A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 110

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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 110
After a long pause, he spoke as if expelling the words from deep within.
“Yes, you are correct. I too underwent the trial of the Bamboo Forest Circular Path alongside other branch families in my past.”
Hong Seol nodded lightly, as if she had anticipated this very response.
Nam Goong Ho stood with an expression of profound satisfaction upon witnessing her composure.
Dang Won Pyung addressed the three young people who had emerged from the Bamboo Forest Circular Path.
“I must express my gratitude once more for rescuing Ji Gang and In Gang. I know not how to repay such a debt….”
At that moment, Nam Goong Baek suddenly interjected.
“If that is truly your wish, would you not consider releasing Poison King Dang Yi Mu from Thunder Prison?”
“I beg your pardon, brother?”
Dang Yi Woon was left utterly dumbfounded by Nam Goong Baek’s abrupt proposal.
The Dang Family Master was equally taken aback, and he spoke with difficulty.
“However, Nam Goong Baek.”
“I am not asking for his sentence to be pardoned. Since we agreed to entrust judgment to the trial’s outcome, I merely request that the Poison King be permitted to remain at Dang Yi Woon’s side during this time.”
Despite Nam Goong Baek’s repeated plea, the Dang Family Master remained hesitant.
“Indeed, that is not an unreasonable thought, Dang Family Master.”
Nam Goong Ho spoke with measured care.
“I stake my honor—the honor of Nam Goong Ho himself—that the Poison King will not flee in the dead of night.”
…Though I wonder if I have any honor left to stake in these Sichuan lands.
Nam Goong Ho recalled the wooden puppet theater he had witnessed on the street.
“…Very well.”
At last, Dang Won Pyung nodded in agreement.
“However, the Poison King must reside in the Guest Hall alongside the Sword King and his companions. The Fierce Snake Squad will maintain a constant watch there.”
“Acceptable.”
Nam Goong Ho nodded his assent.
Thereupon, cheers erupted from among the warriors surrounding Dang Yi Woon.
“Huzzah!”
It seemed there were many who pitied the solitary Dang Yi Woon.
Their respect for the Poison King as a warrior also played its part.
“B-brother….”
Dang Yi Woon gazed at Nam Goong Baek’s profile with tears threatening to spill.
Yet Nam Goong Baek merely stared ahead, his expression suggesting it was nothing of consequence.
Then he quietly parted his fresh lips.
“…Because I struck you.”
“Ah!”
When he had defeated the Ghost Soul Demon.
He had suddenly struck Dang Yi Woon without warning, and it had weighed upon his conscience ever since.
After all, the misunderstanding that Hong Seol had perished was now resolved.
Nam Goong Ho, his spirits lifted, cried out.
“Excellent! Today we shall feast and drink in celebration of victory alongside that venerable Poison King Dang Yi Mu!”
“Excellent!”
The atmosphere had reached its peak excitement at Nam Goong Ho’s words.
“Ahem. My apologies, but.”
One of the Sam Dok Ro—a man with his hair braided long and bound like a scorpion’s tail—stepped forward.
“Before the celebration begins, I would like to announce the second trial event.”
In an instant, the eyes of everyone present snapped toward him with palpable tension.
* * *
The doors of the Guest Hall swung wide open. Through them walked Poison King Dang Yi Mu with leisurely strides.
“Grandfather!”
Dang Yi Woon immediately rushed forward and embraced him tightly.
“Heh heh, you little rascal. Were you worried?”
Rather than answer, Dang Yi Woon rubbed his head against the old man’s chest like a spoiled child.
Watching this, Hong Seol’s eyes also grew misty.
‘He pretends to be so mature, but Yi Woon is still just a child after all.’
Thinking of how much anxiety Yi Woon must have endured all this time, my heart ached for him.
“Now there’s nothing to worry about. Let us simply prepare well for the remaining trials.”
“Yes!”
Dang Yi Woon wiped away his tears with the back of his hand as he answered.
Poison King Dang Yi Mu gestured for the Fierce Snake Squad warriors standing behind him to go.
“You’ve worked hard.”
To any observer, it looked less like a release and more like an honored escort.
“This old codger barely managed to get out of Thunder Prison thanks to you youngsters, yet my neck is still stiff.”
At Nam Goong Ho’s needless jab, Dang Yi Mu chuckled.
“Seems you were quite worried?”
With that exchange, Dang Yi Mu and Nam Goong Ho embraced each other.
“So you all defeated the Ghost Soul Demon. Thanks to that, I was able to escape Thunder Prison. I’m grateful.”
Dang Yi Mu also offered his greetings to Hong Seol and Nam Goong Baek.
Though his face had grown somewhat gaunt, Dang Yi Mu appeared healthy.
“So, what were you doing all that time in Thunder Prison?”
“I was searching for the true culprit who tried to kill Dang Bo Young.”
“…Inside Thunder Prison?”
“Yes.”
“How on earth?”
“Those with reckless temperaments like yours wouldn’t understand, but for a strategist like me….”
Dang Yi Mu continued speaking while gleefully watching Nam Goong Ho’s face contort in real time.
“Every poison in the world exists within this mind of mine.”
As he said this, Dang Yi Mu tapped his temple with his fingertips.
“Based on the symptoms, the poison used to kill Dang Bo Young is a type I myself have never encountered.”
In that moment, what lit up Dang Yi Mu’s eyes was unmistakably intellectual curiosity.
“So I intend to uncover its secrets starting now.”
A chilling smile bloomed across Dang Yi Mu’s face.
“Regardless of this test’s outcome, whoever it was, I won’t let them frame me without consequence.”
“Then….”
“So I’m rather busy. Nam Goong Ho, you’ll need to take charge of instructing those two in the second trial.”
As he spoke, Dang Yi Mu gestured toward Nam Goong Baek and Dang Yi Woon standing to the side.
* * *
“I, I don’t think this is quite right…. Don’t you agree, Grandfather?”
Hong Seol asked Nam Goong Ho with concern. The two of them had entered the Training Ground of the Sichuan Tang Family.
“Hmm.”
Nam Goong Ho stroked his chin with a troubled expression.
The darkness that shadowed their faces came not merely from the awning stretched overhead.
“There does seem to be a problem.”
Before Nam Goong Ho could finish speaking, a low growling sound pierced their ears.
“Turn right over there! Don’t you have eyes?”
“What are you doing, Brother! Huh?”
In the Training Ground, Nam Goong Baek and Dang Yi Woon, with one arm and one leg bound together, were fighting fiercely.
It was a bizarre sight, as if a giant were battling itself.
Nam Goong Ho clicked his tongue and let out an old man’s sigh.
“You two! Come here.”
“Yes, sir!”
“…Yes.”
At Nam Goong Ho’s shout, both immediately moved—but both stepped forward with their right foot, and with a loud thud, they crashed onto their backsides.
“This… these idiots!”
Nam Goong Baek, his face flushed crimson, yanked off the cloth binding his ankle and hurled it down.
“Brother, why are you acting on your own again! Shouldn’t I be the one stepping forward with my right foot here!”
Seeing this, Nam Goong Ho pressed his forehead.
“It would have been better if Hong Seol, who can’t use her inner strength, had gone instead.”
“It’s quite a mess….”
Hong Seol, who was usually generous with her words, felt this was beyond salvaging.
Nam Goong Ho shook his head slowly.
“It seems I’ll need to put those two through harsh training.”
His merciless gaze turned toward Nam Goong Baek and Dang Yi Woon, who were bickering.
Two people bound together by one arm and one leg, fighting as a single body.
That was the Sam Dok Ro’s second trial.
* * *
Ten days later.
The day of the second trial dawned.
Hong Seol barely touched her breakfast before heading out to watch the martial arts match.
“Wow!”
The Martial Arts Arena set up within the Inner Fortress was vast and towering.
‘Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m watching Baek’s official match, isn’t it?’
My heart was racing for some reason.
I looked at Nam Goong Ho and Dang Yi Mu standing beside me.
They had just declined Dang Family Master Dang Won Pyung’s offer to prepare comfortable cushioned chairs for them.
Apparently, watching a match properly meant standing right in front of the arena.
‘Grandfather and the others are surprisingly good liars.’
Even to my young eyes, the intentions of the grandfathers standing beside the Martial Arts Arena were transparent.
It was to prevent the reckless boys they’d been training from acting out however they pleased.
Those kids would only come to their senses if stern orders were barked in their ears.
I whispered to Nam Goong Ho.
“Grandfather, my older brothers will win today’s match, won’t they?”
“Those pathetic fools who do nothing but brawl—why should I care if they win or lose? Want me to give you a shoulder ride instead?”
“Really?”
I eagerly stretched out my arms.
As I settled onto Nam Goong Ho’s shoulders, the expansive Martial Arts Arena came into full view.
“Wow! I can see so well!”
In the distance, I could see the Dang Family’s twins climbing onto the arena.
Step, step, step.
Dang Ji Gang and Dang In Gang.
The two of them walked as if they were a single body. Seeing them like this filled my heart with worry.
‘They look like they were born that way…?’
Even in their simple footsteps, their breathing was perfectly synchronized—it was unnatural.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Watching them move casually to warm up, my concern only grew.
“Grandfather, at this rate my older brothers are going to lose!”
I clung to Nam Goong Ho’s neck and whimpered.
Then Nam Goong Ho let out a low chuckle.
“Don’t worry, Hong Seol.”
I gave Nam Goong Ho a puzzled look at his confident tone.
‘Did Grandfather have some trick up his sleeve?’
For the past nine days, Nam Goong Ho had prevented me from entering the Training Ground under the pretense of secret practice.
Because of that, I had no way of knowing what level Nam Goong Baek and Dang Yi Woon had reached.
I could only bite my nails and anxiously watch the arena.
Soon, dazzling silver hair and hair as black as pitch appeared at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.
My face brightened instantly.
‘My older brothers!’
As I followed them with my eyes, I couldn’t help but gasp.
“Huh?”
When Nam Goong Ho saw my eyes widen, he grinned widely.
“This can’t be real….”
Hong Seol rubbed her eyes and looked back at the Martial Arts Arena.

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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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