When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 217
Chapter 217
The clear blue sky was cloudless, the sun blazing down.
Unbelievably, after the light of that day, the scars left on the earth by the Corrupt Dragon’s barrier had vanished completely, as if they had never existed.
Thanks to the abundant life force that filled the air, the greenery of the mountains and rivers grew greener day by day.
However, before the flowers, blooming in defiance of the season, could release their fragrance, thick black smoke billowed from various places, covering the landscape with an acrid smell.
All the territories of the Mystic Realm were peaceful, but the Ju Clan’s was not.
“Seize them! The Mystic Ruler’s Chief Attendant is over there!”
As soon as the voice rang out, armed men quickly gathered in one place.
The son, the supposed heir to the Mystic Ruler, killed his father and usurped his position.
The Elders and warriors have been taking over the bodies of other mystics to extend their lives.
And the branch families have been kidnapping mystics without families, offering their Spiritual Power and bodies to the main family.
They’ve even gone so far as to exile other families as criminals while committing such acts?
“I, I didn’t! I really didn’t know! I really didn’t know what His Majesty was doing!”
“His Majesty?”
“Gasp!”
Surrounded by the armed men, the Chief Attendant hastily denied the accusations, but quickly clamped his mouth shut as he realized the increasingly hostile gazes directed at him.
“Such admirable loyalty. Still exalting and honoring His Majesty with such respect, even after he abandoned everyone and fled to save himself.”
“Th-that’s…”
Damn it. If only that Mystic Ruler were here, I could shift all the blame onto him.
However, the Mystic Ruler had already fled for his life while everyone watched the world recover as the barrier disappeared.
At this rate, I’ll bear the brunt of their fury. He should be the one captured!
The Chief Attendant gritted his teeth.
Just then, someone pushed through the crowd, eyes bloodshot with rage. It was Elder Jayoon, who had been exiled after his daughter was taken.
“J-Jayoon! Jayoon, my friend, you came at the right time. You remember me, right? I’m Chief Attendant Ju Gidong. Surely you haven't forgotten me just because we haven't seen each other in a while? We even sat next to each other at His Majesty's banquet, didn't we?”
Ju Jayoon stared coldly at the man before him and curtly interrupted.
“Be quiet. Save your breath for the judgment stand.”
“What?! Jayoon, Jayoon, my friend, don't you know me? Do I look like someone who would do such terrible things relying on the Ju Clan's name-.”
“Take him away!”
“Jayoon! Elder Jayoon! Ju Jayoon!”
The Chief Attendant, bound with Spiritual Power-infused ropes, was dragged away, his voice filled with despair.
The Ju Clan Elders had already been sent to White Stone Pavilion, whether willingly or by force, to stand before the Six Clans’ judgment stand.
The remaining warriors had surrendered their swords, prostrating themselves and expressing their willingness to surrender.
The commanders of the Six Clans decided to escort them all to the judgment stand instead of executing them.
Among the Ju Clan Elders, there were many who had lost their families due to body snatching.
They intended to use them as witnesses to reveal the Mystic Ruler’s actions to the entire Mystic Realm.
Those with an abnormally large amount of other clans’ Spiritual Power besides the Ju Clan's own. Those whose Spiritual Power had suddenly increased explosively. Those who had been close to the Mystic Ruler. Those who had been residing in the Mystic Ruler’s mansion since a certain point. Those who had flattered the consorts like a pack of wolves, waiting for their own gain.
Even with the specific conditions, quite a few people fell under suspicion.
Footsteps approached behind Ju Jayoon, who was coldly watching the Chief Attendant being taken away. It was his guard, who had briefly stepped away to check the messenger bird.
“Is this a message from those chasing the escaped Mystic Ruler?”
“No. Someone has informed us of the First Attendant's whereabouts. There’s still no contact from the Mystic Ruler’s side since they entered the safe house. Should we send reinforcements?”
He’s quick only when it comes to hiding like a loach.
He recalled how quickly the Mystic Ruler had acted when sending them out of the territory.
Ju Jayoon scoffed coldly at the Mystic Ruler’s behavior and shook his head.
“No. We haven't caught the First and Second Attendants yet. Leave the Mystic Ruler to those there for now, and we’ll hurry and catch the one whose whereabouts have been revealed first!”
“Yes!”
He mounted his horse and gave an order to the men.
“The Ju Clan Elders haven’t escaped the territory yet. Search the vicinity thoroughly and escort them all to the judgment stand!”
“Yes!”
The armed men answered in unison, and Ju Jayoon's guards mounted their horses one after another.
The relentless sound of hooves echoed through the fresh green leaves.
There were more people who had fattened their bellies and satisfied their desires by relying on the Mystic Ruler than expected, and more time was needed to resolve everything.
Warm sunlight followed those who galloped like the wind, their expressions resolute.
Swoosh!
A sharp branch scratched Cheonryeong's cheek.
Red blood flowed from the gash, but Cheonryeong didn’t even blink. His gaze, focused and amplifying his Spiritual Power so as not to miss a single sound, was as fierce and sharp as a predator’s.
Pant… Pant…
The one he was chasing was already breathing like a deeply wounded beast.
However, with so many safe houses hidden everywhere and using so much Spiritual Energy, it was proving difficult to catch him.
‘I thought he had no strength left to run, but he’s stalling for so much time.’
Cheonryeong gritted his teeth, recalling the fleeing figure of the Mystic Ruler. The cowardly image of him darting away through the crumbling barrier the moment the world was enveloped in light.
‘I won’t give him any more time. I will catch him here. I will kill him!’
Cheonryeong himself was also in a terrible state. He’d had to endure the attacks from the Spiritual Energy unleashed from each safe house the Mystic Ruler hid in, leaving him battered and bruised.
But he couldn’t rest, not even for a moment.
“Cheonryeong.”
He could almost see the eyes of his master, Ju Kyunghyun, calling him in his aged, Mystic Ruler-possessed body. Those eyes that, until the very end, hadn’t given up on their faith in their father.
“There must have been a reason why Father did this. Right? There must have been an unavoidable, crucial reason for making me like this. Right?”
Cheonryeong.
Cheonryeong.
The sorrowful, repeated voice sharpened Cheonryeong’s gaze.
He had to finish the last task his master couldn’t complete.
Just then—
Bang!
A small, fiery ball of Spiritual Power flew towards Cheonryeong like a signal flare.
“!”
He barely managed to twist his body and dodge it, but he couldn’t avoid being grazed, the heat searing his side.
Sizzle.
“…Ugh.”
‘He still had Spiritual Energy left?’
However, the Mystic Ruler’s body wasn’t in a good state either.
‘I have to strike now!’
With that thought, Cheonryeong channeled his Spiritual Power into his sword and swung without hesitation.
“Gasp!”
The Mystic Ruler hastily raised what he was holding to block the wave of Spiritual Power that surged towards him, shattering everything in its path.
Clang-!
The single remaining Spiritual Energy construct cracked with a sharp sound.
‘Such a persistent bastard! That leech-like bastard!’
There was still a considerable distance to the next safe house. What should he do?
The Mystic Ruler gritted his teeth.
‘It would have been different if I had guards.’
Fortunately, the festering wound on his side had been healed by the light of that day.
But with the false accusation of patricide hanging over him, his predicament hadn’t improved in the slightest.
‘Should I burn my face with fire to create a scar?’
Wait a minute.
The Mystic Ruler’s eyes flashed.
Come to think of it, that Cheonryeong fellow had been by Kyunghyun’s side for a long time.
‘What if I plead with this face? He might soften up when he sees this face.’
All he needed was to buy some time.
‘Yes. That’s it. I’ll plead with him, and the moment he wavers, I’ll scatter the poison from the ring. Then, I’ll devour his Spiritual Power while he’s down and kill him.’
And then he could hide and slowly figure out how to conceal his identity.
The cunning Mystic Ruler’s eyes curved. At that moment, a blade flashed past, grazing his leg.
“Aagh!”
Thud!
He stumbled forward, but there was no time to feel the pain.
Heavy footsteps approached, and Cheonryeong’s figure emerged from the dense bushes.
Seeing Cheonryeong’s battered state, the Mystic Ruler looked up with pitiful eyes.
“Ch-Cheonryeong.”
He sat down where he had fallen, shuffling backward.
With the same gaze and voice that Ju Kyunghyun used to call Cheonryeong when he was alive, he pleaded pathetically.
“Cheonryeong. Why are you doing this to me?”
“…”
“Weren’t we close? What haven’t I done for you? What are you so angry about that you're doing this to me?”
“…”
“Was my vying for Father’s position such an unforgivable sin to you?”
Cheonryeong’s steps faltered at those words.
The Mystic Ruler, his eyes gleaming, quickly continued.
“Cheonryeong, you know, don’t you? The grand dreams I had. How many conversations we shared, envisioning the rules and laws of the world I would change once I became the Mystic Ruler. I simply wanted to bring that world about a little sooner-.”
“Don’t you dare speak—!”
“Cheonryeong?”
“How dare you devour my master, my young lord, and then shamelessly invoke and imitate him with that mouth?”
“!”
“Even if you wear my master’s skin, how could I not recognize him?”
Cheonryeong gnashed his teeth and lunged at him.
“I will kill you here and send you to my master!”
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