Princess Kyeong'ui's encampment was located on the coast near the harbor of Hyangdo. Cheon Hwan had anchored the Black Wings off the northern coast of Birahng, and Jang'gyeong Yoon, alone in a small boat, had landed on a deserted stretch of beach. His robes heavy with seawater, he trudged towards Hyangdo. He had a goal, but no plan. He knew nothing of the princess's temperament, nor who her advisors were. The burns on his face, still raw and tender, throbbed with pain. He wasn't sure if he could succeed, with all the odds stacked against him.

As he walked, his mind filled with anxieties and uncertainties, he spotted the tents of the encampment in the distance, the black flags fluttering above them. His mind went blank. He touched the bandages still covering his face. The oath he had sworn, to reclaim his family's honor at any cost, now seemed a distant memory. But he had sacrificed too much to back down now. To regain what he had lost, he would have to risk everything. He was out of options. All he could do was face the princess and pray for the best. His life, his fate, was no longer in his hands.

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The Dahnian fleet maintained a tight schedule. Immediately after setting up camp, a hundred soldiers were dispatched to survey the terrain and gather rumors related to the Crimson Star. The rumors collected near Hyangdo, however, proved to be nothing more than outlandish tales, offering little valuable information. While the investigation into Birahng's affairs proceeded smoothly, the inquiry into the Crimson Star's true nature remained stagnant. With only three months until the monsoon season, when they would have to return to Sunyahng, Kyeong'ui felt a growing sense of urgency. Though it was unrealistic to expect significant progress within a few days of their arrival, she couldn't afford to be complacent. It fell to Hongyoo and Gahngyun Hyeok to manage her impatience.

A commotion erupted at the entrance to the encampment before dawn. Hongyoo, who had risen early to inspect the perimeter, headed towards the source of the disturbance. The guards stationed at the gate bowed respectfully as he approached.

"Royal Attendant."

"What's all the commotion?" Hongyoo asked. "The princess is still asleep."

"There's a suspicious man causing a disturbance," one of the guards explained.

"Suspicious?"

"He's covered in bandages and keeps prostrating himself at the entrance, demanding an audience with the princess. We've tried to send him away, but he keeps returning."

Hongyoo's instincts told him this was no ordinary beggar. "Did you ask him why he wants to see the princess?"

"He looked like a vagrant," the guard replied. "I didn't bother."

Hongyoo's eyes narrowed. "Did the princess instruct you to judge visitors yourself based on their appearance?"

"My apologies, Sir."

Hongyoo pushed past the flustered guard and strode towards the entrance. A figure, huddled on the ground, lay prostrate outside the gate. He appeared unarmed and harmless. Hongyoo approached, his shadow falling over the figure. Yoon looked up, his bandaged face meeting Hongyoo's gaze. Yoon quickly assessed Hongyoo, noting the black trim on his collar and sleeves, the attire of a court official. He lowered his head further, pressing his forehead against the dirt.

"Who are you?" Hongyoo asked.

"I beg your pardon," Yoon replied, his voice muffled by the bandages, "but who might you be?"

His boldness surprised Hongyoo. "I asked you first," he said coldly.

Yoon's mind went blank for a moment, but he quickly recovered and offered a false name. "Mahnry," he said.

It was the name of Dara's father. Even Yoon was surprised by his own quick thinking.

"I didn't ask for your name," Hongyoo said. "Who are you, and why are you causing a disturbance at this hour? Do you even know where you are?"

"This is Princess Kyeong'ui's encampment, is it not?" Yoon replied.

Hongyoo's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping over Yoon's bandaged face and shabby attire. Despite his unkempt appearance, Yoon's speech was refined, lacking the distinctive accent of the islanders. His composure, in fact, made him even more suspicious.

"Why are you here?" Hongyoo asked again.

"I seek an audience with the princess."

"I know that," Hongyoo snapped. "Don't make me ask again. What is your reason for seeking an audience with Her Highness?"

"I have urgent information for the princess," Yoon replied. "Please grant me access."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Hongyoo noticed the intensity in Yoon's eyes, the unwavering determination that shone through the gaps in his bandages. He sensed that this was no trivial matter, but he couldn't simply grant access to a stranger, especially one who looked so suspicious.

"Her Highness doesn't meet with every vagrant who comes begging at her door," he said. "Tell me what this urgent information is."

Yoon hesitated. Hongyoo's eyes, with their down-turned corners, gave him an air of cunning and suspicion. If Hongyoo had deemed him insignificant, he would have simply dismissed him, or worse. But he remained, his questions persistent, his refusal unwavering. It was a promising sign, but Yoon knew he couldn't reveal too much. He needed to gain Hongyoo's trust first.

"Who are you?" Yoon asked, his voice gaining confidence. "I cannot speak freely unless you identify yourself."

"What?"

Hongyoo's curiosity was piqued, but before he could press further, an unwelcome voice interrupted them. It was Gahngyun Hyeok.

"What's happening?" he asked, sweeping over the scene.

"Young Master Gahngyun," Hongyoo acknowledged with a respectful bow, which Hyeok dismissed with an airy wave.

"This man claims to have urgent information for Her Highness," Hongyoo explained, "but he refuses to divulge its nature. His identity is unclear, so I was going to investigate further."

"I'll handle this," Hyeok interrupted. "You may go."

Hongyoo, taken aback by the sudden interruption, struggled to maintain his composure. "But Young Master," he said, "this concerns the safety of Her Highness..."

"Is there anyone more concerned with her safety than me?" Hyeok said.

Hongyoo reluctantly bowed his head. "As you wish, Young Master." He turned to leave. "I will go to Her Highness. She will be waking soon."

As Hongyoo departed, Hyeok gestured towards Yoon. The guards, who had been observing from a distance, stepped forward and escorted Yoon towards Hyeok.

Inside his tent, Hyeok dismissed the guards and settled into his chair, his gaze sweeping over Yoon. Yoon, noting that the soldiers hadn't searched him, found Hyeok's casualness both careless and intriguing. He quickly assessed the young man before him – his bold features, his expensive clothes – but found nothing remarkable about his appearance. However, judging by the deference Hongyoo had shown him, Yoon deduced that this must be the princess's betrothed.

"What business do you have with the princess?" Hyeok asked.

"If I may be so bold," Yoon began, "who might you be?"

Hyeok scoffed. "As if you would know."

"I may be ignorant, but please enlighten me."

"Hyeok, second son of House Gahngyun," Hyeok announced, leaning back in his chair.

Yoon's hands clenched. The messages from Dara hadn't mentioned anything about the princess's betrothed, and hearing the name "Gahngyun" sent a shiver down his spine.

"A house that served the founding of Dahn, its contribution honored by the Founder," Yoon said. "How could I not know such a prestigious name?"

"A vagrant like you knows about our house?" Hyeok asked, his interest piqued.

"The name Gahngyun is renowned even in the farthest corners of the land," Yoon replied. "I, too, was once involved in trade. One cannot succeed in business without knowing who holds the power."

Hyeok burst into laughter. He had initially brought Yoon in to irritate Hongyoo, but now he was intrigued. Though Yoon's words were clearly flattering, there was a hint of truth in them. House Gahngyun's influence had waned in recent years. They were no longer a name that commanded respect in every corner of the land. And Yoon's speech was refined, his demeanor confident. He was no mere vagrant. Perhaps, Hyeok mused, this mysterious stranger could be the key to gaining Kyeong'ui's favor.

"Tell me," he said, leaning forward, "what is it you wish to tell the princess?"

Yoon remained silent.

"Why the hesitation?" Hyeok pressed. "Are you afraid I'll steal your information and discard you?"

"To be honest...yes," Yoon admitted.

"Hongyoo might resort to such trickery," Hyeok said with a smirk, "but I'm not like him. Whether you trust me or not is your choice, but you won't gain anything by hiding the truth."

Yoon hesitated, but he was out of options. He had already ventured deep into the Dahnian camp, and the path through Hongyoo was now blocked. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"House Myeonghyeon has settled in Nahmgyo."

"What?" Hyeok exclaimed. "The Myeonghyeons?"

"That's correct."

"But they were wiped out."

"They disappeared from Sunyahng," Yoon clarified, "but they weren't wiped out."

Hyeok's mind reeled. He recalled the stories he had heard about House Myeonghyeon as a child. Though it had been half a century since the fall of Wi, their name still held a certain prestige. His parents and teachers had often spoken of their unwavering loyalty and integrity. Even though they had been abandoned by the king, they had remained faithful, earning the respect of the people. It was said that even the founder of Dahn, who had ruthlessly slaughtered the Celestial Scions, had spared the Myeonghyeons. But their defiance had ultimately led to their downfall. The founder, enraged by their refusal to join his cause, had surrounded their house in Sunyahng and set it ablaze. The fire had raged throughout the night, and by morning, not a single body could be found among the ashes. Some believed that Sahngjon had rescued them from the flames. But there was no mention of Birahng in any of these tales.

"Are you saying their ghosts have come to haunt Birahng?" Hyeok scoffed.

"I don't know how they escaped or ended up here," Yoon admitted. "But they are in Nahmgyo. And they're more prosperous now than they ever were in Sunyahng. The Lady of Nahmgyo, Seolyo Jin, helped them settle here. They're involved in illicit trade, running a ruthless loan sharking operation, and their influence is growing."

Yoon's detailed account was too specific to be dismissed as mere nonsense.

"Let's assume you're telling the truth," Hyeok said. "How do you know all this?"

"I worked for them."

"And why would the princess care?"

"If she doesn't, then why are you so interested?" Yoon countered.

Hyeok, caught off guard, forced a smile. Yoon's gaze was steady. Despite his lingering doubts, Hyeok found himself leaning in, eager to hear more. If Yoon's claims were true, this could be a valuable opportunity for both him and Kyeong'ui. He rose from his seat.

"I'll inform the princess," he said. "If she wants to know more, I'll summon you."