Meanwhile, the boat carrying the wounded monarch gradually slowed as it approached the riverbank, preparing to dock at an abandoned pier concealed beneath dense overgrowth.
The river lapped gently against the wooden hull while Counselor Yi's trusted soldiers secured the ropes with swift, practiced movements, careful not to make a sound that might draw the attention of Min's spies still lurking within the capital.
From the deck, barely visible through the morning mist and framed by the dense forest, the silhouette of a secluded Buddhist temple emerged from the mountainside.
Its dark wooden halls and gracefully curved roofs blended seamlessly into the surrounding trees, hidden from the outside world.
It was exactly what they needed.
The only sanctuary in the kingdom where the King could receive treatment beyond the reach of the royal physicians who now answered to the Min Clan.
Even aboard the vessel, the tension had not eased.
Moving the unconscious monarch demanded flawless coordination.
Kang-dae assumed command with the cold precision expected of a royal commander, ordering two of his men to prepare a wooden litter for the King.
Throughout the entire process, silence stretched between him and Haneul like an invisible thread pulled so tightly it threatened to snap with every accidental brush of their hands.
She carefully supported the King's head, making certain every movement caused as little pain as possible.
Kang-dae steadied the litter with strong, weathered hands.
Deliberately avoiding the questions she kept asking without speaking a single word.
On the riverbank, two Buddhist monks dressed in simple gray robes were already waiting in complete secrecy.
As the litter carrying the weakened monarch was brought ashore, both men bowed deeply.
Not merely out of reverence for their sovereign…
But because they understood the enormous political burden—and mortal danger—that had just crossed into their sacred refuge.
Without wasting a moment, they led the group along a steep stone path winding toward the temple's secluded rear halls.
There, braziers already burned brightly.
Clean cloths had been prepared.
Medicinal herbs gathered from the surrounding mountains filled the air with their fragrance.
Everything was ready for one purpose alone.
To save the King's fading life.
Far away, inside the capital, another battle was unfolding.
Within his private chambers, the Daesagan found no peace.
His greatest burden was no longer only the King's fragile condition or the deadly consequences his family would face should Min's coup succeed.
His thoughts refused to leave a single image.
Haneul.
And Kang-dae.
Together.
On the same boat.
Sharing the same confined space after believing each other lost for so long.
The thought tormented him without mercy.
Exhausted by endless worry and the weight of a sleepless night, Jun-ho finally allowed his head to sink onto the pillow.
Fatigue claimed him almost instantly.
But sleep offered no comfort.
Only cruelty.
In his dreams, he witnessed Haneul and Kang-dae's reunion.
A moment so beautiful…
So painfully tender…
That it became a nightmare.
He watched them smile at one another.
Watched years of longing disappear between them.
And with every passing heartbeat…
He felt himself disappearing as well.
The pain became unbearable.
Jun-ho awoke with a violent gasp.
His breathing was ragged.
His chest tightened beneath the crushing weight of jealousy.
Disoriented, he looked around the dim room before realizing hours had passed.
The shadows had grown long.
Outside his window…
Evening had already begun to descend.
Time was slipping away from him.
Several days later, the uneasy calm hanging over the capital remained unchanged.
Counselor Yi sat inside his private chambers sharing tea with his son when one of his most trusted guards entered in silence.
The man knelt respectfully and presented a sealed letter.
The moment Counselor Yi recognized the wax seal, he knew exactly where it had come from.
The hidden temple in the mountains.
News of the King.
He quietly broke the seal and began reading.
Jun-ho immediately noticed the concern that crossed his father's face.
"Father…"
He leaned forward.
"Is everything all right?"
The elderly counselor folded the letter slowly.
"His Majesty remains in critical condition."
His voice was calm.
"The monks and physicians have not yet been able to restore the strength of his pulse."
Jun-ho hesitated.
"Is… that all the message says?"
Counselor Yi slowly lifted his eyes toward his son.
A knowing look settled upon his weathered face.
"Why do you ask?"
A faint pause lingered between them.
"Were you hoping to hear something else?"
Jun-ho lowered his head at once.
He could feel the weight of his father's gaze.
And with it…
The fear that his jealousy had finally become impossible to hide.
Counselor Yi knew his son better than anyone alive.
He had recognized Jun-ho's feelings for Haneul long before the young man himself had dared admit them.
A quiet smile touched the old statesman's lips.
After adjusting the sleeve of his robe, he spoke with deliberate calm.
"We shall request a meeting with Haneul's father to discuss the next move of our faction."
He paused before continuing.
"Once our affairs in the capital have been settled…"
His eyes rested knowingly on his son.
"…you will travel to the mountains yourself."
"See to His Majesty's condition with your own eyes."
A faint smile appeared.
"My age no longer allows me to undertake such a journey."
For the first time in days…
Life returned to Jun-ho's eyes.
Relief.
Hope.
Disbelief.
Knowing he would soon travel to the hidden temple…
Knowing he might see Haneul again…
It felt as though he could finally breathe.
Across the table, Counselor Yi noticed the unmistakable change in his son's expression.
Without saying another word, he simply smiled to himself…
Raised his teacup…
And quietly took another sip.