Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 52

Chapter 52

But he didn't lash out like before—he had already learned how strong the Divine Maiden was, and his power had been taken away.

"If you complete all the tasks I've set for you, I'll return it. Until then, don't even think about running."

The boy recalled his deal with Yeoryeong and gritted his teeth. Over the past few days, she had taught him to read and forced knowledge of the Twelve into him. Now he knew he was a twelfth-year—and he was in denial.

If I get my power back, I'll get revenge on that old hag!

But for now, he was just a weak child. So he had promised to behave, and had just been allowed out of the cave.

Then he ran into this girl again—a girl who had bothered him from the very first meeting. Especially when she had found him despite his hidden presence, he had been startled.

His expression changed at once as he snarled, "Was it you? Did you tell the old hag I was there?"

Muje stepped forward to protect Arin. "I told her."

The boy's gaze shifted to Muje—another privileged-looking brat. Exactly the type he hated.

"Who are you?"

"Show some respect."

"I don't want to."

The boy sneered and flicked his tongue, and Muje's expression turned cold. He hadn't liked this brat from the start.

A reddish glint flashed in Muje's eyes. Sensing it, the boy clenched his fists, tensing. Just as Muje's aura was about to turn fierce, Yeoryeong stepped forward—but Arin grabbed Muje's hand and smiled.

"It's okay, young master."

As if she knew he would stir trouble. Instantly, his fierce energy subsided.

"Oh."

Muje's gaze dropped to Arin's hand. Normally, he would have exploded—but her touch calmed the surging power within him.

Seeing that Muje had calmed down, Arin turned to the boy. Feeling caught, he grumbled,

"What? What do you want?"

Then her next words softened his expression too.

"Are you hurt? Is it healed?"

The boy was taken aback by her kindness. She didn't flinch at his harsh words—which made him uneasy. It reminded him of his late grandmother.

"...It's fine."

His sharp edge dulled, and Arin smiled.

"Hehe, I'm glad. I was worried since I left you that ointment."

She had been glancing at his arm ever since she saw him, worried about how much blood he had lost that day.

"The Divine Maiden helped you, right?"

At her innocent question, the boy shot Yeoryeong a look that said he had a lot to say. Before he could say he had been "kidnapped" and "imprisoned," Yeoryeong tapped her staff meaningfully. The boy muttered quietly,

"Yeah. I'll be staying here for a while."

"I see. Nice to meet you—I'm Geum Arin. What's your name?"

The boy frowned, feeling awkward at her warm tone.

"...It's Woo (rain) and Hyun (dark). That's my name."

It had been a long time since he had introduced himself to anyone. Naturally—he had been wandering the streets ever since the grandmother who named him had passed.

Arin murmured, "It means 'black rain,' doesn't it?"

"Yeah. I was found on a rainy day."

He hadn't had a name originally, but he got one the day he was picked up by his grandmother in the rain.

"It's a name full of memories. It's really pretty."

At Arin's pure admiration, Woo-hyun didn't know how to react.

Is she always this bright? Calling being found a 'memory'?

He wondered if she was mocking him, but her expression said otherwise.

"Do you live here too? They said anyone can't just come and go here."

"No. I come and go from home."

"What? A weakling like you can pass through that massive barrier?"

He stared at her in disbelief, thinking she might be stronger than she looked. But Arin pulled out a lotus token.

"I can use this to come and go."

Woo-hyun's gaze fixed on the token. If I steal that, I can escape... He had no reason to stay here long. No matter how safe it was, he brought misfortune wherever he went.

Once I get my power back, I'm leaving.

Used to isolating himself rather than hurting others, Woo-hyun carefully noted where Arin kept the token.

"Let's go inside now."

After Yeoryeong led Arin into the training room, Woo-hyun was left alone to do his homework when Muje spoke.

"You reek of a rotten stench."

The sudden comment made Woo-hyun frown. Back when he lived on the streets, maybe—but he had been thoroughly washed since coming here.

"I showered this morning! Are you calling me a beggar?"

"Not that smell. Your energy is unpleasant."

Muje covered his nose with his sleeve, as if unable to bear it. For a twelfth-year's energy to be so filthy—his core must be in terrible shape from being neglected and misusing his power for so long.

He stepped back and warned, "If the Divine Maiden hadn't taken your power, you'd have already gone berserk."

"What are you talking about, you parasite-looking bastard?"

"Stay quiet while you're here. Preferably out of my sight."

Muje said what he had to say and left. Woo-hyun spat at the spot where he had stood.

"Damn brat."

---

Late that night, Hong Ijin was still in his study.

"Did you truly not know that Young Lady Arin was adopted into the Geumho House?"

"That child was taken by the Divine Maiden. Since she and the Geumho House are close, she must have entrusted the child to them."

He had brushed off Hong Hyeokjae's questioning as if it were no big deal, but the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. There was no way Geum Dogyeong didn't know she was a half-wit who couldn't transform.

What's his game?

Their friendship had ended three years ago when he coldly refused Geum Dogyeong, who had come begging for help when his wife Jinkyeong was near death. For three years they had no contact—then suddenly he showed up with the Divine Maiden and took Arin. Could that truly be coincidence?

That wasn't all.

"He personally opened the Geumho House to hold a welcome banquet for the adopted daughter. That's where I learned of it."

Not just taking her in—but cherishing her. Hyeokjae had told him in detail about the humiliation he suffered at the Geumho House and how much Dogyeong doted on Arin.

In normal times, he would have been furious at the insult to the Red Serpent House. How bold of him to treat another man's daughter as his own. She might as well be an enemy's child—he wouldn't even have taken her as a servant.

Hong Ijin hated that about Dogyeong. Unlike himself, who had endured fierce succession struggles, Dogyeong was an only son with strong innate power. He had never known the insecurity of a shaky position—always at ease, always doing as he pleased.

Once, Hong Ijin had admired that. Not anymore.

He pulled out Arin's letter from his desk drawer.

Back   Next