Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 79

Chapter 79

"Don't be too disappointed. He's not far—you'll be able to visit him soon."

"Yes."

"You've had time to reflect on your actions, haven't you?"

At Yeoryeong's question, Arin looked sheepish. First Woo-hyun, then Muje—so much had happened in just a few months.

"Do you know why I told you to keep your identity hidden?"

"Because I can't control my power properly yet..."

"On the surface, yes. Even I haven't fully grasped the extent of your power."

Yeoryeong smiled faintly and stroked Arin's head. She looked up at her.

"Is there another reason?"

"Haven't you sensed it? The presence of the Black Demon clan."

At their mention, Arin's expression grew serious.

"They're trying to take Woo-hyun, aren't they?"

"Yes. I don't know what they intend to do with him, but it can't be good for Yeonhaguk."

"Then why did you send him away? Is there a safer place than here?"

Arin blinked, not understanding—she didn't know that Woo-hyun had been entrusted to Dogyeong.

"Arin, this may be difficult for you to understand, but listen carefully."

"Speak, Divine Maiden."

Yeoryeong had watched over the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts as their elder for so long that no one knew her true age. That stillness had begun to shift since the incident ten years ago—and she had to prepare for her own end. Then Arin appeared, and the Black Demon clan resurfaced. Could it really be coincidence?

She paused, then spoke.

"Ten years ago, I sealed the power of the Black Demon clan's leader, Hyeon Hyeokgwang—and lost over half my divine power in the process."

She decided she could no longer hide her condition from Arin. To prepare her as the next Divine Maiden, she needed to understand what was to come.

"At the time, I used all my remaining strength to seal him, having been attacked by an unexpected enemy."

"Are you in a lot of pain?"

Arin's voice trembled, and Yeoryeong touched her cheek.

"I'm not sure if 'pain' is the right word—it means my time has begun flowing again."

"Divine Maiden..."

"And then you were born—that is Yeonhaguk's fortune. You must understand how precious you are."

Arin couldn't imagine the Village without Yeoryeong. Neither could the other twelfth-years. The thought of her leaving soon frightened her, and she held her hand.

"Don't worry—I won't die immediately. My end will come more slowly than you think."

Arin clung to her, tearful. It pained Yeoryeong to leave everything to this child. She took her by the shoulders and said firmly,

"From today on, I will dedicate myself to transferring all my authority and power as Divine Maiden to you."

"If I study hard, will I be able to help you?"

"Of course. The training ahead will be far more difficult than anything you've done before."

"I'll do it! I'll learn everything!"

Arin nodded with resolve.

"I'll become strong enough to protect everyone—and help you."

Her bold determination made Yeoryeong smile with relief. Despite the abuse she had suffered, she still loved the Twelve—for that, she was grateful.

"You don't need to rush. To become a true Divine Maiden, you must wait until you come of age. Until then, I and your father will do our best to keep your identity hidden."

A child's body could not yet bear the power of the Divine Maiden. Normally, she would have taught her slowly—but seeing the Black Demon clan's strange magic, she couldn't afford to wait.

"When I judge that your power has matured enough, you will know when to reveal yourself—even without my telling you."

"Yes. I'll try—I'll do it."

Through the events of the past months, Arin had realized her power was stronger than she had thought. She felt proud of saving Woo-hyun and unknowingly helping Muje.

If I become stronger, I can protect everyone.

With that thought, no training seemed too hard. When she first came to the Geumho House, she had only been protected—now she wanted to give back. Like a child growing stronger at heart, Arin too was taking a step forward.

---

Thirteen years passed in Yeonhaguk.

Arin was approaching twenty. Since she had begun assisting Yeoryeong with her duties a few months ago, she had been busier than ever. She hadn't yet officially come of age, so she wasn't recognized as the formal successor. Whenever she acted as interim Divine Maiden, she wore the Eun-gipo to hide her identity.

The sudden appearance of an interim Divine Maiden sparked much speculation. The most popular rumor was that she was Yeoryeong's hidden daughter—but those who knew the truth found it amusing. Some also whispered that the Divine Maiden's health was failing, a rumor fueled by Yeoryeong's recent absence.

Those who didn't know her true identity called her "the Little Divine Maiden"—a nickname earned due to her small stature compared to the tall Yeoryeong. At just under five and a half feet, she was considered short. In contrast, Dohun and Doyoung had grown past six feet in recent years, matching Dogyeong's height. Among such large tigers, Arin still looked like a young girl.

Back at Maehwadang, Arin slowly removed the Eun-gipo from her head. She took out her hairpin, and her clear vermilion hair—like trumpet vine flowers—cascaded below her shoulders. Her baby fat had given way to a more mature appearance.

Lately, her beauty had blossomed so much that the Geumho warriors would blush as she passed. Changing into casual clothes, she stood before a pillar with a serious expression.

"Hmm. No growth at all."

The pillar was marked with daily height measurements—they had stopped increasing at some point.

"I drank more milk than Brother Doyoung."

Doyoung seemed to grow overnight—why didn't she? About three years ago, when he officially entered the Village of the Twelve Spirit Beasts, he grew so fast that she was always surprised when he came home.

"Little one, if you drink lots of milk and grow taller than me, I'll grant you a wish."

"Are you teasing me? You're already over six feet!"

"Haha, six feet is nothing. Don't you remember saying you'd grow to eight feet?"

"I don't want to be eight feet!"

Now Doyoung was about to graduate and return. She had wanted to grow taller before then—but with no change, she felt dejected.

Just then, Choryeong knocked and entered.

"Miss, the master has returned."

"Really?"

"Yes. He was asking for you."

At the good news, Arin beamed.

"I'll go right away!"

She hurried out, as if she had never been staring at the pillar. It was nearly a month since she had last seen Dogyeong. His frequent business trips this year had made it hard to see him, so she was especially happy to hear he was back.

"Dad!"

Arin flung open the study door.

"Oh."

Inside, Dogyeong wasn't alone—someone else was with him.

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