The Myeonghyeon siblings, accompanied by their servant Dara(多萊), made their way to the entrance of Wicheong Palace(衛靑宮). The path leading to the entrance was steep. Though called a palace, Wicheong was, in fact, a cave where the remnants of Wi sought refuge. The cave was located at the northeastern foot of Mount Shinsuk(神宿山), which towered over the heart of Birahng. Despite its narrow entrance, barely wide enough for a horse to pass and concealed by thick undergrowth, the cave opened into a vast network of tunnels, stretching endlessly, worthy of the title ''palace.'' Wide passageways branched out, forming large sections, while smaller tunnels were blocked off with earthen walls and wooden planks, creating a labyrinth of rooms and chambers. The labyrinthine structure was easy to get lost in for those unfamiliar with its twists and turns.


    Incense burned thickly in every room, dispelling the dampness and musty odor, warding off insects, while charcoal fires beneath the plankstone beds chased away the chill. The scent of burning incense and charcoal lingered in the air, but a constant draft from deep within the cave swept the smoke away, keeping the air clear.


    As they made their way towards the exit, torchlight flickered on the cave walls, casting dancing shadows, and the soldiers they encountered bowed respectfully at the sight of Ryang. He was not usually expressive, so the soldiers failed to notice the grief etched on his face. Ryang walked deep in thought, his mind preoccupied with the new Guardian''s shocking declaration. The new Guardian, Cheon Seong, intended to disband Wicheong Palace, the sanctuary where the remnants of the Wi royal family and their followers had survived for three generations, praying for Wi''s revival. The finality of Cheon Seong''s decision weighed heavily on Ryang, the young High Councilor, and he walked in silence, his shoulders slumped. Seon glanced back at him with concern.


    Outside the entrance, five soldiers and horses sent by Gyeongseon Joon awaited them, and as Ryang stepped forward, Dara called out to him, offering a thick coat. "My Lord, it''s still cold. Please wear this before we depart."


    Ryang''s gaze lingered on the coat, then drifted to Dara''s slender wrists and bare shoulders. He ignored the offered coat and walked past her. "I don''t need it. You wear it," he said.


    With a curt reply, Ryang mounted his horse, leaving Dara embarrassed as she withdrew the coat and followed. Once Seon had also mounted, Ryang took the lead, urging his horse forward.


    They journeyed through the night in silence. The early spring night on Birahng was chilly. Lost in thought, Ryang let his horse guide him through the darkness. Every so often, a soft sigh escaped his lips, dissipating into the night like fleeting wisps of smoke. Seon, riding beside him, felt her frustration grow with each exhaled breath.


    After they had ridden some distance from Wicheong Palace, Seon signaled for the soldiers to fall back and rode closer to Ryang.


    "How do the funeral rites proceed?" she asked.


    "I haven''t witnessed the rites myself," Ryang replied, his voice flat. "We''ll consult the records. But I''m sure the Ministry is handling everything. The High Emissary will be down from the summit soon, and we can offer our support then. They dislike interference."


    "Has the Young Guardian..."


    "The new Guardian you mean?" Ryang corrected.


    Seon quickly amended her words. "Has the Guardian ever mentioned disbanding before?"


    "Never," Ryang shook his head. "He''s expressed doubts before, but I thought it was just the pressure of leadership. I never thought he''d actually do this."


    "You really didn''t know? If you don''t know his thoughts, who does?"


    "I am the High Councilor, not a soothsayer."


    "As the High Councilor, you should have known."


    A hint of mockery in Seon''s voice made Ryang cast her a sharp glance. Knowing Ryang would remain silent unless provoked, Seon just smirked and continued, "He may have only just announced the disbandment, but he''s been neglecting Wicheong for a while now. You''ve been doing all the work..."


    "Be quiet."


    "He must be certain of his decision?"


    "He''s not one to make decisions lightly."


    "He''s always been indecisive," Seon scoffed. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Seon," Ryang warned, his voice growing firmer. Unlike Ryang, who was troubled by Seong''s decree, Seon felt liberated.


    "Maybe this is a good thing. We can finally focus on ourselves instead of wasting our efforts on a lost cause. Like the Young Guardian, no, the Guardian said, let''s just leave and go to Sung, Soyeol, or wherever we want."


    "Seon!" Ryang, mindful of the soldiers trailing behind, tried to silence Seon, but her grievances continued to spill forth, each word laced with a dangerous edge.


    "Our loyalty, our sacrifices, all for nothing,” Seon said bitterly. “Our family''s exile from Sunyahng, our father''s death... It was all the fault of the royal family."


    Ryang finally reined in his horse. "Even in front of Dara and me,” Ryang said, his voice low and sharp as he reprimanded Seon. “you must choose your words carefully."


    Dara''s eyes darted nervously between them. While they bickered often, like any siblings, today''s dispute felt different, heavier. Seon, however, was undeterred by Ryang''s rebuke.


    "He could have saved our father," she accused.


    "How is that the Guardian''s fault?!"


    "Then whose fault is it? Was it Father''s, for believing in that... that incompetent fool?!"


    "Seon, enough!" Ryang''s voice rose as Seon dared to bring up their father''s death.


    Seon bristled at his tone. Though only six years her senior, Ryang often assumed a paternal role, chastising and lecturing her. But he rarely raised his voice. Seon recognized the fury simmering beneath his calm facade. She swallowed the bitter words that threatened to spill from her lips, forcing her voice to remain steady.


    "You are just as frustrated, brother."


    Seon paused, catching her breath. Her throat tightened with emotion. “So, what now?” she asked.


    "We''ll try to persuade him. Maybe the High Emissary can help."


    "The High Emissary Divine siding with you?" Seon scoffed.


    "He may be enigmatic, but his loyalty is unwavering. He won''t let the Azure Scripture be abandoned."


    "So, you do care about the fate of the Azure Scripture after all," Seon let out a hollow laugh.


    "Why are you being so difficult today?!" Ryang''s voice rose again. Seeing no end to their argument, Dara discreetly signaled for the soldiers to retreat further. Ryang glared at Seon, but she met his gaze without flinching.


    "Why cling to the royal family? Even the Guardian has given up! Don''t you care about our house?"


    "Do you even understand what our house represents?" Ryang asked.


    "Just say what you want to say."


    "The name Myeonghyeon carries weight. As Ryang and Seon of House Myeonghyeon, we have a duty to uphold its honor."


    "The weight of our name?”  Seon scoffed. “We''ve already lost our name trying to uphold it. We''re not a noble house of loyalists anymore. We''re nothing more than backwater merchants with dirty secrets."


    It was a glory neither she, nor her father, nor her grandfather had ever experienced. Even her father''s memories of his childhood in Sunyahng were distant, far removed from the time when House Myeonghyeon held the King’s trust. But the truth was, they had been abandoned long before the fall of Wi. Her grandfather''s loyalty, his decision to rescue the surviving prince and seek refuge in Birahng amidst the chaos of rebellion, now seemed nothing more than foolish sentimentality. Seon''s grip on the reins tightened.


    "We''ve endured enough. It''s time to focus on our own survival."


    "What do you believe is the true essence of House Myeonghyeon?" Ryang asked.


    "What kind of question is that?"


    "We are not merchants at heart. Our place is not here in Birahng, nor in Sung or Soyeol."


    "Brother..."


    "We will return to Sunyahng."


    Ryang''s voice resonated with conviction, but Seon''s laughter cut through his words, "When? How? You''re usually so practical, why are you being so obtuse now? Dahn has nearly two hundred thousand soldiers, and we barely have two thousand. Do you honestly believe we can win a war against them? We''re hiding here, on this tiny island, even concealing our precious names! What good is the essence of House Myeonghyeon in this situation?"


    Before Ryang could respond, Seon continued her tirade. "It would be a hundred times faster to admit our grandfather''s foolishness and beg for the King of Dahn''s forgiveness than to try and reclaim Sunyahng with that weakling Guardian. If returning to Sunyahng is so important to you."


    "Don''t even speak of such impossibilities," Ryang warned, glaring at Seon.


    "Your delusions are the true impossibility," Seon scoffed.


    "If we cannot achieve it, then our descendants will," Ryang declared. "We will fight for their future. That was our grandfather''s will, and our father''s."


    Seon continued her mockery. "Such a devoted son. Perhaps you should have listened to him while he was alive."


    "One more word..." As Ryang''s voice rose again, Dara rushed forward, interrupting them.


    "My Lord! My Lady!"


    "What''s the matter?" Ryang turned towards Dara, alarmed by her tone. Dara''s dark eyes, fixed on the night sky, reflected a crimson glow. Ryang''s gaze quickly followed hers. In the southern sky, a red star blazed, leaving a trail of shimmering light. A red star, burning bright in the night sky. Ryang knew instantly what it meant.


    "We must return." He urged Seon and Dara, frozen in shock, to action. "Turn back! Now!"


    Ryang wrenched the reins, turning his horse sharply. His white steed reared, then galloped into the night. Seon and Dara followed, their horses'' silver tails streaming behind them in the darkness. The soldiers struggled to keep up.