I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 93

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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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93.

Because it was Seon-o, the threat that followed his identity did not end as merely a threat.

Because it was Seon-o, Sa-baek welcomed this danger. It was a change he could never have imagined when the competition began.

Sa-baek did not want to let go of this willingness yet. So please, let Seon-o pass through the god’s gateway.

Hoping for this, Sa-baek swiftly flew up from his position. Soon escaping the forest and skillfully blending into the streets of Myeonggyeong, Sa-baek’s steps headed toward a certain place.

Recently, the Emperor’s suspicion had deepened, so he had to return to the Imperial Palace before sunset, but there was something he needed to confirm before that.

Sa-baek had not found Seon-o, but he had discovered another secret fact.

The fact that at the same time Seon-o disappeared, Wi Gong-un and Seol Cheong-eum had also vanished. Rather, since Hwan’s whereabouts were confirmed while Seon-o was missing, this was an even more peculiar matter.

Moreover, this was an important fact that could not be overlooked. They were super-deities, and like him, they would have great interest in this competition.

Those who had disappeared returned to Myeonggyeong as if nothing had happened when the gate to Flower Cloud Island opened.

Still without Seon-o.

Sa-baek tried to track Gong-un’s movements, but his face could not be confirmed. He had not stepped even one foot outside the Wi Family Estate.

We tried to investigate the situation at the Wi Family, but the security is extremely tight. Even the servants do not move alone and are constantly together as if monitoring each other, making it impossible to learn about the internal situation. My apologies.

So only Seol Cheong-eum remained.

And today was precisely the day of the Great Temple’s ceremony. It was the day Seol Cheong-eum had to show himself. Sa-baek was heading to the Great Temple to confirm this.

Upon reaching the Great Temple, crowds gathered to have an audience with Cheong-eum were creating a bustling scene at the entrance. Sa-baek squeezed in among them and entered the Great Temple.

After waiting for some time standing in the packed crowd, Cheong-eum appeared.

“It’s the High Priest…!”

Several believers shed tears of emotion or let out brief exclamations. Sa-baek watched Cheong-eum with unwavering eyes. Soon, as he ascended the high altar, his face became visible.

“…”

It was a face as serene as always. The face whose inner thoughts could not be read seemed peaceful at first glance.

However, the moment Cheong-eum ignited blue fire above the altar, Sa-baek witnessed tension and anxiety flash through his eyes. Realizing that this restlessness was directed toward Seon-o was an intuition connected to instinct.

Cheong-eum knew of Seon-o’s whereabouts.

“…”

Having confirmed this, Sa-baek turned and walked away before Cheong-eum had even finished the ceremony.

Since Cheong-eum had just confirmed that Seon-o had safely entered Flower Cloud Island, there was no reason to stay longer.

As Sa-baek quietly slipped out of the crowd, another unsolvable question arose in his mind.

Why had Cheong-eum and Gong-un disappeared together with Seon-o?

Perhaps they too, like him, had some expectations for Seon-o. With this thought, Sa-baek’s mood sank coldly. What kind of existence Seon-o was to them, and what meaning they held for Seon-o.

To find out all of this, he needed to meet Seon-o.

Suddenly stopping in his tracks, Sa-baek’s steps headed toward the offering box in front of the Great Temple entrance. Taking out a pouch of Yin Stones from his chest, Sa-baek placed it inside the offering box.

This was a bribe directed at the god. If he desired something greater, he could offer that as well.

So if the god wishes to take something more from me…

“…”

He should make Seon-o return.

* * *

Unaware that someone was offering prayers for his return, Seon-o simply walked silently forward.

With each step he took, the water containers on both shoulders swayed left and right, spilling precious water. Even so, the heavy weight of the water did not decrease at all, making his shoulders feel like they would break, but Seon-o did not stop walking.

Crossing the swaying bridge that creaked and groaned with unsettling sounds, he could see Gi-rim already pouring water on the peach tree and turning back.

She too was soaked with water and sweat all over her body like Seon-o, but surprisingly, Gi-rim’s face was peaceful. After Gi-rim, who had made eye contact with Seon-o, nodded in greeting, she silently retraced her path.

After nodding to her and passing by to continue forward, Seon-o glanced at the surrounding clouds. The clouds within the island were still glowing softly with five-colored light.

Seon-o looked straight ahead again.

The candidates were carrying water for the third day. Just as the Elder Immortal had said, using only their bodies without using Yin Power.

However, there was no sign of peach fruits ripening.

‘Since my body is tired, I can’t think of anything.’

It was strange. This arduous labor on Flower Cloud Island felt more like rest instead.

The guaranteed time when nothing would happen, and this situation where he didn’t have to think about anything, even for a moment.

Therefore, although his body was exhausted to death, Seon-o’s mind was the most peaceful it had been since coming to this world. With his mind at ease, he could endure the physical hardship.

‘Is this why Father wanted so badly to become a person of nature?’

Seon-o recalled the image of his father who used to sit in front of the TV every day watching ‘We Are Natural People.’

“Honey, should we go live in the countryside too? The air is fresh and it’s quiet!”

“When you die, I’ll bury you somewhere with good air. Don’t worry.”

Remembering his father’s dejected figure with his tail between his legs at Mother’s firm response, a smile appeared on Seon-o’s lips. To comfort such a father, the three siblings would tend to the weekend farm with their father every weekend.

At that time, the dazzling sunlight that poured over the sweat seemed to seep into his sweat-soaked skin. When he raised his head after farming for a while, he could see Ji-woon and Yoon-han who was stuck right next to Ji-woon learning how to plant seedlings. A little further away was the figure of Father diligently digging the ground. Even Mother, who had no choice but to follow along and was pouring sikhye for the family members.

As that peaceful happiness seeped into his heart once again, life returned to Seon-o’s weary eyes.

To get him back, this level of hardship was nothing at all.

That’s when it happened.

“What did you do to Master Cheon?”

Seon-o’s brief peace was shattered by the voice that suddenly came. When he glanced to the side, he could see So-yoon who had somehow followed beside him, looking at Seon-o with secretive eyes.

To suddenly bring up Ga-jin’s story in this situation.

Since the two of them handle the same Yin Power, their destinations might overlap. Ah, Miss Cheon said she was going to Myo-myo Lake. By any chance, didn’t you go to Myo-myo Lake, Master?

As So-yoon’s previous question flashed through Seon-o’s mind, his mood instantly sank. So-yoon was still suspicious of Seon-o.

“You can honestly confess. It’s only natural, isn’t it? Eliminating competitors.”

Saying that, So-yoon smirked with the corner of her mouth raised. Seon-o, who wasn’t affected at all, replied in an indifferent voice.

“It seems like Bu So-yoon is most interested in Master Cheon. Don’t you actually know Master Cheon’s whereabouts?”

Then So-yoon raised her eyebrows and stared intently at Seon-o. Soon she changed the topic in a nonchalant voice.

“What kind of conversation did you have with that slippery immortal bastard earlier?”

The slippery immortal bastard referred to the Young Master Immortal. It seemed she had witnessed that immortal approaching Seon-o and talking to him earlier.

As So-yoon suspected, the young immortal had spoken to Seon-o.

“You are a superhuman who handles Water Power. I am the same. Therefore, I hope you become the phoenix. Although the other immortals don’t acknowledge it yet, the ultimate Yin Power is Water Power. Because water is the life of all things.”

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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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