When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 89
Chapter 89
"That's what I came to find out."
"......"
"Whether the Baek Clan Head granted my daughter's request, or if my daughter granted the Baek Clan Head's request."
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even breathing was barely audible.
Both waited tensely for the other's reaction.
After a long while, Baek Giha slowly turned around.
The seasoned elder's gaze was sharp, as if it would not permit any lies.
"Please answer me."
A soft sigh escaped from Baek Giha's lips.
Where should he begin, and how much should he say?
If he had to explain everything, was he even the right person to do so?
One thing was clear.
If he were to lie to this experienced warrior now, the trust lost would likely never be regained.
'She doesn't seem ready to tell her father about what she's been through.'
She had said she wanted to give her father time to process things, since he had lived his entire life as a loyal servant to the Mystic Ruler, but Baek Giha wasn't fooled by such words.
'She's just scared.'
Scared that her father might stand against her.
That he might try to stop her from killing her relatives and overthrowing the Mystic Ruler, saying there must be another way to right these wrongs.
That he might tell her not to do such cruel things. That's what she feared hearing.
She was afraid that her father, who had lived an upright life, might look at her differently when he learned she was prepared to mercilessly stain her hands with the blood of dozens, hundreds.
Knowing this, what words should he speak now?
Baek Giha, who had been quietly meeting Ju Myoungyoon's gaze, slowly walked through the darkness and sat across from him.
Their composed gazes interlocked in the empty air.
Unable to easily answer everything, Baek Giha quietly asked.
"First, I would like to ask... How did you find out?"
At those words that acknowledged everything, Ju Myoungyoon squeezed his eyes shut.
Since morning, Sehwa's mansion had been bustling with activity as items were being brought in, filling every available space.
After busily crossing the wide courtyard all morning, Merchant Ji asked Sehwa with concern in his voice.
"But young lady, are you really going to buy all of this?"
"Mm."
"While I'm happy to sell it to you..."
The items that Sehwa had specially ordered from Merchant Ji while purchasing ceremonial clothes had arrived today.
But something seemed to worry the merchant, as he hesitated to ask her to complete the transaction.
Looking around cautiously, the merchant moved closer to her and whispered.
"If you're buying this for compensation, you don't need to do this alone. The other elders aren't even contributing half of what Elder Myoungyoon is. Why don't you reconsider and press the other elders more?"
The Ju clan was so powerful that they wouldn't even properly associate with anyone who wasn't a Ju, at least not those from branch families.
Therefore, daring to give advice to a Ju could be a life-threatening act for Merchant Ji.
Of course, this was possible because he had determined that Myoungyoon and his family were not the type to persecute someone over such matters.
Sehwa stared at Merchant Ji for a moment at those words.
Though the merchant had weathered many storms, when Sehwa didn't respond, fear suddenly gripped him as he wondered if he had offended her.
"I just... thought you seemed to be struggling too much alone... If I've upset you..."
Recognizing his tension, Sehwa quickly shook her head.
"Ah, that's not it. I was just surprised. Because no one else has ever said such things to me. Thank you for your concern."
"...Pardon?"
"Until now, no one has even given me that much consideration."
Sehwa smiled brightly at Merchant Ji.
At that beautiful sight that seemed to shine, the experienced merchant's eyes momentarily reddened slightly.
"I'm grateful that you still respect me and try to take my side even knowing our current situation. So from now on, please feel free to tell me anything. Even that will be helpful to me."
He had thought he'd be fortunate if she didn't get angry. The merchant's ears turned red at these unexpected words.
"Ah, no! I should be... No, I hardly said anything..."
The merchant, who had been flustered like someone who didn't know what to do, replied.
"I've never met a clan member who would say such things to a merchant. You don't need to do this."
"Why should you decide what's needed or not? I can sit here in one place and get what I want thanks to people like you who deliver various goods throughout the Mystic Realm. What's wrong with saying a word of thanks to those who provide such convenience?"
Even as she said this, Sehwa's gaze flew to a distant place, to dark and difficult memories.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to tell you something too."
"Of course. Please say anything."
"It's nothing special, but if possible, I hope you won't say it's fine when someone says such things. When someone thanks you, I wish you would just accept it."
Softening her voice, Sehwa met Merchant Ji's eyes and spoke.
"I didn't realize that my humility sometimes diminishes my own worth. Constantly saying 'you don't need to' when someone thanks me, and responding 'I'm fine' when someone apologizes."
Just like her past self.
Like back then, when she thought everything would work out if she just endured and persevered.
"If someone made you speak that way, they are the ones without worth. I hope you won't be swayed by such people's words."
Merchant Ji had no response.
"Of course, all of this might seem like self-satisfaction from someone who has lived comfortably until now. But still, you and I are both members of the Mystic Realm."
Though all these words were no different from speaking to herself, Sehwa smiled bitterly at the sight of Merchant Ji silently watching her.
"You've worked hard. And I have one more favor to ask."
She had added too many words thinking of her own situation. It felt like unnecessary meddling.
"What I want to ask is..."
But the merchant's eyes as he listened to her words had changed slightly from before.
A brief conversation continued.
"Can you do it?"
To that question, Merchant Ji answered resolutely in a low voice.
"That's hardly even a task. It will only take a few days."
"Thank you. Let me know when it's done. You worked hard today."
After telling him to return home safely, Sehwa turned and walked away to create storage for the newly purchased items.
Merchant Ji watched her departing figure for a long while.
What she had purchased from Merchant Ji were numerous grains and medicinal herbs.
They were already dried so storage wouldn't be difficult.
However, there were so many sacks piled up since morning. Even with all the servants helping, it took until midday to transport them.
While recording and checking each item in the ledger, Youngmu asked.
"But young lady, why did you buy so many grains and herbs? You already moved a huge amount to the main house."
Sehwa answered with a smile.
"I bought them in advance in case you have nothing to eat when we become poor after the compensation is paid."
"Young lady, really. No matter how well we eat, we couldn't eat this much."
Youngchae pointed at Youngmu with her brush.
"It's because of you. That's why she's saying such things. I saw you eat three bowls of rice just this morning."
"Oh please, you're acting like you only had one bowl instead of two and a half."
Meanwhile, Sehwa pulled something out from inside her sleeve.
"More importantly, each of you take one of these."
"What is this?"
What was placed in their hands were necklaces.
A thin, white stone-like object hung from a thick twisted gold thread.
"Wow. The sparkle looks just like mother-of-pearl inlay."
"Is it pretty?"
"Yes, it's so pretty!"
"I'm glad. I got one for each of you. Wear them around your necks."
"Was this brought by Merchant Ji earlier? We had no idea you would give us such gifts."
At Sehwa's words, the three sisters put on the necklaces without asking what they were.
They smiled at each other, saying how pretty they looked wearing matching necklaces.
"But why haven't Father and the Baek Clan Head shown themselves until now when they're so busy? They are both in the mansion, right?"
"Yes. It seems their talk is running long, so we couldn't disturb them."
"...I see. Ah, anyway, make sure to hide those necklaces under your clothes... Hm? What's that?"
Just then, there was a commotion at the mansion's gate.
Sehwa and the three sisters looked toward the main gate, wondering what was happening.
Youngsun said she would go check the situation and approached the gate.
Someone who had been gesturing angrily at the servants blocking entry spotted Youngsun and beckoned to her.
"You! You came at a good time. Youngsun, you explain it. Why are these fellows blocking our way right now!"
The one wearing a green silk robe and standing at the front was one of Myoungyoon's branch family elders.
The expected had come.
Hiding her expression, Youngsun hurriedly approached him.
"Elder Jungsan, you've come. But why did you come to the mansion? Perhaps you haven't heard the news?"
"News?"
"Before you get in trouble with the Baek clan warriors..."
Youngsun lowered her voice and looked around as if afraid someone might hear.
Then saying "This way please. I'll explain," she stepped outside the mansion gate and stood to one side.
Sa Jungsan raised his eyebrows questioningly at her behavior but followed Youngsun.
"What is it? Why are you being so dramatic?"
"Did you come knowing that the Baek Clan Head, the Baek Chancellor, and fifty-two Baek clan cavalry are currently staying in the mansion?"
Sa Jungsan's face crumpled.
"Is that all you wanted to say? Why come all the way here for that? What does that matter? What could they possibly do in the heart of Ju clan territory with just that many men!"
"You shouldn't say that. Yesterday, the Baek Clan Head killed one hundred of the Mystic Ruler's guards at the hunting grounds. Right in front of the Mystic Ruler."
"Wh-what?"
"And before that, the Baek Chancellor turned dozens of Ju clan warriors into pincushions with his arrows and killed them. Right here at our mansion."
"!!"
"That's why Elder Myoungyoon had no choice but to close the gates. If things like this continue, a second war could break out."
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