When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Sehwa flew on Giha’s back, who was in his Divine Beast form.

Regardless of the threats from the Six Clans’ warriors beyond the Central River, the lights of revelry from those interested only in their own pleasure twinkled like stars below.

Dansa Province, where the Madam was staying, was the same.

This place had served as a medical outpost during the war, where wounded soldiers were brought, but now, there was no trace of that gloomy atmosphere.

Lively music, loud enough to be heard from the sky, drifted from all directions.

Sehwa and Baek Giha carefully descended to a deserted area, avoiding being seen.

Having already changed into the worn clothes prepared by Merchant Ji, they immediately joined the crowds on the street.

Countless lights illuminated every corner, sparkling so brightly it was almost blinding.

The passersby were enjoying the nightly spectacle as if it were their first time.

When was the last time she had seen such a sight?

Sehwa gazed at the scene, which she hadn’t seen in a very long time, with a sense of wonder.

A stiff, unnatural voice spoke beside her.

“Now then, shall we begin our reconnaissance? Let’s see what the atmosphere is like here, and if anyone knows anything about the situation inside the outpost.”

“......”

“Since this is reconnaissance, we’ll have to look around the shops, go into restaurants, and have a few drinks. Right?”

“......”

Baek Giha’s large hand enveloped Sehwa’s, which was hanging down.

“Just in case I lose you.”

He whispered, his face flushed, then corrected his expression as if realizing, ‘Ah, I shouldn’t be smiling like this while carrying out a secret mission.’

“Let’s go.”

Baek Giha gently led her by the hand. Sehwa followed him, walking among the bright lanterns.

---

They were currently scouting enemy territory.

So they had to be thorough and not miss a single spot.

They also had to check if their transformed appearances completely concealed their auras.

This was all reconnaissance, after all.

Baek Giha led her through the streets, adding unnecessary explanations at the end of every sentence.

“We should definitely check out that fabric shop. Many servants from high-ranking families visit such places. It’ll be a good place to gather information.”

Inside the fabric shop, he scrutinized the displayed accessories, claiming they needed to understand the Ju Clan’s preferences.

“This hairpin is quite beautiful.”

As he held various hairpins next to Sehwa’s face, examining them, the owner hurried over.

Despite their somewhat shabby appearance, the owner had sensed the familiar scent of money from the way Baek Giha didn't ask about the prices.

“Oh my. You’re so beautiful that the accessories pale in comparison. Everything suits you so well.”

Since Sehwa was currently disguised as an ordinary person, the owner’s words were just flattery to make a sale.

But Baek Giha’s face was filled with satisfaction.

“That’s true. There’s no color she can’t pull off.”

“Oh my, oh my. What a loving couple. You’re so lovely together. But I think earrings would suit you better. Why don’t you take a look at that chest over there…”

“Couple?”

“…Aren’t you a couple?”

“No, we are. We’re a couple. Haha. Just earrings? Bring me the most expensive items in this shop—.”

Sehwa quickly covered Baek Giha's mouth as he suddenly became excited, as if he was about to buy out the entire shop.

“We’ll look around a bit more and come back.”

“Yes, please do come back! I’ll be waiting!”

Leaving the disappointed owner behind, Sehwa dragged Baek Giha out of the shop.

He couldn’t control his expression, his face constantly breaking into a smile.

His excitement was evident in his behavior.

As if “This is reconnaissance” had become his mantra in the past hour, he made sure she experienced everything he had enjoyed, everything he had found delicious and pleasant.

“Ah, that. That’s delicious.”

Thinking her legs might be tired from all the walking…

He was looking around for a place for them to sit down when he led her to a street vendor.

He was still holding her hand tightly.

“Two bowls of this, please.”

He pointed to a cold snack made of mung bean jelly, served in small bowls.

“Oh, you came at the right time. This is the last of it. Since it’s the last, I’ll give you a generous portion.”

The owner greeted them warmly and handed them two bowls.

“The last? So you’re selling something else from now on?”

“No, I’ve sold out, so I have to go home.”

Baek Giha chuckled, letting go of her hand momentarily to receive the bowls.

“The night is just beginning, and you’re already going home? You must be doing well for yourself, owner.”

“Haha. It’s because I’m newlywed. You seem to have nothing to be sorry about, being out with your wife, but I also want to go home quickly to see my wife. My lovely wife is waiting for me.”

“......”

The owner smiled, telling them to take their time.

They sat at a table next to the stall.

“Did you hear that?” he whispered, lowering his voice even though there was no one else around.

“The owner thinks we’re a couple too.”

His serious tone betrayed his amusement.

“Now I understand why the Ju Clan has held the position of ruler for so long. Everyone in the Ju Clan territory is so perceptive.”

A small chuckle escaped Sehwa’s lips.

‘Perceptive? We’re not even married yet.’

Moreover, even for the open-minded Ju Clan, unmarried individuals always brought along attendants or guards when going out.

Since they were holding hands without any companions, it was natural for people to assume they were married.

‘Why is he so happy about that?’

But instead of teasing him about being happy about not looking like siblings, Sehwa remained silent.

His inability to hide his good mood was rather endearing.

“Sehwa, is there anything you want? Anything you want to eat?”

“Our Sehwa, tell me anything. This older brother will buy it for you!”

“It’s so crowded. Sehwa, come here to your big brother. I’ll hold you.”

The last time her family had gone out together was when Sehwa was very young.

That was before the war broke out, so it had been almost twenty-five years, including her past life.

It was a fragment of the peaceful times she had always longed for while in the Baek Clan.

She would be able to see it again when she returned home.

She had longed for and missed her home, unaware of what awaited her there. Those feelings seemed to resurface now.

The home she had longed for had thrown her into the mud, and the place she had wanted to escape from was now the place she had to return to.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just… a little strange.”

“What is?”

…Everything.

Not wanting to say that, she answered with different words.

“You look so different.”

His transformed face was so ordinary that it didn’t resemble his usual appearance at all.

How could such a beautiful face change like this?

If she looked closely, it was him, but strangely, he looked like a different person.

“Do I look too unfamiliar?”

“A little.”

At her response, the large man moved to sit beside her.

His strong arm wrapped warmly around her slender body.

He placed a light kiss on her cheek, near her ear.

Her ear, reddening as she obediently nodded, was so cute that he couldn’t resist kissing it.

“Don’t be a stranger. It’s me.”

“I know.”

“You’ve been running non-stop all this time.”

Her mother and brothers were still safe, so she should put down the burden on her shoulders for tonight. Baek Giha whispered, wanting to pave the way for every path Sehwa might take.

‘Right. Just for one night.’

Just for tonight, it seemed alright to put down the burden on her shoulders, as he said.

Seeing Sehwa smile with a relaxed expression, Baek Giha felt truly relieved.

‘…Anyway, I’m glad he doesn’t look like my uncle.’

His aging had stopped at a young age when he became a Divine Beast.

And with his handsome appearance, enhanced by the effects of spiritual power, no one ever guessed his true age.

But since he was about to marry a much younger bride, he couldn't help but be mindful of such things.

“Does it taste alright?”

“Yes, it’s delicious. Don’t just focus on me, eat yours too.”

You.

Baek Giha’s ears turned red as he savored the term of address.

It wasn't the first time she had called him “you,” but…

‘Why does it sound so different now? Is it because we were called a couple?’

“Shall I feed you?”

“What?”

“Like this, I’ll scoop some and…”

“......”

“Like this.”

He wanted to have her sit on his lap and feed her, but she would definitely hate that.

Knowing that, he held back and only offered the spoon, but Sehwa’s cold stare was her only response.

“......”

…Was that too much?

It was the moment when his nonexistent white tiger ears drooped.

With a small sigh, her red lips parted and took the spoonful he offered.

“!”

“Just this once. I don’t like doing this in public.”

‘Does that mean she’s completely fine with doing this in private?’

“And you should eat too… Here.”

“!!”

As he accepted the food she offered, he was so flustered that he couldn’t even tell if it was going down his throat or up his nose.

‘Ah, I want to marry her soon. I wish we could get married tomorrow.’

Baek Giha couldn’t come to his senses, caught up in this preview of married life.

After that, Sehwa also put aside her worries for a while and enjoyed the night.

Sometimes paying more attention to the warmth of his hand than her surroundings, sometimes observing his reactions more than the interesting sights.

The bustling streets were easy to bump into someone if she wasn’t careful, but with Baek Giha’s arm securely around her, that didn’t happen at all.

It was at that moment.

Someone, laughing loudly while walking backwards, bumped into Sehwa’s arm.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

A clear voice apologized.

As Sehwa turned around to say it was alright…

“…!!”

‘How…’

Was she seeing this correctly?

She was speechless.

‘How is she here…’

The person before her eyes was clearly her cousin sister, Sa Yeonju, who should have been locked up in the underground prison.

---

Thank you for reading this series! Just here to inform you guys that I’ve adjusted the settings to allow anonymous comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to engage in discussions about the chapter in the comment section below! Your support means a lot!

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