The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 30

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 30
Arin returned to Maehwadang and burrowed under her blanket, groaning softly.
‘What if he comes looking for me?’
Arin had sworn Do Gyeong to secrecy about her inability to undergo Awakening, and the weight of it gnawed at her.
‘Should I tell Father?’
They were meant to leave for Sibijishin Village soon enough; perhaps she could tell him then.
But she feared that if the secret came out, the Geumho Clan’s Elder Council might turn as volatile as the Hongsaga Clan’s, destroying everything in its wake.
‘I don’t want Father to be put in a difficult position because of me.’
Arin was still groaning under her blanket, caught between wanting to stay hidden and dreading expulsion from the clan, when the blanket suddenly lifted away.
“What’s this? Playing hide-and-seek under the covers all by yourself?”
Yanked upward, blanket and all, Arin’s eyes flew open to find Do Gyeong standing before her.
“Father?”
“Shh. I came in without permission, so keep your voice down.”
Do Gyeong pressed a finger to his lips, pleading silently.
He’d fled here to escape the pressing duties So Cheon had been hounding him about.
A mischievous grin played across his face as he glanced about cautiously.
“Surprise.”
He produced a basket of Yakgwa from his robes and set it on the bed.
“I only came to bring you this. And remember—not a word to Do Young. That boy already has more than his share of treats.”
Do Gyeong murmured conspiratorially, offering Arin a piece of Yakgwa.
“Would you like to try one?”
Arin took the Yakgwa, no larger than Do Gyeong’s fist, and began nibbling at it slowly.
The anxiety that had consumed her moments before melted away like snow in sunlight the instant she saw him.
‘That’s right. Father said he’d protect me.’
Do Young had told her not to worry either.
Sweetness on her tongue lifted her spirits, and Arin broke into a broad smile.
Do Gyeong found the sight endearing and popped a larger piece of Yakgwa into his mouth.
“I’m thinking of going tomorrow.”
“Already? Don’t you have so much to do?”
“The longer I wait, the more anxious I’ll be.”
Though he’d strengthened security after the recent incident, children had a way of getting into trouble in the blink of an eye.
It was partly why he’d handled his duties without complaint despite So Cheon’s relentless pressure.
“I’ll go in secret, so you mustn’t mention it to Do Young or Cho Young. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Arin wanted to grow stronger as soon as possible.
Being protected by others was well enough, but she refused to be a burden.
At the very least, she wanted the strength to land a blow against anyone foolish enough to attack her.
“I want to become strong.”
Do Gyeong let out a soft laugh at Arin’s weighted words.
He understood the urgency she felt.
“Strength isn’t measured by raw power alone. A person with an unshakeable spirit is far more formidable.”
“Spirit?”
“Yes. All you need do is guard your own heart well. If you cultivate a center that nothing can sweep away, that would be ideal.”
He’d heard that a Divine Woman’s power expands according to the state of her heart and her will to command it.
Arin’s past wounds ran too deep; she couldn’t yet control that power properly.
Do Gyeong wanted to mend her broken wings.
To let her soar freely through the sky once more.
“You’ll become a remarkable Sibiji, I’m certain of it.”
Arin drew courage from his words of reassurance, spoken with such conviction.
“I’ll become a wonderful Sibiji and help you, Father.”
“Then you should start by doing what you can help with right now, shouldn’t you?”
“What’s that?”
“Eat well, sleep well, and smile often. Right now, that alone is all the help I need from you.”
Do Gyeong handed her another piece of Yakgwa, and Arin bit into it eagerly.
As the sweet, honeyed flavor touched her tongue, Arin made a silent vow.
She would never forget this taste.
* * *
At that same moment, Hyeok Su found himself being led by Do Young into a desolate forest.
A vast wilderness where a body could disappear without a trace.
When his senses returned, he was already bound to a tree.
Branches suddenly lashed out, and he had no choice but to endure the assault.
“W-why are you doing this to me?”
Hyeok Su trembled, his whole body seized with fear.
Unlike him—who had only just succeeded at Awakening and couldn’t yet control his newfound strength—Do Young moved with practiced ease.
Do Young’s expression darkened as he muttered.
“You know our little one, don’t you?”
“Eh? Our l-little one?”
“Fair-skinned, adorable, beloved—our youngest.”
“Oh, you mean—you mean Arin?”
“That’s right! Come on, can’t you get it the first time?”
“I’m s-sorry! Truly sorry!”
Hyeok Su quivered at the thuggish tone of voice.
Do Young pressed his threat further.
“Your father seems to have business with our youngest.”
“W-what? My father?”
Hyeok Su played dumb—his father had warned him not to breathe a word about Arin.
But Do Young was the type who beat first when words failed.
“You don’t seem to understand what situation you’re in right now.”
Do Young grinned wickedly and snapped his fingers; branches began coiling tightly around Hyeok Su’s limbs.
“I’m not the patient type, you see? So tell me plainly what your father intends to do. If you cooperate, I’ll let your limbs go unharmed.”
“W-what if I don’t speak?”
Hyeok Su’s anxious question made Do Young smile broadly.
“Then your limbs tear apart.”
In that instant, the branches binding Hyeok Su were pulled in all directions.
With such force that he might be torn to pieces at any moment, Hyeok Su burst into tears.
“I-I’ll tell you everything! Please, please save me!”
Only then did the pressure from the branches ease.
Hyeok Su poured out everything he knew in gasping breaths.
His father’s warnings mattered little—keeping his limbs intact came first.
“She was originally a daughter of the Hongsaga Clan! She couldn’t even manage Awakening, so they tried to cast her out, but your father took her in. How was I supposed to know that she’d end up as an adopted daughter of the Geumho Clan?”
“Couldn’t even manage Awakening?”
Do Young’s face darkened visibly.
“That’s some harsh talk you’re using, isn’t it? Want to lose an arm?”
“N-no!”
“If you ever call our little one inadequate again, I’ll make you the inadequate one, understand?”
Tears streamed down Hyeok Su’s face at the fierce light blazing in Do Young’s eyes.
“Sob!”
Hyeok Su wept and sniffled, his wrists and ankles twitching as the branches released him.
He had never known such humiliation in his life.
“You’ll regret this later!”
Do Young laughed coldly at Hyeok Su’s resentful outburst.
“Try if you can.”
……
“Unless you want to make the Geumho Clan your enemy.”
* * *
While Hyeok Su was being battered by Do Young,
Hyeok Jae was with Geum Hee Taek, an Elder and Patriarch of the Geumho Clan.
Just then, a servant brought tea, and Hee Taek began the conversation.
“How are you finding your time in Geumho Village?”
Though the question was ordinary enough, Hyeok Jae watched Hee Taek’s expression carefully.
He had already met with three Elders and struck a bargain regarding Arin’s origins.
He had no wish for the Elder Patriarch to discover this and complicate matters.
“The coastal air certainly keeps the seafood remarkably fresh.”
“Do you have a fondness for seafood?”
“Indeed. I’m quite partial to spicy seafood soup.”
Unfortunately, Hee Taek saw right through his game.
Having already learned of Hyeok Jae’s scheming with the three Elders, he found the situation rather amusing.
Still, since the Clan Leader remained unaware, handling this quietly at this level seemed the most peaceful solution.
“The octopus from Geumho Mountain is indeed famous. As it happens, one of the three Elders runs a restaurant—you should pay them a visit.”
Hee Taek poured tea while his narrow eyes stretched into a knowing smile.
When the Three Elders were mentioned, Hyeok Jae’s shoulders flinched visibly.
‘Had he caught onto something?’
The Three Elders had warned him sternly to be careful not to let the Elder Council’s Patriarch find out, and his heart had been pounding ever since.
Then Geum Hee Taek spoke.
“I cannot say what purpose brought you here, but take care not to offend the Clan Leader’s disposition. This is counsel for an outsider.”
“I beg your pardon? What do you…”
“I’ve heard the Hongsaga Clan’s Patriarch is easily swayed by the Elders. If you approach Geumho Village with such a mindset, you’ll regret it dearly.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow what you’re saying at all.”
“Heh, young fellow, you’re not a good listener, are you?”
Geum Hee Taek’s expression hardened as he issued his warning.
“I cannot know exactly what you intend to do, but take heed—be careful.”
……
“Unlike your Patriarch, ours bites when things go awry.”
After Geum Hee Taek finished speaking, he suddenly rolled up his sleeve, and Hyeok Jae’s face went pale.
His forearm bore a bite scar so vivid and distinct it was chilling to look upon.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————