the north gate to help extinguish the flames.
Seong took a deep breath as he looked at the deserted harbor, a stark contrast to the chaos at the north gate. Only the creaking of the ships against the waves could be heard. He emerged from his hiding spot and stood tall. He felt strangely calm, knowing he didn't have to control his power here, that he could unleash it as much as he wanted. He only had to worry about not holding back. He stretched his arms towards the warships, and lightning-like flames erupted from his fingertips, tearing through the air. The flames engulfed the warships, then the medium-sized ships, and finally, the small boats. Unrestrained, his power felt easier to wield. He marveled at the destructive force contained within his slender fingers. He felt a strange exhilaration but also worried about those trapped on the ships.
The soldiers at the north gate, witnessing the harbor engulfed in flames, were stunned, forgetting their task. One of the officers, who had been helping extinguish the fire, snapped out of his daze and rushed into the fortress. Jeong watched him go, anxiously awaiting Seong's return. The sight of the burning harbor filled her and the soldiers with a sense of triumph.
The flames reflected on the water, as if burning the sea itself. The smaller ships, engulfed in flames, collapsed first. The flames seemed to vanish as they sank, the burning ships disappearing into the water like embers. Seong soon returned, panting. Jeong, her eyes still fixated on the raging fire, whispered excitedly, "Everyone should have seen this!"
"Do I seem like a real Guardian now?" Seong teased, amused by her childlike excitement.
"Were you honestly worried?" she asked.
"I can't deny that," Seong admitted.
Despite the relief and lighthearted banter, they couldn't completely relax with the battle still raging.
"Let's go," Seong urged. "They'll be waiting for us."
Jeong prodded the soldiers, who were still mesmerized by the flames, with her spear.
They left Hyangdo after midnight and reached the vicinity of Nahmgyo's north gate past noon the next day. Having only napped on the road, their eyes were red and heavy with fatigue as they searched for the hidden troops, but there was no sign of soldiers or Emissaries Divine in the forest.
"We can't have taken the wrong path..." Seong murmured anxiously.
"I clearly see the north gate tower through the trees," Jeong said. "There's no way... Did they start the attack without us?"
They hurried towards the south gate, skirting the walls. The city was silent. There were no soldiers near the south gate either, and black smoke billowed from the harbor below.
[1] An arrow that detonates upon impact.