A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 103

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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 103
“Children?”
“Yes. And conveniently, the young master Nam Goong Baek, who is renowned as a prodigy, is present among us. Ho, ho, ho.”
At the Elder Judge’s words, every eye in the hall turned toward Nam Goong Baek.
Even beneath that barrage of gazes, Nam Goong Baek remained unmoved and composed.
‘Wow, my older brother is truly remarkable.’
Hong Seol marveled quietly to herself.
‘If it’s Baek older brother, he’ll pass any test with ease!’
As her confidence swelled, Hong Seol lifted her chin proudly toward the sky.
“We shall form groups of three against three, and you will face three trials set forth by us, the Sam Dok Ro. Ho, ho, ho.”
As he spoke, the Hyeop Juk Do Elder fixed his gaze upon Hong Seol.
Hong Seol, who had been sitting quietly, nearly jumped from her seat in shock.
“Me, me, me too?”
Her plump finger, pointing to herself, trembled like the last withered leaf clinging to a branch.
Nam Goong Ho expressed his displeasure.
“Why must our Baek and Seol Ah be included as well…?”
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder responded to Nam Goong Ho’s objection.
“Surely the Young Patriarch Selection that was halted must be conducted anew, must it not? Ho, ho, ho.”
“Hmm.”
“The position of Young Patriarch requires not only exceptional martial prowess from the candidate, but also the ability to lead others. Ho, ho, ho.”
The assembled Elders nodded in agreement.
“In the Young Patriarch Selection held previously, we witnessed sufficient martial skill from both young masters. Now, is it not time to ascertain whether they possess the capability to lead others as well? Ho, ho, ho.”
Nam Goong Ho sighed as if reluctant.
“Very well. However, you must ask the children for their consent. We cannot sacrifice them for the sake of adult logic.”
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder, nodding in agreement, asked directly.
“What say you, Young Master Dang Yi Woon? Will you accept the trials of the Sam Dok Ro? Ho, ho, ho.”
Dang Yi Woon appeared momentarily flustered at the question, glancing back at Nam Goong Baek and Hong Seol. Then, as if his resolve had solidified, he answered with unwavering determination.
“I will.”
Hong Seol looked at Dang Yi Woon with fearful eyes.
His crimson eyes already burned with steadfast resolve.
His acceptance of the trial was not for his own sake in becoming Young Patriarch, but to clear the grievance of Dang Yi Mu.
Thus, Dang Yi Woon could not retreat.
‘For older brother Yi Woon, grandfather Dang Yi Mu is everything.’
Witnessing his determination, she could not simply evade the trial out of fear.
‘Yes, older brother Baek is here, so it will be fine.’
“I, I’ll do it too.”
The moment Hong Seol hesitantly raised her hand, Nam Goong Baek’s cold voice cut through the air.
“I decline.”
In an instant, the Patriarch’s Residence fell silent as ice.
Everyone had assumed the eldest young master of the renowned Nam Goong Family would naturally accept.
The elders stood frozen, their mouths hanging open.
As the carefully orchestrated scheme unraveled, the Hyeop Juk Do Elder cried out.
“Is not Dang Yi Woon the grandson of the Grand Elder, who is a close friend of the Sword King?”
His panic was so complete that he forgot even the habitual “ho, ho, ho” that punctuated his speech.
Nam Goong Baek shrugged his shoulders.
He was the grandson of his grandfather’s friend—not his own friend, his gesture implied.
“But the Sword King’s debt of gratitude token….”
Even at the Elder’s semi-threatening words, Nam Goong Baek merely raised a single eyebrow.
“Alas…. The principles of the Jianghu have fallen to the ground.”
“How can Young Master Nam Goong Baek refuse in such circumstances?”
The murmuring voices grew so loud that the Patriarch’s Residence of the Sa Cheon Dang Family became thoroughly chaotic.
Yet Nam Goong Baek stood firm in the very center of it all, unmoved.
He had a clear reason for refusing the trial.
‘I cannot push Seol into danger again.’
What they had already endured was more than enough.
A debt of gratitude token?
That was something his grandfather would have to handle himself. There was a saying, after all: “He who ties the knot must untie it.”
Just then, Hong Seol gently tugged at Nam Goong Baek’s sleeve.
“Hmm?”
When he turned, Hong Seol whispered softly with her small lips.
“Let’s help Elder Brother Yi Woon.”
Nam Goong Baek shook his head.
“No.”
“But Elder Brother Yi Woon is in such a terrible situation. His parents are already gone, and if he loses Grandfather Snake too….”
I couldn’t bear it, Hong Seol said with the shape of her lips.
‘To lose everyone you love. I can’t even imagine it.’
If suddenly one day all the Nam Goong Family members disappeared, how would he feel?
Sorrow filled Hong Seol’s small chest completely.
“Let’s give Elder Brother Yi Woon our strength. Please? I’m begging you.”
Even at Hong Seol’s earnest plea, Nam Goong Baek shook his head firmly.
But his voice had grown considerably softer.
“…What if you get hurt?”
“But Elder Brother is here.”
“What?”
“You’re here, so nothing could possibly happen to me. Hehe.”
After all, I didn’t suffer even a scratch on Changnyeong Mountain and made it all the way to Sichuan like this.
Hong Seol’s pure eyes overflowed with trust in Nam Goong Baek.
“Besides, it’s a trial for children. There shouldn’t be anything too dangerous.”
“Sigh, you really….”
As Nam Goong Baek ran his hand through his hair and frowned.
“Nam Goong Baek!”
Dang Cheon Gang stepped forward from across the way, his arrogant posture with his belly thrust out making my skin crawl.
“Are you perhaps afraid of the Dang Family’s trial?”
“Ha.”
At those words, Nam Goong Baek let out a cold scoff.
Dang Cheon Gang’s provocation continued relentlessly.
“Or is it that you plan to flee with your tail between your legs like a coward?”
At that, Nam Goong Baek growled low in his throat.
“A serpent’s whelp, ignorant of the vast sky above, dares to raise its head against me.”
Despite the escalating hostility, none of the elders made any move to intervene.
Rather, their expressions suggested approval. They all wished to witness firsthand the martial prowess of Nam Goong Baek, whose reputation as a prodigy had spread far and wide.
After all, his strength would likely determine the Nam Goong Family’s standing in the next generation.
Nam Goong Baek, gripping Hong Seol’s hand tightly, spoke as if suppressing his fury.
His cold blue eyes remained fixed upon Dang Cheon Gang.
“Very well. I shall personally teach you that there exists a sky beyond the sky.”
‘Brother!’
Hong Seol’s face brightened with radiance.
* * *
In my quarters, the lamplight flickered late into the night.
“Mmm….”
I had been studying diagrams of various mechanical mechanisms to prepare for tomorrow’s trial.
It was something Dang Yi Woon had borrowed for me from the Dang Family’s Library Hall.
Of course, being a child of a martial arts family himself, he hadn’t brought the most critical information, but one thing was certain.
“The Dang Family’s mechanical designs rely heavily on trap-based formations….”
I recalled the memory of steadying myself against a stone lantern on the path to the Patriarch’s Residence.
“Brother Yi Woon was so startled he came running.”
Around me, sprawled across the bed, lay documents filled with research on mechanical designs.
“Sigh, I’m exhausted…. Perhaps I should rest my eyes for a moment?”
Despite the unfamiliar sleeping quarters, I soon fell into a deep slumber.
After all, so much had happened throughout the day.
Then, suddenly, a familiar sound echoed from the darkness.
“Jjik (Master)….”
“Jjik (Master, please open your eyes)….”
My ears perked up at the sound. The next moment, I jolted upright on the bed.
“You two?”
Though I kept my voice low, it carried an edge of urgency.
“Jjik (Hehe)….”
Two white mice, identical as a pair of glutinous rice cakes, sat at the head of my bed.
They were Il Jjik Yi and Yi Jjik Yi, the offspring of Jjik Jjik and his mate.
“How did you two get here?”
“Jjik (Father sent us)!”
Hong Seol’s eyes widened at those words.
“Jjik Jjik? You mean him?”
“Jjik (Yes, since the lord was traveling such a long distance, he told us to follow in secret and lend our aid)….”
Oh dear.
Jjik Jjik had insisted on sending some of his children along, but I’d refused because the journey was far too arduous.
It seemed he’d gone ahead and sent them after me anyway.
‘He was worried about me.’
At that realization, tears welled up in my eyes.
“Goodness, how did you little ones manage such a treacherous road….”
“Jjik (We mostly stayed on top of the carriage roof! Sometimes we’d grab onto the horse’s tail and fly)!”
“Jjik (When we were thirsty, we drank from the same water the horses drank. We’d also pick up scraps of meat the lord ate).”
“Jjik (It was a bit dangerous at the Changnyeong Sect though. Since those were Daoists, they only ate vegetables, so we had to sip nectar from flowers instead).”
At those words, I quickly climbed down from the bed.
“You must have suffered terribly following us all this way. Are you hungry? Let me at least prepare some rice cakes….”
“Jjik (Wait, my lord)!”
Il Jjik Yi called out urgently. I stopped in my tracks as I was heading toward the reception room.
“Jjik (Before that, there’s something I must tell you).”
“Jjik (About tomorrow’s trial—we’ve discovered what the problem is)!”
I froze in place.

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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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