When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Her dark hair swirled and danced in the crimson light.
Like the creator of fire itself, the woman, her black hair flowing around her, wielded the brilliant red light on her sword.
The spiritual power surrounding Sehwa pulsed and shifted with her every move, as if dancing.
“My god,” someone murmured involuntarily.
It was a shared sentiment.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
The golden embroidery on her robe shimmered like lava flowing over rocks in the firelight.
Her slender waist was accentuated by her graceful movements as she wielded the sword effortlessly.
Ting— Tiring—
A delicate, musical sound, like the ringing of a water-filled glass, resonated as her powerful spiritual power vibrated against the barrier.
The flames surrounding Sehwa flickered like a living entity, yearning to ascend to the heavens.
The white blade of her sword, imbued with her surging spiritual power, blazed like a beacon.
The stronger her power grew, the more the barrier resisted, and the mystical sounds filling the chasm intensified, their rhythm quickening.
Each time her wide sleeves fluttered like wings, bathed in the shimmering twilight…
…everyone held their breath, captivated, as if afraid to miss a single movement.
They were completely mesmerized by the woman's sword dance, her presence filling the vast chasm.
Her spiritual power was overwhelmingly powerful, almost frightening.
Yet the sight was breathtakingly beautiful.
Beads of sweat trickled down Sehwa's forehead.
Drawing upon a single type of spiritual power from the chaotic mix within her was more difficult than she had anticipated.
But she could still smile.
Because as she separated her spiritual power, the waterfall of light receded further and further into the distance.
And then, it disappeared completely.
That was the signal.
Her dense spiritual power, like a rich liqueur, returned to its original, pure state.
The fiery spiritual power that had ruled the Ju Clan for a thousand years was now unleashed.
Whoosh!
Crimson flames filled the chasm.
A raging inferno, a blinding storm of fire…
As everything swirled within the chasm, something appeared.
A pair of bright yellow eyes met Sehwa’s gaze through a vertical crack that appeared in the air.
She swung her sword again, her body enveloped in a fiery aura.
Once.
Clang—!
A deafening roar echoed through the chasm.
“—!” Everyone except Sehwa covered their ears, reeling from the shockwave.
Twice.
Clang!
Thrice.
Clang—!!
A silent explosion of fire erupted, sweeping everything aside.
—!!
A deafening roar, and then everything turned white.
A powerful gust of wind swept through the chasm, and everyone, including Elder Simjung, covered their faces and closed their eyes.
When they opened their eyes, the surroundings had completely changed.
“…W-What…?”
The warm afternoon sun shone down on them.
Red and orange leaves crunched beneath their feet.
“…W-What in the world…?”
“The shrine… it’s intact, right?”
They turned towards the clear voice and saw the white shrine, standing tall and unscathed.
They hadn’t fallen into the chasm. The entire incident, the collapse, the chasm itself… it had all been an illusion, a part of the barrier.
Sehwa, unfazed by their bewildered expressions, simply said, her voice indifferent, “Let’s go.”
Youngmoo, hurrying to Sehwa’s side, said smugly, “See? I told you. Our lady is never wrong.”
The horses, which had been startled by the sinister energy, were also gathered nearby.
Everyone quietly mounted their horses and followed Sehwa.
No one spoke.
Only the rhythmic clip-clop of hoofbeats filled the air, their gazes fixed on Sehwa’s back.
Elder Simjung was among them.
Baek Giha's firm voice echoed in his memory.
“I hope you’ll remember my words, Elder. Otherwise, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“......”
Elder Simjung had known Baek Giha since he was a child.
He had been exceptional, even then.
His spiritual power, protected by a strong Core, had been incredibly dense for his age, and he was more adept at wielding it than even the most experienced elders.
He had been astonished to see the small child, barely taller than himself, effortlessly break the neck of an escaped evil spirit with his spiritual power alone.
The pure, white whirlwind of Baek Clan spiritual power he had witnessed then had captivated him instantly.
Disillusioned by the Ju Clan’s long tyranny, he had seen a glimmer of hope for a new era in the Baek Clan Head, in his limitless potential.
And now…
‘There’s another one like him.’
Her spiritual power was different from the Ju Clan spiritual power he was familiar with. It was clearer, more transparent, and its color was lighter.
But the essence of the Ju Clan bloodline was undeniably there.
He had seen it in her sword dance.
This young lady was the same as their Clan Head.
Someone who carried a heavy burden on her slender shoulders, someone who would smile even while sacrificing herself for those she cared about.
‘Is that why he’s drawn to her?’
No matter how devotedly they served him, there were burdens that Baek Giha carried that they couldn't even begin to imagine.
Of course, the Baek Clan members, including Elder Simjung, were always willing to share his burdens.
But…
‘Just as the horizon seen from the ground is different from the horizon seen from the sky, there are things we can’t comprehend or share.’
This young lady understood those burdens.
She shared his perspective, having seen the same view from above, sharing burdens they could never understand.
Elder Simjung finally understood.
Perhaps the Clan Head found solace in her presence.
Perhaps she had decided to stand by his side because they understood each other so well.
‘I have to apologize to the Clan Head for my narrow-mindedness.’
Just as Elder Simjung and his entourage were approaching Baekseok Residence…
They heard the thunderous sound of approaching hooves from the distance.
Several warhorses were galloping towards them.
“Ju Sehwa!”
“My lady!”
‘Baek… Giha?’ Sehwa’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Why is he here?’
“Are you… are you alright? Are you hurt?”
“I thought you went to Yeonggong Province? Why are you here?”
“That’s not im—”
“Elder Simjung! Elder! Are you alright?”
“Elder Jaehyun!”
A middle-aged man rushed out from behind the newly arrived group.
“What’s going on here?! I was shocked by the message the warriors left behind. Is everyone alright? Is Elder Simjung safe?” He clutched his chest, his breathing ragged. “Thank goodness… I’m so glad everyone’s safe…”
“......”
“What’s wrong, Elder Simjung?”
The elder, not answering, looked at Sehwa, who was talking to Baek Giha.
Sehwa also looked at him.
Their eyes met for a brief moment.
“Remember this. The culprit has access to the shrine, the authority to tamper with the seals, and the ability to create barriers.”
Was this man the one?
Before he could even ask, Sehwa gave a slight nod.
Elder Simjung didn’t make the same mistake twice.
He unleashed his spiritual power and grabbed Elder Jaehyun’s outstretched hand, twisting it.
“Agh!!”
He then kicked the horse Elder Jaehyun was riding in the chest.
“Neigh!”
The startled horse bolted forward, throwing the middle-aged man to the ground.
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