Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 84

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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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84.

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Yeonhwa tore her gaze from the distant children and looked toward Hand Ogeong.
Though Yerim could not perceive it, Yeonhwa had been positioned behind Hand Ogeong as well. She had witnessed precisely what Yerim had revealed.
It appeared to be an utterly ordinary book.
If Gihyeongrang had cast a barrier, his spiritual essence should have been detectable.
Hand Ogeong claimed to sense no aura from the book whatsoever—merely that it seemed like a book.
Yet Yeonhwa perceived an unmistakable presence. Seon Igyeong had been correct. The book itself was the barrier.
However, even without the barrier, Hand Ogeong would have failed to detect Seon Igyeong’s aura.
Seon Igyeong resonated only with the bloodline of the Patriarch.
And Seon Igyeong had revealed itself to Yerim of its own volition.
A divine artifact that discerned good from evil. It must have judged Yerim as righteous and acted accordingly.
Then.
Perhaps Seon Igyeong possessed the power to shatter Gihyeongrang’s barrier of its own accord.
So why had it refrained from doing so?
The Patriarch’s will? Or perhaps compassion for a woman who had lost her beloved, and for that woman’s child?

‘…Well, it hardly matters now.’

She concluded her brief contemplation.

“Come with me.”

Yeonhwa spoke with casual indifference, her tone carrying an air of inevitability.
At her words, Hand Ogeong’s pupils trembled for an instant. He concealed his urgency as he replied.

“It is dangerous.”
“Seon Igyeong will only reveal itself if I go.”
“There is no necessity for Seon Igyeong to manifest there.”
“To avoid detection by Gihyeongrang, the barrier must be broken and the artifact retrieved.”
“Breaking the barrier would only increase the risk of discovery.”

His resistance was absolute and unyielding. As Hand Ogeong’s objections continued unabated, Yeonhwa’s brow furrowed.
One would think he would understand by now.

“Why do you oppose this so vehemently?”
“As I have said, I am concerned for the Princess’s safety.”
“Even with me at her side?”
“….”

Hand Ogeong’s words caught in his throat. It was an answer he had not anticipated.
Unwavering faith directed at me. It felt different from what he usually showed.
My heart raced with an oddly frantic rhythm.
I did not wish to feel this sensation again.
He was not ignorant of the storm that would return the moment this trust turned away.
So he wanted to sever this trust. But he could not.
Words of refusal rose to his throat but would not cross his lips.
In the end, there was only one thing he could say.

“…I understand. I shall serve her.”
“Good. Then we shall move once the sun sets.”

The sky shrouded in dark clouds offered no glimpse of the sun, yet outside, the world grew steadily darker.

* * *

Thump. Thump.
Listening to the pleasant heartbeat echoing in her ears, Jiho hiccupped.
I had not wanted to cry like this. The moment I saw Yerim, my tears spilled forth as though the floodgates had broken.
Fortunately, Yerim’s appearance on the screen looked well enough. At least outwardly, there seemed to be no injuries.
Perhaps it was because only her face was visible, but her skin seemed to have a lustrous sheen to it.
Seeing her looking so well, my heart found some peace. Yet that only made the tears flow more freely.
At least for now. At least Gihyeongrang had not yet done anything to Yerim.
But who could say what lay ahead?
What would become of Yerim once he discovered that Seon Igyeong had been spirited away?
Should she not escape that residence as soon as possible?

“Have you finished crying now?”

At the tender question, Jiho lifted her head.
When their eyes met, the Young Man’s lips curved upward as he gently wiped her cheeks with a warm hand.

“They called me a crybaby. But it seems our Jiho is no less formidable?”
“…And you? Were you not worried?”

If asked that way, Cheonhaerang had certainly tried his part. But it wouldn’t have been to the extent that Jiho had.

“I did too. That’s why I’m at ease now. Because you seem fine, noona.”
“But right now… if Gihyeongrang notices. What happens after that? Shouldn’t we bring her quickly?”

Tonight, the Jade Emperor said he would visit Gihyeongrang’s Residence where Yerim was.
The Jade Emperor was certain that Gihyeongrang wouldn’t return tonight.
Was that because Gihyeongrang appeared during the fight with Yueul?
Where had Gihyeongrang taken Yueul?
Honestly, Cheonhaerang hadn’t thought Gihyeongrang would care for Yueul to that extent.
Why only Yueul?
If the reason was that they were both of the Heavenly Realm, then the same should have applied to Kim Seulgi.
But he hadn’t appeared then.
Moreover, Yueul—or rather, Eul of the Heavenly Realm—had been killing other members of the Heavenly Realm.
To grow stronger.
This ultimately meant that Gihyeongrang had permitted it.
What was the reason? Did Gihyeongrang have some bond with Eul? Was he that emotional?
No matter how much I thought about it, I still couldn’t believe it.
But looking at it differently, this meant that Yueul and—

‘Yerim noona could also become Gihyeongrang’s weakness.’

If used well, she could make an excellent bait.
If judged coldly and cruelly, that was the case.
Cheonhaerang cast a scornful glance at himself upon this sudden realization of his own cruelty.
I hadn’t known I would come to realize I resembled someone in this way.
Cheonhaerang pulled himself from his thoughts and patted Jiho’s back reassuringly.

“Let’s trust our Jade Emperor and noona for now. He’ll tell us what to do.”

At Cheonhaerang’s words, Jiho gave no answer and buried her head in his embrace once more.
Thump. Thump. Listening to Cheonhaerang’s heartbeat, she struggled to suppress the anxiety that rose like wisps of smoke.

* * *

As night fell, the rain that had poured all day ceased as if it had never been.
Jiho sat in the Pavilion, gazing up at the night sky. Stars glimmered across the heavens now that the dark clouds had dispersed.
The Jade Emperor and Yeonhwa had departed for Gihyeongrang’s Residence. She remained here with Cheonhaerang.
Each time an inexplicable anxiety surged through Jiho unbidden, she tightened her grip on the hand Cheonhaerang held.
He surely noticed her distress, yet Cheonhaerang asked nothing. He simply held her hand in return.
Gazing at the densely scattered stars that glimmered above, Jiho prayed this night would pass without incident.
But her prayer proved meaningless in the end.
A sudden chill seized Jiho, and her body trembled violently. Her fur bristled as if warning of danger.
She knew this sensation.
So did Cheonhaerang.
Their eyes met. In that single glance, countless words passed between them.
It was in that moment.
Clang—!
A sharp sound rang out across the vast expanse.
Jiho transformed into Baekho. Without hesitation, Cheonhaerang leaped onto her back.

Kekeke.
Seize the divine beast! Let us devour the young divine beast!

A grotesque laughter echoed. Through the fractured barrier, Evil Spirits—or more precisely, fragments of the Evil Spirit—poured in like a flood.

Catch it!
Delicious prey!
Mine!

How had Gihyeongrang even discovered this place? There was no time to ponder such questions.
The adults were absent. In such circumstances, only one course of action remained.
I adhered to the principles of warfare. The Thirty-Six Stratagems—strategic retreat.
I had no idea where to go, but finding a place to hide seemed the wisest choice.
Cheonhaerang would handle the pursuing fragments somehow.
I ran with desperate fury.
Boom. Crash.
The earth crumbled in my wake. The fragments that soared into the air caught fire from the Five Elements’ flames, yet it was insufficient to eliminate them completely.

Do you think you can escape me? Kyahahaha!

By then, pitch-black yin energy had encircled them.
Jiho had no choice but to halt before the wall that blocked her path.
Cheonhaerang drew the Sword of Spiritual Dao and attempted to dismount from her back. But she blocked him.

“Growl. (Don’t come down.)”
“Jiho…?”
“Are you afraid?”

It was clear speech, not the cry of Baekho. Cheonhaerang gripped the Sword of Spiritual Dao tightly, steeling his resolve as he answered.

“…No. I’m not afraid.”
“Good. Then.”

Jiho gazed at the Evil Spirit fragments that surrounded them.

“We break through head-on.”

Jiho charged toward the fragments.

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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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