When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The Central River was the largest river that ran across the Mystic Realm from east to west.
To the northeast of the river was the habitat of the Spirit Tree, a plant vital for maintaining spiritual energy in the atmosphere.
As the life force across the Mystic Realm diminished, the area of the Spirit Tree's habitat also gradually decreased.
Only belatedly did people realize that the Spirit Tree was necessary to delay annihilation, and they were now making every effort to maintain it.
Therefore, they had diverted many streams from the river to bring water to the habitat, and because of that, at some point during the dry season, the water level of the Central River would become so low that it could be crossed on foot.
“And there’s a passage owned by the Ju Clan leading to the human realm at the northeastern border outpost.”
“I know that. But no one has ever crossed the river and attacked the outpost.”
‘In the past, no one would have dared to point their swords at the Ju Clan. Who would have imagined that the Ju Clan would lose to the six clans in such a way.’
“Unlike back then when the Ju Clan warriors guarded the riverbank like an iron wall, now the insidious mob has gathered very close to our territory. They're here to escort the Mystic Ruler’s bloodline to the Baek Clan.”
“Escort?”
Just as the old man's eyebrows were about to furrow at the unpleasant remark.
She announced again, her voice respectful,
“Therefore, they would also be able to see the lowered water level of the river. As the saying goes, seeing something sparks desire; even though a peace treaty has been made, I am worried that they might try to seize the passage we possess.”
As the Mystic Realm was collapsing, some mystic beings began to consider the human realm as a new place to settle.
The passage to the human realm was now considered to be much more important than before.
But among the passages scattered throughout the Mystic Realm, the only one that living beings could use freely under any circumstances was the one that the Ju Clan possessed.
“Since the Mystic Ruler has forbidden unnecessary battles, wouldn’t it be difficult for the outpost to react quickly if a problem were to arise?”
In any case, the Ju Clan was now in the position of the defeated, and since the Baek Clan Head was revealed to be a divine beast, that position could never be reversed.
Even though there was no reason for them to strike first, what was the reason for the old Clan Head to order the prohibition of battles?
‘Of course, it’s to use it as an excuse for the repeated defeats that will surely come later.’
As if those words were grating on his nerves, his old, wooden-like hand gripped the handle.
Sehwa, having noticed this by slightly raising her gaze, added,
“That order was derived from the Mystic Ruler’s benevolence and compassion, but the nefarious rebels may not think the same way.”
“……”
“Therefore, if the Baek Clan warriors, who are escorting me, were to attack the outpost to seize the passage, I thought that if I had operational rights, I would be able to respond to the situation one step ahead.”
Having confirmed that the old man was listening to her, Sehwa spoke again.
“It is not only for this reason. The second reason is because of the position of the Cheon Clan, which is also my mother's clan.”
“……Why the Cheon Clan again.”
“I have heard that the current Clan Head of the Cheon Clan has repeatedly expressed displeasure to the alliance regarding the issue of the war spoils distribution. Even though the six clans have formed a blood alliance, it was only for the war.”
“……”
“It is said that the Clan Heads of each clan will be staying at the Baek Clan’s main residence, Baekseok, until the distribution is complete.”
“So?”
“The Clan Head of the Cheon Clan is my uncle by blood. If I use that as an excuse to talk to him, wouldn't it be possible to discover the hidden conflicts between them?”
Ju Sehwa added with a respectful demeanor.
“If the Cheon Clan were to abandon the blood alliance, it could cause a major upheaval within the alliance. I believe that if it comes to agitating the Cheon Clan, close communication with the nearest outpost will be necessary.”
“You think you can accomplish such a major task?”
“How could I just stand by and watch the clan's crisis unfold? I will not hesitate to do what is necessary.”
“……. And the last one?”
“The third and last reason is because we have not yet completely grasped the passage to the human realm.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“During this war, the Baek Clan freely used the passages connected to the human realm to ambush and strike at us.”
“……That’s true.”
“But the only passage that living beings can freely use is in the hands of the Ju Clan. There was no internal collaborator, so how did they use that passage to ambush our troops?”
Although the gaps that connected to the human realm were found all over the Mystic Realm, the others were only able to throw objects through them.
The only one that allowed living beings to cross directly was the one possessed by the Ju Clan.
But the allied forces had used these small gaps, through which objects could barely pass, to move around and attack the Ju Clan forces from behind.
‘Well, I already know how they did it, though.’
Sehwa tilted her head as if she couldn't figure it out and continued.
“Even now that the war has ended, we have not yet grasped that method, so aren’t we constantly exposing our backs to the enemy?”
“……Continue.”
“Since many members of the allied forces know that method, a situation may arise where I also learn about it as I live in the Baek Clan. But since I do not know anything about the passage, even if I overhear or see something, there is a high chance that I will not know that it is information about that method.”
“……”
“The outpost soldiers know more about the passages to the human realm than anyone else. Therefore, by using the operational rights, I want to make one of the outpost soldiers my personal attendant so that they may observe the situation in the Baek Clan.”
“…….”
“Since I am not a general, I will never use military power for anything other than the reasons I have just mentioned. I have simply made an unreasonable request to try to help the clan in any way possible. I apologize.”
“…….”
The old man stared at Sehwa with narrowed eyes.
His arms, as withered as dry branches, slowly tapped the armrest.
‘I only meant to resolve this by sending that girl to the Baek Family, praising that she was the only one who could handle it.’
The eloquence of this young one was better than he expected.
Ju Myoungyoon's daughter, clutching her skirt as if it was a lifeline, looked clearly nervous.
However, the reasons for wanting operational rights were reasonable for a child.
What he liked the most was her willingness to try to do something for this Ju Clan, even with a body that had not even completed exuviation yet.
‘Yes. Even if she tries to do something, her body, which has not even awakened her abilities properly, would not be able to do anything on her own.’
Although he was maintaining a calm expression, the old man’s mind was already decaying.
The great Ju Clan had maintained its position as the ruler since the beginning of the Mystic Realm, but to receive the disgrace of defeat against such insignificant beings.
And in the midst of that, even though they were defeated, praise for Ju Myoungyoon, who had comforted the warriors and protected the bloodline at the front line by himself, was still continuing.
The old man could not even fall asleep without alcohol.
The straightforward elder who stood beside him had always been a thorn in his side.
Considering the future of his successor, Ju Myoungyoon absolutely had to be removed.
And that daughter of Ju Myoungyoon was whom he was going to use as the starting point.
‘Yes. Since I was going to throw her away anyway, it would be alright to use her a bit more usefully.’
“Very well. If there are valid reasons, there's nothing I can't give.”
“Thank you, Clan Head.”
“But before that, I would like to confirm your resolve to do anything for the clan.”
“Do you have any orders for me? Please, command me.”
“I am planning to form a marital alliance, and I wonder if you would be willing to do it.”
“Yes? If you mean a marital alliance…”
“As the wife of Baek Giha, the Baek Clan’s Clan Head. It would help your treatment, too.”
“Clan Head!!”
Ju Myoungyoon cried out with a pale face.
It was clear that Baek Giha, the unmarried Clan Head of the Baek Clan, would form many marital alliances to unite the six clans from now on.
Among them, could a member of the Ju Clan, who had become the enemy of the six clans, receive proper treatment?
It might be called a marital alliance, but it was no different than ordering her to live a humiliating life there for the rest of her life and die for the sake of the clan.
And he would send his daughter to such a place?
How could he possibly allow that!
At the moment he was about to protest, his daughter's voice rang out in the audience chamber first.
“I will not.”
“What?”
The old man’s gaze hardened menacingly.
“First of all, I thank you for the Clan Head’s concern about my treatment.”
Ju Sehwa continued as if she hadn’t even noticed the old man's reaction.
“However, I have heard that the women of the Baek Clan mostly considered obedience to their husbands, refraining from going outside, and taking care of their inner quarters as their greatest virtue.”
“So?”
“Although going to the Baek Clan after a marriage ceremony might be more presentable, wouldn't it restrict my scope of action to within the mansion's inner quarters?”
“……”
“Although I can endure a humiliating life, I wish to remain exposed so that the Clan Head can use me in any form he deems fit at the appropriate time.”
The tension slowly dissipated from the old man's tightly furrowed eyebrows.
He had been furious at the impudent answer that openly defied his order.
But the words that followed suppressed that anger, and there was clearly a plausible reason.
‘Even so, what is this uneasiness?’
The old man stared at the young girl who stood before him, her head bowed, trying to find the reason for the sense of crisis that continued to prick at him.
But he couldn’t find it.
And that was understandable, for the only thing in front of him was a mere half-wit child who hadn't even completed exuviation yet.
“…….”
‘So, what should I do now? Should I grant her the operational rights?’
Just like the child had said, that would help the Ju Clan’s future.
‘But wouldn’t that give power to Ju Myoungyoon, as a result?’
He did not want to give even the slightest benefit to that man who was a thorn in his side.
Moreover, because of a certain unease he felt from this girl, the old man had to deliberate for a long time.
‘……Well. It’s not command, it’s just operational rights, and if I clearly limit it to the border outposts, then it will be fine.’
She was just a child who hadn't even undergone her coming-of-age ceremony. She seemed to have very little spiritual power, so his worries were excessive.
If it bothered him, he could take it back when she completed exuviation.
The old man convinced himself with those words.
No matter how closely he looked, he could not find any sense of incongruity from Ju Myoungyoon’s daughter, who had her head bowed.
Besides, those reddened eyes were certainly not feigned.
‘Although it was an audacious act, her words about being afraid after being overwhelmed by my majesty didn't seem to be a lie.’
In the end, he nodded.
“The departure will be in a month, so Myoungyoon, you must prepare for your daughter's journey. The operational rights of the outposts shall be passed to your daughter separately, as it would not be beneficial for anyone else to know.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
“And there will be a farewell ceremony before that, so be sure to prepare that as well.”
“Yes.”
“If you understand, then leave.”
The old man waved his tightly wrinkled hand with a tired look.
As the Clan Head declared the end of the conversation and closed his eyes, the attendant who stood behind him quietly pulled a string.
A blind came down between the old man and them.
The bell signaling departure rang.
Ju Myoungyoon, his jaw set firmly, bowed to the old man, then quickly grabbed his daughter's hand and left.
“…….”
From the moment they turned their backs, the old man, who had opened his eyes again, let out a long breath only after the door to the detached palace was closed without a sound.
Ever since the tide of the war had turned in favor of the Baek Clan, he had not been able to sleep soundly for a single day.
Clearly, this nagging unease was because of that.
“Please, rescind the order for me to be married to the Young Lord.”
‘That insolent girl.’
He knew she was doing it for the sake of the Young Lord, but even so, how dare she show her intention to refuse first.
It was unavoidable that a sense of resentment arose in him.
“I will not.”
That answer, too, therefore, remained more memorable.
‘It's understandable that she wouldn’t want to marry the Baek Clan Head.’
It might be called a marital alliance, but it was no different from a sentence of living miserably there for the rest of her life and dying.
But strangely, that girl, who had shown a constant fear of him, did not seem at all afraid when she refused the two marriages.
Instead, it was as if she was ecstatic, a reply that was so bold and clear.
Not being married to anyone, as if that was her true desire.
‘Well, for the time being, I can take a breather since I have gotten rid of that daughter, pressured Ju Myoungyoon, and protected my successor.’
The old man lowered his weary eyelids.
The hot sunlight poured leisurely through the massive window and onto the old man.
Comments
Post a Comment