When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 222
Chapter 222
The atmosphere in the White Stone Pavilion changed drastically.
Windows, usually kept closed except for ventilation, were flung wide open.
Laughter echoed through the open windows, as if the somber, oppressive air had never existed.
The pungent smell of blood vanished, and the screams of criminals enduring torture disappeared without a trace.
A steady stream of carts laden with congratulatory gifts poured into the White Stone Pavilion.
Someone, after observing the scene for a while, entered the meeting room and took a seat.
Five figures gathered under the bright lights of the meeting room, yet none spoke.
Only the occasional clearing of throats broke the silence.
Teacups, once steaming, gradually lost their warmth, neglected by those present.
Someone began to tap their foot, and one of the seated figures, feigning exaggerated surprise, stared at them.
“Are you tapping your foot right now? A Clan Head of the Six Clans, forgetting all decorum?”
Accurately interpreting the unspoken message in that gaze, the person shook their head.
“N-No. My leg just felt a bit stiff from thinking about our Cheon-Ju-Baek-Gang-Jang-Jin Lady of the House, so I was just trying to loosen it up a bit. No, wait, what does it matter? It’s my leg, I can tap it if I want to!”
Reading the indignation in his expression, the Jin Clan Head shrugged.
“Well, do as you please. It’s your dignity on the line, not mine.”
Accusatory and critical gazes darted across the room. Someone clicked their tongue and joined the bickering.
“I’m just worried that our Cheon-Ju-Baek-Gang-Jang-Jin Young Lord will see this and think, ‘Look at the Six Clans’ pathetic unity!’ and lump me in with them, refusing to associate with me.”
“What?! Cheon Clan Head! Are you picking a fight with me? And get your words right! Why does the Jang Clan come after the Gang Clan?!”
Just as the person who jumped out of their chair reached for the other’s collar, as if to start a brawl, a quiet knock on the meeting room door thankfully intervened.
The Clan Heads collectively inhaled sharply at the sound, then rushed towards the door.
“C-Come in…! Huh?”
The attendant who knocked hesitated, startled by the Clan Heads rushing towards him.
“What is it? Where’s the Baek Clan Head? Did the Baek Clan Head send you? Why didn't he come himself?”
“He said he doesn’t have the time? That he can’t even spare a moment to stop by here?”
The innocent attendant took a step back and replied,
“No, that’s… The Chancellor sent me, not the Clan Head. He said the Clan Head is busy. He has to go to the Ju Clan territory right away, and he doesn’t know when he’ll be back, so the five Clan Heads shouldn’t waste any more time-.”
“Now what’s that supposed to mean? We waited patiently because he told us to wait, and now he does this? How inconsiderate! Besides, we didn’t just come here without any reason.”
“Yes. We all have information. We heard Elder Myoungyoon is leaving for the Ju Clan territory tomorrow. The Baek Clan Head is supposed to accompany him. So, he still has time today, doesn't he?”
“That's right. We all heard it too. Are you lying to us?!”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve done my best just by relaying what I was told. Now, if you’ll excuse me, everyone in the mansion is incredibly busy, and I need to go help.”
Apparently deciding that staying any longer would only result in more badgering, the attendant quickly finished his message and closed the door.
The Clan Heads, feeling like they’d been chasing a wild goose, returned to their seats in the meeting room.
“This is too much. No matter what, there’s no need to treat us so shabbily.”
The Cheon Clan Head grumbled, and the Jin Clan Head soothed him with a gentle laugh.
“Everyone is visiting with tributes right now. If they starts meeting with each of us individually, everyone will inevitably complain about why others are allowed to see them and they aren’t. We understand this.”
“That’s easy for an outsider like you to say. I'm her uncle, her uncle!”
The Jang Clan Head scoffed.
“If you go back far enough in our lineages, you’ll find Jang, Gang, Jin, and Yeo blood in Elder Myoungyoon and Madam Cheon's ancestry as well. My bloodline also includes a lady from the Cheon Clan. Since I'm older than the Cheon Clan Head, doesn’t that make me his elder brother? Fine by me. From now on, if you’re going to call yourself ‘uncle’ or whatever, call me ‘elder brother’ first.”
The Cheon Clan Head, foaming at the mouth, jumped up.
“Where did you dig up such a preposterous family tree? No one from our great Cheon Clan has ever produced an ignorant fool who would spout such narrow-minded, baseless, and illogical nonsense like the Jang Clan Head!”
“Hey, what did you say?!”
The Jang Clan Head, his eyes bloodshot, also jumped up. At that moment, a calm voice intervened.
“But is there a need for us to argue amongst ourselves like this?”
It was the Gang Clan Head. He had remained silent until now, but now he rose, placed his teacup down, and walked towards the meeting room door.
“Where are you going?”
“Do you think we’ll even catch a glimpse of our Lady of the House by staying here? I’m going to the Ju Clan territory.”
“The Ju Clan territory?!”
“If Elder Myoungyoon and the Baek Clan Head are both going to the Ju Clan territory, then surely the Lady of the House of the Six Clans is already there, or at least will make an appearance. So, I’m going to go there ahead of time.”
“!!”
Why didn’t we think of that?
Enlightened, the Clan Heads rose in unison.
“Right. Let’s all go. We’ll be forced to see her at the Ju Clan territory, even if she doesn’t want to.”
They didn’t hesitate for a moment. As the united Clan Heads rushed out of the meeting room, Baek Manyong, once again swamped with work, was still toiling away without a wink of sleep. He barely touched his food, and the tea the maids had left for him had grown cold, untouched. But his expression was completely different from before. He hummed, a look of contentment on his face as if he was full even without eating, his hands moving busily.
How could he allow even the slightest imperfection in the precious wedding ceremony of the Clan Head and Lady of the House?
‘I’ll make this the grandest ceremony in the Mystic Realm, surpassing even the Mystic Ruler’s enthronement ceremony! A clear and perfect ceremony that will showcase the greatness of our Lady of the House for all to see!’
Baek Manyong looked down at the documents with satisfaction. He had secured the earliest possible date, allocated the budget generously for each item, and significantly increased the number of servants accordingly.
“Is anyone there?! Sangjin, are you there?!”
An attendant hurried into the room at Baek Manyong’s call.
“You called for me?”
“Deliver this to the Clan Heads.”
“…The Clan Heads, sir?”
“I desperately want to hold the wedding ceremony solely with the Baek Clan’s resources, but the other Clan Heads won’t just stand by and watch. They were all clamoring to do something for the Lady of the House. If they’re excluded from the wedding, there’s bound to be conflict.”
Baek Manyong nodded magnanimously.
“So, we should give them the opportunity to contribute to the wedding of the Six Clans’ leaders.”
The attendant, looking flustered, spoke,
“W-Well… Chancellor… the Clan Heads have already left the White Stone Pavilion.”
“What? Where did they go, with the Baek Clan so busy?”
“They said they were going to the Ju Clan territory.”
“The Ju Clan territory?”
“Yes, they said they were going to capture the remaining followers of the Mystic Ruler, and they even took warriors with them.”
Baek Manyong’s expression instantly contorted. It had been less than an hour since they were clamoring to see the Clan Head, begging for a meeting, demanding to know what happened in the light that day, what the massive river of Spiritual Power in the shape of a rainbow was, and how he wielded such power. And now they had suddenly left for the Ju Clan territory to capture remnants?
“What absurd excuse…!”
Baek Manyong jumped to his feet.
“Chancellor, where are you going? What about the wedding preparations?”
“Of course, we must start the wedding preparations immediately. Take this to Elder Yeongong and tell him to start the preparations according to this document!”
“What about you, Chancellor?”
The wedding is soon, and the Clan Head and Lady of the House seem to be getting along so well… We might even see an heir soon.
‘The Baek Clan’s joyous occasion is a joyous occasion for all Six Clans. How dare they try to interfere with the Clan Head and Lady of the House like this, without any sense of timing?’
“I'm going to catch those old fools who are acting out of line!”
Scowling, Baek Manyong dashed towards the mansion entrance.
Whether the White Stone Pavilion had been gloomy or not, the morale of the Baek Clan warriors dispatched to the Ju Clan territory was at its peak. They were carrying out Chancellor Baek’s orders to assist Elder Jayoon of the Ju Clan, tracking down the remaining followers of the Mystic Ruler and determining their guilt or innocence to decide whether they should remain in the territory or be sent to the Six Clans’ judgment.
The core members of this effort were those who had lost family members due to body snatching, including Elder Jeyu, and the Baek Clan warriors were there to support them. Thus, their role wasn’t particularly prominent. However—
“E-Excuse me, do you have a moment?”
Those remaining in the Ju Clan territory hesitantly approached the Baek Clan warriors. Miracles were fair to all; even the Ju Clan members who hadn’t been at the riverbank had witnessed the snow-like light particles falling, their bodies recovering, and the land and nature coming back to life.
Naturally, they were curious about the cause of this phenomenon. However, half of those who were at the riverbank had been taken to the judgment stand, and the remaining Ju Clan members were busy pursuing the Mystic Ruler’s followers. So, they approached the Baek Clan warriors. The Baek Clan warriors weren't the type to shy away from such a situation, brimming with pride.
“Yes. You should have seen our Lady of the House back then. The way she subdued that Black Dragon with a single, thin branch… That scene was truly something else.”
“But was she really a Red Dragon? Weren’t Red Dragons supposed to have disappeared a long time ago?”
“Not only did she calm the terrifying black miasma that descended upon the entire Mystic Realm, but she also brought abundant life back to this land, drained by the Corrupt Dragon’s barrier. Even if she wasn't a Red Dragon, we should be praising her for this feat. How can you still not believe it?”
Though exasperated, the Baek Clan warriors didn't blame them. They themselves hadn’t believed in the young lady called the Lady of the House before they set out. But now that they knew the rumors, which had seemed outlandish, were all true—no, even understated—they only hoped that others wouldn’t make the same mistake they did and offend the Lady of the House.
“Let me say it again. At the riverbank, our Lady of the House was prepared to sacrifice her life for all of us…”
Just then—
Creak.
The gate of a mansion on the main road where they stood opened.
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