A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 100
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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 100
Children of the Sa Cheon Dang Family, who wielded poison and assassination as their primary weapons, underwent brutal training from childhood.
This included consuming minute quantities of various toxins to condition their bodies against them.
“Any child of the Dang Family should be immune to ordinary poisons… Surely there must be an antidote pill?”
The Sa Cheon Dang Family possessed antidotes for nearly every poison in existence.
At most, perhaps something like the ‘Medicinal Spirit Poison’ that Nam Goong Baek had suffered from.
“None of the antidote pills the Dang Family possesses have any effect.”
The situation seemed to be growing grave.
“Baek, it would be best if you took Seol Ah outside for a while.”
Upon hearing his grandfather’s words, Nam Goong Baek unexpectedly spoke first to Dang Yi Woon.
“Why don’t you show us the Back Garden?”
His tone carried an unmistakable edge to it.
“Ah! I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
Yet Dang Yi Woon didn’t so much as furrow his brow, instead breaking into a bright smile.
“Seol, this is your first time at the Sa Cheon Dang Family, isn’t it? Follow me. I’ll show you the beautiful Back Garden with its pond and pavilion.”
With that, Dang Yi Woon casually extended his hand toward Hong Seol.
But it was Nam Goong Baek who seized his hand first.
“Let’s go.”
Wait, that’s not how this was supposed to go.
Dang Yi Woon had no chance to protest before Nam Goong Baek pulled him outside the Guest Hall.
Hong Seol followed behind with a single Servant, her short legs moving quickly to keep pace.
* * *
The children arrived at a courtyard that had been transformed entirely into a rectangular pond.
The corridors of pavilions encircled the entire perimeter of the pond.
“From here, you can view the pond as much as you like from the shade.”
“Wow!”
Hong Seol’s eyes widened at Dang Yi Woon’s explanation.
Delighted, Hong Seol rushed toward the elevated pavilion platform that jutted out over the water.
“Brother Baek, come look at this quickly!”
Hanging from the railing and leaning forward, I felt as though I were floating upon the pond itself.
Splash.
Between the lotus leaves, the sound of silk carp gliding through the water was utterly pleasant.
Dang Yi Woon, who had stepped back a pace, asked with satisfaction.
“Quite impressive, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Sichuan truly seems like a wonderful place!”
Hong Seol nodded repeatedly.
“Wait until you see the banquet this evening—you’ll love Sichuan even more.”
“Why is that?”
“The food is absolutely exquisite! Plus, you can even watch face-changing as entertainment.”
Face-changing was a performance art unique to Sichuan, where actors would swiftly exchange masks worn on their faces without touching them.
As Dang Yi Woon spoke, he covered his face with the wide sleeves of his green robe, demonstrating the gesture.
Each time, his charming crimson eyes and playfully shifting expressions captivated Hong Seol’s gaze.
“Wow!”
Hong Seol, already enchanted by Sichuan’s culture since the Market District, couldn’t help herself.
She broke into a radiant smile brimming with delight at Dang Yi Woon’s performance.
“Again, please show me again!”
“Shall I?”
While the delighted Dang Yi Woon continued his theatrical antics.
‘I can’t allow this.’
Nam Goong Baek, standing a step back, quietly withdrew a coin from his sleeve.
After carefully calculating the distance, he flicked his finger toward the pond.
Splash!
The coin, infused with inner force, sent water droplets surging upward.
Several of them left small stains on Hong Seol’s garment.
“Oh my!”
Startled, Hong Seol stepped back. The waiting Servant immediately rushed over.
“You should change your clothes, Miss!”
“That’s strange. Where did that spray come from all of a sudden?”
“A carp, perhaps? It seems the carp in Sichuan have poor manners.”
Nam Goong Baek answered Hong Seol’s question with utter nonchalance.
Meanwhile, Dang Yi Woon wore an expression of concern, worried he might have been rude to the Nam Goong Family’s precious young lady.
“Seol Ah, do you have another dress to change into?”
“Hmm…”
Hong Seol’s face showed hesitation.
She had several dresses, but they were wrinkled from being packed in the carriage for so long.
Even if she had the Servant press them, it would take considerable time.
‘What should I do? I have nothing to wear for the evening banquet.’
Seeing Hong Seol’s predicament, Dang Yi Woon chuckled.
“Actually, this works out perfectly. I was planning to give this to you as a parting gift later.”
“What?”
Nam Goong Baek murmured softly.
“How did you know Seol Ah would come?”
Unaware of his words, Dang Yi Woon commanded the Servant.
“Bring the silk dress I prepared for the young lady—the one embroidered with Shu embroidery.”
“Ah! The Sichuan embroidery said to be the most beautiful under heaven…”
“You’ve heard of it?”
Hong Seol nodded, having heard Nam Goong Ho speak of it in the Market District.
“You’re giving me something so precious as a gift? To me?”
It was an unexpected fortune.
Hong Seol was about to smile broadly when she shrugged her shoulders and turned to look behind her.
‘Baek Oppa told me not to accept gifts from men…’
Yet here we were.
Nam Goong Baek, whom I’d expected to frown, instead wore the faintest smile at the corners of his mouth—as if he approved.
‘Thank goodness, this one’s acceptable!’
Hong Seol beamed and bowed her head to Dang Yi Woon.
“Thank you so much, Yi Woon Oppa!”
Charmed by Hong Seol’s adorable demeanor, Dang Yi Woon smiled brightly.
“Of course, come with me now and change into—wait?”
In that instant, Dang Yi Woon trailed off and lifted his head.
He felt a heavy hand grip his arm.
Before him stood Nam Goong Baek, his expression displeased, shaking his head.
“Accompanying my sister while she changes clothes? That’s hardly proper etiquette.”
His tone was as if he were gently admonishing a shameless fool.
At that attitude, Dang Yi Woon’s mind went completely blank.
His face flushed crimson in an instant.
“That’s not what I meant at all!”
“Enough with the excuses.”
Nam Goong Baek, uninterested in hearing Dang Yi Woon’s explanation, spoke with dignified composure to the Servant.
“Escort the young lady to the Guest Hall with care.”
“Yes, miss, this way!”
The Servant took Hong Seol’s arm and disappeared.
Dang Yi Woon, who had been gazing intently at Hong Seol’s retreating figure, turned his head as he felt a scorching gaze upon his cheek.
“What the—why are you looking at me like that?”
Nam Goong Baek, whom he hadn’t seen since early childhood, had changed considerably.
And not for the better.
‘Was he always this cold?’
As Dang Yi Woon tilted his head in confusion, Nam Goong Baek opened his eyes narrowly and asked.
“Were you born in early autumn?”
“Huh? Why are you suddenly asking that?”
Dang Yi Woon found the question odd.
He and Nam Goong Baek had known each other since they were in diapers.
Why would he suddenly need to ask when he was born?
“I was born in late spring.”
“What does that have to—”
In that moment, Nam Goong Baek’s lips twisted.
“Then I’m the older one?”
“…What?”
Dang Yi Woon blinked.
He wondered if Nam Goong Baek was joking.
But the blue eyes fixed upon him were utterly unwavering, burning with absolute certainty.
He continued in a cold tone.
“You’re not a thoughtless child, so I’d appreciate it if you called me ‘older brother’ from now on.”
At that gaze, sharp as a blade, Dang Yi Woon felt his skin prickle.
He was completely overwhelmed.
Words tumbled unbidden from Dang Yi Woon’s lips as his mind went blank.
“Yes, older brother….”
“Good.”
Only then did Nam Goong Baek offer a proper smile. But it held no warmth whatsoever.
“Just so you know, it would be wise not to set your sights on my younger sister.”
“Younger sister? You mean Seol Ah?”
Nam Goong Baek’s eyes grew sharp. Flustered, Dang Yi Woon corrected himself.
“I, I mean, are you talking about Seol Ah, older brother?”
“Yes.”
“But I heard she’s not actually your blood sister….”
“That doesn’t matter. If I say she’s my sister, then she is. Stop talking nonsense and just answer me.”
Nam Goong Baek in that moment was like a young wolf bristling its fur to protect its pack.
Dang Yi Woon’s mouth fell open.
‘So that’s why Baek—I mean, older brother—has been acting so difficult since we reunited.’
Understanding dawned, and Dang Yi Woon’s tension melted into a soft chuckle.
“Don’t worry about that, older brother. Of course, Seol Ah is an uncommonly adorable girl….”
Dang Yi Woon touched his chin as he continued.
“Her eyes are as dark as a night sky studded with stars, her cheeks soft as peaches, and her jawline is drawn with the precision of a fine brush.”
As he rattled on with praise, Nam Goong Baek’s expression grew increasingly twisted.
Seeing this, Dang Yi Woon grinned wickedly and spoke with emphasis.
“…But you see, older brother, I prefer strong women.”
Dang Yi Woon clenched both fists to demonstrate.
“My ideal woman is one strong enough to overpower me in martial arts. So you needn’t worry!”
As he said this, Dang Yi Woon broke into a good-natured grin.
“I see.”
Nam Goong Baek nodded, but inwardly he was scoffing at Dang Yi Woon.
‘He’s young, so his judgment is clearly lacking.’
The image of a small kitten flashed through his mind.
The moment she had clawed and lunged at Nam Goong Do of the Branch Family, and the moment she had brought down the earth tunnel wall with the Heavenly Thunder Divine Palm without regard for her own body.
‘My Seol Ah is far stronger than he realizes.’
The thought that only he knew Seol Ah’s true power filled him with a peculiar satisfaction.
Then it happened.
“Young Master!”
The Servant came rushing over urgently and bowed deeply to both young masters.
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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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