When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Immense sadness and a suffocating rage, impossible to overcome, were evident in King Ik-gwon’s cracked voice.
In truth, King Ik-gwon wasn't pleased to see this woman either.
Did such beings care about the ants crawling beneath their feet?
If these monsters started fighting amongst themselves on this land, wouldn’t it be the innocent people who suffered once again?
But he had no other choice.
His kingdom was already turning into an earthly purgatory.
He could only hope that this woman, who was scolding him for walking the wrong path, would somehow stop those other monsters, who had been heartlessly taking people’s lives as if collecting what was owed to them.
“What did they demand of you?”
“A Lake of Blood.”
“A Lake of Blood?”
“Yes. Not far from the capital, they’re digging a pit on a hill and gathering the bodies of those who died from the disaster.”
“......”
“They said the pit has to be filled with the fluids from the corpses…”
Just then, an unfamiliar voice interrupted.
“Ah, so that’s what they call a Lake of Blood.”
“!”
King Ik-gwon’s head snapped up towards the source of the voice.
Even though he had dismissed the eunuchs and guards, they would still be guarding the area closely.
‘Who… How…?’
As King Ik-gwon stared in bewilderment, the new intruder walked in.
‘This man too…’
King Ik-gwon froze, looking at him.
The woman, who looked like a celestial maiden incarnate, had already left him speechless, but this man, who seemed to have joined them later, was equally stunning.
‘…He’s definitely not human.’
Even if he gathered all the most beautiful men in the world, could any of them possess such a perfect blend of beauty, grace, valor, and gentleness as this man?
The overwhelming aura surrounding his handsome features was too much even for King Ik-gwon, sitting on his throne, to bear.
Despite the gravity of the situation, King Ik-gwon’s Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily, as if he had momentarily forgotten reality.
“I told you to wait outside.”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just overheard something important.”
“Did you see the Lake of Blood yourself?”
“I couldn't miss it. That pit, filled with decaying corpses, was overflowing with a strange energy. They must have connected something to it to absorb the negative energy.”
Baek Giha’s eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a low, gritted voice, “I didn't dare go inside. The negative energy within the pit was so dense that it could corrupt my spiritual power.”
“That bad?”
“You especially need to avoid that place. You might turn into a Corrupt Dragon.”
“......”
Sehwa’s eyes narrowed as well.
If she hadn’t known that a similar drought had occurred in her past life, she would have suspected that this drought was intentionally caused to prevent the birth of another Divine Beast.
‘What are they thinking…?’
Sehwa bit her lip and turned her gaze to King Ik-gwon.
He was looking down, as if afraid to meet their eyes.
“This drought will last until next month.”
“!”
King Ik-gwon’s head shot up.
“T-That’s impossible. The Lake of Blood isn’t even half full yet.”
“I know. That’s why, after the drought ends, there will be endless torrential rain.”
“…!”
His face turned pale.
They were bringing all the dead from the eight provinces to the Lake of Blood, but more people were dying.
Corpses were piling up everywhere, and she was saying there would be torrential rain?
“T-Then even more people will… and they’re already weakened from hunger… there will be a terrible plague…”
Why were these monsters fighting in his country?
He felt not just sorrow, but anger and resentment.
King Ik-gwon slammed his forehead against the floor, unable to finish his sentence.
He had never felt so helpless.
“Please… I beg you… tell me what to do.”
Sehwa quietly looked at him.
“Tell me how to stop this… I’ll do anything… anything at all.”
“......”
“If you need my life, I’ll gladly give it to you. Please, help me.”
Just as he was about to bow again, Sehwa approached him and met his gaze.
“I don’t actually need your life…”
She had only asked to see how far he was willing to cooperate.
Sehwa’s crimson eyes sparkled between her long eyelashes.
As her eyes curved into a gentle smile, King Ik-gwon stared at her, momentarily mesmerized.
“There’s only one way, isn’t there? If they want a drought, bring the rain. And when they want rain, bring the sun.”
The interference of monsters had been a part of the kingdom's long history.
In the beginning, records indicated that their mere presence had boosted the nation’s fortune and helped them overcome crises.
But at some point, they had become nothing more than a plague on this land.
Sehwa quickly scanned the records King Ik-gwon handed her.
She had intended to focus on the Mystic Ruler's reign, but considering her mother's speculation that he might have been switching bodies, she had to go further back in time.
“So, after I’ve made the necessary preparations, should I inform you at the Minister of Rites’ residence?”
“Yes. And one more thing.”
King Ik-gwon flinched as Sehwa’s sharp gaze turned to him.
“Deal with the Minister of Rites as we discussed.”
“As you wish.”
King Ik-gwon still wasn’t sure if he could trust this woman.
But her demeanor…
And the way she called a human her friend, regardless of whether she was sincere, was completely different from the other monsters he had met, giving him a sliver of hope.
Perhaps… she was the one who could free him from this purgatory?
‘No, it’s not just hope. It has to be.’
So, even though she said it wasn't necessary, King Ik-gwon personally escorted her to the palace gates.
As those passing by within the palace stole glances at the King, repeatedly bowing his head…
A commotion arose at the palace gates.
Before King Ik-gwon could even send a eunuch to investigate, the woman walking ahead of him rushed towards the gates.
She called out the name of a woman whom the guards were forcefully blocking, as if to intimidate her.
“Jung Chihwa!”
The guards, who had been turning around to look, froze upon seeing King Ik-gwon in his royal robes, then straightened their posture and returned to their positions at his gesture.
The woman, Jung Chihwa, dressed in disheveled clothes, ran towards them without even composing herself.
“Sehwa! Are you… are you alright? I… I was worried you might be taken in my place…”
King Ik-gwon’s eyes narrowed as he watched her.
‘Is that the Minister of Rites’ daughter, whom that woman called her friend?’
“I told you to wait at home.”
“How could I?! I was… I was worried you might suffer…”
Jung Chihwa’s face was flushed, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
“I told you it’s fine. Nothing will happen to Father, so don’t worry.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Did His Majesty really say so?”
She seemed too distraught to even notice King Ik-gwon standing nearby in his royal robes.
“Yes, really,” Sehwa nodded firmly.
“So… nothing will happen to our family?”
Sehwa nodded repeatedly at her friend, who still couldn't believe it.
Finally convinced, Jung Chihwa, clutching Sehwa’s jacket, burst into tears like a child.
Chunyeong, who had followed behind, rushed to her side and supported her.
“But… how…? Even if His Majesty forgives him, the others won’t leave Father alone…”
“Don’t worry about that. They won’t be able to.”
“…They won’t be able to? Why?”
Sehwa smiled instead of answering.
She turned around, and King Ik-gwon nodded as if he already knew what she was going to say.
Confirming this, Sehwa said to her friend, “Just wait three days.”
After leaving the palace and sending Jung Chihwa back to her residence, Sehwa and Baek Giha went to visit Choi Deokmun.
The large signboard and the main gate looked the same as before, seemingly unaffected by the drought.
Choi Jangmyung’s face was flushed with joy and excitement when he rushed out to greet them.
‘She’s here…’
He had to take several deep breaths to calm his racing heart.
As he saw Sehwa through the wooden gate, Choi Jangmyung quickened his pace.
“My lady!”
Just as he reached out to her in his excitement…
Before Sehwa’s gaze could even reach his hand, someone grabbed it.
‘!!’
Choi Jangmyung froze, a sharp pain shooting through his wrist, his legs weakening.
A breathtakingly handsome man was standing next to her.
The man, tightening his grip on Choi Jangmyung’s wrist, scanned him from head to toe.
“You should be more careful. You almost made me misunderstand.”
“…Misunderstand? What…”
“Well…”
A sharp gaze, like a honed blade, met Choi Jangmyung’s.
“I almost misunderstood that you were trying to touch this woman.”
He stepped in front of Sehwa, as if displeased that Choi Jangmyung's gaze was even lingering on her.
Then he smiled and looked at Choi Jangmyung’s wrist, still in his grasp.
“You seem to hold a sword. It’s a good thing I didn't make a mistake.”
He had almost broken his wrist.
So he should be more careful in the future.
At the firm warning, Choi Jangmyung swallowed nervously, looking at the man.
Fear and tension coiled around him, as if his heart would be pierced by that gaze if he let his guard down even for a moment.
Sehwa, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere between Baek Giha and Choi Jangmyung, was looking for Choi Deokmun.
“Where’s your father?”
“T-This way, my lady.”
At Choi Jangmyung’s reply, Baek Giha finally released his wrist.
Choi Jangmyung, rubbing his throbbing wrist, led the two of them inside.
That man could have easily ripped his arm off with his grip alone, but even so…
He couldn’t hide the ardent emotions in his gaze towards Sehwa.
She had been breathtakingly beautiful before her exuviation, but now, she was so radiant that he was almost afraid to look at her.
Several months had passed since she had promised the vassal contract.
She had intentionally appeared in this disaster-stricken place to accept him as her vassal, hadn’t she?
The long-awaited visit to the Mystic Realm and his own exuviation were within his reach, yet…
He was more excited about the day he would become her vassal.
Choi Deokmun, who had also rushed out upon hearing the news, couldn't hide his joy at seeing her.
He hesitated slightly upon seeing Baek Giha behind her, but he was filled with anticipation, hoping they had come to fulfill their promise and establish the vassal contract with his son.
He offered them the best room in the house, even before they could ask about accommodations.
Ju Myoungyoon’s residence in the Human Realm had been completely neglected since Sehwa had returned to the Mystic Realm, taking all her belongings and servants with her.
“How did you come all the way here when the situation in the Human Realm is so dire? It seemed like most of the mystics had returned to the Mystic Realm. Did something happen there?”
“Are you alright in this situation?”
Sehwa, sitting in the seat of honor, spoke casually, but Choi Deokmun didn't mind at all.
“Most of the people I employ are mystics, so we’re better off than the humans.”
He hesitated, unable to voice his true desire, when Sehwa chuckled, as if sensing his thoughts.
“I came to keep my promise, so don’t be so cautious.”
“…!”
Choi Deokmun’s gaze wavered as he looked at Sehwa and asked, “D-Do you mean… Jangmyung’s exuviation—?”
“Before that…”
“Yes. Please, tell me anything.”
“Bring me all the Spirit Stones I bought from you before. I’ll be performing the rain ritual in three days.”
“!”
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