Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 88

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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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88.

Yerim kept her dagger trained on my throat as she spoke.
It seemed far more plausible that this was a trap designed to lull me into complacency by feigning trustworthiness.

“How am I supposed to trust you?”

Yujeong, who had positioned herself beside Yerim, placed her hand against the wall and answered calmly.

“You need not trust me. But surely you trust the Princess herself.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know well enough—that I was close to the Princess.”

Just as I suspected. The moment she invoked Yeonhwa’s name, I knew it was a trap. A cold smile crossed my lips.

“So you intend to wield that silver tongue of yours?”
“I speak only the truth that you already know, Immortal. A truth I had long forgotten myself.”

A truth long forgotten. As those words echoed in my mind, my eyes widened.
Hum.
The formation array binding the barrier trembled. Yujeong continued, meeting my gaze as it quivered faintly.

“If I tell you what Gihyeongrang did to the Heavenly Realm, will you believe me then?”

Clang!
One of the formation seals shattered.

* * *

All was pitch darkness. Not merely the darkness of night, but an oppressive void saturated with yin energy.
I felt as though I were suffocating. No—it was as if something were already strangling me.

“Gasp!”

Yeonhwa clutched at my throat with both hands. There was something tangible there—yin energy twisted into the form of a rope.

“Princess Yeonhwa!”

Hand Ogeong, noticing Yeonhwa’s condition, hastily severed the spectral force coiling around her neck.
With a sickening sound, the severed yin energy scattered into the air like smoke.

“Hah… hah…”

Yeonhwa gasped for breath, leaning against Hand Ogeong as she grasped his arm.

“Are you hurt?”
“No. Not at all. Are you?”

Hand Ogeong was momentarily flustered by her resolute response, but quickly composed himself and spoke.

“Forgive my presumption, Princess Yeonhwa.”

With those words, Hand Ogeong swept Yeonhwa into his arms in one fluid motion. Seeing how she stumbled, he judged this approach far more practical.
It was the so-called princess carry—admittedly an embarrassing position—yet Yeonhwa did not seem to mind. Her thoughts were entirely consumed elsewhere.
Yeonhwa could not believe it. Gihyeongrang had indeed breached her father’s barrier and invaded before.
So it was certainly possible for him to penetrate a barrier she herself had erected.
But this… this should not be happening. She should not be sensing such yin energy.
No matter how much Gihyeongrang’s power had grown, he could not do this.
He was not yet a demigod.
But this was rather…
Yeonhwa glanced around. Demons now encircled them.
Cheonhaerang’s words echoed through her mind.
Gihyeongrang’s power, drawing near to the Evil Spirit.
He was merging with the Evil Spirit.

“…Is Gihyeongrang becoming the Evil Spirit itself, sister?”

Gihyeongrang’s power, merging with the Evil Spirit, drawing ever closer to it.
The Evil Spirit itself.
No.
Gihyeongrang had become something beyond the Evil Spirit.
Perhaps Gihyeongrang had already…

Hehehehe. The princess and the monkey.
Let’s devour them, devour them!
The monkey tastes bland. I prefer the princess.
The princess is mine!
Kiki. Let’s devour them!

The shrieks of the demons, unable to distinguish heaven from earth as they thrashed about, burrowed into her ears.
Yeonhwa spoke no lengthy words. She merely called upon Hand Ogeong’s name.

“Hand Ogeong.”
“Yes. I shall sweep them all away.”

In that same instant, the demons surged toward them.
A golden staff blazed brilliantly through the swarm of demons that darkened the air.

* * *

Kiki.

An unpleasant laugh echoed from afar.
Jiho tore her gaze from Cheonhaerang and looked toward the cave entrance. A demon stood there.
Though it had not yet penetrated the formation, Jiho understood. The barrier would soon shatter.

Baekho. We’ve found Baekho!

A spine-chilling voice, like metal scraping against metal, reverberated across the expanse. At once, the demons converged.

‘Damn it….’

There was no helping the curse that rose to her lips. It was already too late to unfold a new formation, and there was no guarantee that formation would hold either.
Yet the spiritual carapace still shielded them.

Seize Baekho!
Devour it! Devour it!
Master!

At the demon’s final cry, Jiho’s body froze. Damn it. She cursed softly once more.
The identity of the man standing leisurely at the entrance was far too clear.
It was Gihyeongrang.

“So you were hiding in a place like this, Jiho.”

At first glance, it was a somewhat affectionate call. Yet Jiho felt every hair on her body stand on end.
At this rate, I would die. She did not wish to perish yet. I had to escape.
But where? There was only one entrance, and I could not break through it.
Jiho’s mind raced anxiously. Then something came to her.
The Spring Water at the end of the cave.
Given its size and depth, there must surely be an entrance where water flowed in.
Honestly, it was little more than a gamble, but I desperately wanted to believe in it.
Against Gihyeongrang, her formation array was meaningless. Before I knew it, Gihyeongrang had drawn near.
Before the Evil Spirit’s carapace that Gihyeongrang could not break.
Yet even this carapace could shatter before Gihyeongrang at any moment.
Gihyeongrang placed his hand upon the carapace. A pitch-black aura flowed from his palm, engulfing the carapace.
Jiho could be certain of one thing. The carapace would soon break.
Then I had no choice but to entrust myself to even a one percent chance.
Rising from her seat, Jiho drew her bow. Seeing this, Gihyeongrang sneered.

“Jiho. I’m not a fool. Will you fall for it twice?”
“Yes.”

Jiho answered firmly and drew the bowstring. After all, this was merely buying a fleeting moment.
The instant I released the arrow, Jiho transformed into Baekho.
With Cheonhaerang upon her back, Jiho raced swiftly toward the end of the cave. Simultaneously, a sharp crack echoed.
Jiho understood.
The carapace had shattered.
Whoosh!
Demons poured into the carapace like a tidal wave.

White Bird, White Bird, where do you go?
White Bird, White Bird, come here.

The demons’ horrific voices echoed through the cave like a haunting refrain.
Jiho squeezed her eyes shut and opened them, pleading silently.

‘Please. Please help me.’

It was a wish directed at no one in particular, its true recipient unknown.
At last, I reached the Spring Water at the end of the Cave. I didn’t hesitate. Just as Gihyeongrang’s yin energy was about to touch me, I plunged directly into the Spring Water.
Splash!
The surface churned violently. The Demons that touched the water melted away on contact.

Screeeech!
Agh!

Ignoring the dying Demons entirely, Gihyeongrang gazed down into the Spring Water.
The deep spring was impenetrable—pitch black. As if something were beckoning, drawing him in with an irresistible pull.
If I’m to be drawn in, then so be it. I cannot miss this opportunity to seize the heart of Baekho.
Cheonuyhua and Hand Ogeong had arrived at this place as well. Even if the Demons born from me stand in their way, they cannot stop Hand Ogeong.
Then.
Splash!
The surface churned once more. Gihyeongrang descended into the Spring Water.

* * *

Within the Spring Water, Jiho—now transformed into human form—held Cheonhaerang’s body close. He still had not opened his eyes.
I swam through the spring. It was so deep that I could scarcely believe such a place could exist within a cave.
Yet strangely, I felt no suffocation. It was peculiar, but I had no time to dwell on it.
I had to escape the Spring Water.
I looked around. The place where water flowed in—I found it.
And finally.

‘Found it!’

I swam urgently, moving against the current.
The current was stronger than expected; I nearly lost my grip on Cheonhaerang. I tightened my arms around his body.

How long had I been swimming?
It was when I noticed light seeping through that I saw it.
A rustling sound—something was rushing toward me from behind. When I glanced back, I saw a pitch-black tendril that seemed ready to coil around me at any moment.
It was Gihyeongrang.

‘Please. Just a little further!’

Just a bit further and I could escape. I swam frantically, offering silent prayers with every stroke.
That was when it happened.
Kiiieek.
I had heard that cry before.
It was the wail of a Responsive Dragon.

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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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