When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 216
Chapter 216
Only those who were entitled could express cries and sorrow.
He would earn that right only after perfectly executing the tasks left by the Clan Head.
Baek Manyong, after briefly observing those weeping, walked past the grief-stricken area.
Elder Jayoon, along with the other long-standing members of the Ju Clan who had accompanied Ju Myoungyoon, stood dazed, having forgotten about tying up the Mystic Ruler’s warriors amidst the sudden turn of events.
He spoke, snapping them out of their stupor.
“…There’s no time for this. Now that the Lady of the House, who offered to purify the corruption with her life, has taken action, we must gather those with remaining Spiritual Power and subdue the Ju Clan elders and warriors as quickly as possible.”
Even Baek Manyong’s gaze trembled as he spoke.
Countless emotions filled his eyes.
But he hardened his expression.
“Only then, after that cursed darkness and the barrier disappear, can we bring them to the judgment stand for the victims.”
It was then, as he encouraged them with a somber voice and tried to restore order to the devastated riverside.
Dong.
The sky rumbled.
It was a very faint tremor, almost imperceptible.
Doo-ung.
But the second rumble was loud enough for the two older brothers, who had been trying to break through the barrier to reach the pillar and forcibly pull their sister out, to notice.
Dong!
The third was loud enough to make Choi Jangmyung and others with high Spiritual Power look up simultaneously.
“?!”
Their gazes instinctively turned towards one point.
Everyone, including Cheon Sua, who had collapsed to the ground as if her legs had given way, and the three sisters, whose faces were pale from crying, looked up in a daze.
At the same time, loud enough for everyone there to hear, the fourth rumble echoed.
Koo-ung. Kung. Kung.
The reverberation gradually spread quickly across the earth and sky.
The pillar of light that had swallowed the two people most precious to them was trembling.
Sehwa still had her eyes closed.
As if witnessing the beginning and end of her life, many things flashed before her closed eyes.
Was this a life flashing before my eyes?
Throughout her two lives, there had been plenty of good, bad, and sad events.
Yet, all she saw were scenes of happiness.
The memory of her first festival, the brilliant beauty of fireworks blooming and spreading across the sky, brought her joy once more.
Her father and mother were smiling, and her older brothers were standing among the swaying trees in the garden, calling out to her.
The three sisters called out to her, saying they had brought warm tea and snacks.
The shimmering sunset glow of the setting sun warmly painted the green garden. Every time the wind rustled through the leaves, a pleasant, refreshing sound filled the air.
Gentle smiles spread within the clear, transparent fragrance.
It was then, as she watched this peaceful scene dreamily.
Someone put their arms around her shoulders.
Her body trembled slightly.
She didn't turn around.
She didn't even dare breathe properly, afraid that this touch might disappear if she was startled or moved too suddenly.
“…”
She slowly raised her hand and gripped the fingertips of the firm hand around her shoulders, her knuckles turning white with the force.
The people she loved were still smiling happily before her eyes.
Yet, all her senses were focused on the warmth on her shoulders.
She slowly turned her head to see him looking at her silently.
His eyes and lips curved softly.
Although no words were spoken, they seemed to understand each other’s hearts completely.
He spoke with a gentle gaze.
—I made a wish.
—A wish?
She asked.
—Yes.
—What did you wish for?
—That you would be happy with the people you love.
—You fool. You should have wished for your body to be healed.
—I don’t know. I was so happy then that the words just slipped out. I wished for you to be as happy as I was.
—You were happy?
—Yes. Because I was with you. There wasn’t a single day I wasn't happy.
—…
—Why are you crying again? Did I say something wrong?
—…
—Don't cry. What if your eyes get puffy? I can't even apply medicinal herbs to them.
What should she do with this foolish man who only worried about her?
You want me to be happy?
If that’s the case… then…
—Then you have to be with me.
Tears welled up in Sehwa’s eyes and streamed down her face.
—I can't be happy without you.
Looking into his deep blue eyes, Sehwa said, her face a mixture of tears and a smile.
—If I have a chance, I have a wish too.
—What is it?
—I want to live with you. I want to try, not give up. I want to strive for happiness.
—You…
—I don't want to dwell on the past and make the present difficult. The happiness of those beside me is more important, and I had forgotten that.
She tightly gripped his collar.
His pristine white ceremonial robes wrinkled in her slender fingers.
—I won't forget, no matter when or where, that the happiness of those who loved me depends on me being there.
Tears, sparkling like stars, rolled down her cheeks as she embraced him.
She whispered to him.
You taught me all of that.
Just as you taught me, I want us to live together.
At that moment, a warm light emanated from his shoulder, where she had hidden her wish.
The Reverse Scale dispersed, and shimmering scales spread across his skin.
And at the same time, just like the day she had returned to the past…
Time, which had stood still, began to flow rapidly.
The situation outside the pillar was chaotic.
The corruption outside the barrier showed no signs of abating, and the pillar of light continued to vibrate intensely.
Then, a fierce wind joined the fray.
The ground shook violently, a gale sweeping through, startling even those who had been weeping.
The corruption-covered sky flashed, as if scattering lightning strikes.
Kwaang! Bang!
A deafening roar followed, and the ground trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
Alarmed by the tremendous thunder, some hurriedly began reinforcing the barrier with their Spiritual Power.
It was then.
Five-colored Spiritual Power radiated from the massive pillar of light.
The wave of Spiritual Power was distinct even amidst the gale, unwavering even as the whole world trembled.
As everyone stared in a daze at the brilliant, mystical sight, forgetting their panic…
Something emerged from within the five-colored halo that calmed the gale.
At first, it looked like a round orb of light.
Then, it gradually transformed into the shape of a beast.
But even with their eyes wide open, those watching couldn't comprehend what they were seeing.
‘What is that?’
‘What is it, so radiant?’
The beast had a form they had never seen before.
It was too dazzling to make out clearly, but it seemed to have large antlers, eyes that seemed to peer into the abyss, slender, long legs, and a short tail that looked as if it were engulfed in flames.
It resembled a dragon, and also a stag.
Beneath the hooves of the beast, standing on air, a rich life force bloomed like flower petals.
“…That’s…”
“What is that…?”
The radiant beast gazed down calmly at those enveloped within the barrier.
It looked down with a gentle, warm gaze, then slowly walked out.
Crackle—
Like breaking the night and ushering in the dawn, the black corruption crumbled like mist as the beast approached, accompanied by the sound of shattering ice.
Cheon Sua, looking into the beast’s eyes, widened her eyes and trembled.
Those eyes…
“S-Sehwa!”
As everyone held their breath, unable to even breathe properly, Cheon Sua cried out as if weeping.
“Sehwa! Sehwa!”
The moment she called out, the beast’s large eyes met hers.
“…”
There were no words, no actions.
But a moment later, large teardrops rolled down Cheon Sua’s reddened eyes.
She smiled radiantly.
Nodding repeatedly, she bid the beast farewell.
“Go.”
As if hearing her words, the beast leaped.
As if guiding the beast’s path, the sky opened, and a bright light poured down.
The dark, dense corruption withered away, unable to even touch the beast, and wherever its airborne hooves trod, tender grass and flowers sprouted.
As the land, rotting from the Corrupt Dragon's influence, healed, a sweet fragrance spread.
The fresh air that filled her lungs was cool and brimming with a youthful vitality.
“…A, A Sacred Beast.”
Those who faced the beast collapsed to the ground as if their legs had given way.
The beast appeared incredibly large and majestic, yet also benevolent and warm, as if it could embrace everyone.
The warriors, who had greeted the appearance of the entirely new Sacred Beast with utter awe, finally realized the strange phenomenon occurring within their own bodies.
“!”
Their depleted Spiritual Power began to rapidly replenish.
Not only that.
Even the small wounds they had sustained while facing each other with swords were healing.
“…Oh my god.”
Those gathered at the checkpoint to the Human Realm felt the same astonishment.
Weren't they those whose Cores had been destroyed?
Relying on the Spirit Orbs the Mystic Ruler had given them, they had barely managed to cross the gate and had been holding their breaths.
They simply watched the darkness spreading rapidly towards them, staring at the place where unsettling rumbles echoed.
But what was this?
“What is this?”
Something slowly rained down on them.
Like tiny fireflies, or shimmering snowflakes.
The pale, shimmering particles, slowly falling from the sky, stopped the spreading darkness and softly blanketed them.
Lost in the breathtakingly beautiful sight, as if light itself were snowing, they forgot their fear and gasped in wonder.
Meanwhile, warmth gradually spread through their bodies.
Their breathing eased, and a vibrant energy surged through them.
“…Oh.”
Their destroyed Cores were being restored.
“H-How is this possible?”
Astonishment filled everyone's faces at this impossible event.
The shimmering particles scattered throughout the Mystic Realm, healing the Yeo Clan territory that had been struck by the Corrupt Dragon’s lightning.
They blanketed White Stone Pavilion in light and even seeped into the Human Realm.
King Ik-gwon, who had been rapidly moving away from the churning Lake of Blood, was the first to notice the strange phenomenon.
Every time something like snow scattered over the Lake of Blood, the fear emanating from it began to dissipate.
The crimson pool gradually cleared, and the mystic beings remaining in the Human Realm realized that their bodies no longer ached as they had before.
Despite the approaching winter, brilliant flowers bloomed profusely across the mountains and fields.
Birds sang clearly, and the air was filled with vitality.
As the violently shaking earth calmed, a dazzlingly beautiful, five-colored light spread across the world.
The light, as if splitting the night and ushering in the daytime sky, was so bright that everyone squeezed their eyes shut.
No one there could doubt that when they opened their eyes again, a completely new world would unfold before them.
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