When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 170
Chapter 170
“They… what did those two do…?”
The Mystic Ruler shot up from his chair.
Then, realizing his own reaction, he gritted his teeth and sat back down.
“…T-They… got married… Judging from the way they were… well… it seems to be true…”
“So they went into the same room instead of separate ones?!”
“Yes. And they put up a strong barrier, saying they didn’t want to be disturbed, so I couldn’t tell if our preparations were working.”
“What’s the First Corps Commander doing?”
“He’s moving everything we had prepared for Ju Myeongyoon’s daughter to the Dragon Chamber.”
“......”
“Mystic Ruler, what should we do now?”
“......”
The Mystic Ruler’s hands clenched nervously. The inauguration ceremony would begin at midnight, and after that, that bitch would leave for the Baek Clan.
‘…And they arrived just in time for the ceremony, so I don’t have much time…’
Whether the marriage was real or not, they had ruined his plans from the start. He had already lost the vessel containing his son’s soul, making his transformation uncertain, and now he was going to lose that bitch’s spiritual power as well?
“That’s not happening. Absolutely not.”
His face contorted as he drummed his fingers on the armrest, then he suddenly looked up.
“They put up a barrier, you say?”
“Yes.”
The Mystic Ruler’s eyes narrowed. The Corrupt Dragon had already told him about Baek Giha’s condition. They must have used the marriage as an excuse to stay in the same room and put up a barrier to protect themselves.
‘A barrier not only blocks attacks, but also prevents them from sensing what’s happening outside.’
How long could he maintain that barrier with his weakened body? Even if he could, using his power like that would surely take a toll on him. The Mystic Ruler’s eyes gleamed, and he stood up.
“Prepare a generous amount of refreshments and bring them to me.”
“Yes, Mystic Ruler. Where are you going?”
“Where else? To Baek Giha’s quarters. Second Corps Commander!”
“Yes, Mystic Ruler!”
The Second Corps Commander hurried inside, careful not to displease him.
“Have you kept what I gave you safe?”
“Of course, Mystic Ruler. I’ve guarded it with my life.”
“They say those two are married, so I must give them a wedding gift. Bring it.”
“Yes!”
“He might not want to lower his barrier, but he won’t be able to keep me out until midnight.”
The Mystic Ruler’s face twisted cruelly.
“I have to succeed while they're still here. Hurry.”
The annex was quiet, with few people coming and going, but that was only within the annex.
The Mystic Ruler's residence was bustling with activity, the servants busy with the final preparations for the inauguration ceremony, which was to begin at midnight.
A giant white tiger, its presence concealed, carefully navigated the residence, avoiding the eyes of the servants.
It was a difficult and time-consuming task, but he couldn’t revert to his human form, as only in his Divine Beast form could he bypass the barriers.
A small white tiger cub, perched on the larger white tiger’s back, watched intently.
“You’ll find Gahan and Gayoon in the hidden chamber I’m about to describe. I’ll give you the Spirit Orb to open the entrance.”
Fortunately, the instructions were quite detailed.
Although the location was difficult to reach, they were able to find the entrance easily.
Baek Giha, in his White Tiger form, pressed against the wall, and Sehwa, holding the Spirit Orb she had received from Cheonryeong in her mouth, placed it against the entrance.
Rumble…
The wall opened with a low, grinding sound.
A dark passage was revealed.
“......”
They entered and closed the door behind them, holding their breath.
After carefully checking for traps, they cautiously stepped into the passage.
But despite walking for a while, they couldn’t hear anything in the dark passage.
“What condition were my brothers in? Were they both alright?”
“Well, I…”
“You… what?”
“…It’s difficult to say for sure based on what I saw, so it’s best for you to see them yourself and decide… but they both seemed to be alive.”
Why was he being so vague?
She had heard that they were alive, but she couldn't be sure until she saw them herself.
Especially with the unnerving silence of this passage.
‘…There’s no presence at all… Are they really here?’
Just as she was wondering…
A faint voice echoed from the darkness ahead.
“What if something happened to Brother while he was trying to enter, and he had to go back? I don't sense anyone coming.”
“!”
Startled by the familiar voice, Sehwa rushed forward, forgetting her current form.
“Kyu?! Koo?!”
A figure, which had been waiting around the corner, flinched as she darted through the dark passage.
It was Ju Gayoon.
“W-What…?”
Seeing that the creature running towards him wasn't hostile, Gayoon blinked and gently stroked its head, trying to figure out what it was.
He seemed unable to make out its exact form in the darkness.
Sehwa, seeing Ju Gayoon stroking her head and Ju Gahan standing beside him, also examined them closely.
As Cheonryeong had said, they didn’t seem to be injured, and there was no sign of poison or drugs in their clear eyes.
“…What is this? A puppy? Did you open the door?”
Just then, Baek Giha, in his giant white tiger form, appeared in the passage.
His bright blue eyes shone like headlights in the darkness.
“!”
Both Gayoon and Gahan, who wasn't easily startled, froze, their eyes wide.
The small white tiger looked up at the large one and chirped,
“Kew, koo.”
The large white tiger looked around the hidden chamber.
Its blue eyes, like searchlights, nodded.
There was a barrier still active.
If they reverted to their human forms here, the barrier would alert the Mystic Ruler, despite their suppressed spiritual power.
So, what should she do?
She couldn’t speak human language, and she was in a form her brothers didn’t recognize, so how could she communicate?
Just as Sehwa was frowning in frustration…
Ju Gahan, who had been watching the two white tigers, which hadn’t attacked them, asked the larger one, “Are you… Clan Head Baek…?”
“!”
Could there be a more welcome question?!
‘Yes! That’s right!’
Sehwa nodded repeatedly, even though the question wasn’t directed at her.
“Clan Head Baek, what brings you here?”
“Did you come to rescue us?”
The large white tiger also nodded, a hint of regret in his eyes.
He had wanted to take them and leave immediately, regardless of the inauguration ceremony or the Red Dragon's Spirit Orb, but…
…things had changed after meeting Ju Kyunghyun, who was wearing the Mystic Ruler’s appearance, and forming a plan.
But he couldn’t explain everything here.
Scratch!
The baby white tiger, growing impatient, extended her claws and quickly scratched something on Ju Gahan's leg.
Ju Gahan, realizing it was writing, focused on the sensation on his skin.
“Tomorrow. Banquet. During. And. Sehwa… Sehwa?”
But perhaps because she had been too focused on writing quickly…
…the words were disjointed and unclear.
As expected…
“What? Sehwa is coming here tomorrow? Here? To the Mystic Ruler’s residence?”
‘No, that’s not what I meant…’
<Me. Sehwa.>
“…What? Sehwa married a Na Clan member?”
“What?! Sehwa got married?”
‘No, that’s not it…’
<In front of you. Me. Sehwa.>
“So you’re saying Sehwa, who married a Na Clan member, will appear in this hidden chamber tomorrow and rescue us?”
“Who's Na? Was there a Na Clan member among those who visited the residence?”
“Ah, you mean that guy who kept leaving flowers for Sehwa?”
“No, he’s from the Sa Clan. It has to be someone without a clan. Ah, that guy with the sharp eyes? The one who always brought news when the branch family elders visited?”
“We’ll find out when we ask her. Little one, is this Na guy Sehwa married the one with the slitted eyes?”
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