Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 80

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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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80.

[That’s the only way Eul can grow stronger.]

With that, Hand Ogeong produced something and showed it to them.
Inside a transparent glass vial lay a single crimson bead.
It didn’t look like an ordinary marble. Something was undulating within the bead itself.

[It’s the source of Cheongan’s power. Gihyeongrang’s blood. With this blood, Gihyeongrang enslaved Cheongan, and Cheongan became a thrall devoid of self.]

The bead struck the glass vial with a sound that thundered through the air.

[Originally there were two beads. But they merged into one. Since their origins are the same, they’re absorbed. That’s why Eul keeps hunting Cheongan down—to absorb the power. And this bead would desire the same.]
“But when Kim Seulgi was killed, no such bead appeared, did it?”

It was Yeonhwa who answered Jiho’s question first.

“It was because of the Spirit-Purifying Sword. The sword purified the bead and caused it to vanish completely.”
[That’s why I contacted you, Princess. We need to purify it with the Spirit-Purifying Sword before Eul finds the bead.]
“Can you come?”
[There is no question of it.]

A sharp sound rang out as fingers snapped. Soon, Hand Ogeong’s form, which had been shimmering in empty space, solidified into being.
Hand Ogeong had crossed the distance effortlessly.
The white bird that had been perched on Yeonhwa’s palm flew to him, rubbing its head against his face before settling once more on her shoulder.
Hand Ogeong handed the glass vial to Yeonhwa. She accepted it and quietly examined the bead within.
Something undulating inside the bead. A peculiar energy emanated from it.
A thought flashed through her mind. Yeonhwa cried out to Cheonhaerang.

“Cheonhaerang! Hurry and draw the Spirit-Purifying Sword! Shatter the bead!”
“What? Yes.”

Cheonhaerang instinctively drew the Spirit-Guiding Sword. Yeonhwa threw herself into his arms like a glass bottle being tossed.
Then she bent down urgently. She placed one hand against the ground. A burst of light exploded from her palm.
In that instant, as if to protect them, Hand Ogeong stepped forward to block their path. And at the same time.
A sharp metallic clash—!
Another resonant ring!
Hand Ogeong’s staff collided with something that had shattered through the window. It was a pitch-black tendril.

“How troublesome. You shouldn’t have done that. I needed that, you see?”

Yueul.
Eul of Cheongan. Beyond the shattered window, Yueul strolled forward at leisure.
Observing the barrier Yeonhwa had created, Yueul let out a soft chuckle.

“You have good instincts, Princess.”
“Eul, your opponent is me.”

With Hand Ogeong’s words, dozens of sharp fragments flew toward Yueul.
A violent crash echoed through the air as dust swirled. Yet Hand Ogeong knew the truth—the attack had not reached Yueul.
The demons surrounding them were proof of that.
No, they were not demons.
They had felt this ominous energy before.
Fragments of the Evil Spirit.
Multiple fragments split apart, yet when combined, they were one.
Yueul had appeared commanding the Evil Spirit’s fragments.
The fragments were attempting to shatter Yeonhwa’s barrier.
Crash. A tremendous boom!
The sound of destruction echoed across heaven and earth. This was the moment Yueul was occupied with Hand Ogeong.
Watching the barrier crack further, Yeonhwa spoke with utmost composure.

“Cheonhaerang, break it now. We’re running out of time.”

Startled by the sudden turn of events, Cheonhaerang quickly regained his focus.
A sharp ring—a violent crack!
The Spirit-Guiding Sword pierced the orb. Simultaneously, the barrier split open.
A brilliant burst of light erupted from the sword. The fragments attempting to breach the barrier could not open their eyes properly.

“No!”

Yueul, who had been blocking Hand Ogeong’s attacks, cried out, but the situation had already concluded.
The purified split forms vanished in the light, and those within the barrier disappeared as well.
Only Hand Ogeong remained in the ruined house.
Yueul ground his teeth in frustration. If only it weren’t for Hand Ogeong.
This man had obstructed him time and again.
Even knowing victory was impossible, his competitive spirit blazed. If he couldn’t win, he would at least inflict wounds.
A fireball erupted from Yueul’s palm, hurtling toward Hand Ogeong.
It had come to this—a full-scale confrontation with Hand Ogeong.
Hand Ogeong casually swatted the fireball away with his staff, then lightly tapped his shoulder with it, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

“So, shall we have some real fun?”

* * *

Yerim sprawled across the sofa, flipping through channels with the remote before finally turning off the television.
Life in this place was, if anything, remarkably peaceful.
Though she spent most of her time on the bed, Gihyeongrang occasionally took her outside to see the sights.
Last time, she had even swum in the pool outside. Though afterward, she had spent quite a bit of intimate time with him.
In any case, it was too comfortable to call it confinement.
Had she still been in a romantic relationship with Gihyeongrang, she might have been satisfied with this life.
But she had a mission—to find Jeong Seon-i.
Gihyeongrang had remained constantly present, guarding the mansion.
Yet she knew the truth. Last night, Gihyeongrang had left the mansion.
Somehow, the Jade Emperor had sent a messenger in the meantime.
The message was that Gihyeongrang might leave the mansion within a short time.
When that happened, she was to search for Jeong Seon-i.
She was told not to make contact to avoid being discovered. Yet she couldn’t understand why he contacted her again.
Though the contact had been helpful.
In any case, it seemed Gihyeongrang hadn’t noticed.
And as if to prove the Jade Emperor’s words correct, Gihyeongrang had left the mansion today.
Though she could have searched freely, Gihyeongrang demonstrated that he still didn’t fully trust her.
He had left someone to watch her.
Her name was Yueul, if she recalled correctly. The face wasn’t unfamiliar—she had seen her occasionally in Baekokgyeong.
From what she’d heard, she was supposedly an old friend of Princess Yeonhwa.
How must the princess have felt seeing her old friend transformed? It was probably not so different from how she herself felt about Gihyeongrang.
Yerim cut off the train of thought and rose from the sofa.
She had shown enough of lounging about and wasting time. It was time to move.
Whoosh. The sound of rain pouring since morning continued unabated.

“May I look at some books in the study?”
“There were no restrictions placed on where you may go.”

Yueul answered politely. Yerim spoke with fresh confidence.

“Then would you guide me to the study? I don’t know where it is.”
“Yes, of course.”

Without the slightest suspicion, Yerim followed along behind her guide.
The Jade Emperor’s words echoed in her mind.
When she had asked what to do if she carried the Heavenly Seal on her person, the Jade Emperor had answered her question.

[The Heavenly Seal distinguishes between good and evil. Moreover, only those recognized as its master can use it freely, and its appearance can be concealed as well.]

[I believe you understand by now.]

After saying this, the Jade Emperor vanished before she could ask anything further.
Yerim turned the Jade Emperor’s words over in her mind.
The Heavenly Seal distinguishes between good and evil.
Only those recognized as its master can use it freely, and its appearance can be concealed.
Then did the Jade Emperor believe that the Heavenly Seal, one of the celestial treasures, did not recognize Gihyeongrang as its master?
But then why did Gihyeongrang possess the Heavenly Seal in the first place?
If Gihyeongrang could not become the master of the Heavenly Seal, did that mean Gihyeongrang had stolen it?
Unanswered questions piled upon one another endlessly.
Before long, they arrived at the study.
Yueul personally opened the study door. As Yerim stepped inside, she turned to Yueul with a puzzled expression.

“Aren’t you coming in?”
“I will wait outside.”
“Alright then.”

Yerim silently cheered to herself. Honestly, she had expected her to follow inside. It was a stroke of luck that she hadn’t.
The door closed with a soft click.
Yerim took a deep breath and surveyed the study. A subtle fragrance of books drifted through the air.
The study was vast enough to rival a modest library. It seemed to contain nearly every book imaginable.
Did Gihyeongrang really read books so diligently? With such a frivolous thought, she began to walk slowly through the space.

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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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