When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 88
Chapter 88
On a sloping mountainside, the echoing hoot of an owl pierced the night.
There, where leaves rustled against each other, creating an eerie presence, stood a sprawling mansion, unmarked by any family crest.
The mansion, enveloped by towering trees, was devoid of even a single torch.
A large, yellow moon dominated the sky above the dark mansion, bathing it in its ethereal glow.
Inside, within a spacious annex, dozens of elderly men sat scattered, each occupying their own space.
Silence hung heavy in the air. After a considerable wait, the sound of approaching footsteps finally broke the quiet.
A masked figure appeared, bowing their head respectfully.
“You’ve returned. Did you find out anything?”
“Yes. What that Youngmu girl said is true.”
“True?”
“The Mystic Ruler commanded Lady Sehwa to marry the Young Lord twice, but she refused both times.”
A collective groan of dismay arose from the old men.
“That girl has truly lost her mind.”
“There’s a limit to endangering the entire clan. How could she do such a dreadful thing?”
“So, how did the Mystic Ruler react?”
“I am but a lowly servant at the Mystic Ruler’s residence. How dare I speak carelessly about the Mystic Ruler’s affairs?”
“Even a general idea would suffice. Tell us anything you know.”
“I don't know if I dare speak of that person, but… as you might have guessed, they were understandably devastated, speechless with despair. And the Young Lord’s fury was immense.”
Someone interjected.
“What if the Mystic Ruler decides to oust Myoungyoon because of this? What if we get ousted along with him?”
“Don’t spout such nonsense! The fact that the Mystic Ruler sent their own person to us is answer enough.”
“Still, not only that Sehwa child but Myoungyoon’s behavior is also outrageous. He can't even control his own daughter. He seems to have gone completely mad. What are we supposed to do about this?”
“Shouldn’t we take Sehwa’s head and offer it to the Mystic Ruler ourselves?”
The man seated at the head of the table remained silent, prompting others to add their opinions.
“For the sake of the Mystic Ruler, we cannot overlook this.”
“Indeed. Haven't we worked tirelessly for the peace and well-being of the main family?”
“Thanks to those efforts, we were finally entrusted with crucial tasks. We cannot allow one little minnow to muddy the waters.”
Their words, initially laced with fear for their own safety, grew increasingly fervent.
Upon reflection, they realized this situation presented an unexpected opportunity.
Ju Myoungyoon, as a member of the main family, wasn't a bad man.
His proactive nature meant that he shielded them from all risks, even while they remained inactive, sacrificing his own well-being.
However, as the head of the household, he was an incredibly demanding leader.
How could one lead a family with only integrity and honesty? Shouldn't there be room for flexibility and compromise with injustice when necessary?
Yet, Ju Myoungyoon wouldn't tolerate such compromises.
Because of his strict leadership, the branch family elders couldn't exploit the commoners of the Mystic Realm like other families did.
He even interfered with their treatment of servants, preventing them from generating profits by exploiting them.
How envious they had been, watching other branch families amass wealth and build their foundations through various means while they were left with nothing.
How much longer must they endure this life?
Ju Myoungyoon had been away at war for a long time, and during that period, they had plotted extensively.
Fortunately, the Mystic Ruler viewed their actions favorably and had begun to entrust them with important duties. And then this incident occurred.
‘We should have killed Ju Myoungyoon long ago.’
Despite countless resolutions, they hadn't been able to strike the decisive blow because Ju Myoungyoon’s reputation continued to soar due to his wartime achievements.
The more respected he became, the more difficult it became for the branch family elders to oust him, fueling their growing resentment.
This was their chance.
No matter how popular Ju Myoungyoon was, if he fell out of favor with the Mystic Ruler…
The elder at the head of the table finally spoke.
“Then, we can do it. There's no reason to hesitate in eliminating Ju Myoungyoon.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Yes, this was an opportunity that might never come again.
Even the slightest possibility was enough. They hadn't even had that until now.
What did the size of the opportunity matter? They just needed to pry it open and seize it.
Their eyes gleamed with uncontainable excitement.
“Then what do you plan to do with that Yeonju girl?”
“I don’t know what state she’s in in that locked room, but I can imagine her throwing a tantrum.”
“More hands are always better. Let’s get her out for now.”
“What can that girl possibly do to help? She’ll probably just lose control and ruin everything.”
“You’re not looking at the bigger picture. We need to throw small stones repeatedly before we can knock him down with a boulder. We need to chip away, create cracks, so that he collapses with our final blow.”
The elder at the head of the table, after listening to everyone, quietly raised his hand.
“First…”
As the elder’s thin lips parted, the large room fell silent.
“We need to meet the Mystic Ruler’s quota for this year. Aren’t we still a few short?”
At the mention of the quota, the other elders’ faces darkened.
“That Yeonju child has relatively pure blood and decent spiritual power. Besides, she’s about to undergo exuviation, so she fits the requirements perfectly. Therefore, I intend to send her bloodline record to the Mystic Ruler as Sa Yeonju's punishment. Any objections?”
“…Well, if that’s what you want.”
“None. Let’s do that.”
“Good. And as for Ju Myoungyoon…”
The elder’s gaze shifted to the masked figure bowing before him.
“You’ll need to help us. If you do, I’ll be sure to mention your contribution to the Mystic Ruler.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. Didn’t you just speak of the Mystic Ruler’s and the Young Lord’s anger? If you help us remove Myoungyoon and deal with him, you won't be stuck running errands like this.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
The small, masked figure bowed their head in response.
“But please, be sure to mention my contribution. I won’t disappoint you.”
“Of course. Good. Very good.”
Though their body was as small as a boy’s…
The gaze within the mask, as they resolutely answered and raised their head, was not that of a boy.
It held the same, perhaps even more sinister and menacing emotions that simmered within the eyes of the elders observing him.
When Baek Giha emerged from Sehwa’s room, dawn was approaching.
Gauging the time by the brightening sky, he immediately transformed into a white tiger. This form was best suited for sensing presences.
Despite knowing he had to return, a lingering sense of longing kept him by the unlit door, his large paws gently tapping the steps.
Sehwa, who had followed him out as if to see him off, lightly scolded him.
“And you, you can’t come like this anymore. Okay? If you keep coming to my room late at night, Father will find out.”
‘Don’t… come anymore?’
Struck by her words, the large white tiger's ears drooped for a moment.
“If you let me know beforehand during the day, I’ll go to that hill we went to before. Let's do that from now on.”
“!”
“…The scenery there isn’t so bad at night.”
The white tiger nodded, its deep blue eyes gleaming.
“Alright then.”
Hesitantly, Sehwa reached out her hand.
The white and black fur, softer and longer than it appeared, tangled between her fingers.
She wouldn’t be able to do this if he were in human form, but since he was a beast…
Justifying her actions to herself, Sehwa moved closer to the white tiger's fur and briefly rested her forehead against it.
How could this soft touch bring her such a sense of comfort?
Memorizing the sensation, she gazed into his blue eyes and gently pressed her lips against the corner of his eye.
“See you later.”
“!”
“It’s nice being in the same house. See you later.”
After her farewell, she quickly disappeared back inside behind the wooden door.
However, even after she was gone, the white tiger remained motionless for a long while.
“Wait for me a little longer. Just until I finish what I have to do.”
“I’m waiting for that day too.”
“See you later.”
Her face, flushed as she whispered those words, kept replaying in his mind.
And moreover…
The way she had quickly pressed her lips to the corner of his eye with her eyes closed…
‘…Oh my.’
Overwhelmed with happiness, the sharp-featured white tiger practically floated through the air.
Of course. Of course, of course.
He could wait.
He could certainly wait.
He had more time to wait than most.
His massive tail, so large it required both hands to grasp, wagged cheerfully.
Though he carefully concealed his presence while traversing the open air towards his main residence, as he passed over the annex where the other members of the Baek Clan resided, he inadvertently let his guard down.
“See you later.”
Why did those words keep echoing in his mind?
‘Oh, I should have given her what I brought. I completely forgot.’
He had tucked it deeper into his sleeve, disappointed that she seemed to have forgotten about the marriage proposal, only to be taken aback by her subsequent words.
“See you later.”
‘Well, there’s no rush. As she said, I can give it to her later.’
This wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
He had already shown her one ceremonial robe, so he needed to prepare a different one.
‘What should I wear next? It would have been nice if Manyong had brought more variety, but he only brought a few. Should I hurry and have some more made?’
Lost in thought, he lightly stepped onto the stone floor and entered his room.
‘!!!’
Someone was sitting in his dark, unlit room.
Ju Myoungyoon, who had been gazing at the door, looked at him and asked,
“Where have you been all night?”
“…Keheung.”
Only after letting out that sound did Baek Giha realize what form he was in. He hurriedly transformed back.
He repeated his greeting.
“…Fa, Father.”
“Were you perhaps with my daughter?”
“…”
Too startled to even manage an expression, Baek Giha’s face paled.
His mind raced, searching for a suitable response, but he couldn't find one.
Should he admit it, or deny it?
‘…I shouldn't have transformed. I should have stayed as a white tiger.’
Then he could have excused himself, claiming something was wrong with him, and bolted.
“Why aren’t you answering? Have I made a mistaken assumption and intruded upon an unoccupied room? If so, I will kneel here and apologize to the Baek Clan Head.”
“No, not at all. How could you say such a thing?”
Swallowing nervously, Baek Giha quickly cleared his throat.
“Thanks to the Elder’s generosity, I’m merely borrowing a part of the residence. This annex also belongs to you, Elder. There’s nowhere you can’t go.”
He forced a smile, avoiding Ju Myoungyoon's gaze.
Ju Myoungyoon simply observed him without responding.
“But Elder, why are you sitting in the dark? Why haven’t you lit a lamp?”
Wanting to avoid Ju Myoungyoon's gaze, Baek Giha turned around, pretending to search for a lamp.
Where was the lamp again? And the matches?
Despite knowing their exact locations, he fumbled around, buying time to think of an excuse.
Ju Myoungyoon’s calm voice followed him.
“I came to ask you something, but you weren't here. So I waited.”
“Ask me something? What is it? If it’s about Lady Sehwa-.”
“It’s not about that. It’s about yesterday. At the hunting grounds.”
‘Ah.’
Was he going to reprimand him for slaughtering the guards?
Trying to appear casual, Baek Giha continued his search, racking his brain for a suitable response.
Then, a calm voice spoke from behind him.
“Was that incident, by any chance, orchestrated by my daughter and the Baek Clan Head together?”
“!!”
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