"Yes," Hwan replied curtly.
"Sailing into a sovereign's territory with black sails and demanding loyalty?" Soh scoffed, pouring him a cup of tea. "That's quite the Cheon-Wi custom. Indeed, it is a custom. A custom from half a century ago."
Hwan strode forward and sat opposite Soh. The metallic scent of blood clung to him, momentarily overpowering the delicate aroma of the tea. Soh inhaled deeply, savoring the fragrance, then remarked, "Those who make their home at sea age faster than those who live on land. Do you think I've escaped that fate? You may look youthful now, but a sailor's face withers quickly. You're not in a position to mock me."
Despite the chilling welcome, Soh maintained a relaxed demeanor, his eyes conveying a casual curiosity. "I'd heard rumors about you," he continued, "but after you dared to enter Ju and utter such preposterous claims, I decided to learn more."
Hwan took a sip of the tea, then replied, "Half of what you heard must have been nonsense. Did you find anything interesting?"
"Nothing much," Soh said casually. "But tell me, is it true that Baekan Yujeong wanted to adopt you as his heir?"
Hwan was amused that the first question was about Yujeong. "He did make such a ridiculous offer," he admitted.
"If you're truly a royal descendant, I doubt you would abandon your name for a meager island like Seomy."
Hwan found his assumption intriguing. "If you still doubt my lineage, why would you offer us such hospitality and even provide me with new robes?"
"I'm surrounded by deceivers," Soh replied. "And deception is often as intricate as finely woven silk. But the truth has a way of revealing itself, however unexpected."
His expression hardened. "If you're Cheon Hwan, the sixty-second descendant of the Founder of Wi," he demanded, "then who is this Cheon Seong who wrote the letters?"
"My twin brother," Hwan replied without hesitation.
Soh's eyes narrowed, a hint of amusement flickering in their depths. "Why did you leave your brother and the others?"
Hwan hesitated, and Soh tapped the letters on the table with his finger. "You weren't even included in their schemes. I don't know who wrote this letter or who your brother is. But anyone capable of such a plan must be audacious, if not intelligent. They wouldn't banish a precious royal descendant without reason."
"I left of my own volition," Hwan countered. "It's only natural that I wouldn't fit in with those schemers. I'm not one of them."
"Then what are you?"
"A Celestial Scion."
Soh's face contorted slightly. "A Celestial Scion... A tiresome tale that's been dragging on for a thousand years. Even you, who defeated Baekan Yujeong, have nothing to offer but your lineage. I despise those who inherit names and lord over their people, who are no different from themselves, from a patch of land. They've all died by my sword."
Hwan chuckled. "Then there must be many in Wicheong Palace who deserve your blade."
"Wicheong Palace?"
Hwan took a sip of tea and asked, "You claim to have investigated me, but it seems you haven't learned much. Where should I begin?"
"From the beginning," Soh demanded. "I have doubts about your very existence. No one knows what happened to the Cheon royal family or the other Twelve Houses of Celestial Scion after Sunyahng fell."
Hwan took another sip of tea, then began his long tale.
"Just before Sunyahng fell, my grandfather was the only royal who managed to escape," he said. "It was thanks to Myeonghyeon Sahn, who still had some influence due to Yeongshin Hyeon's favor. A royal descendant, saved by a subject's choice. Myeonghyeon Sahn barely managed to escape with my grandfather, the High Emissary, and their families to Birahng."
"But I heard that Yeongshin Hyeon burned House Myeonghyeon to the ground," Soh countered.
"I haven't heard the details of what happened during that time," Hwan admitted. "With the support of Seolyo Jin, the Lady of Nahmgyo, a small rebellion broke out among the few remaining Emissaries on the island. A few Celestial Scions who had been sent as envoys to Sung managed to survive and joined the rebellion. Later, with Seolyo Jin's support, Myeonghyeon Sahn established a trading house and inn, amassing wealth. You know how easily wealth can be accumulated in Nahmgyo with the lord's backing. They also found a hidden sanctuary where they could safely build their power – Wicheong Palace, as I mentioned. It's actually a cave. They hid there for half a century, clinging to Sahngjon's distant promise."
"Why did you cross the sea?" Soh asked.
"My mother was Myeonghyeon Jin, daughter of Myeonghyeon Sahn," Hwan explained. "She died giving birth to us. My uncle, my mother's younger brother, Myeonghyeon Seung, cut open her belly to save the royal child within. He pulled us out, still alive. At first, they thought there was only one child, but then my hand emerged, clutching Seong's heel. With the birth of twins, they decided to wait until we came of age to determine who would inherit the title of Guardian of the Azure Scripture. That was four years ago. My uncle, fearing my ambition, advised my father to choose Seong as his heir. My father agreed, and so I left. I couldn't bear to remain a shadow, hidden away with no future."
"If you're capable of defeating Baekan," Soh questioned, "why not kill your brother and take his place?"
Hwan's eyes flickered with a brief unease. "We don't blindly submit to the victor like you," he retorted. "Killing Seong wouldn't grant me control of Wicheong. I don't know what my uncle was thinking, but Seong lacks the strength to lead. He even considered disbanding Wicheong after our father's death. Only a few know this because the star appeared soon after. I'm certain Seong will be abandoned soon. I didn't want to be trapped there when that happens. I knew there was another world beyond the horizon."
"So you couldn't bring yourself to kill your brother?" Soh challenged.
Hwan countered with a question of his own, "Are you worried about Baekan?"
Soh scoffed at the unexpected question. "With the unification of the Hundred Isles within reach, why would I concern myself with Baekan?"
"Precisely," Hwan pressed. "Why haven't you conquered Seomy?"
Soh's smile faltered. He hesitated, and Hwan continued, "It seems you're shackled by similar constraints to mine."
"Your shackles must be heavier," Soh countered. "Baekan Yujeong and I are not blood-related."
He quickly changed the subject. "Why are those who hid for half a century suddenly making a move?" he asked. "Does it have something to do with that star that appeared a few months ago? I hear Sunyahng sent a fleet, including a royal, for the first time since its founding because of that incident."
"Yes," Hwan confirmed. "The Guardian Crimson is currently in Birahng."
"Then the sacred sword must be there as well," Soh deduced. "Along with your brother."
"You don't seem surprised by my words, even though they must sound absurd."
Soh shook his head. "There's no need for surprise or doubt. The Crimson Star isn't important. What matters is that you're trapped within my walls. You're essentially a hostage. You have nothing to offer me besides your potential as a bargaining chip. The sacred sword that proves your legitimacy, the Guardian Crimson who embodies Sahngjon's will – they're both with your brother. Wouldn't it be simpler to discard you and join forces with him?"
Provoked by Soh's challenge, Hwan retorted sharply, "If your thinly veiled taunts were genuine, you wouldn't waste time summoning me and interrogating me with such lengthy questions. Are you anxious, perhaps? Worried about what might lie behind those abhorrent letters, about the fate of you and Soyeol?"
"Soyeol..." Soh's face hardened as he repeated the name. "You can't hide your true intentions for long," he observed.
"It's not the fault of the powerful that Soyeol hasn't shed its name of disdain," Hwan countered.
"Are you blaming us?"
"Am I wrong?" Hwan challenged. "Name a single self-proclaimed king who was truly worthy of the title. They were all nothing but pirates. That's why they foolishly rushed to their deaths in Sun River, like moths drawn to a flame. Those moths now sleep beneath the waves."
"They shed their blood for your ancestors," Soh reminded him. "And you haven't paid the price yet."
"You should have known you wouldn't be repaid," Hwan retorted.
"Shall I collect now?"
"But you're different," Hwan conceded. "Of all the countless kings who briefly ruled a meager island before meeting their demise, none were as obsessed with unification as you, discarding a thousand years of tradition and warrior pride. It was Baekan Yujeong, in his younger days, who showed you another path Soyeol could take."
The anger that had flared in Soh's eyes vanished. Hwan pressed his advantage.
"You claim my shackles are heavier?" he asked. "Those who ignite a fire in your heart are no different from blood relatives. You live in a world created by Baekan Yujeong, in a body given to you by your parents. Your shackles are just as heavy as mine."
"Watch your tongue," Soh warned.
"When you first raised your flag," Hwan continued, undeterred, "those clinging to the past must have feared you, a rootless upstart threatening to destroy their perfect world. They must have feared your ambition. Even though destruction is Sahngjon's promise, the Scripture they've upheld all this time. To destroy the world and build a new one... In that sense, you're more deserving of being accompanied by the Cheon royal family than that ghostwriter, Myeonghyeon Ryang."
"Why did you deliver this letter to me?" Soh asked.
"Cheon Seong hasn't given up on Ju's support," Hwan explained. "He'll send an envoy before the monsoon season starts, parroting the same empty promises. He's lost both letters, so he might even anticipate that I've shown this to you and prepare excuses. If you accept their offer, you'll be able to land in Birahng unopposed."
"And then?"
"You'll slaughter those unworthy Celestial Scions," Hwan said with a chilling smile. "That will secure a place for the King of the Hundred Isles beside the Guardian of the Azure Scripture. We can't be serving those Celestial fools and be treated as Leftovers and pirates in this new world. If they've secured support from Dong'gyeong, you'll be conquering Sung's land and sea with Sung's gold."
"You seem confident that I'll choose you over your brother."
"Am I wrong?" Hwan tilted his head with a smug grin, and Soh burst into laughter.
"One of my advisors believes this is our chance to end this prolonged war and cross the southern sea with the flags of Wi at our vanguard," he said once his laughter subsided. "I agree. And my instincts tell me that between your brother, hidden behind this letter, and you, standing before me, it's you I should join forces with. But I dislike your assumption that I would naturally serve the Cheon royal family. You didn't abandon your name despite Baekan Yujeong's offers. You weren't born to be a subject. Neither was I. I didn't live my life to become someone's loyal subject. You came here to either persuade me with your words or force me into a duel and defeat me. But I'm not foolish enough to serve a hostage or fight one."
Hwan's expression remained unchanged.
"But I like your plan," Soh continued. "When the monsoon season begins, I will raise the blue flags in Ju and unite the Hundred Isles. You may stay comfortably here until then."