When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Exuviation was a ritual of growth for mystics.
Even without undergoing exuviation, they could use spiritual power, but the amount and strength of their power were significantly amplified after transformation.
Ordinary mystics didn't have to worry, as exuviation occurred naturally, but it was different for those who took over other bodies.
If they took over a body that hadn’t yet undergone exuviation…
Even after their soul, mind, and spiritual power settled into the stolen body, they sometimes couldn't transform.
This body, his son’s body that he had taken over, hadn’t transformed yet.
He had planned to use it after his son naturally underwent exuviation, but…
‘…Because of that bitch! Because of her!’
The Mystic Ruler gritted his teeth.
This was all because of Myoungyoon's daughter and her strange power.
If his soul hadn't been trapped in this body, like the Fifth Consort, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to switch.
‘It would be safer to destroy the original soul after the switch, but I couldn’t even do that…’
Since he had to maintain his position as Mystic Ruler, he didn’t have any suitable bodies to switch to.
So he had had to preserve his son’s soul in his dying body, in case this body failed to transform, but that soul had been stolen.
‘No. I can find it. I have to!’
Just as he clenched his fists so tightly that they bled…
Someone announced their presence from outside and entered the room, approaching quickly.
“Mystic Ruler, Clan Head Baek and Ju Myoungyoon’s daughter, Ju Sehwa, have arrived.”
“What?!” The Mystic Ruler rushed to the window. From his room on the upper floor, he had a clear view of the residence’s main gate.
He saw figures approaching.
“…She’s here…” he whispered, a look of delight in his eyes.
‘Yes, even if I can’t find my son’s soul, if I consume her…’
With that much spiritual power, wouldn’t he be able to force a transformation?
The Mystic Ruler’s eyes, in Ju Kyunghyun’s body, gleamed with greed.
He licked his dry lips, his thirst growing as he watched the approaching figures.
Just then, the woman in the crimson robe stopped.
“…!”
Their gazes locked.
Thump. Rumble.
The window frame began to shake, and a powerful surge of energy pressed down on him.
Those standing behind the Mystic Ruler stumbled and fell.
What power…!
With a loud crash, the window frame shattered.
Even the floor beneath Sehwa’s feet cracked.
‘Yes… Come… You were the beginning…’
For the first time in his long life, he felt a consuming hunger for her spiritual power.
The servants and retainers of the Ju Clan were thrown into chaos by the sudden commotion, but Sehwa and the Mystic Ruler simply stared at each other, their lips curled into cruel smiles.
Their bodies radiated a chilling killing intent, a promise of a fierce battle to come.
Perhaps because of the sudden surge of spiritual power they had just witnessed, the servants were extremely cautious as they took the reins from Sehwa, Baek Giha, and Choi Jangmyung.
As another servant offered to lead them to their rooms, someone emerged from the residence.
“Sehwa, you’ve arrived.”
His dark hair swayed gently around his ears.
His eyes, always soft and gentle, held a warm smile as he looked at her.
But beneath that smile, Sehwa could sense a cold, calculating malice.
He, wearing Ju Kyunghyun’s face, greeted them with a smile.
It was the Mystic Ruler.
“You look much better than the last time we met, Young Lord. I trust you’ve been well.”
“What hardships could I possibly face? I’ve merely been waiting.”
They didn’t mention the clash of spiritual power from earlier.
As if nothing had happened, the Mystic Ruler added, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy, “The Mystic Ruler’s inauguration ceremony is a sacred ritual for all mystics, yet everyone seems to be ignoring it except for you.”
“Everyone's busy with the aftermath of the war. Please forgive them, and Clan Head Baek as well, for arriving late. That’s what a benevolent Mystic Ruler would do.”
Their gazes locked once more.
The Mystic Ruler, noticing the amusement in Sehwa’s eyes, asked, “Are you saying I’m not a benevolent Mystic Ruler if I don't understand?”
Despite his smiling face, his voice was cold.
“I’m simply saying it’s best to avoid unpleasant topics on such an auspicious day.”
“I see. Even you, whom I’ve always cared for, arrived just in time for the inauguration ceremony, so what can I expect from the others?”
“It saddens me that you’re so focused on criticizing me for arriving late, when you’re the one who set the date so hastily. I’m not sure if I can even attend the ceremony now.”
“Haha. You still haven't changed. You always have a retort ready. But let's stop here. Ah, Clan Head Baek, I apologize for my late greeting.”
The Mystic Ruler finally acknowledged Baek Giha, who had been standing behind Sehwa.
Baek Giha simply nodded in response and said, “We’re tired from our journey, so we’d like to rest.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve kept you waiting for too long. Please, come in. But even for esteemed guests like yourselves, we’ll have to conduct a body and luggage search. It’s an important ceremony, I hope you understand.”
“Of course. Proceed.”
Satisfied with her response, the Mystic Ruler nodded, and the attendants bowed their heads. “This way, please.”
Choi Jangmyung, carrying their luggage, quickly followed Sehwa and Baek Giha.
The Mystic Ruler, watching them with narrowed eyes, gestured to someone.
The First Corps Commander hurriedly approached.
“Begin as planned.”
“Yes, Mystic Ruler.”
The First Corps Commander bowed and quickly left.
The Mystic Ruler, a sly smile playing on his lips, also turned and walked into the residence.
After thoroughly inspecting their luggage, the servant, leading them to their rooms, called another servant at the intersection of the hallway. “Clan Head Baek, this way, please.”
“We’re married, so we’ll be sharing a room. There’s no need for separate rooms.”
“…What?”
“I’m saying, lead us to our room.”
“B-But…”
“Is there a problem?”
“Y-You’re… really married?” The servant, who had been ordered by the Chief Attendant to put them in separate rooms, asked, his face pale.
“I’m not lying about something like this, so stop wasting time and lead the way.”
“......”
But the young lady’s hairstyle and ornaments were the same as before.
He could understand her not changing her ornaments after a long journey, but married women always wore their hair up. So he couldn’t help but suspect she was lying.
“Are all Ju Clan servants like this? So slow-witted.”
As Baek Giha’s gaze sharpened, the servant hurriedly nodded, intimidated. “V-Very well… This way, please…”
The servant led them to a quiet annex, far from the noise of the preparations.
“This is your room.”
The spacious room was filled with luxurious furniture, as if to emphasize the Ju Clan’s status.
The autumn garden, visible through the large windows, was beautiful.
Overall, it was a pleasant room with a serene atmosphere.
But Baek Giha immediately noticed that the room was easily accessible from the outside, while the complex garden made it difficult to escape without knowing the layout.
As Choi Jangmyung went to the adjacent room to unpack their luggage, the servant who had escorted them bowed and said, “We’ll send attendants to serve you shortly, so if you have any requests—”
“I do,” Baek Giha said, and without waiting for a reply, he kissed Sehwa.
“…!”
Even as the servant gasped, he pulled Sehwa closer, his arms tightening around her slender waist.
Sehwa, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around his neck.
She caressed his handsome face, her eyes closing as if intoxicated by his warmth.
After a while, Baek Giha released her and said to the servant coldly, “We need to rest, so leave. And don’t approach this annex until I call for you. And that goes for all the servants. If anyone dares to approach without my permission…” A wave of powerful spiritual energy washed over the servant. “…they won’t live to regret it. Understand?”
“!” The terrified servant hurriedly prostrated himself, repeatedly promising to obey, then quickly disappeared.
Whether the servant had actually left to follow Baek Giha's orders or to report to the Mystic Ruler…
…the residence, already quiet, became even more so after all the servants in the annex left.
As soon as they were gone, Baek Giha cast a strong barrier around the annex, making sure not a single sound could escape.
After confirming that the barrier was secure, he removed his outer robe and transformed without waiting for nightfall.
A giant Divine Beast, its blue eyes gleaming menacingly, appeared in the room.
“I’ll leave the barrier to you, as we discussed.”
“Leave it to me,” Choi Jangmyung, emerging from the adjacent room, nodded, holding the Divine Beast Spirit Orb Baek Giha had given him, his face grim.
Sehwa also removed her robe and transformed.
They didn't think anyone would expect them to act so soon after their arrival.
A pure white power, one of the several she had separated earlier, swirled around the room.
Choi Jangmyung shielded his eyes from the wind.
A moment later, instead of the dazzlingly beautiful woman, a small white tiger cub was looking up at him.
The tiny cub hesitated for a moment, then approached Choi Jangmyung and spoke, its voice a soft, adorable chirp.
“Kyu, hew.”
“......”
“Kyu, kyu.”
Normally, she would have remained silent rather than make such sounds, but she couldn’t help but give him a warning, even though she knew he wouldn't understand.
Fortunately, Choi Jangmyung simply nodded, his face still serious.
“Leave it to me.”
The small white tiger also nodded at him.
She turned and walked towards the large white tiger, who was watching her.
She climbed onto his back, and Choi Jangmyung placed a small Spirit Orb, which Sehwa had entrusted to him, before the white tiger.
“Kyu.”
“I’ll carry out your orders, no matter what. Please be careful and return safely.”
With those words, the large white tiger vanished.
Having slipped through the barrier unnoticed, the beast sped through the hallways, its presence concealed.
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