When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 80
Chapter 80
News of the hunting competition spread like wildfire throughout the Ju Clan.
“A competition over marriage? What nonsense is this?”
“I heard from the servants who followed the Young Lord that she insisted on marrying Clan Head Baek, saying she preferred him.”
“Has she lost her mind?”
“That girl, with her successful exuviation and nose held high, is now playing the field.”
To be torn between Clan Head Baek and the Young Lord, of all people.
How wonderful it would be if she were rejected by both after all this.
Malicious gossip, beyond mere curious whispers, filled the Ju Clan’s territory after the competition was announced.
The Mystic Ruler had declared that anyone could participate in the hunt.
However, such an entertaining event is best enjoyed as a spectator, allowing one to observe every moment without interruption.
Thus, no one volunteered to participate. Yet, on the day of the competition, a massive crowd flocked to the hunting grounds early in the morning.
Although Baek Giha was expected to attend, no one held any particular expectations regarding his appearance.
They assumed he would wear a mask as he did last time, for reasons unknown.
But lo and behold...
“...!”
Those entering the hunting grounds froze in unison as they spotted someone, their mouths agape.
Forgetting their manners, they stared blankly at the figure within their view.
‘My goodness. So this is what a divinely handsome man looks like.’
Who is this person?
No matter how handsome any renowned figure was, could they compare to this man sitting before their eyes?
His hair was neatly tied back without a single strand out of place. His posture was impeccably straight, and even his deep blue-violet robe was flawlessly tailored.
It felt as if no words in existence could describe the beauty of the man seated below the Mystic Ruler.
Without anyone needing to say it, they knew.
‘That’s Clan Head Baek.’
Although they had glimpsed the refined features hidden beneath his mask at the banquet, thanks to his imposing physique and the aura of his spiritual power...
‘How can someone so beautiful exist in this world?’
Their stunned and fervent gazes only dispersed when the Mystic Ruler, followed by Ju Myoungyoon and his daughter, entered the hunting grounds.
The elder seated in the highest position glanced sideways at the hunting ground, crowded to the point of overflowing.
A low groan escaped his lips.
‘How dare they tarnish the face of the Ju Clan’s Young Lord with such a vulgar affair.’
“Young Lord and the daughter of Elder Ju Myoungyoon, step forward.”
The elder’s gaze, barely concealing his displeasure, sharply fixed on Sehwa.
He had tried to find some other, more respectable reason to justify this shameful competition. But word had already spread throughout the territories, giving rise to all sorts of rumors.
‘What else can I possibly say now?’
“It seems everyone already knows the reason for today’s competition, so I’ll keep it brief. I deeply trust both of you, the future pillars of the Ju Clan, but this time, you have both deeply disappointed me.”
With a bitter taste in his mouth, the elder continued.
“As the Young Lord of the Ju Clan and the daughter of an elder who will support the clan in the future, you must uphold your words. Do you both agree?”
Ju Kyunghyun, glancing sideways with a disapproving look at Sehwa, dressed elegantly in her red robe with her eyes modestly lowered, answered simultaneously.
“Yes, Mystic Ruler.”
“The reason this competition takes the form of a hunt, rather than a single match, is to prevent any excuses or claims of unfairness. Especially you, Ju Sehwa.”
“Yes.”
“You have disappointed me greatly these past few days. Remember that I have only tolerated your insolence out of my generosity.”
“Yes, Mystic Ruler.”
“Attendants, distribute bows to both of them. This is also to prevent any future excuses. You must not use any weapons other than those provided.”
Even though it was a competition, each of them was allowed three guards to accompany them, in case something happened to these high-ranking individuals.
While the Young Lord summoned three guards, Sehwa brought her three sisters along.
The blatant imbalance drew gasps and cries of, “Ah!” from the onlookers.
The Young Lord’s guards trained day and night to protect him, while those three sisters were merely maids who performed menial tasks.
Why hadn’t Elder Myoungyoon said anything when his daughter chose such companions? Why hadn’t he offered some advice?
Or perhaps his silence reflected his desire to see his daughter married to the Young Lord?
As Sehwa, Ju Kyunghyun, and their escorts mounted their horses, the official blew a long horn.
“Good. You have only one hour. By noon, the one who hunts the most game using only bows will be the victor. Understood?!”
As the eight horses galloped into the Mystic Ruler’s hunting grounds, a group moved busily within the depths of the dense forest.
They were clad in black from head to toe, their faces hidden by masks.
Various animal traps, designed to leave no trace, were secretly laid.
Following the Mystic Ruler’s orders, they liberally sprinkled various drugs upon the traps.
Some drugs paralyzed limbs upon contact, while others temporarily suppressed spiritual power or caused internal damage and weakened the core with every breath.
As the sound of hooves approached from afar, they surveyed the traps spread across the vast area and scattered into the trees.
The traps, crafted from grass and branches, quickly vanished from sight, concealed by the undergrowth.
Ju Kyunghyun, leading his guards, scanned the trees with sharp eyes.
‘Where is she? Where is Sehwa?’
His guard had told him she was somewhere nearby.
At the forest’s entrance, they had been forced to split up, mindful of the numerous watching eyes. But...
“Young Lord, I sense spiritual power to the southwest.”
The guards he brought possessed the keenest senses for detecting spiritual power among the Mystic Ruler’s warriors.
His plan was to find Sehwa and her maids first, incapacitate them before the hunt began.
‘How despairing would it be for her to be lying helplessly in the bushes when the competition ends?’
She had dared to speak so disrespectfully in front of him, babbling about Clan Head Baek, so such despair would only be fair.
At some point, his guard moved with increased stealth.
“I sense a presence about fifteen paces ahead.”
Ju Kyunghyun, a cruel smile playing on his lips, nodded.
This ability to sense another's spiritual power couldn't be developed without training.
Moreover, it could only be learned after exuviation, when one could freely manipulate their spiritual power.
‘So there's no way those three maidservants, let alone Sehwa, could possess this skill.’
On top of that, Sehwa had chosen to wear a red robe today.
The combination of her sleek black hair and the scarlet robe was undeniably captivating, but...
To wear such conspicuous clothing to a competition, which was practically a small war! Did she truly believe it was solely about who could find the most game?
Such shortsightedness must be why she uttered such nonsense about not wanting to marry him and refusing to see his face.
As he clicked his tongue in disapproval, his guard, now closer, raised his bow, holding his breath.
A flash of red fabric was visible in the distance.
The arrows used by the guards were tipped with metal balls.
This ensured that instead of piercing flesh, they would break bones or tear muscles.
The guard, imbuing his arrow with spiritual power, drew the bowstring taut.
Twang!
The bow bent into a perfect arc as the string was pulled to its limit.
The guard double-checked his target, just in case.
The vibrant red of the long robe was unmistakable.
Even with repeated confirmations, he was certain it was the girl's spiritual power he sensed.
As tension flickered in the Young Lord’s eyes, the guard smoothly released the arrow.
“...!”
The arrow flew silently and swiftly, striking the red robe and bringing it crashing to the ground.
Ju Kyunghyun and his guards let their guard down for only a fleeting moment as they witnessed the scene.
And that was all it took.
Thwack!!
“Ugh!”
“Oof!”
“!!”
Three arrows, appearing out of nowhere, struck the guards simultaneously in the forehead.
These arrows, too, were tipped with metal, and the spiritual power they carried was immense.
Although not knocked unconscious, the guards were momentarily stunned by the intense pain.
‘W-What is this?! Sehwa is down, so who shot these arrows?! Was it Sehwa's guards? Those three maidservants who do nothing but chores?!’
While Ju Kyunghyun was momentarily bewildered by the unbelievable turn of events, someone in the distance slung the red robe over their shoulder and sprinted forward.
They were clearly carrying the unconscious Sehwa away.
Enraged, Ju Kyunghyun kicked his guards.
“You collapse after being hit by something like that? Get up! There's the target! Chase her! Chase her, I said!!”
Urged on by Ju Kyunghyun, the guards, blinking away the lingering effects of mild concussions, scrambled to their feet.
Gritting their teeth against the pain, they ran towards the distant red robe.
“Chase her! Now!”
Suddenly, the figure carrying Sehwa and their companions split into three directions.
The guards exchanged glances and quickly divided themselves, pursuing one target each.
Having suffered such humiliation, they couldn't allow even one of their attackers to escape.
Only Ju Kyunghyun remained with the guard chasing Sehwa.
But something strange happened.
Despite running at full speed, they couldn't gain any ground on the maid carrying the unconscious Sehwa. The distance between them remained constant.
The guard gritted his teeth harder.
If he couldn’t even catch a single maid carrying an unconscious girl, how could he call himself a guard of the Mystic Ruler?
“Young Lord, I will run ahead at my own pace and capture her. I shall return shortly.”
“Go! Hurry!”
The guard, using his spiritual power, sprinted away from Ju Kyunghyun.
“Huff… huff…”
Ju Kyunghyun paused, catching his breath.
He should have brought his horse. He had left it tied up elsewhere, fearing the sound of hooves would give away his position, and now he regretted it.
‘I need to exuviate soon.’
Because he hadn’t yet exuviated, he was short of breath after such a short run, despite his vast internal spiritual power.
He told himself it was because he had pushed himself to keep up with his spiritual power-enhanced guard, but he couldn't shake the frustration and annoyance.
‘It doesn't matter. Once I catch that girl…’
Just then, something fell from the trees.
A black leather bag swiftly enveloped his head.
“!!”
At the same time, someone twisted his arm behind his back and pinned him.
“What, what’s the meaning of this?!”
He struggled violently, but he couldn’t overcome the strength of an exuviated Mystic being.
“Let go of me! Do you know who I am?! You bastards. Do you think you’ll survive this? Cheonryeong! Ju Seongchae!”
‘How can those guards not react to such a commotion?!’
“Cheonryeong!! Ju Seongchae!!”
As he thrashed and shouted, footsteps approached.
The sound of thin branches and undergrowth crunching beneath firm steps was clear.
“Who, who is it?! Who’s there?!”
He knew instinctively that the person holding him had been waiting for this newcomer.
‘This is… this could be…’
“Are you Baek Giha? You are, aren’t you?! Baek Giha! Do you think I wouldn't know even if you didn’t speak?!”
His captor remained silent.
But the rustling sounds, as if something was being prepared, intensified Ju Kyunghyun's fear.
“Baek Giha. Do you think you can get away with this?! Threatening the Young Lord of the Ju Clan within the Ju Clan’s territory… Ugh!”
Thud!
A powerful fist, enveloped in spiritual power, slammed into his cheek.
His vision went white, and an excruciating pain, unlike anything he had ever experienced, wracked his body.
“W-Wait…”
But it wasn’t over.
He heard the sharp whoosh of a hand cutting through the air, and then a brutal impact, as if a rock had smashed against his head.
“!!”
His entire skull felt like it was rattling.
His consciousness flickered, only to be jolted back by the next blow.
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