I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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81.

At Seon-o’s question, Cheong-eum’s gaze sank low.

“…The incense burner can only be used once.”

Ah.

Seon-o read the answer contained in that response.

Cheong-eum had been putting it off to fulfill his duty as High Priest, in case a moment truly came when the incense burner would be needed.

That steadfastness was admirable.

One chance.

This opportunity couldn’t be wasted meaninglessly.

“If it’s only once, does it end with just getting the chance to offer a prayer?”

At the specific question, Cheong-eum shook his head.

“Once you offer a prayer, the incense burner will demand a sacrifice again.”

“…And after that?”

With an ominous premonition, Seon-o’s voice lowered. Cheong-eum met her eyes steadily as if answering her foreboding.

“You must offer sacrifices until the incense burner is satisfied.”

Ah, damn it.

As Seon-o squeezed her eyes shut, Cheong-eum slowly lowered his gaze as if her despair was his fault. But Seon-o quickly pulled herself together. She had never expected it to be easy, so there was nothing to be disappointed about.

It was fortunate enough that Cheong-eum had cooperated this much.

When Seon-o regained her calm expression, this time Cheong-eum cautiously began to speak.

“May I ask a question this time?”

Since she knew what question would come, Seon-o hesitated briefly before nodding. Since they were in the same boat now, Cheong-eum had the right to resolve his curiosity too.

“I’d like to know how you obtained that prophecy.”

It was indeed a persistent question. After thinking for a moment, Seon-o decided to give an honest answer this time.

“My elder brother left it behind when he went.”

That answer seemed to be outside his expected range, as she could feel Cheong-eum’s expression hardening.

Cheong-eum also understood the family relationships of the candidates and their situations. The fact that Seon-o’s elder brother had fallen into a coma was naturally important information he remembered.

‘Left it behind when he went’ meant that he had obtained it before falling into a coma and arranged for it to be delivered to Seon-o. If so, the reason he fell into a coma might also be related to it.

Cheong-eum knew that Seon-o was making the same speculation as he was.

“I don’t know how my elder brother obtained it either. I’m not in a situation where I can ask and get an answer.”

“…”

Cheong-eum, who had been moving his lips as if wanting to ask something more, finally closed his mouth.

He could understand without asking. Seon-o believed that if she found the prophecy and achieved the great cause, she would be able to wake her elder brother. That was precisely Seon-o’s driving force and hope.

Upon realizing this, the faint tension that had been lingering at his fingertips seemed to dissolve powerlessly. No, what was melting away disgracefully was his suspicion of Seon-o.

Because he realized that Seon-o was just as desperate as he was.

“…”

A strange wave rippled over Cheong-eum’s heart. It was because he felt like he had discovered the source of the desperation he had seen at Myo-myo Lake.

Suddenly, when a premonition flashed that Seon-o would surely wake her elder brother no matter what, Cheong-eum unconsciously moved his lips.

“He will awaken.”

At the quietly flowing words, Seon-o paused and looked at him. Cheong-eum was looking at Seon-o with his usual serene face. It was as if what he had just said was his divine oracle.

In that moment, Seon-o realized why Cheong-eum was the High Priest, what being a High Priest meant in this world, and how much comfort what came from his mouth gave to humans.

At his calm consolation, Ji-woon’s phantom that had still been clinging to Seon-o’s mind disappeared in an instant as if blown away.

It felt as if Ji-woon had sent a message through Cheong-eum’s mouth, saying he would surely awaken, so don’t be shaken by such phantoms.

His words were right.

Ji-woon will awaken. Without fail.

“…”

Since she hadn’t expected to receive comfort about Ji-woon from Cheong-eum, Seon-o felt somewhat embarrassed. After hesitating for a moment, she soon answered spiritedly.

“Yes, he will. Just like how you will achieve Dragon Transformation, High Priest.”

At those confident words, Cheong-eum paused briefly before quietly lowering his head.

The moment he heard such a characteristically Seon-o-like answer, laughter stirred in his throat as the tension released. It was closer to a hollow laugh from losing strength rather than real laughter, but Cheong-eum was surprised at himself for almost laughing and pressed his lips tightly shut.

Since realizing that he couldn’t achieve Dragon Transformation with anything, he had never laughed.

He never let that rare laughter escape his lips, and instead avoided Seon-o’s gaze to look out the window.

As if indifferent to their hardships and trials, the verdant scenery passed by them alone.

* * *

Quiet footsteps echoed in a place devastated as if a storm had passed through.

Throughout the storage that had been filled with precious Yin Alcohol just days ago, broken large jars were scattered everywhere.

A man walking through those ruins stopped at a certain spot.

“….”

With hair curled overnight, a soft fur coat unsuited for the season, and large Sound Stone Earrings dangling from both ears.

The man, dressed so lavishly as if going on an outing that he seemed utterly out of place in the ruined Wine Storage, was Yu Yu-an of the Yin Cult.

Standing before the only unbroken large jar, he flicked the ornate fan he was holding.

At his gesture, the corpse contained in the large jar rose up and floated into the air. When he casually flicked his fan again, the pathetically shriveled corpse dropped down at his feet with a thud.

Yu Yu-an looked down at the corpse sprawled at his feet.

The completely dried mummy, drained of all Water Element, was the demon Intoxication who had consumed a Rift Sound Stone.

“How ugly.”

As he frowned as if seeing something disgusting and waved his fan again, Intoxication’s body, already shriveled like pickled plums, compressed at a terrifying speed. Horrifying crunching sounds echoed as the bastard’s corpse was finally compressed to the size of a baby’s fist.

Yu Yu-an tried to sense any energy from the Rift Sound Stone that might be inside, but felt nothing. It seemed to have already been plundered.

Just then, urgent footsteps came from behind him. Stopping at a distance and bowing deeply was his subordinate.

The subordinate reported the information he had just obtained.

“Yu Yu-an sir, we’ve secured testimony from someone who worked at the North Sea Monster Fighter’s Private Residence. The day before the Monster Fighter disappeared, a couple and a young master visited the Private Residence as investors.”

Yu-an’s eyebrows rose gently at the intriguing news.

“This person’s rank was too low to know their information, but based on the descriptions, it seems to match Kang Seon-o and Sa Hwan. However, the remaining person is difficult to identify even from the description.”

When no more words came from his subordinate, Yu-an narrowed his eyes. So the Monster Fighter’s sudden disappearance and their complete inability to obtain any information about the Demon Fighting Tournament held that day were all connected to Kang Seon-o.

Then it was highly likely that she was also the one who came here, killed Intoxication, and plundered his Sound Stone. After all, a carriage with the Monster Fighter’s Snail Talisman had arrived here.

Yu Yu-an smoothly pulled something from his chest and unfolded it.

It was a portrait of Seon-o drawn by a Yin Cult artist who had observed the second trial. Seon-o possessed a plain beauty striking enough to arouse the interest of Yu Yu-an, whose aesthetic standards reached the heavens. Though too plain for his taste, it was a face that would likely benefit from its appearance throughout life.

What caught his attention among these features was the gaze that conveyed intensity even through the painting.

A gaze that seemed to hold a clear purpose.

“…But why does this gaze seem so familiar?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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