Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 85

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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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85.

Slash! Slash!
The Evil Spirit’s clones that had been encircling them were severed by the blade.
A sturdy spiritual carapace surrounded them. The clones struggled to pierce through it, but it was no easy task.
Swish!
Surrendering to the wind, Cheonhaerang tightened his grip on the Sword of Spiritual Dao. It felt as though the events at Imdonggu’s Funeral Hall were repeating themselves.
The clones poured in endlessly.
Jiho, who had been running across the Plain the entire time, came to a halt. With the carapace in place, they were still safe for now.
Jiho looked around. Even as she cut down clone after clone with the Sword of Spiritual Dao, it felt as though their numbers never diminished.
As the saying goes, there’s no winning against a mob when you’re cornered. With their escape route blocked, there was no telling when this would end at this rate.

“This is endless. Isn’t there a way to wipe them all out at once?”

At Jiho’s question, Cheonhaerang fell into thought. The clones clung thickly to the carapace.
No matter how sturdy the carapace was, there was no telling what might happen before the Evil Spirit.
He had not yet become the complete master of the spirits. It meant he could not fully draw out their power.
For now, Kwiap should be fine, but if I were to summon the remaining Eungryong and Bonghwang, there’s no telling what could happen.
His body might not endure it and he could collapse like before. Then Jiho would worry about him again.
Yet he could not sustain this situation either.
Cheonhaerang made his decision. His highest priority had always been Jiho.
Right now, keeping Jiho safe came first.
Jingle.
A bell’s chime rang out softly. The clones faltered.
Jingle.
The bell chimed again. And then—
Whoooosh!
Dark clouds suddenly gathered across the starlit sky. A beast’s cry echoed out.
Screeeee.
It was a responsive dragon.
The clones clinging to the carapace panicked.

It’s a dragon! It’s a dragon!
This damn thing called forth Eul!
That son of a bitch! That’s the problem!

Crude curses filled their ears relentlessly.

Damn it, damn it, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, Cheonhaerang, kill him, kill him

The incantation-like words were chilling enough to raise the hair on one’s skin. Without realizing it, Jiho’s body trembled.
That was the moment.

Shriek!
Aaaah!
I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, Cheonhaerang, kill him, kill him

Clang! Crash!
The fragments struck by the Yeongryong’s rain thrashed about, pounding against the shell.
Those shaped like dark masses had holes pierced through them in various places, while those in human form had lost their limbs one by one.

Cheonhaerang, you damn bastard!

One of the fragments spewed curses and brought the shell down with violent force.
Clang!
Yet at the same moment, it became ensnared by something.
It was the Phoenix’s flame.
The Phoenix’s fire that wrapped around the fragments rendered them immobile.

Kill him! Kill him!
Argh! It’s burning! Help me!

It was utter pandemonium.
The screams of the fragments were so horrific that Jiho wanted to cover her ears. Just as she was about to fold them shut—

“Jiho.”

A gentle voice enveloped her ears. Jiho turned briefly to look at Cheonhaerang behind her.
The bronze blade gleamed brilliantly.
Jiho nodded. Then she rushed forward.
Shriek!
A single sword strike.
At last, the endless procession of fragments came to an end.
Jiho exhaled a sigh of relief. Then she spoke to Cheonhaerang.

“Cheonhaerang, you’ve worked hard.”

But there was no response. Instead, there came a dull thud as something struck the ground.
Jiho spun around urgently. Cheonhaerang, who should have been clinging to her back, lay crumpled on the ground.

“Cheonhaerang!”

Transformed into human form, Jiho frantically shook Cheonhaerang’s body.

“Cheonhaerang! Are you alright? Come to your senses!”

But there was no answer—only the sound of labored breathing.
Cheonhaerang’s body burned like a ball of fire.
Jiho didn’t know what to do. The Evil Spirit’s fragments were gone, leaving the area clean, yet the adults she could call for help still hadn’t returned.
Deciding she needed to move him somewhere more comfortable, Jiho transformed back into Baekho.
She was about to lift Cheonhaerang gently onto her back and run when—

“It’s been a while, Jiho. Have you been well?”

That voice, feigning warmth, was one Jiho had heard before.
Though not much time had passed, it felt like a memory from the distant past.
Kim Jeonghyeon, her teacher.
No—Gihyeongrang.

“Our Jiho seems to have missed me quite a bit. Your eyes are so ardent.”

Jiho let out a menacing growl toward Gihyeongrang, who was spouting nonsense.
But she knew it posed no real threat to him.
Gihyeongrang smirked mockingly, raising one corner of his mouth. Then he descended from the air.
As he walked with leisurely steps, Jiho bared her fangs at the sight of him, as if ready to tear him apart at any moment.
Jiho stomped one paw hard against the ground. A blue formation bloomed across the earth.
Gihyeongrang stopped in his tracks, bound by the formation.
So she was still a Baekho after all. She knew how to pull off such tricks.
Gihyeongrang chuckled softly and shattered the formation.
Seeing the formation crumble, Jiho was startled but showed no outward sign. She stomped the ground again with force.
Blue flames burst forth from her plump paw, engulfing Gihyeongrang. But the fire extinguished with a hiss just as quickly.
The young Baekho’s attacks posed no threat whatsoever to Gihyeongrang.
Before she knew it, he had drawn close. Yet he did not reach them.

“Ha.”

Gihyeongrang let out a cold sneer.
The ear shell of the Spiritual Ghost. It was what protected them.
A blade materialized in Gihyeongrang’s hand. He brought it down against the ear shell.
Clang!
But the blade bounced back. It was fortunate it hadn’t shattered outright.
Gihyeongrang clenched his teeth bitterly. Every time I faced something like this, a terrible sense of helplessness washed over me.
Clang. Clang-clang. Clang!
Whoosh!
The blade struck the ear shell relentlessly. Before long, arrows that had filled the sky descended toward the ear shell.
The arrows embedded themselves in the ear shell, yet it remained unbroken.
Gihyeongrang hurled the blade away. Then he placed his hand against the ear shell. Pitch-black yin energy poured forth from his palm.
Jiho didn’t want to flee from before Gihyeongrang like this.
But I also understood that continuing to stand my ground here would ultimately be meaningless.
What mattered most now was Cheonhaerang’s safety.
Just as the Demon and the Evil Spirit’s fragment had, Gihyeongrang too could not shatter the ear shell.
How long this ear shell, stained with yin energy, could protect us remained unknown, but escape was the priority now.
Jiho let out a growl toward Gihyeongrang, who was smiling while gazing into her eyes.
Above her body, a pure white bow materialized. Gihyeongrang’s gaze shifted to the bow.
Gihyeongrang recognized that bow.
Seowangmo’s bow.
Gihyeongrang cursed under his breath and increased the distance between them.

“You insignificant creature….”

Whoosh!
In an instant, the arrow split into multiple fragments and flew toward him. Gihyeongrang swung his hand.
A pitch-black barrier enveloped him. Yet the arrows pierced through it.
Crack!
The arrow that had flown to his very face crumbled into ash at the last moment.
Gihyeongrang slammed the ground in fury.
Boom! Rumble rumble!
The earth collapsed rapidly. The undulating black light emanating from his feet transformed into dozens of tendrils that shot forward with tremendous speed.
The tendrils had their target, but lost it just as quickly.
Crash!
Gihyeongrang leaped into the air above the crumbling ground and looked down.
In that moment, they had escaped.
Of course, he had no intention of letting them go. The heart of Baekho was far too important to him.
Behind Gihyeongrang, smoke billowed upward in thick plumes.
From within the smoke, dark masses burst forth. They were Demons he had created.
He commanded the Demons.

“Find Baekho.”

His loyal servants scattered in all directions.

* * *

I never would have dreamed that a Manor could be hidden in such a place.
Yeonhwa let out a hollow laugh as she surveyed the area around the Manor.
This Manor, surrounded by Forest, was connected to the Archery Range at the School Backhill.
It was true what they said—the darkest place is beneath the lamp. This must be what they meant.
The Massive Mansion, towering like a fortress, appeared utterly ordinary aside from its sheer size.
That was why no malevolent aura could be felt from it.

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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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