62 The Conference at Geumseong — A Frozen Court of Diplomacy
It had been two days since the snow stopped, yet the air over Geumseong remained frozen.Above the walls, the blue banner of the Northern Yuan stirred even without wind.
When Lee In-jung's party reached the gate, the sentries did not move at once.Their bows were already drawn.It was only a brief moment.But within that briefness, the distance and angle were clear—a single misjudgment, and arrows would fly.
Men who kill by mistake and then claim they did not know.Men who do the deed and deny it was theirs.
Lee In-jung did not move an inch on horseback.
"We are an embassy from Goryeo, from Liaoyang."
After a short silence, a sound like ice cracking echoed as the gates opened.The iron fittings groaned as they were pushed aside, and the inside of the fortress was unnaturally quiet.There were no torches, no smoke.Only frozen hoofprints remained on the white snow.
The embassy advanced slowly along those tracks.Their footsteps were steady, and they did not disturb the stillness within the walls.
Before long, they were led into the great hall of Geumseong.Waiting there was Arakhtai, a close lieutenant of Naha-chu.His eyes were cold, his posture openly guarded.
"Envoys from Goryeo," he said."Our soldiers have died. Our general's blood has been spilled.That blood has not yet cooled beneath the earth.And you come as envoys—why?"
Lee In-jung stepped forward.
"That blood did not begin with us.We entered Liaoyang to suppress rebellion—the remnants of the White Lotus, the Red Turbans.It was the Northern Yuan who used Liaoyang as a base and invaded again,and it was your side that first resorted to force."
Arakhtai gave a short snort.
"You always justify yourselves.Liaoyang was Yuan territory.The moment you set foot there, you became enemies of the empire."
Lee In-jung did not answer at once.
Then Park Seong-jin stepped forward.He was young, but his gaze held no hesitation.
"You speak of an empire.Had that empire fulfilled its role, the Red Turbans would have had no reason to cross into Goryeo.A nation that loses the hearts of its people retains only its name.A country is not land held by blood alone, but a place where people live."
The air stiffened, as if it had turned visible.Arakhtai's men unconsciously rested their hands on their sword hilts.
Lee In-jung raised his hand to stop them.He did not rebuke Park Seong-jin.
"The young man's words were sharp," he said calmly."But his meaning is the same as ours.We do not wish for the collapse of the empire either.In times of chaos, it is always the frontier that bleeds first."
Arakhtai's eyes softened, just slightly.
"So. What is it you wish to say?"
"We have come to seek a settlement," Lee In-jung replied simply."The fighting at Liaoyang was unavoidable.But we have no intention of continuing it.We wish each side to guard its own land and avoid further clashes of arms."
Arakhtai closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly stood.The joints of his armor gave a low sound beneath his feet.
"A settlement… it sounds pleasant enough.But we have left unpaid the price of blood."
Lee In-jung lightly touched his chin with his fingertips.
"That price need not always be paid with blades.Peace—would that not be preferable?"
Arakhtai glanced at Park Seong-jin.
"Young one, you do not know war."
"Perhaps," Park Seong-jin answered."But I have already seen more deaths than enough.Those who have seen enough begin to think of what comes next.I ask sincerely for peace."
Arakhtai studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"You are brave."
He returned to his seat.At a gesture, wine and teacups were brought in.
"I will not let this conversation pass into nothing.I will report it directly to the Khan."
Lee In-jung bowed his head.
"That is sufficient.Please open the way for us to confer directly with Lord Naha-chu."
The sound of bronze cups touching echoed through the hall.Outside, snow began once more to drift aimlessly from the sky.The light was already fading.
That night, no conclusion was reached in Geumseong.Many words were exchanged, yet no message came to the embassy.
Some things do not come simply because one asks.
Once battle has been fought, it is different.The spirits of those who died there oppose it.With unseen hands, they demand vengeance.They block human judgment, turn the air, hinder reconciliation, and urge revenge.
Geumseong at Night — A Dream of Returning Home
After the talks ended, the three were led to a guesthouse just inside the southern gate of Geumseong.To keep out the cold, hides had been layered along the walls, yet wind still slipped through the cracks.
Perhaps because of the cold, even the oil lamps burned dimly.Beneath the faintly swaying light, white breath rose from the men lying on straw mats.
As soon as he sat down, Park Seong-jin instinctively surveyed the room.The Northern Yuan soldiers were disciplined and precise.Their armor was rough but well maintained, their spears and bows hung along the wall at exact angles.It was an army where orders stood before men.Its grain was entirely different from the Sungui troops of Liaoyang.
He let out a small breath.
Even within the snowbound guesthouse of Geumseong,he could clearly feel that one era was ending and another beginning.This had once been the heart of the mighty Yuan—now it carried the air of decline.
Lee In-jung spoke in a low voice.
"If all goes well, we should meet Naha-chu tomorrow."
Oh Jin-cheol asked,
"Will he come in person?"
Lee In-jung nodded.
"He may send Arakhtai instead.But the meeting itself matters. This is no time to haggle over rank.If circumstances allow, we may even open a path to a meeting with General Baek In-gun.Naha-chu will know as well what is unfolding in the south."
The brief exchange ended, and the room soon fell quiet.
Oh Jin-cheol removed his armor without a word and leaned against the wall.His eyes closed almost at once.
Park Seong-jin lay down as well.It was the first warm blanket he had used in a long while.At that moment, the fatigue he had been holding back poured out all at once.The dust of the long journey and the lingering heat of the battlefield seemed to drain from his body.
As the lamplight dimmed and the wick burned low,he sank into a deep sleep.