When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 153
Chapter 153
Following Sehwa’s instructions, dull thuds continued.
With each strike, the onlookers flinched and swallowed nervously.
As if her intention to find the antidote was genuine, they avoided hitting the same spot twice.
They methodically struck every part of her body.
Which was arguably even more torturous.
Finally, as Jae Munju, her entire body bruised, lost consciousness…
One of the Baek Clan warriors, unable to watch any longer, rushed towards her.
“Stop! This is going too far! Even if she has the antidote, it’s usually wrapped in oiled paper, it won’t tear easily like this!”
The warrior shielded the unconscious Jae Munju.
“You needn’t worry. Do you think I wouldn’t know that? Why do you think I imbued the arrows with spiritual power? It’s to tear the paper with the spiritual vibrations!” Sehwa, unfazed by the warrior’s intervention, gestured to her maids. “Shake her.”
“She’s unconscious! This is enough…!”
“Move!” Youngmu pushed the Baek Clan warrior aside and lifted Jae Munju’s limp body. Youngsun helped her, each of them holding one of Jae Munju’s arms, so that the antidote, if hidden within her clothes, would fall out.
“But she hasn’t even been proven guilty yet! How can you—” Just as the warrior reached for Jae Munju’s sleeve…
Rip!
The seam of her sleeve tore with a ripping sound.
The warrior quickly looked down, worried about seeing her bare skin.
A white powder drifted down at his feet.
“…?!”
“!”
White powder was spilling from the torn sleeve.
As if anticipating this, Sehwa waved her hand, gathering the powder with her spiritual power.
When she had collected a sufficient amount, she handed it to the Captain, who was supporting Elder Simjung.
“There’s no time to lose, have him take this.”
She continued to gather the dispersing powder and hand it to the Captain.
After a while, having consumed a considerable amount of the white powder, the black veins on Elder Simjung's hand began to fade.
As the paralysis wore off, his fingers twitched.
“Ugh…”
A faint moan escaped the elder’s lips.
As he slowly opened his eyes, Youngmu, still holding the glowing arrow, said smugly, “See? Our lady was right! She said she had the antidote! She’s always right!”
The chasm was bathed in a blue light.
As the blue light emanating from Sehwa’s hand enveloped Elder Simjung’s body, his complexion improved.
He could stand and move his arms freely.
“How did you know she was the culprit?”
“There are always those who…” Sehwa looked at the unconscious Jae Munju coldly, “…are blinded by appearances, who mistake the time they’ve spent with someone for a genuine connection, unaware of the filth hidden within their hearts.”
As the elder looked at her, Sehwa added indifferently, “I speak from experience.”
‘Ah, I wanted to see this face so badly.’
She had seen Sa Yeonju’s smiling face superimposed on Jae Munju’s.
She had seen it at the moment the shadows attacked the shrine.
At that critical moment, when Elder Simjung was burning his Core and rushing towards them…
She had seen the amusement in Jae Munju's eyes as she covered her mouth.
Remembering that scene, remembering her past self, who had blindly trusted those around her, she couldn’t contain her rage.
It was the same now.
She couldn’t forgive this woman, who had tried to harm what Baek Giha held dear, nor the person behind her.
A five-colored aura, like fog, spread around Sehwa, reflecting her anger.
Her crimson eyes shone coldly.
Her straight posture and the innate dignity she possessed emanated an oppressive aura that made those around her want to kneel.
‘…Huh…’
Elder Simjung gasped, looking at her.
Not just because of her breathtaking beauty…
But also because of her sharp insight, her decisive actions, and the sheer power she wielded, despite her young age.
The Captain had told him that she hadn't even approached the unconscious Jae Munju.
That she had healed everyone but her, which he had found strange.
Now that he thought about it, it seemed like she had been avoiding any contact that might raise suspicion.
‘The Clan Head had a good reason to choose her as his Lady of the House.’
Elder Simjung, his demeanor now respectful, bowed his head before Sehwa. “…Thank you for saving my life, my lady.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“No, I must thank—”
“Save your thanks for after we catch the mastermind.”
Elder Simjung nodded.
Indeed, Jae Munju couldn’t have done this alone. There had to be someone behind her.
“It’s best to deal with them quickly, before they realize anything, so act as soon as we get out.”
“Yes, of course. Someone will disable the barrier from outside soon, and then—”
“No, there’s no need for that.” Sehwa looked up at the seemingly endless barrier above them. “I can break it.”
“…What?”
The elder blinked and asked cautiously, “You’re going to break the barrier? But it’s connected to the shrine. If you break it, the evil spirits sealed inside might be released. Wouldn't it be better to wait for them to rescue us properly?”
“No. I’ve examined it, and it seems this barrier was created recently. It doesn’t have the power to seal anything powerful, and it’s too small.”
“Then…?”
“It might seem like it's connected to the shrine, but that’s probably a deception. So remember this. The culprit has access to the shrine, the authority to tamper with the seals, and the ability to create barriers.”
“......”
“Anyway, that’s the most urgent matter, so you can thank me later.”
The elder nodded silently, then said, “Understood. I’ll do that.”
But something was strange.
If it was so urgent, why wasn’t she breaking the barrier right away? She had said she could.
Fortunately, he realized something before asking her.
Hadn't the Captain already told him?
How the Ju Clan young lady had annihilated the shadows that had attacked them?
How she had healed so many people?
He himself had said she was just a child who had recently transformed.
Yet she had already used so much power for them.
‘If it were me, I would be drenched in sweat and struggling to catch my breath…’
So, worried that even asking another question might seem like he was rushing her…
He simply offered his gratitude and stepped back, giving Sehwa some space to rest.
It wasn’t long before Sehwa stood up.
She wasn’t tired.
She had been circulating her spiritual power, checking on a certain symptom she had noticed while using her power.
“The more you use that power, the more you will lose yourself! Your memories will fade, your body will disappear! In the end, you will turn to dust, and nothing will remain!”
“No one will even remember you!”
She had been afraid.
‘If I disappear, Baek Giha will have to endure eternity alone…’
Yet, to defeat the Corrupt Dragon, she had to keep using her power, and eventually, she would have to enter that waterfall of light.
The time would surely come when she would have to jump into that radiant, five-colored light, abandoning everything.
How could she not be afraid?
But…
‘…This is strange. If merging into that light is my destiny, then I should be emitting a five-colored aura, regardless of which power I use.’
Whenever she used the Jang Clan’s spiritual power to heal, a soothing blue light, like a moonlit garden, had filled the area.
And when she shot the arrows to dispel the shadows, a pure white whirlwind, not a five-colored aura, had swirled around her.
‘I don’t know what this means yet.’
Sehwa stood up and borrowed a sword from one of the Baek Clan warriors the three sisters had brought with them.
The warrior, worried that the heavy sword might be too much for the young lady, handed it to her hesitantly.
But his worry was short-lived. As Sehwa lightly swung the sword, testing its weight and length, his eyes widened.
The heavy steel sword felt weightless in her hand.
Sehwa, holding the sword, walked calmly towards the center of the barrier.
Jae Munju, captured by the warriors after being healed by Sehwa, was also brought along.
Sehwa, standing alone in the wide space, closed her eyes.
‘I could separate and use the Jang Clan’s power. And the Baek Clan’s power too.’
Then…
‘I should be able to separate and use the Ju Clan’s power as well.’
To test her theory, she focused on a single spiritual power and drew upon it.
‘…Huu…’
It took a while.
But then, she felt it.
‘There!’
A familiar spiritual power surged from deep within her heart.
The power she had been born with.
The dark red spiritual power, which had protected her for so long, was now faded, unable to resist the influence of the other spiritual powers.
‘But it’s alright. Come.’
But its will was strong.
A red spiritual power, like a giant flame, enveloped her body.
Whoosh!
Sehwa’s body blazed.
“…!”
“…Gasp.”
The onlookers gasped.
It was at that moment.
Ding.
Ding.
A clear, bright light, like the sun, clashed against the barrier, creating a vibrating sound, like music.
It was like the sound of clear dewdrop dripping from leaves onto the ground before dawn.
Like the rustling of leaves in the wind, or the rhythm of rain against the eaves.
“…W-What…?”
“What’s that sound?”
As they stared at the brilliant display of spiritual power, their eyes wide with shock and awe, a soft murmur arose among them.
Sehwa, listening to the clear, gentle sounds, raised her sword.
Her sleeve slipped down, revealing her translucently white, slender wrist.
Her small feet left the ground, and her slender arm moved gracefully upwards.
“…Ah…” someone breathed.
Everyone seemed to hold their breath.
Within the dimly lit space, Sehwa, holding the sword, began to move gracefully.
It was a sword dance.
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