Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 41

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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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41.

Kugung. A deep boom echoed through the void.
Across the vast expanse of earth, spikes thrust upward like needles.
Then wooden vines extended rapidly between the towering peaks. Yet they failed to seize their target.
Keke! A mocking laugh pierced directly into Cheonhaerang’s ears.
His irritation flared. Cheonhaerang swung his hand with visible agitation. Instantly, flames erupted across the wooden vines with a whoosh, spreading rapidly.
The burning vines coiled around Songgotssan and stretched upward toward the heavens once more.
Hand Ogeong’s clone, leisurely observing from above the sky, deftly evaded the vines approaching him.
It was more than enough to provoke Cheonhaerang’s exasperation.
Kwagakang. Cang.
Sharp metallic fragments fell from the sky with a piercing sound, embedding themselves into the earth.
The clone’s body, unable to dodge in time, bore several gashes.
Yet the wounds vanished instantly, and the metal fragments burned away in the flames. The clone attempted to mock Cheonhaerang in return but could not.
Chwak. Water cascaded down from above. The clone descended to the ground, completely drenched. Its expression was dejected.
Witnessing this, Cheonhaerang finally had the chance to mock the clone. His heart felt completely relieved.
But this was Cheonhaerang’s moment of carelessness. Chwaleuk—a newly sprouted vine surged toward him at tremendous speed from the earth.
Cheonhaerang took flight to evade it. Simultaneously, flames erupted across the vine with a whoosh.
The raging inferno consumed everything in an instant, transforming the surroundings into a sea of fire.
Hand Ogeong, observing Cheonhaerang with arms crossed, fell into contemplation for a moment.
Even in the previous sparring matches with his clones, Cheonhaerang had blocked the attacks without difficulty.
From what he had witnessed of Cheonhaerang thus far, this level of progress in merely a single day could be called remarkable.

‘I thought Cheonuyhua received the most of the Patriarch’s power. Perhaps that is not entirely the case.’

Yet he could not say that Cheonhaerang had surpassed Cheonuyhua.

‘As they say, speak of the tiger and it appears.’

Hand Ogeong, who had already sensed the presence, addressed the one standing beside him.

“I did not expect you to come in person, Princess.”

An icy chill settled between them. Yeonhwa forced herself to calm the turmoil within her chest. Her mother’s words were not wrong.
I could no longer be bound by the emotions of the past. I had to forget what came before and move forward.
To avoid becoming like my father.
Moreover, Hand Ogeong, who bore the alias of the Jade Emperor just as Jiho and my mother had suggested, could at least provide an answer that would be helpful to the Daughter of the Patriarch as a servant of Seowangmo.
Yeonhwa took a deep breath. Then she asked Hand Ogeong.

“The small must be sacrificed for the great. What do you think of this?”

It was a somewhat abrupt question. Yeonhwa thought Hand Ogeong would mock her for it.
But the answer that came after a moment of silence differed from her expectation.

“Are you truly certain it is the small, Your Highness?”

Yeonhwa’s gaze, which had been fixed on Cheonhaerang, shifted toward Hand Ogeong.
Hand Ogeong turned his body to face Yeonhwa. His eyes were calm and still.
In that moment, Yeonhwa flinched without realizing it. The man’s cool expression felt strangely unfamiliar. Like those days long ago.

“You must know what manner of being Gihyeongrang is. And if Gihyeongrang has moved, it means the Heavenly Realm is moving as well.”

The Heavenly Realm. They were moving. She had witnessed it with her own eyes.
But was that truly so important? Even if the combined strength of the remaining Heavenly Realm were gathered, it could not compare to Gihyeongrang.
Yet was this the price of ignoring the Heavenly Realm? Hand Ogeong’s next words made her doubt her own ears.

“Do you know what the Heavenly Realm draws strength from? Humans.”
“…!”

She had a fatal weakness. She remained in the Human Realm to guard the seal of the malevolent spirit.
It had been the same even during the Heavenly Realm’s war.
Because I could not leave the Human Realm for long, I could not participate in the war.
Thus I had no detailed knowledge of how the Heavenly Realm had changed. Or perhaps this was a secret that had been deliberately concealed.

“Your Highness, they hunt.”

Hand Ogeong continued softly, watching the wavering eyes of the woman before him.

“They hunt humans.”

The Heavenly Realm sustains itself on nourishment drawn from humans.
Through their blood and flesh.
It meant that humans were not sacrificed merely to break the seal.

* * *

“Didn’t my older sister come by earlier?”

Unlike yesterday when he had been sprawled out flat, Cheonhaerang could manage to stand and speak today as he approached Hand Ogeong with the question.
Even though Yeonhwa had been gone for some time now, Hand Ogeong continued to stare at the place where she had been.

“It is dangerous.”
“…Is that your own thought, or your duty as a subject?”

He could not bring himself to answer. He knew that no answer would satisfy her.
Silence would not either.
She left with a cold sneer, leaving word for Cheonhaerang to be brought to her.
It was always like this. Whether then or now, nothing ever went well between them.

“Jade Emperor?”

At the sound of his name, Hand Ogeong finally opened his mouth.

“Yeonhwa awaits you. Come.”
“What? Why?”

It was sudden. Yet no answer came to his question. Cheonhaerang followed Hand Ogeong without understanding.
The place they arrived at was a pavilion where a river flowed gently in front and cherry blossom petals scattered in the breeze.
It was a place better suited for enjoying the beauty of the blossoms than for a simple conversation.
Cheonhaerang wondered why his older sister would wait for him in such a place.
Hand Ogeong, standing before the pavilion, did not ascend but gestured toward it with his head.
Cheonhaerang tilted his head in confusion and climbed up to the pavilion. The woman standing there gazed out at the flowing river.
After hesitating for a moment, he approached and called out to her.

“Sister. What is this about?”

At Cheonhaerang’s call, the woman turned to face him. Despite having seen her face countless times before, Cheonhaerang found himself momentarily captivated by the sight of his sister.
In that fleeting instant, cherry blossoms cascaded like rain behind her.
When he regained his senses, before his eyes floated a sword he had never seen before, gleaming with light in the empty air.
Cheonhaerang blinked as he gazed upon the sword.

“Sister, what is this…?”
“It’s the Sword of Spiritual Dao, one of the Heavenly Talismans that Father used long ago when he slew and sealed the malevolent spirits.”

Her soft voice resonated in Cheonhaerang’s ears like a melody.
The Sword of Spiritual Dao. He knew of it. He had thoroughly studied all the achievements and failures of the Patriarch.
One of the Heavenly Talismans that Father had used when sealing the malevolent spirits. Yet he had only seen it in photographs.
The only thing Father had ever entrusted to him was the Eight Pearl Bells.
The hilt of the Sword of Spiritual Dao was wrapped by a golden dragon, and the blade shone with a sharp bronze luster.

“But this sword alone cannot seal the malevolent spirits or kill Gihyeongrang. The sword can only gain its true power when all the Heavenly Talismans are gathered together.”

As she spoke, Yeonhwa grasped the Sword of Spiritual Dao. Then a white aura in the form of a dragon wrapped around the blade before vanishing.
Yeonhwa handed the Sword of Spiritual Dao to Cheonhaerang.

“Take it.”

Cheonhaerang received the Sword of Spiritual Dao almost without thinking. He gripped the hilt firmly and gazed upon it.
In that moment, a blue aura flowed from his hand.
Jing—
Simultaneously, the sound of bells rang out from somewhere. The Eight Pearl Bells were resonating.
Soon after, the Sword of Spiritual Dao vanished from Cheonhaerang’s hand. He stared at Yeonhwa with wide, startled eyes.
Meeting his gaze, Yeonhwa spoke.

“Now you possess two of the Heavenly Talismans.”
“Then what about Seongyeong?”

My sister must have met with the Patriarch and received the Sword of Spiritual Dao.
But why is there no Seoniyeong among the rest?
Since I possess the Paljuryeong, the Patriarch should have given both the Sword of Spiritual Dao and the Seoniyeong to my sister.
Yet seeing that my sister only brought the Sword of Spiritual Dao meant the Patriarch had given her only that.
All the Heavenly Talismans must be gathered to use this Sword of Spiritual Dao.
Do I need to go to the Patriarch myself to receive the Seoniyeong?
Caught in these rising questions, Cheonhaerang looked at Yeonhwa as if demanding an answer.
Yeonhwa kept her lips sealed, her face bearing the expression of someone deep in thought.
Cheonhaerang waited silently for Yeonhwa’s words. How much time had passed like this? Finally, Yeonhwa opened her mouth.

“…The Seoniyeong is with Gihyeongrang.”

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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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