By the time Ryang arrived home, night had already fallen. Seon and Dara, who had been waiting for him at the back entrance, were relieved to see him return safely, but their relief was short-lived. The moment Ryang settled into his chamber, Seon began peppering him with questions. Ryang, without a moment to catch his breath, recounted his encounter with Kyeong'ui, describing the mysterious sphere and the report she planned to send to Sunyahng. Seon, who had been listening with her chin resting on her hand, sat up.

  "It seems risky to reveal the request for reinforcements," Seon remarked. "She must really trust you now."

  "It seems so," Ryang agreed.

  "You're quite skilled, brother," Seon teased. "Now that you've gained her trust, why not get closer to her?"

  "Why bother?" Ryang countered. "It's a relationship destined to fail. Besides, I have enough headaches as it is."

  "You never know how things will turn out," Seon argued. "The Guardian has declared his intention to reclaim Birahng, but we haven't heard anything from Wicheong, and we still don't know what Sung will do."

  "What are you suggesting?" Ryang asked, frowning.

  Seon, a mischievous glint in her eyes, replied, "I'm just saying, brother, you're far superior to Hongyoo or that second son of House Gahngyun. And Kyeong'ui is certainly a better match for you than Dara."

  "What nonsense are you talking about?" Ryang chided. "Have you no sense of decency?"

  Seon's lips tightened at Ryang's sharp tone, as she turned her head away. Has she truly forgotten the principles of House Myeonghyeon? Ryang felt a pang of anger and self-reproach. If Seon lacked a moral compass, it was his, Ryang's, responsibility.

  "We are mirrors," Ryang said, his voice softening. "A tarnished mirror serves no purpose."

  Seon scoffed. "Better tarnished than shattered. A tarnished mirror can still be polished."

  "We are already tarnished," Ryang argued. "This merchant company, Yeonyahng, this is our limit. Any further compromise, and there's no turning back. We'll lose sight of our true purpose, our obligation to uphold our house's integrity. Have you forgotten how Wi fell? Have you forgotten why the founder of Dahn gave our grandfather a chance?"

  "Perhaps," Seon retorted, "some old man will one day tell his children how House Myeonghyeon was wiped out. Has that ever crossed your mind?"

  "Seon," Ryang began, attempting to reason with her, but Seon cut him off.

  "The Star, the Guardian Crimson, this mysterious sphere... I still don't see how any of this benefits us. I don't understand this prophecy. I don't know if risking everything on the royal family is the right choice. Don't you feel the same, brother? You've been reckless lately. Since when did you become a believer in prophecies?"

  Ryang looked away. "Let's not argue. I don't want to raise my voice."

  He sighed, then changed the subject. "Do you remember when the former Guardian showed us his sword?"

  "Of course," Seon replied. "Uncle could barely lift it, but the Guardian and his twin sons wielded it with ease. How could I forget?"

  "The material resembles Yeom’myeol," Ryang mused. "Even the shifting weight is similar. If I'm right, it fell that day."

  Seon merely scoffed. "Even if you're right, what does it even do? Split it in half, and will Sahngjon's army come pouring out?"

  "The Guardian Crimson might have some answers," Ryang replied.

  He rose to his feet, and Seon's eyes widened in surprise. "Where are you going at this hour?"

  "I have to leave tonight, even though it's late."

  As Ryang gathered his belongings and headed for the door, Seon stopped him. "What about your necklace?"

  "Necklace?"

  "The ruby necklace you always wear."

  Ryang frowned. "You know, it's quite obvious when you're fishing for information."

  Seon smirked, shaking her head. "I genuinely don't know. Just be careful on your trip."

  "You too," Ryang warned. "I've said it before, but those people are not to be trifled with."

  "Don't worry about me. I can handle myself."

  Leaving Seon's nonchalant reply behind, Ryang slipped out of Yeonyahng and headed to the Nahmgyo government office. Though it was late, Seolyo Jin was fortunately still awake. She greeted Ryang, her eyes heavy with fatigue.

  Ryang bowed respectfully. "My lady."

  "What brings you here so late?"

  Ryang remained silent, his expression grim. Jin nodded, and Ryang followed her as she led the way to her office.

  "You mentioned before that we had yet to show you anything significant," Ryang began.

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  Jin's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And now you have something to show me?"

  "It's not that we have anything new," Ryang clarified. "We've had it all along. We simply needed the Guardian's approval."

  "Tell me more."

  Ryang explained. "The power of the Celestial Scion has manifested in the High Emissary Divine, brought forth by the Crimson Star. Following this power, we found the Guardian of the Crimson Star, and she is now under our protection. If you doubt my words, I can escort you to Wicheong Palace to meet her in person."

  Despite the astonishing nature of his claims, Jin remained unfazed. "There's no need for that. I trust you're not lying to me."

  She met his gaze, her eyes sharp and unwavering.

  "The Guardian has ordered the restoration of Birahng," Ryang continued. "We require Nahmgyo's allegiance."

  Jin remained silent, picking up a bottle of liquor from her desk. She raised an eyebrow, offering, "Care for a drink?"

  "Just one," Ryang accepted.

  Jin knew Ryang rarely drank. So, it was unusual for her to offer him a drink, and even more unusual for him to accept. With a subtle smile, she placed an empty cup before him and filled it with clear liquor. Ryang, holding the cup, met her gaze.

  "I need a decision, my lady," he said.

  Jin poured herself a cup and emptied it in a single gulp. "Is there any other path?" she countered, her decision made.

  Ryang, his anxiety mounting, waited for her to elaborate. Jin exhaled a plume of smoke, her eyes fixed on the swirling patterns. "We follow the light of the Azure Guardian."

  Ryang bowed deeply. "Thank you."

  Jin chuckled, noticing the relief etched on his face. "Don't thank me. Blame my fate, being the leader of Nahmgyo at this critical juncture."

  Her gaze shifted to Ryang's untouched cup. He lifted it with both hands and drained it.

  "Tell me," Jin began, "what do you require of me?"

  "The Guardian will choose the opportune moment," Ryang explained. "We will formulate our plans accordingly."

  "And when will that be?"

  "Before the monsoon season ends. Dongrahng and Seorahng will heed your words more than mine. I need your help to persuade them."

  "Those two will fall in line with a little pressure," Jin said dismissively. "But what about that troublesome princess camped outside my door?"

  "We intend to capture her," Ryang replied. "It will take time for them to amass enough forces to land on the southern coast. We need a strategy to prevent Dahn's forces from crossing to Birahng in the meantime. Holding their princess hostage will buy us valuable time."

  "A sound strategy," Jin conceded. "But even a small detachment of Dahn's forces is not to be underestimated. And those soldiers accompanying the princess are the King's personal troops. They possess a considerable number of cannons."

  "Sung has a spy among the princess's ranks," Ryang revealed.

  Jin's eyes narrowed. "You don't mean that Royal Attendant?"

  "Indeed."

  "I knew there was something off about that man's smile," Jin mused.

  "We will use him to capture the princess."

  Jin doubted. "Why would he help you?"

  "Sung intended to instigate a rebellion within the court through the princess," Ryang explained. "We will convince them that supporting our rebellion is a more favorable outcome. Once his superiors decide, Hongyoo will have no choice but to comply."

  Jin chuckled. "That poor princess has terrible luck. But I thought you had severed ties with Sung's spies. Are you certain you want to get involved with them again?"

  "The restoration of Wi is at hand," Ryang stated. "We cannot afford to be selective about our allies."

  Ryang fell silent, his face clouded with worry. Observing his troubled expression, Jin asked gently, "Something on your mind?"

  "Pardon me?"

  "You seem burdened," Jin clarified.

  Ryang confessed, "This doesn't feel entirely honorable. Princess Kyeong'ui, despite her impulsiveness, has a noble character and the qualities of a true leader. Even without Hongyoo's influence, she likely has ambitions for the throne. She would have found her own path eventually. Deceiving her to further our cause doesn't sit well with me. Hongyoo pretends to be a loyal attendant, but he manipulates her, using his position as her lover to control her. When I confronted him, he called me a hypocrite, and I couldn't argue. After all, I exploit children to fund our cause."

  Jin chuckled, shaking her head. "Once you draw your sword, you'll find yourself doing many unsavory things. Harden your heart. And let go of your pride."

  Ryang scorned himself. "What pride could possibly remain for the owner of Nahmgyo's most renowned brothel"

  "It's your insistence on remaining virtuous in the midst of depravity that makes this so difficult for you. Why torture yourself? Everyone else lives without such burdens, their faces armored with indifference."

  "If we abandon our principles, what right do we have to reclaim Wi?" Ryang countered. "I've compromised enough. I simply desire a realm where House Myeonghyeon can live honorably, upholding our values."

  "With the Star's appearance, that ship has sailed," Jin remarked. "But you have another opportunity – Princess Kyeong'ui. The very princess you deemed worthy of the throne."

  "I never said she is worthy," Ryang argued.

  "Isn't that what you truly believe?"

  Ryang vehemently denied it. "I also mentioned her impulsiveness. She simply lacks the power to act on it, yet. But when she speaks, I hear her father's voice. Dahn is a flawed nation from its foundation. Reason and Intellect are merely a facade; Dahn's true nature is violence."

  Jin laughed. "You're as fiery as that princess. But she's not the only one who takes after her father. You're becoming more like Myeonghyeon Seung every day, not just in appearance, but in character. You are his son. You will succeed. And Nahmgyo's survival depends on your success."

  Ryang lowered his gaze. "I don't know if I can do this. Last night, during my confrontation with Hongyoo, Seon was nearly killed. Our true identities were revealed, and U'nso was seriously injured. My father always seemed to resolve every crisis while maintaining his honor. I don't think I can live up to that. Everyone expects me to fill his shoes, but I am not him."

  Jin placed a hand on Ryang's slumped shoulder. Ryang looked up, his eyes glistening. Jin's gaze was kind.

  "You're not him," she said gently. "You are more than him. I watched you grow up, just as I watched your father grow up, arriving on this island as a mere babe. You can surpass him. Don't underestimate yourself."

  Ryang's heart swelled with emotion at her encouraging words.

  "Don't cling to honor too tightly," Jin continued. "Virtue is meaningless without the power to uphold it. You do not yet possess that power."

  "Even those in power disregard virtue. Does Sahngjon even possess it?"

  "Careful," Jin warned. "It's time you showed respect for Sahngjon."

  "He ignored our prayers, allowing this situation to escalate," Ryang said. "He knows my resentment, my doubts. He created this situation."

  Jin gazed into the distance, taking a long drag from her cigarette. She lifted the bottle, tilting it towards Ryang's empty cup, her eyebrow raised in question. Ryang's lips curved into a wry smile as the cup was filled once more. He lifted the cup and emptied it in a single gulp. The liquor burned his throat, a cold fire spreading through his troubled heart.