When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Having lost its host, the spiritual power dissipated into the air like fog.
Plop.
Only a puddle of blood remained of Elder Jaehyun, dripping onto the ground.
“…!”
Jae Munju, who had witnessed it from up close, stumbled back, her face pale, her body trembling.
“O-Oh my god…”
…If she had known…
If she had known what that small mark could do, she would have never let it be branded on her skin.
Her lips trembling, Jae Munju bowed her head to Baek Giha. “C-Clan Head… p-please… spare me… I… I didn’t… I didn’t do it…”
But no one responded.
“Elder… Elder Simjung… I served you so faithfully… Please… spare me… please…”
Her face flushed as she bit her lip, crawling towards Elder Simjung on her knees. “It… it wasn’t me… I just… I just followed orders… When Elder Jaehyun… d-did that to your… daughter… I…”
“…What?” Elder Simjung, momentarily frozen by Elder Jaehyun’s gruesome death, asked, not understanding what she had just said, “What did Elder Jaehyun do…? To my daughter?”
“I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Just spare my life! Please! Tell me how to remove this mark from my body!”
“You… have a mark… too?”
Jae Munju, who had previously refused to be searched in front of others, now ripped her sleeve without hesitation.
Her smooth, brown skin was exposed.
“It’s… here… I’m… sorry…”
A small mark was visible on her shoulder, near her back.
It was late at night, the white moon high in the sky.
The chirping of autumn insects drifted through the open window.
But Elder Simjung sat motionless in his chair, as if deaf to all sounds.
Someone approached him and spoke softly, “E-Elder…”
“Hmm? Ah, yes. Have you finished packing?”
“…Yes.”
“Good. You’ve worked hard. You can go now.”
“A-Are you really… leaving?”
“Are you really going?”
Elder Simjung let out a weary sigh, unable to answer the maid’s question.
His face was etched with exhaustion.
This was after the warriors had taken Jae Munju, who also bore the mark, to the dungeons of Baekseok Residence.
After hearing Jae Munju's confession, Elder Simjung had been so shocked that he could barely stand.
‘To think I’ve been so close to the man who ruined my daughter’s life…’
His wife was gone, and his only daughter had been unconscious for over ten years. And the reason was so absurd.
Had Baek Kyungyoon done this because he thought he would decline the position of Head Elder if his daughter’s condition worsened?
That it wasn’t the Ju Clan, whom he had resented so deeply, who had harmed his daughter, but Baek Kyungyoon?
That position… what was it worth?
He would have gladly given it up if he had been asked.
If Baek Kyungyoon had just asked him, if he had just said he wanted to try, he would have let him.
Elder Simjung clenched his fists so tightly that they bled, his teeth gritted.
He couldn't even laugh, he couldn’t believe it.
But…
‘…I have no right to blame him. I’m no different.’
Despite his shock, he still had things to do.
He knew how devastated the Clan Head would be to discover a traitor within the Baek Clan.
But he had to do it. Now. Not later.
His expression hardening with resolve, Elder Simjung walked through the bustling residence and knelt where Jae Munju and Elder Jaehyun had knelt earlier.
He raised his voice, “I, the third sinner, confess my crimes to the Clan Head!”
“!”
“E-Elder Simjung?!”
“Elder! What are you doing?!”
“Leave me!”
He waved away those who approached him and continued, his voice loud and clear, “I confess to the Clan Head. This morning, a despicable mystic deceived you and requested an unnecessary inspection under false pretenses. This is no different from disrupting the unity of the Six Clans and sabotaging our efforts at this crucial time, and this is my first crime.”
“…Elder…”
“My second crime is releasing the evil shadows from their seals, despite being the Head Elder of the Baek Clan. I did so with the malicious intent of preventing the Ju Clan young lady from becoming the Lady of the House. This is a grave offense, unforgivable by any excuse.”
“......”
“My third crime is forcing my subordinates to carry out my orders. I not only made them do something they didn’t want to do, but I also put their lives in danger.”
“So, what is your punishment?”
“If you’ll permit me, I’ll give up all my spiritual power and possessions, take my daughter, and leave the Baek Clan.”
“!”
Murmurs rippled through the room.
“Elder, this is a crucial time, as you said. Can you really leave the Baek Clan, being the Head Elder?”
Just as Baek Giha asked, Elder Simjung looked at Sehwa and bowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground.
“!!”
“E-Elder!”
“That young lady saved me, even though I almost committed an unforgivable crime, endangering so many lives.”
“......”
“She saved my life, blinded as I was by my own narrow-mindedness, and opened my eyes. I realized how foolish I had been, thanks to her.”
“......”
“I now understand how fortunate we are to have someone like her by the Clan Head’s side. I offer you my belated gratitude. I will repay your kindness with my life!”
The Captain, who had been watching Elder Simjung, hardened his jaw and knelt as well, bowing his head to Sehwa. “I will also repay your kindness with my life and serve you loyally.”
The warriors and servants surrounding them also knelt.
They bowed their heads to Sehwa and chanted in unison, “We will repay your kindness with our lives and serve you loyally!”
Everyone was kneeling before Sehwa.
Sensing the sincerity in their voices, Elder Simjung added silently, ‘So please, take care of our Clan Head.’
The Baek Clan had been at war until recently.
So they had prepared for any eventuality, knowing their lives could be at risk at any moment.
Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate…
…Elder Simjung didn't hesitate when he decided to leave Baekseok Residence that night.
“Ugh!”
As he stood up from his chair, he swayed slightly.
He had extracted his spiritual power, forming it into a Spirit Orb, leaving himself with almost nothing, to keep his word.
‘Perhaps this is for the best.’
He had been wondering if he should let go of his daughter.
Without his spiritual power, he could no longer sustain her life force.
Perhaps it wasn't so bad, going to a peaceful and beautiful place to reunite with his wife and daughter.
It was then.
“Elder.”
A gentle voice called out from beyond the door.
It was the Ju Clan young lady.
“Elder? Are you there?”
“Y-Yes, my lady! I’m coming!”
He hadn’t eaten anything, and he hadn't been aware of the passage of time, but he couldn’t ignore her voice.
He hurried to the door and opened it. Sehwa and the three sisters were standing in the dark hallway, holding a small lamp.
“What brings you here so late?”
“I just heard that you’ve finished packing.”
“…I’m ashamed to be leaving everything behind. I only asked them to pack the bare necessities for transporting my unconscious daughter.”
“That’s not why I’m here. Are you… really leaving?”
“I’m truly sorry, my lady. But I’m a traitor who endangered the lives of my clan members by being swayed by a blood relative who’s also my daughter’s enemy.” Elder Simjung lowered his gaze, ashamed. “And I did so while being the Head Elder, blinded by my own selfish desires… It would be better for the Baek Clan if I left. I’m not trying to be humble, I’m being sincere.”
“......”
Elder Simjung bowed deeply. “I entrust the Baek Clan to you, my lady.”
“......”
Sehwa looked at him, her expression unreadable, as he repeatedly bowed and apologized.
“Well, I suppose there’s nothing I can do. But I’m not heartless. I’d like to give you a parting gift.”
“Oh, no, there’s no need. Just being allowed to take my daughter’s belongings—”
“Don’t refuse. Just take me to your daughter. You can say what you want to say after that.”
“What? You… you want to see my daughter?”
“Yes. I heard she’s been asleep for a long time. It’s time for her to wake up.”
“!!”
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