Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 93

Chapter 93

At the unexpected mention of a tree, Muje stared blankly at Arin for a moment. Then, recalling the incident in the forest, he spoke.

"Don't tell me—that ginkgo tree?"

"Yes. I found traces of your Yeouiju's power being used in that tree. I thought you, as its owner, would have noticed..."

Only then did Muje realize she had been talking about something else entirely. His face turned red. He had nearly rambled on without knowing.

Muje stood frozen, only his lips moving. Arin asked,

"You really didn't notice at all?"

"I've been wearing this bracelet."

He raised his wrist, and the bracelet jingled. Wearing it prevented him from being drawn to the Twelve's power, but it also dulled his senses.

"It seems time to take it off."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Arin asked, worried—it had been over ten years since Muje had been possessed by the Yeouiju. But he looked calm. It was something he would have to do eventually.

"You need my power."

"That's true, but... if you don't want to, I'll find another way."

Her stubborn concern made him smile. She was always the same. They had become even closer after learning each other's weaknesses, and her kindness toward the vulnerable was especially beautiful.

For a long time, he had thought it was his role to protect her.

"I've been waiting to help you for a long time."

He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. His gaze was deeper than usual. The sensation of his lips on her skin made her catch her breath.

"I can overcome any fear if you command it."

"..."

"So all you need to say is one word: 'help me.'"

Every time he spoke, her hand tingled, as if electricity ran through her fingertips.

"Ah."

She let out a soft gasp, then covered her mouth with her other hand. Her cute reaction made him want to pull her into his arms.

Just as he struggled to suppress his racing emotions—

"Back off."

Woo-hyun stepped between them, his voice icy. He was clearly displeased that they'd met alone while he was away.

Muje gave him a cold look, but Woo-hyun didn't flinch.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it's time to go."

"Ah, already?"

Arin checked her pocket watch, startled.

"Muje, let's talk again—"

"Let's go."

Woo-hyun cut her off, draped the Eun-gipo over her, and pushed her along. Watching them disappear in a flash, Muje let out an irritated sigh.

"Huff."

He rubbed his face, then recalled the warmth on his fingertips and the sensation of her lips—his face flushed. He slumped down, head bowed.

"I'm going crazy."

---

On the way back to Maehwadang, Arin was lost in thought.

When we were younger, holding hands was nothing special.

But that careful touch felt different now. His fingers were larger and rougher, calloused from sword practice. Unlike his cautious hands, his lips had been bold. The words he'd spoken, with his lips against her skin, felt impossibly sweet.

If Woo-hyun hadn't burst in, her heart might have burst.

When they reached Maehwadang, Woo-hyun suddenly spun around and growled,

"Are you insane, being alone with a man in a secret room?"

"I had to hide my identity."

"You should have waited for me. Who knows what that bastard might have done."

"He's not a 'bastard'—he's Baek Muje."

"Does it matter?"

Woo-hyun huffed, and Arin couldn't understand.

"He has no reason to hurt me."

"How can you be sure? Master Geum said all men are wolves—remember?"

"Why are you acting like my father? I didn't do anything wrong."

"Hah!"

He pounded his chest in frustration. Just recalling what he'd seen made his blood boil.

That shameless bastard.

With his scholarly face, the moment they were alone, he'd grabbed her hand.

"You took too long. Where did you go for water?"

As the blame circled back, Woo-hyun paused. Unfamiliar with the school's layout, he had to take the only route he knew—and run into Cheong Yuhui.

"Hello. I'm Cheong Yuhui."

Normally he'd have ignored her, but her black hair matched his, so he stopped.

"Who are you?"

"How are you walking around without stabilizers?"

"...What?"

"Don't you feel fatigued after using power? Hear strange voices? Get sudden urges to kill?"

She rattled off symptoms only he knew, and the atmosphere sharpened.

"Is that power really yours?"

"Are you with the Black Demon clan?"

He was about to drag her away when she leaned in and whispered,

"You're the one who looks like you want to die. Stay like this and you will—you already know that, don't you?"

"..."

"Hehe—I'll be generous, since we're 'siblings.'"

She pressed something into his hand and smiled meaningfully.

"Come find me anytime. Or if you're curious about the source of your power."

"..."

"I trust you're not foolish enough to tell the Geumho House about today."

Her words, spoken as if they were allies, were infuriating—yet also what he had been waiting for.

Seeing him silent, Arin tilted her head.

"What? No answer? That's suspicious. Did you go somewhere behind my back?"

"To the outhouse! Satisfied?"

"Ugh."

She wrinkled her nose and covered it with her sleeve. Woo-hyun flicked his tongue.

"I'm leaving."

Leaving Arin, he walked out of Maehwadang with a cold glint in his eyes—and headed straight to Dogyeong's study.

"What is it?"

At Dogyeong's casual greeting, Woo-hyun spoke seriously.

"They made contact."

Dogyeong's expression also turned grave. He had assigned Woo-hyun as Arin's guard partly to lure the Black Demon clan.

"They think I'm one of them—or rather, that I have no choice but to be."

Woo-hyun handed over the pill he'd received from Yuhui. It looked like a black bead—like a tonic for replenishing energy. It was probably meant for those who had undergone core experiments.

Someone who feared death might have been swayed by Yuhui's words.

"She described my symptoms in detail and said if I didn't take this, I'd die. She even told me her name."

Woo-hyun spoke lightly, as if his own death meant nothing—a response fitting someone who had long since decided when he would die.

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