Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 97

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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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97.

The air above the table had grown heavy and oppressive. As morning broke, the four of them gathered.
Cheonhaerang was the first to break the suffocating silence, as the others merely studied one another’s expressions.

“I’ve thought of a way to draw Gihyeongrang out of that space.”

It was the method they had all been contemplating. Yet what Cheonhaerang proposed was slightly different.

“What Gihyeongrang desires is the heart of the young Baekho. But does that Baekho truly need to be the real one? We only need to lure him for a moment.”
“You mean to deceive him with a counterfeit?”
“Yes.”

Hand Ogeong nodded at the question. He understood what Cheonhaerang was thinking and why he proposed this.

“Will that actually work on Gihyeongrang?”

Yeonhwa asked, her tone skeptical of the plan.
In the past, perhaps. But the current Gihyeongrang would likely see through it.
Moreover, Cheonhaerang would need to complete his task in that fleeting moment when Gihyeongrang’s eyes were deceived.
Was it possible? Honestly, there was no way to know.

“I trust the Jade Emperor.”

Cheonhaerang answered, his eyes brimming with conviction as he gazed at Hand Ogeong.
Yeonhwa and Jiho’s gazes naturally turned toward Hand Ogeong as well. He had always been confident, yet in this moment, he seemed uncharacteristically flustered.

“You can do this, can’t you, Jade Emperor?”

At Cheonhaerang’s question, Hand Ogeong’s eyes darted back and forth between Yeonhwa and Jiho.
Jiho’s eyes were particularly bright and eager—much like Cheonhaerang’s.
Of course, he could craft an elaborate counterfeit. The real question was whether Gihyeongrang would see through it, just as Yeonhwa had asked.
He also had to consider whether Gihyeongrang would truly emerge from that space.
Hand Ogeong spoke.

“What if Gihyeongrang orders Yueul to do something?”
“No. That won’t happen. He’s the one who revealed himself before Jiho from the very beginning. His intentions are unmistakable. He’ll want to see it with his own eyes and obtain it with his own hands. It’s the most important thing to him, after all.”

In a way, it was cruel words to hear. Yet Jiho believed in the warmth of the hand holding her.
At Cheonhaerang’s confident words, Yeonhwa fell into thought for a moment.
He wants to see it with his own eyes and obtain it with his own hands.
Reflecting on Gihyeongrang up to now, it wasn’t an inaccurate assessment.
Gihyeongrang had rarely revealed himself directly before them.
When his desires were clear. Gihyeongrang revealed himself at the forefront.
Then, it was worth gambling on Cheonhaerang’s words.
Having finished her thoughts, Yeonhwa opened her mouth.

“All right. Let’s try it that way first. Hand Ogeong, you can do it, right?”

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Hand Ogeong once more. Hand Ogeong answered with some reluctance.

“…I’ll give it a try for now.”

* * *

The school, where even teachers no longer remained, was saturated with a dense, suffocating malevolence that clung to the skin.
Despite the broad daylight, a desolate chill permeated the air, and Cheonhaerang found himself trembling involuntarily.
It had been only days since the school closure order was issued, yet the school had transformed so drastically in the absence of students.
Of course, this also meant that Gihyeongrang’s influence had grown that much stronger.
The barrier protecting this land had become all but useless.

Kee-kee-kee!
Kee-aaagh!
Devour them! Devour them!

Demons materialized in an instant, rushing toward them. Cheonhaerang immediately unfurled the spirit tortoise’s carapace.
The repelled demons clung to the carapace in frustration.
Within moments, the carapace was so densely covered with demons that nothing lay visible beyond it—a writhing, pitch-black mass.
Clang! Clang!
The savage sound of demons hammering against the carapace echoed through the air.
Yeonhwa closed her eyes quietly. Beneath her feet, a luminous beam of white light extended outward.
The light traced the presence of all beings save the demons. Simultaneously, she opened a passage to the underground where the Evil Spirit lay sealed.
That was the moment.
A brilliant flash tore through the air!
The demons clinging to the carapace were severed in an instant. The extended beam of light scattered.
Beyond the now-pristine carapace, Yeonhwa glimpsed a figure standing there. She faltered, words escaping her lips unbidden.

“…Jeong?”

It was no mistake. Standing before her was Jeong, her old friend.

“Sister?”

Cheonhaerang called out to Yeonhwa, but she could not tear her gaze from Jeong.
Cheonhaerang did not know who this woman was, but one thing was unmistakably clear—she was from the Heavenly Realm.
The woman stood motionless, as though rooted to the ground.
Cheonhaerang was deliberating whether to strike first when—

“Welcome to Seonhwa High School. To mark this occasion, I’ve prepared a performance for your entertainment. Do enjoy the show.”

It was Gihyeongrang’s voice. Cheonhaerang surveyed his surroundings. Yet Gihyeongrang was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, only a single woman stood before their eyes.
The woman had drawn impossibly close in an instant.

“Princess.”

A trembling voice pierced their ears.
And then—
A sickening sound tore through the silence!

“…!”

Yeonhwa couldn’t even scream. It felt as though lightning had struck her head.
The scene before her eyes—she witnessed it with her own eyes, yet she couldn’t bring herself to believe it.
A searing flame pierced through Jeong’s heart.

“No! No, Jeong!”

There was no room in her mind for reason or logic.

Had it not been for the arm encircling her waist, Yeonhwa would have already rushed toward Jeong.

“You cannot, Princess.”
“Let go! Release me!”

Yeonhwa struggled to break free from Hand Ogeong’s grip.
Even if they had parted without a proper farewell.
Even if their reunion had been far from joyful.
Even if the inevitable end was death itself.
It should not have happened before her eyes.
Not if it meant… self-sacrifice.

“This one excels at illusions. It is likely a trap.”

Hand Ogeong’s words were cold and rational. Yet they could not sway Yeonhwa.

“You’re saying that’s false? How could that possibly be an illusion!”

The death of her cherished friend before her eyes was enough to shatter her completely.
As was the apology that came with death.
Within the agony of her body burning away, Jeong spoke her truth.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Princess….”

The moment Jeong saw the demons eliminated and the princess standing safely within her protective barrier, Gihyeongrang’s voice echoed through her mind.

Die.
Before Cheonuyhua.
That is your final mission.

From the heart where the spark of fire had taken root, flames slowly blossomed forth.
I stood before the princess, following Gihyeongrang’s will.
To better show the princess the death that would be consumed by fire.
Self-determination was my own will, yet not my own will.
After the brainwashing shattered and all memories returned, Jeong wanted to apologize to Yeonhwa.
Even if I could not greet her warmly, I did not wish to part in this manner.
Yet even death could not be mine alone.
My heart had become Gihyeongrang’s.
It should have succeeded then. It should have.
And yet I have become the princess’s burden once more.
Still. Still, just this once.
Jeong closed her eyes. Tears traced down her cheeks and fell to the ground.

“No!”

A piercing cry erupted, and light blazed forth.
When the light faded, only scattering gray ash remained in its place.
Yeonhwa collapsed helplessly.

“Princess! Are you all right?”
“Sister! Are you okay?”

The voices asking if I was well echoed distantly in Yeonhwa’s ears.
Jeong had vanished before my very eyes.
Forcibly, by Gihyeongrang’s hand.
It was Gihyeongrang’s energy, spreading thickly from the heart.
Yeonhwa bit her lip. Unbearable tears soaked her cheeks.
Even if it had been brainwashing.
If asked whether I could forgive Jeong, who had already committed sins, I could not bring myself to say yes.
Yet I had not wished for such self-destruction.
Such a futile self-destruction.
If Jeong had to die, she should have died by my own hand at least.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Princess….”

I wanted to send her off with my own hands. To bear even a fraction less of the guilt.
But everything had come to naught.
I could do nothing for my long-time friend.

“Oh my. That performance was quite moving, wasn’t it, sister?”

A familiar voice echoed through the air, and in an instant, Demons materialized, encircling us.
Cheonhaerang lifted his head. His prediction had been correct. Gihyeongrang, whose desires were unmistakable, had finally revealed himself.
Cheonhaerang grasped Jiho’s hand and pulled her behind him.
Gihyeongrang hovered in the void. His eyes gleamed as he gazed upon Jiho.

“I never expected you to walk into death of your own accord.”

Gihyeongrang harbored not a shred of doubt. Cheonhaerang’s eyes met Hand Ogeong’s in a fleeting glance.
Hand Ogeong’s eyes widened sharply. Simultaneously, the earth surged upward.
Kugung! Kugung!
Flames engulfed the rising ground, rushing toward Gihyeongrang.
Yet before reaching him, they shattered and vanished. I had thought that would be all.
But.
Ssshhh—.
A single tendril of fire grazed Gihyeongrang’s cheek. The unextinguished flame coiled around his neck.
He understood.
It was the last remaining, Jeong’s meager will.

“…How amusing.”

Gihyeongrang twisted one corner of his mouth upward. Beyond the flame encircling his neck, a golden staff gleamed.
Hand Ogeong’s voice came from behind.

“I think we’re not quite finished yet. Wouldn’t you agree, Gihyeongrang?”

Gihyeongrang turned to face Hand Ogeong directly.

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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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