Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 87

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

87.

Somewhere along the way, sleeping beside Gihyeongrang had become habit. Without him, it took me an eternity to drift off, my mind restless and wandering.
I woke several times, thrashing about in the darkness, until at last I surrendered to deep slumber—only to awaken in this unfamiliar place.
Unlike the sprawling manor of some Human Realm magnate, this dwelling resembled my original home.
Yet I could sense with absolute certainty that it was not.
An unsettling presence emanated from everywhere—a malevolent aura unmistakably belonging to demons.
I surveyed the brightly lit chamber before walking toward the window and opening it.
Beyond the glass lay only darkness, as though morning had not yet arrived.
…Or perhaps morning would never come to this place at all.
Beyond the fence, a river was visible, its surface shrouded in thick mist.
But as a celestial maiden, I sensed something far more acute—the river brimmed with dense malevolent energy.
Seized by a suffocating sensation, I covered my nose and mouth, hastily slamming the window shut as I gasped for breath.

‘Where on earth am I?’

What place could harbor such overwhelming darkness?

‘And that smell of blood….’

It was no illusion. I detected it clearly—the acrid stench of blood drifting through the air.
Dozens must have perished to produce such a reek.
I was barely suppressing the nausea rising in my throat when—

“Did you cough, Miss?”

A familiar voice. Yueul.
I lowered my hand from my face and drew a deep breath. The metallic taste of blood still lingered at the edge of my senses.

“Yes, I’ve awakened.”

My voice emerged steady, thankfully composed. I exhaled softly in relief.

“Then I shall step inside for a moment.”
“Yes.”

The door creaked open. Yueul stepped inside, her expression as impassive as ever.
Standing at the threshold, Yueul showed no intention of approaching Yerim.
Yerim was about to ask where they were, but before she could speak, Yueul beat her to it.

“I have come to deliver Master’s orders.”
“Orders?”

Yerim asked in confusion. Yueul continued.

“You are not to leave this room, not even a single step.”
….

In that moment, I understood.
At the previous manor, I had been relatively free to move about inside.
But this was different. The reason for such an order was unmistakable.
Gihyeongrang had discovered me.

“Then please rest comfortably.”

Knowing full well that I could never rest easy, Yueul spoke those words and left the room.
The door shut with a soft click.
At the same moment, my legs gave way. I sank to the floor.
I had already known that Gihyeongrang did not trust me.
But then—was his absence also a trap? Did Gihyeongrang discover that I had found Seon Igyeong?
What had become of Seon Igyeong? Had the Jade Emperor confirmed it? Would he retrieve it?
My mind spiraled with unanswerable questions.
Yet all I could do now was trust in the Jade Emperor.

‘…No, wait. There is something else I can do.’

This time, she had completed her mission. She had found Seon Igyeong and informed the Jade Emperor.
Retrieving her was the Jade Emperor’s responsibility. Her work was finished.
Therefore, there was no need to obediently follow Gihyeongrang’s orders.
As Yerim walked toward the bed, she tore the sheet with a sharp rip. She wrapped the cloth around her face, having torn it to an appropriate size.
Without a mask, this makeshift cloth would serve as a veil instead.
With her nose and mouth bound tightly, Yerim opened the window once more.
Though the cloth veil muffled the scent of blood somewhat, the yin essence clinging viscously to her skin remained unchanged.
In truth, she could not guarantee a safe escape. She might be caught before getting far.
Yet she could not remain trapped in this room.
Yerim steadied her wildly pounding heart. After taking a deep breath, she vaulted through the window.
Landing lightly on the ground, Yerim surveyed her surroundings and moved toward the wall. She attempted to scale it directly.
But something blocked her path—she could not climb over. Yerim recognized it immediately. It was Gihyeongrang’s barrier.
Gihyeongrang had already anticipated that she would attempt something like this.
So Yueul would arrive soon.

“Miss.”

As expected. My prediction was not wrong. Given this situation, there was only one option.
Though the time was brief, during those moments observing Gihyeongrang, I had reached a conclusion.
Gihyeongrang would not kill me. He could not kill me. Because….
In the end, I could not kill him either.
My resolve, which I had grasped so firmly, crumbled to nothing once again.
The celestial maiden Yerim could not pierce the heart of the guilty Gihyeongrang.
But if that were the case, there was an excellent means of coercion available.
Yerim quickly drew a dagger and aimed it at her own throat. Yueul, who had been approaching to apprehend her, froze.

“Miss.”
“Yueul, aren’t you curious? If the one you call ‘Miss’ were to take her own life, what do you think would become of you?”

Her unwavering voice was brutally cold. Yueul could not afford to move recklessly.
It was an unforeseen situation. Threatening with one’s life itself.
Had it been anyone else, I would have dismissed them long ago. But the woman before me was different.
At first, I had thought she was merely a woman my Master toyed with for amusement. Not even a single night, but something he would tire of quickly.
My Master, who had surrounded himself with such beautiful women yet never spared them a glance. I had believed it would be a fleeting interest.
But later, I heard from Eul. Yerim was my Master’s former lover.
His first and last woman.
The one he had loved so deeply. Perhaps… even now.
That Master of mine.
Honestly, it was hard to believe. Love. What was it that created such variables?
What on earth was such a trivial thing?

“Princess, yourself.”

A memory flashed through my mind in an instant, followed by a splitting headache that crashed down upon me.
I tried to endure it, but Yujeong could only collapse, clutching her head.
In the memory, she was gazing at someone.
That princess. Calling out to Cheonuyhua.
The princess looked somewhere distant beyond the window. She did not turn around at her call.
She stood her ground in silence. How long had she remained like that?
Finally, the princess turned. She turned to face her and smiled.
As if to say it was all right.

“I’m fine, Jeong.”

A lie. She swallowed the words that had risen to her throat. Love had destroyed the princess.
To such a princess.

‘…What did I ever do for her?’

“Ahhh!”

My head felt as though it would burst. Unfamiliar memories continued to pour in.
The two of them—her and the princess—laughing together as they crossed their spiritual blades.
Wherever the princess went, she was by her side. Even when a man stood beside the princess.
She gazed at the man with sparkling eyes—the princess did—and she watched with contentment.
She had loved the princess.
As her long-time companion.

“Gasp!”

Yujeong exhaled in ragged, labored breaths.
All those memories—forcibly erased—came flooding back.
Even the transgressions deserving of death as repayment.
Yujeong lifted her head. Yerim was striking the wall repeatedly with her short blade, attempting to shatter the barrier.
Yet Yujeong knew that such crude force would never break it.
It was a barrier woven with intricate formation patterns—devilishly complex and difficult to unravel. Gihyeongrang himself had crafted these formations.
Only by dismantling the formation, even partially, could one touch the barrier itself.
Struggling to her feet, Yujeong approached Yerim. Sensing her presence, Yerim spun around, redirecting her blade toward her own throat with unwavering resolve.
Yerim’s gaze remained fixed upon Yujeong without the slightest tremor of hesitation.

“Don’t come closer. One more step and I’ll do it for real. Do you think I can’t?”
“There is no need for such measures, Yerim.”
“What?”
“The formation must be dismantled to break the barrier. Allow me to dismantle it for you.”

The way she addressed me had changed. Not “miss”—but “Yerim.” She had called me by that name.
The atmosphere had shifted as well. The formality remained, yet something subtle had transformed.
Most of all, Yujeong’s compliance was far too swift.

‘She changed just like that? Because I threatened her?’

That made no sense. Was it a trap then? Could it be… that Gihyeongrang is coming?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————