Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 41

Chapter 41

At Yeoryeong's words, Arin's face lit up.

"Really? When? Is he coming to take Seol away?"

Arin peppered her with questions like a chirping chick, and Yeoryeong smiled faintly.

"I'm not sure about that."

She chuckled and glanced at Muje.

To freely enter and leave the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts, you'll need to befriend Arin first.

We're already close.

Being close in that form is useless.

That's different.

As Muje protested, Yeoryeong replied shamelessly,

I only promised to help you become friends.

...Swindler.

Muje muttered under his breath, and Yeoryeong laughed. He was still young—teasing him was fun.

Shall I tell her now that you're Seol?

No.

Muje refused immediately. In truth, he was secretly worried that Arin's attitude might change if she learned the truth. He had never been sociable to begin with—could he really become friends with her? Better to keep Seol's identity hidden for now.

I'll tell her myself when the time comes.

Having expected resistance, Yeoryeong was relieved when he readily agreed. He must have grown quite attached over the week.

Good. And it would be best to avoid any further involvement in the slums—it could be connected to the Black Demon clan.

At the mention of the Black Demon, Muje's eyes flickered. They were the ones who had stolen his Yeouiju and left him half-crippled.

They might have noticed you're here.

...I did use some power that day.

You used your power?

That brat tried to attack Arin.

Even knowing he might be discovered, using his power had been an instinctive reaction. Muje, too, had been surprised by his own actions and admitted his mistake.

I couldn't help but intervene. Fortunately, Arin and that boy didn't notice.

Of course, if someone else had been nearby, it might be a different story.

You must be careful. They might be targeting you.

It didn't seem like they were after me. They seemed to be chasing that boy.

I see.

Yes. Hurry before they find him.

As Muje readily provided information, Yeoryeong's eyes narrowed. He was normally indifferent to matters that didn't concern him—but he seemed worried about Arin's safety. For someone who had spent a week being treated like a lizard, he appeared remarkably at ease. More so than when he had been alone in the village.

Hmm. No wonder Dogyeong was so upset.

Seeing why Dogyeong had been especially sensitive, Yeoryeong's lips curled into a faint smile.

Understood. Leave this to me and Dogyeong.

After finishing their conversation, Yeoryeong led Arin inside for training. This left Dogyeong and Muje alone. After a long silence, Dogyeong spoke telepathically.

Don't take an interest in Arin.

That will be difficult. I'm already interested.

At Muje's refusal, Dogyeong's eyes sharpened.

You already have a betrothed. This isn't proper.

That betrothal was arranged without my consent. And I only want to be her friend.

A friend, freezing to death.

Dogyeong could tell at once that Muje's feelings were more than friendly. What man would risk danger for a friend he'd only known a few days? And Baek Muje at that—the White Dragon King would laugh and tell him not to lie.

Still, now that he couldn't stop their relationship, Dogyeong was deeply displeased.

"The two children's powers can protect each other. So at least until Arin becomes accustomed to her divine power, don't interfere with them being together."

For now, they were still young and didn't seem to understand the nature of their feelings. But if they ever did, it would be truly impossible to separate them.

You must keep that promise.

Of course.

Muje answered plainly and lay down facing the room where Arin had disappeared. His words and actions were completely at odds—like a dog waiting for its master. Dogyeong bit his lip.

The fact that Arin had actually been Muje's betrothed—that, he would never, ever tell him.

---

Late at night, Dogyeong and Yeoryeong quietly headed toward the slums. Both wore black robes and veils to hide their faces.

Dogyeong fidgeted with his sword scabbard. "So the foal is hiding here."

"Yes. Having sensed a White Dragon's power, he may have fled."

Yeoryeong's eyes gleamed sharply.

"Muje said their goal seemed to be orphans."

"Kidnapping, then."

"Yes. If it were that simple, it would be fine—but if they're targeting that boy, the story changes."

The Black Demon clan, which had been quiet for some time, had begun moving again. This could be connected to the missing Hyeokgwang.

"We need to find him first. Then we'll understand their intentions."

"Yes."

A moment later, a bell sound reached Yeoryeong's ears.

"It seems they've been found."

Yeoryeong began moving slowly toward the sound. The bleak night wind stirred the veils on their hoods. As they approached the source of the sound—

"Aaagh!"

With a desperate scream, a boy burst out of an alley. Dogyeong subdued him without hesitation.

"Let me go!"

The boy struggled, but he was no match for Dogyeong's strength.

"Stay still."

Dogyeong pressed him with the power of the Twelve, and the boy slumped, unable to resist. Then, spotting the men chasing him, Dogyeong's eyes flashed.

"Take the child."

"Very well. Go easy on them."

Yeoryeong took the unconscious child into her arms and stepped back. A group of ten hooded men surrounded Dogyeong.

"Who are you? If you want to live, leave that brat and get lost!"

As the apparent leader threatened, Dogyeong picked at his ear.

"A foal's barking somewhere."

"...What?"

"Ah, I smell horse dung from your direction."

"This bastard's asking to die!"

"Oh, that's what I'm saying. Are you all asking to die? A mere lackey picking a fight with a leader? Is that how your chief taught you?"

At his natural, flowing insults, the men lost their composure and charged at once.

"Oh, reckless too, these fools. Ignoring my kind warning."

Dogyeong struck the ground with his scabbard.

Boom!

With that single motion, the ground beneath the hooded men gave way.

"Aaaagh!"

Suddenly trapped in a pit, they coughed and sputtered. Some had lost consciousness from the fall.

"Now we can see eye to eye."

Dogyeong crouched and asked,

"Why are you after that boy?"

Belatedly recognizing him, one man shouted grimly,

"We don't tell the Divine Maiden's lackey anything!"

In his excitement, he didn't even realize he had let slip important information. Dogyeong murmured,

"Oh, so you were after him."

"..."

The assassin's expression darkened.

"We only kidnap children!"

"That's a lame excuse. More importantly, you're being short with me. Since you know who I am, you should show some respect."

As if the fun was over, Dogyeong's eyes grew fierce, and the earth trembled. The ground beneath them became a muddy bog, slowly pulling them down.

"Unless you want to be buried alive, talk. I need to go put my daughter to sleep."

Back   Next