A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 165

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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 165
“But such a massive trading company…”
Nam Goong On furrowed his brow, his gaze turning toward Hong Seol.
The small cat’s eyes gleamed as she nodded repeatedly, her head bobbing with enthusiasm.
‘So this is her surprise gift.’
She had used farewells as an excuse to visit the Patriarch’s Residence countless times, yet never once hinted at this.
‘Should I call her clever, or should I scold her…? Is this what it feels like to raise a daughter?’
For Nam Goong On, who had three troublemaking sons hanging about, there was no way to truly understand.
Soon, Nam Goong On composed his expression and spoke.
“I gratefully accept the Myo Family Estate’s intentions.”
With both parties’ seals affixed, the Myo Water Trading Company officially became the property of the Nam Goong Family.
After sending someone to register the documents with the authorities, the elders finally seemed to grasp the reality of it all.
One by one, they began whispering hesitantly.
“Hmm, a trading company of that scale would certainly strengthen the main family considerably, wouldn’t it?”
“It seems the Branch Family catching up to the main family is now completely out of reach, doesn’t it?”
“Shh. Mind your tongue. The Branch Family Head might hear.”
Everyone glanced nervously at Nam Goong Yeol.
Nam Goong Yeol maintained his composure, sitting with an air of gravity.
“Well then, let’s return to the Myo Family Estate now, Hong Seol.”
Je Gal Seon extended her hand.
Hong Seol stared at that palm for a moment, then lifted her head and smiled brightly.
“Hmm… I don’t think I will.”
“What?!”
“What did you say?”
Those who had been observing the proceedings suddenly leaped to their feet.
The only ones still seated were the Patriarch Nam Goong On and Elder Nam Goong Mu Young.
Je Gal Seon clenched her teeth and spoke.
“You won’t go? What do you mean by that all of a sudden!”
“I’ve thought about it for the past two weeks, and I don’t think I’m actually a child of the Myo Family Estate.”
“What?”
Before she could help herself, Je Gal Seon grabbed Hong Seol’s arm firmly. Hong Seol then trembled as if frightened.
“The mother in my memories was always kind, but you only pressure me, madam.”
“That’s because you…!”
Just as Je Gal Seon was about to flare up in anger.
*Clang.*
At the oppressive sound of blades, Je Gal Seon suddenly looked around.
The Changcheon Estate members, standing solemnly like Mount Tai, all had their hands resting on the hilts of their swords at their waists.
Faced with that momentum, Je Gal Seon involuntarily released Hong Seol’s arm.
“…Ouch.”
Hong Seol rubbed the spot where she had been held. The atmosphere grew even more tense.
Je Gal Seon, flustered, waved her hand dismissively.
“No, this was a mistake——”
Everyone present had their attention fixed on Je Gal Seon’s actions.
Especially Nam Goong Ho, whose eyes had widened into slits, emanated a terrifying aura—as if he would tear off anyone’s head the moment they so much as brushed a hair on Hong Seol.
Je Gal Seon forced a smile and smoothed over the tension.
“So you’re not the Myo Estate Girl after all. Stop playing games, Hong Seol!”
“It’s not a game. I spent the entire fortnight deploying my intelligence network to investigate.”
“Intelligence network? A mere child?”
“Did you forget that I’ve mastered the Twelve Beast Martial Art?”
As Hong Seol spoke, she spread her fingertips wide open.
Pitter-patter-pitter-patter-patter.
In an instant, countless tiny footsteps echoed across the rafters overhead.
“Eek!”
A swarm of white rats descended along the main beam directly above Je Gal Seon’s face.
The rats instantly encircled Hong Seol like an impenetrable fortress.
“What, what is this!”
Seo Han Eol, leading the charge and now perched on Hong Seol’s shoulder after scurrying across her hand, squeaked with impressive authority.
“Squeak! (What else, you woman! Our master’s intelligence network!)”
The white rats, all glaring at Je Gal Seon in unison, carried themselves with the dignity of seasoned bodyguards.
Hong Seol smiled brightly and spoke.
“Isn’t it strange? For the past fortnight, these rats have combed through every corner of An Hui Province, yet not a single one of them has encountered Myo Ga Ryung?”
As she said this, Hong Seol winked at Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young, who sat in his chair.
“Hah, hah hah…”
Only then did Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young, realizing the true nature of Hong Seol’s “personal intelligence network,” let out a helpless laugh.
“I’ve heard that concealing transmitted martial techniques is a fundamental principle of martial families. So it’s possible that people from the Myo Family have been secretly cultivating the Twelve Beast Martial Art, which we know nothing of, but…”
Hong Seol continued with deliberate precision.
“The rats don’t need to be concealed. I’m referring to the fact that there’s another cat in this An Hui Province besides me who can communicate with them.”
By now, Hong Seol had placed her hands on her hips and thrust out her lower abdomen with triumphant confidence.
She was certain she had seized victory.
Suddenly, Je Gal Seon, as if struck by realization, covered her mouth in shock and pointed an accusing finger.
“The Myo Water Trading Company! You’re saying you’ll wash your hands of it completely!”
Hong Seol opened her eyes wide as if she understood nothing and asked.
“Wasn’t that simply a token of gratitude for all the care you’ve shown me? Besides, from what I’ve learned…”
Hong Seol glanced back at Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young.
“I heard that one shouldn’t carelessly affix one’s seal to a contract.”
Hong Seol had been putting to excellent use everything she’d learned while conducting business with the Mu Young Merchant Guild through silk dealings and work at the Wandering Minstrel Tavern.
“Heh heh…”
Nam Goong Mu Young could only let out another helpless laugh.
She truly was a child who learned ten things when taught one.
“This, this, what a cunning little wretch…”
Je Gal Seon’s teeth ground together. She pulled a single sheet of paper from her robes and cried out.
“Then, what of this letter from the Je Gal Family!”
At her words, the Patriarch’s Residence fell silent once more, as if doused with cold water.
“You would dare dismiss even the Je Gal Family’s judgment?”
“Well… The Je Gal Family seems to regard me as the Myo Estate Girl.”
“Exactly! If I, bearing the blood of the Je Gal line, go and appeal to the Patriarch, he will surely not remain idle!”
“That’s right. He might not.”
Hong Seol’s expression grew grave for a moment before suddenly blooming into a radiant smile.
“That’s why I brought them here.”
“Brought them? Brought whom?”
“Who else? The most renowned person from the Je Gal Family right now!”
“What?”
Je Gal Seon’s brow furrowed.
Yet no matter how much she scanned the surroundings, there was no sign of the Je Gal Family’s distinctive crane-patterned robe.
“Are you mocking me?”
Snap!
At that moment, Hong Seol flicked her fingers. Then something extraordinary occurred.
The Changcheon Master, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, who had been standing with a solemn expression like a stone Buddha, began to stir.
“What has befallen the Changcheon Master?”
“That man who looks as if a blade couldn’t even scratch him—why is he moving like this?”
The murmurs fell on deaf ears.
Whoosh.
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol swiftly cast off the blue robe he had been wearing.
Beneath it lay a resplendent crane-patterned robe of white and black, its design as pristine and orderly as the feathers of a crane in flight.
And that was not all.
Rip.
As the face mask fell away, the confident visage of a young nobleman was revealed.
The Grand Strategist of the Martial Arts Alliance and the newly wedded bridegroom of Wuhan.
He bore the appearance of a newlywed, having gained a little weight since they had last seen him at the Changnyeong Sect Grounds.
“Greetings to all. Je Gal Hyeop, a humble servant of the martial world, pays his respects to the esteemed elders of the Nam Goong Family.”
“Je, Je, Je Gal Hyeop, the Strategist!”
At his appearance, Je Gal Seon’s face drained of all color.
Though she had finally encountered the Grand Strategist of the Martial Arts Alliance, whom she had spoken of with such pride her entire life, she showed no joy whatsoever.
“Well then, shall we examine this letter that the Je Gal Family Patriarch supposedly sent?”
While Je Gal Seon stammered, Je Gal Hyeop snatched the letter with an elegant movement as graceful as a crane.
“As for myself, before being drawn into the Martial Arts Alliance, I spent ten years studying under the Je Gal Family Patriarch.”
The memory seemed rather harsh, and he trembled slightly before fixing his gaze upon Je Gal Seon with a warning.
“If this letter is forged, I assure you, there will be nowhere for you to hide from my eyes.”
He unfolded the paper he had seized and began to read.
“This letter is…”
Everyone in the Patriarch’s Residence held their breath, waiting for Je Gal Hyeop’s next words.

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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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