When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 77
Chapter 77
A spiritual orb container was found in the possession of one of the corpses.
'It seems they infiltrated to take the Divine Dragon's spiritual orb. But why? If they had asked me to return it, I would have gladly offered it immediately.'
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a chill ran down his spine.
'They intended to make it appear as though my daughter had lost it. To make her bear the responsibility.'
Why would the Mystic Ruler go to such lengths? Why target his vassal's daughter like this?
He was already well aware of the Mystic Ruler's paranoid tendency to constantly test his subordinates before trusting them.
He even knew about the numerous spies likely hidden within this very mansion.
The Ju clan members had been steeped in prosperity for so long that they were forgetting their duties and responsibilities.
Personal comfort and gain had long since outweighed loyalty and faith. Until now, Ju Myoungyoon had tried to understand the Mystic Ruler's actions, believing he had no choice but to act this way.
However, this time it seemed far too extreme. His daughter had already agreed to go to the Baek clan instead of becoming the Young Lord's wife—what more did he intend to use her for by deliberately making her into a criminal?
While Ju Myoungyoon was burning with doubt about the Mystic Ruler with such a grief-stricken heart...
"So the Young Lady has only recently completed her exuviation?"
As the Baek clan Chancellor's unrelenting voice continued, Baek Giha's expression also grew increasingly rigid.
"This is truly remarkable. Your control over spiritual power is so fluid that I thought you had completed your exuviation quite some time ago."
"...Chancellor. Why are you so talkative during the meal? Stop disrupting the Young Lady's meal and just eat."
"Yes, Clan Head. Ah, that reminds me. Young Lady, I haven't properly thanked you yet. You saved me last night, and now you've even invited me to dine with you today."
"Chancellor."
"Yes, I'll eat now, Clan Head."
"..."
Though his mouth was closed, Baek Manyong still seemed to have many questions he wanted to ask and things he wanted to say.
His persistent gaze kept flickering toward Sehwa, who sat across from him.
Each time this happened, Baek Giha's expression darkened.
'Is this how Father felt?'
Every time Sehwa turned or tilted her head, Baek Manyong's eyes would glaze over as if witnessing some new wonder, and it was unbearably irritating.
The chopsticks trembled in Baek Giha's increasingly tight grip, threatening to snap.
While he was exercising tremendous patience, Baek Manyong, who had been fidgeting uncomfortably under Sehwa's cold demeanor, now turned to address Ju Myoungyoon.
"Elder, are you not feeling hungry?"
Lost in other thoughts, Ju Myoungyoon responded a beat late.
"...Pardon?"
"I wondered if it might be because of me. Yesterday, I spoke thoughtlessly without knowing the circumstances. I apologize for disturbing your peace of mind by criticizing what wasn't true."
"No need. Your thoughts were understandable."
"But Elder, may I ask you one thing?"
"...Go ahead."
"By any chance, among your ancestors or their predecessors, was there anyone from the Baek clan?"
"No, there wasn't. The Ju clan typically forms unions with other Ju clan members or the Cheon clan of the Golden Deer."
"I... I see. Then what about Madam? Were there any Baek clan members among her ancestors or their predecessors?"
"No, there weren't."
"There weren't? Really, truly? Then what about the generations before that?"
Ju Myoungyoon's brow furrowed briefly before smoothing out.
"There weren't any. Neither my family nor my wife's family has ever had a marriage alliance with the Baek clan."
"Huk."
"?"
For some unknown reason, Baek Manyong's gaze began trembling intensely as he spoke again in a quivering voice.
"Then... does the Ju... Ju clan also punish... a-adultery?"
"?!"
'This crazy bastard. He's really been pushing it since yesterday.'
Having asked about his bloodline and immediately following it with a question about adultery, it couldn't possibly be taken as an ordinary inquiry.
He addressed Baek Manyong in a terrifyingly low voice.
"What exactly are you trying to say? Are you wondering if I might be an illegitimate child born of adultery? Or are you questioning whether my children might be illegitimate?"
Baek Manyong shook his head with a startled expression.
"That's not what I meant. I once read in a book that the Ju clan was somewhat open regarding relationships between men and women. Since I've never visited the Ju clan, I was merely curious if this was true... It seems I've asked something quite inappropriate."
As Baek Manyong quickly backed down, Ju Myoungyoon's flaring temper also subsided somewhat.
The repeated apologies from earlier, and now this...
He recalled how Baek Giha had mentioned yesterday that the Chancellor was still young and lacked deep thought.
"While the Ju clan may have such tendencies, marriage is a union conducted under the Mystic Ruler's supervision, so adultery is impossible."
"...I... I see."
"Yes. Besides, even if forbidden blood were to mix and an illegitimate child were born, it would be immediately apparent from their spiritual power's color. Such a child, along with the parents who committed adultery, would be stripped of the Ju surname and banished from our territory."
"Hup!"
"?"
Baek Manyong swallowed hard, appearing extremely shocked by Ju Myoungyoon's explanation.
Even when asked what was wrong or if he was alright, he remained silent, his eyes slightly reddened.
Looking at Sehwa, he nodded with a grave expression, like a warrior ready to defend territory with his life.
As if he would protect some non-existent crucial secret no matter what.
"..."
While Sehwa didn't know why the Chancellor was acting this way, his gaze was extremely irritating.
As she blinked her long, beautiful eyelashes like butterfly wings, she thought pitifully.
'I guess just scaring him wasn't enough. Should I beat him up tonight? Or maybe tomorrow, since he probably didn't sleep well last night?'
Just then, the now-familiar footsteps of an interrupting servant rapidly approached along the corridor.
Such arrivals were no longer surprising. However...
"What gift?"
Ju Myoungyoon's voice, already in a foul mood, sharpened like a blade.
The servant carefully corrected him with a troubled expression.
"Not a gift, Elder. They're betrothal gifts. The Mystic Ruler has sent betrothal gifts that are being brought into the courtyard now. What should we do?"
Ju Myoungyoon's nails dug into his palm.
'Even though it's obvious who attacked my house, my daughter's separate residence, last night, today they send betrothal gifts?'
"Who brought them? Was it one of the Mystic Ruler's Three Guardians?"
"No. The Young Lord brought them personally."
"..."
When Sehwa tried to rise from her seat, Ju Myoungyoon pressed down on her shoulder as he stood up.
"Stay where you are. A child's marriage is originally the parents' matter."
"I can handle this."
"No. I can't stand this anymore. At the very least, regarding you, I must make the situation clear to the Mystic Ruler. So step aside. I will speak to the Young Lord directly as a father."
Sehwa shook her head.
"Given the Young Lord's temperament, it would be better if I handled this. Father, please don't come out today as you might face difficulties. Just trust me with this once."
"Sehwa!"
Sehwa, who had grabbed Ju Myoungyoon's stiffened hand, turned to look at Baek Giha and said,
"Everyone, please continue with your meal."
"No. If you're going, I'll—"
As Baek Giha stood up, Baek Manyong also rose.
"How could I remain seated when the Clan Head is going?"
"...Chancellor. You stay seated."
"No, Clan Head, Elder, and Young Lady. I will resolve everything. Please trust me."
Baek Giha's thread-thin patience snapped at that moment.
"No. How could you possibly understand this situation enough to talk about resolving—"
Just then, Sehwa, who had been contemplating something, turned to Baek Giha and opened her mouth...
"Just in case, you should—"
But closed it again.
"..."
"..."
"...you?"
Her gaze wavered as she realized her slip of the tongue.
"...Baek Clan Head, I would be grateful if you could stay here a little longer and join us later. In about half an incense stick's time."
Quickly gauging Father's reaction, Baek Giha responded in a composed voice.
"I will do so."
When Sehwa arrived alone in the courtyard, Ju Kyunghyun was directing where to place the items he had brought, as if this were his own home.
Judging by the momentary awkwardness when their eyes met, it seemed the Young Lord hadn't come with these betrothal gifts of his own volition.
"Sehwa."
Yet his voice calling her remained as affectionate as ever.
"What is all this?"
"Haven't you been told? I clearly said they were betrothal gifts."
"...Betrothal gifts."
"Yes. The Mystic Ruler will soon set the date for our engagement, so you should stop going out recklessly at night and stay quietly in the mansion."
"He will personally set the date?"
"Yes. What are you doing? The Mystic Ruler personally arranged all of this. Come, you should express your gratitude for this grace."
"Young Lord."
Sehwa slowly approached him.
"Young Lord. I had intended not to say this to you..."
A slight laugh escaped as she found it absurd, and seeing this, Ju Kyunghyun's expression became dazed and flushed. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
"I already have someone I want to marry. And of course, it's not you."
Realizing this too late, Ju Kyunghyun questioned in disbelief:
"...What, did you say?"
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