I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 92

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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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92.

 

 

 

 

“I know this is an impolite question. But I want to hear it.”

 

The quiet voice was serious. Gwak Gi-rim smiled gently.

 

“I didn’t find it impolite. Sharing values is a meaningful thing.”

 

From her smile emanated a simple yet peaceful grass fragrance.

 

“I wish for the suffering common people to find comfort.”

 

It was the answer he had expected. Gwak Gi-rim’s focus was always directed toward the pitiful common people. Her power was used for them. The common people in places where the Imperial Palace’s reach didn’t extend. Those who were powerless and weak, the first to be sacrificed.

 

“How can that be achieved?”

 

Seon-o asked as if posing a riddle. If there was a correct answer, he wanted to know it. Could becoming the Phoenix save them all? But there had been Phoenixes many times before.

 

Yet those who suffered had not disappeared.

 

Demons, Yin Arts, and all the evils that cleverly mingled between them to disturb the world still existed.

 

“I don’t know the correct answer either.”

 

Gwak Gi-rim’s voice became even quieter.

 

“But if I become the Phoenix, I’ll be able to appeal my intentions a little farther, a little more earnestly.”

 

That much he could understand. Becoming the Phoenix would grant power in itself, and people were bound to follow those with power. Everyone would empathize with the Phoenix’s values and compete to implement them.

 

“Of course, it’s possible even without becoming the Phoenix. What’s important is to keep moving forward. Without giving up, silently.”

 

Saying this, Gwak Gi-rim placed her hand on the soil ground again. After feeling around for a moment, she scraped away the earth with her bare hands. Seon-o watched Gwak Gi-rim’s hands. He watched the soil she was digging out.

 

Gwak Gi-rim’s hand dug into the hard earth. Just as Seon-o’s brow furrowed at the sound of her hand going deep enough to make a grinding noise, something moist welled up over her hand.

 

It was water.

 

“….”

 

Seeing the water bubbling up, Seon-o’s tension released with a snap.

 

Gwak Gi-rim turned to look at Seon-o with a comfortable smile.

 

“I thought it would be around here. I learned Water Vein Detection long ago.”

 

So Gwak Gi-rim had gotten up at dawn to search for it. Before the other candidates woke up and suffered needlessly.

 

Having understood Gwak Gi-rim’s true intention, Seon-o simply nodded. It was the same development as in the original work, so there was nothing more to doubt.

 

Since the water that had found a hole to spring from continued to well up, Gwak Gi-rim and Seon-o moved away from the hole.

 

While the darkness of Flower Cloud Island lifted, the deep hole filled completely with water. Despite springing from an earthen pit, it was clear water without any soil mixed in.

 

Bu So-yoon, who woke up late, discovered the water puddle filled to the brim and screamed.

 

“Water!”

 

Wi I-ryeong and Chae-gyo, reeking of alcohol, also approached to observe the sprung water.

 

“Ha, now we’re done. Well, are we done now?”

 

Seeing the Elder Immortal who had just flown in on a cloud, Bu So-yoon spoke triumphantly. The old man silently gazed at that clear water for a while.

 

Soon he smiled quietly and looked around at the candidates.

 

“Now you must move this water to the peach tree.”

 

Gwak Gi-rim asked calmly.

 

“We still can’t use Yin Power, right?”

 

At those words, Bu So-yoon’s brow furrowed. From here to where the peach tree was, they had to cross two islands.

 

Seon-o continued the question, following up on Gwak Gi-rim’s words.

 

“Also, we don’t know how much we need to move.”

 

Then the Elder Immortal smiled broadly.

 

“Correct.”

 

At those words, Bu So-yoon’s mouth opened in bewilderment. From her lips trembling with anger, a scream finally burst out.

 

“Aaaaaaaaaaah!”

 

The heated scream echoed through the peaceful Flower Cloud Island.

 

* * *

 

The outskirts of Myeonggyeong, the capital of Geumhwi Kingdom.

 

In the deep forest where not a soul could be found, Sa-baek was receiving a report from his subordinate. His appearance, wearing an ordinary long robe instead of his usual black martial robe, contrasted with his subordinate’s appearance with his entire face covered, creating a sense of incongruity.

 

“We analyzed all the components of the drug but couldn’t find the sorcery contained within it. It seems the sorcery is inherent in the raw materials themselves. Even consuming a small amount causes loss of Yin Power, and the duration is not long, about one time period.”

 

Reading through the materials his subordinate handed him, Sa-baek quietly replied.

 

“It’s enough time to subdue a superhuman who has lost their Yin Power.”

“Yes, that’s correct. And we discovered that when this powder is mixed with food, it gives off a hazelnut scent. It’s not strong—you have to be conscious of it to notice.”

 

At those words, Sa-baek opened the container holding the powder and smelled it. The unmixed powder had no scent at all. Sa-baek closed the container and put it in his robes as he asked.

 

“Do you think this powder is hazelnut powder?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot be certain at this time. Also, this powder only eliminates Yin Power—it has nothing to do with brainwashing.”

 

Sa-baek slowly nodded at his subordinate’s report.

 

That meant Yin Power suppression and superhuman brainwashing were indeed carried out separately. Wang Ho-bang had been carrying only the drug that eliminated Yin Power, planning to kill Moon Poong if necessary. The brainwashing seemed to be accomplished through other methods.

 

Where did all of this originate from?

 

Of course, there was a place that came to mind from the beginning.

 

“Track down Yu Yu-an of the Yin Cult.”

 

At the command, his subordinate bowed his head in acknowledgment. Sa-baek folded the documents and tucked them into his robes, then hesitated as he was about to signal his subordinate.

 

After hesitating for a moment, he looked at his subordinate who was still bowing and asked.

 

“…Any news of Kang Seon-o?”

 

The subordinate answered while keeping his head bowed.

 

“I’m sorry. We haven’t found her yet.”

 

It was another disappointing answer. Sa-baek simply nodded as if he understood.

 

“You may go.”

 

As soon as the order was given, the subordinate immediately climbed up into the nearby trees and quickly left the area. Even while gauging his presence, Sa-baek’s mind was filled with thoughts of Seon-o.

 

The urge to tell Seon-o that this powder gave off a hazelnut scent when mixed with food clawed at his throat. That if she ever tasted a hazelnut scent while eating, she must not consume it.

 

Then Seon-o would look at him with very suspicious eyes and ask how he knew that, and he would have no choice but to smile instead of answering, as always.

 

Sa-baek still couldn’t trust Seon-o, and Seon-o wouldn’t completely trust Sa-baek either.

 

But even so, Sa-baek wanted to tell Seon-o this information. So that Seon-o wouldn’t fall into danger by consuming this powder.

 

“…”

 

But he couldn’t. Seon-o was currently missing.

 

Since their meeting at the North Sea, Sa-baek hadn’t been able to see Seon-o.

 

For over 80 days, Seon-o had vanished without a trace. Sa-baek had deployed his subordinates to try to learn news of Seon-o, but couldn’t find her anywhere.

 

Then finally, the 101 days foretold by the Divine Oracle passed and the Gate of Flower Cloud Island opened.

 

Whether it could be described as “opened” was uncertain, but in any case, all the people of the continent knew that the Gate of Flower Cloud Island had opened. At that moment, the massive gate had fallen before Yang Chae-gyo, who was in a pleasure house in Myeonggyeong.

 

Thus, everyone in that pleasure house witnessed that wondrous sight. They witnessed Yang Chae-gyo pluck out her eyeball as an offering, open the gate with it, and enter Flower Cloud Island.

 

It was only natural that the rumor swallowed all of Myeonggyeong in half a day and spread across the entire continent in three days.

 

And from that day on, all traces of the candidates disappeared, so they must have all entered Flower Cloud Island. Upon hearing this news, Sa-baek’s heart became uncharacteristically anxious.

 

It was because he still didn’t know any news of Seon-o.

 

Had Seon-o also entered Flower Cloud Island?

 

Had she offered a satisfactory sacrifice to the Gate of Flower Cloud Island, entered within, and was now preparing for blooming?

 

When anxious feelings arose, Sa-baek thought of Seon-o, who had figured out his identity.

 

You’re Choshin, aren’t you.

 

His own face reflected in those eyes filled with certainty.

 

One of the two hiding. That’s our slave master, isn’t it? Am I wrong?

 

Remembering those eyes that sparkled as they seemed to devour even that face, Sa-baek could finally be certain.

 

That Seon-o would have entered Flower Cloud Island.

 

And also that she would achieve blooming on Flower Cloud Island and return.

 

You’re going to become a Phoenix—can’t you recognize Choshin?

 

At the North Sea, Seon-o had dealt Sa-baek an unforgettable blow.

 

He had learned what it meant for someone to know his identity.

 

“…”

 

No, it was meaningful that the one who knew his identity was Seon-o.

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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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