When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 159
Chapter 159
She desperately wrapped the last of her spiritual power around the child in her womb.
This way, even if she died, the child would live a little longer.
Then, perhaps someone would take pity on them and save the child.
That was her only hope.
“Oh my, my lady!”
Jae Munju was returning after finishing her conversation with Elder Jaehyun.
Seeing her collapse, her Core destroyed, Jae Munju cried out in alarm.
Just then, something clattered to the ground behind Jae Munju.
It was a dagger, forged with Baek Clan spiritual power.
It seemed Elder Jaehyun had given it to her to destroy Baek Hyoseong's Core in one strike.
She had been right to act quickly.
Baek Hyoseong closed her eyes.
That was the last thing she remembered.
“......”
Elder Simjung, who had witnessed everything along with his daughter, trembled.
Sehwa walked past him, as he stood there, frozen and speechless.
Jae Munju and Elder Jaehyun were gone, and darkness once again enveloped the area.
Sehwa approached Baek Hyoseong, who was lying on the ground, and placed her hand on her stomach.
Seeing the blue spiritual power flowing into his daughter, Elder Simjung also hurried over.
He had so much to say, but none of it was appropriate now.
He placed his hand on his daughter’s arm, next to Sehwa’s, and began to retrieve the spiritual power that had been sustaining her life.
An overwhelming wave of grief and fear washed over him.
Please come back.
Please, come back to me.
I’ll be your parent again in your next life.
No matter how much you hurt me, I’ll be your parent again.
As many times as it takes, thousands of times, I’ll be your parent again.
So please, come back.
Please don’t leave me alone, come back and open your eyes.
Just as Elder Simjung was praying desperately…
A warm hand gently grasped his.
“!!!”
“…F-Father…” a weak voice called out to him.
“......”
It was the first time he had heard her voice in ten years.
At that moment, Elder Simjung, forgetting his age and his dignity, burst into tears.
Those who had been watching with tears in their eyes quietly left the room.
Some hurried to prepare everything Baek Hyoseong would need now that she was awake.
Sehwa’s eyes softened as she looked at Elder Simjung, weeping like a child.
“Let’s go,” she said, calling the three sisters, but her steps faltered.
Baek Giha quickly caught her.
“Are you alright? Are you sure?”
“I think I used too much spiritual power today,” she said. It wasn't surprising that she was exhausted, having used her powers in such an unfamiliar way.
“......”
Baek Giha, his jaw tightening, lifted her into his arms.
“Put me down. The others—”
“Just…”
“......”
“…stay still.”
As Baek Giha carried Sehwa, the servants parted before them like the sea before Moses.
His expression was grim.
But Sehwa noticed a hint of sadness in his eyes, despite his anger.
Was he blaming himself again for not being able to help, like with the Corrupt Dragon?
There was no need. Just being by her side gave her strength.
Baek Giha carried her to her room and gently laid her on the bed.
“You must be tired, so rest.”
“Stay here.”
“What?”
“Stay with me.”
“It’s alright. I don’t mind. You won’t be able to rest properly if I’m here, so I’ll…”
As he was about to leave, she reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
“Stay with me,” she said, holding onto him.
“......”
He didn’t answer, but he pulled a chair over to the bedside, his expression softening.
The three sisters, sensing the mood, also quietly left the room, leaving only Sehwa and Baek Giha, their shadows flickering in the lamplight.
“…Perhaps there are more elders who sided with the Ju Clan.”
Baek Giha’s voice was grim as he listened to what she had seen in Baek Hyoseong's memories. “Perhaps the war lasted for ten years because of them. There must be others like Elder Jaehyun in the Baek Clan leadership.”
“......”
They might face even greater challenges if they didn’t eliminate them before the second war with the Ju Clan.
Baek Giha's expression was serious as he thought about how to expose them.
Sehwa’s face darkened slightly as well.
The Baek Clan elders had served Baek Giha since he ascended to the position of Clan Head as a child, after losing his parents.
Elder Jaehyun's gruesome death must have been a great shock to him.
She knew that feeling of betrayal all too well.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
She forced a smile and reached out to touch his face.
She pinched his cheek gently.
“!”
“Why do you look like that? Did you forget what you told me?”
“…What?”
“You asked me if good and evil mattered. You said you didn’t understand why their morality was important.”
“Everyone becomes kind when their desires are fulfilled.”
“I need those who will be my loyal servants, not those who are righteous.”
“Did you forget all that?”
“You… remembered that?”
His surprised expression was endearing.
She chuckled and took his hand. “But you can’t fulfill everyone’s desires, can you? So you have to show them.”
“Show them what?”
“That even if there’s another war with the Ju Clan, you’ll always be the victor.”
“…!”
“So it’s in their best interest to be loyal to the Baek Clan.”
His eyes flickered, then his expression calmed.
His tense shoulders relaxed, and a gentle smile touched his lips. “But you’re wrong about one thing.”
“What?”
“About me being the victor.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his eyes filled with affection. “Victory is always yours, no matter what. No matter what kind of victory.” He kissed her forehead again, his lips warm against her skin. “I don’t intend to win against you.”
Sehwa chuckled and pulled him closer by his neck. “Then let’s say ‘us,’” she whispered, her lips brushing against his, “because I don’t intend to win against you either.”
“Sehwa.”
“Are you just going to keep sitting there?”
“What?”
“My parents are staying in the annex, so there’s no one to scold us. And the servants are too preoccupied with today's events to come here.”
She was a little embarrassed to say this.
‘But I have to say what I want, don’t I?’
“We’re alone in this room.”
“!”
She blushed, lowering her gaze, and added, “Why aren’t you… putting up a barrier?”
A wave of white spiritual power instantly enveloped the room.
Her soft laughter briefly escaped before the barrier was completed, silencing all sound.
Only the moonlight, streaming through the open window, could enter the room where the two lovers embraced.
Sehwa visited Baek Hyoseong’s room early in the morning.
After confirming with the maid guarding the door that she was awake, Sehwa quietly entered.
Baek Hyoseong, Elder Simjung’s daughter, was sitting on the bed.
Elder Simjung, sitting beside her, quickly stood up and offered Sehwa his seat.
“Please, have a seat, my lady.”
The old elder looked haggard.
His eyes were swollen from crying, and his face was pale from having shared his spiritual power with his daughter all day.
But his expression was radiant.
Sehwa sat down, and Baek Hyoseong apologized for not being able to greet her properly, but Sehwa shook her head.
She took Baek Hyoseong’s wrist and checked her pulse, her expression softening. “You’re doing well. The blocked meridians in your legs should clear up in about fifteen days, and you’ll be able to walk without any problems. The child in your womb is also recovering well.”
“…!”
“Congratulations on becoming a grandfather, Elder. I wish you all the best.”
“My lady…”
Overcome with emotion, Elder Simjung knelt before Sehwa. “I don’t know how to repay your kindness.”
“Please, get up. There’s no need for this. Your daughter is watching.”
“If she could, she would be kneeling beside me, thanking you, my lady.”
“Elder…”
“I owe you everything for returning my only family to me.” The elder’s voice trembled. “I swear, I, Baek Simjung, will serve you as your loyal servant for the rest of my life.”
“I will too,” Baek Hyoseong said, bowing her head as deeply as she could. “I would do anything for my savior. I will serve you, my lady.”
Sehwa helped Baek Hyoseong up, telling her there was no need for such formalities, that her loyalty to the Baek Clan was enough.
But as if anticipating her refusal, Elder Simjung spoke, “But my lady, I heard something strange while talking to my daughter last night.”
Sehwa, who had been about to tell him that there was no need for such oaths and that he should focus on his recovery, tilted her head. “Something strange?”
Baek Hyoseong nodded and said, “I realized it yesterday, while talking to my father. As you know, when I escaped and returned to the Baek Clan, I thought my life was in danger because I knew about the body switching.”
“But it wasn’t?”
“They kept me alive for a long time even after I found out. So I thought it was strange, and now, looking back, I think it wasn't because of what I knew about the body switching, but because of something else I heard later.”
Baek Hyoseong lowered her voice and continued, “‘Why can’t you understand that if First Sister dies, he’ll die too, and we’ll all be doomed? Seventh, just focus on keeping First Sister alive.’”
“First… sister…?”
“Yes, she seemed to be referring to the Mystic Ruler’s first consort. I overheard the Fifth Consort say that to the Seventh Consort, and that’s when my life became endangered.”
“......”
Sehwa was stunned.
She suddenly understood who “he” referred to in that conversation.
‘…What is this…?’
If the First Consort died, the Corrupt Dragon would die too, and they would all be doomed?
She couldn't process this sudden revelation. Because…
“I’ll kindly inform them that if they dare harm my brothers, I’ll flay their hostage alive and tear him limb from limb.”
‘The First Consort, the one possessing Sa Yeonju… she’s in my hands right now?!’
Sehwa blinked, her mind reeling.
This just keep getting good! Thank you Translator
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