When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 213
Chapter 213
“…Mother.”
“Yes. You don’t have to take responsibility for this!”
Ju Myoungyoon approached Cheon Sua.
His face was also grimly hardened.
“With our elders here, why are you trying to do this alone?! I will stop this, no matter what. Those who agree will join me!”
Then Ju Gayoon and Ju Gahan also quickly stepped forward.
“Yes. You’ve done enough. Come down!”
“Yes. Come down! Now!”
However, even after hearing their words, Sehwa simply stared at them.
Confirming this, Baek Manyong’s heart grew urgent.
‘No matter how great our Lady of the House is, she doesn’t need to take responsibility for everything! It seems I need to jump out of the barrier first and start working!’
But his steps, about to rush out, stopped.
Strangely, he realized that the one who should have spoken first had remained silent.
‘But why isn’t the Clan Head saying anything?’
The one who would be the first to think of a solution or step up to stop the corruption.
Tilting his head, he turned around. He saw the back of the man standing upright, gazing at the sky.
His long black hair fluttered in the wind, and his gaze did not waver from the young lady in the air. The pristine white ceremonial robes, layered several times, which he had rigidly ordered him to wear, looked as clear as if they had just been taken out.
As if sensing Baek Manyong’s gaze, Baek Giha’s voice reached him.
“Manyong.”
“Yes?! Yes, Clan Head.”
“Do you remember what I told you ten years ago, before going to war with the Ju Clan?”
“Yes?!”
Baek Manyong’s eyes widened as much as they could at the unexpected question.
“Do you remember?”
“…Cl, Clan Head.”
“It’s enough that you remember. What I want to say now is exactly the same as what I told you then.”
“Clan Head!”
For the first time, his gaze shifted, and Baek Giha’s dark, deep eyes stared at Baek Manyong.
“!”
Baek Manyong, meeting his gaze, couldn’t say another word.
It was because those eyes held the absolute resolve of someone who had already made up their mind.
When he said he would take the Clan Head's place instead of his deceased parents.
When he said he would become a Divine Beast right away, by any means, while preparing for war.
When he vowed that no one would suffer such heartache again, even if it meant confronting the Ju Clan.
It was the same look the Clan Head had then.
“I leave the rest to you.”
“…Clan Head.”
Baek Manyong, his gaze wavering, called out to him, but his gaze had already returned to his lady.
“…”
Baek Manyong gritted his teeth. His hands trembled, and anger surged.
Why did there need to be a sacrifice?!
And why, why her of all people!
He turned a cold gaze towards the warriors and shouted.
“If everyone here works together, wouldn't it be possible to gather the corruption in one place, even if we can't purify it? Even if we can’t gather it, wouldn't it be possible to stop its spread?!”
The Baek Clan Chancellor, his robes fluttering, locked eyes with each of the warriors.
“I believe there is no one in our Six Clans who is so cowardly as to demand a life as a sacrifice without even trying. Am I wrong?!”
“…”
However, no answer came readily from the warriors.
They had just witnessed how terrifyingly and quickly the Corrupt Dragon’s power, the corruption, rotted everything.
‘Can we really handle that?’
They hadn’t even been able to block a single stream of black Spiritual Power unleashed by the Corrupt Dragon.
Just the thought made their legs tremble, and they couldn't bring themselves to speak.
It was then, as they hesitated.
Someone stepped forward from among them.
“You speak true! I will help!”
It was Baek Jeseong.
“I was prepared to risk my life when I came here. I will not let the Young Lady bear this burden alone.”
Then, the Baek Clan warriors who had witnessed the battle between the Corrupt Dragon and Sehwa from outside the barrier, clenched their teeth and stepped forward.
“That’s right! The Mystic Realm doesn't belong to the Young Lady alone, so how can we ask her to protect it by herself?!”
“I will protect the world where my family and I live!”
As the Baek Clan warriors rushed forward, the warriors of the other Six Clans, who had closed their eyes tightly and then opened them again, also stepped forward.
“I, I will also help!”
The warriors of the Mystic Ruler, who had wanted to beg for their lives, were no different.
Those who had been bound on the spot after being discovered with their relatives were excluded.
But the rest desperately offered to help.
Come to think of it, this wasn't a bad opportunity for them.
Whether this corruption was purified or not, they would die here. If they offered to help, they could at least prolong their lives for a while.
As they did so, the riverside became noisy with the voices of those discussing alternatives and those calling out to Sehwa.
“Sehwa! I told you to come down right away, but can you not hear your mother’s voice?!”
“Young Lady. Come this way! You’ve done enough. You’ve accomplished the greatest task by killing the Corrupt Dragon!”
“That's right. These people will find a way soon! So please come this way!”
“First, we leave the barrier and surround this place in a circle. Then, until everyone finds a way to purify or seal the corruption, we can use our Spiritual Power to stop its spread.”
“That’s right. Each warrior can hold on for a maximum of three days, so how about taking turns?”
Why was that sight so pleasing?
Why did her name sound so sweet when they called it?
Sehwa couldn’t help but chuckle.
She didn't want to show tears, but laughter and tears came at the same time.
“Sehwa!”
“Young Lady!”
But it wouldn’t work, no matter what method they used. If even the Red Dragon’s power couldn’t stop it, who could?
A long sigh escaped her red lips.
There were still quite a few things she hadn't resolved, but it would be alright even if she wasn't there.
She had thought she was carrying a heavy burden, but now she felt as if she had let go of many things.
She gazed at each of the people looking up at her, meeting their eyes one by one.
She briefly glanced at the tops of her father's and brothers' heads as they busily selected warriors to fix the corruption in place.
Finally, she looked at the one she felt most sorry to leave behind.
She thought he would at least say something. But he just quietly stared at her.
Still, it was alright.
He was too far away, and the corruption was thick around them. Because she was enveloped in the barrier, she couldn't read the emotions in his eyes as clearly as usual, but…
That was alright too.
She had said she loved him. They were married. The greatest enemy was already dead, so after this…
‘I’ll leave the rest to you.’
Her reddened eyes curved towards him.
‘I hope you’ll be happy.’
I’ll take all these memories with me.
She didn’t answer any of the voices calling her.
There were no goodbyes.
She just closed her eyes.
For a moment, time stood still.
An intense power gathered in one place, strong enough for anyone with Spiritual Power to feel it.
As the painstakingly separated Spiritual Powers mixed together, a fierce waterfall of light poured down over her head.
Kwoong!
A five-colored pillar connecting heaven and earth stood firm, and then all sound disappeared. But…
Sehwa. Young Lady.
The voices calling her still seemed to seep into her ears.
Behind her closed eyelids, the waterfall of light appeared before her.
The place where she would erase herself and save everyone.
‘Once I throw myself in there, everything will be over.’
The surroundings were already embracing her warmly and comfortably, as if welcoming her decision.
There was no time to hesitate. If she had decided to protect the world where everyone would live, the sooner she acted, the better.
It was at that moment, as she was about to run towards the waterfall.
She had to throw herself in. She had to mix all her power, using herself as the medium.
“!!”
A touch that should never have been felt at this moment grabbed her wrist.
Inside the pure white pillar of power, he was looking at her, having arrived somehow.
“Baek, Baek Giha! You!”
His strong arms pulled her into a tight embrace.
“H-How. How did you get here—.”
Thump-thump, thump-thump.
She could feel the sound of his heart beating rapidly against her chest.
But she could also sense something else.
Tssss!
It smelled like burning flesh, and sparks flew from behind the man holding her tightly.
The waves of light, which had been gentle to her, were fiercely attacking the intruder who shouldn't be there.
The skin exposed above his clothes was beginning to burn black. Blood seemed to spurt where he was strongly exposed to the light, and a terrible heat, as if he were bearing the weight of a mountain, relentlessly assaulted him.
“I… knew you would do this. I knew you would leave without even a goodbye.”
But he just smiled at her.
As if he felt no pain at all.
“That’s why I couldn’t take my eyes off you for a second. I had to be extremely focused to seize that fleeting moment.”
Didn't I do well? Didn't I manage to be with you like this in the end?
Sehwa was truly furious at this man who spouted such absurd words.
“What are you talking about?!”
Her hand pushed him away forcefully.
“Go quickly! Get out of here!”
“No.”
“What?”
The smell of burning flesh was thick.
Even though it was obvious he was suffering alone within the waves of light, he added, looking at Sehwa without a grimace.
“I told you. Do whatever you want.”
Because whether it’s right or wrong, that’s for you to decide. That’s why I couldn’t say anything at the moment of your decision.
“Baek Giha!”
Baek Giha’s face contorted slightly for the first time.
“My beautiful flower. My everything. I’ve never wanted to stop you. I wanted to watch you bloom freely, doing whatever you desired.”
His sharp eyes, which always softened when he looked at her, curved gently towards her.
“So, go and bloom where you want to bloom. I’ll follow.”
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