Sobi(笑庇) pushed open the barracks door. Startled by the sudden intrusion, Cheongro(淸露) spilled the liquor he was pouring.


    "Announce yourself next time, would you?" he grumbled, wiping the spilled liquor from his hand. The pungent aroma of alcohol quickly filled the small space. Sobi''s brow furrowed as she noticed the bottle and cup on the table.


    "The High Emissary is fasting, and you, the Second Emissary, are drinking?!"


    Cheongro, though momentarily flustered, met her anger with a playful nonchalance. "I was about to drink, not already drinking."


    "Don''t play with words," Sobi said sharply. "You should be ashamed of yourself."


    "Sobi, your tongue is getting rather sharp," Cheongro said with a sly grin. "Wouldn''t it be wonderful if all the Emissaries were as virtuous as our High Emissary? But you know, we are who we are."


    Sobi, suppressing her growing irritation, reluctantly settled into the chair opposite him. Cheongro avoided her sharp gaze, his fingers drumming a rhythmic beat against the empty cup.


    "Instead of barging in and lecturing me," he said with a hint of mockery, "why don''t you try persuading him to end his fast? At this rate, we''ll be holding his funeral rites before the Guardian''s."


    "That''s precisely why I''m here," Sobi replied. "We need to convince him to stop. He''s going to collapse."


    Cheongro glanced at Sobi, her face clouded with worry. The High Emissary Divine, Norahn, had been fasting for over seven days, and Sobi''s concern for his deteriorating health was evident. Cheongro leaned back, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze fixed on her.


    "You want to intervene, but you''re afraid to face him alone, aren''t you?" he remarked, a sly grin spreading across his face. "So you''ve come to enlist my help. As always, I''m happy to be your scapegoat."


    "Someone needs to intervene," Sobi said firmly. "Don''t you agree?"


    Cheongro shook his head. "I may have mentioned the possibility of his death, but that''s not the issue. Even if he collapses from fasting, no one here would let him die."


    "Then what''s the problem?"


    "The problem is Myeonghyeon Ryang, that viper, running amok while we''re preoccupied."


    "The High Councilor," Sobi corrected.


    "Always with the proper titles," Cheongro chuckled. "It''s easy to criticize those not present, isn''t it? Besides, he''s not my direct superior."


    Sobi''s frown deepened, but Cheongro continued to toy with his empty cup. He pictured Ryang''s face, young and unlined.


    "That young upstart, playing the role of a seasoned head," he scoffed.


    "Young or old, he is the High Councilor," Sobi countered. "If you have criticisms, voice them to his face. Yet, you cower before him, address him with respect. Why so deferential to the ''young upstart''?"


    "Even a tiger was once a cub," Cheongro replied.


    "Perhaps focusing on such matters is detrimental to both the Ministry and the High Emissary," Sobi warned.


    Cheongro''s fingers stilled. He looked up at her, his eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"


    Cheongro''s eyes, dark and unreadable, settled on Sobi, remaining silent.


    "How do you think the Ministry has managed to survive all these years?" he asked.


    "I don''t know how the Ministry has survived," Sobi said defiantly, "but I know why Wi fell. And the Ministry played a significant role in its downfall. The High Emissary emphasizes integrity and restraint for a reason. Yet, here you are, indulging in drink while he fasts."


    "A single shot of liquor hardly constitutes a feast," Cheongro said, smirking. "And thanks to your untimely interruption, I haven''t even had a sip."


    Sobi''s expression remained stern. Cheongro, however, seemed unfazed. He shook his head, a playful smile on his lips.


    "You''re far too rigid, Sobi."


    "Are you suggesting I follow your example and ignore the rules?"


    "A little flexibility wouldn''t hurt," Cheongro said. "Such inflexibility can be detrimental to one''s health. I knew someone once, a stubborn fool, who ended up with his throat slit by his own nephew."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Sobi shivered, her gaze darting around the room. "Such talk in front of the Young Guardian or the High Councilor could indeed be detrimental to your health," she warned.


    Cheongro chuckled, amused by her predictable response. He leaned closer, his hand resting on her shoulder. "Don''t worry. I''m quite fond of my head where it is."


    He turned and sauntered towards the door. Sobi, her mind reeling from their tense exchange, stared after him.


    "What are you waiting for?" Cheongro called back. "We have a High Emissary to save."


    Sobi, snapping out of her daze, hurried after him.


    The Emissaries, following Norahn(路蘿)''s lead, had been fasting and keeping vigil atop Mount Shinsuk for seven days. Their encampment was pitched near Seong’go, the sacred lake. The night air, heavy with dew and the faint scent of Crystal Haze*, clung to the tent where Norahn resided. Cheongro carefully lifted the flap and entered, Sobi trailing behind him. Inside, two flickering candles cast long shadows, the chill of the early spring night seeping through the thin fabric. Despite their deliberate entrance, Norahn remained facing away from them, his back rigid. Cheongro and Sobi bowed their heads.


    "Your Sanctity," Cheongro greeted.


    "I told you not to enter until summoned," Norahn replied coldly.


    Cheongro and Sobi knelt behind him. Sobi''s gaze lingered on Norahn''s frail form, his thin shoulders outlined against the flickering candlelight. He seemed distant, shrouded in an ethereal aura. Is it the lingering scent of Crystal Haze that clung to him, or something more profound? Even after all this time, Sobi found him unapproachable, his presence intimidating. She marveled at Cheongro''s ease, his ability to converse with Norahn without a hint of hesitation.


    "Your Sanctity," Cheongro began, "perhaps it is time to descend the mountain, to attend to your health."


    "Has the Guardian recovered?" Norahn asked in a flat voice.


    Cheongro pressed on. "While no news isn''t necessarily bad news, Your Sanctity, if Sahngjon has already decided..."


    "If Sahngjon has already decided," Norahn replied sharply, "then what purpose do we serve? We are merely puppets, dancing to his tune."


    "That''s not what I meant..."


    "Where are the others?" Norahn demanded.


    Cheongro, momentarily silenced, swallowed his prepared words and answered. "They are all concerned for your well-being, Your Sanctity. Of course, they also worry for the Guardian, but... the Guardian has an heir. You do not."


    Norahn''s eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. Sobi felt a surge of anxiety, Cheongro''s words dancing dangerously close to insubordination. Even Cheongro felt a chill at Norahn''s silence, but he pressed on.


    "If the Guardian succumbs to his illness," he said persuasively, "you must be present at Wicheong to ensure a smooth transition of power. Your presence will be vital."


    "That is why I am here, praying for his recovery," Norahn said.


    "Death comes for us all, be it through misfortune or illness," Cheongro said. "Even the Guardian is not immune. Your Sanctity, if you remain here and fail to witness his final moments, you will only weaken your position against the High Councilor."


    "We are indebted to him," Norahn said. "House Myeonghyeon provides for our needs."


    "A subject''s wealth ultimately belongs to their lord," Cheongro countered. "The Guardian merely distributes it as he sees fit. We owe nothing to House Myeonghyeon. If the High Councilor uses his family''s wealth to control Wicheong, how can he be considered a loyal servant of the Guardian?"


    "The High Councilor is not one to seek power," Norahn said firmly. "House Myeonghyeon are loyalists who saved the royal family. Even the Ministry owes them a debt of gratitude."


    "It is their duty to serve their lord," Cheongro replied, his irritation growing.


    Norahn''s voice hardened. "Some subjects strike down their lords, seizing the throne for themselves. True loyalty is a rare thing."


    "But..."


    "The High Councilor is not our enemy," Norahn interrupted. "No one within Wicheong is. But if you continue to harbor such thoughts, you will create enemies where there are none."


    Norahn cut Cheongro off, his voice growing sharper with each interruption. The conversation had devolved into a one-sided lecture. Yet, Cheongro remained convinced of Norahn''s animosity towards Ryang.


    "Do you truly believe that?" he challenged. "You know he whispers poison in the Guardian''s ear, filling his mind with doubts."


    "Not everyone possesses the unwavering faith of the Emissaries," Norahn replied.


    "But for the Guardian''s closest advisor to lack such faith... that is a serious problem."


    "And whose fault is that?" Norahn asked.


    Cheongro faltered.


    "It is our duty to instill faith in him," Norahn said firmly.


    As Cheongro struggled to regain his composure, a commotion erupted outside. Sobi, sensing trouble, excused herself, then rushed back in, her face pale with alarm.


    "Your Sanctity," she said urgently, "we must descend now!"


    Norahn turned to face her. "What is it?"


    "Come outside," Sobi said frantically.


    Norahn and Cheongro exchanged a worried glance, then followed Sobi out of the tent. The Emissaries stood huddled together, their eyes fixed on the sky, their faces illuminated by a crimson glow. Norahn followed their gaze, his heart sinking as he saw the star blazing in the southern sky. An ancient verse from the Azure Scripture flashed through his mind.


    ...and when you are lost in despair, a Crimson Star shall descend upon the land, delivering you from your suffering...


    He recognized the omen, the prophecy unfolding before his eyes. He turned to the assembled Emissaries.


    "I will descend first. Break camp and follow immediately. Sobi, Cheongro, you come with me."


    "Yes, Your Sanctity."


    Norahn turned and strode towards the path leading down the mountain. Sobi and Cheongro hurried after him, their torches casting long, flickering shadows in the darkness.


    *Crystal Haze :  A type of narcotic that is burned and inhaled. In low concentrations, it is sometimes used in religious ceremonies. Severe addiction can lead to fatal delirium and a slow, agonizing death. Even if the user recovers, they may suffer from lasting psychological aftereffect.