When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 100
Chapter 100
"......!"
"Surely, you, Mystic Ruler, who are praised as being wise, are not unaware of your position, are you? Do not confuse the positions of victor and loser."
Sharp eyes looked down at the Mystic Ruler like a blade.
At that, the Mystic Ruler's body shook, losing control.
How dare this Baek clan child act as if the entire Mystic Realm was his domain while in Ju Clan territory?
He was warning that the name "Mystic Ruler" meant less than dog droppings beneath his feet.
'You.'
The rising fury was beyond control.
'...You, I will surely kill you. I'll tear you into a thousand pieces until not even your soul remains.'
But the reality was that even though he wanted to tear him to pieces, there was nothing he could do about it now.
Beyond the fact that Divine Beasts were immortal, the current balance between the Six Clans Alliance and the Ju Clan was what it was.
The fact that he couldn't immediately kill this vermin made the Mystic Ruler's heart burn with resentment.
But could he let this impudent creature leave peacefully?
By any means necessary. If needed, even if it meant forcibly detaining all fifty Baek Clan warriors.
'I must see your face contort in agony. And then...'
The Mystic Ruler thought of his master.
Though the master never showed their face, if a Divine Beast were to rampage above his head, there would be no way for them not to appear.
Just as he was about to call the Chief Attendant, focused more on immediate anger than rational judgment while glaring at Baek Giha's face—
The Chief Attendant hurried in.
"Mystic Ruler..."
"Such insolence! Can't you see I'm in an audience! Even messages must consider time and place! Get out!"
The old man, sensing another variable in the Chief Attendant's call, thundered, not wanting to expose the Ju Clan's problems in front of Baek Giha.
"You might want to hear this."
At that moment, Baek Giha's low, calm voice intervened.
"Is it right to treat a messenger who brings important news so coldly? Listen to it. Then you won't want to continue this squabble with me anymore."
When the old man didn't answer, the cold, sharp gaze urged a response.
"Listen."
"......"
At words no different from a command, the old man's jaw muscles tensed and trembled as if about to snap.
He had lived his entire life as the Mystic Ruler of the Mystic Realm. That he, a descendant of dragons, couldn't immediately punish this mere beast crawling on the ground for such humiliation.
Blood dripped between his clenched fists. Though his mouth was torn from gritting his teeth so hard, the old man wasn't even aware of it.
Even the Chief Attendant could read the tension, taut enough to snap, contained in the silence.
But there was no more time.
Taking the silence as permission, the Chief Attendant quickly approached and quietly spoke into the old man's ear.
"Six Clans Alliance soldiers have gathered at the territory line. They're all armed and their spiritual power is aimed at the outposts."
"......!!"
"A support request has arrived asking to urgently send warriors as fighting could break out at any moment. How should we handle this?"
At this thunderbolt news from a clear sky, the old man's complexion instantly turned ashen.
In the end, saying to do as they wished, there was no way not to let them go.
Though the Baek Clan Head was the center of the Six Clans Alliance, if war broke out again, subduing just him wouldn't be enough.
It took less than half a day to prepare the procession to the Baek Clan.
The speed at which they prepared everything was already turning his stomach, but the sight of Mystic Realm territory residents rushing over at news of Ju Myoungyoon's departure turned it once more.
"Has someone died or something!"
When the territory residents' wails kept coming over the walls of the Mystic Ruler's mansion, he finally struck his armrest and thundered at the Chief Attendant.
"Go now with the warriors and gouge out the eyes of everyone crying! See if they can cry so earnestly with their eyes ripped out!"
At the command that was more threat than request, the Chief Attendant could only bow his head anxiously.
"Have you inspected the entire procession?"
"Yes."
"And searched all the luggage?"
"Yes. They're hardly taking anything with them."
"And among all those people and luggage, that daughter wasn't there?!"
"No. Above all, that's certain. We checked everything living, down to the animals they're taking with them."
"Animals? What animals!"
"The Baek Clan Head brought a white tiger with him."
A white tiger? Had the Baek Clan Head brought such a beast when he first arrived?
"It was a small cub. He raised it himself, and they say it won't even eat unless it's from him."
"Are you sure it was a white tiger? Not some auspicious beast that transforms like the Baek Clan Head transforms into a divine beast?"
At that, the Chief Attendant recalled the sight of the white tiger cub sleeping and snoring loudly. There wasn't a trace of auspicious energy in that peaceful appearance.
"Yes. It was really just a beast."
'Just a beast... Then where have they hidden that girl?'
As the Mystic Ruler's expression twisted, the Chief Attendant carefully added:
"I've ordered thorough inspections not just at the territory line but in all areas including the Human Realm. We'll find Young Lady Myoungyoon's daughter soon. Please do not worry."
"You must find her. Search every corner of the Ju Clan territory if necessary!"
"Yes!"
At that time, the three sisters were quietly observing the sleeping baby white tiger.
"She doesn't seem to be sick anywhere..."
"Yes. Her posture and expression look very comfortable, don't they?"
"But why won't she wake up like this?"
"Could there have been some problem in the process of transforming into a white tiger? Like something necessary was missing, preventing her from waking up?"
Unlike the three sisters' worries, the white tiger occasionally stretched out straight and rolled over.
The way it smacked its lips, the way it alternately curled and uncurled its small pink paws while breathing softly - it couldn't look more peaceful.
But they couldn't help but worry since it had been quite a while without opening its eyes, just sleeping.
Those riding on horseback felt the same way.
"Father... no, Elder. There must be a way. It will be nothing serious. I will surely find a way to return her to her original form."
"Yes. I understand."
"Really. Please wait just a little. It seems this reaction occurred because my fangs were absorbed into her body, which already had increased Baek Clan spiritual power. When the spiritual power stabilizes, she will return to normal."
"I don't blame you, Baek Clan Head. I already know you did your best, so please do not worry."
Even Ju Myoungyoon was equally concerned about this unexpected situation that wasn't mentioned even once in ancient texts.
But how could he be angry at Baek Giha?
He had given up immortality and even offered his spare life for his daughter.
That's when Baek Manyong's voice cut in between them.
"Elder Myoungyoon. Even if the young lady never returns to her original form, please do not worry. If she must live as a white tiger for life, I, Baek Manyong, will take full responsibility for ensuring she lives peacefully every day without the slightest discomfort. No, not just me. Our entire Baek Clan will serve the young lady with complete sincerity."
'Not this bastard again.'
Ju Myoungyoon's angry gaze flew at Baek Manyong's tactless words.
This bastard was too much. He was so loose with his words that Baek Giha, who had been angering him until now, looked like a saint in comparison.
Baek Manyong's influence couldn't be ignored in making Ju Myoungyoon more lenient toward the Baek Clan Head, beyond Baek Giha's sacrifice.
After glaring menacingly at Baek Manyong, making him step back, Baek Giha added:
"And if the Elder doesn't mind..."
Baek Giha's gaze shifted to Ju Myoungyoon.
"Rather than leaving her like this, what do you think about me holding her? During the day and also at night..."
When Ju Myoungyoon's gaze moved to him, Baek Giha, anticipating the meaning of that gaze, desperately tried to maintain composure as he continued speaking.
These things become awkward if discussed with embarrassment. He had to speak naturally, as if discussing something normal.
"It's not for any other reason, but during her previous exuviation, she didn't wake for a week, didn't she? Because I kept infusing spiritual power into her body then to help stabilize her spiritual power. I thought we could try that again..."
"......"
"Also, if the fangs are the problem, maybe the Baek clan's spiritual power will help her... That's why I had to mention it, I absolutely don't have any other intentions..."
But contrary to Baek Giha's concern that his intentions might be doubted and seen as suspicious, Ju Myoungyoon felt like he was becoming indebted to Baek Giha once again.
He too had experienced it on the battlefield - pouring spiritual power into someone all night wasn't as easy as it seemed.
When they first reunited, he had misinterpreted such intentions, thinking, 'The Baek Clan Head must feel guilty about something to show such kindness.'
'But now I can't make such misunderstandings anymore.'
Ju Myoungyoon added heavily:
"Then, though it's shameless... may I ask for your help again?"
He would have done it himself if it was something he could do.
But since it seemed to be an issue with Baek Clan spiritual power, this time he had to entrust it to him.
"Of course. Such a thing is nothing at all."
"Thank you."
Ju Myoungyoon bowed deeply toward him.
Startled, Baek Giha quickly grabbed his shoulders.
"Elder... Father. Please don't do this. It is only right that I do this."
"......"
...There was nothing he could do even though he noticed him subtly changing the form of address.
It was Baek Giha who had saved his daughter's life twice, and now it was him again trying to improve her condition.
'Above all, Sehwa seemed to have feelings for this man too.'
"I want to marry the Baek Clan Head, not the Young Lord."
She wasn't the type who would say such things even if someone forced her to.
If they had mutual feelings, it was difficult for him, who had left her alone for so long, to interfere now.
The sun had set, with only its edge visible beyond the high mountains.
Though they wanted to quickly leave Ju Clan territory, their pace was slow due to the many carriages.
After confirming the darkened sky, Ju Myoungyoon ordered them to prepare camp.
While the warriors hurriedly set up tents and prepared meals, Baek Giha received the baby white tiger from the three sisters.
Entering the prepared tent, he laid her, still unconscious, on a soft spot.
Then he transformed.
The enormous white tiger, barely fitting into the large tent, took the tiny baby white tiger that didn't even reach his paw into his embrace.
Curling his body into a circle, he began circulating spiritual power, allowing it to flow into the little white tiger like a river.
After confirming this, the white tiger closed his deep blue eyes.
Hoping she would open her eyes without any problems, he poured out his power without the slightest reservation.
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