A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 173

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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 173
With Nam Goong On’s support, I spoke without hesitation in our private meeting.
“If you side with the main family, I’ll grant you operational control of the Myo Water Trading Company.”
It was certainly an enticing proposal for Nam Goong Mu Young.
But… it felt slightly insufficient on its own.
“Beyond that, let’s share an evening meal together once every couple of months.”
“Wonderful!”
The little kitten even offered to treat him to a meal I’d cook at the Wandering Minstrel Tavern.
The allowance I’d been receiving from the steward had accumulated quite a sum.
At my proud expression, Nam Goong Mu Young couldn’t help but chuckle heartily.
‘This deal is the most perfect transaction I’ve ever made in my life.’
It was then that he’d reached that point in his reflection.
Nam Goong On’s quiet voice rang out.
“Then we shall entrust the Elder Judge with organizing the Branch Family Residence.”
At those words, Nam Goong Mu Young was actually startled.
“You trust me? Me, who once led the way to the Branch Family Residence alongside Prince Nam Goong Yeol?”
“I’m not so foolish as to board the same vessel with someone I cannot trust.”
His tone carried unmistakable confidence.
The one thing Nam Goong Mu Young had thought lacking in Patriarch Nam Goong On—or rather, First Prince Nam Goong On.
It wasn’t martial prowess, but confidence itself.
Yet now that deficiency had been filled.
‘Could it be… since the martial contest where he defeated his younger brother?’
From Nam Goong On emanated the quiet composure unique to one who had overcome himself.
Such a person entrusts work to others with genuine faith.
‘Truly, the bearing of an excellent patriarch.’
In this moment, Nam Goong Mu Young felt genuine admiration for Patriarch Nam Goong On.
He rose and performed a respectful bow.
“If the Patriarch deems this old man necessary, I shall do my utmost.”
* * *
Meanwhile, I was triumphantly making my way back to the Patriarch’s Residence.
Around my waist, I’d wound a rope three times over, its end firmly binding Nam Goong Do’s two arms.
“Walk faster, slowpoke!”
I scolded Nam Goong Do.
“If Grandfather finds out I disappeared without a word, what will I do!”
The truth was, the delay was my own fault.
I’d deliberately stopped by my quarters to brush my teeth thoroughly with salt.
If I reeked of alcohol from that overripe peach, Grandfather Nam Goong Ho would surely scold me.
“Ah, Seol Ah!”
Nam Goong Ho, who’d been searching every corner of the Estate Grounds with several martial artists from Changcheon Division, finally spotted me.
“Where on earth have you been… wait, you!”
It didn’t take long for my eyes to spot Nam Goong Do following behind.
“H-Grandfather….”
Nam Goong Do’s face was twisted in misery, his speech still slurred.
“Did you do this to him, Seol Ah?”
The expression on the face of the Patriarch Emeritus, Nam Goong Ho, as he examined the thoroughly beaten Nam Goong Do, was quite a sight to behold.
It was a mixture of bewilderment and astonishment in equal measure.
“Keep Nam Goong Do in the Storage Room under guard. The Patriarch will issue his judgment separately.”
“Yes!”
The moment the warriors of Changcheon Estate took the rope from my hands and disappeared.
“Are you hurt anywhere, Seol Ah!”
Nam Goong Ho lifted me up into his arms.
“I told you not to wander about alone like that!”
“Hehe, Grandfather….”
I wrapped my arms around Nam Goong Ho’s neck.
The familiar fragrance of incense drifted from his collar.
It was clear that Nam Goong Ho had been using the sleep incense I’d made while he was away from the Nam Goong Family Estate.
‘So he couldn’t sleep for half a month because I left.’
“I’m sorry, Grandfather….”
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
A large hand covered in scars gently patted my small back.
“So I’m less trustworthy than Nam Goong Mu Young or Nam Goong On? You kept your silence from me alone—how that wounds me.”
“Oh, I, that’s…!”
My face flushed crimson.
“It’s not that, Grandfather. It’s just that you rarely gave me the chance to tell you….”
The truth was, Grandfather Nam Goong Ho was just too transparent—everything showed on his face!
I’d already learned from Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young that there was no need to be honest about everything.
But the straightforward Nam Goong Ho seemed pleased by my words.
“Yes, I understand.”
He chuckled warmly and set me down on the ground.
“There’s someone else waiting for you over there.”
“…!”
In that moment, I recognized the familiar silhouette of the silver-haired boy.
“That boy seems to have barely eaten anything for the past half month. Don’t you think you should go ease his resentment….”
“I’m sorry, Grandfather!”
I dashed off before Nam Goong Ho could even finish his sentence.
The blue silk ribbon tied in my hair fluttered behind me.
“Hehe….”
Nam Goong Ho, watching my figure disappear, wore a bittersweet smile.
* * *
I ran toward Nam Goong Baek, who was walking toward me, my breath catching in my throat.
The sun was gradually sinking toward the horizon.
A faint smile graced Nam Goong Baek’s face, illuminated by the crimson light.
The sight stirred memories of that day when he had disciplined Nam Goong Do.
Hong Seol felt a poignant ache, much like that day, and called out to Nam Goong Baek.
“Brother!”
The silver-haired boy’s lips curved upward.
“I heard from the Changcheon Division. You gave Nam Goong Do quite the beating with those small fists, didn’t you?”
“Oh, well, just a little…”
Nam Goong Baek chuckled wryly at Hong Seol’s embarrassed expression.
According to what he’d heard from a Changcheon warrior earlier, Nam Goong Do didn’t have a single intact tooth left in his mouth.
To think this little kitten had made him hate her that much.
I wonder when I’ll earn her hatred too.
The two of them sat side by side on the steps of the Patriarch’s Residence, just as they used to, pressed close together.
Hong Seol’s large dark eyes sparkled as she asked.
“How did you manage to arrive at the Patriarch’s Residence at just the right moment earlier?”
When Nam Goong Yeol’s momentum had overwhelmed her.
Nam Goong Baek had appeared like magic, testifying to Nam Goong Yeol that he had every reason to be curious about Hong Seol.
Thanks to that, the atmosphere in the Patriarch’s Residence had shifted in Hong Seol’s favor.
“Ah, that…”
Nam Goong Baek scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
In truth, Nam Goong Baek had been lying weakly in his bedchamber until the sun reached its zenith that day.
It was the Servant’s report that Yang Do Jin, a beggar boy from the Beggar Sect, had arrived that roused him.
If Hong Seol knew he’d rushed over immediately upon hearing that, I couldn’t imagine what she’d say.
“…Just.”
In situations like this, there was nothing to do but deflect vaguely.
“But it was truly remarkable how perfectly you timed your arrival! You hadn’t shown your face for days…”
Hong Seol, who had been chattering away, suddenly froze mid-sentence, startled by her own words.
She had just realized she still hadn’t properly apologized to Nam Goong Baek.
Even if it was to uncover the traitor within the Nam Goong Family, the fact remained that Hong Seol had told a lie.
Tense, Hong Seol steeled herself and swallowed hard.
“Um, brother… I’m sorry. About saying I was going to the Myo Family Estate at first…”
Hong Seol couldn’t meet Nam Goong Baek’s eyes and fidgeted.
“So… you must be quite angry with me. You might think I’m ungrateful…”
“Enough.”
“Brother?”
Nam Goong Baek, his head bowed, let out a soft laugh.
“I knew all along. That your claim about going to the Myo Family Estate was a lie.”
“How?”
“Your left eyebrow twitches whenever you lie.”
Flustered, Hong Seol sprang to her feet and touched her left eyebrow, her eyes widening round as candy.
“Huh? What? Really?”
Hong Seol’s flustered face soon turned pouty.
Nam Goong Baek was shaking his shoulders, chuckling softly.
“Hmph, you’re mean, older brother! I was startled thinking it was true.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
“…So how did you really know? That I was lying?”
“Just did.”
Hong Seol pouted her lips. Nam Goong Baek laughed awkwardly.
“I simply saw through it.”
As he spoke, he tapped the empty space beside him.
“Sit. Your legs must be aching.”
Hong Seol’s jaw dropped, and she mumbled as she took her seat.
“Older brother just knows everything…. No matter what I do, you see right through it.”
The two watched the evening sun blinking as it sank below the horizon. Then Hong Seol suddenly asked.
“So why exactly were you shut away in your quarters for a fortnight like that? Until it came to this….”
Hong Seol’s fingertips brushed against Nam Goong Baek’s gaunt cheeks, her eyes filled with concern.
The cheeks that had once been soft as flower petals were now sharply hollowed.
“Even though you understand my thoughts so clearly, you haven’t been eating properly….”
Nam Goong Baek merely smiled helplessly.
“Ah, I understand! You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
Hong Seol, having jumped to her own conclusions about Nam Goong Baek’s intentions, broke into a radiant smile.
“Since I said I was going around saying my farewells! You were matching my act in case some traitor might see through my lie, weren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Nam Goong Baek nodded and looked down at the ground, smiling.
‘Actually, it was…practice.’
Practice for parting with you, Seol.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that.
That during those fifteen days of practice, every moment was suffocating, and I couldn’t bring food to my lips, so difficult was it all.
‘Someday you’ll come to know, Seol….’
Nam Goong Baek quietly lowered his silver eyelashes.
Then Hong Seol stretched out her finger, pointing far into the distance at a cloud of dust.
“Look there, older brother!”
Several men on horseback could be seen galloping at full speed from afar.
Behind the man leading the way, a golden yellow banner fluttered.
Hong Seol narrowed her eyes and began practicing reading the characters for the first time in a while.
“What does it say on the banner? …Tal…hun, jang?”
In that instant, both of them sprang to their feet simultaneously.
The Martial Alliance Master, Eon Soo Ryang of the Transcendent Soul Division!

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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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