When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 104
Chapter 104
As dawn approached, the starlight that had twinkled in the night sky gradually disappeared.
As the color of the sky began to fade from the horizon, as if diluted with water, Baek Giha quietly slipped outside.
Moving silently so as not to encounter those standing guard, he navigated between the tents and called out to someone.
At the news that Sehwa had opened her eyes, Ju Myoungyoon and the three maids immediately followed him.
Even Baek Manyong, who had been keenly observing the area, quickly noticed the movement, though Baek Giha hadn’t wanted to call him.
Yesterday, Baek Giha had cast a barrier as he carried the baby white tiger into the tent.
Thus, unable to know what was happening inside, everyone had been curious all night.
“Sehwa!”
“My lady!”
“My lady, you’re awake!”
Seeing the small white tiger with its eyes open, everyone approached with joy, regardless of its form.
“Sehwa, are you alright? Is your body okay?”
Hearing Ju Myoungyoon’s worried words, the small white tiger vigorously nodded, as if to assure him that there was nothing to worry about.
“She briefly returned to human form last night. It seems she’s returned to this form because her spiritual power hasn’t stabilized yet, but she’ll recover soon.”
Hearing Baek Giha’s explanation, Ju Myoungyoon seemed to finally relax.
Bowing his head, he expressed his sincere gratitude.
“Clan Head Baek, you’ve worked hard. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it, Father. It’s only natural that I should do this.”
“No. If it weren’t for Clan Head Baek, my daughter would have already passed away a few days ago. I owe you an immense debt that I cannot repay with words.”
“Please don’t say that. We’re practically family now.”
As Clan Head Baek awkwardly bowed in return, the baby white tiger tumbled over and nudged his leg.
“......”
“Hew.”
“......”
“Kyung kew.”
“Oh my…”
Baek Manyong’s eyes widened at the baby white tiger’s voice.
He was witnessing a small, newborn Divine Beast moving and making sounds for the first time in his life.
‘Oh… my goodness. How can such an adorable creature exist?’
Tiny pink ears, a pink nose, dainty toes and pink paw pads, sparkling blue eyes that shone like jewels every time they blinked.
He knew that this baby Divine Beast was the young lady of the Ju Clan, who had once aimed a bow at him, but…
“Gasp, gasp.”
Baek Manyong's face flushed red, as if he were about to have a nosebleed.
Letting out ragged breaths, he barely managed to control his trembling hands, exclaiming in admiration,
“What… what great deeds have I done to deserve such a blessing? To be able to witness the sacred and auspicious form of a Divine Beast from such a young age… It’s something impossible unless the heavens have decided to greatly favor the Baek Clan, and me in particular. Therefore, if it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition, could I perhaps touch the young lady's paw pads just once? If you would grant me this request, this Baek Manyong would, for the young lady—Mmph!”
Youngchae quietly covered his mouth.
The three sisters’ gazes towards Baek Manyong were no longer cold or sharp, thanks to him helping them when Seowol tried to kidnap Sehwa.
But he still needed to be mindful. The atmosphere was finally amicable, and he was about to ruin it all by himself.
“Hee, kew. Kyung.”
“…Oh my.”
But even the three sisters’ lips softened as they heard the various strange, breathy sounds coming from the white tiger’s mouth.
As everyone’s attention focused on her, the baby white tiger sighed in frustration and sat down on her hindquarters.
Even that movement wasn’t a simple ‘thud,’ but rather something like a ‘thwump’ or ‘plop.’
‘Crazy. Cute! Cute. Cute!’
Even Youngchae's gaze, as she covered Baek Manyong’s mouth, wavered.
Looking tenderly at the small Divine Beast, Baek Giha advised, “As I said before, it’ll be difficult to make proper sounds until your spiritual power stabilizes. So just speak comfortably, however it comes out.”
“Hee. Kew.”
“It’s alright. I can understand everything you’re saying. I’ll convey it for you.”
Whether it was because they were both white tiger Divine Beasts or because of his spiritual power within her, he could understand everything she said.
Last night, Sehwa had realized this too, but a little too late.
She had noticed his bewildered, blank expression as he looked down at her in her transformed state, with his toned muscles on full display.
She had been so embarrassed and apologetic. She wanted to make excuses, but even that wasn't possible in her beast form.
Still, she desperately wanted him to understand her true feelings.
“Kew. Hew hew. Hya.”
Since she had become human once, she would soon be able to do so again. She might transform back any minute now. She asked him to wait a little while.
But Baek Giha's expression only hardened.
Even the way he covered his eyes with his large hand seemed like he was trying to hide a sigh, making her anxious.
Out of guilt, she quietly approached and wrapped her paws around his leg, and that's when she saw it.
His lips, just below, barely suppressing a smile.
At that moment, she instinctively bit his leg, as if she really were a beast.
His tightly muscled leg didn't even bear a teeth mark, but…
Anyway, that’s how it happened.
He could understand her even if she spoke like this, couldn't he?
Baek Giha, subtly emphasizing the part he most wanted to say, forcibly suppressed his smug grin and reached out to her.
The little white tiger flinched and froze. His hand hesitated in midair.
“......”
“......”
Everyone gathered in the tent witnessed the momentary awkwardness.
Quickly composing himself, Baek Giha smoothly salvaged the situation, pretending nothing had happened.
“Ahem. Even though she’s currently in the form of a Divine Beast, I was too casual in reaching out to the precious young lady. My apologies.”
Youngsun said, “It must be frustrating that you can’t make eye contact,” and picked Sehwa up.
“......”
That sight displeased him greatly. Baek Giha’s eyebrows twitched momentarily.
It was a sight he would have easily overlooked before. But now, for some reason, just seeing Sehwa held in someone else’s arms made his fingertips feel cold.
“Give the young lady to me. I will infuse her with spiritual power as I did last night.”
He spoke to Youngsun, lowering his voice calmly.
As soon as Ju Myoungyoon nodded, Youngsun held Sehwa out to him.
Sehwa obediently moved into Baek Giha’s arms and called out to him.
“…Mew.”
“Hmm?”
“Mew mew.”
“Ah, I see. Father, please have a seat. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Baek Manyong hurriedly brought a chair.
Before the conversation began, Baek Giha carefully cast a barrier within the tent.
Naturally, he did so with the baby white tiger sitting on his lap.
“First, let me clarify that this is not my opinion. It’s hers.”
“What is it?”
“Well, you see…”
As Baek Giha hesitated unusually, the baby white tiger looked up at him again and cried, “Hya.”
Urged on, Baek Giha reluctantly began to speak.
“We have something to do, so we’d like the rest of you to return to the Baek Clan first.”
“…What?”
Ju Myoungyoon asked back in disbelief.
“We, meaning your daughter and I, will stay in the Ju Clan territory for a while longer.”
At dawn, after realizing that Baek Giha could understand her, Sehwa learned about what had happened while she was unconscious, amidst the awkward atmosphere.
The little white tiger’s expression grew serious after hearing about the series of events.
—If you’ve cleared out the residence to move, we can’t ignore what the family might be thinking. Father probably sent a letter to my brothers and Mother in advance.
As the baby white tiger pondered, her tail tapped the floor.
—The Mystic Ruler needs to take me, but I’ve hidden myself, and Father has to go to the Baek Clan, so he needs to find another hostage.
“Then?”
—I think the Mystic Ruler is probably monitoring or detaining Mother and my brothers. Of course, considering the public support Father has gained and the fact that there’s no need to escalate the situation right now, I don’t think he would harm them.
“......”
—Since Father is prepared not to return, it will be difficult if they remain in the territory. We need to bring them back first.
“The details of our group, including the number of people and the list of our belongings, have probably already been reported to the outpost. We can’t stay here without leaving.”
—Let’s leave once. That way, the Mystic Ruler will think nothing is amiss.
“What will we do after we leave?”
—You said you think I've already become a Divine Beast. Well, I’m still half-baked, but you were able to bypass the Ju Clan's barrier in your Divine Beast form. If I truly am a Divine Beast, shouldn't I be able to do the same?
“…So, you’re suggesting we leave the territory once, pass through the barrier, and then only the two of us, you and I, come back here?”
—Exactly.
“I’ve already sent a letter to my wife and sons, telling them to leave the territory. All three of them regularly patrol the border themselves, so it wouldn't have been difficult for them to follow the instructions in the letter.”
“According to your daughter, someone working for the Mystic Ruler is probably near them. They won't harm them, but if they try to leave the territory or hide, they’ll likely be subtly discouraged from doing so.”
“......”
Ju Myoungyoon, having experienced a few days ago the revelation that a subordinate he had been close to for over ten years was the Mystic Ruler’s spy, immediately understood what was meant.
“There was such a person by my side, so there’s no guarantee that there isn’t one near my sons. I hadn’t considered that, given their lower positions.”
“The Mystic Ruler's aim was to restrict and monitor you, Elder.”
“This group will also be monitored, so I won’t be able to accompany you even if I wanted to.”
“Since we have to pretend to return to the Baek Clan and then cross the Ju Clan border in our Divine Beast forms, only your daughter and I can go anyway. Please return to the Baek Clan with our Chancellor, Elder.”
“......”
“I will protect your daughter well. Don’t worry. When I see you again, Elder, she will have returned to her human form with her spiritual power stabilized.”
“I am deeply indebted to you. I’m sorry, and thank you.”
As Ju Myoungyoon bowed his head once again with sincerity, Baek Giha waved his hand.
“There’s no need for this, Elder.”
“No. You not only saved my daughter’s life, but you’re also going to save my family.”
“There’s no need to separate it like that. In a way, this is all for my benefit as well.”
Of course it was.
If things went according to plan, he would be alone with her. Just the two of them! It meant that they would be moving secretly, not because they had to, but because they would be unintentionally—truly unintentionally—separated from the rest of the group.
Moreover, since the small baby Divine Beast couldn't walk quickly, he would inevitably have to carry her in his arms.
He would have to stroke her soft fur to calm her spiritual power and infuse her with his own.
‘And if she transforms back into a human then…’
She might transform back tonight, or even today…
If that happened with no one else around, with only the two of them left…
If such a situation arose, where they didn't have to be mindful of anyone…
Realizing his lips were curving into a smile, Baek Giha quickly covered his mouth with his large hand.
“......”
Unaware that the rest of his face was turning red.
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