Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 38

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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38.

As Mr. Oh passed through the hallway, he found himself unconsciously drawn to the voices of students conversing nearby.

“Hey, did you hear about that?”
“Hear about what?”
“You know Subin Lee from Class 7?”
“Her? Isn’t she the president of the Archery Club?”
“She’s been absent without leave for days. Apparently she’s gone missing.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Her parents filed a missing person report. It happened on her way back from academy classes, they say.”
“This is insane. What’s going on?”

The moment Mr. Oh heard that name, he sensed something was amiss.

‘Subin Lee? That can’t be right. Our club president is Yueul.’

He had definitely seen Yueul during the Archery Club meeting yesterday.
Yet something felt strange. When he tried to recall yesterday’s club activities, his memory grew hazy. His mind felt oddly clouded.

“Wait, then they’re missing too, aren’t they?”
“Who?”
“That new transfer student in Class 4 and the top student in the entire school. They didn’t come to school today either. The transfer student apparently transferred out again. Does that even make sense? They were only here for a few days. The top student suddenly went abroad.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. And the Class 4 homeroom teacher is sick? That’s obviously a lie. Can all this be coincidence?”
“Exactly. I’m telling you, something’s definitely happened at our school.”

The students’ voices had grown serious, filled with concern.
As Mr. Oh listened intently to their conversation, he briefly considered joining in. That was the moment.

“Sir.”

At the sound of someone calling him, Mr. Oh flinched and turned his gaze. Before him stood a young man with a gentle smile.

“Oh, Yueul. What’s the matter?”
“It’s about tomorrow’s club activity. Could you come with me to the Archery Range right now for a moment?”
“The Archery Range? Why?”
“I’ll explain once we’re there. I think you really need to see it in person.”

Yueul’s demeanor was oddly coercive. Mr. Oh checked the time with a puzzled expression. There wasn’t much break time left.

“Yueul, I’m sorry, but couldn’t we go after school ends? Class is about to start.”
“It’s fine. It won’t take long, sir.”

It took at least ten minutes to reach the Archery Range located on the hill behind the school. Besides, since club activities were scheduled for tomorrow anyway, it would have been perfectly reasonable to go after school.
So why was he being so insistent?

“You really won’t come with me?”

Mr. Oh’s and the young man’s eyes met. For a moment, Mr. Oh’s mind went blank.
She answered as though entranced.

“No. I should go. If my Yueul is asking me to come….”

At Mr. Oh’s response, the young man smiled brightly.

“Thank you, sir.”

Yueul took her hand. Mr. Oh, her expression vacant, was led away by him.
As though no one witnessed the two of them, not a single glance brushed past them in the corridor.
Strangely, the hallway seemed endless. Yet Mr. Oh did not notice this.
She thought of nothing. Her mind was shrouded like fog.

How long had they walked? At last, the open Archery Range came into view. Only then did Yueul release her hand.
Yueul gazed at her and smiled wickedly.

“Sir.”
“Yes, Yueul.”

Mr. Oh’s eyes were unfocused and hazy as she responded.

“Would you tell me your name?”
“Me? I am….”

She rummaged through her clouded mind before answering.

“…Heun. Oh Heun.”

Well done.

From somewhere, an eerie voice pierced through her ears. In that same instant, her eyes snapped wide open.

“…!”

Kyaaaah!
A sharp scream tore through the air. But soon, the sound of something being devoured filled the Archery Range.
Crunch, crunch.
The massive shape stationed at one end of the Archery Range was pitch black. Gradually, it began to shrink and transform.
It took the form of a young man.
The Young Man, Yueul, spat something out. A red lump.

“As expected, the old ones don’t taste very good.”

Yueul, muttering lowly, gazed at the empty Archery Range where only wind swept through, and lifted one corner of his mouth into a smile.
But that was fine. A grand feast would soon be held in this place.
So until then, I could gladly wait.

* * *

“Ow….”

I let out a low sound and furrowed my brow.
Perhaps it was because I had picked up a bow after so long. My fingers ached, and blisters had formed on my hands.
To put it bluntly, I had been living so peacefully and comfortably all this time.
It seemed that I was not suited to wielding that bow.
But I couldn’t return the bow to Seowangmo either. It would be the same as disregarding her sincerity.

“Someday, you will have need of it.”

Would that really happen? If it did…

“Then I’ll see you again, Jiho.”

Gihyeongrang. When I see him again, will I be able to draw my bow at his heart?
But suddenly, a question arose.
Why had Gihyeongrang hidden himself at Seonhwa High School? Because of Cheonhaerang?
There were still unanswered questions.
Why had Princess Yeonhwa established that school in the Human Realm? Why was she protecting it after leaving the Heavenly Realm?
What exactly was at Seonhwa High School?

“…Let me rest for now.”

I had already absorbed far too much information over the past two days. From meeting Seowangmo to hearing about Princess Yeonhwa’s divorce.
Delayed exhaustion began to wash over me. I felt my strength completely depleted. I needed to get to bed immediately.
After a quick shower, I collapsed onto the bed without even fully drying my hair.
As the soft bedding enveloped my body, my eyes began to gently close. Soon, I fell completely into sleep.

* * *

It was nearly impossible to move even a single finger. Yet Cheonhaerang squeezed out what little strength remained to move his body. It was because he wanted to see Jiho.
To do so, he had to wash away this filthy body that reeked of soil and sweat.
As he submerged himself in the bathtub filled with hot water, his exhausted body seemed to gradually loosen.
Cheonhaerang found himself nodding off without realizing it, then suddenly snapped awake. He couldn’t afford to be any later in going to see Jiho.
After leaving the tub, he washed every part of his body thoroughly and put on casual clothes.
He considered leaving his damp hair to create an alluring appearance, but thinking that Jiho would prefer it fluffy and dry, he carefully dried it completely.
After neatly arranging his hair in the mirror, Cheonhaerang finally left his room.

I had stepped out into the cool dawn air, but by now the night breeze had already wrapped around me.
Cheonhaerang walked through the quiet corridor. Perhaps due to his mother’s temperament, Cheongyeokgyeong was silent both day and night.
Cheonhaerang, who had been trembling with anticipation at the thought of seeing Jiho, suddenly stopped in his tracks. There was someone visible beyond the corridor.
Cheonhaerang quietly gazed at the woman standing serenely beneath the starlight. A woman beautiful enough to rival the Moon Goddess herself.
His one and only mother.
His mother stood gazing up at the night sky. Cheonhaerang found himself unable to look away.
For a moment, he even considered speaking to her first.
But he did not move. They were not close enough to have such a conversation.
Still, he was somewhat curious. He had never expected his mother to willingly grant his request.
Was it because of his resistance toward his father?
No one had spoken of it directly, but Cheonhaerang knew.
The relationship between the Patriarch and Seowangmo was heading toward ruin.
His mother had never once visited Baekokgyeong after giving birth to him. Even when he stayed in Cheongyeokgyeong as a child, she had never given him a single warm glance.
If that were the case, why had she given birth to him at all? He could not understand it.
But what did it matter now?
Recently, his mother had willingly taken his hand, and he had gained Seowangmo as a reliable backing. That was enough.
Cheonhaerang turned his gaze away. He resumed his steps. Not a single footfall echoed in the corridor.
He had no idea that Seowangmo was watching his retreating figure.
His mind was now filled entirely with thoughts of Jiho.
Upon arriving at Jiho’s door, Cheonhaerang moved to knock but stopped himself. There was a chance she might be sleeping.
But fortunately, the light was shining brightly, suggesting that Jiho had not yet fallen asleep.
Cheonhaerang knocked quietly on the door.

“Jiho, may I come in for a moment?”

But no voice came in response.

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