When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 189
Chapter 189
Chapter 7
There was no warm sunlight, no sunset painting the sky with vibrant colors.
There were no moon, no stars, no clouds.
Only a gray sky, stretching endlessly, as if dawn would never come.
The air was filled with the sound of moaning.
The Ju Clan members were devastated. Some had lost family, some had lost limbs.
Many were severely injured, beyond healing.
The aftermath of the Mystic Ruler’s inauguration ceremony.
It was a rare and sacred ritual, a special event in the long lives of mystics.
They had gathered to witness this historic moment, yet…
“Healer… where’s the healer…? Medicine…!”
Those who had survived the carnage were crawling around, searching for healers, their bodies broken.
They were lucky to be alive, yet…
“This barrier… what is the new Mystic Ruler doing…?!”
They were trapped inside a disastrous barrier, unable to escape, their bodies still wounded.
The barrier, which blotted out even the light from the sky and the surrounding objects, seemed to be draining their life force, weakening their bodies, clouding their minds, and festering their wounds.
They couldn't even hold funerals for their lost ones, their despair deepening with each passing moment, as they were helpless, with no one to turn to.
They had always prided themselves on being the Mystic Ruler’s bloodline, on possessing the noblest and most powerful blood in the Mystic Realm, yet… look at them now.
And their Mystic Ruler… could they even call him that?
He had lost the Red Dragon’s Spirit Orb, the sacred treasure of the Ju Clan, and was now being accused of murdering his loving father and usurping his position.
And he had abandoned them all and run away the moment he saw the Red Dragon appear.
He had coldly turned away from those begging for help, their bodies engulfed in flames.
Many had witnessed it.
Elder Ju Sanghyun, remembering the Mystic Ruler’s actions, gritted his teeth, his body wracked with pain.
‘And we called him Young Lord… he wasn't even the Mystic Ruler! He’s the one who ruined the Ju Clan! He’s the one…!’
Just then, a servant quietly entered the room where Elder Sanghyun lay and whispered something in his ear.
“What? The Young Lord’s guard is here to see me?! Are you sure it’s Cheonryeong?”
“Yes. I told him you were in no condition to receive visitors, but he insisted…”
“Send him away! Now! Drag him out if he refuses to leave!”
“......”
“What is it now?”
“He said to tell you that he can heal you.”
“…What?”
“......”
‘He was the Young Lord’s most trusted guard… Can I trust him?’
But perhaps he had really come to heal him.
The elder hesitated, then ordered, “Bring him in!”
Cheonryeong was waiting for the servant to return with an answer.
He stood motionless before the massive gates of the residence, his face covered in wounds, his body battered from the explosions and the dust and fire that had filled the inauguration hall.
But he seemed oblivious to the pain, his gaze fixed on the blue Spirit Orb in his hand.
It was the one Sehwa had given him that night.
He had given Sehwa Ju Kyunghyun's Spirit Orb, which opened the hidden chamber, and in return, she had given him a sword imbued with her spiritual power, to protect Ju Kyunghyun, and a healing Spirit Orb for when his condition worsened.
‘But I didn’t even have a chance to use it…’
For the first time, emotions flickered across his dead-like face.
Grief, pain, bewilderment, and regret churned within him, his heart heavy.
He bit his trembling lip, remembering his master’s words, “Don’t come near me, no matter what. If anyone is by my side, Father will only see the Mystic Ruler, not me.”
“This body won’t last long, no matter what treatment I receive. So, in my final moments, I want to see my father, not the Mystic Ruler.”
If his father had seen him as his son, not just the Mystic Ruler, this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t have taken over his body, wouldn’t have left him to die in that hidden chamber.
But those words were meaningless now.
Ju Kyunghyun had already accepted his fate.
All he could do was give him the dagger Sehwa had given him, telling him to hold onto it.
But even Cheonryeong hadn't imagined that the Mystic Ruler would kill his own son so ruthlessly, without a moment’s hesitation.
He had been too late.
Cheonryeong’s face contorted in pain as he recalled that moment, his hand tightening around the blue Spirit Orb.
The Corrupt Dragon, having devoured the warriors, had destroyed the Mystic Ruler’s residence and made it its lair.
If the Mystic Ruler thought he could survive, he might return to resume the inauguration ceremony.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
The one who had consumed his son, who had crushed his son’s soul, was no longer someone he could serve.
“He’ll see you now,” the servant said, opening the door.
Cheonryeong nodded coldly and entered.
His reason for living had disappeared along with his master.
But he couldn't go to see his master empty-handed.
‘Please wait a little longer. Those words you never heard in this life… I’ll drag his soul to you in the afterlife, so you can finally hear them.’
His eyes gleaming with determination, Cheonryeong walked towards the elder.
King Ik-gwon blinked, looking at the crowd filling the courtyard in front of the main hall, spilling out even beyond the walls.
“Is this… everyone?”
“No, Your Majesty. These are just the representatives. The rest are waiting outside the palace.”
“Just the representatives?”
Just then, a familiar face emerged from the crowd.
It was Choi Deokmun.
King Ik-gwon beckoned him over.
“Merchant Choi, come here. I’ve sent for Madam Cheon as well, she should be here soon.”
“Your Majesty, I’m just a lowly merchant. There’s no need to address me so formally.”
“Haha…”
King Ik-gwon chuckled, not answering.
Of course, he knew that.
‘But this merchant’s son is close to that celestial being, and this old merchant himself is also from the Mystic Realm, so how can I speak informally…?’
“Have you done everything she asked?”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s help in posting notices and mobilizing officials for the search, we were able to finish much sooner than expected.”
“I’m glad. That’s a relief.”
“Then, about what I mentioned…”
“Leave it to me. It’ll be done within this month, or next month at the latest.”
He had made that promise to Sehwa before she left.
He had been so anxious about keeping his promise, worried that he might disappoint his benefactor, if he failed.
Sehwa had two requests. One of them was to gather all the scattered mystics in the Human Realm.
Since many of the mystics in the Human Realm had received their settlement funds through him, he could locate most of them on his own.
But some had crossed the border or gone deep into the mountains, so it had taken some time to find them.
Just then…
“Is this everyone?”
Someone approached them.
It was Cheon Sua.
“Madam Cheon, you’re here,” King Ik-gwon greeted her, his gaze shifting to the two women following her. Youngsun and Youngmoo were carrying a large chest.
‘I saw that chest on the first day as well. What's inside?’
He had been so surprised when Madam Cheon had suddenly appeared, claiming to be the mother of that celestial being and wanting to see her.
She had said she was here to check on the progress of the tasks her daughter had requested and that he didn’t have to worry about her, but…
‘How can I not worry when a celestial being is in my palace? I'm so glad it’s over.’
Just as he was thinking that, Cheon Sua said, “Then I’ll be leaving with them now. You’ve worked hard.”
“Leaving now?”
Both King Ik-gwon and Choi Deokmun were surprised.
“Yes. Youngsun, Youngmoo, distribute these.”
The two sisters, following her instructions, opened the chest and quickly distributed its contents to the crowd gathered before the main hall, placing something in each of their hands.
“Here, take this,”
Cheon Sua handed something from the chest to Choi Deokmun as well.
“This is… G-Gasp! A Spirit Orb?!”
“Yes. You’ll need it to stabilize your spiritual power to cross the gate.”
“!!!”
“Why? Do you need another one?”
“N-No… It’s just…”
To return to his homeland, to the Mystic Realm… He had longed for it, but hadn't dared to hope.
“Or… was it too sudden? Don’t worry, you’re not leaving everything behind. You can always return later.”
Seeing his bewildered expression, Cheon Sua quickly added, “Just think of it as a short trip. You can always come back whenever you want.”
As Choi Deokmun stared at her blankly, Cheon Sua looked at the crowd, each holding a Spirit Orb, and nodded in satisfaction.
These people had all been unjustly exiled after having their family members' bodies taken over by the Ju Clan.
Mystics had long lifespans, so their families should still be alive.
‘They’re the perfect witnesses to testify against the Ju Clan’s crimes…’
“But Madam, while these people would do anything to return to their homeland, shouldn't we tell them what they’re going back for?”
“Of course.”
Cheon Sua’s eyes curved into a smile, but her gaze was sharp as a hawk’s talons.
“Revenge. They’re going back to reclaim their families’ bodies.”
‘Reclaim…?’
His wife’s body… could he really get her back…?
Choi Deokmun’s heart pounded, his eyes wide with hope.
He would do anything to have his wife back.
“Let’s go. Even if it’s not for revenge… let them return to their homeland and do what they want.”
A sharp, fierce smile, just like Sehwa’s, touched her lips.
“Just their return will be enough to make those snakes cower in fear.”
“Yes, Madam!”
Choi Deokmun, his face flushed with excitement, answered eagerly.
The exiled mystics were also overcome with emotion at Cheon Sua's words.
Some were simply overjoyed to be returning home, while others burned with the desire for revenge.
Since every one of them chose to return to the Mystic Realm, they almost ran out of Spirit Orbs.
Choi Deokmun hurriedly gathered his own Spirit Orbs to make up for the shortage.
And so, countless exiled mystics crossed the gate that day.
A quiet rage burned in their eyes.
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