Chapter Seventy: The Northern Count’s Invitation
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Minutes before noon, Tiyung and Sora ride to meet Bay Chin, the northern count, at the Palm Teahouse in Tamneki. Tiyung admires Sora’s appearance and feels a possessive jealousy, but he also dreads that his father Seok wants Sora dead. At the teahouse, Bay Chin welcomes them. Sora performs the role of a demure courtesan, answering the count’s questions about her origins. Bay Chin mentions the upcoming Council of the Lords and the Millennial Championship (tuhko). When Tiyung declines an invitation to the game on behalf of his father, Bay Chin insists Sora attend as his personal guest. Sora hesitates, playing the submissive courtesan, until Bay Chin overrides Tiyung’s objection and promises to introduce her to King Joon that night. Tiyung sees a satisfied gleam in Bay Chin’s eyes and wonders if the plan is working too easily.
Key Events
- Tiyung and Sora arrive at the Palm Teahouse to meet the northern count Bay Chin.
- Bay Chin questions Sora about her background; she claims to be from Gain and the village of Inigo.
- The count mentions the Council of the Lords and the Millennial Championship.
- Tiyung refuses an invitation to the game, stating his father’s orders.
- Bay Chin overrules Tiyung and insists Sora accompany him to the game.
- Sora pretends to be obedient, asking Tiyung’s permission before accepting.
- Bay Chin promises to introduce Sora to King Joon.
- Tiyung notices a satisfied look in Bay Chin’s eyes, hinting at hidden motives.
Character Development
- Tiyung: His internal conflict deepens. He admires Sora’s beauty but struggles with possessiveness. He is increasingly suspicious of his father Seok, fearing Seok wants Sora dead. Tiyung follows Mikail’s plan but feels uneasy when events unfold too smoothly.
- Sora: She demonstrates her skill as a performer, adopting a demure and traditional demeanor to please Bay Chin. Her genuine hesitation when declining the invitation suggests she is not entirely comfortable with the charade, though she follows the plan.
- Bay Chin: The northern count is shrewd and observant. He shows outward courtesy but holds power. His insistence on Sora attending the game and meeting the king reveals his own agenda. The satisfied gleam in his eyes indicates he may be manipulating the situation for his own benefit.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Manipulation and Deception: Sora and Tiyung’s entire meeting with Bay Chin is an act. Sora plays the part of a submissive courtesan, while Tiyung feigns reluctance to attend the game. Both are following a prearranged plan to get Sora close to King Joon.
- Power and Nobility: The chapter contrasts the desires of commoners like Sora (who wants freedom) with nobles like Bay Chin (who want more power). Tiyung reflects that men with freedom and power want to become gods.
- Trust and Suspicion: Tiyung distrusts his father and suspects Seok’s involvement in Dal’s death and the assassin. The satisfied gleam in Bay Chin’s eyes sows doubt about whether the plan is truly succeeding or if they are being used.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Seventy is pivotal for advancing the plot toward the Millennial Championship and a meeting with King Joon. Sora’s successful manipulation of Bay Chin puts her one step closer to the king, yet the chapter also introduces new uncertainties. Bay Chin’s hidden motives and Tiyung’s growing fear of his father suggest that the plan may not unfold as neatly as hoped. The chapter deepens the political intrigue and raises the stakes for the upcoming events.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Tiyung feel uneasy when Bay Chin invites Sora to the game?
Tiyung notices a satisfied gleam in Bay Chin’s eyes after Sora accepts the invitation. This makes him wonder if the plan is working too easily, hinting that Bay Chin might have his own agenda. Tiyung also worries about his father Seok’s intentions. -
How does Sora manipulate Bay Chin into insisting she attend the game?
Sora follows Mikail’s plan by initially declining the invitation, claiming she must obey Tiyung’s orders. This makes Bay Chin assert his authority as a count and force the invitation, making it seem like his own idea rather than a request from Sora. -
What does Tiyung’s reflection about nobility reveal about the theme of power?
Tiyung thinks that noblemen with power want more than freedom—they want the country and to be gods. This highlights the theme that political ambition drives characters like Bay Chin and Seok, and that Sora’s desire for simple freedom puts her at odds with their world.