It was a slight chance, but Yoon was confident that if the princess was even remotely competent, she would summon him. Even if she wasn't, surely someone in her entourage would recognize the significance of the Myeonghyeon name. He pushed aside his anxieties and bowed his head respectfully.

"I await your summons."

Hyeok left Yoon under the watchful eyes of the guards and headed towards Kyeong'ui's tent. The entrance was guarded by a line of soldiers.

"Is the princess awake?" Hyeok asked one of the guards.

"She is, Young Master."

"Inform her of my arrival."

The guard nodded and called out, "Your Highness, Young Master Kang seeks an audience."

"Let him in," Kyeong'ui's voice rang out from within.

Inside the tent, Kyeong'ui sat at her desk, reviewing a stack of documents. Hongyoo stood beside her. Without even a glance in Hyeok's direction, she addressed him.

"You're here early," she remarked. "Is this about the suspicious man who was causing a commotion at the gates this morning?"

It seemed Hongyoo had already informed her. Hyeok glared at him, but Hongyoo avoided his gaze, which only fueled Hyeok's annoyance.

"Yes, it is," Hyeok confirmed.

"And why did he want to see me?" Kyeong'ui asked.

Hyeok relayed everything he had learned from Mahnry, from the presence of House Myeonghyeon in Nahmgyo to their involvement in illicit activities. Kyeong'ui's expression hardened as she listened, her brow furrowed in concentration. Hyeok, though pleased to have captured her attention, couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension at her serious demeanor. When he finished speaking, Kyeong'ui remained silent for a long moment. The tension in the tent was palpable. Finally, she spoke.

"Did he say House Myeonghyeon?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Hyeok confirmed.

Kyeong'ui's mind raced. She, too, had grown up hearing tales of House Myeonghyeon. While the elders in the palace rarely spoke of the house that had defied the founder and met a tragic end, their teachers would occasionally mention them in hushed tones. Even the Azure Scripture, which Kyeong'ui had read in secret, dedicated a significant portion to their story. Before the fall of Wi, the Celestial Scions had been a prominent presence in Sunyahng, but now they were mere whispers in the wind, their legacy shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The story of their disappearance, particularly the enigmatic ending, had captured the imaginations of the people. The fact that they might be hiding on Birahng, of all places, was both intriguing and suspicious. How could they have escaped the fire and vanished without a trace? But if this stranger's claims were true, it could be a valuable opportunity.

"Is this true?" she asked.

Hyeok, flustered, stammered, "I... I just heard it myself. I don't know for sure."

"Is that your answer?" Kyeong'ui retorted. "Did this man seem trustworthy?"

"Well... his story was quite detailed. It didn't seem like complete nonsense."

"Did he give you his name?"

Hyeok flinched, caught off guard. Hongyoo quickly interjected. "He called himself Mahnry."

Kyeong'ui fell silent, her brow furrowed in thought. Hongyoo, sensing her interest, seized the opportunity to offer his own assessment.

"Your Highness," he began, "I believe his story warrants further investigation. If he were lying, he could have easily fabricated a more believable tale. House Myeonghyeon is a rather unexpected subject for someone seeking your favor."

Kyeong'ui nodded slowly. "Bring him to me," she commanded. "I want to hear this story myself."

At her command, Hyeok gestured to a soldier standing behind him. The soldier hurried out and soon returned with Jang'gyeong Yoon, the man they believed to be Mahnry. Yoon entered, bowing low, and prostrated himself before Kyeong'ui.

"Mahnry, is it?" she began.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I've heard your story," Kyeong'ui continued. "I don't have time for long explanations, so lift your head and answer my questions truthfully. Any falsehood will be met with swift punishment."

Yoon straightened, his gaze fixed on the princess.

"Ask your questions, Your Highness," he said.

"How did the Myeonghyeons escape Sunyahng and end up here?" Kyeong'ui demanded. "Did someone in Nahmgyo help them?"

"I don't know the details, Your Highness," Yoon replied.

"You don't know, or you won't tell me?"

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"I've never heard the story of their escape."

Kyeong'ui's eyes narrowed. Yoon felt a surge of panic. He couldn't fabricate a story he didn't know.

"That is the only thing I'm unaware of," he said. "Everything else I've told you is true. Give me a chance to prove it."

"I need to know how they got here," Kyeong'ui pressed. "Even if they are the Myeonghyeons, I can't just drag them back to Sunyahng without proof. I'll be the laughingstock of the court."

Yoon knew what she needed. "Are you familiar with the twelve swords bestowed upon the twelve houses by the founder of Wi?" he asked.

"I've read about them," Kyeong'ui replied.

"Then you must know that only eleven of those swords are buried beneath the foundation of Yeonghwi Palace. The sword belonging to House Myeonghyeon wouldn't be there."

Kyeong'ui's eyes narrowed. The story of the twelve swords, melted down and buried beneath the foundation of Yeonghwi Palace, was a popular tale among the people. But the swords were actually kept in the basement of the Court Library. Kyeong'ui had seen them herself – tarnished and rusty, stripped of their jewels and gold. But there were indeed only eleven.

"They wouldn't have abandoned such a precious heirloom when they fled Sunyahng," Yoon continued. "I've never seen it myself, but if you search their home, you're sure to find it."

"Is that all?" Kyeong'ui asked.

"There's one more thing," Yoon said. "The Lady of Nahmgyo, Seolyo Jin, was once loyal to Wi. The Myeonghyeon merchant company is one of the largest in Nahmgyo. They couldn't have established themselves there, let alone thrived, without her support. If you can secure her testimony and find the Myeonghyeon sword, no one will doubt your claims."

"So I need to find both," Kyeong'ui said.

"If you seek them, you will find them, Your Highness."

Yoon's words, though clear and convincing, only deepened Kyeong'ui's suspicions. Like Hongyoo and Hyeok, she was struck by the discrepancy between his refined speech and his unkempt appearance. Hyeok had described him as a former merchant who had worked for House Myeonghyeons, but that didn't explain his eloquent manner or the bloodstained bandages that covered his face.

"Your wounds seem recent," Kyeong'ui observed. "How did you get them?"

Yoon hesitated. It was time to fabricate a story.

"They did this to me," he replied. "They poured boiling water on my face."

Kyeong'ui's brow furrowed. "Why?"

"I disobeyed an order."

"What kind of order would warrant such a punishment?"

Yoon embellished the truth slightly. "I recently discovered they were involved in the trade of crystal haze," he explained. "You understand the harm it causes."

"They could have simply dismissed you."

"They needed to make an example of me."

"Are you suggesting they took the law into their own hands?" Kyeong'ui asked. "There are laws in this realm."

"Birahng is beyond the reach of Sunyahng's laws, Your Highness," Yoon replied.

Kyeong'ui's expression hardened. "Choose your words carefully," she warned. "This island is under the jurisdiction of my father, the king of Dahn. His laws apply here."

Yoon quickly lowered his head. "My apologies, Your Highness."

Kyeong'ui studied him, her gaze piercing. "Is this revenge?" she asked.

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"Are you betraying them out of spite?"

"I can't deny that resentment played a part," Yoon admitted.

"Are there other reasons?"

"I have no future on this island," Yoon said. "I wish to serve you, Your Highness, and earn a place in Sunyahng."

"If your claims are true, and they prove beneficial to my father, that can be arranged."

Yoon bowed his head. "I have one more request, Your Highness."

"Speak."

"If you confront them, please do not reveal that I was your source."

"Are you afraid of retaliation?"

"I am, Your Highness."

"Though I find your fear disappointing, I will grant your request."

"Hongyoo," Kyeong'ui said, "make preparations. We're paying a visit to the Lady of Nahmgyo."

"You intend to go yourself?" Hongyoo asked, surprised.

"If we want her testimony, we need to confront her directly, don't we?"

"She may not be so willing to cooperate."

"We'll see about that."

"How should we proceed, Your Highness?" Hongyoo asked, his voice hesitant.

"Two Cannon Ships and five hundred men. Two hundred soldiers, the rest armed oarsmen. We can't leave the encampment completely unguarded."

Hongyoo remained silent, his gaze fixed on Kyeong'ui. Sensing his hesitation, Kyeong'ui frowned.

"Your Highness," Hongyoo began, "perhaps we should discuss this in private."

His reluctance was unusual. Kyeong'ui, her suspicions piqued, nodded. Once Hyeok, Yoon, and the other guards had been dismissed, Hongyoo spoke.

"Your Highness, five hundred men is excessive for such a visit."

"No," Kyeong'ui countered. "It's necessary."

"But such a display of force could be perceived as a threat," Hongyoo argued. "It could antagonize the islanders. Did you not see how they behaved at the tea party? That old woman's arrogance..."

"This is our first encounter," Kyeong'ui interrupted. "We need to make a strong impression. This is my father's land. What's wrong with Dahnian troops setting foot on Dahnian soil? They have no reason to feel threatened."

"If only everyone were so rational, Your Highness," Hongyoo sighed. "But the islanders... they are not. They are ignorant, and their leaders are cunning. Please reconsider. There's a reason His Majesty has maintained a distance from Birahng."

"We can't ignore them forever."

"Then perhaps we should send a report to the capital first, based on this man's testimony, and await further instructions."

"Send a report based on the words of a stranger, with no evidence to support his claims?" Kyeong'ui asked.

"But Your Highness..."

"How much longer can we remain here?"

"We must depart before the monsoon season."

"Then prepare as I instructed."

"Yes, Your Highness." Hongyoo bowed his head and left the tent.

Hyeok, who had been waiting outside, approached him. "Perhaps you should try to dissuade her," he suggested.

"It's no use," Hongyoo replied with a sigh. "She won't change her mind, and I'll only earn her displeasure."

"If I try to reason with her, it'll only make things worse," Hyeok said with a shrug. "Better for you to bear the brunt of her anger than for us to face the consequences. She might not listen to me, but she listens to you."

A faint smile touched Hongyoo's lips. "Is that so?" he mused. "I wasn't aware of that."