When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 126
Chapter 126
“The heavens? You’re talking about the heavens? Are you so good at listening to the heavens that you’ve already ruined three rain rituals?”
“That’s right! And even if it does rain, what are we supposed to do? Farm? We’re about to starve to death!”
“Damn it, not to mention the medicinal herbs are already dead. Even if these shriveled grains sprout, it’ll take at least a week. What nonsense!”
“I know it sounds absurd. I understand that it's hard to even survive today, let alone scatter the food that could prolong your lives for a day. I'm not unaware of your struggles.”
Jung Chihwa spoke in a low but firm voice, trying to persuade the people. “Unfortunately, this is all I have, so I can’t offer you any compensation. But even so, I beg you. Please endure your hunger and wait just a little longer, until the rain ritual the day after tomorrow. Because the heavens promised me they haven’t abandoned this country.”
Her resolute gaze met each of theirs, her unwavering conviction silencing those who were about to argue further.
However, someone, still agitated, asked Jung Chihwa, “Who exactly made such a promise?”
“That’s right. Who said that?”
Jung Chihwa smiled brightly and answered, “The heavens. The heavens told me.”
As if mocking the idea that the rain ritual would bring rain, the two days leading up to it were the hottest they had endured so far.
The sky remained clear, not a single cloud in sight, and heat haze shimmered everywhere, despite autumn having long arrived.
The people, who had scattered their handful of grain on the parched earth as Jung Chihwa instructed and were now desperately guarding it, looked haggard, their eyes dull.
How could rain fall through such scorching weather?
But even so, a sliver of hope remained beneath their despair.
That it would definitely rain in two days. That the heavens had said so.
They clung to the memory of her calm, confident voice.
And so, the day of the rain ritual finally arrived, after two agonizing days.
The area near the palace gates had been bustling since dawn.
As if they were trying to wake up the entire capital.
Palace officials, lined up in formation, beat their drums incessantly.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Some people came out, mistaking the thunderous sound for rain.
Others, curious about the constant noise, came out to see what was going on.
And some, noticing the different preparations compared to the previous rain rituals, came to watch with a sliver of hope.
Even before the sun rose high in the sky, the plaza was already packed with people.
‘But who’s performing the rain ritual this time?’
‘Even the Minister of Rites was dismissed. Is His Majesty going to perform it himself?’
As people’s curiosity grew, the officials surrounding the drummers pulled off the large white cloth covering the altar.
The revealed altar also looked different from before.
Previously, the altar had been decorated with offerings of young calves and chickens, and basins of water, but this time, there were none.
Instead, numerous chests were piled up in layers.
Large and small chests filled the space on either side of the altar, and a higher set of stairs had been prepared.
Even this small change in the altar’s appearance strangely gave them a sliver of hope.
Perhaps this time would be different. Perhaps it would actually rain.
The crowd’s gaze naturally turned to the cruel sky above.
The clear sky, still devoid of even a single cloud, remained stubbornly blue, as if to crush their hopes.
Before the rain ritual, Sehwa briefly stopped by Choi Deokmun's residence to check on Choi Jangmyung, who was still unconscious.
Choi Deokmun stood silently behind her, his face grim.
“Do you have any idea when he might wake up?”
He knew this question would sound like an accusation, but he couldn't help but ask.
“…Well…”
Sehwa, also flustered, didn't know what to say.
She had never performed a vassal contract before.
The last time, with the assassin, she had only shared enough spiritual power for her to receive the seal and escape to her hideout.
“…Well…”
Choi Deokmun’s face was filled with worry as he heard the same hesitant response twice.
He had lost his wife during their exile to the Human Realm, and his son was his only remaining family.
Putting aside the fact that he still couldn’t believe this hawk was his son, he just wanted him to wake up.
Sehwa also felt uneasy.
Why wasn’t he waking up? Had it been a rash decision to agree to the vassal contract so readily?
His form had changed, and because of her erratic spiritual power, perhaps something had gone wrong during the transformation?
Just then, someone hurriedly entered the room.
“There you are. Why did you come alone? You should have come with me.”
“?”
Why would she need him to check on her own vassal?
She found his urgent demeanor strange, but she didn't voice her question.
“You’re here?”
“He still hasn't woken up?”
“No.”
“He’ll wake up soon. You were asleep for a week too.”
He looked at the strange sight of a large hawk with glossy, five-colored feathers, lying stiffly on a silk blanket, and said, “You were asleep for a week, my lady?”
Choi Deokmun’s face brightened slightly, as if those words offered him hope.
Sehwa nodded.
“Let’s wait a little longer. If he still doesn’t wake up…”
Then what?
A flicker of anxiety crossed Sehwa’s face.
No, she shouldn’t think like that.
Suppressing her unease, she said, “Then I’ll take him to the Mystic Realm and wake him up somehow.”
Thump—
Despite the monotonous drumming, the people patiently waited.
Just then, the sound of a stringed instrument pierced through the air.
The crowd’s gaze, filled with anticipation, turned towards the altar.
The haegeum had always signaled the beginning of the rain ritual.
As the crowd watched, the palace gates opened.
Musicians, playing their instruments, followed behind the officials with solemn expressions.
Even at this point, the people didn’t know who would be performing the ritual.
So they were truly surprised when the King, dressed in plain, undyed clothes, appeared behind the musicians.
They had blamed the Minister of Rites because they couldn’t directly criticize the King, but how was this the Minister's fault?
If anyone was to be held accountable, it was the King.
But that wasn’t easy.
If they were careless, they could be accused of treason and their entire families, even distant relatives, could be executed.
So they had no choice but to blame the scapegoat offered by the King.
But this time, His Majesty was performing the ritual himself?
If it didn’t rain, he would be heavily criticized for the previous failed rituals as well.
The King’s appearance was haggard, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well.
His cheeks were hollow, and his face was pale.
Sensing his inner turmoil from the dark shadows under his eyes, the people held their breath and watched the rain ritual unfold.
Unlike the previous rituals, where young calves and chickens had been sacrificed to the heavens, the King, dressed in rough, undyed clothes, received a cup of alcohol from a eunuch and sprinkled it around the altar.
He knelt on the ground at the foot of the stairs and spoke in a trembling voice, “In the twenty-fourth year of my reign, I, the sinner, Banhyeonjong Seong Ik-gwon, address the heavens. My people are suffering from hunger and thirst due to the lack of water, the earth is burning with scorching heat as if filled with lava, and the harmony of all creation has long been disrupted.”
The people watched his every move intently.
“I understand that this drought, unlike others, which has completely dried up the land, withered the plants, and killed both animals and humans in just six months, is not a natural phenomenon. Therefore, I, the sinner, dare to beseech the heavens.”
King Ik-gwon bowed his head towards the altar.
“All of this is due to my lack of virtue, so I beg you, heavens, to blame only me and have mercy on my kingdom and my pitiful people. Punish me alone, break my body and take my life and blood, and grant this land rain!”
The officials surrounding the altar chanted, “Grant us rain.”
King Ik-gwon pleaded again, “Please, grant us rain!”
The officials echoed his plea, “Grant us rain!”
The attendant stood frozen in the corner of the hidden chamber, his face pale.
He didn't even dare to breathe, afraid of attracting the attention of the Corrupt Dragon, which was staring fixedly at something.
The Corrupt Dragon, which had been standing motionless as if time had stopped, suddenly coughed up blood and thrashed its tail.
Screech—!
A sharp, grating sound echoed through the chamber as its scales scraped against the thick stone walls.
Drip, drip.
The attendant gasped, seeing the Corrupt Dragon’s blood dripping onto the floor.
“I’ll bring the Mystic Ruler right away. P-Please wait just a moment…”
—Don't make a fuss over such a trivial matter.
“But what if your wound gets worse…”
—Worse? Do you dare suggest something might go wrong with my body, with what I’m doing?
The Corrupt Dragon, its claws extended, lunged towards the attendant.
Its eyes flashed menacingly.
—You seem to be looking down on me.
“…T-That’s not what I meant, I… I just… Aaaaaargh!!!”
Crack!
Rip!
A horrific scream echoed through the chamber, followed by the heavy stench of blood.
The Corrupt Dragon thrashed its body against the thick stone walls, its rage still burning, unsatisfied with taking just one life.
Roar!
Something was going wrong.
The reason he hadn’t killed all the humans at once was because their despair and sorrow fueled his power.
If he gradually tightened his grip on them, until they were completely helpless, they would eventually give up and fall into deeper despair.
But why…
The thick despair that had filled the land was now dissipating.
This was strange.
Even if his power faltered and the heat he had trapped was temporarily dispersed…
As long as he continued to drain the land of water, consuming the lives of the weak and withering the seeds of beasts, this despair shouldn’t dissipate.
Of course, he had a suspect.
Myoungyoon’s daughter.
—What an amusing game she’s playing.
The Corrupt Dragon chuckled.
Sometimes, unending darkness was better.
If he offered a sliver of hope to those drowning in despair and grief, how sweet and radiant it would seem.
But what if that hope was crushed?
They would surely fall into even deeper despair, greater than before. A bottomless pit of hopelessness.
—How arrogant, for someone who’s barely a Spiritual Beast.
Even though his plans were going awry, he couldn't help but feel amused, imagining the despair the humans would feel when their hope was shattered.
—Go ahead and try.
You’re still within my grasp.
The Corrupt Dragon bit its tongue, swallowing the intense pain and smearing the dark, fishy blood all over its body.
Shimmer!
The blood, seeping between its scales, glowed with a powerful red light, fueled by its spiritual power.
The vast, hidden chamber was dyed crimson.
Comments
Post a Comment