Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 64

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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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64.

Yeonhwa approached Hand Ogeong’s side.
Gazing upon the flawless formation sprawled across the ground, her mouth turned bitter.
Truly, the title of Jade Emperor—one whose greatness rivaled the heavens themselves—was well-deserved.
Despite carrying his bloodline, I could not surpass him. It was a laughable truth.
Regardless, setting aside such sentiments for now. The Evil Spirit would not rampage for some time yet.
I had bought time before the Evil Spirit’s seal could be broken.
In that window, I must eliminate the Heavenly Realm operatives.
Now there was only one. At least half must be eliminated before the Evil Spirit’s seal breaks.
I had waited for the Heavenly Realm operatives to approach first using Ryujiho as bait because tracking them was not easy.
But now I must track down the Heavenly Realm operatives myself and eliminate them.
Yeonhwa gazed at Hand Ogeong. His gaze was fixed steadily upon her.
She opened her mouth to issue her command.

“One week. Can you eliminate half of the Heavenly Realm operatives and return within that time, Hand Ogeong?”

In truth, it was a command bordering on the impossible.
They were hidden beneath the surface, sheltered under Gihyeongrang’s protection.
Had I been able to find them, I would have eliminated them all long ago.
But whether it was possible now or not was irrelevant. Even if it was impossible, he must make it possible.
It was Cheonuyhua’s command, after all.
Hand Ogeong bowed respectfully and answered.

“There is no question, Princess.”
“Good. I trust you.”

I trust you. At those words alone, Hand Ogeong’s heart trembled. It was something he could never have heard at any other time.
He swallowed a bitter laugh. How absurd that he was shaken by mere words.
…Still.
Hand Ogeong lifted his head. The woman’s figure was no longer visible.
He gazed quietly at the place where she had been, then concealed his presence.
The children were waiting. It was time to return home.

* * *

The atmosphere between the two seated at the table was grave.
It was a fact I couldn’t believe even seeing it with my own eyes. The Evil Spirit had exerted its power.
The sealed Evil Spirit had.
In such circumstances, the adults had sent them home.
Of course, I didn’t think their presence would be of much help even if they were there….

“Nothing will happen, right?”

I muttered the question while looking at Cheonhaerang. He appeared lost in deep thought.
I considered calling out to him but decided against it. Cheonhaerang likely had far more weighing on his mind than I did.
How could the Evil Spirit exert its power at all? Had the seal already broken? No, that couldn’t be it.
Then was it possible for it to exert such power while the seal hadn’t fully broken yet?
Did this mean the Evil Spirit had grown stronger? How much stronger?
Could we even stand against that Evil Spirit?
Honestly, dealing with just Kim Seulgi alone had been difficult enough.
A sigh escaped me without my realizing it.
I couldn’t fathom how things had come to this.

“You little ones. Were you waiting for me?”

At the familiar voice, Cheonhaerang and I jumped to our feet. The one we’d been waiting for stood there with an unbothered expression.
I hurried over to Hand Ogeong.

“Are you alright, Jade Emperor? You’re not hurt anywhere?”

At my concern, Hand Ogeong smiled mischievously and ruffled my hair.

“Well, being worried over like this isn’t so bad.”
“So you’re really alright?”

Cheonhaerang grasped Hand Ogeong’s hand resting on my head and pulled it down as he asked. At Cheonhaerang’s action, Hand Ogeong let out an exasperated sigh before answering.

“I’m fine. Who do you think I am? The Evil Spirit won’t be moving for a while, so don’t worry.”

With that, Hand Ogeong ruffled Cheonhaerang’s hair as well. As a result, both our heads were disheveled.
Though we’d fix it soon enough anyway. I glared at Hand Ogeong with narrowed eyes while tidying my hair, then asked.

“But how is this even possible? The seal hasn’t been broken yet, so how can the Evil Spirit move?”
“Isn’t that the reason you’ve already guessed?”
“Seriously? Has the Evil Spirit grown stronger than before? Why?”
“Because humans still exist, even if the times have changed.”
“….”
“You could say that human malice has only intensified since then.”

With Hand Ogeong’s words, silence settled over the room.
It seemed he’d posed a topic far too difficult for these youngsters. Hand Ogeong chuckled at the sight of their stern faces and ruffled their hair once more.

“Go wash up and get some rest now. You must be exhausted today. Oh, and just so you know, I won’t be coming home for about a week.”
“Where are you going?”

Cheonhaerang asked with some urgency. Hand Ogeong answered lightly, as if it were nothing.

“Well… a safety inspection?”
“Pardon?”
“You two—don’t do anything reckless just because there are no adults around. Cheonhaerang, you sleep in my room. Understood?”

At Hand Ogeong’s words, Cheonhaerang nodded obediently. Yet his eyes held countless unspoken questions.
Hand Ogeong deliberately ignored that gaze and flashed them both a bright smile.

“Take care of yourselves, both of you.”

With that farewell, Hand Ogeong vanished.
Watching him disappear, I felt an inexplicable unease wash over me. It felt like a parting farewell….

‘…No, it couldn’t be.’

I shook my head, trying to brush away the anxiety.
He was none other than the Jade Emperor. One who bore that title would not fall so easily.
I didn’t know where he’d gone or what he intended to do, but the Jade Emperor would be safe. I believed that.
Or rather, I wanted to believe it.
Besides, there were more pressing matters to consider right now.
I replayed Hand Ogeong’s words in my mind.

“Because humans still exist, even if the times have changed.”

“You could say that human malice has only intensified since then.”

Human malice had grown stronger.
The Evil Spirits had grown equally formidable.
Could we truly defeat such creatures?
Perhaps as long as humans drew breath in this land, evil would persist eternally.
Could it be that Evil Spirits, too, were immortal and indestructible?

“Jiho.”

At Cheonhaerang’s call, I snapped from my reverie.

“Huh? Yeah?”
“Do you want to shower first?”
“Me? First?”
“Yeah. I’ll go later. I have something to do.”
“Okay, got it. I’ll go wash up then.”

As I entered the room to grab my pajamas, Hand Ogeong’s words suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Don’t do anything improper when adults aren’t around.”

I had answered without thinking, but now my mind was suddenly full of thoughts.
Come to think of it, the conversation had been oddly suggestive—almost like newlyweds.

‘No, what am I thinking? Newlyweds? It’s just about showering. That’s nothing.’

Besides, we’d only just started dating. And we were still minors.
We hadn’t even progressed far enough to warrant such concerns. Anyway, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
I shook my head vigorously, banishing the indecent thoughts far away. Then something I’d forgotten came to mind.

‘When is Sister coming home?’

Since Yerim had messaged this morning that she’d be late with errands, I hadn’t heard from her since.
I had no idea when she’d arrived or where she’d gone.
There wasn’t really anywhere in the Human Realm for her to visit.

‘Surely she didn’t actually go to see Gihyeongrang… No, that can’t be it.’

I pushed away the thought that had suddenly surfaced and headed into the bathroom.
Cheonhaerang was no longer visible at the dining table.

* * *

He gazed quietly at the woman sleeping beside him. Her hair, dark as ebony, lay scattered across the pillow.
The woman breathing softly in slumber was less asleep than she was unconscious.
He carefully brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen across her forehead.
Eul was dead. Impatience had killed him.
It was the ending I had anticipated from the moment Eul came to find me himself. Yet I made no move to stop him.
Without even that much patience, he would only become an obstacle going forward. It was better he didn’t exist. Of course, there was some regret that I hadn’t eliminated him myself.
She had endured as well to reach this point.
I could have her again.
Even if only her body.
I wasn’t entirely ignorant of what thoughts drove this woman to approach me. Her intentions were transparent.
Of course, I had no intention of giving her what she desired. But I could certainly enjoy a fleeting diversion.
Perhaps that would quell the impulses that kept surging within me.
With such thoughts, he pressed his fingers against the woman’s lips.
The crimson space visible between her parted lips was so provocative that he could not restrain himself and drew her in again.
It did not take long before sweet sighs filled the room once more.

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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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