When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 221
Chapter 221
It wasn't just the White Stone Pavilion. The entire territory was enveloped in the radiant light flowing from the rainbow.
Someone looked up at the sky and muttered in bewilderment,
"Wh-What… What is this…?"
The incomprehensible, clear ringing continued without pause.
De-ring. Ding. De-ring.
An inexplicable chime. Impossible phenomena.
Whoosh.
The rainbow lingering above the White Stone Pavilion began to descend, scattering a soft, foam-like mist.
All eyes were fixed on the auspicious light. The criminal at the judgment stand was no exception.
Baek Manyong, who couldn't even blink properly, was the same. His desperate gaze, sharp with intense focus, was fixed on the end of the rainbow as it poured down upon the earth.
Unable to breathe from the tension, he gripped the window frame so tightly his fingers felt like they would burst.
"..."
And finally, when the mystical rainbow faded, leaving only an afterimage, the Baek Clan Chancellor almost tumbled out the window.
"C-Clan Head!"
A gigantic White Tiger Divine Beast had appeared.
There was no time, nor composure, to use the stairs. Discarding all decorum he'd been clinging to, Baek Manyong jumped out the window to reach the White Tiger.
"Th-This can't be..."
The criminal at the judgment stand stared at the White Tiger in disbelief.
"His soul was supposed to be torn apart... and vanish from this world..."
Baek Manyong's eyes flashed. That bastard dared to run his filthy mouth again!
But before the Chancellor could turn towards the criminal, the White Tiger rose to its feet.
With each step the White Tiger took, a suffocating pressure emanated that prevented anyone from approaching. The waves of Spiritual Power overflowing from its massive body clearly declared it the ruler of the land it stood upon.
Finally reaching the criminal, the White Tiger looked down at him, its gaze asking, How dare you speak of someone's soul?
"Ga... Ack..."
Unable to withstand the pressure in that gaze, the Ju Clan member gasped for breath, his eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.
The beast's indifferent gaze lingered on the fallen criminal for a moment, and then shifted.
Spotting someone not far away, still staring at him breathlessly, the White Tiger transformed. Its large, fur-covered paws gradually shrunk, turning into the strong, calloused hands of a man. White robes billowed with a rich floral fragrance, and the handsome man they adorned, with his elegant features, smiled warmly.
A gentle voice called out,
"Manyong."
Baek Manyong's face crumpled.
"I'm back."
"..."
His lips trembled. The coldness he displayed before the criminals was gone; he simply nodded dumbly, like a fool.
"You... You've returned safely...?"
"Yes, you've waited a long time, haven't you?"
The anxiety that had been choking him vanished, and tears burst forth like a child's.
"No. Just a little. Just a little while."
Baek Giha approached Baek Manyong.
Baek Manyong's tears flowed even faster as he felt the warm hand on his shoulder. Forgetting all decorum, he collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, making no attempt to muffle the sound.
"Why are you crying so much? Was it that hard?"
"C-Clan Head..."
"How can a Chancellor of a clan cry like this in public? Stop it now."
"C-Clan Head... Clan Head..."
Baek Manyong laughed through his tears, grateful even for the familiar scolding. Then, Baek Giha whispered quietly,
"Truly, now is not the time for this. Didn't you hear that Father Myoungyoon is going to the Ju Clan territory tomorrow?"
"Huh?"
Baek Manyong blinked, his crying ceasing abruptly.
'How did he know that, having just returned...?'
"Then we have less than a day. Stop crying and compose yourself. You need to kneel with me."
"Huh?"
Baek Manyong blinked again.
"Kneel... sir?"
Kneel to whom? And why suddenly kneel?
Why?
"Clan Head, but where's the Lady of the House...?"
"Manyong."
"Yes?"
"Whether your Lady of the House becomes the Lady of the House depends on your sturdy knees and your precious mouth. Will you join me?"
"..."
He couldn't understand this conversation at all. But what did it matter? If the Clan Head had returned, he could do anything, sacrifice anything. Hadn't he repeated those words every night?
"Of course! Just give the order. I, Baek Manyong, will stake my life-."
"I don't need your life, just your knees and your mouth. Now, get up. We don't have time if we want to get permission and finish preparations quickly."
"..."
He still couldn't grasp the situation, but one thing was certain: whatever the Clan Head asked of him, he was ready to carry it out immediately. With tears still streaming down his face, Baek Manyong struck his chest with a determined expression.
"You can count on me!"
And so, a resolute Baek Manyong, completely clueless, knelt in the middle of a large room. Beside him, Baek Giha sat in the same position, a look of anticipation on his face. Cheon Sua and Ju Myoungyoon sat before them, and the three Sa sisters stood near the wall. Ju Myoungyoon, who had greeted Baek Giha with reddened eyes, was now blinking in confusion, his mind in a similar state to Baek Manyong's.
"Clan Head Baek, so... you're saying you absolutely must marry my daughter at this particular time?"
"Father-in-law."
Baek Giha winced, a pained expression on his face.
"I hope you understand the charred remains of my heart and the agonizing turmoil within me as I say this. This situation is not my intention, and neither is this request!"
His trembling voice clearly conveyed the heart-wrenching distress that felt like his insides were being torn apart.
However, Ju Myoungyoon continued to blink, unable to comprehend the words pouring out from between those red lips.
The three sisters were equally bewildered. Only Cheon Sua quietly lifted her teacup and took a sip.
Ju Myoungyoon spoke again.
"...I'm certainly not trying to object now, not after the affection Clan Head Baek has shown for my daughter. But isn't the timing a bit... off?"
Why now, so suddenly, for his daughter, who deserved a wedding ceremony filled with blessings during a time of peace? At a time like this, when criminals screamed and the stench of blood filled the air every day at the judgment stand, and the Mystic Ruler and some of his remnants were still at large?
'But the fact that he's saying this must mean Sehwa is alive.'
The thought alone was enough to make his legs weak with relief. However, he forced himself to focus; the man before him was still spouting incomprehensible nonsense.
'No, but if they disappeared together and he returned alone, shouldn't he explain what happened to the other one first? He's talking about holding the wedding ceremony right away without any explanation? So, what? Does that mean if I don't agree, I'll never see my daughter again or something?'
His displeasure unconsciously seeped into his gaze.
It was then that Baek Manyong noticed it: the Clan Head, his head bowed, frantically winking at him.
The Baek Clan Chancellor abruptly bowed his head.
"Esteemed Elder Myoungyoon, I too join in this request. While the situation is somewhat chaotic, isn't this a momentous occasion? The Clan Head and the Lady of the House bravely overcame the near-death experience they faced, where rumors of annihilation and death swirled, and returned together. It's a truly moving and heartwarming moment! We should have prepared the wedding ceremony swiftly while they were away so that the two, who have returned after facing such peril, could be together without any worries. It's my fault for not thinking of it sooner."
"Chancellor Baek."
"I believe this is what the Clan Head intended to convey. The chaotic order of the Mystic Realm has been largely restored, and we are holding the Ju Clan Elders accountable for their crimes at the judgment stand. How many of those who followed the Mystic Ruler, even unknowingly, can truly escape responsibility? Even if someone emerges completely blameless, who could possibly surpass our Lady of the House in legitimacy, Spiritual Power, character, wisdom, or dignity? Moreover, hasn't she already absorbed the Red Dragon's Spirit Orb, the symbol of the Mystic Ruler? So, who else could ascend to the Mystic Ruler's position besides her?"
Baek Manyong continued without pausing for breath.
"While their whereabouts were unknown, some audacious individuals may have harbored foolish dreams. But now that the Clan Head and the Lady of the House have returned safely, it is a fact known by the heavens, the earth, our Clan Head, and most certainly by the wisest man in the world, I, Baek Manyong, that the Mystic Ruler's position belongs at the feet of our Lady of the House."
"...But what does that have to do with the wedding ceremony?"
"Now that the Lady of the House's ascension is a certainty, even though the Ju Clan's numerous wrongdoings are being revealed and judged by the Six Clans, the position of Mystic Ruler still signifies the Head of the Ju Clan. Unless we're questioning the presence of a crime, it's not something other clans can interfere with, much less offer assistance. Therefore, our Clan Head believes that in times like these, it's crucial to hold the wedding ceremony as soon as possible to bring peace to the tumultuous Mystic Realm. He wishes to support the Lady of the House, who will bear the heavy responsibility of leading the Mystic Realm, even in the smallest way. It's out of this warm and noble humanitarian concern that he has come to you, Elder Myoungyoon, with this request. Of course, he could explain all the details, but there must be a reason why the Lady of the House isn't with him. Perhaps she's currently engaged in some important task, and he knelt before you in his haste to return to her side as soon as possible. But Elder Myoungyoon understands the weight a Clan Head's kneeling carries, so you surely wouldn't misunderstand this as frivolous-."
Unseen by the shuddering Elder Myoungyoon, Baek Giha's eyes sparkled.
Such wit! Such valor! That's the Baek Clan Chancellor for you! Such beauty! That's why our Manyong is the Baek Clan Chancellor!
"A-Alright, alright. I understand, so please, Chancellor, that's enough."
Ju Myoungyoon nodded, finally silencing Baek Manyong, and then asked Baek Giha,
"So, where is Sehwa?"
This time, without adding any embellishments, Baek Giha answered, his gaze softening as he thought of Sehwa.
"She went to the Ju Clan territory first."
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