A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 162

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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 162
Even Je Gal Seon, whose boldness knew no bounds, felt a chill run down her spine this time.
She gritted her teeth. There was no retreating now.
“Are you serious? The Je Gal Family is one of the Five Great Families! No matter how powerful the Nam Goong Family is, conflict will not end without casualties!”
Despite Je Gal Seon’s desperate cry, Nam Goong On’s expression remained unmoved.
Flustered, Je Gal Seon shifted her gaze to those gathered around Nam Goong On.
“The Martial Arts Alliance! The Martial Arts Alliance will not stand idle either. Are you saying you would turn even Shaolin and Wudang into enemies?”
It was crude intimidation.
Yet not a single eyebrow twitched among those present.
Bing Yu Hua was originally from the Northern Ice Palace, an outsider to the Central Plains.
It mattered not to her if the entire Central Plains turned their backs. It had always been this way.
And Nam Goong Ho, the Grand Patriarch.
He was nothing less than the living symbol of the Nam Goong Family.
“Heh heh.”
He had reverted to the reckless demeanor of his days among the Three Martial Oddities, laughing freely.
Nam Goong Ho had never felt more pride in appointing his son Nam Goong On as patriarch than he did in this moment.
Je Gal Seon trembled with fury.
“How… how dare you…”
Unable to endure further, Je Gal Seon let out a sharp, piercing cry.
“Is the Nam Goong Family prepared to seal itself off from the world?”
To seal off meant to sever all external contact and lock oneself away. The decline of any family or sect that sealed itself off was as inevitable as fire consuming wood.
Nam Goong On answered with perfect composure.
“I appreciate the Myo Family Estate’s concern. However, such decisions are mine alone to make as patriarch of the Nam Goong Family.”
That was not all.
From the servants to the warriors of Changcheon Division, every face among the Nam Goong Family members standing nearby showed not the slightest wavering.
‘We must protect Miss Hong Seol!’
‘We cannot hand the young lady over to the Myo Family Estate!’
In the martial world, conflict was commonplace.
A sense of righteousness burned like flame—a determination to protect that small kitten of a young lady at any cost.
“This is absurd! All this for one small girl?”
The tips of Je Gal Seon’s carefully manicured nails trembled.
Then it happened.
Hong Seol, who had remained silent all this while, stepped forward.
She hesitated, then lowered her eyes and spoke.
“I… I will return to the Myo Family Estate.”
* * *
The Nam Goong Family Estate had become like a temple.
No one laughed aloud, and no one shouted spirited battle cries.
Anyone who happened to encounter Hong Seol bowed their head and quickened their pace.
“….”
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, whom I encountered in the front courtyard, was no different. He couldn’t manage to exchange even a single proper word with me.
As Nam Goong Ui Gyeol turned to leave, I hurried after him and caught his sleeve.
“Um, Lord Patriarch. This is….”
I hesitantly held out a small bundle.
As Nam Goong Ui Gyeol unfolded the crinkled oil paper and confirmed the dried meat inside, I saw his face contort into a harsh grimace.
The old me would have fled ten miles away at the mere sight of such an expression.
But now I understood.
‘That expression means… he’s deeply hurt.’
After staring at the bundle of dried meat for a long while, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol suddenly spoke.
“I will eat this gratefully, Miss.”
And he bit his lip.
“…Please forgive me for withdrawing so hastily.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol turned and disappeared.
I stood there in a daze, watching his retreating figure.
Though it appeared cold on the surface, I understood the true reason he had fled so urgently.
‘He was about to cry….’
The news of Je Gal Seon’s departure had swept across the sprawling grounds of the Nam Goong Family Estate like a tidal wave, engulfing everything in its wake.
‘I thought everyone would openly blame me….’
Yet no one reproached me for returning to the Myo Family Estate.
They only grieved.
Mae Ran, whom I had met at Chang Cheon Pavilion moments before, was the same.
Mae Ran, who had spent all this time sweeping and cleaning my quarters while I was away, waiting anxiously—
“Oh, Miss!”
She covered her eyes with the back of her hand and burst into tears, then wrapped her face in both hands and began sobbing uncontrollably.
“Don’t cry, Mae Ran….”
My own eyes grew misty before I knew it.
With my brows drawn together, I gently shook Mae Ran’s sleeve.
“We haven’t seen each other in so long. You should show me your smile….”
“I’m, I’m sorry. But!”
Mae Ran tried to force a smile, then covered her face again.
Whenever she tried to speak, her lips would tremble anew.
I didn’t know what to do and continued circling around Mae Ran.
“Listen, I bought this powder compact in Wuhan to give to you, and when you open it like this, it has such a lovely fragrance….”
Even the gift was useless. Mae Ran only wept.
“Sigh.”
Recalling what had happened with Mae Ran at Chang Cheon Pavilion, I let out a deep sigh.
It wasn’t just Nam Goong Ui Gyeol and Mae Ran who were grieving.
Most of the people at the Nam Goong Family Estate were saddened by my departure.
‘At least Heuk and Jeok aren’t here, so that’s a relief.’
They said they had been away for about a month due to Academy matters.
Hong Seol counted on her delicate fingers, then lowered her head deeply.
‘I haven’t even been at the Nam Goong Family Estate for a full year, yet what am I to do about this?’
So many people had given her their affection so generously.
That was precisely why Hong Seol had no choice but to make this decision.
‘The Patriarch was truly prepared to wage all-out war against the Je Gal Estate.’
If Hong Seol hadn’t volunteered to return to the Myo Ga Jang, it would have happened for certain.
Then it was obvious as day that the people of the Nam Goong Family would suffer harm.
Moreover, there was one more reason why Hong Seol had volunteered to go to the Myo Ga Jang.
‘A traitor.’
Hong Seol had never believed from the start that the Twelve Beast Martial Art had descended upon the Myo Ga Jang.
Then a question remained.
How had Je Gal Seon learned that Hong Seol had healed her Yin-Yang Severed Meridians and even traveled to Nam Man?
The answer was simple.
There was a traitor within the Nam Goong Family Estate.
A traitor who had revealed every detail of the news sent by the Former Patriarch to the Myo Ga Jang.
‘If I don’t find that traitor, the Nam Goong Family will be in danger.’
Hong Seol clenched her small fist tightly and quickened her pace.
Darkness had already begun to fall.
Hong Seol had been given only two weeks. In that time, there was a mountain of tasks to accomplish.
First, to find the traitor, I had to meet with ‘that person’.
Hong Seol, who had been hurrying along, came to a halt.
Nam Goong Baek’s Quarters came into view in the distance.
That dimly lit place looked as desolate as a tomb no one visited.
‘Older brother hasn’t even lit a lamp, it seems.’
Hong Seol thought she understood why.
‘It must be because of me….’
As I recalled what had happened in the Patriarch’s Residence this afternoon, a corner of my heart naturally grew numb.
* * *
The afternoon when the atmosphere in the Patriarch’s Residence had been ominous.
The very moment Patriarch Nam Goong On declared he would not shy away from conflict with the Je Gal Estate.
Hong Seol carefully stepped forward.
Just then, a heavy presence was felt. Someone had grasped my sleeve firmly.
‘Older brother Baek…?’
He kept his head lowered.
He did not meet Hong Seol’s eyes, nor did he speak.
Don’t go.
Don’t leave me.
Only his pale, prominent knuckles spoke of Nam Goong Baek’s heart.
But Hong Seol had to steel her resolve.
‘If I don’t, everyone at the Nam Goong Family will be placed in danger.’
Including Nam Goong Baek, my dear older brother, who cherished me so deeply.
Hong Seol gathered her courage, took two more steps forward, and parted her small lips.
“I… I will…”
She felt the sorrowful gaze of Nam Goong Baek fixed upon her.
“I’m returning to the Myo Family Estate.”
His grip loosened.
Nam Goong Baek’s hand fell away, yet…
Only the deep creases from his grasp remained etched upon Hong Seol’s sleeve.

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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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