A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 109

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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 109
Hong Seol’s eyes glistened with a mixture of joy and concern.
“Really? But Snake Grandfather…”
“There are still two more trials from the Sam Dok Ro ahead of us. I’ll win them both without fail and clear Grandfather’s name, I promise.”
Yi Woon gazed at Hong Seol with the same radiant smile he’d worn when they first met.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”
Hong Seol’s eyes welled with emotion, her nose flushing red.
“Of course! I’ll do my very best until the end!”
Nam Goong Baek silently lifted his shoulders in a light shrug.
In that moment, his voice reached Hong Seol’s ears through a secret transmission.
– What a shame.
“A shame about what…? Oh!”
Could he mean she hadn’t gotten to strike Yi Woon on the back of the neck?
Sensing that hidden meaning in Baek’s words, Hong Seol trembled slightly for a moment.
* * *
The sun had begun its descent toward the horizon.
Three exhausted children trudged out of the entrance to the Bamboo Forest Circular Path.
The waiting warriors erupted in cheers.
“Ohhh!”
“They’re back!”
“With no competitors left, obtaining the Heavenly Treasure Orb will be as easy as eating cold rice!”
Yet somehow, the children’s expressions were far from bright.
The Sam Dok Ro stepped forward.
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder, standing at the front, opened his mouth toward Dang Yi Woon.
“Young Master Dang Yi Woon, have you brought the Heavenly Treasure Orb? Ho, ho, ho.”
“…I was unable to obtain it.”
At those words, the warriors surrounding them began to murmur.
As it was said, seizing the initiative in all things was paramount.
Since Dang Cheon Gang and the twins had forfeited the competition, Dang Yi Woon’s victory in the first trial was essentially handed to him.
Moreover, winning two consecutive trials would eliminate the need for a third.
Yet the Sam Dok Ro, seeing him return empty-handed, wore an expression of shock.
“If you cannot bring the Heavenly Treasure Orb, the first trial will result in a draw, you understand? Ho, ho, ho.”
“I believe that cannot be helped.”
Again, murmurs rippled through the crowd—mostly voices of astonishment.
At that moment, Hong Seol noticed something strange.
‘The Dang Family Master’s expression has hardened.’
The first trial, which would almost certainly have ended in defeat, was now concluding in a draw.
‘Why would that be?’
Curiosity bloomed within Hong Seol’s heart.
Meanwhile, the Sam Dok Ro seemed equally curious about why Dang Yi Woon had abandoned the Heavenly Treasure Orb.
“May I ask your reason? Ho, ho, ho.”
“I saw the inscription written on the Gangbo Pillar.”
“I see. And then?”
“If Dujiangyan collapses, countless people in Sichuan will suffer in agony. As a member of the Dang Sect, I cannot stand idle while the people of Sichuan endure such pain!”
Dang Yi Woon’s voice burned with genuine conviction.
The murmuring crowd around him began nodding and praising Dang Yi Woon.
“Young Master Dang Yi Woon speaks the truth.”
“Aye, indeed he does.”
“My friend lives near Dujiangyan too.”
“The owner of the Fabric Shop I frequent is in the same situation! We’re fortunate the Dang Sect has such a noble young master.”
Dang Yi Woon’s face brightened as he listened to the warriors’ words.
Yet Dang Won Pyung’s expression was growing increasingly pleased.
‘What is this?’
I continued to observe it carefully.
Dang Won Pyung was the father of Dang Cheon Gang, who competed with Dang Yi Woon for the position of Minor Family Master. If he looked pleased, it meant something was amiss with my elder brother’s actions.
‘Could it be…?’
The moment I grasped a faint clue in my mind.
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder spoke.
“Concerned for the suffering of Sichuan’s people, you say. Is that your answer? Ho, ho, ho.”
Dang Yi Woon’s pupils wavered slightly at those words.
That was when it happened.
“There’s one more reason!”
A clear sound like jingling bells rang out. Its source was me.
“I see. Would you mind sharing the reason the young lady of the Nam Goong Family has in mind? Ho, ho, ho.”
In that instant, a telepathic message resonated in my mind.
It was Nam Goong Ho, observing the situation.
– Think carefully, Seol Ah. If you misspeak here, it will affect Yi Woon as well.
But I remained unshaken and nodded reassuringly toward Nam Goong Ho.
Then I spoke with measured, deliberate clarity.
“If we had lifted the Gangbo Pillar, we would be lying collapsed by the Pond Area by now.”
“I see.”
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder’s eyes gleamed at those words.
“What led you to that conclusion?”
“I heard that the Bamboo Forest Circular Path is used as a training ground for the Fierce Snake Squad. And there’s one more thing.”
I glanced around before continuing.
“I also heard this place was used during the past Family Master selection tournament.”
This was information I’d heard from Il Jjik Yi and Yi Jjik Yi the previous night.
They had overheard a conversation between the Sam Dok Ro.
The Sam Dok Ro, who knew nothing of this, wore expressions of astonishment.
“That’s something only those deeply versed in the history of the Dang Sect would know… Truly, the young lady of the Nam Goong Family is exceptional.”
“Ahem!”
At those words, Nam Goong Ho’s shoulders shot up to the heavens.
Hong Seol continued speaking.
“The Bamboo Forest Circular Path may lie within the Dang Sect’s Estate Grounds, but it’s a place where so many people have come and gone over the long years. So I gave it some thought.”
As she spoke, Hong Seol raised her index finger and tapped her temple lightly.
“With so many people passing through, how could a precious pearl remain in place for so long? Or rather, why would the Green Robe Master Dang Yi Bing, skilled enough to create Dujiangyan, leave the Radiant Pearl in such a location?”
After surveying the surroundings, Hong Seol spoke with conviction.
“It’s because there must be a mechanism preventing anyone from picking up the pearl in the first place.”
Hong Seol smiled brightly.
“For instance, something like a hidden mechanism?”
In that moment, Hong Seol clearly saw Dang Won Pyung’s face contort terribly.
‘Surely the Fierce Snake Squad received training instructing them never to move the Radiant Pearl. And the Family Master…’
Hong Seol stole a glance at Dang Won Pyung’s hardened expression.
‘I heard that after the previous Family Master passed away suddenly, the branch families held a succession trial.’
If they had used the Bamboo Forest Circular Path then, Dang Won Pyung would certainly have known the secret of the Radiant Pearl.
‘Yet seeing how Dang Cheon Gang initially tried to retrieve the Radiant Pearl, it seems the Family Master must have given him a hint beforehand.’
It was evidence that the young master succession trial was being conducted fairly.
The way he had bowed respectfully to them when they were children, after saving Ji Gang and In Gang, was proof of that too.
‘He might be better than I thought.’
Hong Seol felt a spark of goodwill toward the Dang Family Master.
But she couldn’t stop here.
Surveying her surroundings, Hong Seol opened her mouth and drove home the final point.
“Isn’t the true answer to this trial actually not to bring the Radiant Pearl?”
Whoooosh.
For a long while, nothing could be heard but the wind brushing through the bamboo leaves.
It was as though everyone was holding their breath.
After a considerable time, the Hyeop Juk Do Elder finally spoke.
“…That is correct!”
Only then did people exhale, their tension released.
The Hyeop Juk Do Elder explained calmly.
“The correct answer to this trial is not to bring the Radiant Pearl. The purpose was to observe the courage to navigate through mechanisms, the warm heart that considers others, and the wisdom to reason through principles.”
The Elder, looking at Dang Yi Woon, Hong Seol, and Nam Goong Baek, smiled broadly with teeth showing—a rare sight.
“This trial is a victory for Dang Yi Woon’s team! Ho, ho, ho.”
“Yay!”
Delighted, Hong Seol bounced up and down in place.
“Older brother Yi Woon, we won! We actually won!”
“We…won?”
Dang Yi Woon, bewildered, simply swayed as Hong Seol pulled him this way and that.
“Well, I.”
Nam Goong Baek turned his head as though annoyed, yet a faint smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
“Well done, you rascals!”
Nam Goong Ho rushed forward in a single bound and embraced all three children at once.
“Sigh.”
I could sense Nam Goong Baek’s displeasure, but in this moment, I had no intention of releasing my grandchildren.
After sharing joy for quite some time.
Dang Family Master Dang Won Pyung approached them, bowed his head, and spoke.
Regret was evident in his expression, yet he too was the leader of an Orthodox Sect martial family.
He accepted the predetermined outcome with grace.
“Congratulations, Elder. Yi Woon, you’ve endured much hardship as well.”
Dang Yi Woon bowed silently in response.
“And Miss Hong Seol…”
Dang Won Pyung wore an expression mingling admiration with astonishment.
“Remarkable! I have nothing else to say.”
He clicked his tongue and asked.
“How on earth did you deduce the correct answer?”
“You taught me half of it, Dang Family Master.”
“I did?”
“Yes! When Yi Woon said he couldn’t bring the River Guardian, your face suddenly darkened like this…”
Hong Seol mimicked Dang Won Pyung’s expression from that moment, her face contorting into a sorrowful mask.
“But when you spoke of how Dujiangyan’s collapse would bring suffering to the people of Sichuan, you smiled brightly, didn’t you?”
Hong Seol continued.
“From what I’ve heard, though you are stern, Dang Family Master, you cherish the land and people of Sichuan dearly. There had to be a reason for such a contrast in your expressions.”
As she spoke, Hong Seol smiled gently.
“For instance, perhaps you already knew the answer?”
“Ha, goodness.”
The Dang Family Master clicked his tongue involuntarily.
He could scarcely believe that this small child had seen through everything.

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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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