A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 113

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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 113
“Well… that is to say, I…”
Hong Seol stammered, her mind churning with conflict.
‘That painting was purchased by mistake…’
Should I honestly admit that I wanted to buy Yong Myo’s painting, not Dang Yi Woon’s?
‘But if I do, Elder Brother Baek will have his pride wounded…’
Hong Seol’s troubled gaze turned toward Nam Goong Baek.
Even from here, I could see his blue eyes trembling violently.
My elder brother, who took such pride in his own charm.
‘I cannot bring myself to crush that heart. I feel so sorry toward him.’
Yes, I can bear this much.
Hong Seol closed her eyes tight and resolved to accept the unfairness.
With her resolve hardened, Hong Seol faced Dang Yi Woon and answered clearly.
“Yes. Thank you so much for stating it so definitively, Elder Brother!”
The moment Hong Seol smiled with her eyes gently closed, Nam Goong Ho’s chest ached sharply.
‘The child… how much must she be hurting.’
Though the rejection was ultimately fortunate, my heart felt terribly heavy.
‘What if she speaks so cheerfully, then cries alone under her blankets in the dead of night?’
All because of that incompetent, dark-skinned monkey of a Dang Family brat!
While Nam Goong Ho shot forth a burning glare.
Nam Goong Baek went even further, muttering fiercely.
“…That wretch really needs to die.”
Nam Goong Ho deliberately pretended not to hear the muttering.
“But please understand this one thing!”
Had Dang Yi Woon not cried out indignantly, Nam Goong Baek might have thrown punches and extended the confrontation indefinitely.
“I have never spoken of such matters to Ji Gang and In Gang. I understand that one must not carelessly discuss the movements of our guests.”
“I see.”
Poison King Dang Yi Mu nodded as if he understood the situation.
“Listen, Nam Goong Ho. We must replace the Servant that the Dang Family Master assigned us. Bring the children who originally served in our Quarters.”
Nam Goong Ho understood his meaning and agreed.
“The Dang Family Master has always been known for his cunning schemes, and our children fell right into the trap.”
“Now that it has come to this, we have no choice but to do our best in the third trial.”
Though it would now be difficult to expect any unity among the children.
“So, what is this third trial?”
Nam Goong Ho asked.
He had heard nothing, having rushed the two young masters who were fighting to the Guest Hall first.
“It is a one-on-one martial duel. We have the choice of who steps forward from our side.”
“Then…”
All eyes in the room fixed upon Dang Yi Woon. Poison King Dang Yi Mu spoke as their representative.
“This is also fundamentally a contest to determine the next Family Master. Would it not be proper for you to face Dang Cheon Gang in the final match?”
“Yes, Grandfather. I was thinking the same thing.”
Dang Yi Mu lifted his head with evident satisfaction at the respectful reply.
“Show me clearly then. Who among you will lead the Dang Sect forward as the young patriarch?”
“Yes!”
Just then, a warrior from the Fierce Snake Squad arrived with news.
“Everyone is to enter the Patriarch’s Residence! The Sam Dok Ro have a message to convey regarding the final trial.”
* * *
Hong Seol had grown accustomed to the Sichuan Tang Family by now.
The fact that I had navigated to the Patriarch’s Residence this time without triggering a single mechanism trap spoke volumes.
“Welcome.”
Perhaps because of the victory in the second trial, Dang Won Pyung’s face bloomed with smiles.
Dang Ji Gang and Dang In Gang, standing behind him, also had flushed cheeks—clearly they had received considerable praise.
In contrast, Nam Goong Ho, Dang Yi Mu, and Hong Seol’s group all wore dark expressions.
Dang Cheon Gang, who had been diligently recovering his strength, had also appeared at the Patriarch’s Residence for the first time in a while.
“How is your health, Young Master Dang Cheon Gang?”
“Thanks to your concern, I have improved considerably.”
Dang Cheon Gang bowed deeply at Nam Goong Ho’s words.
“And to you all—ah, rather, to Dang Yi Woon, Young Master Nam Goong Baek, and Young Lady Hong Seol—I must express my gratitude. Thanks to you, not only I but my Ji Gang and In Gang have survived.”
At those sincere words, Hong Seol’s heart warmed.
‘I was right to rescue the Dang twins.’
Though my first impression had been poor, Dang Cheon Gang was ultimately just an older brother concerned for his younger sisters.
Much like how Nam Goong Baek worried over me.
‘Though he didn’t need to resort to fists over it…’
Seeing someone grow angry on my behalf was embarrassing yet strangely pleasant. As Hong Seol’s heart fluttered and I lowered my eyes, fidgeting with my fingers, the Elder Judge stepped forward.
“Now that everyone has gathered, shall we discuss the final trial?”
The spindly-limbed Elder Judge moved to the front.
Two moles adorned the corners of his eyes, resembling the compound eyes of a spider.
“As mentioned beforehand, the final round is one-on-one combat. However.”
His dark eyes swept across both sides without omission.
“Who participates in the duel will be chosen by the opponent. Have you given this some thought?”
Dang Yi Mu lifted his head firmly and spoke.
“What is there to deliberate? This match serves not only to clear my grievance, but also as the selection trial for the young patriarch.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Naturally, the final match should be between my Yi Woon and Cheon Gang.”
“Does that mean you are selecting Young Master Dang Cheon Gang as your opponent?”
Dang Yi Woon nodded.
“Yes.”
“Very well. Then Young Master Dang Cheon Gang, please select your opponent.”
The stocky boy like ginger swept his gaze across Hong Seol’s group. His legs, not yet fully recovered, bore a subtle limp he tried to conceal.
At that sight, Hong Seol felt a pang of sympathy.
‘His body hasn’t fully recovered yet… Can Young Master Dang Cheon Gang really fight in this condition?’
Hong Seol, caught in such thoughts, closed her mouth with a soft gasp.
‘What am I thinking!’
Above all, it’s important that Elder Brother Yi Woon wins!
‘He does tend to have some misconceptions, but that’s partly my fault for holding onto that image of him.’
In that moment, Dang Cheon Gang’s gaze fixed upon Hong Seol.
Hong Seol felt an ominous chill running through her entire body.
He smiled wickedly.
“I shall take Miss Nam Goong Seol as my opponent.”
“What?”
The Patriarch’s Residence erupted into chaos in an instant.
* * *
“How dare you choose our Seol Ah as your final opponent?”
The Guest Hall was in an uproar as if someone had stirred a hornet’s nest. Naturally, Nam Goong Ho’s voice dominated the commotion.
“I should never have trusted these Dang Family dogs!”
“…One cannot deny it. I never imagined Cheon Gang would covet the position of Young Patriarch so desperately.”
Dang Yi Mu spoke while pressing his throbbing temples.
Hong Seol trembled in the midst of it all.
“What should I do…?”
Dang Yi Mu looked down at the small girl before him.
Genius or not, her body could not channel inner energy.
There was no way she could defeat Dang Cheon Gang in her current state.
Dang Yi Mu asked Nam Goong Ho.
“When did you say the match would be?”
“A month from now. Young Master Dang Cheon Gang needs sufficient time to recover from his injuries as well.”
“Excellent.”
At those words, Nam Goong Ho asked in disbelief.
“What could possibly be good about this?”
Dang Yi Mu did not answer, but suddenly rose from his seat.
His expression bore an unmistakable resolve.
He gazed quietly down at Hong Seol.
“I shall do that for you.”
“Pardon?”
Nam Goong Ho interjected from beside him.
“What do you mean?”
“The Yin-Yang Meridian Opening Technique.”
“What!”
Everyone present jumped to their feet in shock.
“Did you not send a carrier pigeon? You said two masters in Hwagyeong were needed to heal this child’s body.”
Deep within Dang Yi Mu’s heart, there had always been a desire to see that grimy child become a true martial artist.
However, the Yin-Yang Dual Vein Opening Technique required pouring out one’s entire inner strength—a decision that was not easy even for a master like Dang Yi Mu.
Moreover, he was in the midst of conducting the important preliminary selection for Dang Yi Woon’s position as Young Master.
While deliberating, a fortuitous justification had presented itself.
One that would benefit his own grandson as well.
“I shall unfold the Yin-Yang Dual Vein Opening Technique alongside you to transform this child into one capable of wielding inner strength.”
Dang Yi Mu’s gaze was honed to a razor’s edge.
“Within the next month, there is no other way for this child to surpass Dang Cheon Gang.”

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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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