When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Chapter 8
The Sa Clan members were gathered in a side hall, their expressions dark.
“......”
No one spoke, as if by agreement.
Finally, someone quietly asked the person next to him, "Shouldn't we just take all the evidence of the Mystic Ruler’s crimes and go to the Six Clans?”
“......”
“The Ju Clan is finished. The Young Lord failed the inauguration ceremony, so who will stop the Six Clans’ Divine Beasts?”
The person sitting in front of them, without turning around, scolded them in a low voice, “Be quiet. Haven't we already discussed this and reached a conclusion?”
“…But Elder Myoungyoon seems to have established himself as the father-in-law of the Six Clans’ leader. If we repent and surrender, wouldn’t it be alright? He’s never treated us badly—"
“Enough!”
The leading elder of the Sa Clan twisted his face. Hadn’t they tried that already?
They had been slow to act, trying to decide whether to side with the Six Clans or the Mystic Ruler.
‘We knew the Young Lord’s wife would be Elder Myoungyoon’s daughter, and that she had absorbed the Red Dragon’s Spirit Orb.’
They had wanted to use Elder Myoungyoon as an excuse to join the Six Clans.
But they had sent several messages to him and received no reply.
‘That stubborn elder, having sold his property and left the clan, something must have gone terribly wrong.’
It wasn't difficult to guess the reason, given his character.
‘He must have found out about some of the things the Mystic Ruler ordered us to do.’
For generations, the Sa Clan elders had been close to the Mystic Rulers, carrying out their secret orders.
They were the ones who had provided fresh bodies for the Mystic Rulers’ body switching, for generations.
And if a Ju Clan member’s body was used, they were the ones who sent the family away, spreading rumors to justify their actions.
How could that stubborn elder possibly accept them as his subordinates, knowing all this?
“It’s already been decided, so just follow! If you don’t want to upset the Mystic Ruler, stop mentioning Ju Myoungyoon.”
“......”
A heavy silence fell over them again, their unease growing.
Not only was the Ju Clan finished, but there were many other things to worry about.
The biggest concern was that the Young Lord had killed his own father for the throne.
Regicide.
‘He must have realized he was about to have his body taken, so he rebelled! It’s obvious!’
How could he not, when he was about to inherit the position anyway?
They weren't considering the possibility that the body had already been switched.
That was because they believed body switching was only possible with a transformed body, and the Young Lord had not yet transformed.
‘And the former Mystic Ruler announced that his son had attacked him, trying to usurp the throne.’
And if he were the Mystic Ruler, he wouldn't have spared his son’s life after such a betrayal.
So, they had no doubt that the Mystic Ruler would continue the body switching, but now that the Young Lord, who they assumed to be Ju Kyunghyun, had rebelled… they had to figure out how far his knowledge of the Mystic Ruler’s deeds extended and whether he had any intention of eliminating them.
There was no safe place for them now, and their only hope was the Young Lord, but they also had to consider whether to continue supporting him.
That was why they had rushed here as soon as the barrier disappeared.
Just then, they heard footsteps outside.
Everyone turned their heads.
The servants opened the doors, and a pale woman, holding a wooden box, appeared.
“Seventh Consort!”
The Sa Clan members’ faces weren't pleased.
‘Why the Seventh Consort? It would have been better if it had been any other consort.’
She was the one who had been the least receptive to their flattery and bribes.
Even when they brought her beautiful women to be her next body, she never praised them.
And when they sometimes asked for favors, in return for things only the Corrupt Dragon could do, she would openly glare at them.
So, in this precarious and crucial moment, why did she have to appear?
They struggled to voice their concerns, and bowed to her.
But then, the Seventh Consort’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. “You all rushed here so quickly. Well done.”
“??”
Her gaze, her voice, they were completely different from before, her demeanor warm and welcoming.
The Sa Clan members, taken aback, managed to stammer out a response. “The new Mystic Ruler has ascended, so of course we came to pay our respects. We will always be the hands and feet of the Mystic Ruler and the consorts, so please call on us whenever you need anything.”
“Yes. You used to be disobedient, often making excessive requests to the Mystic Ruler, which displeased me at first.”
“S-Seventh Consort…”
“But I also know that you’ve worked hard for the Mystic Ruler, both in public and in secret.”
She smiled, a genuine smile that came from the heart.
Hope flickered in the eyes of the Sa Clan members.
“I heard that the Young Lord didn’t complete the inauguration ceremony. So, until the new Mystic Ruler is fully settled, I have decided to take charge of the Ju Clan. Can you pledge your loyalty to me, as you have to the Mystic Ruler?”
Of course.
In this uncertain time, her words were a blessing.
They bowed deeply, their voices trembling with emotion. “We have always devoted everything to the Mystic Ruler and the Ju Clan! Of course, we will do the same for you!”
A chilling smile flashed across the Seventh Consort’s face, but everyone was bowing, so no one noticed. She caressed the wooden box she held, then spoke, “Good. Then I’ll give my first order as the proxy of the Mystic Ruler. I have something to discuss with you, so I want you to bring the necessary items. Wait here for a moment.”
“We will obey. We will not rise until you give the order!”
“Good.”
Haha.
She couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
She quietly left the room.
She walked through the long corridor and exited the side hall, and there, she saw the servants standing nervously.
“Have you done everything?”
“Yes, Madam. As you ordered, we have placed the spirit-suppressing artifacts at one-foot intervals along the walls of the residence, except for one side entrance. No one can enter or leave.”
“Good. The Mystic Ruler called all the warriors, so we need to be careful.”
“But Madam, should you really be doing this? What if the Six Clans warriors reach the residence? The artifacts might not be enough to—”
“Do you want to run away, abandoning me, your master? That's why you’re asking, isn't it?”
“W-What? No, Madam! How could we, mere servants, dare to think such a disloyal thing?”
The servants, startled, shook their heads.
It was true that they were terrified.
With Commander Ilbo and the three Treasure Keepers all gone, who would want to stay in the residence?
The lower-ranking servants had already fled, and only those who bore the Mystic Ruler's mark and had consumed the Guduks remained, forced to stay because they would die if they went too far from the residence without permission.
“It's alright. I know you’re resentful, being forced to stay. But just endure a little longer.”
“S-Seventh Consort…”
“The Ju Clan won’t fall because of this. This isn’t the first time we’ve faced such a crisis. We’ll overcome this, too.”
The servants, surprised by her uncharacteristic warmth, exchanged glances.
Yes, how could they leave, with the mark on their bodies?
Even if the Six Clans accepted them, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the same privileges they had under the Mystic Ruler. They didn't want to do menial labor, so they had no choice anyway.
“I ordered you to bring all the remaining artifacts. Have you brought them?”
The servants hurriedly presented the wooden boxes they were holding.
“Yes, these are all that’s left.”
“Give them to me.”
She took one of the artifacts from a box.
She looked at it for a moment, then gestured towards the side hall.
“Place these artifacts around this side hall, at one-foot intervals, just like you did with the walls of the residence.”
“Around the side hall too?”
“I need to be cautious until I know whether they’ve come to see the Mystic Ruler, or if they’ve come to take advantage of his absence. Do it.”
“Yes, Madam!”
The servants quickly began to place the artifacts around the side hall.
Once they had created a barrier that would prevent anyone from entering or leaving, the Seventh Consort asked, “Have you also summoned all the remaining servants and maids to the main hall?”
“Yes, Madam. We sent servants to every building.”
“Then you should also go to the main hall. I need to know the exact number of people so I can protect them if anything happens. I’ll be there soon.”
“Yes, Madam!”
The servants and maids ran off to the main hall.
She watched them leave, then turned her head, looking at the deserted garden, silent and still, perhaps because of the lingering effects of the black barrier.
After the servants were gone, a chilling silence settled over the area.
She took out one of the orbs containing the Mystic Ruler’s fire from the box.
Comments
Post a Comment