When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 185
Chapter 185
Who could create such a barrier?
Baek Giha and Ju Sehwa’s gazes darkened as they recalled the moment they left the Ju Clan.
The being that had emerged from the earth like a hatching egg, plunging everyone into a fiery purgatory.
The Corrupt Dragon, its massive form writhing amidst the flames, its aura sinister and foul.
Who else but the Corrupt Dragon could create such a merciless barrier?
‘I also have no intention of forgiving those who harmed my family.’
But that didn't mean she wanted to kill everyone in the Ju Clan territory.
‘And the servants who couldn’t come to the Baek Clan with us are now working in other Ju Clan residences…’
What had they done to deserve such a fate?
Sehwa quickened her pace as she climbed the stairs to the upper floor of White Stone Pavilion.
She had already sent a servant to inform the Clan Heads of the situation.
But she wasn’t going to the meeting room yet, because of what Baek Giha had said.
“Why did the Corrupt Dragon create such a barrier? Divine Beasts are powerful, but unlike Spiritual Beasts, they have clear restrictions. Recklessly absorbing life force like this is against the rules, it’s like strangling himself.”
“Isn’t it the same as what he did in the Human Realm?”
“It’s different. He wasn’t directly absorbing life force then. Essentially, all he did in the Human Realm was manipulate the weather.”
“But this time, he’s directly taking lives, which could kill him, right?”
Sehwa remembered the voice that had echoed in her mind when she transformed into a Divine Beast, the voice that had commanded her to follow the natural order, to obey the laws.
If that applied to all Divine Beasts, then Baek Giha's question made sense.
So, they hurried up the stairs, hoping to find someone who could answer his question before the meeting.
They reached the top floor and stopped before a room shielded by a white barrier.
It was the First Consort's room.
When they entered the room, the First Consort was still drunk.
Her eyes, unfocused, stared blankly into space.
She had ordered the servants to bring her as much alcohol as she wanted, and several empty bottles, emanating a pungent smell, were scattered around her feet.
The servants couldn’t have left them there, so she must have emptied them all in a short time.
Hearing their footsteps, the First Consort’s gaze slowly turned towards them.
“What? What is it now?”
“You said you would tell us about the Corrupt Dragon if we had the Red Dragon’s Spirit Orb.”
“And? Do you have it already?”
There was no hint of anticipation in her voice.
It had only been a few days since she had mentioned the Spirit Orb.
She clearly didn’t believe they could have retrieved it from the Mystic Ruler's sword so quickly.
Instead of answering, Sehwa held out her hand.
Whoosh.
A red spiritual power, like a whirlwind, spiraled above her palm, the same hand she had used to show them the orb earlier.
The First Consort’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
“!”
She shot up from her chair.
Even though it wasn't in the form of a Spirit Orb, she recognized the crimson spiritual power for what it was.
After staring at the spiritual power and then at Sehwa for a long moment, she slumped back in her chair. “N-No way… You… absorbed it…?”
“There’s no time for this. Your son, the Corrupt Dragon, is causing trouble.”
Sehwa tossed the letter she had received from Baek Manyong onto the table.
But the First Consort didn't seem interested in the contents of the letter.
She stared at the red spiritual power surrounding Sehwa, then let out a low, choked sound, a mixture of laughter and tears.
“So… I can finally die…”
Sehwa sat down across from her.
“Now tell me. How can I kill you? How can I kill you and the Corrupt Dragon? That’s what I need to know.”
“It’s simple. Give me the Spirit Orb.”
“What?”
“I can die if I consume it. So give it to me.”
Sehwa blinked, then burst out laughing.
“You brought me here… for that?”
Her eyes narrowed, and the red spiritual power surrounding her flared up.
“You brought me here to ask for this?”
After all her lies, claiming she wanted to die, that the Corrupt Dragon had put her in this position as a mockery… after all her venomous words… she wanted the Red Dragon's Spirit Orb?
“N-No! It’s not a lie! It’s true!” the First Consort hurriedly denied, but Sehwa scoffed.
“You think I would believe that?”
Who knew if her desire to die was also a lie, a ploy to get the Spirit Orb?
Sehwa stood up, pushing her chair back.
“Our deal is off. I’ll return the favor, since you dared to deceive me.”
Her crimson eyes, gleaming menacingly, bored into the First Consort.
“I’ll make sure you live a life worse than death. You’ll see.”
She would show her what she was capable of.
“N-No! I’m telling the truth!”
The First Consort scrambled out of her chair and lunged towards Sehwa, only to be blocked by the guards.
She reached out desperately.
“It’s true! Please, just give it to me! Please! I’ll do anything! If you just give it to me… I’m telling the truth!”
“......”
“I know you don’t believe me… But what else can I do?! I need spiritual power to escape him! And I have to escape him to tell you everything, to kill him! So please… please, I beg you!”
The First Consort’s body trembled, then she suddenly looked up, as if a thought had occurred to her.
“Or… how about this?”
“How about what?”
“I won’t ask for all of it. Just give me a little of your spiritual power. Even a small amount is enough.”
Sehwa scoffed. Did this woman think she was a fool?
She asked, curious to see how far she would go, “And if I do?”
But the First Consort, ignoring her reaction, continued desperately, “Then I’ll show you.”
“Show me what?”
“How one of the Mystic Ruler’s Eight Consorts dies.”
“We shouldn’t expect any useful information from her at this rate,” Sehwa said, her voice laced with frustration, as they returned to the meeting room.
“Who knows if she’s just making things up? We should ask someone else.”
“I’d like to try it, if you're okay with it.”
“What?”
“She doesn’t have much spiritual power, so let’s test her claim. We can keep a close watch on her, she won't be able to do anything under our noses.”
“......”
“And how are we supposed to confirm it? The Ju Clan residence is covered by a barrier, we can’t see what’s happening inside.”
“Ah, right. I forgot.”
“And what if she transforms into a Divine Beast after receiving your spiritual power?”
“Is the power contained within that Spirit Orb that strong? Enough to make her a Divine Beast with just a small amount?”
“I don’t want to take any risks.”
Absorbing the Red Dragon’s Spirit Orb had been a huge boon.
‘With this power, I should be able to match the Corrupt Dragon.’
But unlike the Corrupt Dragon, who didn’t care about anyone, she had people to protect.
How could she know how much power she would need, having to protect so many while fighting?
What if the First Consort was asking for her power to help the Corrupt Dragon?
“Once I give her some, I might end up giving her more, just to see the results. I don't want to fall for her tricks.”
Seeing her firm resolve, Baek Giha nodded. “Alright. Let’s discuss the Corrupt Dragon’s intentions ourselves and meet with the Clan Heads first.”
Except for the Yeo Clan, which hadn’t chosen a new Clan Head yet, and the Jin Clan, which was still under house arrest, the leaders of the Five Clans were already gathered in the meeting room.
Having received the servant’s report, their faces were grim.
“Is it true that we’ve lost contact with all the warriors stationed at the border?”
“Those bastards…”
“Was it the Mystic Ruler? Did the new Mystic Ruler do this to demonstrate his power?” The Cheon and Jang Clan Heads asked, and Baek Giha shook his head. “It was the Corrupt Dragon I told you about.”
“What?!”
“It seems he’s no longer holding back, he’s gathering power recklessly. We don’t know when he’ll break through the barrier, so we have to gather our supplies and weapons quickly.”
Seeing Baek Giha's serious expression, the Kang Clan Head, his face dark, suggested, “Then shouldn’t we attack first? Even if he’s a Corrupt Dragon, he must be powerful, considering how long he’s lived.”
“Indeed. He’ll be even more difficult to deal with if we let him gain more power,” the Cheon Clan Head agreed.
“We’ve lost contact with all our spies, and we can’t see what’s happening inside the barrier, so a preemptive strike might not be a bad idea.”
“......”
Baek Giha seemed to be deep in thought, not answering.
The Jin Clan Head, having just been released from house arrest, remained silent, perhaps wary of causing more trouble.
The Kang Clan Head’s behavior was strange, however. He had become quiet after seeing Sehwa transform into a dragon, and now, he wasn't speaking at all during the meeting.
As silence filled the room, the Cheon Clan Head, waiting for Baek Giha’s decision, turned to Sehwa, who was sitting quietly, and asked, “What do you think?”
“What?”
“About attacking first.”
Sehwa, surprised by the question, said, “I don’t have an official position, so I shouldn’t voice my opinion on such an important matter. I’m just here to convey what I’ve seen—”
“Nonsense! If our Young Lord Cheon Ju Baek Jang can’t speak, then who can?” the Cheon Clan Head exclaimed.
The Jang Clan Head also chimed in, “Our Lady of the House Baek Ju Cheon Jang should feel more comfortable around us old men. We’re practically family now that the Six Clans are united.”
“Jang Clan Head, why do you keep calling her ‘Lady of the House’ when they’re not even married? And why are you changing the order of the surnames, when Jang should be last?”
“The Cheon Clan's Young Lord might not be on the Jang Clan's side, but the Lady of the House of the Six Clans is! So of course, Jang comes first.”
“Are you still playing favorites at your age? You should act your age!”
Just then, as the Cheon and Jang Clan Heads began to bicker, the Kang Clan Head stood up. He walked over to Sehwa. “I have a question for you, young lady.”
Sehwa tensed, sensing something in his approach, as he had been silent throughout the meeting. “Yes, Clan Head Kang?”
“Would you… absorb this? It’s my Spirit Orb.”
“What?!”
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