Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 55

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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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55.

Thump. Thump. My heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst right out of my chest.
In the dead of night, sharing a room with Cheonhaerang. Sleeping beside Cheonhaerang.
When I was younger, I’d often played with Cheonhaerang until exhaustion claimed us both, and we’d nap together.
But back then, I thought Cheonhaerang was a girl, and I was so young. This was entirely different now.
I wasn’t an adult yet, but I’d grown considerably. Though I’d never paid much attention before, I understood the desires between men and women.
And yet. In such a situation. Sleeping beside a boy I actually liked!
The only saving grace was that it wasn’t a single bed. The bed was large enough for two people to lie down comfortably with room to spare.
But what good did that do? Cheonhaerang would be lying right beside me.
Of course, we were only friends. And I trusted Cheonhaerang because of that.
Still, anything could happen. What if I reached out first instead of him?

‘No, no. What am I thinking right now! And about someone who just woke up!’

I slapped both my cheeks with my palms to regain my senses. My face stung slightly, but I barely noticed.
My entire attention was fixed on Cheonhaerang. He would be entering soon.
Thump. Thump. I pressed down on my racing chest. Then I pulled the blanket up to my neck and closed my eyes.
After all my internal turmoil, I’d decided the best course was to fall asleep first.
Not long after, I felt the door open. Every sense I possessed focused on Cheonhaerang entering the room.
I heard footsteps, and soon the blanket rustled as it was pulled back. A subtle fragrance tickled my nose.
We used the same shampoo and soap, yet somehow his scent was different. The fragrance emanating from Cheonhaerang felt mysteriously sweet.
Thump. Thump. My heart, which I couldn’t calm, raced even more wildly. I desperately hoped Cheonhaerang couldn’t hear the sound of my heartbeat.
Finally, the blanket that had been pulled back covered us again. I had a premonition. I would not be able to sleep this night.

“Jiho, are you asleep?”

For a moment, my mouth nearly opened without my realizing it. I struggled to keep my lips sealed, even as I felt Cheonhaerang’s gaze fixed upon me.

“I couldn’t tell you earlier, but I missed you so much. That’s probably why you appeared in my dreams.”

It must have looked like I was sleeping. Was that my mistake? Cheonhaerang continued speaking as if he knew I wasn’t asleep.

“Thanks to you, I was able to wake from that dream. It was such a long dream—I thought I’d never wake from it.”

What kind of dream was it? What dream would make him speak like that?
Had he dreamed of that day? The dream from when Gihyeongrang tried to kill Cheonhaerang.

“Jiho.”

My lips nearly parted again without my consent. I held back, again and again. I had to maintain the pretense of sleep.
Even if Cheonhaerang had already seen through my facade.

“When I saw you in the dream, I realized I couldn’t hold back anymore.”

Cheonhaerang’s voice resonated quietly like a melody.

“I like you.”

It felt as though a breeze was blowing from somewhere.

“I like you, Jiho.”

I couldn’t keep my eyes closed any longer. I turned to face Cheonhaerang. He was smiling like a pure white moon rising in the night sky.
I wanted to confirm it. We’re friends, aren’t we? Those words had lodged themselves in my mind and remained there still.

“…Is that as a friend?”
“No. Jiho, I….”

His hand covered her pale cheek.

“I want to date you.”

* * *

There was a common saying about this.
In a group attack, there’s no winning.
That saying was true.
I wasn’t being pushed back, nor was I tired, but as the demonic creatures continued to pour out no matter how many I cut down, I was beginning to grow irritated.
Moreover, Yeonhwa’s presence was distracting. Of course, she was a woman who didn’t particularly need my help.
Tired of merely playing around while warming up my body, I brought my staff down hard against the ground with a sharp crack.
A brilliant golden light burst from the tip of my staff, spreading across the ground like an underground current. Cracks began to form in the pitch-black space, following the golden light.
Soon, with a sharp sound, the space shattered.
As the space fractured into countless pieces, all the demonic creatures that had been troubling me vanished instantly.
I looked around. We were still in the School Courtyard.
I didn’t think I’d been fighting the creatures for that long, yet a fresh moon had already risen in the sky.
I swung my hand. Sharp fragments burst from my palm, flying toward a specific target.
The direction was clear, but the fragments didn’t reach what I intended.
Watching the fragments scatter into ash, I turned my head.
Someone was sitting on the railing of the School Rooftop.
Though the distance was considerable, my eyes saw them clearly. I opened my mouth.

“Eul.”

Eul laughed with a smirk.

“How honored I am that the Jade Emperor remembers my name?”

Sharp fragments flew from my hand once more. Simultaneously, something wrapped in chains shot toward Eul.
Just as it reached Eul’s vicinity, the chains suddenly unwound. Before Eul floated Imdonggu with a broken neck.
Then the fragments I’d launched embedded themselves into Imdonggu’s body with a dull thud.
Eul’s gaze passed indifferently over Imdonggu. His eyes turned toward Cheonuyhua, who hovered in midair.
Cheonuyhua looked at Eul with cold eyes and spoke.

“You and your master both make quite a show with your petty tricks. Even now—”

A crescent blade suddenly appeared, piercing Eul’s chest.
The blade passed through Eul’s chest, yet he seemed unaffected.

“How dare you insult me in such a manner.”

This Eul was nothing but an illusion. The real one wasn’t here.
With the crescent blade embedded in his chest, Eul simply laughed.

“I’m not eager to die just yet, Your Highness.”
“Unless your master commands it. Do you think I cannot find you?”
“Then I’ll have to hide even more carefully. I can’t let myself be caught by it, can I?”

With that, Yueul burst into childlike laughter, but his expression immediately turned blank as if he had never laughed at all.

“Your Highness, do you truly believe you can defeat us?”
“Do you think otherwise?”
“I’m not certain. Perhaps with Your Highness and the Jade Emperor, but can Cheonhaerang even properly wield the Sword of Spiritual Dao? That weak Cheonhaerang, now as before.”
“How dare you speak of such matters, you insignificant creature. Have you lost all sense of distinction, just like your master?”
“Your Highness should consider it carefully. Is it truly right for that Cheonhaerang to inherit the Patriarch’s legacy? Something Your Highness herself could never obtain despite all her struggles,”

Whoosh—!
Yueul’s words could not continue further.
Hand Ogeong’s staff cleaved through Yueul. His form grew faint and vanished.
The illusion shattered. Imdonggu, who had been suspended in the air, plummeted to the ground.
A rather gruesome scene unfolded upon the earth, yet no one’s gaze turned toward Imdonggu.
Hand Ogeong approached Yeonhwa’s side and handed her the lunar blade, speaking.

“I determined there was no need to listen further to that venomous three-inch tongue wagging.”
“…Very well.”

Yeonhwa answered softly and accepted the lunar blade. It vanished from her hand.
Yeonhwa gazed down at her own palm for a moment. She barely suppressed the urge to snap Eul’s neck with these hands.
Eul’s words were merely cunning whispers meant to drive a wedge between her and Cheonhaerang.
Cheonhaerang was a child she must protect. One she never wished to lose again.
Yes, that was certainly the case.

“Your Highness should consider it carefully. Is it truly right for that Cheonhaerang to inherit the Patriarch’s legacy? Something Your Highness herself could never obtain despite all her struggles,”

Why did that cunning remark linger in her mind like an unwelcome thorn? It seemed the accumulated exhaustion from recent events weighed heavily upon her.
Yeonhwa murmured as if sighing.

“…I wish to rest now.”

Hand Ogeong responded with deference.

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Hand Ogeong led the way. Yeonhwa followed behind him, closing her eyes for a moment as if exhausted.

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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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