When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 35
Chapter 35
"What does it matter if you don't have an entry pass? If you go with me, you'll pass right through."
"I want to go alone."
"..."
"Is there any reason we must go together? Why?"
"...Well."
"Whatever the reason, Young Lord, please handle that much on your own. I'm also quite busy preparing for my departure to the Baek Clan."
"..."
Since it wasn't something he couldn't give, Ju Kyunghyun finally placed one of his entry passs in her hand.
Without even a word of thanks, Sehwa took it and looked him up and down once more before adding, "And since you're so busy, I'd prefer if you didn't come here again."
"What?"
"I'm busy, and you're busy. When we're both so busy, there's no need to see each other's faces, is there?"
"..."
"If there's anything urgent, please send a letter. Though, I know you won't be sending many letters since I'll soon be going to the Baek Clan for your sake. Isn't that right?"
"..."
Ju Kyunghyun felt not just dumbfounded but as if he had been bewitched.
'Why is she acting like this today? How can such words come from Sehwa's mouth?'
"Young Lord!"
"You should call me Brother. You're going to be my bride soon. Are you planning to call me Young Lord even then?"
"...Brother Kyunghyun."
Even saying just those words used to make Sehwa's face flush bright red with embarrassment.
Where had that girl gone, the one who couldn't even meet his gaze properly? Why this sudden change in attitude?
"Could it be that you've been waiting all this time thinking you would marry me, and you're acting this way because it's fallen through? If that's the case, until you return from the Baek Clan, I-"
"You seem to get along very well with my younger cousin."
"Hm? Younger cousin?"
"Yes. The two of you look quite good together. Why don't you marry her instead?"
"..."
"That would be quite nice to see."
Just then, a commotion could be heard from the direction of the main gate.
Sa Yeonju, who had been trying to escape with her belongings while Sehwa and Ju Kyunghyun were talking since her role seemed to be over, had been caught at the gate.
"What are you doing! Let go of me right now!"
"I apologize, Young Lady Sa, but the Young Lady ordered us not to let anything be taken out."
Sa Yeonju cried out in a pitiful voice.
"What do you mean?! These are my things! What right does Sister have to give such an order when I'm trying to take my own belongings! Is she going to torment me like this now?"
Though pitiful, her voice was loud enough to carry over the estate walls.
"How can Sister do this to me? What have I ever done wrong to her!"
Sehwa's steps naturally turned toward the gate.
"What is all this about?"
Ju Kyunghyun, who had been standing still in bewilderment, moved with her to see what was happening.
"Lord Kyunghyun!"
Sa Yeonju, who had been struggling with the servants, spotted Ju Kyunghyun and clung to him.
"Lord Kyunghyun, Young Lord, please judge this situation. Sister is misunderstanding me and keeps pressuring me without any evidence."
"Have you taken everything she was carrying?"
When Sehwa asked, the servant nodded.
"Yes, but we haven't searched her person."
"Do it. Call the attendants right now and have them search her thoroughly. Make sure she can't take even a single thing out."
"Sister!"
"Tell her she might be able to leave barefoot, but she won't be able to leave normally if she's hiding even a single ring. If she doesn't want to crawl out, she should give up everything voluntarily."
"Yes, Young Lady."
Her cold smile and surprisingly harsh words were something Ju Kyunghyun had never imagined seeing from her.
"What are you... Sehwa, she's your cousin sister, isn't she?"
"As I said before, you two look good together."
"What?"
"I said you two really look good together."
With those words, Sehwa turned around and walked away.
There was no farewell, no answer to Ju Kyunghyun's question.
"..."
'What's with that comment she keeps making? And she's just leaving like that? She's really going? When I'm right here?'
Ju Kyunghyun, who had been waiting for her all this time only to end up like a fool chasing chickens, stood with his mouth agape in astonishment.
Youngsun, following her mistress, quietly turned back and asked, "How could you say they look good together? What if he actually starts seeing her that way..."
"No. This will make him stay even further away from her."
"What?"
"When no one was paying attention, he might have been fine being around her. But now that he knows someone is watching them together? Would that proud Young Lord keep her by his side?"
"..."
Youngsun was once again surprised by that tone toward the Young Lord.
Seeing the earlier situation, she had thought something must have upset her mistress about the Young Lord, but...
'What exactly did the Young Lord and cousin do to our Young Lady?'
What could they have done to make our Young Lady change like this?
While Youngsun worried about this, Ju Sehwa never once looked back at the two entangled at the main gate.
Ju Myoungyoon was a warrior who rarely lost his composure in any situation.
He always embraced soldiers' mistakes with tolerance as long as they didn't violate military law, and he rarely raised his voice.
But now, his brow kept furrowing and smoothing repeatedly.
After his sons had joined, his heart had become much more troubled.
"...so at that time, it was as if the spiritual power was blocked by something and couldn't extend..."
'Where is this conversation even going?'
Unable to bear it anymore, Ju Myoungyoon called out to his sons.
"Gayoon. Ju Gayoon. Who are you consulting with about what?"
"Ah, at times like that, you should use spiritual power like this. May I see your sword? Yes, oh, this is a good sword. Watch this. If you circulate the power like this, then like this..."
"Wow, I see!"
"Ah! It really works. It works right away with your method!"
"Or there's also this method. If you rotate it like this, then from here, like this..."
Bang!
"Wow!"
Clap clap clap!
The sword that had been emitting white light following Baek Giha's spiritual power manipulation vibrated finely.
The tree hit by the sword strike that extended like a whip had a hole in its middle as if pierced by a huge arrow.
The sons, with excited faces, clapped and busily moved to try to copy what they had just seen.
'Hah...'
Of course, it would be good to learn anything that helps one improve, regardless of the source.
But shouldn't one be discerning about the time and the person?
'Just who are they learning from right now...'
As the back of his neck grew hot, Ju Myoungyoon finally raised his voice.
"Gahan! What are you doing? Can you not hear your father's words?"
'That person is the enemy. Don't you know that, you fools? The enemy!'
"Father."
Perhaps finally noticing his father's continued worries?
Ju Gahan, his proud eldest son who always showed a dignified appearance everywhere, knelt before Ju Myoungyoon.
"I well understand your concerns. However, hasn't it been said since ancient times that there are things to learn even from a child before you? If the learning doesn't violate the six paramitas, wouldn't it be good learning regardless of who it comes from?"
"...What did you say?"
"That's right!"
Ju Gayoon also knelt beside his brother.
"I too know his status. However, even though we are enemies to him, he's sharing his secret techniques without any hesitation. I don't want to be someone so narrow-minded as to turn away from even that heart."
Baek Giha also added in a low, calm voice while looking at Ju Myoungyoon.
"Father Myoungyoon. I'm truly just sharing what I know out of respect for the three of you. Couldn't you consider battlefield matters as battlefield matters only? I am certainly not the kind of person you saw then. I'm not."
"...Ha."
Well, with the three of them taking sides like this, if he pursued it further, he would only end up looking narrow-minded and petty.
Ju Myoungyoon released his rising frustration in a sigh.
"Then let me ask just one thing. Can you answer sincerely?"
"I will."
"What is the purpose of this visit?"
"...That."
"I've asked several times, but you still cannot answer?"
"..."
Even for someone as thick-skinned as Baek Giha, he had no answer for this question.
‘I came to break off your daughter’s engagement. Although I am older than your two sons, if you permit our marriage, I will cherish your daughter more than anyone else. I will never let her shed a single tear…’
"..."
...How could he possibly say such things to that Elder whose face appeared to have no room for even a needle to enter?
Baek Giha glanced at Ju Myoungyoon. That face as firm as a divine pillar was staring straight at him.
'...How could I possibly say it.'
I really want to tell you! Truly, Father Myoungyoon!
Baek Giha, who could only shout these words in his heart, let out a groan.
"And you want me to trust you while being like this?"
"Father Myoungyoon. One thing I can promise you clearly is that my visit will certainly not harm the Ju Clan."
"..."
"The reason I cannot properly tell you my purpose is simply because it's a matter that needs time, so please give me just a little more time. I'll say it again, but it will absolutely not harm the Ju Clan. I can swear on my name."
"..."
After quietly looking at Baek Giha, Ju Myoungyoon finally sighed.
"Alright. Then I'll try to trust you."
Baek Giha nodded with a happy face.
Then Ju Myoungyoon asked one more thing.
"Then, can you at least tell me why you're suddenly addressing me so oddly? Where did 'Father Myoungyoon' come from?"
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