A new monarch was ascending the throne of the fallen dynasty. Cheon Seong(天晟) remained by his father''s bedside, bearing witness to his final moments. The air was thick with the scent of death, and Seong felt a profound sadness weigh down on him as he realized his beginning coincided with his father''s end.


    "The restoration of Wi(衛) falls to you," Cheon Yong(天湧) rasped, each labored breaths carrying the weight of his final decree. He was using the last of his strength. Seong listened with a heavy heart to his father''s ragged breaths.


    "You must now become the Guardian of the Azure Scripture(靑書)*." Yong spoke again, his voice fading.


    "I know." Seong''s reply was curt, hiding the turmoil within. "Tell me something else," he pleaded, his voice a mere whisper.


    Though a grown man, he clung to his father like a child. Yong''s weary gaze settled on his son''s face, tracing the familiar lines of his eyes and nose - a mirror image of his own. Each time he saw his reflection in Seong, the weight of his sins pressed down on him with renewed force. He turned away, unable to meet his son''s gaze.


    "Leave me," he commanded, his voice strained.


    "Father," Seong pleaded.


    "Summon Ryang and Seon."


    Seong rose and moved towards the door. Outside, Myeonghyeon Ryang and his sister Seon, and Gyeongseon Ung and his son Joon, stood waiting anxiously. They bowed their heads together as Seong emerged from the room.


    "Young Guardian(小書主)," they greeted, their voices a mixture of respect and apprehension.


    Seong acknowledged their greetings with a solemn nod. His gaze settled on Ryang as he inquired, "Is the High Emissary still absent from the mountain?"


    "I''ve sent word, but he has yet to..." Ryang replied.


    "I see. He''ll be back soon."


    Even with his head deeply bowed, Ryang sensed the somberness in Seong''s voice. He cautiously raised his head to meet Seong''s gaze.


    "How fares the Guardian?"


    "He nears his end," Seong replied.


    Though prepared for the news, Ryang felt a wave of grief. "Hasn''t he been frequently ill these past few months? Yet, he recovered each time."


    "Today feels different," Seong stated firmly.


    Ryang could not bring himself to ask further. He, too, was aware that Yong had refused any healers for days. Seong placed a hand on Ryang''s arm.


    "He asked for you and Seon. Go in." Seong urged.


    "But surely, Young Guardian, you should remain by his side." Ryang insisted.


    "He doesn''t want to see me anymore."


    Embarrassed by Seong''s words, Ryang lowered his gaze. The others in the room, sensing the tension, remained silent.


    "Go in," Seong urged.


    Bowing to Seong once more, Ryang entered the room, followed by his younger sister, Myeonghyeon Seon. Seong stood with his back turned, listening to the sound of the door closing.


    Ryang and Seon approached the bedside and bowed low before their ailing uncle. "Your Luminance," they greeted respectfully.


    Cheon Yong did not acknowledge their greeting. He already looked like a corpse. His gaunt cheeks were hollowed, casting deep shadows, and the whites of his eyes had long since yellowed. He beckoned Ryang and Seon closer with his gaze. Seon approached and sat beside him, gently taking Yong''s hand in hers beneath the blanket. Ryang felt a surge of resentment towards Yong, his uncle.


    "Must you be so cruel, even in your final moments?" Ryang asked.


    "Trying to act like a father now... does not absolve me of my sins," Yong rasped, each word a struggle.


    Ryang fell silent. Yong''s gaze drifted between Ryang and Seon, lingering on Seon''s face. Her features – every line and curve – mirrored those of his late wife, her aunt. A flicker of strength returned to his hand, gripping Seon''s.


    "Finally, I see her again. After all these years..." he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.


    "My Guardian." Ryang acknowledged softly.


    "I have kept her waiting for too long." he whispered, tears tracing paths down his wrinkled cheeks.


    Ryang watched, his heart ached with pity at the sight of his uncle''s lingering regrets. The dead do not wait, he thought, swallowing the words before they could escape his lips.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Yong''s breath rattled in his throat. He gripped Seon''s hand one last time before his eyes fluttered closed and he breathed his last. A heavy silence fell over the room. Seon gently placed his hand upon his chest. Ryang and Seon retreated, sinking to their knees before the lifeless form.


    "May the Light of Sangjon guide your path. Rest, Your Luminance." Ryang whispered


    Ryang rose, his movements swift as he crossed the room and opened the door. Seong, sensing the urgency in his return, followed him back in. Yong lay lifeless, his eyes open and mouth agape. Seong approached his deceased father, gently closing his mouth and smoothing his eyelids shut. His face remained impassive. Having just bowed before his deceased uncle, Ryang bowed again, this time to his new lord.


    "Guardian of the Azure Scripture(靑書主)**," he acknowledged.


    Following her brother''s lead, Seon also bowed before Seong. However, Seong did not accept their obeisance.


    "Please, there''s no need for that."


    Seong''s reply was curt. Ryang''s eyes narrowed, his displeasure evident even from his bowed position. Seong addressed Seon.


    "Seon, please, close the door."


    Seon nodded silently and rose to close the door. Seong sat down and looked at his father''s body. Then, he calmly began to speak


    "I intend to disband Weichung Palace," he said quietly


    Ryang and Seon lifted their heads abruptly, their eyes wide with surprise. Ryang, shocked, questioned Seong''s decree.


    "What do you mean?"


    "It''s what I''ve been telling you all along, brother. We are..."


    "Just ghosts?"


    "Indeed," Seong said, his voice heavy with finality. "It''s time for us to fade away."


    Seong remained calm and aloof, his composure sending a chill through Ryang''s heart.


    "My Guardian," he began, "this is not a decision to be made lightly. Your time has come. Over two thousand soldiers have placed their faith in you."


    "Faith in what?" Seong countered, "is there any hope in the prophecy of the Crimson Star and the revival of Cheon-Wi(天衛, Sacared Wi)?"


    Ryang was momentarily speechless. But he quickly regained his composure and continued more firmly,


    "The revival of Wi can be achieved without relying on prophecy." Ryang insisted.


    "For what purpose?" Seong questioned.


    "The blood spilled by Dahn stains the land more than the rivers of Sunyahng(扇陽)***. The flags of Dahn, soaked in the blood of our ancestors, should not fly over Sunyahng. Have I not told you this countless times?"


    "So you''re saying we should shed even more blood to tear down those blood-soaked flags?" Seong argued.


    "How can the weight of blood shed for a righteous cause be compared to the weight of blood spilled in senseless slaughter?" Ryang argued back.


    "No matter the weight of that blood, it cannot outweigh the life of a single living person," Seong declared resolutely.


    Ryang clenched his jaw, his lips forming a tight line. In his silence, Seong continued.


    "Think of those bound to Wicheong. Nearly two thousand people are sacrificing themselves for a futile hope. It''s been half a century since our dynasty fell. Dahn is becoming increasingly stable, and the people are at peace, while our people are denied a life of their own. I cannot demand such sacrifices any longer."


    Ryang found himself unable to counter Seong''s words. They held a truth he couldn''t deny. With a heavy heart, he spoke.


    "Their sacrifice is a choice they made themselves. We cannot force them to sacrifice, nor can we force them to abandon their cause. The revival of Cheon-Wi is not a dream solely nurtured by the royal family. We cannot unilaterally decide to forsake it."


    "If I do nothing when I should act, it''s the same as forcing them."


    "It is better to face this coercion than to see their hope turn to ashes. How will you bear the weight of their despair?"


    "Life will go on, and their despair will fade, even if it''s a slow process. This will be my first and final decree as the Guardian of the Azure Scripture. I will inform everyone once the funeral rites are concluded. Until then, keep this to yourselves."


    Despite Ryang''s earnest pleas, Seong remained silent, his back still turned. Ryang, determined, added one more remark.


    "My father gave his life for the royal family of Wi."


    His words pierced Seong''s heart. Though Ryang spoke of the royal family, his words were clearly directed at Seong himself. Seong closed his eyes, battling the memories of blood and violence that haunted him. His eyelids tightened as he fought to maintain his composure. Finally, he spoke.


    "I do not believe this path deviates from the teachings my uncle taught."


    "Guardian."


    "Can we please talk about this another time?"


    Exhaustion laced Seong''s voice. Ryang''s gaze shifted between the face of the deceased Yong and Seong''s rigid back. Despite a lifetime of cold indifference from his father, Seong had still suffered a loss. The sight of his slumped shoulders caused a pang of sympathy in Ryang''s heart. Unable to press further, he rose from his position.


    "I will return to Nahmgyo(南橋) for a short while. I need to take care of some urgent matters in Nahmgyo before the funeral rites."


    Seong nodded slightly. Ryang bowed his head.


    "I will be back before midday tomorrow."


    Ryang nodded to his sister, and Seon rose as well. As the siblings exited, the Kyeongseon father and son entered the chamber. They too, upon witnessing their lord''s passing, prostrated themselves. They bowed deeply, showing respect for the deceased Yong and loyalty to Seong. Seong, his back still turned towards them, addressed in a calm voice.


    "High Commander."


    "Yes, Guardian."


    "The High Councilor(書令)**** and Seon will be traveling to Nahmgyo shortly. Please assign a few men to escort them. The night is dark."


    "Of course. Joon, see to this." Kyeongseon Ung relayed the order to his son, who bowed curtly and hurried out. In the stillness of the room, Ung observed Seong''s composure, a flicker of concern in his eyes.


    "Are you alright, Guardian?"


    "He has been ailing for a long time. This was expected."


    "Even with preparation, death is not something one easily becomes accustomed to."


    Seong''s reply was tinged with sadness and regret.


    "Is it strange? That I do not grieve?"


    "Your father has passed away."


    "Indeed. He was my father. And I, his son."


    Seong''s response was brief, his voice devoid of emotion. Kyeongseon Ung fell silent. Beneath Seong''s closed eyelids, tears welled, hidden from view.


    *The Azure Scripture(靑書) : The sacred text of the prophetic faith revered by the people of Wi. It is bound in a blue cover, hence the name "Azure Scripture."


    **The Guardian of the Azure Scripture(靑書主) : The protector of the Azure Scripture, a role traditionally held by the ruler of Wi. After the fall of Wi, the royal family lost their kingly title and became known solely as the Guardians of the Azure Scripture.


    ***Sunyahng(扇陽) : The former capital of Wi and the current capital of Dahn.


    ****The High Councilor(書令) : The chief administrator of Wicheong Palace, responsible for overseeing all administrative affairs and assisting the Guardian of the Azure Scripture.