When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 134
Chapter 134
They knew his name, his position, and a messenger had been sent inside to inform the palace of their arrival, but…
They couldn’t just leave them standing at the gate indefinitely.
So, while one guard rushed inside, another led them to their quarters.
Someone arrived soon after.
A eunuch arrived with orders to escort them inside, and at the same time, the outer hall became noisy.
“Clan Head!”
Baek Manyong, sensing someone’s arrival, was the first to rush out.
Oh my god, our Clan Head!
Our refined and elegant Clan Head!
“Clan Head, how did you become so pale in just three and a half days?! I implored you to take care of yourself, that your body isn't just yours alone, even though attending to the matters of the Human Realm is important. Not that the Human Realm isn’t important, but you are the Divine Beast who has appeared after a thousand years, you hold an important position that binds the Six Clans of the Mystic Realm, and in these critical times, when the heinous and unforgivable secrets of the Ju Clan are being revealed one by one, how could you neglect your health like this?! This is unacceptable, no matter the circumstances! I will always be your loyal servant, but regarding your health, I must speak with the utmost sincerity, etched into my very bones by the grace of the Baek Clan, as if laying bare my heart—"
“Manyong.”
“Yes, Clan Head.”
“How did you get here?”
“…Pardon?”
“I asked how you got here.”
The palace servants and officials surrounding them were constantly bringing things in.
They had thought it was to welcome their arrival, but…
Now that he looked closely, the items they were bringing in…
“Chancellor, that’s why I said we should wait in the Mystic Realm… No, wait, shouldn’t we kneel first?”
The items they were bringing in looked like they belonged in an interrogation room…
“Manyong.”
Baek Giha, walking slowly, sat down in the seat of honor provided by King Ik-gwon and asked again, his face expressionless.
King Ik-gwon, along with his eunuchs, guards, and palace servants, were watching them from a distance.
But Baek Manyong, oblivious to their presence, was sweating profusely.
‘…Something… something is wrong.’
Sensing something was terribly amiss from the Clan Head’s reaction, Baek Manyong was about to kneel when…
He saw Sehwa emerging from behind Baek Giha and jumped to his feet, forgetting everything else.
“Lady of the House!!”
“??”
“!!”
Sehwa, hearing the incomprehensible title, stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide.
Meanwhile, Baek Giha's ears turned bright red, his face contorted in a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
“Lady of the House? Were you referring to me?”
“Of course!! Why are you being so formal? Please be comfortable!”
“......”
“What need is there for formalities and titles between a perfectly matched couple like yourselves? You have already proven yourself more than worthy of standing by our Clan Head’s side, embodying the spirit and passion of the Baek Clan more than anyone in the Mystic Realm. Although you bear the Ju Clan name, there's not a trace of the Ju Clan in you, only intelligence, kindness, and dignity, not to mention the incredibly pure and powerful spiritual power of the Baek Clan! Who else could possibly be the Lady of the House of the Baek Clan?! In the entire Mystic Realm, if it weren't for you, I would never accept any other mystic, absolutely not! It’s unthinkable…!”
As Baek Manyong continued, Baek Giha's gaze anxiously scanned Sehwa’s expression.
The other onlookers were also reacting similarly.
King Ik-gwon’s expression clearly said, ‘Oh my, they were married! I did the right thing by clearing out the annex and having everyone withdraw so they could rest comfortably.’
The palace servants and officials also nodded, thinking, ‘Of course. Such a well-matched couple couldn't be anything but married.’
A look of satisfaction spread across Baek Giha’s face as he observed their reactions.
Indeed, they were married! They were already husband and wife!
The sharp, cold glint in his eyes towards Baek Manyong disappeared, replaced with a warm, gentle gaze.
He smiled contentedly every time Baek Manyong added another word of praise for Sehwa.
Noticing this, a soft murmur of admiration arose among the Baek Clan cavalry.
“Wow, look at our Chancellor’s skills.”
“And you know what’s even more terrifying? Half of what he’s saying is sincere, and the other half is also sincere.”
“What nonsense is that? If half is sincere and the other half is also sincere, then it’s all sincere.”
“That’s what’s terrifying. He’s our Chancellor because he has the ability to sincerely avoid any misfortune.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m just glad it doesn't seem like he’ll get us in trouble.”
“Me too.”
Baek Giha looked as if he wanted to bring everyone in the palace here to hear that “Lady of the House!”
The Baek Clan warriors, seeing their Clan Head's expression soften, finally relaxed, their anxiety and tension melting away.
Thanks to their enthusiastic Chancellor, their Clan Head, who seemed to have no intention of stopping him, and Sehwa, who was patiently listening to everything the Chancellor had to say, his speech continued for quite some time.
“You’re saying Madam Cheon ordered this?”
“Yes. She said we needed to seize the outpost with the gate to the Human Realm as soon as the abdication was announced.”
“Abdication? So… is the Mystic Ruler dead?”
“No. He stepped down, saying that his successor, Ju Kyunghyun, has just completed his exuviation and is ready to become the cornerstone of the Ju Clan and the Mystic Realm, entrusting the future to the younger generation.”
Sehwa’s face darkened, recalling her mother's words.
“He would never abdicate as long as he’s alive.”
“Indeed. Then… was Madam Cheon’s suspicion correct? Did that old man take over his son’s body?”
“It’s… possible.”
“......”
“......”
A chilling silence fell over the room.
They had hoped it wasn’t true, but if he had really done that…
Then this wouldn’t be the first time.
“He might have been prolonging his life like this for generations… if he didn't hesitate to take over his own son’s body…”
“We have to do something to prevent him from creating more victims.”
“Let’s go to Choi Jangmyung’s house.”
“What? Why? Are you still curious if that hawk has turned back into a human?”
“No, it’s because of the exiles.” Sehwa took Baek Giha's hand, which seemed to tense up whenever Choi Jangmyung was mentioned, and continued, “I’ve been wondering why the Mystic Ruler exiled them to the Human Realm.”
The Mystic Ruler had always treated the lives of those not belonging to the Seven Clans as insignificant.
He had burned Merchant Ji's group alive with his flames, hadn't he?
Mystics like Merchant Ji were terrified of meeting the Mystic Ruler.
But mystics like Choi Deokmun…
‘They were also criminals who had offended the Mystic Ruler, so why were they exiled instead of being killed?’
“Then let’s meet his father. There’s no need to see the hawk.”
Slap!
Sehwa lightly slapped the back of his hand.
“He’s my vassal now, a member of my household. Are you going to keep acting like this?”
Just as Baek Giha was about to retort, Baek Manyong interjected, “Lady of the House.”
“?”
“I understand your generous heart and your dedication to caring for your vassals. But as your household grows, there will inevitably be those who envy and resent your kindness, failing to appreciate it.”
Baek Manyong spoke frankly to Sehwa, his face serious. “For now, your household is small, so there are no such discontented individuals, but there will surely be those who take your kindness for granted, as their right. There might be those who, having received special treatment now, will later question why they are not treated the same way.”
Baek Manyong glanced at his Clan Head before continuing, “Therefore, if you’ll permit me, how about entrusting the management of your vassals to me? I understand your deep concern for your new vassal and his current condition, so I will personally look after him.”
“…Well…”
Sehwa, considering his words, nodded. “Alright, do that.”
“Thank you.”
Baek Giha looked at Baek Manyong warmly.
Such intelligence, such loyalty…
That was the Baek Clan Chancellor.
Such a precious person!
That was why Manyong was their Chancellor!
Baek Manyong, basking in the approving gaze of his Clan Head, felt a surge of emotion.
The cavalrymen, who had been standing guard nearby and had overheard their conversation, discreetly took a step back.
“Welcome, my lady!”
The moment he heard of Sehwa and Baek Giha’s arrival, Choi Deokmun rushed out barefoot to greet them. He ran all the way to the gate, seemingly unaware that he wasn't wearing any shoes.
His face was filled with concern as he asked Sehwa, “Are you alright, my lady? Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief. Please, come this way.”
He personally escorted Sehwa to the main room, dismissing the servants.
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Before entering the room, Sehwa stopped Choi Deokmun and gestured towards Baek Manyong.
“I brought someone to look after your son. Take him there first.”
“!!”
Choi Deokmun, seemingly surprised by her consideration, shook his head. “N-No, it’s alright. My son can wait. Please, come inside, my lady, I wouldn’t want you to wait—”
“It’s alright. Your son just completed his exuviation, and he used his powers as soon as he regained consciousness. I’m worried, so take him there first. I don’t mind waiting.”
“You would go that far…”
Choi Deokmun’s eyes reddened, touched by Sehwa's concern for his son.
He nodded. “Then please wait inside. I’ve dismissed the servants, so I’ll just escort him to the annex where Jangmyung is and be right back.”
“Alright.”
Even after Choi Deokmun quickly left with Baek Manyong, Baek Giha still looked displeased.
Sehwa took his hand and led him inside, gently chiding, “Are you going to keep acting like this?”
“Like what?”
“Frowning like that.”
“......”
Baek Giha turned his head away like a child and didn't answer.
But his hand tightened around hers.
As if he would never let go, no matter who passed by.
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