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Chapter Text

The Ti hour (Rat, 11h pm-1h am) was already well advanced. The night was soft and calm at this late springtime. No sound at all, except for the chirping of crickets and the distant, muffled sound of an owl in the depths of the park. A breath of warm air made the lilacs sway, bringing their delicate fragrance into the room where it mingled with the smell of paper and ink, mixed with incense and cedar wood. The orange flame of a candle placed on a small celadon, cast a dancing, round light on the table, plunging the rest of the room into darkness.

Leaning over his writing desk, Tal Tal was carefully calligraphing the characters of his work, the history of the Chinese dynasties, a big undertaking he had recently begun. The task was enormous, and he would need help, he thought, as his role as prime minister left him little time. But immersing himself in the history of the empire, extracting key elements, and drawing inspiration from it for the present moment allowed him to forget, for a few moments, the plots and betrayals of the palace.

He lifted his head and sighed, anxiously recalling the events of the day.
Wang Yu, his sordid assassination, this heinous crime, the emperor incapable of understanding the consequences... A valiant adversary or a solid ally, Wang Yu radiated intelligence, charisma, and humanity. Tal Tal had great respect and admiration for the man who had saved his life several times. And who held esteem for TalTal, which honored him and made him strangely proud! Wang Yu, who had been arrested, sentenced to death, banished... And today this murder... Tal Tal felt helpless! Why did nothing ever change? YeonCheol, Uncle Bae-Khan, the emperor... No one ever saw the good in men... Wang Yu was a good man! With his help, Tal Tal could have changed the world... What a waste!!!

Tired, he straightened up and stretched his sore muscles from hours of writing, prepared himself a jasmine tea, and slid open one of the partitions leading to the garden. Contemplating the starry sky, he allowed himself to meditate on the latest discoveries of astronomes, the new star maps and the light of comets as they approach the sun. If he had time, he would gladly go study these phenomena at the Observatory of Kublai Khan, trying to understand the organization of the universe...

Like every evening, his thoughts drifted to Uncle Bae-Khan.
- " Do souls change planets in our successive lives? Has Sabeonim found a new life? Has he forgiven me? Will I see him again..."

Could he ever forgive himself for having killed that overbearing, violent, yet loving uncle, who had transformed the sweet and lonely child, absorbed in books and afraid of horses, into a brave, fearless and intrepid warrior ... But his uncle had lost his soul in the madness of absolute power and his impossible, murderous dreams. Their visions of the world were too different. Bae-Khan had not listened to him for a long time... TalTal was sad, but he had no regrets!

" Om mani padme hum", he murmured softly, " May Buddha grant us clarity, May Buddha offer us supreme wisdom..." He pushed the wooden partition and returned to his writing desk. It was time to take a little rest. Tomorrow would be a long and difficult day !

Suddenly, a slight rustle in the hallway, almost imperceptible, made him jump.
Someone was there!
Immediately on edge, TalTal grabbed a dagger and abruptly opened the door... only to find himself stunned, face to face with the empress, who was looking at him with wide, startled eyes. It was not quite Empress Ki, always so self-assured, beautiful, and cool-headed, but rather Seung Nyang, as he had never seen her before! She was draped in a large black cape covering her housedress. Her face, partly hidden by a large hood, was desperate, marked by tears and fatigue. A faint, unusual smell of alcohol emanated from her. She had left her apartment through the back door, avoiding the sentries. No one had seen her. She didn't even know how she had gotten there. She was there, distraught, her arms hanging limply at her sides, her eyes shining from having cried... In an almost inaudible voice, she murmured :
-" Please, Sagwonnim, I would like to talk to you..."

TalTal looked at her worriedly, this was a very bold and unusual move ! Perplexed, he stepped aside to let her in, checking for any prying eyes. He invited her to sit on a large silk cushion next to the small table, settled beside her, and handed her a cup of tea. She looked lost, fragile, already wondering what she was doing there. Why did she come? It was probably about Wang Yu...

- " Your Majesty ", he said gently, "speak whenever you wish. And don’t speak if you can’t, don’t be afraid! "

Seung Nyang was turning the cup between her hands, oppressed and anxious, visibly searching for her words. Patiently, TalTal waited, looking at her kindly, without saying anything. She swallowed hard, breathed with difficulty, and then began to speak, overwhelmed by emotion...

- " Byul, that was his name... Byul, my baby, my little boy, he was our child, Wang Yu and I... He fell from the cliff, my little Byul, I thought he had died my baby boy ! I found him only to lose him again... And today, Wang Yu also died… Is it possible to live without them? I can’t pretend, I won’t be able to, this pain is so unbearable... "

The words came out in a staccato rhythm, disjointed, in incoherent phrases. In a jumble, she told the tragedy of her life, the death of her mother killed by Dang Gise, the horrible death of Ki Ja Oh, her father, her adoration for Wang Yu, her passionate and complicated love for Ta-Hwan, her heart torn between these two very different men... The dreadful massacre of concubine Park and her friends, the chaotic birth of Byul and his death as Prince Maha, the death of Wang Yu, death, nothing but death... so many deaths around her, so many betrayals...

- " I am cursed, misfortune overwhelms me, I want to die... Help me to die, please, Sagwonnim, help me to find them again...in the after life ! "

She cried desperately, her body shaking with long, silent sobs that tore at the heart. An infinite sadness enveloped TalTal, mixed with helplessness and compassion. Spontaneously, he took her in his arms as she clung to his shirt, soaking the silky fabric with her tears. Holding her close, he gently rocked her while softly murmuring soothing words, those words told to children to lull them to sleep, over there, beyond Burkhan Khaldun, the sacred mountain of legends, where Börte Cino and Qo'ai Maral (the Blue Wolf and the Tawny Doe) and their child Temujin live ...

Seung Nyang gradually calmed down, her sobs becoming less frequent, her breathing more regular as her body grew numb in the gentle warmth, the enchanting scent of the blend of oud and encense that permeated every fiber of TalTal’s clothing, hair, body, every movement of the man ... Lulled by the melody of his voice, she closed her eyes and dozed off...

TalTal was completely still, overwhelmed by everything he had just heard and understood. The terrible desire for revenge that Seung Nyang felt against YeonCheol was finally explained. The loss of her child, the loss of Wang Yu, all the harm that the Yuan Empire had done to them... And despite all, her tormented and passionate love for the emperor ! He felt so sad, so desperate for her. He wished so much to make things right, but what could he do?

And how would he himself overcome this ordeal ? Deep down, he was terrified, not because of the revelations she had made to him, he would know how to keep silent ! On the contrary, he would protect her even more fiercely from harm...
No! TalTal was terrified of himself, of the inner blaze he felt rising within his body, the desire he had for her, to kiss her and more. He struggled to remain calm, stoic, impassive while she was there, in his arms ! His breathing quickened, his heart beating faster and faster... the fear that she would wake up, she who had come seeking comfort from him... She who had confided in him about the love she felt for other men besides him, the trust she showed him by sharing her dramatic story, the unintentional cruelty of what those confessions meant in which he had no place…

For TalTal knew that Seung Nyang did not have romantic feelings for him... Friendship, trust, certainly, but beyond that, the question did not arise!!! Moreover, Seung Nyang already had so many worries, what could he expect? He must not take advantage of her vulnerability, risking the destruction of her trust... He needed to calm down ! Not today, not under these conditions! Perhaps one day he would confess to her how much he loved her, how he had devoted his life to her without her knowing...

Seung Nyang... He bit his lip hard, until he tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. He took deep, slow breaths several times. Gradually, his heart returned to a normal rhythm. It was over...

" Seung Nyang, my beloved, my princess, I have always loved you, I will always love you, I will wait for you to come to me, I will wait for you all my life, in the after life..."

He kissed her chastely on the forehead, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pulled a silk blanket over her, and waited for morning.

The Dan hour (Tiger 3h am- 5h am), was coming to an end. The sky blurred with golden streaks of dawn, the night gradually fading away. Seung Nyang opened her eyes, slightly nauseous, confused... What was she doing in this dark room in the middle of the night? Who was there with her, so close, so intimate? Alarmed, she sat up abruptly, looking at TalTal with horrified eyes full of embarrassment and shame...

- " Sagwonnim?! What am I doing here? Why am I here? What have we done ? "

Memories of the evening came rushing back, her disorientation, her despair, Wang Yu... In her haste, she sat up to get up, to flee ...

TalTal took her hands, enclosing them in his warm, calloused ones from wielding a sword. With his thumb, he gently wiped away a tear from Seung Nyang's cheek and tenderly kissed the tips of her fingers. A sad smile lit up his face, his coppery hair glistening in the flickering candlelight. He helped her to her feet and said:

- " Your Grace, you simply came to talk! There is nothing wrong with what you did, don’t worry... You are strong and courageous. You are a great empress, the emperor loves you, your son Ayu will reign over the Yuan Empire. Do not be sad anymore. The day is rising on your future. I will be by your side to help you, as long as I live. Have confidence in yourself, in your strength, in life... "

" You will return to your chambers now. The day will soon break, and you must not be seen leaving here... "

Moved and disoriented, Seung Nyang stepped toward the door, hesitating as she was about to leave the room. Troubled by the memory of the night, she turned back...
He was looking at her, an indescribable expression in his almond-shaped eyes, that impenetrable mask hiding so well his inner turmoil and his sadness at seeing her go. He bowed deeply to her.
Had she noticed how beautiful this man was ?
Not the virile beauty of Wang Yu, nor the youthful beauty of Ta-Hwan, no ! He was naturally, insolently, merely handsome…
She felt herself blush, nodded her head, and hurriedly left …

As Tal Tal watched Seung Nyang leave the room, a wave of conflicting emotions washed again over him. The warmth of her presence lingered in the air, quickly replaced by a chilling sense of loss. He felt a deep ache in his chest, a mixture of longing and despair.
Tal Tal understood that her heart was still bound to Wang Yu, and he respected that love, even if it left him feeling hollow. He had always known that his feelings for her were complicated and forbidden as well.

As dawn broke outside, TalTal took a deep breath, stealing himself for the challenges ahead.
- " I must be strong", he resolved, clenching his fists. "She needs support, not confusion. I will protect her, whatever the cost."
With that thought, he resolved to be the steadfast presence she needed, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness for her peace. The grand Chancellor would follow the rules of courtly love, that chivalrous art of love from the extreme West, which promoted generosity, loyalty, fidelity, and self-sacrifice. Even if there was no place for him in the empress's heart, at least for now, he would wait. Perhaps one day, in another life, in the afterlife….

Chapter Text

A grey, rainy day was rising over the palace, casting a grim light into the dimly lit chamber. TalTal was trying to focus on the new decrees he planned to implement—reforming the currency, resuming construction on the Grand Canal, cleaning up the Yellow River to prevent floods, increasing grain production… So much to do, so many plans in his mind! But would there be enough time, in such an unstable, ever-changing world?

Alas, his heart wasn’t in it this morning. Worries kept piling up—rumors of war, betrayal, even a coup. His spies were adamant. The Dowager Empress, the House of the Eagle, and the most dangerous allies of Uncle Bae-Khan had formed an alliance to force the emperor to abdicate and seize power. They had to be stopped—carefully, and at just the right time. The noose was tightening around the Eagle, and Tal Tal was almost certain, the real puppet master was the senior eunuch Gol-Ta. He held the emperor in his grasp and despised the Empress. The man’s evasive gaze, his cowardice, his oily politeness, the false sweetness in his voice, those flashes of barely contained hatred… everything about him reeked of danger. Add to that his intimate knowledge of the palace and his constant access to the emperor, and it was enough to raise every alarm. But TalTal still lacked solid proof. He had planned to speak with His Imperial Majesty—perhaps even this very morning.

Jamal, his aide-de-camp, entered in a hurry.

“General, Chief Eunuch Dok-Man wishes to see you. He says it’s urgent!”

Dok-Man? Trouble at the palace? Alarmed, TalTal waved him in without delay.

The chief eunuch looked unusually shaken. A man usually in full control of his emotions, now searching for words, his eyes brimming with tears.

— "Grand Chancellor... the emperor has been poisoned. His condition is getting worse. I’m the only one who knows. The Empress has no idea — His Majesty refused to tell her. I’m very worried... I’ve come to ask for help, my Lord…”

TalTal felt a cold grip tighten around his chest. So, the coup had already begun! The conspirators had moved to weaken the emperor—slowly kill him, force his abdication, and then eliminate the imperial family. No more time to wait. It was time to act.

First, deal with the immediate issues, the emperor’s health was a priority!

— "Chief Eunuch, is His Majesty aware of what’s happening? Does he know who’s poisoning him? What kind of poison is it? Where does it come from? Is there an antidote?"

— "Yes, my Lord. It’s Senior Eunuch Gol-Ta who’s administering the poison—little by little, day after day. His Majesty knows. He also knows it’s a plot between Gol-Ta and the Dowager Empress to take control."
"He insists on handling it himself. That’s why he won’t tell the Empress—he doesn’t want her making any bold moves without consulting him first."

Despite the grim news, Tal Tal couldn’t help a faint smile. That did sound like Seung Nyang—headstrong and fearless. The emperor knew her all too well…

"He’s keeping her in disgrace to avoid arousing suspicion. But she doesn’t understand…

But the worst part is the poison, my Lord."

Dok-Man’s voice trembled. He was crying now.

— "It’s made from a toxic bird… there’s no antidote. The emperor is coughing up blood—that means death is near. My Lord... what should we do?"

Tal Tal stood frozen. The situation was worse than he’d feared. His mind began racing…

A toxic bird… Could it be the pitohui (1) ? He recalled reading about it in an old book, something about a Japanese king who’d survived poisoning… He stood, rummaged through his shelves, and after a few minutes, returned with the book. He quickly flipped through the pages.

That’s it! The pitohui’s toxin caused numbness, progressive paralysis, heart failure… and usually death. No known cure. And yet, that Japanese king had survived… Hell! by ingesting fugu (2) ? Impossible. Fugu was even more deadly than the pitohui.
Unless… unless the toxins counteracted each other. One might cancel out the effects of the other...

It was worth a try. But what if it only hastened the emperor’s death? Combining two poisons was a deadly gamble.
But was there a choice?

“Chief Eunuch, here’s what we’re going to do. Go get some fugu extract from the Imperial Pharmacy! Go yourself and be careful, it’s very toxic!
I will consult the Shennong bencao jing (3) book, I will certainly have answers on how to proceed.
Then we’ll speak with His Majesty and the court physicians—they must have the final say.

Chief Eunuch, we’ll dismantle this conspiracy. I’m requesting an immediate audience with the emperor—he may already have a plan.
And Her Majesty the Empress must be informed—without delay."

He opened a drawer and pulled out a jar of black powder and a small vial of dark liquid. He handed them to Dok-Man.

— "This is activated charcoal. The emperor must take it right after Gol-Ta’s potion. It’ll neutralize the poison he ingests today. Half a teacup after each meal, discreetly.
It won’t remove the poison already in his system, but it’s a start. Brew some very strong tea and add two drops of this belladonna extract—it’ll help relieve his muscle pain and headaches."

"Chief Eunuch, I can’t promise the emperor will survive. But either way—we must stay calm, stay sharp, and give it everything we have."

Dok-Man straightened, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. He felt lighter, reassured. Sharing his fears had lifted the weight from his chest. The Grand Chancellor’s strength and resolve gave him courage again.

— "My Lord, I am your servant," he said, bowing low. Then, with a final nod, he hurried out.

Tal Tal sighed and shook his head. Nothing was certain—neither the emperor’s recovery, nor the outcome of the conspiracy. The palace would never stop being a battlefield of power and betrayal, where glory walked hand-in-hand with cruelty. Hatred bred hatred, and so hatred would never end.

Time to go see the emperor.

Chapter Text

A year later

- “No, no, no, Your Majesty! I shall not comply with your request. Please do not insist!”

- “But Sagwonnim, I am asking nothing new. Goryeo already enjoys those concessions. This is merely to formalise them, and His Majesty agrees… Why do you refuse?”

“Your Majesty, Goryeo already enjoys far more privileges than the other countries annexed to the empire. Should I ratify this measure, the other kingdoms would demand equal treatment, and I could not extend it to them!”

For more than an hour TalTal and the Empress had been disputing the amendments to the commercial treaties binding the imperial provinces and the annexed countries. As usual, Seung Nyang was trying to negociate the best for Goryeo.
The debate was animated yet cordial. The tension lay in the manner, not the matter. No animosity was exchanged, a petulant pout from the Empress, one eyebrow raised on the unreadable face of the Grand Chancellor—such were the only visible tokens of discord.

Many months had passed since the tragic winter events that brought the Emperor to the brink of death after the poisoning carried out by his eunuch, Gol-Ta, and the elimination of the conspirators who had planned his abdication and murder. TalTal and the physicians had resorted to an experimental treatment, administering an antagonist poison that very nearly killed him. Yet the Emperor was young and strong. He survived, and his condition was slowly improving. Too weak, however, to reign, he had entrusted seals and sovereign power to the Empress until his complete recovery.
Since then, Seung Nyang and the Grand Chancellor met every morning to shape the reforms, decrees and decisions they deemed essential. Over time they had forged a very efficient and complementary tandem. They could read each other at a glance, agreed on nearly every file, and pushed forward the vital renovations of the Empire.
The atmosphere was studious yet relaxed. It was even whispered that the Empress … laughed—an extraordinary occurrence, no one having heard the Empress laugh before, so naturally, so spontaneously, in this austere and dangerous palace.
Their efforts were starting to show results, trade had resumed, poverty was less violent, hope was rising even though the empire remained fragile and the rumors of rebellion in the South-East were alarming.

That day's meeting was coming to an end. The Grand Chancellor turned to the Empress, his expression grave.

- “Your Majesty, the news from the front are not good. The imperial army has been unable to resist the advance of the rebel troops. Reinforcements must be sent. It is possible that I will engage myself in this war. I will inform you of my intentions by tomorrow”.

Seung Nyang turned pale. Clouds were gathering again—war, misery, death…
Yet the thought that struck her most was the departure of TalTal. She cherished those informal councils, their precious and sincere complicity. Sagwonnim was more than a counsellor — he was a confidant, a mirror of her own soul. With him, she had no need to pretend. She could speak openly, freely! Their political partnership was rooted in trust and respect, but had also become, quietly, a refuge. How could she survive without him?
She looked at him, trying to read his thoughts—but as always, his features remained expressionless.

- “But Sagwonnim, do you really need to engage in this battle yourself? Can’t your generals act in your name?”

- “Alas, Your Majesty, I am probably the only one who can unite what remains of the imperial army. Some of the soldiers have already deserted or worse, joined the rebels. This must be stopped, and authority must be restored.
“Your Grace, I will tell you tomorrow what I intend to do. I will leave with confidence, knowing the empire's fate is safe in your hands!”

- “Sagwonnim, please don’t leave”, she whispered, her voice betraying a hint of desperation.

Taltal met her gaze for a brief moment, his usually impassive expression softening ever so slightly.

- “Your Majesty”, he replied, his voice calm, though there was a hint of sadness in his tone, “I am not leaving forever. My duty calls me, and the empire needs me at the front. But rest assured, I will return. You must continue to lead in my absence. Be brave and strong, as you always have been!”

Seung Nyang wanted to protest, to beg him to stay, but she knew it was futile. Taltal had always put the empire first, above all else, even above his own desires. He was a man of unwavering duty, and she couldn’t change that.

- “I know you must go”, she said softly, trying to steady her voice, “but... I will miss you, Sagwonnim. You have been my closest ally, my friend! I... I don’t know if I can manage without you.”

Taltal’s eyes softened further, but he said nothing, simply giving a respectful bow of his head.

The next day, at dawn

Seung Nyang found Tal Tal on the walkway to the library, clad in armor, silent like a farewell already written. The rebels were about to cross the Yellow River — Kambalik stood on the edge of danger. His departure could no longer be delayed.

He held her gaze. His pale face was a mask of sorrow and resolve.
Seung Nyang’s heart faltered.
What if he never returned? If the empire crumbled?
Where would she run? What could she do? Could she even survive without him?

Still, Tal Tal stared at her — and as though he could hear the storm in her mind, he spoke:

“If I don’t return…”

He paused — just a breath, the space of a heartbeat.
Perhaps he meant to say something else.
Something more intimate.
But he held back.

“…Kambalik will be in danger. Go north. The Mongolian steppes are wide and empty.
You’ll find shelter there. And perhaps… a future.”

He bowed deeply. Then turned.
And in a blink, he was gone.

She remained on the bridge — motionless. Crushed by the weight of what was left unsaid.

A shadow fell over her thoughts. The Emperor. Ayu. The empire…

She was alone. Terribly alone.

Wang Yu. Sagwonnim. Both had protected her. Guided her. Loved her in their own way.
The Emperor loved her, too — but he was so fragile… Would he survive the storm to come? Could she still protect him?

And Sagwonnim…
Why hadn’t she said anything? Why hadn’t she begged him to come back ?
Why hadn’t she screamed that she couldn’t live without him? That she loved him?

But was it love like what she’d felt for Wang Yu? Or for the Emperor?
No. It was something else.
Something quieter. Truer.
A love without schemes, without fear. The love of soulmates — even if fate forbade it. Even if the world said it was impossible.

Maybe he, too, had wanted to say something before leaving.
But now it was too late.
He was gone. And she had said nothing.

Perhaps…
Perhaps silence was best, after all.

Chapter Text

- “No, Nanya, we will not head North! Not today!! Not yet! It’s too early! I don’t want to be the coward who abandons his people to the enemy “…

The Emperor paced back and forth in the imperial room, looking anxious but determined. Seung Nyang tried to convince him to leave, but the news from the front was conflicting and unclear.

- “Paeha, the grand Chancellor TalTal has died in battle, the army can no longer help us. What will we do if the enemy invades Kambalik? Commander Park will not be able to protect us... Think of your son, Paeha, his safety !

- “Nanya, it’s for him that we will stay in Kambalik. Do you imagine what he will think of me, if I flee at the first sign of difficulty? I understand your despair, I share it! TalTal’s death is a great loss, but it is not yet the army’s defeat “!

- “But Paeha, it was the grand Chancellor himself who advised us to head North! These rebels are violent and determined! Why don’t you want to anticipate our defeat “?

- “No, don’t insist, Nanya, we won’t leave. And this is actually the advice that came to me from the grand Chancellor himself, before his passing “.
“It’s top secret, but you have the right to know. The army has not been defeated, it has strategically retreated to better resist. TalTal and his men carried out decisive actions against the rebels to secure the soldiers and prepare a new offensive. Unfortunately, the grand Chancellor did not survive, and this is very bad news. But his generals are skilled, and I trust them. We will do everything we can to assist them, send resources, weapons, everything we can find. It was TalTal’s last wish, my Nanya, we must be strong, for us, for Ayu, for the country “!

Seung Nyang felt utterly devastated deep inside. Sagwonnim probably sacrificed himself to save the army and the country, and also to save her, Seung Nyang, as he had done so many times! Why did the men she loved have to die one after the other? Was it so she could live?

It was unbearable, Sagwonnim was dead! Brave, smart, yet reckless TalTal! She would never see him again, talk to him, laugh with him, confide in him. He would no longer be there to listen to her, to comfort her… Seung Nyang remembered that spring night, after Wang Yu's assassination. Her grief had led her, almost unconsciously, to TalTal's library (see Chapter 1). She remembered his gentleness, his compassion, how much he had supported, consoled, calmed her... She had felt so safe in his arms, as if time had stopped, as if nothing bad could happen to her as long as she was there, nestled against him, as if she was again a little child, in the protected world of childhood... He, her dearest friend, who knew everything about her life and her soul…
How would she survive this new ordeal? Would it never end?
She couldn’t confide in Paeha, he wouldn’t understand. Worse, he would get angry, misinterpret her feelings, think himself offended! She felt overwhelmed by despair.
"I see you're not just crying for the Empire, Nanya!" said the Emperor, nodding his head.

He looked at her with tenderness and concern, and a little barely perceptible annoyance.
Yet she loved him, this fragile and strong man, courageous in adversity, but so moody, indecisive… She was struck by a feeling of shame at her selfishness, her lack of loyalty to him, crying for the loss of TalTal and Wang Yu, while Paeha was there, alive! In that moment finally, nothing else mattered!

- “Paeha, tell me, I need to know! How TalTal restored hope within the army? How did he lead his offensive? How did he die?

A Few Days Ago

The meeting had been going on for hours under the headquarters’ tent, with TalTal, his aides de camp, the twins Jamal and Musin, and the imperial army generals. The army's situation was chaotic, with ragged, starving, demoralized soldiers. Desertions were in the dozens, the rebels' pressure was relentless, as was their numerical superiority! This rebellion of misery, the result of decades of corruption by the Yuan empire, was determined and violent. Only a few hundred soldiers remained in the imperial army, cornered on a bend of the river, surrounded by thousands of Red Ribbon warriors, whose advance seemed unstoppable! The rebel movement had begun a few months earlier, around Luoning County in Henan, and was steadily spreading towards Chengzhou and the great plain of the eastern delta. The red ribbon troops were about to cross the river and head North towards Kambalik.

The generals were pessimistic, despite the arrival of TalTal and his men which had brought a little hope. The room for maneuver was minimal, and most importantly, the exhausted soldiers had lost the will to fight or obey orders.

TalTal, as usual, had spoken little, listened a lot, and thought even more. Almost absent from the discussion, he carefully studied a map of the area. Finally, he spoke calmly but with authority.

- “Gentlemen, “To win without fighting” is one of the greatest principles of our master Sun Tzu! The rebels’ numerical superiority forces us into this strategy, at least for now. The enemy believes us weak and helpless. We must use this weakness to our advantage, as they can’t imagine that we would consider taking action. We will divert their attention with a ruse“.

“The first priority is to secure the army and restore the troops’ morale. The only solution is to cross the river then take the valley behind the mountain. The route is steep and difficult, but it will be much safer than the riverbank.

Pointing to the staff map, TalTal continued his strategic explanation. The room listened in complete silence.

- “Access to the other shore depends on two bridges: the Western Bridge, here next to our camp, where most of the enemy's troops are gathered, and the Eastern Bridge, about 4 miles away. It's less well-guarded because the rebels do not suspect us. These are wooden bridges, guarded by about fifty men on each side. It seems that the rebels are relaxing their surveillance at night. Furthermore, the rebel forces haven't fully deployed on the other side of the river yet“.

- “We will blow up the Eastern Bridge. The surprise and chaos caused by the explosion will divert the enemy's attention and make them rush to this area. Post observers to check troop movements near the Western bridge next to our camp. At their signal, immediately bring the soldiers across the bridge. Be prepared to fight the remaining rebel soldiers, including those on the other side. You should have the advantage of numbers, don't get caught out !
When you are on the other side, blow up the bridge to prevent the enemy from following you!
“Jamal, Musin, and I will carry out the offensive action against the Eastern Bridge. We'll need explosives, fuses, and oil “.

- “Don’t wait for our return! We will join you in the valley as soon as possible, by our own means. Don’t take any initiative before we arrive“.
“Jamal, ensure the soldiers are provided with food and water. Make sure they eat enough to regain their strength and give them new uniforms. Let them rest for a few hours “.
- “To deceive the enemy’s vigilance, Musin, transport tree trunks to shoulder height throughout the camp. Lay uniforms and helmets on them to simulate the presence of soldiers. The deception is crude, but it should create the illusion at night. “

- “Gentlemen, the operation is tonight. Be ready” !

The generals exchanged looks, stunned! The plan seemed highly risky. What if the enemy soldiers didn’t immediately disperse toward the explosion site? What if the army was attacked on the bridge? What if the explosion failed? How could the army reach the valley during the night, once across the river? Wasn’t the enemy already on the other side? And how could TalTal return?

TalTal listened. His uncle Bae-Khan’s words came to mind, remembering his own concern about SeungNyang’s candidacy for the concubine contest a few years earlier… These words, full of wisdom and courage, resonated in his mind once again, and he repeated them to his generals.

- “Gentlemen, we can’t gain anything without taking risks. The greater our ambition, the greater our need for courage. Tonight, we’ll need even more courage! Fear leads nowhere “!

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The night was very dark, dimly lit by the ashen light of the old moon. The weather fortunately, was dry. Three masked men, dressed in black, moved stealthily along the river, avoiding the campfires lit by the rebel troops.

In the camps scattered along the bank, men feasted and drank heavily, convinced of their easy victory over the Yuan soldiers the next day. Their observers had said, the soldiers from the imperial army were peacefully sleeping in their camp, poor fools! The air was thick with incense, to greet the arrival of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, and with him, the victory of light over darkness. This was what the White Lotus Sect and the great generals of the Red Turban, Han Shantong and Liu Futong, had promised them. Paradise awaited them, and they felt invincible!

Arrived at the bridge without incident, the small commando skillfully scaled the pillar closest to the shore. With precise movements, they hung a net under the arch, within the bridge’s span. Carefully, they attached several gourds filled with black powder, in which they introduced fuses that dangled nearly to the bottom of the pillar.

- “Musin, Jamal, we need to make sure the rebel troops gather on the bridge. Go spread oil at 3 or 4 spots, then light it and get to safety. Be very careful! As soon as the soldiers have gathered on the bridge, I’ll light the fuses and blow everything up. Go, don’t waste time “!

Jamal and Musin never questioned TalTal's orders. Like acrobats, they silently climbed back onto the bridge and disappeared into the night. Within minutes, several fires broke out inexplicably amidst the shouts, screams, and contradictory orders coming from both sides of the shore. As TalTal had anticipated, the Red Turban soldiers, panicked, began rushing in from all directions, trying to extinguish the fires with blankets and water buckets.

Spontaneous combustion on a bridge over water was rare…
The Yuan enemy must have infiltrated!

“It’s a trap, get off the bridge!” shouted an officer.

The soldiers, like ants, turned in circles, pushing and shoving in every direction!

Now was the time to light the fuses!

Good Lord! Most of the fuses were on the ground, useless!
Damn it! Why hadn’t they checked their setup??? All hope of success was over!
He had failed !!! Good Lord! He had failed !!!! Holy shit !!! What a mess !

No ! No way ! He wouldn't give up ! There was another way...
Well, he’d be spotted, he might lose his life...

To Hell with it!
It was a matter of honor—his honor, the Merkid’s, his family’s, his clan’s, the honor of the Yuan Empire, the honor of the Empress for whom he was fighting...

His decision was made!

TaTal lit an arrow dipped in oil, bent his bow, he must not tremble...... “For you, Seung Nyang “...

He shot...

A gigantic tongue of fire tore through the night, flooding the river with a bright light, sending sparks flying in all directions. Simultaneously, a massive explosion shook the ground, causing rocks to fall from cliffs, trees to tumble, and horses to panic! Within seconds, the bridge exploded into pieces, sending soldiers into the violent torrent of the river, amidst a rain of beams, planks, wood splinters, cables, scrap metal, and all sorts of debris, like a raging hurricane, in a doomsday spectacle!

The panic was indescribable. On the riverbank, part of the rebel troops tried to flee, while others attempted to approach. Orders were contradictory, and the soldiers didn’t know what to do or where to go! In the confusion, those at the back kept pushing forward, unaware that those at the front were trying to retreat, only to be suffocated and crushed by the arriving crowd.

Furious, spitting with rage, Jie Zhao, one of the rebel leaders, yelled at a few soldiers!

- "WHO did this?" he yelled, mad with rage. WHO?
“You idiots! Morons! Good-for-nothing! Didn’t you notice anything? Did no one see these assholes? Who were those bastards?
How many were they ?”

- “Sir, we saw a warrior! He shot a flaming arrow at the bridge, and then there was the explosion!”

- “A warrior? Just one? Morons, idiots, we should have stopped him! Find him, he couldn’t have escaped in this mess! What did he look like?”

- “Sir, we couldn’t see him clearly, but he was tall and red-haired!”

- “A redhead mongol warrior ??? TALTAL !

No doubt! It’s that bastard! Only this scum could come up with a plan like this!
This crap! Mongol dog !!!
Find him! Bring him here! Alive! Death is too sweet for this shit! My revenge will be terrible...”

His words were interrupted by another massive explosion, deafening, from further West !
The Western bridge had just blown up!
The panic, confusion, and disaster were unthinkable, unimaginable!

The Yuan soldiers had wrecked the river crossing ! "The rebels' triumphant advance was crushed." The invasion and siege of Kambalik could not take place as planned...
They had been too confident, too intoxicated by their easy victories!

But Jie Zhao should have known better, it would take more to impress someone like TalTal!
They had to find that bastard!

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The explosion had thrown TalTal several meters away, to the edge of the cliff.
Stunned, deafened by the noise, he struggled to regain his senses and didn’t immediately realize that the howling pack rushing towards him was after him! Realizing finally, he got up to flee. But where to? No escape was possible from any side!

Would he let himself be captured like some ordinary loser? He knew the cruelty of the rebel warriors, their resentment, their hatred of the mongol Empire! This, combined with the humiliation inflicted by the destruction of the two bridges, the halted victorious march, the death of the soldiers— all of this predicted the worst for him if he fell into their hands!

What to do? As always, TalTal thought quickly about what he could do…
The soldiers would be on him in seconds…
No other option in sight!

He gathered himself, took a deep breath… and jumped into the raging river, in a rain of arrows falling around him!

Hidden in an enfractosity of the cliff, Jamal and Musin had watched the scene, powerless. They had seen TalTal try to escape the rebel soldiers, trapped at the cliff’s edge, with no other choice but to be captured, or attempt this dramatic, reckless, insane maneuver! They had seen him dive into the muddy, raging river, even clinging to some debris, then disappear again… His chances of survival were nonexistent.
With heavy hearts, the twin brothers resumed their journey westward, toward the mountain and the valley where the imperial army awaited them, safe for now.
The plan had succeeded beyond their highest expectations. The army would be able to regroup and resist better.

They had to inform the Emperor. The Empire could still be saved!

Even so, they were still going to wait a few days before acting…
With TalTal, nothing was ever really over. The hope that he could come back, even very faint, persisted in their hearts!
Nevertheless, they would follow his will, the Grand Chancellor was dead!

Chapter Text

Two days later – A small village lost in the mountains, near Chengzhu

Gengi ! Gengi ! Gengi, where are you, come back! ... Gengi, the ghosts will take me away if you go, please, come back Gengi...

A child was running, crying along the cliff, desperately calling for her cat. Once again Bao, the neighbor's son, had come to shake his rattle drum, shouting behind the house, and Gengi, terrified, had run away... Father would be angry ! She wasn’t allowed to go so far outside the village, but finding her cat was more important than anything ! Suddenly, she saw him, over there, a small black dot on the riverbank, and she ran down into the bushes and wild grasses. The cat was there, half-hidden behind a pile of rocks! He was waiting, on alert, seeming to watch something.

Shan, the child approached, her heart racing.

Gengi, come my cat! What did you see? Tell me Gengi?

There, washed up like a dead animal, a man was laying, motionless, his body half-submerged in the river! His hands were clenched on reeds as if he had tried to pull himself out of the water. Dried streaks of blood had crusted on his face and upper body, soaking into the ground, mingling with his hair and the mud, forming a strange coppery halo around his head. His torn black clothes barely concealed a horrible wound on his left flank. He still had a bow strapped across his back in his quiver, and a belt to which a saber was attached, the handle of which was carved from onyx in the shape of a falcon. He was a soldier, a mongol soldier!

Frightened, Shan let out a scream and instinctively ran away. However, piqued by curiosity, she cautiously returned, slowly approached the body, hesitantly touching the soldier's skin... Cold, Icy !! Was he dead ? She shook him gently... no response! She shook harder! And heard a moan, an almost inaudible whimper... The man had moved his lips, he was alive!

Panicked, Shan ran to ask her father for help!!

Zhang Liang, Shan's father, was a middle-class official. He did his best to carry out various administrative tasks within his village, near Gongyi in Henan. The region was poor, mountainous, far from the rich Eastern Plain, and life was harsh in winter, but he liked it.
Liang was a thin, fine man, with a smiling face, regular features, and a flat nose. He had a strong moral rigor, a sense of humor, and loved his work.

But that was before!
Before when life was happy,
When all those he loved were there,
When he believed that his simple happiness would last forever...
It was before Tian, his son, left with other young men from the village to fight the Red Turban Rebellion. They had no choice, it was an imperial order. They had to join the army!
And then, there had been that late summer morning when a messenger came to announce the dreadful news, Tian and his companions had been killed in battle. None would return, all hope was in vain...

Mei, his wife, could not bear it. She let herself die of despair...
“I’m going to find Tian, she had said. He is all alone over there, in the afterlife! He needs me...
I entrust Shan to you, you will take care of her, you are a good father!”
And she had left, leaving him alone with his despair and his ghosts, and little Shan who was only 7 years old!

More than 20 moons had passed since that time, an eternity without Mei, without Tian…
Life for him had stopped!
Since then, Shan did everything in the house, took care of the garden, cooked, trying to keep her father alive.
Zhang Liang no longer wanted anything. Mei and Tian were gone, what was the point?
Yet he adored Shan, this endearing, intelligent child, so young and so mature. He tried to be a father to her, for the promise he had made to Mei to love her, to protect her... Master Confucius had said that one should not think of the dead, one should focus on daily life. But in reality, he was desperate. He no longer wanted to live! Leaving for the afterlife, finding Mei, Tian, he often thought about it! But what about his promise? What would happen to Shan if he did not keep it?

The sight of the wounded soldier provoked an immediate rejection in him!

-“ No Shan, no way! Not in my house! “
“A soldier of the army, a mongol soldier !”
“Shan, it’s the Mongols who killed Tian and Mei, you know that!”
“Let’s not get involved, it’s not our business! There have been many deaths lately, on both sides of the war! One more dead, so what!”
Confucius, the Master said “Do not seek to meddle in affairs that are not your responsibility.”
So too bad for him! Come Shan, let’s go home!

- “But father, he looks like Tian, like big brother... We must save him... The ghosts said so !”

- “You’re talking nonsense, Shan ! Your imagination is making you lose your mind ! You dare compare Tian to this man? What are you talking about? That’s enough! Let’s go home !”

- “Father, I beg you, save him ! He will die if we do nothing ! I will take care of him, I will do everything you want, I won’t bother you ! Father, please..”.

On her knees, Shan trembled convulsively, her head in her hands, sobbing inconsolably...

Zhang Liang had no desire to give in to his daughter’s whim! Helping a mongol soldier disgusted him ! He did not understand why Shan wanted to help this mongol, this foreigner who belonged to another people, an empire that oppressed the chinese. He looked at her with concern.
Was Shan questioning her father’s authority, the very essence of confucianism, the principles he had taught her?
Sweet, discreet, adorable Shan, who showed him so much devotion, love, respect ! Did he really know well his little girl? Had he cared about her suffering, her loneliness ? Shan, who was about to turn 10 ? Had he tried to find out how she was growing up, what she liked, what she wanted ?
No, he hadn’t tried ! He was too wrapped up in his own grief. And Shan never talked to him about her fears, her childhood anxieties, her dreams. What could this discovery of the man possibly mean to her ? What was she interpreting ? What was he going to do ?

Annoyed, unhappy, especially with himself, he loaded the soldier onto his back. Together they climbed the slope back to the house, hoping that no one would notice them.

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It was a small wooden house with a thatched roof, a garden, flowers, and a fountain. A house that must have represented happiness once, when everyone was there! A wooden lattice partition, covered with translucent paper, separated two small bedrooms from the large central room. The floor was raised along the walls and arranged as sleeping areas with rush mats and cushions...

The man was laying on a mat, motionless. A blood-stained bandage wrapped around his head. Other bandages surrounded his shoulder and left flank. He had an athletic, muscular body, golden skin marked with scars and wounds... His pale face framed by magnificent long, coppery hair was shadowed by a budding beard. He still had not regained consciousness since the evening when Shan and her father rescued him two days earlier.

Sitting on a small stool, Shan did not take her eyes off him. Fascinated, she could not tire of looking at him. She had never seen anyone so beautiful, perhaps not as beautiful as big brother, but certainly different, older too... She moved closer, caressing his fine, straight nose, the eyelids stretched towards the temples, the well-defined mouth, the slightly prominent Adam's apple...

Suddenly, a hand seized her wrist, immobilizing her, preventing the child from moving...
The stranger was looking at her... With black, impenetrable, cold, unreadable eyes ! Not hostile, nor aggressive... No emotion, not even questions, a terrifying gaze !

Panicked, the child tried to struggle! She wanted to flee, disappear, hide, escape from that unfathomable and mysterious gaze which seemed about to engulf her...

But the pressure on her wrist relaxed ! The stranger took her hand gently and smiled...

Shan felt her heart explode...

“You… you’re awake?” she whispered. “Does it hurt a lot? Would you like some water?”

He didn’t answer but gave a slight nod. His hand never let go of hers. Shan felt her cheeks flush. She stood, hesitated, then dashed to the kitchen to take a pitcher of fresh water

“Baba! Baba!! He’s awake! He looked at me! He smiled at me!”

“Really?” Liang burst from the room where he’d been dozing. “Quick—bring some hot water.”

He laid a hand on the wounded man’s brow.

“The fever’s gone… Save your strength, don’t talk. You’re safe here.”

The man nodded weakly. He closed his eyes while Liang peeled away the bandages to replace them with fresh poultices, his movements steady, precise, unexpectedly gentle.

When Shan returned with fresh water, she found him propped against the cushions, his gaze still misted with fever—but clearer.

“Can you drink by yourself? Do you want me to help?” she asked, kneeling beside him.

He nodded again. He slowly drank a sip of water. A faint tremor crossed his face—pleasure, perhaps, or emotion.

Shan watched, wide-eyed. He was alive. It felt like a dream.

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The hunt for the mongol soldier by the Red Turban rebels had taken on enormous, almost irrational proportions, all to find a man very likely dead in the muddy waters of the river.
But general Jie Zhao of the rebel army did not want to hear anything and was clearly making it a personal matter. « If a corpse does not appear, you are not dead » he said! He was convinced that the mongol was alive, hidden in some rocky corner or in a village house. Portraits of the fugitive had been plastered everywhere in the surrounding towns and villages. A reward of 5000 Chaos was promised to anyone who provided information, and conversely, hiding the fugitive would be punished immediately with death for the entire family and entourage.

Zhang Liang was worried. He should never have given in to his daughter! He had put her in danger by accepting her request, by taking this man under his roof. It made no sense! How was he going to hide this?
The stranger had to leave! As soon as possible! That evening!

Yet, Liang had grown fond of this man after all. He had shown himself to be respectful, grateful, and deferential towards Liang and Shan ! He had expressed his compassion and sorrow when Liang spoke of Tian's and Mei's deaths! He had acknowledged the Yuan Empire's responsibility for the Red Turban rebellion, even though he himself could only fight it. He knew how little regard the empire's leaders had for the people! He hoped to be able to change things, he would try if he had the time. Liang had no idea that the wounded and weakened soldier before him was the most powerful leader in the Empire after the Emperor, but he sensed that the man had some power, and he was willing to trust him...

But it was becoming too complicated, too dangerous for everyone!
The stranger would understand!

Someone knocked on the door, called for Liang, tried to enter. It was probably Xin Dao, his neighbor. The man was unreliable, a liar, a coward, ready to do anything for money. Liang felt faint, things would not go well if Xin Dao entered the house. Taking his courage in both hands, he went to meet this troublesome neighbor.

Short, squat, with furtive and sneaky eyes, Xin Dao inspired neither sympathy nor trust. He was always in the worst-case scenario!

“The soldiers of Jie Zhao were going to raze the village, burn everything, all for what? For nothing? No one had seen the fugitive! What did Liang think? And where was Shan? She hadn’t been seen for several days! Was she sick?”

“Still, this fugitive, it would be good to find him and hand him over to the rebels! For everyone's safety! For the destruction of the bridges that angered the rebels! What did it matter in the end, mongols or rebels? What could be done about it? It was war!”

“Really, no one had seen the fugitive ? Neither Liang nor Shan?
Well, we haven’t seen anything either!”

“Curious to know why Jie Zhao wanted this warrior so badly ! In wartime, the dead...”

Realizing the blunder he had just made, Xin Dao stepped back, stammered, vaguely apologized, and took his leave, not without casting a pointed glance inside the house. He left dragging his feet, disappointed with his visit.

As he exited the courtyard, he suddenly spotted a hard, shiny object on the ground. He bent down to pick it up... it looked like a ring or rather a silver clip like those mongol men use to tie their hair at the top of their heads. This one seemed to be an expensive piece of jewelry, with mongolian calligraphy engraved that meant Toq’toa…

“I knew it! Liang old crap! you’ re a liar... The fugitive is hiding in your house!”

He placed the jewel in his pocket and headed towards the village exit…

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TalTal was sitting against the wall, his head in his hands. The noose was tightening around him. He had to leave as soon as possible! He couldn’t stay in this house, he was putting them in danger—Shan, Liang ... There was no other choice!

He felt so exhausted. His wounds were poorly healed, and he would have to walk for a long time. There was no way he could steal a horse on this side of the river! He was at least 3 or 4 days' walk from his army’s camp, and he had to cross the river! Avoid the rebel troops! He felt despair creeping in…

He thought of Uncle Bae Khan! He never gave up, was afraid of nothing, and didn’t let physical pain stop him! Grand Chancellor Bae Khan may have been overwhelmed by impossible dreams of lost grandeur, but the warrior had never shown the slightest weakness. His courage and heroism remained legendary, and TalTal had always strived to imitate him in what he did best. He wouldn’t pity himself! He would find a way!

He thought of Seung Nyang… She must have learned of his death, the sorrow she must feel saddened him! That she was unhappy because of him grieved him deeply! Seung Nyang, who had already suffered so much, who needed him so much, his support, his friendship... his love?
For her! He had to be strong!!!

- Liang, dear friend, I owe you my life, to you and to Shan. I will find a way to thank you later, when I find my place again, when peace returns, if Buddha helps us!

I must leave now, it is time ! I don’t want to be discovered here and bring harm to both of you!
My army has retreated near the Xinxiang County. I must join them quickly, but I’ll have to cross the river! Do you know which dam would be the closest?

- My Lord, circumstances, alas, do not allow me to keep you here any longer! I am deeply saddened and worried about the dangers that await you on this long journey! But the danger will be even greater if you stay here, and you are right to leave!

There are several dikes in the Kaifeng area, which is very close, two days walk no more! All the dikes are guarded day and night by dozens of soldiers, and it will be difficult to take that way. I see no other option, unfortunately…

TalTal nodded, a dark crease on his face. He would see for himself and left the rest to Buddha and his good fortune.

Shan brought him dark clothes that apparently belonged to Tian, his older brother. He quickly donned them, took his bow and sword, gratefully accepted a few rice balls wrapped in bamboo leaves and a canteen of fresh water, and prepared to leave.
Little Shan was crying desperately! Deeply moved by her grief, saddened that he could do nothing to change things, he knelt down to her level and embraced her.

- Thank you, Shan, you saved me! Without you, I would have died a long time ago… I will never forget you, I will keep you here, in my heart...

TalTal was not a man accustomed to great emotional outbursts, but he held the little girl tightly in his arms. She was so small, so frail, so fragile… What would become of her in this terrible war that was unfolding ? What future would they have in this village at the crossroads between East and West, likely destined to be destroyed, like so many others! War, violence, destruction, lives ruined, lost, the misfortune of humans decided by other humans, human stupidity and hatred, and all that ultimately for nothing, a little fleeting power...
With tears in his eyes, he straightened up, gave Liang a brotherly hug, headed toward the door, but stopped, suddenly on edge ...

A dull noise rose from the far end of the village… Red Turban soldiers were noisily heading toward them! Leading the group, Xin Dao was pointing at the house…

How had this happened? How was it possible? How had he figured out that the mongol soldier was hiding there? Panicked, Liang reacted immediately.

- Quick! The garden! There’s a trapdoor next to the fountain. The passage leads to the other side of the road, into the forest! Hurry!

They rushed to the garden, opened the trapdoor. TalTal rushed into the passage when, seized by a sudden impulse, Liang pushed Shan toward him!

- Take Shan, I beg you, take her! Save my little Shan!!! Leave quickly, please, leave!

- Father, Baba, no ! I don’t want to! Baba, keep me with you ! I beg you, I don’t want to leave you… Baba please !…

They could already hear the dull thuds at the door. Liang quickly closed the trapdoor, retraced his steps! The soldiers had smashed the door open and pushed him roughly!

- Where is he? The soldier! Traitor! You hid a renegade , do you know what that means?

The soldiers were searching everywhere, shouting, but no sign of the mongol! Yet he should have stayed in this house! Where was he?

They started hitting him…

- You will answer, you dog! Where is he? Answer!

Liang was terrified, scared! The blows kept coming relentlessly! Gradually, he sank into unconsciousness and a strange serenity…

Thank God, he had entrusted Shan to the soldier, he had saved Shan, he had kept his promise !
He was not afraid of death. Deep down, he was even happy to be at the end of his life!! He would find Meï and Tian in the other life, where they would be reunited together!

But Shan would not be there. Not yet! She was safe with the soldier! He was sure of it, that man would make it out and would take care of Shan, love her like his own child!

His end was near, these fanatics would not stop until they found the soldier, but he would not speak!

One last effort, a little more resistance to the pain, it was nothing!

- “Meï, I’m coming, I love you, wait for me…”

Chapter Text

Pitch black. You couldn’t see a thing in the narrow tunnel. Barely wide enough for a man to pass through, not tall enough to stand… The air was stifling. Mold. Rot. Something dead. Was this a passage to the forest, or the gateway to Di Yu, the underworld?

TalTal pushed forward, struggling. With Shan in his arms, he could barely move — and even without her, the darkness would’ve slowed him down. He was out of breath, lungs burning from the damp air, the mold, the lack of oxygen. He felt nauseous, his head spinning, pain stabbing harder and harder into his left side. He had no idea where he was going. Turning back was not an option.

He’d barely had time to stop Shan from screaming when Liang sealed the trapdoor above them, burying them in blackness. She’ d fought, crying, punching, calling for her father. He had scooped her up and plunged into the dark. Running — with no plan, no idea what came next. He’d figure it out later. If there was a "later…"

It had all happened so fast. No time to object. Liang had said nothing, asked nothing. Had he planned this? How could he entrust his daughter to a total stranger — a hunted man, a fugitive with a death warrant on his head?
But TalTal remembered that look. Liang’s steady, confident gaze as he closed the trapdoor. No tears. No farewell. Just a firm grip on the shoulder, and a hushed command: “Protect her. She’s all I have left.”

And him? He had said nothing. He hadn’t objected. He hadn’t refused. He hadn’t known what to say. Maybe because of the urgency? Or because, in that look, he had seen himself…?

But how could he care for a child? He—a soldier without a home, heir to a clan that lived only in chronicles, Grand Chancellor of a dying empire, where each day brought another disaster… He, whose heart burned for a woman he could never have… He wasn’t ready to be a father. Not now. Maybe not ever.
And yet… could he abandon her? After what she had just endured? After watching her life destroyed—partly because of him?

No time to think. Just move. Escape Jie Zhao. Escape death.

A dim grey light appeared ahead—the end of the tunnel. TalTal emerged into the forest and inhaled deeply. Shan was still asleep in his arms. He set her down gently and caught his breath. They were just outside the village — Liang hadn’t lied. But they hadn’t gone far enough. The Red Turbans would be swarming the area soon. They had to go East, reach the dams, cross the river.

In the distance, a glow, then crackling, screams… The village was on fire.
Liang and Shan’s home — engulfed in flames.

Always the same reprisals. Looting. Torching. The defeated were never granted mercy. They had to leave, quickly!
Shan must not see this!

Too late!
Woken by the cold, the little girl took a few steps. TalTal wasn’t fast enough. She stood on a small rise, eyes wide, mouth open!

“Father…”

TalTal approached cautiously, reaching out his hand.
She spun around, eyes wide with horror and hatred.

“Don’t come near me!” she hissed. “I don’t want you! I hate you! I want my father! I want to go home!”

She ran, vanishing into the trees.

TalTal stood frozen. His heart clenched ! Everything was moving too fast. He had to catch her, protect her! She didn’t know, her father was likely dead! She had nothing left! If she went back, she would die too…

Shan was fast, branches tearing at her arms, breath ragged. She knew every tree, every path. She had to get away from the stranger—never see him again! He frightened her. It was his fault everything had burned. Because of him, they’d fled into that cursed tunnel. She didn’t even know if her father was alive… Shan felt guilty! She had begged so hard to help that soldier—what had she caused by pleading with her father? Her father who didn’t want to…

Baba! My Baba, where are you? I’m sorry! I love you so much! Please wait for me, I’m coming…

She had no time to think further!
Two figures emerged suddenly.
Two soldiers.
Two Red Turbans.

They snickered when they saw her, then shoved her to the ground.

“Well, what do we have here? A little rice-stealing rat, huh?”

“A rat? More like a scorpion. And scorpions—well, they’re venomous. Best to crush ’em when they’re small. Easier that way.”

They grabbed her by the collar with vulgar laughter. A thick hand clamped around her neck, squeezing tighter and tighter… She couldn’t breathe! Couldn’t scream! Tears of terror streamed down her cheeks. She was going to die…

And then—nothing!

The hand let go. The soldier stumbled, eyes wide, then collapsed.
His comrade tried to react—too late. He too fell, struck down.

Behind them stood TalTal, sword drawn, panting. He rushed to her side.

“Shan! Are you hurt? Come on, we have to go! The others will come looking… hurry!”

Shan was shaking. Exhausted. Terrified. A storm of sobs erupted. She cried for her father, for her mother Meï, for her brother, for her cat Genji—sobbing in sheer despair…

TalTal remained silent. He understood. He knew. But there was nothing to say. Nothing to do—except run.

Shan looked at the two bodies. Then at the man—the soldier, the killer—who had saved her.
Was this her life now?

She didn’t want this life! She wanted to go home, see her father’s loving eyes again, her garden, her cat… But something told her that nothing would ever come back. Not her home, not her childhood already scared by the loss of her mother, her beloved brother, and now likely her father, too, gone to join them…
She had no one left.
Was there any choice but to follow this stranger? Who looked at her with such silent pleading, desperation, tenderness… and compassion?

Was it really the gaze of a killer?

Hesitantly, she slid her hand into TalTal’s. He looked at her, wordless. Shan lowered her eyes. She was scared. She was broken. But she would trust him…

They disappeared into the forest.
They walked for hours. They had to gain time, widen the gap between them and the enemy. Nothing could stop the Red Turban army now. The bridges TalTal had destroyed would buy only a few days… No more!
But sometimes, a few days are enough to change the course of history…

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The rebel army was advancing eastward, following the Yellow River from Henan. A flood of fighters, workers, and angry peasants rising up against mongol rule, famine, crushing taxes, and endless labor. Each one wore a red scarf — symbol of their hope, their faith in the coming of the Maitreya Buddha. Victory felt close. Almost too close to believe.

But then... a setback!
The two main bridges West of Kaifeng had been blown up. Three hundred soldiers died in the blasts and chaos. The river was now a barrier. The dams couldn’t handle the weight of an army this size.
They’d have to go around. Take the long way through the marshes past Chengzhou — dangerous terrain, unpredictable floods, and villages that weren’t eager to join the cause…
Morale was slipping!

How had the Mongols — who were supposed to be finished — pulled this off?
Who could’ve done it?

One name kept coming back. Over and over. TALTAL.

He was alive. He had been seen. Traces had been found. That mountain village. Dead soldiers. Cut down by a sword...

General Jie Zhao was livid. His fists clenched. He recognized the work.
That dog’s still breathing. Not for long.

“He’s heading for Kaifeng,” he muttered. “Good. Let him come. Get the troops ready.
This time — we take him down.

Chapter Text

Kaifeng, once the shining capital of Henan under the Song dynasty, now lay in ruins—ghostly and forgotten. The city never recovered from the devastating floods that smashed its infrastructure and crushed its economy. Widespread corruption had severely weakened the authority of the mongol administration. Misery and famine had settled in for good. The Red Turban rebels imposed their law, and the city seemed abandoned to itself.

TalTal, face hidden beneath a wide conical hat, moved cautiously along the walls, holding Shan’s hand. He was heading toward the Yamen, the government seat, hoping to find help to get back to Kambalik. However, the place was nothing but a field of ashes. Ravaged by a recent fire, only scorched walls remained, immersed in a suffocating cloud of ochre dust. Everywhere, wretches wandered, mutilated, gaunt, shouting their anger at those responsible for their plight — the rebels, the fleeing army, and the Mongol rulers who’d abandoned them.

TalTal and Shan took refuge behind fallen pillars, silently observing the scene, alert for the slightest danger. As they tried to decide their next move, a Red Turban rebel, evidently confident, roughly shoved them aside.

“Hey, commoners! Clear the way for the new lords!”

The rebel’s haughty tone irritated TalTal, especially as he thought he recognized the voice. He approached cautiously.

“Suri? Is that you?” he asked, surprised.

The young man froze, spinning around. His face showed shock and disbelief.

“General? So, the posters were true… You’re alive!”

“What are you doing dressed like that? Have you changed sides?”

“I’m doing business, General. But here survival demands compromises. I had to ally with the rebels, just to stay alive.”

“And your convictions? Have they become mere accessories too?” TalTal replied gravely.
“Well ! Let’s admit it ! Have you any news from Kambalik?”

Suri ignored the accusation and quickly gave what he knew.

“The news of your death threw everything into chaos. Kambalik is falling apart. The emperor appointed Berke-Buqa Grand Counselor. A disaster. He’s got no authority and no sense. The southern grain was stolen by pirates led by Fang Guozhen… your old enemy. Famine worsens, and plague spreads. The army was recalled to maintain order in the capital. No serious resistance remains against the rebels, except a few cities still holding out…”

TalTal’s face hardened.

“And the imperial family? The Empress?”

“The Empress never accepted Berke-Buqa’s appointment. She withdrew to the HeungDeok palace with the crown prince, the concubines, her Goryeo entourage, and the eunuchs Bang and Maek Saeng.”

TalTal clenched his teeth.

“Berke-Buqa… an arrogant failure. What was the emperor thinking? Who’s pulling his strings?”.

Suri stepped closer, eyes shining with a hope he no longer tried to hide.

“General… What will you do? Are you going back to Kambalik?”

TalTal looked down, uncertain. He had no solid plan. Cross the river. Join the army. Return to the capital. But for what? He was officially dead, alone, on the run… The army had left, and the bridges he’d destroyed only bought time.

It wouldn’t be easy, but still if we think about it a little ….

The rebel army was camped on the vast plain East of Chengzhou. Crossing that open ground to reach Kambalik would be tough… The rains were coming soon, and the fragile dikes wouldn’t hold against such a flood of soldiers…

The dikes… Of course…

Thinking of the dikes, TalTal’s mind wandered… An ancient idea from his ancestors sprang back.
A century ago, his Mongol forebears had attacked the northern empire by breaking the Yellow River dikes, drowning enemy troops, and forcing cities to surrender!

Destroy the dikes, like them?

Kaifeng’s dike system was complicated and neglected. No real repairs had been made since the floods years ago. He knew the state of the defenses well — he’d tried to fix them himself, but the funds were stolen. The eastern dike, the weakest point, could be brought down. It wouldn’t take much — maybe just one man.

He made up his mind.

“Suri, I have a mission for you.”
“You must take Shan to Kambalik. She and her father saved my life. I promised to protect her, but what I’m about to do is too dangerous.”
“When you get to the capital, entrust her to the eunuchs Bang and Maek Saeng. They will watch over her. If something happens to me, they’ll take her to Goryeo. It’s a beautiful place, and she’ll be safe with them.”
“Don’t talk about me. Better for everyone if they keep thinking I’m dead.”

Suri nodded, moved and worried.

“And you, General? What’s your plan?”

“Suri, for your sake and for everyone’s, it’s better that you don’t know everything. Take a message to my aides-de-camp, Jamal and Musin, at the army camp nearby — it’s on your way. Tell them to meet me at the rendezvous in one week. They’ll know what to do.”

“General, you can’t cross the city — it’s too dangerous! Your face is everywhere! Use the tunnels. I know one that leads near the SouthEast dike. Few go there, but be careful…”

TalTal bowed slightly.
“Thank you, Suri. Take care of Shan.”

He turned to the girl. She trembled, tears in her eyes. The thought of another parting, after losing her father, broke her heart.
He held her close, long and tight.

“I’ll come back, Shan. I promise. Trust me.”

He stood up, eyes toward the East.

“Let’s go!”

They crossed the city silently to a collapsed building. Suri pushed aside a slab, revealing a hidden staircase.

“This is the passage. Follow it all the way. You’ll come out near the dike.”

“Go now, Suri. Don’t wait. Don’t look back! Remember — I’m dead.”

“I’ll take care of Shan, General! May Buddha watch over you…”

“Thank you, my friend.” TalTal embraced him.

He kissed Shan one last time and vanished into the darkness.

Suri and Shan made their way to the riverbank. A dense crowd pressed along the main dike: Red Turban soldiers, infantry, horsemen, peasants driving herds, merchants with carts, families fleeing — a whole world moving across the river. The constant flow made it easy to blend in, like a father and child returning home. Suri and Shan slipped through the crowd and crossed the river without trouble.

Chapter Text

The old city of Kaifeng had not always lived beneath the earth. A vast network of ancient buildings, streets, and avenues still bore witness to the former grandeur of this imperial capital. But repeated floods and the looming risk of submersion had forced the city to expand upward, with constructions reaching for the sky. Now, these underground spaces were inhabited only by brigands and outlaws of every kind—a lawless den that the people scrupulously avoided.

Tal Tal moved cautiously, seeking his way through the maze of tunnels, trying not to draw attention to himself, avoiding the drunken and belligerent groups wandering like shadows in search of a fight... More than once, he had to draw his sword, out of caution or to defend himself, praying not to be recognized, hiding in the darkness, among rats and filth.

After hours of exhausting walking, the low rumble of the river could be heard. It grew clearer with each step, a sign that the exit was near. A grey light filtered through ancient stones. Tal Tal climbed a few steps… and found himself face-to-face with the very dam he had hoped to reach.

"Thank you, Suri" he thought. Thanks to his directions, he was in the right place.

But soldiers were everywhere.
Orders shouted, boots crunching gravel, guards stationed with weapons drawn—they were preparing for something. For him. Somehow, they knew. He’d walked straight into a trap.
TalTal backed into the shadows, heart pounding. He couldn’t move now—not without being seen. He’d have to wait. Watch. Look for an opening.

And then, miraculously, it came.

A group of drunk students stumbled out of a nearby building, laughing too loudly. Someone shoved someone else. A bottle smashed. Tempers flared. A fight broke out, and it didn’t take long for a gang of bandits to jump in. The soldiers charged into the chaos, swinging batons indiscriminately.

TalTal moved.
He darted along the riverbank, behind a wall, through tall grass, slipping between crates and rubble. No one noticed. He reached the base of the dam’s flank, and from there, the narrow entrance to the inner gallery.

It was just as he remembered—crumbling, soaked with river mist. The flood years ago had almost destroyed it, and the hasty repairs—stacked sandbags and prayer—had barely held. Nothing had changed. It was still weak. Vulnerable.
He drew his saber and slashed at some sandbags, letting the sand spread on the ground, mixing with the water, forming a pool of mud…
Well, it was worth a try !
After several hours of backbreaking work, tearing open or moving bags, a small breach had formed on the left side of the gallery, letting the river water rush in, a seep at first, then rapidly a growing torrent! In an instant, the water level began to rise rapidly. TalTal was waist-deep in water. He had to flee—quickly—before the entire tunnel was submerged under the pressure of the flood.

He had done it.
The collapse of the dam wouldn’t happen immediately. The groundwork was laid, but the effects would take several more hours to show.

He turned to leave, but the path behind was gone—drowned. He had one way out now, and he sprinted for it, soaked and slipping, breath ragged.
The exit was just ahead.
He didn’t hear the man behind him until it was too late.

Crack!

A brutal blow to the back of the neck. The world spun. His knees buckled.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

He collapsed, unconscious.

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Hours later. A dungeon beneath Kaifeng…

"Damn... my head hurts so much," Tal Tal thought, struggling to open his eyes, blinking through a groan of pain.

He was in a narrow, silent room, swallowed in shadow. He was shivering, his clothes still damp and the cold earth floor having sapped every ounce of warmth from his body. He tried to sit up, but chains bound his wrists and ankles, forcing him into an uncomfortable position.

His body ached, but it was his spirit he needed to protect. His captors didn’t just want to break his body, they wanted to reduce him to a beast, to shatter his soul. But he would not yield. He thought of Seung Nyang, her beauty, her intelligence, the pure love he had for her…

TalTal was not afraid of death. But torture... torture terrified him. He had ordered it, obeying Bae-Khan or the Emperor. He recalled Wang Yu—tortured by Bae-Khan and himself. He remembered that man’s courage. And also the pain he had endured himself at Dan Gise’s hands during their failed attempt against the imperial pretender in Goryeo…
He knew the savagery of torture—and now it was his turn to suffer it. What would become of him? Would he have the strength to endure? To preserve his dignity?

Footsteps echoed nearby, voices approaching.

— "General, the prisoner is awake!"

General Jie Zhao entered with a metallic clink, his boots echoing on the ground. He stood before TalTal, the voice that followed was soaked in venom!

— "General TalTal ! What a pleasure to see you again. After all these years, you haven’t changed ! Now… what shall I do with you ?"

Before TalTal could react, Jie Zhao grabbed his hair and slapped him. Hard. Again. And again…

Without warning, he plunged TalTal’s head into a bucket of ice-cold water. Tal Tal gasped, the water flooding his lungs, a terrible pain crushing his chest—he couldn’t breathe…
He struggled, but the more he fought, the worse the pain became. He was drowning. Dying.

Jie Zhao finally yanked his head back, but before he could draw breath, the cycle repeated, again and again...

And then, finally, Jie Zhao let him drop, coughing, retching water, chest on fire.

— “That’s just the welcome. Ready for the real fun?” Jie Zhao sneered.

He kicked TalTal in the ribs.

— “Remember me now ?” he growled. How could the great, handsome, brilliant Tal Tal of the noble Merkid clan remember an obscure soldier who dared challenge him—and lost everything before his entire clan ? His honor, his rank, his wealth ? You ruined my life. Stripped me of my rank. Shamed me in front of the entire clan. You thought I was nothing, don’t you remember ?"

He spat on the floor.

— “But look at me now ! I will rule this empire, TalTal. Not with ideas, but with fear.”

Blinded by hatred, he threw himself at Tal Tal again, fists and boots flying, insults mixing with blows.

—"You’ll die here."

Despite the pain, TalTal remembered him well. A corrupt officer, thief, trafficker, murderer—Yeon Cheol’s pawn. Tal Tal had expelled him from the army years ago, ordering him never to return to Kambalik. He should have had him executed. But Dan Gise had pleaded for mercy.

He coughed, spat blood, and whispered hoarsely:

— “You’ll never rule anything, Jie Zhao. You’re too stupid. Too cruel. Even your allies know it.”

Jie Zhao’s rage exploded. He grabbed a red-hot poker and brought it to TalTal’s face.

— "You dare defy me ? Here ? You control nothing. You understand nothing."

He brutally pressed the iron into TalTal’s shoulder. TalTal screamed.
And blacked out again.

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He came to later, still chained, still broken. The pain was unbearable. His body no longer belonged to him, it was a slab of raw, burning nerves.

But the worst part ? No flood !!!

Hours had passed—maybe a day. And nothing. No collapse. No rush of water. No redemption.

Had he failed ? Had the sandbags held ? Had he miscalculated ?

He’d risked everything, and for what ?

“Seung Nyang… Shan… I’m sorry… forgive me. I won’t keep my promise. I won’t return..."

Despair overcame him.

Footsteps. Again. Jie Zhao returned, dragging the glowing poker behind him like a demon.

— “I should’ve killed you sooner,” he hissed. “But now ? Now I’ll do it slow. I’ll blind you. Rip out your tongue. Make you beg…”

TalTal braced himself for the unimaginable pain, eyes shut.

— "Oh God… let my death be swift. Welcome me to the afterlife… forgive my sins, be lenient with my mistakes …"

Then—

BOOOM

Jie Zhao lost his balance and fell, dropping the poker… The entire cell shook! The walls trembled, screams echoed from above! The ground pitched violently…

The dam had broken.

Outside, panic erupted—screams, shouts, all drowned in the savage roar of the monstrous yellow dragon that had awakened at last... Water surged in from all sides, sweeping across the land, smashing through dams and barriers, carrying stones, trees, corpses—drowning everything in its path, scattering the rebel army across a flooded plain...

Jie Zhao staggered to his feet, stunned, disbelieving. The citadel and walls still held, as they had in floods past—but the army and its encampment were going to be utterly destroyed…!

He saw the triumphant gleam in TalTal’s eyes.

Blinded by rage, eyes bloodshot and foaming at the mouth, he lunged and grabbed his throat.

— "Filth! You unleashed the monster ?! Go to hell, bastard !"

He tightened his grip, trying to strangle TalTal, until suddenly, it slackened. An arrow had pierced his arm. Another, his chest.
He collapsed. Just before losing consciousness, he saw two figures emerge from the shadows—Jamal and Musin!

— “No! Not them ! I must kill him ! I must..
Blood spurted from his mouth. He vomited. His vision blurred... The arrows were poisoned !
He was going to die !

The twins knelt beside TalTal, broke his chains. They had to move quickly—water was already rising up the lower steps.

— “General, we must go! The flood’s coming fast—can you walk ?”

Half-conscious, TalTal let himself be dragged away—out of the dungeon, out of hell.

He had succeeded. The Yuan Empire was saved. Vae Victis !…

Chapter Text

The group of riders was slowly approaching Kambalik. In the distance, the walls of the capital city emerged on the horizon, marking the end of their long journey from Kaifeng. It had taken them more than three weeks to cover the distance, partly due to the general’s weakened state. Yet he had insisted on leaving as soon as possible, stoically concealing his pain, though it was still sharp. He rode at the front, flanked by his loyal companions and aides-de-camp, Jamal and Musin.
The horsemen who followed him were fiercely loyal. Everyone of them would have been willing to lay down their life for him. This beloved leader had guided them to victory, had protected them in the heart of chaos. A resounding victory, bringing an end—at least temporarily—to a fratricidal and devastating war. For now, the Red Turban army had been swept away, disorganized, its leaders dead or on the run, taken by the cataclysmic flood that had drowned the vast plain they had foolishly settled on.

But TalTal knew that nothing was certain. He was convinced the rebellion would rise again, even more violently, unless the empire undertook a deep reform and a sincere effort toward reconciliation. That was why he was so eager to return to Kambalik, to persuade the emperor of the need for these reforms, to complete his work on the Chinese dynasties, and to demonstrate that despite their diverse origins—Mongol, Han, Manchu, Hui, or others—they were all one and the same people. Civil wars made no sense anymore.
He had so many plans, so much to accomplish, so many hopes. He knew he could count on the unwavering support of the empress, and he hoped she would influence the emperor to stand by him.
And more than anything, he longed to see her again—Seung Nyang. Her smile, her strength, her beauty, her friendship… and perhaps more. The love he felt for her had never burned so intensely. Perhaps that thought alone had kept him alive, had given him the strength to endure all he had been through.
But he was no fool. He knew the atmosphere in Kambalik would not favor him. Officially, he was still dead, and his return was sure to provoke shockwaves—jealousy, rivalry, resentment. Rumors had already begun to spread. A mysterious Mongol general, victorious over the rebels, who had invoked the yellow dragon and triggered a deadly flood… Enough to inspire as much devotion as fear. Who was this man, revered by his soldiers, who now called him Dayong—Eternal Greatness? Was he not a threat to the throne’s stability? Might he seek to use his fame to seize power?

And above all… what would become of his relationship with the Grand Councilor Berke Buqa? The latter, authoritarian and contested, drunk on his own prestige, already viewed this hero who had emerged from nowhere with suspicion. Jealous, no doubt. Wary, certainly.

TalTal raised the hilt of his saber. The small group came to a halt on the outskirts of the city, near the old military barracks once used by Bae-Khan’s troops.

— We’ll set up camp here for a few days, he said to his men. We must first learn of the emperor and the Grand Councilor’s intentions. If the situation deteriorates, we’ll contact the generals still loyal to the cause and try to gain their support.
In the meantime, rest. And keep training. Stay the best.

He turned to his companions:

— Jamal, Musin. We’re going into the city, quietly. I must see eunuchs Bang and Maek-Seng and ask for the Empress’s help.

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Annex of the HeungDeok Imperial Palace – Snake Hour (9 a.m. - 11 a.m.)

“Come on, Shan, blow! Yes, like that! Clack, right on that fool’s back! Ahah! Well done! Again!”

Puff! Puff!

“Enough, the pair of you! I am tired of being your target… Really, Bang, what are you teaching this child? Just wait, I shall have my revenge!”

Peals of laughter—children’s and adults’—voices feigning outrage. As every morning, eunuchs Bang and Maek-Seng were with little Shan, teaching her tricks, games…and even the rudiments of handling weapons. Maek-Seng had shown her the basics of archery, while Bang taught her how to blow a projectile through a tube, a deadly skill in wartime. For now, they used sticky crumbs of cake, and their favorite target was Maek-Seng’s ample backside. Shan, a quick learner, laughed heartily at his mock-indignant face. Life in this palace annex was gentle. She lived surrounded by affection, protected by the two eunuchs and their Goryeo friends.

When Suri arrived from Kaifeng, he had offered little explanation. Loyal to his promise to TalTal, he had simply entrusted the child to the eunuchs, begging them to care for her. She was, he said, the adopted daughter of a general faithful to the empire, a Han girl who had lost all her family in the war against the rebels. Shan herself had spoken vaguely of an injured stranger with whom she had fled through tunnels—a very handsome man who reminded her of her missing elder brother. She had wept for her father, for her cat Genji whom she had lost, and for her mountain home… The stranger had promised to return and look after her. She waited for him eagerly. She loved Bang, Maek-Seng, and Suri too, and wished never to leave them.
Moved, the two eunuchs had taken her under their wing. Obedient and lively, gifted with a determined nature, she reminded them of the young Seung Nyang of the bygone days.

Empress Ki herself had welcomed Shan with kindness, trying to learn more about the mysterious stranger, but Shan’s answers were confused. Shan, for her part, wondered about the beautiful empress. She was almost sure she had heard the stranger, feverish and delirious, murmur that name—Seung Nyang. And if he were in love with her? As grand brother had once loved Jing, his sweetheart?

Suddenly, hasty footsteps, unusual commotion at the door. True to his soldier’s reflexes, General Musin entered without waiting and bowed to the two eunuchs.

“Chief eunuchs Bang and Maek-Seng, General Dayong, adoptive father of Shan, requests an audience. May I announce him?”

Taken aback, Bang and Maek-Seng exchanged a glance, then nodded.

The door opened onto a man of upright, assured bearing—black armor studded with silver, an aristocratic port, a familiar silhouette. A coppery gleam in his hair, a fluid stride. The two eunuchs froze.

TalTal.

His death had been proclaimed more than ten moons ago, plunging the Empire into shock and despair, and no denial had ever come. And yet—here he was. As though he had been gone only days. More serene, perhaps. Changed. He was smiling.

Shan gave a cry of joy and flung herself into his arms.

“Vati! You’re back!”

TalTal lifted her, held her close, kissed her, tenderly caressed her cheek.

“Little Shan, I promised I would return. I am so happy to see you. Look—I have a surprise for you !”

He opened his armor and drew out a small ball of black fur that leapt straight into the child’s arms. Her delighted cry filled the room.

“Genji! Oh, Genji, my cat! You’ve come back… Thank you! Thank you, I’m so happy!”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some days earlier, in an army camp near Xinxiang.

Lying on a reed mat, TalTal was slowly recovering when a light weight settled beside him, soft fur and a familiar purr… Genji, Shan’s cat, had found him. The creature curled up against him, perfectly at ease. Moved, TalTal reached to stroke it just as a soldier burst in, furious.

“Still here, you fleabag? Out!”

TalTal intervened calmly. He would keep the cat, he said, it brought good luck, and cats ward off evil spirits. From that day on, Genji became the group’s mascot… right up to their return to Kambalik.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Still holding Shan, TalTal approached the two eunuchs and bowed deeply.

“Chief eunuchs, thank you. Thank you for taking in Shan, for protecting and loving her. Thank you for your precious help—and for your loyalty to the empress. Knowing you were at her side eased my mind more than I can say.
Our past is complicated; we have been allies, and at times adversaries. Yet I always respected—and even admired—King Wang Yu. He was brilliant, charismatic. I wish I had known him better. His death was a tragedy I deeply regret.
My friends… it is so good to see you again.”

TalTal thanked them once more and begged them, if they could, to continue watching over Shan. He would soon have to leave. His mission was not yet finished, and returning to Kambalik would be perilous. And above all… he wished to meet the empress—discreetly, without revealing his identity. Could they help?

The two eunuchs looked at each other, overwhelmed. Tears streamed down Bang’s face; Maek-Seng, half-incredulous, muttered that he must be dreaming. A wild hope seized them.

Seung Nyang would no longer be alone. TalTal had returned.

The meeting must be arranged—and quickly.

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Seated on a silk cushion, a cup of jasmine tea before her, SeungNyang sat in silence, pondering her conversation with the emperor the night before. As always, Ta-Hwan had lamented the empress’s stuborness, her refusal to return to the main palace, her choice to reside at the HeungDeok pavilion. He had once again pleaded with her to reverse what he considered a foolish decision.

— “Paeha, I will not return unless you dismiss Berke-Buqa from the post of Grand Chancellor. You know full well that he sided immediately with my former enemies and wishes for my downfall. That is all he will achieve, for he is a poor leader, destined to bring ruin upon the empire.”

— “Nanya, you imagine too much. The Chancellor bears you no ill will. He enjoys the support of the high aristocracy, whom you and TalTal alienated with your tax reforms. He has restored their trust—something I need dearly to maintain power.”

“Darling, we’ve already debated this. I don’t wish to argue further.”
“I want you to come back to the palace.”

— “Paeha, these people are corrupt and have conspired in the shadows for years! Why place more trust in them than in me?”

“Will you receive General Dayong, the one who defeated the rebels? He is due to arrive in Kambalik and will likely request an audience.”

— “I shall welcome this general with the honors he deserves. You can be certain of that, Nanya. I look forward to rewarding him.”

“But there is a problem—no one knows him. The name ‘Dayong’ is unfamiliar to all military leaders. It must be a nickname. Who is he, really? It’s a mystery.”

— “His men adore him, Paeha. He must be someone exceptional, charismatic, brilliant—and loyal to Your Majesty. And this victory… so unexpected, just as the empire falters…”

— “Yes, Nanya—but he could also be a spy from the rebels, or even a neighboring nation. We must remain vigilant! And the empire is not faltering! Don’t listen to those alarmist Goryeo advisors of yours!”

“Then—will you return to the palace?”

SeungNyang was frustrated but did not wish to further strain her relationship with the emperor. Besides, being present might allow her to limit the Grand Chancellor’s reckless decisions. She agreed to return to the Imperial Palace the next day.

That very morning, she was still reflecting on her choice, already full of regret at leaving the HeungDeok pavilion—her peaceful haven, her little piece of Goryeo where she truly felt at home. Once again, she had yielded…

She still loved the emperor, but not as before. Too many disappointments. Too much cowardice. Even though at times, he had shown unexpected bravery. She was tired. Disillusioned. Her only goal now was to ensure her son Ayu would one day ascend the throne. She trusted no one. She had no allies left among the emperor’s entourage. She had to keep fighting for Ayu—endlessly.

As she brooded over her fate and the empire’s, the eunuchs Bang and Maek Seng entered. They were visibly shaken. They informed her that General Dayong, back from campaign, wished to speak to her in private before seeking an audience with the emperor. He was waiting for her in the HeungDeok library—if she agreed to meet him now.
Surprised, SeungNyang asked why the visit affected them so deeply. But the two men only urged her to trust them. Somewhat perplexed, she followed, already bracing for some new calamity.
At the library entrance, they found Commander Park, Chief Eunuch Dok-Man, and Hongdan—all visibly moved. Hongdan was crying and laughing at once.

— “Your Majesty… it’s unbelievable… we never dared hope…”

Commander Park bowed deeply.

— “The general awaits you, Your Majesty.”

SeungNyang entered. Her heart raced. Who was this man? A wild hope took hold of her. Perhaps… perhaps it was him. The one she had longed for. The one she had thought lost. The one she still loved.

And then she saw him...!

Kneeling, head bowed low, in his iconic armor. His face was worn by hardship, but in his dark eyes burned a familiar, infinite tenderness.

— “Your Majesty… I have returned. I kept my promise. I am here to serve you, Your Grace.”

A strangled cry escaped her lips. She rushed toward him, dropped to her knees, and embraced him without restraint or decorum. TalTal tried to protest, but she only held him tighter. Tears streamed down her face—tears of joy, of relief, of love. He was alive. Alive. Whispering comforting words in her ear…
Unable to speak, she buried her face against his shoulder, breathing in the incense and oud that clung to him—the scent she thought she’d lost forever.

— “Sagwonnim … they said you were dead… and I believed them!” she sobbed.

— “I know, Your Majesty. I’m sorry for the grief I caused you. But I’m back. For you, Your Grace.”

— “Thank you, Sagwonnim … Thank you for being alive. Don’t leave me again. Never again. Never, never again …”

— “I’m here… because I love you, Your Majesty,” he whispered.

— “I love you too, Sagwonnim …”

She raised her face to his. He leaned in. Their lips met, almost by accident. A tender kiss—infinitely gentle. Then deeper. More fevered. Passionate. Endless. Their fingers entwined. Their bodies clung like castaways. Their eyes locked in wonder, carrying them on a journey beyond time, beyond pain—where nothing could ever part them again…

Chapter Text

A deafening clamour was rising from the city, mingling with the roll of drums, the clatter of wheels on cobblestones, the neighing of horses, and the shouts of officers struggling to maintain order.
General TalTal — aka Dayong, aka the scholar-warrior — was entering Kambalik.

The news of his return, contradicting the earlier announcement of his death a few months earlier, had unleashed a wave of euphoria among the people… and sent a chill of panic through the palace corridors, around Grand Chancellor Berke Buqa.

The General’s popularity could be measured by the delirious enthusiasm of the crowd. Lancers, archers, crossbowmen, cavalry and infantry paraded proudly, their colourful uniforms gleaming beneath the fluttering banners, hailed by triumphant cheers.
At the front, Generals Musin and Jamal led the procession, riding on either side of TalTal. Calm and impassive, he seemed to be one with his silver-harnessed horse. In one arm, he held before him a little girl—a Han child he had adopted after her family vanished during the war.

The soldiers chanted his name:

— Dayong! Dayong!

And the jubilant crowd echoed the cry.

In truth, TalTal loathed public demonstrations. He much preferred the studious silence of libraries. But today, he had no choice.
He needed a show of strength. He needed the visible support of the people and the army to counter Berke Buqa’s manoeuvres, for the Chancellor dreamt only of exiling him.
TalTal did not cling to power—but he sought to prevent new uprisings, should no reforms be implemented. This strategy he had devised with the empress: strike at the minds, and weigh upon the emperor’s decisions.

Arriving before the South Gate of the palace, TalTal raised his sword. The procession halted.

— Soldiers, this victory is yours.
It is your courage, your self-sacrifice, your determination that triumphed in this dreadful war. You are the ones who honour the empire and who will be remembered in History. I am proud to have fought by your side.
Thank you for your strength and loyalty. The empire owes you everything.

A respectful silence settled. TalTal lifted a finger toward the sky.

— Remember the words of Master Sun Tzu: “Know your enemy, but above all, know yourself, and you will be invincible.”
Today, soldiers, you are invincible. The Master would be proud of you.

To a fresh round of applause, TalTal entered the palace.

In the throne room, the emperor awaited him in full ceremonial dress. Ta-Hwan greeted him warmly.

— TalTal, our hero! I am happy and proud to have you among us. I want to thank and reward you as you deserve. Ask me anything you wish, gold, silver, a governorship, supreme command… I shall be generous!

TalTal bowed deeply.

— Your Majesty, I’m grateful. But I desire neither gold nor honours. All I ask is that you reconsider the urgent reforms we need to protect the empire… and stop the uprisings before they return.

— You are too hasty, TalTal. Don’t you think your judgement is clouded by the horrors of war?
We do not need unpopular measures that may alienate the great aristocrats whose support is vital.

— I understand, Your Majesty. It is not about offending the aristocracy but about easing the suffering of the people.
Famine, epidemics, the neglect of the Grand Canal… we must act.
And there is the matter of national unity. To that end, I have composed — with the help of the finest scholars — a History of the Liao, Jin and Song Dynasties. It is essential that the literati of the North and South recognise these shared legacies, so that the Mongol Yuan may be seen as unifiers, not usurpers.
I would like Your Majesty to read it and permit its publication.

— You haven’t changed, TalTal. Always the idealist. Loyal, generous.
I promise to reflect on your proposals. You shall have my answer tomorrow.

With a gesture, the emperor ended the audience.

TalTal bowed again, then withdrew — disappointed. The emperor had listened… without truly hearing.
But he would not give up. Perhaps the empress could persuade him.
Tonight, at least, he would see her in their secret chamber.
And at the thought, a fierce joy surged through his heart…

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Grand Chancellor Berke Buqa was pacing the council chamber, fuming.
Ta-Hwan, by contrast, appeared perfectly relaxed.

— Your Majesty, we must arrest him. We must put an end to his ambitions!

The emperor shrugged, weary.

— Chancellor, I understand your concerns. But what grounds could we invoke? TalTal is adored. Arresting him would provoke riots. The army is loyal to him.
And I confess—I admire the clarity of his vision… and the wisdom of his ideas.

— Then accuse him of treason. Say he conspired with the enemy.

Ta-Wan chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

— Seriously, Chancellor? No one’s going to buy that.

— We shall see, Your Majesty.

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Secret chamber of HeungDeok Palace – Hoi hour (Pig, 9–11 PM)

Everything was soft in this secret chamber of HeungDeok Palace, which Seung-Nyang had turned into an intimate salon after the exhaustion of YeongCheol’s secret funds…
Everything exuded gentleness and refinement, from the warm-colored drapes adorned with fabulous birds, to the gold-embroidered silk cushions scattered here and there, the tall beige and purple velvet curtains, the furs, the sumptuous carpets, the dim glow of small oil lamps… A magnificent bouquet of pink, red, and white peonies blossomed in a large celadon vase, releasing a subtle and intoxicating fragrance. Watercolors and Chinese ink paintings—some painted by the empress herself—decorated the walls…
The atmosphere was steeped in sensuality and delicacy, perfectly reflecting Seung-Nyang’s romantic nature.

Very few people knew of the existence of this secret room, aside from her loyal friends from Goryeo. Prince Ayu, her beloved son, and of course, the emperor, had no idea it existed! It was her secret refuge, where she would retreat alone to read, to meditate, sometimes to cry, far from the prying eyes of the court and its intrigues.

And yet today, he was there, in this room—he, the solitary warrior, the scholarly soldier… He was there, filling the space with his sensual and mysterious aura, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if he had always belonged in this magical place that now existed only through the two of them…

He had arrived moments earlier, taking one of the palace’s many secret passages, guided to the intimate room by a slightly disgruntled and concerned Dok-Man, who worried about the risks these two were taking—but also indulged them. Seung-Nyang had suffered so much, she deserved to find joy in life again. And TalTal, always at her side, a loyal protector and friend, had never ceased to support her. She had shed so many tears when she heard of his death... It was obvious that between her and the handsome general, there was much more than mere friendship...

She awaited him in a white silk robe, her hair undone. He had embraced her, kissed her long and passionately as he loosened the silk cords holding the robe. The garment had fallen at Seung-Nyang’s feet, as light as a feather, revealing her graceful, magnificent body.
It was the first time Seung-Nyang had ever stood bare before a man. Nudity was a taboo in the customs of the empire, and neither Wang Yu nor Ta-Hwan had ever been granted the privilege of seeing her in her full beauty, nor had they dared to ask. And yet Seung Nyang felt neither discomfort nor shyness in front of TalTal, who looked at her with admiration and awe !

In turn, she had unfastened the wide leather belt engraved with Mongol patterns, slipped off the velvet caftan, removed the clasp holding back his coppery hair that now tumbled freely over his shoulders, and there he was, standing before her, naked as well, revealing his body marked by wounds, scars, and wars, but also beautiful in those imperfections that enhanced the perfect lines of his silhouette....

She kissed the fresh wounds inflicted by Jie Zhao in the grim Kaifeng prison. TalTal shivered, holding her close. Entwined, they sank to the floor, their bodies, lips, and hands united, hearts racing, eyes lost in passion. They made love as if they were the only two people in the world, discovering and rediscovering love—impatient, desperate, beyond rebellions, grief, threats, and war—laughing and crying like children, intoxicated by each other, insatiable, as if nothing else mattered but this magical night they shared.

Much later, exhausted and breathless, they lay tangled in each other’s arms. Seung-Nyang curled up in her lover’s embrace, in his warmth, his scent. He softly caressed her nape, her hair, her forehead...

“I love you,” he whispered, breathless, “I’ve always loved you. I always will—in this life, in the next… Seung-Nyang, my Nyang, my beautiful one, my princess…”

And she was happy—happier than she had ever been, happier than she had ever imagined possible. As far back as her memories reached—whether with Wang Yu, her youthful love, or with Ta-Hwan, her lifelong passionate love-hate—never had she felt such complete happiness, such simple, tender, complicit, natural love…

That was how Dok-Man found them at dawn! Asleep, nestled in each other’s arms, innocent, unaware of the storms their bond might provoke if ever discovered.
Dok-Man sighed. “SeungNyang…” he murmured, shaking his head with resignation. So went the world—what could he do to change it?

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wake up! General, get up—it’s morning! Everyone is looking for you—quick, return to your quarters, hurry!”

The time to part had come. Time had not stood still for them, they had to go…
They embraced one last time, kissing, touching endlessly, as though prolonging the moment could delay the inevitable, allowing them to stay together just a little longer…
But alas, it was over. The night had passed, and a difficult day lay ahead…

“Sagwonnim… I’m so afraid. What will Berke-Buqa do? And what if the emperor lets him act? What if something happens to you?”

“Nyang, my love—do you remember the old maxim you know so well? ‘Induce the enemy to make a mistake,’ said Sun Tzu!
Berke-Buqa will make a mistake—I’m certain he’ll try to have me arrested this morning. But the risk of causing riots, even another rebellion, is too great. I doubt the emperor will take that chance.
Go to him. Plead my cause.
Be careful—don’t go too far. He must not suspect anything between us.
If that fails, we’ll need the support of the high generals, and probably also the court dignitaries. If they all oppose my imprisonment, the emperor will have no choice but to yield and dismiss Berke-Buqa…”

He embraced her one last time, kissed her gently, then slipped swiftly into the secret passage.
She was left alone—lost, despairing—still tasting his lips, while salty tears rolled down her cheeks.
The memory of the night lingered; his scent still floated in the room, on her skin, in her heart…

Chapter Text

The news struck Kambalik like thunder! General TalTal, the hero of Kaifeng, had been arrested by imperial order, at the instigation of Grand Chancellor Berke-Buqa.
A detachment of the Imperial Guard had come for him late that morning at the encampment. A scuffle had broken out between TalTal’s men — ready to die for their commander — and the guards tasked with seizing him. But TalTal had stepped out of his tent, calm, impassive.

“I have nothing to hide,” he said. “This is a misunderstanding. Stay calm. Obey the Emperor’s command. Be loyal. I’ll be back soon.”

But the reasons for his arrest remained vague, confused! No one understood ! Rumors swirled, treason, collusion with the enemy, secret deals with the Red Turbans. Nothing solid — just shadows. Everyone could feel it. This wasn’t justice. It was politics. A purge. An abuse of power.

But in the Yuan Empire, how many chances did a dissenter really have — even a loyal one?

Even weakened, Berke-Buqa’s influence remained strong.
Only the emperor could overturn his decisions. But Ta-Hwan, worn down by years of betrayal, was sinking into paranoia.
And Berke-Buqa had chosen the perfect time to strike.
He accused TalTal of murdering Bae-Khan — his own uncle, mentor, and supporter of the throne.
Worse! He hinted at something dangerous. The general’s suspicious closeness to the Empress… Couldn’t that, too, be a threat?

And Ta-Hwan listened.

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Seung Nyang burst into the throne room.

- “Have you gone mad, Paeha?” she shouted, furious. “TalTal fought for you. He won this war. And this is how you repay him?”

-“Silence, Nyang !” the emperor roared. “He betrayed me. We have proof.”

- “Where? What proof? TalTal nearly died to protect this Empire ! But as always — no recognition, no justice”.
Her voice cracked. “Wang Yu saved you once, and you had him killed. And now TalTal, thrown into prison the day after his triumph?”

- “Wang Yu! Again!” Ta-Hwan shouted, his face twisted with rage. “You still think of him, don’t you? You never let him go. Our lives have been poisoned by that traitor’s shadow… I’ve had enough!”

- “Get a hold of yourself! Paeha! TalTal hasn’t betrayed you. He seeks peace, the good of the people, the strength of the realm. Open your eyes, Paeha. Peace is fragile. TalTal wants to help you, not harm you. You’re making a terrible mistake.”

- “Oh? And how would you know that, hmm? Have you two spoken? Are you closer to him than you let on ? Ah of course ! Sagwonnim… the oh-so-dear friend ! Do you think I’m blind ? Do you take me for a fool ? Don’t you realize you could be accused of treason too?
And yet I protect you! You didn’t join me at the palace last night, as you promised. You mock me… and now you plead for TalTal ? I’ve had enough. Get out!”

- “Don’t do this,” she said, her voice low. “You’ll destroy everything.”

- “I said leave!”

She held his gaze a moment longer — then turned and walked away, heart pounding.

There was no use pressing further. He would not listen. And in that state, better not to provoke him more. Ta-Hwan was intelligent — but unstable. Sometimes irrational. And Berke-Buqa’s influence over him was stronger than she had feared.

She had to act. Quickly. Summon the military leaders. Call the Three Excellencies. TalTal risked execution without trial. There was little time left.

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Berke-Buqa, meanwhile, savored his victory.

TalTal was in prison. Silenced. Cut off from his men. From the people. That alone was a feat.

Berke-Buqa had long despised the Merkid clan. An old rivalry, dating back to Genghis Khan. The rise of Bae-Khan, and then TalTal, had only deepened the wound. News of TalTal’s death had once been a blessing! Finally, Berke-Buqa could rule without resistance. But the hero had returned — stronger, more popular, more dangerous than ever.

And worse still… close to the Empress.

That had to be erased. Swiftly. Without trace.

Even she… might need to be dealt with. Difficult, yes. The emperor still cared for her. But if TalTal, under torture, confessed to an affair? Or at least complicity? Even vaguely — that would be enough.

It was a risk. But an opportunity too. He would take it.

The execution was near.

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TalTal, meanwhile, rotted in a palace dungeon. Since his arrest, no one had spoken to him. No explanation. No hearing. Nothing.

He had expected this. But isolation, silence, uncertainty… these gnawed at him, even threatened his resolve.

He wanted to believe in Seung Nyang. In his allies. In the army. But the sudden hostility of the emperor shook him. Where had it come from? Had they been discovered? Betrayed? By whom? No one from Goryeo, surely. Then what? A grudge? Bae-Khan’s death?
As the hours passed, TalTal felt increasingly alone.
What would become of the empire? Of the people? Of her?
He was lost in thought when a door slammed open. Rough hands grabbed him, dragged him from the cell. He was shackled against a cold wall, iron biting into his wrists.

TalTal understood immediately.

They were going to torture him.
He wasn’t their only target.
They were coming for her.
He had to hold on.
Hold out — for time. For her. For the resistance.

The room was damp, dark, rank with rot. Two torches flickered weakly. A masked man. A scribe. A clerk stepped forward with a scroll.

“By imperial decree,” he read in a dry tone, “you are accused of treason, collusion with the enemy, and conspiracy against His Majesty. You must give us the names of your accomplices.”

TalTal remained silent. His eyes locked on the man.

“There is no conspiracy,” he said at last. “I have nothing to tell you.”

Silence.

Then came the sharper question.

“Did you conspire with Empress Ki?”

TalTal closed his eyes. So that was it. He repeated:

“There is no conspiracy. I have nothing to tell you.”

Another silence. Heavier.

Then a familiar, venomous voice spoke.

“Think carefully, TalTal. You’re already a dead man.”

Berke-Buqa had entered. His gaze blazed with hatred.

“You’re protecting the Empress? How far are you willing to go for her? You know you’ll die. I can ease your suffering. All I need is a word. A look. A hint. A suggestion. You don’t even need to confess — just give us a lever.”

He leaned in close.

“Even a whisper…”

TalTal met his gaze, unflinching.

“You pitiful scum.” ...” he murmured, his voice rough.

Berke-Buqa frowned, irritated by the prisoner’s calm, contemptuous tone.
“Even on the brink of death, you choose arrogance?”

He leaned in slowly, so close TalTal could smell his foul breath.

“You don’t have long now, TalTal. A few hours, maybe a night. You think you’re holding on… But every man breaks eventually. You’ll talk, and believe me, you’ll weep over your weakness.”

TalTal closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing the bitterness tight in his throat.

“You’ll never understand… that some things… are worth dying for.”

Berke-Buqa froze briefly, unsettled despite himself by the words. Then he sneered.

“Fine then. Die with your secrets.”

TalTal curled his lips into a contemptuous smile, blood pounding at his temples, throat dry.

“Go to hell, idiot!”

The blow came without warning — a brutal strike to his ribs.

TalTal collapsed to his knees, breath ripped from his lungs, arms dripping blood from his wrists cut by the chains…

And another blow. Then another. Again and again, relentless — until he lost consciousness…

Without uttering a single word.

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Seung Nyang had no choice. TalTal might only have hours left.
If they were going to save him, they had to act fast—and strike at the very heart of power.

At dawn, she summoned Jamal and Musin, TalTal’s loyal aides, along with General Park and her trusted allies from Goryeo. The imperial army stood firmly behind their commander.
The Three Excellencies, governors from across the provinces—they came too.

In a quiet room of the HeungDeok Palace, Seung Nyang laid it all out, her voice steady, her resolve unshakable. This wasn’t just about saving a man anymore.
It was about saving peace. Saving the Empire.

“If TalTal falls,” she said, “no one is safe. We must show the emperor that the people, the army, and the court will not stand for this injustice.”

There was no debate. The answer was unanimous.

By midday, hundreds of soldiers, officers, and officials gathered before the palace gates. They sat in silence, shoulder to shoulder, forming a wall of defiance and loyalty. Then, all together, their voices rose : “Release TalTal, Paeha! Stop this injustice, Paeha!”
Across the city, word spread like wildfire. Soon, hundreds of citizens joined the protest. Skirmishes broke out. Cries. Torches. Barricades.

In the Council Chamber, Berke Buqa was pale, sweating. “Execute him!” he screamed. “Now! Before they breach the gates!”

Guards raced to the dungeons.
TalTal was dragged out—hands bound, ankles chained. Weakened. Bloodied. But still standing.
They led him to the courtyard. A gallows waited.
They looped the noose around his neck.
Offered him a blindfold. He refused.
The executioner stepped forward and gave the order.

Then—
A sharp whistle. A blur in the air.
An arrow.
It sliced through the rope.

TalTal collapsed to his knees. Alive.
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Then a cry - “The Empress!”

Seung Nyang stepped forward, bow still in hand, flanked by her loyalists.

“Enough!” she shouted. “This farce ends now!”

On the balcony above, the emperor appeared—his face blank with shock.
For a long moment, silence.
A murmur, timid at first, rose from the crowd, swelled, grew louder, and became a clamour:

“Release TalTal, Paeha! Enough injustice, Paeha!”

TalTal, still kneeling, breath shallow, stared at the blurred horizon through half-closed eyelids. He was in pain—terrible pain—but he understood that something had shifted. The people, the army, the court… all united for him, for the Empress…

Seung Nyang, tall and proud, still held her bow, arrow drawn. Jamal and Musin had taken positions on either side of her, while the imperial guards, hesitating, no longer knew whom to obey.

On the balcony, Ta-Hwan hesitated. He was trembling. His hands clutched the railing, his wild eyes darted from TalTal to Seung Nyang, then to the crowd.

Berke-Buqa, pale as death, leaned toward his ear:

— “Give the order, your Majesty. They defy your authority. They threaten the crown. Exterminate them.”

But the emperor said nothing.

He closed his eyes for a moment. Then, in a slow, hoarse voice, he declared:

— “Stop everything.”

The crowd held its breath.

— “Unbind General TalTal.”

Berke-Buqa froze, stunned.

— “But… your Majesty...”

Ta-Hwan shoved him aside roughly.

— “Enough blood. Enough madness.”

He looked at TalTal, then at Seung Nyang.

— “I suspected you, TalTal—perhaps wrongly. I return your freedom. Now show me… if I was right or wrong...”

A long silence.

Then TalTal, staggering, slowly rose to his feet.

— “Your Majesty, my life belongs to you! I swear to serve you with loyalty and courage as long as I live!”

He bowed. Deeply. And behind him, the crowd, as one, silently dropped to their knees.

Seung Nyang lowered her bow. Her eyes met TalTal’s.

A brief glance. An entire world.

— “Release General TalTal,” declared the Emperor. “And place Berke-Buqa under arrest.”

A cheer of joy erupted through the courtyard.

SeungNyang bowed deeply to the emperor, thanking him calmly for his wisdom. She asked to speak with him privately later, to thank him properly, when he had the time.

For now, she needed to help TalTal, who was struggling to stand after all he’d endured.

“Take General TalTal to HeungDeok Palace immediately!” she ordered. “Let the best imperial doctors care for him — right now!”

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One hour later, Imperial Palace

Seung Nyang let her indignation show before the emperor. Ta-Hwan, embarrassed and burdened by the weight of events, lowered his gaze.

— “Finally, Paeha, what got into you?! How could you allow such an outrage? To have the hero of Kaifeng tortured, sentenced to death without trial… Why grant so much power to Berke-Buqa, who is driven only by jealousy? You risk reigniting rebellion! Do you realize the disaster we have narrowly avoided? Why do you refuse to listen to me? Have I ever betrayed you?”

— “I know, I know, Nanya! I was wrong! I let doubt consume me! But admit, there are reasons to question! A man declared dead reappears, victorious, out of nowhere, and comes to dictate terms? He demands his post as if we had been waiting for him? Such arrogance! Think about it! Who does this man think he is? Tell me.”

— “Come now, Paeha! This is no ordinary man! What’s gotten into you? He is a hero and a capable man — the empire needs him, don't you realize ?”
“And Berke-Buqa? What will you do? Will he be judged and punished for his crimes?”

— “He will be banished. Exiled to Yunnan for a few years. Then… we shall see.”

— “But Paeha, he deserves death. Why show such leniency? He almost committed a crime.”

— “Enough bloodshed, Nanya. You yourself pleaded for mercy earlier! I will go no further. That is enough.”

— “Paeha… Who will you appoint Grand Chancelor? Will you offer the post to TalTal, if he recovers?”

— “Give me some time, Nanya. I promise I will consider it… Are you returning to the palace? Don’t leave me alone any longer — I go mad without you.”

— “Of course, Paeha. And thank you again for your wise decision, for the good of the people and the empire. Since you have revoked Berke-Buqa’s power, I have no reason to resent you. I shall return to the palace tonight.”

Seung Nyang had no desire to prolong the conversation. She would gain nothing more today. No use insisting.
She bowed deeply to the emperor and left the room with dignity, not too hurriedly. Inside, she was dying of worry. She longed to rush to her lover’s bedside. But she had to mask her impatience so as not to betray herself before the emperor.

Ta-Hwan watched the empress walk away, thoughtful. He was relieved, happy to have a break in their discord, to have her return to his side — loving and charming. But deep inside, a silent unease lingered. A vague fear, like a threat… that he might lose her.

He had known this feeling before, long ago, in the days of Wang Yu, and it returned unbidden…

Why?

TalTal would have to be watched closely…

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Chapter Text

Four years later…

Residence of the Grand Chancellor, Imperial Palace — Thin Hour (Dragon — 7 to 9 a.m.)

“Vati, can we go out today with Ayu ? We want to ride to Lake Houhai and spend the whole day there. Pleeaaase say yes !”

Shan, TalTal’s adopted daughter, was trying to negotiate a break from the strict study schedule that she and Prince Ayu had been following ever since TalTal had taken it upon himself to tutor them—despite the overwhelming demands of his position as Grand Chancellor. He was a tough but caring teacher, and Shan already knew he wouldn’t be too hard to convince. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly.

TalTal raised an eyebrow, his expression as unreadable as ever, his voice mock-stern.

“A ride ? What about this morning’s history lesson ? And the exam on the Huangdi Nei Jing (1) ? The one we postponed because you’d done nothing to prepare ?
When exactly do you plan to study, hmm ?”

“Please, Vati, say yes ! The Empress already gave us permission—you can’t say no…”

“You and Ayu would be alone ? That’s not safe. I can’t allow it…”

“No worries, Vati. Uncles Bang and Maek-Seng are coming with us, and Suri will be there too. He’s staying till the end of the week. So ? Do you allow us ? Please… ? ”

Amused in spite of himself, TalTal let out a sigh, frowning just for show, then gave in—on one condition, everyone had to be back before Tuat Hour (Dog Hour — 7 p.m.). Shan squealed with joy, gave her father another kiss, and rushed out of the residence to join the little group waiting hopefully outside.

TalTal watched her go, his heart soft—and already a little nostalgic. Shan had grown up so fast. She was now a beautiful fourteen-year-old girl with delicate features and a graceful presence. Her long, shiny black hair was tied back in a neat braid. She was sharp, full of life, rode like a true Mongol princess, and handled a bow almost as well as he did…
The bond between TalTal and his daughter was filled with affection and deep understanding, far from the stiff formalities of the imperial court, which they both rarely visited. Shan and Ayu were the same age, had grown up together, and were absolutely inseparable.

Time was flying too fast...

At least, with the kids gone for the morning, maybe there’d be more time to talk things over with the Empress. Urgent decisions needed to be made—starting with the distribution of grain to prevent yet another famine, due to the constant losses caused by pirate raids in the South China Sea… There was also the matter of expanding farmland in the Great Plain, possibly by bringing in willing farmers, give them compensation at the start, to interest them... And that meant reducing the harvest taxes, something the provincial governors still had to agree to. The idea had been floated before, but no final decision had been made.

But the most ambitious project of all was the reopening of the Grand Canal. This massive undertaking, championed by TalTal, would allow the Yellow River to return to its original course, reducing the risk of catastrophic flooding and restoring the fertile land to agricultural use. The project was finally close to completion, filling TalTal with pride and enthusiasm. A major celebration was planned to mark the moment—likely in the final week before summer.

Just then, the Empress was announced.
She entered with a rustle of silk, smiling, leaving behind her a soft trail of lavender and lily of the valley.

TalTal stood and bowed deeply to Her Imperial Majesty, then invited her to sit beside him for their morning briefing.

These daily meetings, established as soon as TalTal was appointed Grand Chancellor, had become the cornerstone of imperial governance. Everything was decided here, between the Empress and the Grand Chancellor, the true rulers of the empire. Their conversations were warm, relaxed, and deeply collaborative, covering everything from new decrees to mid- and long-term reforms. They worked quickly and efficiently, sometimes bringing in the Three Excellencies, the governors, or high-ranking officials to build a broader consensus and, importantly, to convince the Emperor of the need for action.

And under the Wise Chancellor’s leadership, the empire was thriving. Trust had been restored. The people no longer starved. Trade flourished. Rebellions had become rare. TalTal had also worked tirelessly to bring unity among China’s diverse ethnic groups, finally ending decades of Mongol domination over the others.

These meetings, however, remained strictly professional. No one would have guessed the deep bond that secretly connected the Grand Chancellor and the Empress.
They had to be very careful! The Grand Chancellor aroused much curiosity at the imperial court. Long hidden in Bae-Khan’s shadow, he had quickly become the strong man of the Empire, stirring jealousy and resentment that he kept firmly at bay. Feared and respected, he spoke little, listened much, and never revealed his true thoughts. His impassive face betrayed no emotion, yet he could read others like open books and foresee their reactions.

As for the Empress, she always appeared tender and loving toward the emperor. Together, they gave the impression of a devoted and solid couple. But in reality, Ta-Hwan was growing more unstable and irritable by the day. He had become unbearable, his paranoia deepening with time. Seung Nyang did her best to keep up appearances, showing affection and understanding — but the Emperor could become violent, then immediately regret it, falling at her feet to beg for forgiveness…

Ta-Hwan still mistrusted TalTal, who remained, in his eyes, the unpardonable assassin of Bae-Khan. And that closeness between Nanya and him was infuriating! The Grand Chancellor was just a bit too brilliant, too smart, too competent, too close to the Empress who swore only by him ! And that was unbearable.
Every morning, TalTal came to present new decisions, projects, unroll the scrolls, approve petitions… The Emperor usually received him with boredom or indifference, openly displaying his impatience. It was always too early, too expensive, too boring, a waste of time… And yet, in the end, he would still let him use the seals, vaguely sensing it was the right decision.
TalTal remained untouched by these mood swings. No matter how he was received, he stayed impassive — what mattered was getting the reforms approved. And also… continuing to work with Seung Nyang, seeing her in secret, whenever they could.

It was in the evenings, two or three times a week. In the secret room of HeungDeok Palace. Protected by friends of the Goryeo circle, far from the court’s noise, far from the children, far from politics, far from the Emperor’s temper. Just the two of them, alone in the world in that little luxurious, hidden room…
They met there as they had that very first night, as if nothing had changed, still in awe of being in love, discovering each other again and again, fascinated, happy together, unable to part…
It was passionate, tender, magical! A wave that kept growing stronger, rolling, unrolling endlessly and never receding.

Stolen moments, fragments of happiness...

But peace and happiness never last... Especially not in the Yuan Empire!

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— "Nyang, my love… What if we went to Shangdu? You’ve never been there, have you? The Emperor doesn’t like to leave Kambalik… but I would love to take you. It’s the city of my ancestors, so beautiful, still echoing with the spirit of Kublai Khan. Marble and gold palaces, lacquered rattan columns, golden dragons, lush gardens, fountains, wild animals… That’s where I grew up. Carefree, happy, learning from my Confucian masters, surrounded by beauty and wonder. All that’s missing is you — the most beautiful of all.
" I keep dreaming about it, these past few days. Just the two of us, going to Shangdu. Leaving everything behind — Kambalik, the Empire, the intrigue, the power… What if we ran away, just you and me? Forget it all, drop everything, and go… to Shangdu...”

It was one of those nights stolen from time, in their hidden little salon. TalTal and Seung Nyang, wrapped tenderly in each other’s arms, making love beneath silk blankets and furs…

But that night, TalTal felt both nostalgic and troubled. Rumors of rebellion were growing stronger. The spies were certain, the Red Turban rebels were rebuilding an army. From his exile in Yunnan, Berke-Buqa dreamed of revenge. And his alliance with Kököch — a former officer dismissed for brutality and insubordination — was a dark omen. All this hatred, this thirst for violence… Enemies once defeated, now lurking in the shadows, ready to destroy, to massacre, driven by greed and the hunger for power. And now, there were whispers of assassination… even a coup… And last but not least, the Black Death epidemic, carried from east to west by the Mongol warriors of the Golden Horde, was increasing in intensity...

TalTal felt weary. Defeated. And yet, on the surface, all seemed well. The army stood by him. The people adored him. Every attempt to revolt had ended in failure. And no wonder — grain distributions, land reforms, state-supported crops, fair justice, free education, the erasing of ethnic divisions…

— “Populist nonsense,” scoffed his critics — the aristocrats, ever loyal to that useless Berke-Buqa, desperate to take back control…

Even the Emperor had grown distant. Suspicious. Easily manipulated. Reluctant to let Seung Nyang govern alongside TalTal, blind to the fact that they were leading the Empire down the right path. The people were happier — but who cared about that ?

So much effort, so much energy spent to restore and strengthen the Empire’s authority, to bring honor back to a corrupted regime… and all he got in return were complaints, accusations about finances, even rumors of corruption. It was all becoming too heavy. The only thing keeping him going were these stolen moments with Nyang — precious, secret, hidden from the world. But even they were threatened now — drowned in rumors of murder and plots against her, against him. Rumors he had to thwart, at all costs…

Tonight, he just wanted to dream. To speak aloud a fantasy. Because, of course, the Empress wouldn’t go to Shangdu. She would never leave her son… nor the Emperor. And TalTal himself wouldn’t leave either — not the Empire, not his duty, not Shan, who needed him and whom he loved. So Shangdu… was just that, a dream. A myth. An unreachable longing.

Seung Nyang understood that. She had long known that most dreams are meant to be dreamed — not lived. She gently stroked her lover’s face, kissed the corner of his lips, his neck, his eyes…

— “Yes, Sagwonnim darling… let’s go to Shangdu,” she murmured softly. “Let’s run away into the enchanted forests, where leopards and gazelles run wild. Let’s vanish into this world of dreams and wonder. Let’s go now — we’re already there. Look how beautiful it is…”

Eyes closed, smiling, alone in the world, Seung Nyang and TalTal gave in to their love — forgetting time, forgetting the enemies…

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At the very same moment, thousands of li away, a rider sped swiftly through the misty passes of Yunnan. He was heading toward Kambalik, carrying a message from the former Grand Cohancellor Berke-Buqa, exiled for nearly five years after his plots against TalTal had failed.

In his satchel lay a sealed letter, addressed to the “One-Armed Swordsman,” the codename of Kököch... Only a few words:

— Urgent. Reinforce the troops. Imminent attack. Be ready. — BB

In Kambalik, no one yet suspected that the fragile peace, rebuilt since TalTal’s return, was about to shatter.

Chapter Text

Far, very far from Kambalik, in Yunnan,

In exile for four years, the former Grand Chancellor Berke-Buqa gnawed at his frustration, far from the Imperial Palace, far from the beating heart of the Empire. Cloistered in this remote and inhospitable region, without any contact with the Court, forgotten by all, he felt utterly useless. So far from the world that every piece of news reaching him was already outdated.

Yet, he was still alive. By what miracle? Ah, certainly not thanks to that bastard TalTal, who would have sent him to the afterlife long ago if he could have! No, no—the Emperor had refused to have him poisoned, for obscure reasons, supposedly for services rendered to the empire, but in reality just to spite TalTal, whom he cordially hated.

Berke-Buqa had only one idea, a true obsession: to overthrow those who had brought him down, namely TalTal and the Empress. In the shadows, he dreamed of civil war, chaos, a decapitated Empire, rid of the two “demons”...

But how to do it... The Governor of Yunnan was entirely devoted to TalTal and reported every move of the former Grand Chancellor. Berke-Buqa lived under strict surveillance. His room to maneuver was thin.

And then, nothing worked !... That damned TalTal was clever. Worse, the people adored him. There was no way to spark a rebellion against him. Every attempt ended in disaster!
Berke-Buqa grumbled, fumed, thought about it over and over, rewinding history, dreaming of returning to power! Having been at the top and having lost everything! “Arx tarpeia Capitoli proxima”, as Ancient Rome used to say, far away to the West! Alas, it was so unfair...! And Yunnan was so far, so far from Kambalik, the influence of the former Grand Chancellor had become virtually nonexistent!

The arrival of Kököch was announced. A former palace officer, also banished, disappeared from official records, an outlaw on the run. Once a henchman of YeonCheol and DanGise, briefly servant to Bae-Khan, he had been expelled from the army by TalTal for insubordination and brutality. He hated TalTal and had only one goal—to take revenge. He had lost an arm in his fight against TalTal’s army, hence his nickname the “One-Armed Swordsman.” He had formed a true army of mercenaries, deserters, bandits, former soldiers known for their violence, barbarity, greed for ill-gotten wealth, and hatred of imperial power! Hunted by TalTal’s army, the group waged a savage guerrilla war against the Empire, sowing terror wherever they went... Their disruptive capacity remained weak, but their recent alliance with Berke-Buqa was a threat that TalTal, informed by his spies, followed with concern, though he had not yet allowed himself premature worry...

Kököch burst in abruptly and addressed Berke-Buqa vehemently, letting out his fury and exasperation!

“Lord, the situation is catastrophic!!! Your information was wrong, false! To my misfortune, I trusted you…! TalTal, that scum, somehow informed, destroyed my army and all our equipment, massacred my men… I have nothing left, I can do nothing! I will not go further! You must pay the remainder of what you owe me!”

“But... but you haven’t completed your mission…! You can’t give up now...” stammered Berke-Buqa, whose last hopes of reconquest were about to vanish…

He had to convince him to continue, to risk everything!

“Kambalik! In a few weeks... the solstice celebrations! The Empress attends every year, TalTal too! It’s an ideal occasion, you cannot fail... Find a plan, infiltrate the palace entourage, try, I beg you...!”

“What a pathetic spectacle you put on, my lord! I want money! No money, no action! I told you, I have no one left to rely on, I need to find mercenaries and pay them...”

“I have no money, all my assets have been seized. But if I become Grand Chancellor again, I will shower you with gold! Please, think it over!”

Kököch stormed out, slamming the door, but already the idea was taking hold… Yes, why not the solstice celebrations... Did he need an accomplice to infiltrate? Maybe not after all…

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The summer solstice celebrations were about to begin, centered around the worship of the Earth, an ancient ritual meant to bring wealth, prosperity, and abundance to the empire. This year, the festivities promised to be more grandiose than ever, marked by the reopening of the Grand Canal and the hope of exceptional harvests along the now-peaceful riverbanks.

It was the beginning of summer, the longest day of the year, the peak of yang energy, nature’s great surge toward sunlight, casting off all shadows. Prayers, sacrifices, and sumptuous festivals were planned to ward off war and disaster, and to celebrate life, love… and ripened wheat.

Ayu and Shan were beside themselves with excitement, barely manageable as the celebrations approached, while SeungNyang, who loved the solstice festival, encouraged their enthusiasm. Even the Emperor, usually more reserved, had lightened up. He looked forward to the event, proud of the Grand Canal’s reopening, a legacy that would mark his reign positively, and grateful to SeungNyang, who had carried the project and worked tirelessly to see it through.

TalTal, on the other hand, looked worried. His face was closed, his expression tense. He kept his distance from the general euphoria and criticized the festivities, earning affectionate teasing from his daughter: “killjoy, you corny ! ” Even SeungNyang had grown slightly irritated by his reluctance.

“Come on, Sagwonnim, show a little enthusiasm ! It’s the reopening of the Grand Canal, your dream, your life’s work ! … What’s going on with you ? Why so much reserve when everyone else is happy ? The Emperor’s in a good mood toward you lately. He finally understands everything he owes you for this project ! Don’t spoil it all with your constant worries… Try to live a little.
And you told me you’d just defeated Kököch’s army with a trap you set ! And Berke-Buqa, who was counting on that victory to return, is completely out of the picture ! Everything’s fine, isn’t it ? Stop worrying about everything all the time…”

TalTal looked away, his jaw tight, his eyes shining, on the verge of tears.
Could he tell her that the rumors of an assassination were becoming more and more precise ? That the Solstice festival would be the perfect target ? That the threats were aimed at her — the Empress — first and foremost ?
That Kököch, though defeated and ruined, wasn’t dead — and still dreamed of revenge ? That the opportunity to strike would be too good to miss — the Empress, the Emperor, young Ayu… and himself — though for TalTal, that hardly mattered.

Could he tell her that the Chinese sea pirates had allied with the leaders of the Red Turbans ? That together, they had raised an army and were marching once more on Kambalik ? That it was no longer a scattered revolt, but an organized movement to overthrow the Yuan Empire ? That he, TalTal, would be powerless to stop the march of time, or prevent the inevitable fall of the Mongol dynasty ?
That they should already be preparing for war, but the Emperor refused to listen ?
That they would soon have to flee northward, because they likely couldn’t defeat such a powerful force ?
That the people, weary of suffering, would surrender to the victors — and that nothing would remain of all they had built ?

No. It wasn’t the time to say any of that. Not now. Today, only the celebration mattered…

He sighed, raised an eyebrow, and put-on his impassive mask once again.
“Nyang, my love… you know, things aren’t always as simple as they seem. And in any case, I’ve never liked crowds or grand public festivities.
But don’t worry — I’ll be there, by your side during the celebrations…”

SeungNyang shrugged, a little disappointed, a little annoyed too — because she knew all too well that TalTal’s fears were rarely unfounded.

She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, smiled to encourage him, and left the room.
TalTal remained alone with his dark thoughts, while outside, the first songs of the solstice were already rising.

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The sun was high above Kambalik, drenching the palace rooftops in dazzling light. The pavilions echoed with drums, laughter, and song. The solstice had arrived — bright, joyful, almost unreal.

In the gardens of the Temple of Earth, servants had hung long red and gold banners, embroidered with fertility symbols. A gentle melody floated in the air as children danced in circles, waving ribbons in the five elemental colors (1).

Emperor Ta-Hwan, clad in a sumptuous pale yellow silk robe, beamed with delight. He joked, tossed flowers to the pages, laughed out loud, amazed by the beauty of the day, the joy of the people, the illusion of peace.

— Even the stones must be smiling today ! he exclaimed, arms wide open.

He stepped toward the central altar, followed by a colorful procession. Three sacred animals — ox, pig, sheep — lay on the ceremonial tables, adorned with silk and leaves. The emperor knelt, offered the sacrifices, and whispered his prayer.

— O Earth, Mother of harvests, may your womb bring bounty to our empire…

Empress Ki appeared by his side, radiant in red and gold. Ta-Hwan smiled and took her hand. Together, they greeted the crowd, then took their seats on the imperial dais to watch the rituals.

A short distance away, TalTal stood silently, ever watchful. Draped in a dark blue silk caftan embroidered with silver, his face betrayed nothing — but his eyes missed nothing. Half-lidded, they followed every movement, every shadow. He had established a discreet code with the imperial guards, the Keshigs, and his lieutenants. A blink, a nod, a subtle flick of the hand — and the message was clear. Warning. Threat. Action.

Jamal and Musin stepped forward, murmuring something low. A slight clench of TalTal’s jaw was his only reaction. He gave quick orders under his breath. He scanned the crowd, evaluating, measuring. A glance at Commander Park, a small tilt of the head — understood and executed. Moments later, the twins returned and nodded, threat neutralized. For now.

Children twirled in dance. Wine flowed freely. Flower petals danced in the breeze.

Performers dressed as dragons swayed through the crowd, beating drums, throwing paper blossoms. Laughter, cheers, joyful cries. The imperial couple smiled, watching the celebration.

SeungNyang was breathtakingly beautiful today ! Radiant !
TalTal watched her from the corner of his eye, masking the depth of his love — and his fear. Shadows were gathering. Over the empire. Over their secret love. Over everything.
What would become of them ? The thought of losing her already tore him apart.

Lost in his thoughts, TalTal observed the dragon dancers absently, thinking of the evening he hoped to share with her — stolen moments, once the palace was quiet again. But what if the emperor decided to keep her close tonight ? What a bitter disappointment it would be.
A shiver crawled down his spine.

One of the dragons was approaching the imperial dais… too close. Too fast.
Wrong !...
Then he saw Hongdan, head of the court ladies. Pale. Panicked. Signaling him. She pointed to the dragon. The real performer had been found dead in an alley. Someone had taken his place.

TalTal understood instantly.

An assassin !!!

The dragon lunged, blade flashing. A dagger — aimed at the empress.

TalTal sprang forward.

He collided with the attacker, seizing his arm, twisting the blow away from SeungNyang. She froze, stunned with horror.

The fight was brief but fierce. The dragon fought with desperate fury. They tumbled to the ground as the crowd looked on in shock. TalTal struggled to overpower him. But Commander Park joined in — together, they brought him down.

The mask fell. Kököch, the traitor, Berke-Buqa’s man, face twisted with hate.

He spat at TalTal’s face, sneering :

— She may live… but you’re already dead !

Then he collapsed, dead himself.

Silence.

The emperor descended from his throne, ghost-white.

TalTal staggered. His hand flew to his chest. Blood. Too much blood.
He had been stabbed. Twice. And he knew. He knew.
The blade had been poisoned.
He wavered — and collapsed.

His gaze locked onto SeungNyang’s. Desperate. Shattered.
Eyes filled with love and terror. No words — but everything was said.

Nyang… I’m sorry. I have to go. But I can’t… I love you so much. More than life.

Jamal and Musin rushed to his side, holding him upright.

— General, you’re wounded — quickly, we must treat you !

They carried him to his residence. Doctors gathered, worked fast. The wounds alone might not have been fatal — but the poison…

There was nothing they could do.

He was dying…

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The palace was frozen in shock.

The summer sun could no longer warm a single heart. The music in the distance, the people’s cheering — it all rang hollow now.
The emperor locked himself in his quarters.

At the Grand Chancellor’s residence, a few gathered. The twins. Commander Park. Chief Eunuch Dok-Man. Hongdan, crushed by guilt. Eunuchs Bang and Maek-Seng wept beside little Shan, who clung to them, inconsolable.
She was losing her beloved father — again. Her only safe place.

TalTal lay on a mat in his library, struggling against the pain. The poison was spreading. He wouldn’t see the next morning.

He asked for Suri.

— Suri… I entrust Shan to you. After I’m gone, she won’t be safe here. My clan won’t accept her. Protect her, no matter what she chooses. For Yeon Bisu’s sake. Swear it to me.

— I swear it, General. She’ll be my little sister from this day on.

— Thank you… Farewell, my friend. Perhaps we’ll meet again… somewhere.

Jamal stepped in to announce the arrival of the empress.

— No one is to enter. No one disturbs us, she ordered.

SeungNyang entered, shattered. She dropped to her knees, cradled TalTal in her arms, held him tight. She kissed him, touched his face, whispered broken words through sobs.

— Sagwonnim, my love… why ? Why now ? Don’t go, please… I love you, I love you so much… Fight, stay with me…

TalTal opened his eyes, squeezed her hand.
Blood traced the corner of his lips.

— Nyang… you’re safe… I can go in peace… because you love me. We’ll meet again. There. Forever.

A faint smile.

— Go to Shangdu, my love… take care of him… protect yourself…

— Who ? What are you talking about ? I can’t go without you…

He looked at her one last time.

— Goodbye, my Nyang… My princess… I’ve loved you always… and always will. I’ll wait for you.

He closed his eyes.

And the world broke.

Chapter Text

Autumn winds swept over the hills of Shangdu, carrying away the last golden leaves of the mulberry trees. In the silence of morning, only the distant cry of a bird reminded the world that life still endured — despite everything.

Sitting beneath a great pine with gnarled roots, Empress Ki gazed toward the horizon. Her features were pale, marked by solemnity. But in her eyes burned a fragile light — hesitant, uncertain, yet full of hope. She laid a hand on her belly, still barely rounded, and closed her eyes.

“I will take care of him,” she whispered.

Now she understood. TalTal’s final words… That “him” spoken in a breath of farewell. He had known — before she did. Brave, noble TalTal… gone for her, sacrificed to save her. His last act had been one of pure love, as selfless as all he had given her — even his life.
She would protect and love their child, no matter what. Even as chaos loomed, as the empire teetered, even as Shangdu itself stood under threat.

She would go North, to the wide open steppes.
With Ta-Hwan, she would build a new empire — for Ayu, for the Yuans, and for the child who would soon grow beneath the shadow of Burkhan Khaldun, the sacred mountain of legends, carrying the memory of his father.

A warm breeze brushed her cheek — like a caress. She thought she heard his voice — gentle, loving — as if he were still watching over her.

— Rest in peace, my love. I will take care of him...

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Far away, in the southern mountains,

Shan stood with her face veiled in a strip of red cloth, holding the reins of her horse with a steady grip. Beside her, Suri checked his sword, silent and focused. Around them, the camp of the Red Turbans was stirring — a hum of voices, clinking steel, and revolutionary songs.

She no longer cried.
She had buried the child she once was.
Now, a fierce flame burned in her chest, kindled by the love she had received — and the pain of losing it. Her beloved parents, her brother - all gone…
And Vati ! her beloved adoptive father who had taught her so much, given her so much — taken from her too soon.
No, she would never again be the lost little girl wandering the corridors of a palace.
She was TalTal’s daughter.
She was Han.
She would rise. She would fight. And she would avenge them all.

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And so the world kept turning.
The great Yuan Empire — forged by Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan — was breathing its final moments.
Out of rebellion and war, a new dynasty would soon rise, the Ming, founded by Hongwu, destined to rule China for centuries.
Farther north, in Mongolia, Togoon-Temur — Ta-Hwan — would establish the Northern Yuan dynasty. He would reign for two more years. Then would come Ayushiridara and Empress Ki…

In the palace library, a little prince fascinated by ancient texts would one day study the chronicles of the Chinese dynasties, the memories of the Yuan empire.

“Mum, did you know any of them?” he would ask to his mother...
“Yeongcheol, Dan Gise, Bae-Khan, King Wang Yu… do you remember them? Can you tell me about them?

- Yes, darling, I knew them. It was a difficult time for me, I'll explain to you one day...

- And TalTal… Mum, he’s the one who wrote these books about the dynasties, right? Did you know him?

- Yes, sweetheart, I knew him.
He was a true gentleman, and he was my friend — he was a Junzi (1).
And you, too, will be a Junzi. You’ll be like him…
I love you, my child.”