Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 52

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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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52.

* * *

I followed Kim Seulgi’s figure visible beyond the window.
I remained standing in that spot, even after the car moved and she disappeared from view.
Kim Seulgi had been staring at the car.
It was a gaze so chillingly persistent that my body trembled, my skin prickling as if every hair stood on end.
Trying to erase that stare from my mind, I looked at Hand Ogeong.
Hand Ogeong was driving with ease, and as the car entered the apartment complex, it headed toward the underground parking garage instead of its usual route.
I stared at him intently without a word, then as he finished parking perfectly and tried to get out, I seized his sleeve tightly.

“Huh? Kid?”
“Tell me. What exactly is going on?”

Hand Ogeong turned to face me and read an inexplicable fierce determination in my eyes—I would not let go of his sleeve until I heard the truth.
Hand Ogeong carefully pushed my hand away to preserve his clothing as he spoke.

“Do we really have to do this here? Don’t we have a comfortable place—our home?”
“I have a feeling the Jade Emperor will just brush me off and run away.”
“….”

How did she know that? I was sharper than expected. He had indeed been planning to return to school afterward. He had only come here because of me in the first place.

“Yerim is at home. Can’t you hear it from her?”
“I don’t think Sister Yerim will explain it properly either.”

Despite not knowing whether that was true, my attitude remained unwavering without the slightest retreat. Eventually, Hand Ogeong let out a shallow sigh as if resigned and spoke.

“Fine, okay. I’ll tell you. First, let go of this. Okay?”
“I’ll let go once you tell me everything.”
“….”

With such firmness, there was nothing to be done. Hand Ogeong began his explanation while my grip remained tight on his sleeve.

“During fifth period, when Yerim went to teach in Yueul’s class, Gihyeongrang was there. The entire class was probably an illusion from the start.”

I wasn’t sure if he’d come to take Yerim away, but his approach was unmistakably eager. There was a brief scuffle because Gihyeongrang showed up.
As I listened to Hand Ogeong’s account, I seemed to be contemplating something for a moment before asking.

“Then… does Gihyeongrang still have feelings for Sister Yerim?”
“Well, I can’t say for certain, but he wouldn’t risk appearing like that if he’d forgotten. He’s definitely still holding onto those feelings.”

It was already shocking that Gihyeongrang had dated Yerim.
Gihyeongrang hasn’t forgotten Yerim. His heart ran that deep?
Then… how could someone who knows love be so devoid of compassion?
He tried to kill the child who called him brother and followed me. He started a war that shattered peace. And knowing it would bring chaos, he seeks to break the seal on the Evil Spirit.
On top of that, he’s killing humans to achieve this. And under Gihyeongrang’s tacit approval, the Heavenly Realm hunts humans.
These are deeds utterly devoid of any heart.
For beings like that… did Gihyeongrang really have feelings for Yerim? It was far more convincing to think he’d simply used her.
Perhaps that’s why the two of them ended up parting ways? Thinking such thoughts, I spoke.
So in the end, didn’t they break up? Thinking such thoughts, Jiho spoke.

“By the way, Jecheon Daeseong, is it really okay for our school to stay like this?”

In truth, it couldn’t possibly be fine. With Gihyeongrang and the Heavenly Realm coming and going so freely.
Before Gihyeongrang, the school’s barrier was utterly useless.
But this was something even Cheonuyhua couldn’t help.
Sharing the same blood meant one could easily hide beneath that blood.
If Gihyeongrang deliberately concealed himself and used his power, Cheonuyhua would have difficulty detecting it.
That’s why he was needed. Someone who could be free from that blood.
So that’s what he needed. Someone who could be free from blood.

“Even if it’s not okay, I have to make it okay myself.”

At the Kunlun Mountains, so much information had poured in all at once that I’d been overwhelmed just trying to organize it, and I’d only watched the two of them carefully.
Now that Princess Yeonhwa wasn’t here, couldn’t I ask?
Now that Princess Yuhua is gone, couldn’t we ask about it?

“What is it?”
“What do you think of Princess Yeonhwa?”
“…What?”
“…huh?”

The moment his grip on her clothes loosened, a rather bewildering question flew at him. He hadn’t anticipated a question like this at all.

“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“Just what I said. What do you think, Yeonhwa? I heard the two of you got married and then divorced.”
“What does it matter to you?”
“I’m just curious. Honestly, from what I can see….”

My eyes narrowed as I looked at Hand Ogeong.

“It seems like the Jade Emperor still has feelings for you.”
“Ha. What?”

Kids these days—was that it? She was quite bold. I hadn’t known she had this side to her.
Or maybe not. She seemed to have been rather bold even as a child…. Hand Ogeong recalled the hazy childhood memories of Ryujiho and spoke.

“How would you know what I feel?”
“Well, if that’s not it, then it’s not.”

Despite her bold words, I backed off without much resistance. After dropping such a bombshell, I exited the car as if nothing had happened.
Hand Ogeong watched me with an expression of utter disbelief. Before I closed the door, I asked him a question.

“Aren’t you coming out?”
“….”

For a moment, Hand Ogeong was at a loss for words. Then he spoke.

“…I have something to do at the school. Go on ahead.”
“Yes.”

I answered obediently, closed the door, and quickly made my way out of the parking lot.
Hand Ogeong watched my retreating figure in the side mirror, then let out a quiet laugh, shook his head, and started the car again.

* * *

When I arrived home, I ran into Yerim just as she was coming out of her room.

“Sister, are you okay?”

Yerim met my worried gaze. It seemed she had heard about it from the Jade Emperor.
She spoke as if it were nothing serious.

“What else would be wrong? I’m fine.”

Yerim headed to the kitchen and retrieved water from the refrigerator, pouring it into a cup. The cool water splashed softly as it filled the glass to the brim.
Yerim handed the cup of water to Jiho, who had followed her.

“Thirsty? Have a drink.”

Looking at the water cup, I realized further questioning would be impossible.
Watching me finish the water and set the cup down on the table, Yerim asked.

“What about the Jade Emperor?”
“He said he had something to attend to and went back to school.”
“Is that so?”

Yerim poured water into her cup again with a soft splash, then drank it all in one go. As the chill spread through her body, it felt as though her mind suddenly became alert.

“And I revealed my true identity directly to Kim Seulgi.”
“Revealed it directly? What do you mean by that?”

The Jade Emperor had shown his true form without any transformation technique to begin with.
According to him, few knew his face, and even if they discovered his identity, it mattered little.
After all, there was no one in the Heavenly Realm who could defeat him.
Moreover, if he deliberately concealed his aura, even those who knew his face would not recognize him.
But to reveal himself directly to those who didn’t know his face meant something else entirely.

“He showed her his Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils.”
“What?”

Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils—the distinctive eyes possessed only by the Jade Emperor.
Showing them was a provocation. A declaration of all-out war.
Yerim let out a sigh. Was this coordinated with Yeonhwa? I couldn’t tell.
But one thing was certain moving forward.
The path had now split into two.
The Heavenly Realm targeting Ryujiho, and the Heavenly Realm targeting the Jade Emperor.
Given that the Heavenly Realm was already insane enough to hunt humans, there was certainly a possibility they would target the Jade Emperor.
If that were the case….

“Then, Teacher, have you completely forgotten your first love?”
“Yes. I’ve forgotten. Completely.”
“You’re lying.”

Yerim turned over Gihyeongrang’s words and actions in her mind.
Gihyeongrang kept appearing before her, lingering awkwardly. Perhaps he was targeting her for some reason.
Though she couldn’t fathom why.

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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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