The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 77

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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 77
‘I have no intention of forcing a marriage upon a child against their wishes.’
As Baek Hyun Je moved to mention the betrothal, Geum Do Gyeong cut him off sharply.
‘Besides, does the Hong Family not have an adopted daughter? Your Highness already has an excellent betrothed, does he not?’
The warning—that he dare not covet his daughter—carried an unmistakable edge of menace.
Baek Hyun Je, recalling that moment, shook his head lightly and spoke.
“Three years ago, Hyeok Gwang vanished and stole half of Baek Mu Je’s Yeouiju. And yesterday, he dared attempt to breach the palace using my son’s Yeouiju.”
At the mention of Hyeok Gwang, the head of the Black Horse Clan, the hall stirred into turmoil.
Several Heads of the Twelve Zodiac Families, grown accustomed to peace, trembled with unease.
Hong Yi Jin spoke with a hardened expression.
“Half of the Yeouiju was stolen? Is it… recoverable?”
The Yeouiju was the source of the White Dragon’s power.
To lose half of it—
it was a grave matter that could affect not only strength but life itself.
Seeing Hong Yi Jin’s immediate distress, Baek Hyun Je narrowed his eyes.
“We have searched for a remedy all this time, but to no avail. Now that there is a risk the Yeouiju might be misused, there will be far greater constraints on his use of power than before.”
“That means…….”
“For now, it is difficult to guarantee the boy’s survival.”
As Baek Hyun Je spoke grimly, the assembly fell solemn.
That the once-lauded prodigy Baek Mu Je had become terminally ill was only natural cause for such gravity.
Hong Yi Jin was the most shaken.
All his efforts to maintain the marriage negotiations by currying favor with the White Dragon Palace seemed poised to crumble.
“Then your silence regarding the marriage all this time—was it connected to his condition?”
“I regret not having spoken sooner.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Now that everything is revealed, maintaining the marriage with the Hong Family would be unseemly, would it not?”
“…….”
At the implication of annulment, Hong Yi Jin offered no denial.
Under the circumstances, an alliance with the White Dragon Palace had lost much of its appeal.
Yet to accept outright might offend the palace, so he decided to yield ground for now.
“You must have suffered great concern. We may discuss the marriage further at a later time.”
“No, indeed. It would hardly be proper to delay further, would it? Given that Baek Mu Je’s future cannot be guaranteed, maintaining the marriage seems impractical.”
As Baek Hyun Je pressed the annulment again, Hong Yi Jin answered as if reluctantly convinced.
“If that is Your Majesty’s wish, I shall accept it.”
“Then I shall have the annulment documents sent to you.”
Meanwhile, Geum Do Gyeong, who had observed all this, wore an expression of clear displeasure.
‘That serpent of a White Dragon seeks opportunity under the guise of his son’s weakness.’
How earnestly he had once urged secrecy about his shortcomings.
The moment he learned of Arin’s ability, he rushed to annul the engagement—the scheme was transparent.
At that moment, Cheong Hae Ju raised her hand briskly and spoke.
“But why did the Black Horse Clan attack yesterday? Were they trying to steal the other half?”
It was a remark devoid of even basic courtesy toward another’s precious son.
Baek Hyun Je masked his displeasure and replied.
“Their target was the Priestess.”
The truth of Woo Hyun’s identity had been agreed to remain known only to the clan leaders, Yeo Ryeong, and Do Gyeong.
It was a judgment made to prevent further confusion should the Heads of the Twelve Zodiac Families learn of it.
Moreover, attention must be paid to the fact that this attack had taken place within the palace itself.
Perhaps there was a faction among the Twelve Zodiac Families that had allied with the Black Horse Clan.
“Hyeok Gwang must be quite desperate to reclaim his power,” Cheong Hae Ju said with a seductive laugh, casting a glance at the Head of the Eunma Clan.
“The Eunma Head should be careful too. The Black Horse Clan may seek to reclaim its seat among the Twelve Zodiac Families and cause trouble.”
She spoke this way because after the Black Horse Clan vacated its position among the Twelve Zodiac Families, the Eunma Clan had filled the void.
The Eunma Head shot back with clear displeasure.
“Do you find this situation amusing, Cheong Head?”
“Amusing? Indeed. Things have been terribly dull.”
At her artless murmur, the Eunma Head let out a hollow laugh.
By nature, Cheong Hae Ju was the sort who would not hesitate to wage war if necessity demanded it.
By contrast, the Twelve Zodiac Heads, who prized peace, found the emergence of Hyeok Gwang deeply ominous.
Seeking to calm the unsettled Heads, Baek Hyun Je spoke.
“The Priestess’s seal has not been broken, so there is no cause for alarm. However, I would ask that you keep this secret until we learn the location of their headquarters.”

“I agree. There’s no point spreading word of this—it would only compound the chaos.”
“The Priestess will be safe, won’t she?”
“So long as the Gold Tiger Clan stands, the Priestess is safe.”
Geum Do Gyeong answered with such confidence that the other Family Heads relaxed one by one.
“Still, losing the Yeouiju was a tremendous blunder. The other families ought to take precautions. We mustn’t lose our precious heirs.”
“Cheong, that remark seems to have crossed a line.”
“I’m simply saying we should all be careful.”
At Cheong Hae Ju’s pointed words, Baek Hyun Je’s lips curled into a thin, mirthless smile.
He knew she enjoyed turning others’ words against them, so he had no intention of rising to the bait.
“Cheong is right. So long as the Black Horse Clan favors Sinister Sorcery, the family’s safety must come first.”
“See? His Majesty agrees with me, doesn’t he?”
After they had finished discussing what lay ahead,
Hong Yi Jin returned to his quarters and sought out Yeon Si.
Spotting her with So So, he cut straight to the point.
“As expected, Baek Mu Je’s condition is not good.”
“Then…….”
“His Majesty brought up the annulment first. Thanks to that, we’ve avoided an awkward situation.”
Hong Yi Jin clearly had lost interest in the marriage arrangement with White Dragon Palace.
For the Hong Family, which had suffered no real damage from the Black Horse Clan, entangling themselves in their affairs seemed nothing but dangerous.
Meanwhile, So So was startled by the sudden news of the annulment.
“An annulment? But…….”
“How could I arrange a marriage with someone whose future is so uncertain?”
“I… I would be all right with it…….”
For So So, who had been counting the days until her betrothal to Baek Mu Je, it was like a bolt from the blue.
When So So hesitated, Hong Yi Jin dismissed her with visible irritation.
“Since that’s how it is, you don’t need to try to impress His Majesty anymore.”
‘How bad can it possibly be?’
Recalling how he had lain collapsed the night before, So So’s heart quickened with worry.
So So clutched Hong Yi Jin’s sleeve and pressed him urgently.
“Is his condition that grave?”
“He was careless. With half the Yeouiju lost, even the mightiest power would be worthless.”
“Lost the Yeouiju? The White Dragon’s heir?”
When Yeon Si exclaimed in surprise, Hong Yi Jin pressed a hand to his forehead.
“We’ll need to return to Hong Village and increase our defenses at once. Now that it’s certain the Black Horse Clan has returned, the family’s security is paramount.”
While the Hong couple discussed matters gravely, So So began gnawing at her fingernails.
‘This can’t be real.’
With Hong Yi Jin’s decision made, her own stubbornness could never overturn it.
‘What happens to me now?’
The reason she had been adopted into the Hong Family as a foster daughter in the first place was the marriage to the White Dragon Clan.
But now that was no longer necessary.
Seeing Arin’s Divine Power with her own eyes last night had made her all the more anxious.
‘I can’t let this stand.’
If she fell further out of Hong Yi Jin’s favor, she might end up returned to that desolate home.
So So resented her own meager strength.
Shortly after, back in her room packing her belongings, So So suddenly recalled Cheong Yu Hee’s words.
‘If you grow strong, everyone will acknowledge you.’
The words seemed to hint at a secret—how Cheong Yu Hee had won the Cheong Family Head’s favor over so many siblings.
Not wanting to leave empty-handed, So So abandoned her packing and rushed from the room.

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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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