The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 49

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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 49
It was precisely the moment when Do Young needed an opponent capable of tempering his spirit.
Once his skill had reached a certain level, he’d begun showing signs of laziness, growing slack in his practice.
Muje from the Baekryong Clan would make an excellent example for him.
“Should I go cheer on the boy?”
“Hehe, I promised to support Master Muje instead!”
“Not your brother?”
“I made a promise.”
As Arin laughed brightly, Do Gyeong exhaled a silent laugh of resignation.
This was precisely the sort of thing that would dampen Do Young’s morale.
“What promise did you make?”
“Um. It’s a secret!”
“A secret even from your father?”
Do Gyeong drooped his brow in mock disappointment.
Arin glanced around, then whispered softly.
“Actually, Master Muje said he’d teach me swordwork. He told me to keep it secret because other people might be troublesome about it, so I’m only telling you, Father, alright?”
Though she’d promised Muje, she couldn’t bear to see her father’s disappointed expression, so she told him honestly.
Hearing that Muje would teach Arin directly, Do Gyeong’s brow furrowed.
‘This fellow again…….’
He was already irritated that the boy had been clinging to Arin’s side while in his lizard form.
Now he was scheming to create an excuse to stay constantly beside Arin in his true form — it was cunning enough to be infuriating.
Do Gyeong probed carefully to gauge Arin’s thoughts.
“What do you make of Master Muje?”
“He’s very kind. And strangely, he resembles Seol in a way, so it doesn’t feel unfamiliar.”
Especially his aura — it was similar enough to inspire an odd sense of closeness.
Because of that, she felt more at ease around Muje.
Arin’s eyes gleamed brightly as she spoke her heart.
“Once we’re close, I’m going to ask for Seol.”
Do Gyeong, who knew those two were the same person, simply felt helpless.
‘This is trouble.’
If he’d known Arin would become so fixated on Seol, he would have given it more thought before deciding.
The feeling that he’d been swept along by Yeo Ryeong kept gnawing at him, souring his mood.
“Isn’t the Harangyi I gave you enough?”
“No, that’s not it…….”
Arin hesitated, then buried her face in Harangyi’s hair and murmured.
“I miss Seol.”
Faced with Arin’s persistent attachment, Do Gyeong simply gazed into the distance.
The road ahead seemed unlikely to run smooth.
* * *
The next day, Muje and Do Young arrived at the Training Ground at the appointed hour.
Arin sat in a safe spot with Do Gyeong.
Do Hun was serving as the arbiter for this match.
Do Hun, dragged into the role somewhat reluctantly, explained the rules.
“If your opponent drops the wooden sword, it ends right there. If you keep pressing, it’s a foul.”
He fixed Do Young with a pointed stare — a firm warning to ensure the boy wouldn’t refuse to accept defeat and throw caution aside.
“Hmph! I don’t cheat!”
In the meantime, Garam came and sat beside Do Gyeong.
“The Clan Leader has come as well, I see.”
“I couldn’t miss such an entertaining spectacle.”
“Indeed. Though our Master Muje will have to hold back, I’d imagine.”
Speaking as though Muje’s victory were assured, Garam’s words made Do Gyeong’s temple twitch.
“My son is not so easy an opponent as all that.”
“Against Master Muje, anyone would say the same thing.”
“Tch, how irritating.”
“The snake listening finds it most distressing, I’m afraid.”
“Then don’t listen.”
Do Gyeong muttered in a tone pitched low enough that Arin wouldn’t hear.
He was choosing his words more carefully than usual, mindful of her presence.
To Garam, who knew well the man’s rough-edged wit, Arin became all the more intriguing.
Garam’s gaze quietly followed Arin.
I heard you went to the marketplace yesterday with Muje.
The fact that you got him to go willingly—someone who never leaves unless it’s official business—is remarkable indeed.
‘It seems the Clan Leader holds her dear as well.’
Noticing Garam’s gaze, Do Gyeong raked a large hand across his face in warning.
“Ugh! What are you doing?”
“Stop looking at her like that.”
“Can’t I even look?”
“No. You can’t. She’s my daughter. And tell that bastard the same thing.”
“He’s not one to listen to what others say.”
“Then don’t bother telling him.”
……
While Garam wore a dumbfounded expression, the match began.
Do Young and Muje launched skyward simultaneously.
The clatter of wooden swords echoed sharply, and Arin blinked.
“What—what’s moving around like that?”
To Arin’s eyes, there was only the sound of something moving and the clash of blades.
Do Gyeong then settled Arin onto his lap and explained.
“Hmm. Do Young is lasting longer than I expected.”
Though he’d made light of it with Garam, Do Gyeong knew that Do Young was no match for Muje.
It might have been different if it were Do Hun, but only when they were younger.
Such was the magnitude of the Twelve Heavenly Branches of the Baekryong Clan.
‘Truly formidable.’
By the time Muje came of age, no one of his generation would be able to catch up with him.
“It’ll be over soon. Do Young’s movements have dulled compared to before.”
Before Do Gyeong’s words even finished, the blade swept in an arc and drove into the ground.
Muje then aimed his sword at Do Young’s head.
“That was excellent sparring. I believe this is the first time I’ve met someone who could last this long.”
At Muje’s praise, Do Young trembled.
He’d never imagined he would actually lose.
Throughout the entire bout, Do Young had felt it.
That Muje was adjusting his movements to match him.
It was similar to how Muje treated others.
Being on the receiving end of such consideration dampened Do Young’s spirits considerably.
Yet simultaneously, he felt a competitive fire ignite at having found a worthy opponent.
Having lost the bout, he had to accept the result.
“I learned a great lesson.”
Do Young murmured listlessly, and noticing his deflated spirit, Do Hun spoke up.
“You did well. You’ve improved a lot.”
“What good is that? I lost.”
Do Young pulled the blade free from where it was planted in the ground.
“If that had been a real sword, I’d have been dead already.”
He then pointed his sword at Muje and made his declaration.
“Next time, I’ll come at you properly.”
At Do Young’s challenge, Muje blinked.
The opponents who sparred with him usually lost their will to fight and vanished.
Many of them gave up before the bout even started, going through the motions halfheartedly.
But Do Young had thrown himself at him with all his strength, and as a result, Muje had managed to spar enjoyably for the first time in a long while.
So much so that he’d deliberately overlooked several opportunities rather than end it quickly.
“Whenever you wish.”
“What? Are you looking down on me? If you are, I might just come challenging you every single day.”
“If that is your desire.”
“Stop it! I hate losing too! So make sure you sharpen your skills until I can beat you.”
As Do Young bluffed like a ruffian, Muje let out a dry laugh.
Meanwhile, Garam’s eyes grew misty watching the two of them.
“Our Young Master Muje is finally learning how to converse with others.”
Compared to how he used to spar halfheartedly with everyone, this was tremendous progress.
“What are you going on about?”
Do Gyeong casually dismissed Garam and picked up Arin carelessly, heading toward them.
Since the bout was decided, an award was in order.
Arin held out the flower wreath she had prepared and offered it to Muje.
Congratulations on winning the match, Muje.
I owe it all to your encouragement, Arin.
Hehe, to be honest, I didn’t catch a single exchange properly.
Tsk, that was supposed to be mine in the first place.
Do Young kicked at the dirt with a petulant grumble.
As Muje bowed his head, Arin placed a flower wreath upon it.
She had risen early that morning to make it for whoever won today.
It looks wonderful on you!
Did you make it yourself?
Yes!
I shall treasure it always.
Muje fingered the wreath, murmuring softly.
After an enjoyable match and receiving a gift from Arin, his spirits had soared.
Arin then held another flower wreath toward Do Young’s head.
The glum expression that had settled on his face crumpled into confusion.
You have one for me too?

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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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