When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 138
Chapter 138
With the addition of Ju Myoungyoon and Choi Jangmyung to their group, they needed a little more time to prepare, unlike before.
‘Not only did my son undergo exuviation, but he’s going to the Mystic Realm?’
Choi Deokmun was the most surprised by the sudden turn of events, but his shock was short-lived.
“Oh my god! I was already overjoyed by his transformation, but now he's going to be the right-hand man of the Ju Clan’s Head Elder and wield power in the Mystic Realm!”
Choi Jangmyung trailed behind his father, who was pacing back and forth across the courtyard with a flushed face, flustered.
“F-Father, please calm down. He never said anything about being his right-hand man, and wielding power in the Mystic Realm is even more absurd.”
“What are you talking about?! That’s what it means! He said he would give you an important position!”
That’s right! And those words had come from none other than the father of their master, the reincarnation of the dragon after a thousand years, their noble young lady!
The Head Elder of the Ju Clan! The hero who had protected the Ju Clan against the Baek Clan’s Divine Beast!
“......”
“You don’t have to worry about anything. Forget about the matters of the Human Realm and your father’s affairs, go to the Mystic Realm and pursue your dreams.”
Choi Deokmun’s eyes reddened as he patted his son’s shoulder.
“Father, it hurts… it hurts so much…”
“Why do I have to be sick all the time? I’m so tired… so tired…”
He felt tears welling up as he recalled his young son, lying sick and feverish, whimpering in pain.
“You’ve grown so much, completed your exuviation…”
The unexpected change in his son’s true form was something he had never imagined, but…
Choi Deokmun had never given up hope that this day would come.
“I was so worried that after losing your mother, I would lose you too… The heavens have finally answered my prayers.”
“…Father…”
“Go. I’ll be here. Just remember that you always have a place to come back to when you’re tired and weary.”
His son was about to be thrown into a completely unfamiliar world, alone.
Worried that his son might feel intimidated among strangers, Choi Deokmun packed everything he owned that could be used in the Mystic Realm.
The three carts prepared in the courtyard had to be replaced with larger ones four times to accommodate the increasing volume of goods.
By the afternoon, when they could no longer delay their departure, the load was too large for even two or three horses to pull.
“You didn’t have to do all this…”
“No, it’s nothing. I’m ashamed that I can only offer you this much. Please, take it. Please accept it.”
“That’s right. You healed my father and helped me with my transformation, what couldn’t we offer you? Please accept it.”
“Anyone would think he’s bringing dowry,” Baek Manyong, who was still annoyed about his loss of face earlier, sneered, his eyes sharp.
“Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? I thought you would be more careful after what happened.”
“What happened? You seem pretty confident after that vassal contract, but do you even know what you’re talking about? Even without the vassal contract with the Lady of the House, I’ve become very close to her after going through so much together.”
“......”
“Moreover, there are those in the Mystic Realm who have served the Lady of the House since she was a child, as well as members of the Baek Clan, so there’s no room for you there.”
“I told you to call her ‘Miss’ since they’re not married yet.”
“How dare you talk about the Lady of the House of our Baek Clan, chosen by the heavens—”
Baek Manyong flinched and took a step back as Choi Jangmyung glared at him, his teeth gritted.
He had already tried to teach this brat a lesson, but it hadn’t worked.
It meant that either their powers were equal, or the hawk possessed greater power than him.
‘Just how much spiritual power did the Lady of the House give him through the vassal contract? If she had given him a little less, I wouldn’t be in this humiliating situation…’
“Let’s just go to the Mystic Realm. I’ll show you who you’re messing with when we get there. I’ll show you how powerful I am in the Mystic Realm—”
“Anyone, regardless of their status, should be able to point out when someone says something wrong. If you refuse to listen and accuse the person correcting you of being wrong without realizing your own mistake, isn't that even more wrong?”
“This brat is saying ‘wrong’ so many times…”
Ju Myoungyoon looked at Choi Jangmyung with a mixture of pride and satisfaction, pleased with how Baek Manyong was left speechless.
He looked at Choi Jangmyung as if he were a long-lost son.
Despite their bickering, the group, leaving Sehwa and Baek Giha behind, departed first to cross the gate.
Sehwa was talking quietly with King Ik-gwon, who had come to see her.
“So, about what I mentioned…”
“Leave it to me. I’ll have it done within this month, or next month at the latest.”
King Ik-gwon nodded reassuringly. “Good.”
“Sehwa…”
As they were leaving, Jung Chihwa, her eyes red, rushed towards them, having somehow heard about their departure.
“…You’re coming back, right? You’re not leaving for good?”
“Of course. So eat well and sleep well. If you’re still half-dead when I come back, I’ll just turn around and leave.”
“Sehwa…”
Jung Chihwa, her face a mixture of laughter and tears, hugged Sehwa.
Sehwa patted her back gently.
King Ik-gwon, seeing their close bond, which seemed even stronger than he had realized at the palace gates, was surprised.
How had the celestial being and the Minister of Rites’ daughter become such close friends?
He decided to ask Jung Chihwa about it in detail after the celestial being returned to her world.
So, unintentionally, their departure was slightly delayed due to the large amount of luggage and the flurry of farewells from the humans.
Ju Myoungyoon, Baek Manyong, and the Baek Clan cavalry crossed the gate first, followed by the carts prepared by Choi Deokmun.
Sehwa smiled at Jung Chihwa, who kept thanking her, and promised King Ik-gwon that she would return after completing her task in the Mystic Realm. Then, she and Baek Giha stepped into the gate.
They held hands tightly as a white light enveloped them.
However, the situation on the other side of the gate was completely different.
“!”
Baek Giha immediately stepped in front of Sehwa, shielding her from the hostile energy that filled the space.
Something was wrong.
He had been told the outpost was occupied, so it should have been guarded only by warriors from the Six Clans, led by the Baek Clan.
But before them stood numerous Ju Clan warriors, their swords drawn against a small group of Baek Clan warriors.
“Lady Sehwa?”
Surprise flickered across the Ju Clan warriors’ faces as they saw Sehwa, who was supposed to be missing.
Just then…
Thud, thud.
Footsteps echoed from behind the Ju Clan warriors.
Sehwa and Baek Giha’s expressions hardened as they felt the presence of an immense spiritual power.
A gentle voice broke the silence.
“So everyone’s finally here.”
The Ju Clan warriors quickly parted, creating a path.
Someone walked calmly between them, a smile playing on their lips.
It was Ju Kyunghyun.
Sehwa remembered the scene she had witnessed when she first returned in time.
When she had just left the Mystic Ruler's audience chamber…
His dark hair had swayed gently around his ears…
And his eyes had curved into a gentle smile as he looked at her…
Ju Kyunghyun, approaching Sehwa, greeted her warmly, as if meeting an old friend.
“Sehwa.”
It was definitely Ju Kyunghyun. The person calling her name…
“I was so worried. You should have told us you were alright instead of making everyone worry and hiding like that.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. Go back and rest. I’ll come see you soon.”
His face and voice were exactly the same as before.
But beneath his gentle tone, she sensed a sharp, blade-like killing intent.
Seeing the cruel ambition gleaming in his eyes, she realized.
This wasn't her cousin.
Her mother’s suspicions were correct.
“Sehwa.”
He called her name again, seeing her silence.
The one wearing Ju Kyunghyun's skin…
“…Mystic Ruler.”
…was the Mystic Ruler.
“Mystic Ruler? Ah, you heard about my inauguration.”
He smiled gently and nodded. “My father abdicated in my favor.”
“What brings you here?”
“What a strange question. This is the Ju Clan’s territory, everything here belongs to me. Is there anywhere I can’t go?”
“So you came here to inspect the outpost?”
“Of course not.”
As Sehwa spoke with the Mystic Ruler, who was wearing Ju Kyunghyun’s appearance, she noticed something else.
His condescending gaze, looking down on everyone as if they were trash, despite his pretense of kindness, was chillingly familiar.
“You dare speak to me with such insolence, after I showed you mercy?”
“Someone bring the Fatal Fragment Poison for this shameless traitor who claims to have served you!”
‘…It was you!’
It wasn’t Ju Kyunghyun who had tortured and tormented her, it was the Mystic Ruler.
Her hands turned cold.
Baek Giha, noticing her reaction, stepped in front of her, shielding her from the Mystic Ruler’s venomous gaze.
“What’s this? You know we’ve already occupied this outpost. Did you come here to confirm it with your own eyes?”
The Mystic Ruler sneered. “Ah, occupation. I heard about it. But why should I care? It’s a simple matter of taking it back.”
“Those aren't words for the Young Lord of the Ju Clan, who was so thoroughly defeated in the war that he had to offer all sorts of reparations.”
“And is the great victor of that war so capable that he would violate our territory and occupy the outpost, even after the armistice agreement and the payment of reparations?” The Mystic Ruler retorted, clicking his tongue, “Truly despicable. To think the leader of the Six Clans is someone so treacherous, someone who doesn’t honor his agreements. I can see the future of the Six Clans now.”
Sehwa stepped out from behind Baek Giha.
Seeing her father, standing rigidly, wary of the numerically superior Ju Clan warriors, she spoke coldly, “Enough with the pointless talk. What do you want? You must have something to say, since you came all the way here yourself.”
“Indeed, I do.”
With that, the Mystic Ruler tossed something at their feet.
“!”
It was two pouches, one blue, one purple.
She recognized them.
She had made them for her brothers when they were young.
The Mystic Ruler, seemingly pleased with her reaction, smiled.
“Consider this your invitation to my inauguration ceremony.”
“......”
“You’ll come, won’t you?”
After looking at the Mystic Ruler, who was smiling gently, Sehwa slowly picked up the pouches.
“…Are they alive?”
“Well, you’ll have to come and see for yourself.”
“You…!”
Sehwa, her face grim, grabbed Baek Giha's arm to stop him from lunging at the Mystic Ruler.
“Alright. I wouldn’t want to refuse such a sincere invitation.”
Clutching the pouches tightly, she looked directly into the Mystic Ruler’s eyes and answered, “Wait for me at the residence. I’ll be there with a big gift.”
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