The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 57

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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 57
Meanwhile, the Priestess Yeo Ryeong was discussing Do Gyeong and Woo Hyeon’s circumstances.
“The child is certainly from the Black Horse Clan, but the source of his power far exceeds what his Spirit Core should allow.”
Yeo Ryeong’s expression darkened as she recalled the countless Acupuncture Needle Marks she had observed while bathing the boy.
It was clear he had been subjected to experiments forcing his power to amplify artificially.
Having fled while recklessly expending his strength in that condition, he had nearly died—or so the marks suggested.
Thus, the moment Yeo Ryeong confirmed his state, she had administered emergency treatment by sealing a portion of Woo Hyeon’s power.
Unaware of this, Woo Hyeon spent his time scheming how to recover his full strength.
“It seems they’ve resumed their experiments. By fortune, the child succeeded in gaining power this time.”
“It’s truly exhausting.”
Do Gyeong pressed his throbbing temples as if he had anticipated as much.
The Black Horse Clan had always pursued greater power.
They were the sort who would not hesitate to murder their own kin to grow stronger.
As their madness escalated beyond all bounds, the Twelve Zodiac had attempted Clan Extermination when Black Horse crossed the final line.
Yet their distinctive Proliferation Ability and overwhelming martial might made eradication nearly impossible.
And now, with a child who had succeeded in their experiments appearing, their relentless pursuit was, in a sense, inevitable.
“It’s fortunate we found him first. Had he fallen into their hands, it would have gone badly for him.”
“Indeed.”
“What do you intend to do with the child?”
“For now, I plan to raise him myself—until he becomes strong enough to master his power.”
“You mean you will personally oversee his training?”
“If the other members of the Twelve Zodiac learn he is Black Horse, they will kill him without hesitation.”
A child of the Black Horse Clan, no less.
Remembering how naturally he wielded Black Horse techniques despite having received no proper training, her anxiety deepened.
“But keeping him hidden in the Twelve Zodiac Village has its limits. If one of the elders discovers the truth, it will become troublesome.”
“That’s why I’m asking for your help.”
“Surely you’re not asking me to take in another son? Three is already more than I can manage.”
Yeo Ryeong laughed softly as Do Gyeong’s brow furrowed at his own premature assumptions.
“Always worrying about the wrong things.”
“Then what exactly is it you wish to ask of me? Why all this circumlocution?”
“I want you to become the child’s guardian.”
“It seems you harbor no regard for me, Priestess. First the Hongsa Family, now Black Horse? Have you forgotten that I am their enemy?”
Do Gyeong’s displeasure was evident.
Yeo Ryeong reflected that she had inadvertently burdened him with nothing but difficult requests.
She took a long sip of her cooled tea, her eyes settling to an unprecedented chill.
“I ask this precisely because you are the head of the Gold Tiger Clan. Should the child ever lose himself to Black Horse’s power and run wild, you must be prepared to execute him with your own hands.”
In other words, she was demanding that if the child proved too dangerous, he must be killed immediately.
“…So guardianship is merely a guise for surveillance.”
Only then did Do Gyeong grasp her true meaning, his eyes narrowing to slits.
This was who Yeo Ryeong truly was.
She would never ignore future danger simply because a child deserved pity.
He realized his earlier impression that she had softened through her time with Arin was nothing but a delusion.
“If you volunteer to keep watch over the child, not even the elders will dare demand his immediate death.”
“Stated that way, I have no choice but to accept.”
With the matter of Woo Hyeon’s circumstances settled, they were departing when Yeo Ryeong sensed an urgent signal from Geumgeum.
Her brow darkened immediately.
“Troublesome. There’s never a moment to rest.”
“What’s happened?”
“Come with me.”
Yeo Ryeong quickened her pace, offering no further explanation.
When they reached the Temple Shrine, they found Arin drenched in blood.
Do Gyeong’s vision went white as he rushed toward her.
“Arin!”
“Dad!”
Arin, who had been receiving energy from Baek Mu Je, called out to him.
“What happened to you?”
Do Gyeong cupped her cheeks, his eyes widening in alarm.
The energy radiating from the child’s Spirit Core had dropped to a dangerous low.
The moment Arin saw Do Gyeong, tears welled in her eyes.
She had been afraid, after all.
At the time, she had moved on instinct to save Woo Hyeon, but looking back now, it had been reckless beyond measure.
As reality settled in with each passing moment, the sight of Do Gyeong broke something open in her—tears spilled without warning.
“Ugh, Father…”
Arin called out to him through her sorrow, voice trembling with sobs.
Her body shook continuously, wracked with chills from the enormous expenditure of energy.
Watching her pitiful state, Do Gyeong felt his blood reverse in his veins.
At a glance, the child was in a state of Spirit Core depletion.
The thought that she had expended such power for some desperate crisis sent his breathing ragged.
“What in the world have you done? Where did all this blood come from?”
“It’s… it’s not, mm, my blood, it’s…”
Arin’s face had gone pale as she struggled to form the words.
One look told him she was in no state to explain anything.
It was Baek Mu Je who answered instead, still holding Arin’s hand.
“This is not the young lady’s blood—it is Woo Hyeon’s.”
“Woo Hyeon’s blood? What kind of disaster did he cause?”
“He went to the village and was caught in a Monster Extermination Trap, then forced into Beast Transformation and lost control. The young lady exhausted herself stopping him.”
Even Baek Mu Je’s lips had taken on a pallid hue as he spoke calmly.
How much energy must he have poured into her.
Do Gyeong regarded him silently for a moment, then let out a low sigh.
“Between the two of them, neither thinks to cause trouble and then ask for help from adults.”
“Sir?”
Baek Mu Je, uncertain of his meaning, looked back in confusion.
Do Gyeong withdrew Arin’s hand from Baek Mu Je’s grasp and spoke.
“That goes for you too. If you collapse as well, even White Dragon will be difficult to manage.”
“Ah.”
As Do Gyeong channeled energy into him, color returned to Baek Mu Je’s complexion.
Only now could he feel the true state of his own body. Since losing strength to the Black Horse Clan’s doing, he had learned to be careful about everything.
But watching Arin tremble, his body had moved before his mind could follow.
When Baek Mu Je remained silent, lips pressed tight, Do Gyeong spoke.
“If you collapse, White Dragon will rampage and be troublesome.”
“…I am in your debt.”
“So you do understand, then.”
Do Gyeong made a soft tsk-tsk sound before lightly ruffling Baek Mu Je’s hair.
“Thank you for protecting my daughter.”
Baek Mu Je, unprepared for praise, touched his lips awkwardly and murmured softly.
“It was nothing.”
“Since we’re already indebted to you, there’s one more thing I’d ask. Could you see Arin to Maehwa Hall?”
“Father, I don’t want to. Can’t I just see that Woo Hyeon is all right and then stay?”
Arin interjected into the conversation, her stubbornness surfacing.
Baek Mu Je sighed at the sight of it.
“I’ve already tried to convince her multiple times, but she won’t listen.”
“Arin.”
When Do Gyeong called her name with an unusual severity, her shoulders flinched.
“You’ve caused trouble while sneaking around behind our backs—and you still think you’ll do as you please?”
“But…”
“Your presence in that room won’t improve Woo Hyeon’s condition. Now go.”
It was a cold answer. Feeling the gravity of the situation, Arin’s eyes glistened with tears.
“I’m sorry, Father.”
At the same time, anxiety crept into her chest. She had never seen Do Gyeong angry before.
Arin’s mind turned to the nightmare she had endured at the Hongsa Family.
Children who disobey are not needed, her family had said.
‘If I don’t listen again, Father might abandon me too.’
With that thought, she could not bring herself to leave.
Instead of departing at once, Arin lingered before Do Gyeong.
Seeing the pitiful look in her eyes, his resolve wavered.
He brushed away her tears and spoke gently.
“Why are you crying?”

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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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