When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 139
Chapter 139
Chapter 5
A figure slowly traversed the Mystic Ruler’s residence.
Their footsteps were light, their demeanor casual.
But their gaze, slowly scanning the residence, seemed anxious and unsteady.
The anxiety vanished, replaced by a calm composure, as they sensed someone approaching from the other end of the hallway.
The newcomer, seeing the figure walking down the hallway, asked, “Oh, isn’t that Cheonryeong? What are you doing here?”
“Greetings, Chief Attendant. The Young Lord sent me on an errand. I’m delivering this book to the Eighth Consort.”
“I see.”
“Are the preparations for the inauguration ceremony going well?”
“Well, yes. But it’s a shame that the schedule is so tight. A small ceremony… such an auspicious occasion for the Mystic Realm should be a grand celebration.”
Cheonryeong smiled and shook his head. “That’s true, but I’m glad the ceremony is being held sooner. It’s important for him to demonstrate his abilities and power as soon as possible.”
The Chief Attendant clicked his tongue, but nodded in agreement. “You’ll have a lot to do once he ascends to the position of Mystic Ruler. Never forget your duty and serve him well, whenever and wherever.”
“Of course. And you’ll be there to help me, Chief Attendant. I’ll be relying on you.”
“Well, can I really? I’ll have to step down now that the Mystic Ruler has changed.”
“What are you talking about? Both the Ju Clan and I, who will be serving the new Mystic Ruler, need your wisdom and guidance, Chief Attendant. You’ve been the Mystic Ruler’s closest aide for so long.”
A pleased smile touched the Chief Attendant’s lips at Cheonryeong’s words.
He nodded. “Indeed, indeed. You understand. The Ju Clan still needs me.”
As if he had been testing Cheonryeong’s loyalty, the Chief Attendant, his face beaming with satisfaction, patted Cheonryeong’s shoulder and walked away.
As the Chief Attendant's lightened footsteps faded from his senses, Cheonryeong’s gaze darkened.
‘…There has to be something… somewhere…’
Cheonryeong had stayed behind at the residence, feigning illness, instead of accompanying Ju Kyunghyun, because he had something to search for.
‘It has to be somewhere…’
He was looking for the entrance to the hidden chamber.
He knew there were numerous hidden chambers in this residence.
But the Mystic Ruler hadn’t told Ju Kyunghyun anything, so Cheonryeong also knew nothing about them.
‘I have to find it…’
Cheonryeong had barely survived the hunting competition, his body mangled, his life hanging by a thread.
He had been clinging to life at the edge of death when he was saved by the Spirit Orb given to him by Ju Myoungyoon.
It had taken him a long time to recover enough to move freely.
But what was strange was that he hadn’t heard anything about his master during that time.
Everyone told him that the young lord was fine, but no one had actually seen him.
So, one night, he had secretly sneaked into Ju Kyunghyun's room to check on him.
But his master hadn’t been there, and he hadn’t returned all night.
‘He’s not the type to change rooms. Was he perhaps with a woman?’
But even after that, Cheonryeong hadn't been able to see Ju Kyunghyun.
Not the next day, nor the day after that.
Not even the day after that.
He hadn’t moved rooms either.
His mother's belongings, which Ju Kyunghyun treasured, were still in his room.
Then what was going on?
Cheonryeong, neglecting his own health, worried incessantly about his master.
And then, he had encountered him.
That strange Young Lord.
“Cheonryeong.”
The person who had appeared, calling his name, definitely had his master's appearance.
His handsome features and gentle smile were exactly the same.
But his tone was more assertive.
And his gaze was different.
The way he looked at those around him, as if they were inanimate objects, his eyes devoid of emotion, wasn’t like his master at all.
‘…How is this possible? Who is this person?’
His master didn’t have a twin brother.
But there was something even stranger.
His master had once been injured during sword practice, a wound that wouldn't heal even with medicine, caused by a shard imbued with spiritual power.
If the person before him was someone else, that scar shouldn’t be there.
But the “master” before him had that scar.
It was definitely his master.
This Young Lord before him was definitely Cheonryeong’s master, Ju Kyunghyun.
But at the same time…
‘…He’s not him. Absolutely not.’
He wasn't his master.
Cheonryeong, who had devoted his entire life to serving Ju Kyunghyun, was certain.
What was going on? Where was his true master?
So, Cheonryeong had been searching the residence every day.
But he hadn't found anything.
Unable to find even a trace of his master, the only place left to search was the hidden chambers scattered throughout the residence.
Even if his master really did have a twin, and they had switched places, the suspicious Mystic Ruler wouldn't have sent the other son far away.
He would have kept him somewhere close, where he could always keep an eye on him.
‘Then it has to be a hidden chamber…’
But where was the entrance?
He did have a clue.
Sometimes, the Mystic Ruler would hurriedly go somewhere, and one of those places he frequented was near here.
So Cheonryeong had been searching around this area all morning.
The entrance to the hidden chamber was surely sealed with spiritual power and invisible to the naked eye.
So, he was clutching a Spirit Orb, which Ju Kyunghyun had given him one day, feeling embarrassed after using Cheonryeong as a shield.
He hoped that the Spirit Orb would react if there was an entrance nearby.
‘I… I found it.’
There really was an entrance.
After meticulously searching every railing and every pattern on the walls, he had finally found a small spot where the Spirit Orb in his hand vibrated.
After repeatedly checking that no one was around, he held the Spirit Orb against the spot.
Sensing the Young Lord’s spiritual power, the wall opened with a heavy grinding sound.
A dark passage was revealed, leading into the depths of the residence.
He gulped involuntarily.
He had found the entrance, but… was his master really inside that dark, lightless chamber?
‘…But if he is…’
“Cheonryeong, you must always protect me.”
If his master was really in there…
‘…then I have no reason not to enter this darkness.’
Cheonryeong, his eyes determined, stepped into the open doorway.
Rumble. The wall closed behind him with a heavy thud.
He was surrounded by darkness, and the sound of his own breathing echoed loudly in the stone passage.
Cheonryeong walked forward, through the darkness, unable to see a thing.
To find his master.
“It’s the Clan Head!”
“The Clan Head has returned!”
As Baek Giha, who had been away for a short while, rode into the territory, the Baek Clan members, noticing him, excitedly followed him and his entourage.
During their previous brief visit to the Baek Clan, Baek Giha and Sehwa had traveled separately to keep the missing Sehwa hidden from view.
Thus, most of the clan members hadn’t known about Baek Giha’s return.
“But who is that young lady next to him?”
“Wow, I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful besides our Clan Head.”
“Me neither.”
Those who had rushed out to greet Baek Giha gradually fell silent as they saw the person riding next to him.
Was this what a perfect couple looked like?
The Baek Clan members, proud of their Clan Head, a Divine Beast who had appeared after a thousand years, had never been satisfied with any of the candidates for Lady of the House.
Even though they weren't the ones making the decision, they had been incredibly picky.
They could find a thousand flaws in any candidate within half a day.
‘…But this woman…’
They stared at the woman next to their Clan Head, mesmerized, their throats drying involuntarily.
Her long, black hair, swaying gently in the setting sun, looked like flowing silk.
Her eyes, like two dark pools reflecting the night sky, sparkled beneath her long eyelashes.
She was so beautiful, her noble aura undeniable.
They stared at her, then quickly lowered their gazes, worried about appearing disrespectful.
Baek Clan members lined the path, having rushed out to see their Clan Head.
So, the Clan Head and the mysterious woman only appeared briefly before passing by.
Those who had seen her up close blinked repeatedly, then murmured, their voices filled with awe, “…I… I wouldn’t mind her.”
“Me neither.”
They didn’t specify what they wouldn’t mind.
But seeing the love in Baek Giha's eyes as the procession passed by, they understood.
“With such beauty, rivaling even our Clan Head, her spiritual power must be immense.”
“Indeed. And her grace, her elegance… I can’t imagine a more perfect Lady of the House.”
“I agree. I don’t know who she is or how old she is, but I approve. But…”
“But?”
“But I hope she’s not from the Ju Clan. Haha.”
“Why would she be from the Ju Clan? A Ju Clan member wouldn’t be riding next to our Clan Head so proudly.”
“Right? But remember the rumor a while ago? About the Mystic Ruler sending Elder Ju’s daughter here instead of the Young Lord? I suddenly remembered it.”
“That matter was settled when Elder Ju came himself.”
“Right?”
Chuckling, they continued to whisper amongst themselves, their gazes fixed on the woman’s retreating figure.
They would accept her as the Lady of the House, whoever she was.
As long as she wasn't from the Ju Clan, her only flaw.
The cheering crowd was so loud that even Baek Giha, with his exceptional hearing, couldn’t hear everything.
But Sehwa heard their every word.
The resentment towards the Ju Clan that followed their conditional acceptance, “as long as she wasn’t from the Ju Clan.”
The Baek Clan's animosity towards the Ju Clan hadn't changed from her past life.
‘But it won’t be the same this time.’
Instead of glaring at them, Sehwa straightened her back and posture.
A gentle smile played on her lips.
The Baek Clan members, seeing her smile, forgot their chatter and stared at her, mesmerized.
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