When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 146
Chapter 146
“Do I really have to go now?” Baek Giha frowned at Elder Simjung's words, who had visited him early in the morning. “You know I’m about to leave for the inauguration ceremony.”
“You’ve been away for a long time. I, too, have been away from my territory, attending to matters here in your absence, so I haven’t been able to properly manage my province.”
“......”
“Yeonggong Province suffered the most damage, acting as a buffer against the Ju Clan. The people there would be very grateful for your visit, Clan Head.”
“......”
Elder Simjung had come to request Baek Giha to inspect Yeonggong Province, the territory under his governance.
The vast territory of the Baek Clan was divided into eleven regions.
Excluding the central region, where Baekseok Residence, the Clan Head’s residence, was located, the remaining ten regions were managed by the Ten Elders.
Yeonggong Province, bordering the Ju Clan territory, had indeed suffered the most damage during the long war.
So, Elder Simjung’s request for the Clan Head to visit wasn't unreasonable.
After the war, Baek Giha had been busy discussing the reparations with the Ju Clan, and after that, he had been preoccupied with visiting Sehwa in the Ju Clan territory.
“I’m busy preparing for the inauguration ceremony, so I can’t spare the time. I’ll send Manyong instead. He’s thorough and capable, so he’ll handle everything perfectly.”
“The Chancellor’s visit cannot compare to the Clan Head’s. Considering the current situation, another war might break out after the inauguration ceremony. If that happens, Yeonggong Province will surely suffer again, so please inspect it beforehand.”
“I don’t understand.” The warmth in Baek Giha’s eyes disappeared. He leaned back casually, tapping the table. “There were a few minor skirmishes, but that’s unavoidable for a border province, isn’t it? We reclaimed our territory up to the Central River, and the Baek Clan territory didn’t suffer any damage, so what are you talking about?”
“That’s…”
Just as Elder Simjung was about to answer, Baek Giha’s tapping stopped, and a sharp gaze pierced the elder. “Choose your words carefully, Elder Simjung. I know about what happened yesterday.”
“…!”
“Listen, Elder,” Baek Giha’s voice was firm, his emotions clear, “I believe I’ve dedicated myself to the Baek Clan. I’ve never done anything for my own benefit. No one can disagree with that.”
“......”
“So, I will choose who stands by my side. I will decide based on my own judgment, not anyone else’s. Do you understand?”
“......”
“The only reason I’m being lenient is out of respect for the elders who have served the Baek Clan loyally. But I won’t hesitate to act if you cross the line.”
“......”
“So, tell me again. Are you still asking me to go to Yeonggong Province now?”
“......”
Elder Simjung swallowed hard.
The Clan Head was saying he knew why he was asking for the inspection.
He was warning him that he wouldn’t hesitate to punish him if he caused any trouble intentionally. But…
“Yes.” Elder Simjung, after a moment of contemplation, nodded, his gaze meeting Baek Giha's directly. If the Clan Head wouldn't act, then he would have to expose the would-be Lady of the House's true nature to the entire clan.
Baek Giha's gaze lingered on him for a long moment.
“Very well. I’ll go.” Baek Giha finally nodded. “But I hope you’ll remember my words, Elder. Otherwise…” His dark eyes, sharp as blades, met the elder’s. “…I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“I’m sorry to leave at such a crucial time.”
When Baek Giha entered Sehwa’s room early in the morning and apologized, Sehwa nodded without hesitation. “It’s alright. Go ahead.”
“......”
“Why?”
“…Do you understand what this means? If I leave now, we won’t see each other for three days. And even then, we'll only meet if you travel to Yeonggong Province to join me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“......”
“Why?”
“…Nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. What is it? Tell me.”
“…Don’t you care that we’ll be apart?” Baek Giha asked, his voice stiff, his disappointment evident.
It was a childish question, but Sehwa didn’t laugh or scold him.
She stood behind him and hugged him tightly.
“…!”
“Of course I care. I’ll miss you the moment you’re out of my sight.”
But Sehwa also knew why Elder Simjung was trying to send Baek Giha away at a time like this.
‘In fact, if he hadn't done it, I would have.’
It was better for him to be away for a while, to make things easier.
Hiding her true intentions, Sehwa added playfully, “But if you stay here, I won’t be able to… sleep well…”
“Sleep? Why?”
“…Well…”
“......”
“…Well, it’s strange, but even at a time like this, when I should be focusing on important matters, if you're next to me, I just want to touch you…”
His ears turned bright red.
“And I want to hold you, even though my parents are here…”
“......”
“So come back soon. I’ll miss you.”
Having thoroughly flustered him, she slipped out of his embrace just as he turned to hold her.
Baek Giha, catching up to her, lifted her into his arms.
Her laughter drifted through the open doorway.
The three sisters, who had been standing in the hallway, exchanged surprised glances.
Elder Simjung’s hands clenched as he stood by the window on the upper floor of a building near the residence entrance.
He watched as his Clan Head mounted his horse.
Only the Ju Clan woman and her two maids were there to see him off.
Baek Manyong had always been there to see the Clan Head off whenever he left.
So, the fact that only the Ju Clan woman and her maids were present meant that it was the Clan Head's decision.
He had said time was of the essence, that there were many urgent matters to attend to, yet…
The Clan Head was delaying his departure, as if he couldn't bear to be apart from the Ju Clan woman.
Elder Simjung gestured towards the side of the room.
Jae Munju nodded. “Don’t worry, Elder. I now know that that Ju Clan woman isn’t ordinary, so I won’t fail this time, not for Lady Hyoseong’s sake.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing up my daughter? That Ju Clan girl might be clever, but she’s still just a child who just completed her transformation. She can’t even control her spiritual power properly without help. Just go.”
“Yes, Elder Simjung.”
Even after Jae Munju quickly left, Elder Simjung’s frown remained.
He was displeased that Jae Munju had mentioned his daughter.
“…Why did she bring her up all of a sudden?”
“Father! I want to marry him! I’ll be happy! I’ll definitely be happy, so please let me marry him! Please?”
So much had happened before the Six Clans could unite and raise their swords against the Ju Clan.
Even with the series of disappearances, it hadn’t been an easy decision to turn against the Ju Clan, the rulers of the Mystic Realm.
They had only been able to persuade the Six Clans thanks to the extensive reports Elder Simjung had compiled on the incidents occurring within the Ju Clan.
And he had investigated those matters because of his daughter.
“That foolish girl…”
His wife’s Core had been damaged in an altercation with a Ju Clan member, making it difficult for her to conceive.
So, their daughter, born late in their lives, had been incredibly precious to him.
And then one day, she had told him she wanted to marry a man from the Ju Clan.
Because of what had happened to his wife, he hadn’t been able to give his consent.
But it had been difficult to keep refusing when his daughter insisted that she couldn’t live without this man, and the man himself repeatedly vowed to love and cherish her always.
‘Not all Ju Clan members are bad…’
With that thought, he had finally given his permission, after much deliberation.
And it had only been three years.
His daughter, who had worried him and his wife sick with her infrequent contact after marrying into the Ju Clan, had returned after three years, unconscious and barely alive.
It had been Jae Munju who helped her escape.
According to Munju, his daughter, pregnant at the time, had had to risk her life to escape the Ju Clan territory after her identification token was taken away.
Her Core had been destroyed.
She hadn’t woken up for twelve years.
They had been keeping her alive with Spirit Orbs, but he couldn’t help but wonder if it was right to keep her alive like this, when she might never wake up.
His wife, heartbroken by their daughter's condition, had also passed away, and the enraged Elder Simjung had sent a letter of protest to the Ju Clan.
But despite dozens of letters, he hadn’t received a single reply.
He had even visited his son-in-law’s family, but he had been turned away at the door without even seeing their faces.
“He loved her so much back then. But it’s the way of the world for hearts to change. What can I do?”
That was the only answer he had received after dozens of visits.
‘But I tried not to hate the entire Ju Clan…’
Despite his past, Elder Simjung had been willing to protect Ju Myoungyoon and his wife within the Baek Clan, for the greater good.
Even Ju Myoungyoon’s daughter, despite her arrogance, would have been welcomed in the Baek Clan, as she was also against the Ju Clan’s Mystic Ruler.
If only that Ju Clan girl hadn't tried to become the Lady of the House…
Elder Simjung's gaze darkened, remembering his daughter’s fate.
Now that the war with the Ju Clan was over…
…shouldn’t he let go of his daughter as well…?
“…Perhaps I should do that after I chase away that Ju Clan bitch…”
He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
Now wasn’t the time for such sentimental thoughts.
He had more pressing matters to attend to.
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