Chuyahng pleaded with Yahng'ha, her voice choked with desperation. "M-Mother! Mommy! It's not like that! Please don't believe him!"
Yahng'ha's eyes, filled with tears, remained fixed on Chuyahng for a long moment before she finally closed them. She took a deep breath, then turned to face Hwan. The heat from his flames stung her eyes, and tears streamed down her cheeks, washing away the white powder and leaving streaks of red.
"If I, as the head of this family, fail to uphold justice," she said, her voice trembling, "how can I face my King, my husband? And how can I protect and guide my remaining children?"
Her words drained the blood from Chuyahng's face. "Mommy?" she stammered.
Yahng'ha finished, "I implore the Guardian of the Azure Scripture to sentence the traitor, Chuyahng, to death."
Chuyahng's screams echoed through the courtyard. "Mommy, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Please don't kill me! Please! No!"
Before her cries could fade, Hwan unleashed his flames, engulfing her. Like Jongwon Soh before her, Chuyahng was reduced to ashes.
The moment the gag and ropes were removed, Yirahng rushed towards Hwan. He quickly extinguished his flames, and she threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably. Hwan buried his face in her hair, comforting her as she poured out her grief and anger. He felt a weight settle on his shoulders, the texture of fine fabric. He turned his head and saw a luxurious green robe draped over him. At his feet, a small man, dressed only in a white undergarment, bowed low.
"Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty," the man murmured. "I couldn't bear to see your honorable body exposed..."
"Who are you?" Hwan asked.
"I am Jahan," the man replied. "I served the late King."
Hwan's eyes flickered towards Jahan's trembling neck, then he gently wrapped his arm around Yirahng and led her into the palace. Jeong'wu and a few other advisors rushed to Yahng'ha's side, supporting her. The rest followed Hwan. The commotion from the execution grounds spread throughout Ju, carried by the wind and whispers.
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Yahng'ha did not leave the palace. On the night Jongwon Soh died and the throne of Ju changed hands, Hwan entered her chambers to find her sitting upright, her three remaining children—Chuyo, Churahng, and Chuyeol—held tightly in her embrace. Hwan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Why do you look so surprised?" Yahng'ha asked steadily.
"I thought you would have taken your own life," Hwan admitted.
Yahng'ha gave a bitter laugh. "Would you protect my remaining children if I did?"
Despite her calm demeanor, her protective embrace of her children betrayed her readiness for death. She was a formidable woman, refusing to flee even with her children's lives at stake, choosing instead to face her fate. Soh had named all five of his children with Yahng'ha(凉夏) using the character "Chu(秋)," a testament to his love and trust for his wife. Even in Hwan's eyes, Yahng'ha was a worthy companion. He studied her for a long moment, and Yahng'ha asked again, "Or have you come to demand I kill my children myself before taking my own life?"
"I will leave the rule of Ju to House Jongwon," Hwan replied calmly. "Protect your children. I have no intention of staying here."
"Is this mercy?"
"It's practicality."
"Jongwon Soh was a king, not a mere lord," Yahng'ha said with a defiant glint in her eyes.
"You may find comfort in such titles," Hwan warned gently, "but keep them to yourself from now on."
Though his tone was soft, his eyes held the same fiery intensity that had consumed Jongwon Soh and Chuya. Of all that had been lost in the flames, Yahng'ha had only been able to recover Chuya's body. Soh and Chuyahng had been reduced to ashes, scattered by the wind. Yahng'ha had collected every speck of dirt stained with their remains, unable to wash them away. Her hands were still stained with the grime. Chuyahng's last cries for mercy echoed in her ears. She had been only fifteen, a child who didn't understand the world or the consequences of her desires. Have I been too harsh, too unforgiving? But even after countless nights of agonizing over that moment, she couldn't find another answer. She returned to that irreversible moment again and again, burning Chuyahng over and over in her memories.
Yahng'ha wept silently, and Hwan, unwilling to witness her grief, turned to leave.
"These children will grow up remembering the deaths of their father and sisters," Yahng'ha said to his back. "Do you not fear their revenge?"
Hwan glanced back at her. The three children, their eyes wide with fear, clung to their mother.
"What do I have to fear?" Hwan scoffed.
Yahng'ha closed her eyes in despair at his rhetorical question. Hwan left without another word. Yahng'ha, overwhelmed by grief and helplessness, tightened her embrace around her children.
"Listen," she said. "I weep not for myself. Nor do I weep for your father and sister, defeated in battle. We, the members of House Jongwon, must not wallow in self-pity. I weep for my failure to raise Chuya to be stronger, for my failure to guide Chuyahng towards righteousness. You must remember this day with fury. Pity is a disgrace, no different from death, for those who bear the blood of Jongwon Soh. Never forget my words. Understand?"
She didn't scold them for their sobs, her own grief mirroring theirs.
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The world had changed overnight. Or so the people said. But only the ruler was different; the people's lives remained the same, filled with preparations for the monsoon amidst a whirlwind of rumors. Jahan wasted no time in serving Hwan. Before he could even give the order, he drafted letters urging the remaining island lords to surrender, and Hwan, without a word of protest, allowed him to dispatch them. The fastest ships in Ju set sail, carrying envoys to the farthest reaches of the Hundred Isles.
Before meeting with Jongwon Soh's former advisors, Hwan toured the markets and residential areas with Jahan and Jeong'wu, familiarizing himself with Ju. His gaze lingered on the gold and grain piled high in the merchant stalls, and the molten iron glowing in the blacksmiths' forges. Jahan and Jeong'wu followed closely, observing his every glance.
That evening, a grand feast was held in the palace, introducing the new ruler to his inherited subjects. It wasn't until late that night that Hwan finally found himself alone with Hui. The alcohol had flushed his cheeks and reddened his eyes. Hui gently massaged his shoulders and arms, easing the lingering effects of the drink.
"I'm sorry," Hwan said. "You've worked harder than anyone, and yet I've been too busy to even speak with you."
"It's nothing, Guardian," Hui replied.
"I'll keep my promise to you," Hwan continued. "I've spoken to Jongwon Soh's physician. You can start learning medicine from her tomorrow."
"Thank you, Guardian."
Hwan noticed the lack of enthusiasm in Hui's voice, and his hand stilled. He turned to see Hui's eyes brimming with tears.
"I truly thought you were..." Hui choked out.
"Dead?" Hwan finished for him.
Hui nodded, his head bowed. "It all feels so unreal, like a dream."
Hwan sat up, his gaze fixed on Hui. Hui quickly stepped back, wiping his tears with the back of his hand, and straightened his posture.
"I have a new task for you," Hwan announced.
"Tell me, Guardian."
"Starting tomorrow, at dawn, go out among the people," Hwan instructed. "Announce yourself as Keumpyeong Hui, descendant of House Keumpyeong, servant of the Guardian of the Azure Scripture, and heal the sick. I will instill fear; you will bestow mercy in my name."
Hui's eyes widened in surprise at the unfamiliar task. Hwan smiled faintly.
"I'm going to try emulating Seong," he explained.
"As you command," Hui replied.
Hwan changed the subject. "How is Yirahng? She must have been frightened by the events of the other day."
"She's well," Hui assured him. "The physician said the child is unharmed. You needn't worry."
"Wake up early tomorrow," Hwan said. "There's something else I need you to do before you go out among the people."
As promised, Hwan brought Hui to the main gate at dawn. The crew of the Black Wings, who had been imprisoned, were tied to the wooden pillars, each guarded by a soldier. It was still early, but a crowd had gathered, drawn by the scent of blood.
"What will you do with them?" Hui asked nervously. "Will you... personally..."
Hwan shook his head. He turned to a nearby soldier and commanded, "Flay them."
The soldier bowed and raised a crimson flag, signaling the start of the execution. Hui winced, the sound of screams and the metallic scent of blood making him nauseous. Hwan, however, remained impassive, watching the gruesome scene unfold before him in silence. Most of the prisoners died from the pain before the flaying was complete. Those who clung to life were swiftly finished off by the soldiers. As Hwan turned to leave, he issued another command.
"Preserve the skins carefully," he ordered. "I have a use for them."
With the Black Wings crew executed and Hui dispatched to the city, Hwan summoned his advisors. They shifted uncomfortably, unused to being gathered in the same room with their lord at the head. Before discussing the current state of Ju, Hwan ordered the repair and refurbishment of the Black Wings. No one objected, as the former Sungian warship was far larger than Jongwon Soh's flagship. Jahan then proceeded to report on the situation in Ju, and Hwan listened attentively, asking questions occasionally.
"The envoys have all departed as of yesterday," Jahan reported. "I instructed them to demand immediate responses, so the Hundred Isles will be unified under your name within ten days. For the first time since the beginning, we will finally be one."
"You've done well," Hwan said with a nod. "Have you reviewed the plans for after the monsoon season?"
"As you wished, we can set sail immediately after the harvest."
Hwan frowned slightly. "Even 'immediately' means 10th month doesn't it? Dahn's main forces could have landed in Birahng by then."
Jahan's lips curved into a confident smile. "Fortunately, the harvest in Ju comes a month earlier. If we mobilize the troops for the harvest and requisition the reserves from each island in advance, we can secure the necessary provisions and depart without delay."
"Your name is Jahan, is it not?" Hwan asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your disposition reminds me of my former right-hand man," Hwan remarked, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
"You honor me, Your Majesty," Jahan replied with a bow, unaware of the implications. Only Hui, who remembered the past, felt a flicker of unease at Hwan's enigmatic smile.
The door opened, and an attendant entered, bowing low. Jeong'wu rose, retreated to the door, and returned to Hwan's side.
"Merchant Ahn'eum reports the arrival of an Emissary from Nahmgyo," he announced.
Murmurs of surprise filled the room. Hwan, who had been leaning forward with his chin resting on his hand, straightened and looked at Jeong'wu.
"Does the Emissary know of Jongwon Soh's death?" he asked.
"It seems not," Jeong'wu replied. "He said she requested an audience with the late King."
A slow, enigmatic smile spread across Hwan's face. "An Emissary..." he mused. "I wonder who they chose to send."