Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 70

Chapter 70

"I knew His Highness was pretending to be a lizard and staying close to Arin—and that he used that as an excuse to travel between the Geumho House and the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts."

"What? Seol is His Highness? Does Arin know?"

Doyoung was shocked, but Dohun shook his head.

"Arin doesn't know. And you should pretend you don't either."

"What the—!"

Doyoung tugged at his hair in confusion, having believed all along that Seol was just a lizard. Dohun continued pressing his father.

"How can Arin freely enter and leave the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts? That's impossible without the Divine Maiden's permission."

"You knew all this and stayed quiet."

Dogyeong sighed and rubbed his forehead. From his son's gaze, he seemed to have pieced together the broader picture.

"I believed Father would tell us when the time was right."

"Sigh."

"We need to know the reasons so we can handle things properly."

At Dohun's repeated urging, Dogyeong was troubled. No matter how much they were his sons, he couldn't break a promise to the Divine Maiden.

"I need her permission for that."

Just as he stood—

"No need to get up."

Yeoryeong entered the room. Her grim expression suggested she had already heard the rumors. Her presence made the atmosphere more solemn.

She sat down and continued, "It's good to be curious. But the timing and place aren't right. There are too many eyes and ears. I'll explain everything when we return to Geumho Village—can you wait until then?"

Dohun replied, "Of course. Protecting Arin should come first."

He had only been stubborn because Dogyeong was being passive. Once Dohun relented, Yeoryeong smiled faintly.

"Thank you. Now, let's discuss how to quell these rumors."

With a glance from her, Woo-hyun and Geumgeum entered. Dohun recognized the boy.

"That child is..."

It was the one he had encountered on the street—Muje had said he reported him to the Divine Maiden, so he must have been caught. Woo-hyun glared back at the stares. Dohun frowned at his defiant attitude.

Yeoryeong said, "This child is a twelfth-year who escaped from the Black Demon clan."

The mention of the Black Demon clan darkened the mood further. Dohun studied Woo-hyun.

"So the abductions of children were to find him."

"Yes. Fortunately, we found him first and have been protecting him in the village."

"Then why bring him here? Wouldn't it be better to keep him confined?"

At the word "confined," Woo-hyun flinched. He had learned from Yeoryeong what kind of family the Black Demon clan was—and that his bloodline alone could warrant execution. He now understood that Dohun's words were actually moderate.

"To move freely, you need the backing of the clan elders at this festival."

"What do I have to do?"

"You need to show that you're a target of the Black Demon clan. If you prove your necessity, they'll agree to protect you."

"So you want me to be bait?"

Recalling his conversation with Yeoryeong, Woo-hyun spoke.

"I hate the Black Demon clan."

Dohun looked at him curiously.

"They killed my grandmother. I'm going to avenge her. So use me however you want."

His blazing eyes showed he wasn't lying. His resolve had been confirmed before coming. Dogyeong understood Yeoryeong's intent and spoke.

"You plan to cover a rumor with another rumor."

"I've already discussed it with the White Dragon Palace."

"What did they say?"

"They said they'd watch."

Baek Hyeonje seemed relieved to have a lead to cure his son. With the Black Demon clan so hard to trace, Woo-hyun was a crucial clue.

"Soon they'll move, and if it becomes known that the Black Demon clan has reappeared, attention will naturally shift away from Arin."

After the great war ten years ago, this was an era of peace—the reappearance of the Black Demon clan would cause a major stir. Since only the Geumho House and White Dragon Palace knew of their movements, they had already laid enough bait on the way here.

Of course, it was a gamble—they couldn't be sure that Woo-hyun was valuable enough for them to infiltrate the capital. If nothing happened, it would be hard to convince the elders.

"For now, we must stay low and wait."

Yeoryeong narrowed her eyes and looked at the calendar. The festival's main event was approaching.

"Sometimes, to achieve great things, you have to let small disturbances play out."

"As the one enduring the disturbance, I find it very unpleasant."

Dogyeong replied testily, and Yeoryeong chuckled.

"Seeing you not just running wild, you've grown up."

"Was that an insult?"

"It's a compliment."

She glanced at Dohun and Doyoung.

"Right now, it may look like we're just taking it, but when the truth comes out, perspectives will change."

"I just don't want Arin to be hurt."

Dohun bit his lower lip.

"She deserves to be happy."

"Exactly! Our little one is so cute! Who cares about a stupid transformation!"

With both sons united, Yeoryeong smiled warmly. They were kind and chivalrous, just like Dogyeong and Jinkyeong. With them by her side, Arin, who had found her smile again, would get through this too.

"Remember—living well as usual is the best revenge."

With that, Yeoryeong quietly left.

---

Meanwhile, Arin was boating on the palace pond with Muje. Lately, he had been visiting daily, using the excuse of showing her the palace. Thanks to him, she had seen many places—and her family had allowed it, a stark contrast to their usual vigilance.

Arin already suspected why. They say I was cast out of the Red Serpent House. She had heard the rumors too—word travels fast, even to the ears of the target. She had overheard it on her way to meet Muje, and it weighed heavily on her.

My family is being insulted because of me.

She was more upset that the Geumho House was being branded as the one that took in a flawed child than that her own weakness had been exposed. So she pretended not to know, respecting her family's warm consideration.

She gazed at the lotus flowers on the pond. They had thick, deep roots, with holes in them for breathing—much like her own situation. Outwardly, she was dressed up with a respectable identity, but inside she was full of weaknesses, needing her family's protection.

Seeing her troubled expression, Muje asked,

"Is boating boring?"

"No, I was just admiring the lotuses."

She smiled awkwardly, and his gaze lingered. Unable to bear it, she sighed.

"Actually, I know."

"Know what?"

"Yeah."

He was surprised she already knew about the rumors.

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