Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 39

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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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39.

Cheonhaerang tilted his head and knocked on the door once more.

“Jiho?”

Still, no answer came to his call.
Had she stepped out? But who would summon Jiho in the middle of the night?
From what he’d heard, Jiho had been through quite a lot today.
She’d had breakfast with her mother since morning and spent time with his sister as well. She probably wanted to be alone for the night.
Perhaps she’d been so exhausted that she’d fallen asleep without even turning off the lights.
His mind knew better, but his body moved against his better judgment. His hand was already opening the door.
Cheonhaerang stepped inside, carefully closing the door without a sound, and surveyed the room.
Unlike the cool night air, a warm atmosphere enveloped him.
Soon he discovered Jiho lying on the bed, breathing softly in deep slumber.
Cheonhaerang sat gently on the edge of the bed and gazed down at her.
Her straight forehead and upturned nose. Long lashes cast downward and rosy lips exhaling soft breaths.
The once-cute face had blossomed into beauty like a fully opened flower—the kind that could captivate any man’s gaze at first sight.
Jiho probably hadn’t noticed, but at school, those filthy men had been stealing glances at her.
He wanted to gouge out every last one of those dirty eyes. Only he should be allowed to look upon Jiho.
Only he should be the one Jiho could see. Of course, that was already the case.

“Wherever you go….”

“I’ll follow you, Cheonhaerang.”

Recalling those words again, Cheonhaerang’s lips curved upward of their own accord. Though their relationship was still defined as friendship for now….
Cheonhaerang slowly leaned down. Soft skin brushed against his lips with a gentle touch.
He left a whispered farewell and departed the room.

“Sleep well, Jiho.”

* * *

The attendant bowed her head respectfully. Then she announced toward the interior.

“Your Majesty, Yeonhwa has come to see you.”

There was no response from within, but the eunuch opened the door. Yeonhwa strode through without hesitation.

Kya-ha-ha!
Did you really think someone like you could stop me?

That chilling voice still echoed in her ears like a phantom. For a moment, she gripped her trembling hands firmly.
The door closed with a sharp thud behind her. Yeonhwa spoke to the figure standing with his back turned to her.
The stench of the blood I had coughed up still seemed to linger at the tip of my nose.

“Father.”

The Patriarch did not turn around. There had been times when I resented that back of his. Now it was meaningless.
I spoke as a subject would deliver a report—coldly and without emotion.

“There is a problem with the seal.”

If the malevolent spirit could suppress her power and produce sound, it meant the creature was steadily recovering its original strength.
Gihyeongrang was already breaking the seal on the malevolent spirit.
To seal the malevolent spirit anew, the Patriarch’s power was necessary.

“I need Father.”

A brief silence fell. Then, at last, the Patriarch turned around.
He gazed upon his first bloodline, the one who carried the deepest of his blood.
Cheonuyhua.
She was also a child through whom he had committed many grave errors.
Yeonhwa looked at him without wavering—less like a child regarding a father, and more like a subject regarding her sovereign.
Knowing this too was his fault, he concealed the bitterness in his heart.
This was not the time to be consumed by such personal matters.
His other grave error was leading the world toward destruction.
The Patriarch closed his eyes tightly.
Immediately, a radiant sword materialized in the void. Yeonhwa knew what that sword was.
Father’s treasure.
The Sword of Spiritual Dao, one of the divine artifacts among the Heavenly Talismans.
Father had used that sword to slay the malevolent spirit and seal it to that land.
The Patriarch opened his eyes. He gazed solely upon Yeonhwa and spoke.

“Yeonhwa.”

The call sounded affectionate at first glance. Yeonhwa quietly lowered her eyes and answered.

“…Yes, Father.”
“Do you wish to take my place?”
“…”
“Is that why you’re helping Cheonhaerang?”

A cold smile crossed Yeonhwa’s lips. Did her father see her as someone consumed by the hunger for power?

“…If that is how Your Majesty perceives me, then so it must be.”
“…”
“How could I ever defy Your Majesty’s will?”

I had always followed my father’s wishes. That was the entirety of my life.
He could not possibly be unaware of this.
So those words were nothing but mockery of my existence. Yet now, I felt not even disappointment.
I use what is needed. That was all it had become.
I had come to my father now solely because of the seal on the malevolent spirit.
Did I miss my father? I had traveled too far to search for such trivial emotions.
The Patriarch remained silent for a long time. Yeonhwa, too, said nothing more. She waited quietly for his words.
//
How much time had passed that way? At last, the Patriarch spoke.

“I will not re-seal it.”
“…!”

Yeonhwa could not hide her shock at the unexpected answer.

“What do you mean…!”
“Is it not all my fault? Then it is only right that I erase it completely now. Is that not so, Yeonhwa?”

Yeonhwa’s eyes widened. Her mind raced swiftly to a conclusion in an instant.
And as if to confirm she had grasped it correctly, the Patriarch issued his command gravely.

“Wait for the time. Until Gihyeongrang becomes a malevolent deity.”

On that day, the Sword of Spiritual Dao would pierce the heart of the malevolent deity.

* * *

I gently touched my forehead. I couldn’t quite tell if it had been a dream or reality.
Something soft had brushed against my forehead. It certainly wasn’t a hand.
And the voice that followed was far too vivid to be a dream.

“Sleep well, Jiho.”

It was definitely Cheonhaerang’s voice. Had he come while I was sleeping?
What had he done to me before leaving?

‘…Surely not.’

Suddenly, full crimson lips flashed through my mind. Cheonhaerang’s plump, red lips.

“No. It couldn’t be. It won’t be. Surely not.”

My face burned. I shook my head vigorously to dispel the image of Cheonhaerang’s lips.
I still had to have breakfast with Seowangmo this morning. In this state, it would be difficult to go.
I had already washed my face, but it seemed I needed to wash again. This time with cold water.
I entered the bathroom and filled the sink with cold water, plunging my face into it.
When my face felt like it might freeze, I lifted my head abruptly. The face reflected in the mirror was flushed crimson.
Still, it seemed somewhat better. Just as I was drying my wet face with a towel—

“Jiho, are you awake?”

I startled and nearly dropped the towel. My heart pounded wildly.
It was Cheonhaerang’s voice.
I took a deep breath, trying to appear as composed as possible, and steadied my racing heart.
Of course, my heart wasn’t easily calmed, but at least I could manage to speak.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, I heard Cheonhaerang calling for me again.

“Jiho?”
“…Y-yes. I’m awake. I’ll be right out.”

I checked my appearance in the mirror. My face was fine. My clothes were fine.
Taking another deep breath, I nodded to myself with determination and opened the door.
Cheonhaerang stood before the doorway. When our eyes met, he broke into a radiant smile.

“Did you sleep well, Jiho?”

In an instant, my mind went blank. My forehead burned with heat.

“Hm? Jiho, what’s wrong? Your face is all red.”

As he spoke, Cheonhaerang’s hand naturally reached toward my forehead.
I couldn’t do anything and simply froze in place.

“Huh? Jiho, you’re running a fever? Did you catch a cold? No cough? How’s your throat? Does it hurt?”

Questions poured from Cheonhaerang like rapid fire. Only then did I manage to regain my senses.
I grabbed his hand from my forehead and quickly pulled it away.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t have a fever. I must have washed my face with cold water to wake up.”
“Cold water? Isn’t there warm water? Why not?”
“No, there is. I just wanted to wake myself up.”
“Really?”

Cheonhaerang’s eyes narrowed as if suspicious. Worried that the immortal maidens of Cheongyeokgyeong might face reproach, I quickly nodded.

“Yes, really. So let’s go quickly, Cheonhaerang. The Queen Mother must be waiting.”

Still holding his hand, I led him forward. Even by the time we arrived at the dining hall, I hadn’t noticed I was still holding it.

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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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