The tiled walls of the Myeonghyeon garden were imposingly high, but Hongyoo effortlessly scaled them. He pulled himself up, spotting a thicket of bushes perfect for concealment. As a gust of wind rustled the leaves, he dropped to the ground, landing silently. He crouched low, his gaze sweeping across the garden. No lights flickered in the windows of the houses. He had counted seven houses during his previous visit, but he could only identify two: the gazebo where he had met with Seon, and the tea room where Kyeong'ui had confronted Ryang. He needed to find the one that held the evidence he sought.

  Dagger drawn, he crept towards the nearest house. The garden was eerily quiet, the lack of guards a stark contrast to the heavily fortified walls and gates. He reached the building and slipped the blade between the window frame and the wall, gently prying it open. He peered inside. It appeared to be a bedroom, its furnishings suggesting it belonged to Seon. He could see the outline of a body beneath the blankets, its form unmistakably feminine. Though the most important documents were likely kept in either Seon's or Ryang's chambers, he wasn't ready to risk such a direct confrontation. He carefully closed the window and moved on to the next house.

  He repeated the process, his heart pounding as he peered through the gap. This time, it was a library, its shelves overflowing with books and scrolls. A flicker of excitement coursed through him. He reached for the latch, his fingers fumbling with the lock. Suddenly, a cold blade pressed against his throat. He froze. He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon his attacker. It was U'nso, the servant who often accompanied Ryang and Seon. Hongyoo recognized him instantly, even in the dim light. The blade moved, its tip lifting the black mask that concealed Hongyoo's face.

  "Fancy meeting you here, sir," U'nso said. "What are you doing here, sneaking around like a rat?"

  Hongyoo lunged, his fist aimed at U'nso's face. U'nso caught his wrist, his grip like iron. Hongyoo kicked, aiming for U'nso's knee, but U'nso dodged the blow and struck Hongyoo in the chest, sending him stumbling back.

  If you ever face him in combat, Ryang had warned U'nso earlier, never let him get close.

  It was as if Ryang had anticipated this encounter. Hongyoo hadn't drawn his sword yet, but his agility, the way he regained his balance after such a powerful blow, was impressive. U'nso tightened his grip on his own sword. Hongyoo's eyes followed the blade, its tip steady and unwavering.

  "I'm not here for you," Hongyoo said. "Move aside."

  "But you are my target," U'nso countered.

  Hongyoo, seeing that U'nso was ready to fight, drew his sword. U'nso attacked first, his blade a blur of motion. Hongyoo dodged the blow, his body bending with an almost unnatural flexibility. He twisted his grip on the sword, aiming for U'nso's back. U'nso, however, was quick, his feet pivoting as he turned to meet the attack. He had known Hongyoo would be a formidable opponent, but the first exchange confirmed his suspicions. This was no ordinary fighter.

  The clash of steel echoed through the garden, and Ryang and Seon emerged. Ryang, relieved to see Hongyoo, was nonetheless surprised by U'nso's inability to subdue him.

  "Are you just going to stand there?" Seon urged.

  Ryang notched an arrow, aiming it at Hongyoo. "Drop your sword," he demanded. "I hardly miss a target in this distance."

  Hongyoo chuckled. He backed away, his back against the wall. Ryang released the arrow, and it landed near Hongyoo's feet.

  "I said drop your sword," Ryang repeated. "I didn't say I would let you leave."

  He notched another arrow. Hongyoo's eyes darted between them. Why aren't they calling for reinforcements? He saw U'nso's gaze flicker towards Ryang, as if seeking guidance, and he seized the opportunity. His sword flashed, the blade sinking deep into U'nso's shoulder. U'nso cried out, falling to his knees. He tried to raise his sword, but Hongyoo twisted the blade, pinning him to the ground. Ryang, despite his anger, couldn't bring himself to shoot.

  Hongyoo pulled his sword free and tossed it aside, raising his hands in surrender. Seon charged forward, her own sword drawn. She disarmed Hongyoo and bound him up, then helped U'nso to his feet. Dara, alerted by the commotion, rushed into the garden, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of U'nso's blood-soaked clothes.

  "Take him inside and tend to his wounds! Now!" Ryang commanded, gesturing towards U'nso.

  Ryang's voice was sharp, and Dara hurried to obey. Once U'nso had been taken away, Ryang and Seon brought Hongyoo to the library, their sword pressed against his back. They tied him to the pillar. Hongyoo chuckled, his laughter echoing through the silent room. After Seon brought in a couple of oil lamps and illuminated the library, Ryang was the first to speak.

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  "Sungian spies were never this careless," he remarked. "Has your stay on Birahng dulled your senses?"

  Hongyoo, despite his predicament, maintained his usual smile. "What makes you think I'm a spy, Lord Myeonhyeon?" he asked.

  Ryang's gaze fell upon Hongyoo's left hand. "That ring," he said. "It's not something just anyone can acquire."

  "It's just a piece of jewelry," Hongyoo countered.

  "Then you wouldn't mind if I took it and threw it in the pond, would you?"

  Hongyoo's smile faltered. "How did a bumpkin like you come to recognize this ring?" he asked.

  Ryang's lips curled into a faint smile. "It's not easy to establish trade routes for luxury goods," he replied, "not without the help of certain individuals."

  Hongyoo chuckled. "So you have connections in Sung, do you?" he asked. "And that perfumed oil you gifted the princess, another acquisition from your Sungian friends?"

  "I wasn't involved in that," Ryang said dismissively. "I cut ties with them after my father's death."

  "Why?"

  "My father was the contact, not me. It seems Sung truly is a great kingdom," Ryang mused. "Their ability to infiltrate and maintain their web of spies is impressive. To have a Sungian as the princess's Royal Attendant..."

  "What are you implying?" Hongyoo asked.

  "I'm proposing a new deal."

  Hongyoo's brow twitched. He couldn't be sure what Ryang was planning, so he decided to play along.

  "Nonsense or not, let's hear it," he said casually.

  "I'm afraid I have something I'd like to hear first," Ryang countered.

  "That's how you want to restart a deal?" Hongyoo scoffed.

  "You need to survive this encounter, don't you?" Ryang challenged. "You've already infiltrated our home. Surely, you're not foolish enough to eliminate the very reason I captured you. Once I have what I need, I'll offer you a gift."

  Hongyoo chuckled. Ryang pressed on.

  "What is your purpose in Dahn?" he asked.

  "To serve the interests of Dae-Sung, of course."

  "As the princess's Royal Attendant?" Ryang doubted. "You have limited freedom and access to confidential information. And if you intended to assassinate the king, you wouldn't have remained in that position for ten years."

  Hongyoo, his eyes narrowed, met Ryang's gaze. "Dahn has never had a peaceful succession of the throne," he said. "But things are different now. Yeongshin Won has eliminated all potential rivals. A stable succession is a blessing for Dahn, sadly, not for us."

  "So you spent ten years manipulating the princess?" Ryang asked. "Hoping to incite another bloodbath in the palace?"

  "This won't be the last," Hongyoo replied. "But a few more incidents like this, and the Yeongshin dynasty will crumble."

  "Why she?" Ryang pressed.

  "We initially considered Prince Kyeongyul," he admitted. "But he's too weak, too spineless. You accuse me of manipulating the princess, but she was always ambitious. I merely guided her, showed her how to achieve her goals. And there's a part of me that genuinely wants her to succeed. True loyalty, I can say. I remember when I first met her, her eagerness to learn, her sharp mind... I've grown fond of her over the years."

  "Is that your idea of loyalty?" Ryang scoffed. "Taking advantage of your teenage princess?"

  Ryang couldn't help but picture Kyeong'ui's youthful face, her innocent eyes. He forced himself to remain calm.

  "When did it start?" he asked.

  "Four years ago, perhaps?"

  "She was sixteen."

  "A perfect age to be groomed," Hongyoo remarked with a shrug.

  Ryang's fists clenched, his knuckles white. He fought the urge to strike Hongyoo, to wipe that smug grin off his face. Seon, who had been listening silently, couldn't contain her disgust.

  "You disgusting scoundrel," she spat.

  Hongyoo burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the room.

  "You have no right to judge me," he sneered. "Not when you profit from the bodies of fifteen-year-old boys. You may not indulge in such pleasures yourselves, but that doesn't absolve you of your sins. You sent those children to my room without a shred of remorse. How dare you lecture me on morality?”

  The siblings glared at him.

  "We're not so different, are we?" Hongyoo taunted.

  Seon abruptly stood up, her chair scraping against the floor.

  "What are you doing?" Ryang asked, his voice sharp with surprise.

  Before he could stop her, Seon stepped towards Hongyoo, her gaze fixed on him.

  "Listen here, you pervert," she hissed.

  In that instant, Ryang noticed that Hongyoo's hands were no longer bound.

  "Seon, step back!" he shouted, reaching for her.

  But it was too late. Hongyoo lunged, his foot catching Seon's ankle and sending her tumbling towards him. He caught her, his movements swift and precise. Seon felt a sharp prick on her neck as his hand brushed against her skin. He pushed her towards Ryang, who caught her in his arms. Seon's eyes fluttered closed, her body growing limp. Hongyoo, however, remained calm, a cruel smile playing on his lips. He had somehow managed to free himself from his bonds, yet he made no attempt to escape or attack.

  "What did you do?" Ryang demanded, his voice trembling.

  Hongyoo simply smiled and gestured towards Seon. Ryang looked down at his sister, her eyelids fluttering closed.

  "Seon?" he said, "Seon, what's wrong?"

  "Brother..." she mumbled. "I feel dizzy..."

  Her legs buckled, and she collapsed.