The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41
Arin’s face lit up at Yeoryeong’s reply.
“Really? When? Is she coming to take Mujae with her?”
As Arin peppered out questions like a chirping chick, Yeoryeong offered a faint smile.
“I’m afraid I don’t know that much.”
Yeoryeong laughed softly, her gaze settling on Mujae.
– To move freely in and out of the Twelve Zodiac Village, you must first befriend Arin.
– We’re already close.
– That sort of closeness won’t serve your purpose.
– That’s a different matter entirely.
When Mujae protested, Yeoryeong answered with shameless ease.
– I only promised to help you become actual friends.
– ……Cheat.
Mujae muttered the word softly, and Yeoryeong burst into laughter.
She found it amusing to tease him—perhaps because he was still so young.
– Then should I tell her your name is Mujae from now on?
– No.
Mujae countered before she’d even finished speaking.
In truth, he worried that Arin’s attitude might change once she learned the truth.
And there was doubt, too, whether someone as unsocial as himself could ever truly befriend her.
So it seemed wiser to keep Mujae’s identity hidden, at least for now.
– I’ll tell her myself when the time is right.
Expecting resistance, Yeoryeong was surprised when Mujae acquiesced readily. She let out a breath she’d been holding.
It seemed she’d grown quite fond of him over the past week.
– That said, I think you should stop poking around in the Slums. There may be connections to Heuk Maga.
At the mention of Heuk Maga, something flickered behind Mujae’s eyes.
They were the ones who’d stolen his Yeui Orb, forced him to live as half of what he was.
– They may have realized you’re here.
– ……I did use some power that day, actually.
– Power?
– That man was trying to attack Arin.
Using his power had been purely reflexive—a move that could have exposed him entirely.
Mujae himself had been deeply startled by his own actions and admitted his mistake freely.
– I couldn’t help but step in. Fortunately, neither Arin nor that man noticed.
Of course, if someone had been nearby, things might have gone differently.
– You must be careful. They may be hunting for you specifically.
– That didn’t seem to be the case. Rather, they appeared to be pursuing that man I saw.
– Is that so?
– Yes. You should hurry before they find out more.
As Mujae freely shared the information, Yeoryeong’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She was not one to involve herself in matters that weren’t her concern.
But clearly, she was worried Arin might be put in danger.
For someone who’d spent a week being treated like a lizard, he seemed remarkably at ease.
More so, even, than when he’d been alone in the Twelve Zodiac Village.
‘Ah. No wonder Dogyeong disliked it.’
Having grasped why Dogyeong had grown so unusually sharp, a faint smile played at Yeoryeong’s lips.
– Understood. Leave this matter to Dogyeong and me.
After finishing her conversation with Mujae, Yeoryeong led Arin inside for training.
Dogyeong and Mujae were left alone.
Dogyeong, who had been quiet the whole time, sent a telepathic message.
– Don’t take an interest in Arin.
– That’ll be difficult. I’m already interested.
At Mujae’s refusal, Dogyeong’s eyes turned sharp.
– You shouldn’t be doing this when you have a betrothal arranged.
– The betrothal was arranged without my consent. Besides, I’m only trying to be her friend.
A hopelessly frozen friend.
Dogyeong saw through Mujae immediately—what he felt for Arin was far more than friendship.
What man would risk danger for a friend he’d known only days?
And especially not Baek Mujae?
The White Dragon King would have laughed until his sides split and told him to stop lying.
Yet despite this, Dogyeong found himself deeply unsettled that he could no longer prevent their closeness.
‘The strength of those two children can protect each other. So while Arin grows accustomed to her Divine Power, do not keep them apart.’
For now, still young, they seemed unaware of what that emotion truly was.
But if they came to understand it, he wasn’t certain he could tear them asunder even then.
— You must keep your word on this.
— Of course.
Mujae answered flatly, then turned his body toward the room where Arin had disappeared.
His words and his actions were entirely at odds.
Like a hound waiting for its master—and at that sight, Dogyeong’s jaw clenched tight.
That his betrothed was actually Arin… he would never, ever let that knowledge reach Mujae’s ears.
* * *
In the dead of night, Dogyeong and Yeoryeong made their way quietly toward the Slums.
Both wore black garments with Face Veils drawn across their features.
Dogyeong fingered the hilt of his sword as he spoke.
“You say a foal is hiding here.”
“Yes. Having seen the White Dragon’s power, it may well have fled.”
Yeoryeong’s eyes glinted with sharp intent.
“Mujae suggested their target appears to be an orphan.”
“Kidnapping, then.”
“So it would seem. If it were merely that simple, I’d wish it were true—but if that child is their target, the matter becomes far graver.”
It had begun when Heuk Maga, which had long lain dormant, stirred back into motion.
A figure possibly connected to Hyeokgwang, who had vanished without trace.
“We must find it first. Only then can we discern their true intentions.”
“Yes.
Shortly after, the sound of a bell reached Yeoryeong’s ear.
“Found it, then.”
Yeoryeong began moving slowly, following the bell’s chime.
The desolate night wind stirred the veils hanging from their Face Veils.
By the time they reached where the sound came from—
“Ahhh!”
A boy’s scream of pure terror pierced the alley as he bolted rapidly from a side street.
Dogyeong caught him without hesitation, pressing him down.
“Let go of me!”
The boy thrashed, but he had no strength to match Dogyeong’s.
“Be still.”
When Dogyeong applied pressure with the Twelve Zodiac Power as warning, the child surrendered and went limp.
Then Dogyeong’s eyes flashed as he spotted those rushing in pursuit of the boy.
“Take the child, would you.”
“Of course. Gently now.”
Yeoryeong gathered the unconscious boy into her arms and retreated.
Ten hooded figures had already begun to encircle Dogyeong.
“Who are you? Release the boy and get out of here if you value your life!”
At the threat from what appeared to be the assassins’ leader, Dogyeong began scratching at his ear.
“Listen to the foal yapping over there.”
“……What?”
“Ah, that’s where the smell of horse dung comes from.”
“This bastard has a death wish!”
“Oh, now that’s exactly what I meant. Do all of you have a death wish? What kind of lackey charges at his superior? Did your master teach you that?”
Robbed of reason by the effortless insults, they surged at him all at once.
“Tch, reckless to boot. Ignoring my kind warnings like that.”
Dogyeong struck the ground with his sword hilt as if he’d been waiting for just this moment.
Bang—!
With that brief movement, the earth beneath the hooded figures gave way and sank sharply.
“Aaaahhh!”
Suddenly trapped, they gasped and retched.
Some of them lost consciousness from the fall and their injuries.
“Now we’re on the same page, at least.”
Dogyeong crouched low, balanced on his heels, and asked:
“Why were you after that child?”
One of them, recognizing him at last, cried out in despair.
“Don’t say a word to the Divine Maiden’s lackeys.”
In their excitement, they hadn’t even noticed they’d spilled crucial information—their face showed no trace of that awareness.
Dogyeong let out a low chuckle.
“So you were hoping to catch us, then?”
“…….”
Only then did the assassin’s expression darken.
“We’re just taking the children! That’s all we’re doing!”
“A pathetic excuse. But more to the point—your words keep getting shorter. If you’ve figured out who I am, shouldn’t you be showing some respect?”
As if play-time had ended, Dogyeong’s eyes turned vicious, and the ground trembled beneath them.
The earth they stood on became a churning swamp, sinking lower and lower with each passing moment.
“Either tell me what I want to know, or you can be buried alive. I’ve got a lullaby to sing to our daughter.”

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