A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 183

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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 183
There was nowhere left to stand.
Eliminating all the wooden stakes had only tightened the noose around my own neck.
Whoosh.
In that instant, two long steel whips unfurled from Dang Yi Woon’s sleeves.
The whips coiled around a massive tree ten zhang away on the River Bank.
Crack, crack, crack!
The whips tore through the thick bark, leaving unspeakable wounds in their wake.
Yet they soon caught fast in a sturdy crevice and held.
That whip, which extended with perfect control, was none other than the Crazed Eye Yama Whip.
The signature weapon of Poison King Dang Yi Mu.
Hong Seol’s eyes widened at the sight of the Crazed Eye Yama Whip after so long.
“Did Snake Grandfather give that to you as well, older brother?”
With no time to answer, Dang Yi Woon pulled the whip taut and barely escaped the crumbling stake.
And in the same motion, he fired hidden projectiles through the air toward Hong Seol’s position.
Hong Seol quickly leaped upward.
Boom, boom, crash!
With the explosive sound, three hidden projectiles scraped the wooden stake where Hong Seol had been standing moments before.
The stake shattered as if it had never existed at all.
There was nowhere left to stand.
Dang Yi Woon and Hong Seol’s eyes met in midair.
‘This is the final exchange!’
The thought occupied both their minds.
“Hah!”
Just as Hong Seol turned without hesitation to execute a spinning kick.
Something strange caught her eye.
A large crimson stain was spreading across the side of his green robe.
‘An injury?’
Hong Seol’s eyes widened.
That was certainly not a wound I had inflicted.
I hadn’t even used a blade in this entire match.
Thud.
Instead of the kick, Hong Seol swiftly twisted her body and pressed two fingers against Dang Yi Woon’s neck.
“What are you doing!”
A step too late, Dang Yi Woon quickly retreated and landed on the River Bank.
Blood was already seeping from his side, which he now supported with his remaining hand.
Thump.
Hong Seol likewise descended onto the sandy shore of the River Bank.
“You were hiding an injury, older brother.”
Hong Seol’s eyes trembled with emotion.
“An injury so severe it would completely rupture his internal organs!”
A wound sustained during the martial bout had reopened, leaving him to grip his neck so limply.
“Who on earth could have…!”
Hong Seol, who had unconsciously begun moving toward Yi Woon’s side, froze mid-step.
Now that I thought about it, the chaotic energy signature I sensed from Yi Woon’s body could only be from a martial technique I knew all too well.
Heavenly Thunder Divine Palm.
When executed properly, it didn’t merely rupture the internal organs—the skin would often burst open as well. It was the signature palm technique of the Nam Goong Family.
And as far as I knew, there was only one person who would treat the Young Master of the Sa Cheon Dang Family this way.
“Could it be… Baek?”
Yi Woon turned his head away without answering.
Hong Seol grew somewhat indignant.
“You’ve done this to a guest who came from Sichuan? I should go speak to Baek right now and—”
Then Yi Woon answered quietly.
“No, don’t blame my brother for this.”
“What?”
“He sustained far more severe injuries in yesterday’s bout.”
Far more severe injuries….
So that’s why I hadn’t seen Baek all day—he was nursing those wounds!
‘No, wait. It’s been several days now…. When was the last time I actually saw Baek?’
A strange unease suddenly welled up in my chest.
I tried to suppress it and asked carefully.
“Then… who won the match?”
Yi Woon shrugged with a reluctant expression.
It meant I had won.
Hong Seol’s face drained of color.
Nam Goong Baek had spent five years diligently refining his martial arts.
From what I had observed, his skill was a notch above Yi Woon’s in today’s confrontation.
That Nam Goong Baek had lost meant….
“Yes. It means the Poison Curse has begun to manifest.”
At Yi Woon’s heavy words, Hong Seol’s movements came to an abrupt halt.
“But he hasn’t even reached twenty yet…. Why….”
Hong Seol stepped backward as if trying to escape the approaching fate.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of fine sand crunching beneath trembling feet was pitiful.
Splash.
Then, the moment one foot stepped into the water.
Hong Seol’s legs gave way and I collapsed right there.
Splash!
“Seol Ah!”
* * *
Hong Seol returned to the Nam Goong Estate Manor, her body dripping wet.
“Miss, no!”
A servant who had been standing night watch rushed after her in alarm.
“Heavens, what has happened! We must dry your hair at once. You’ll catch your death of cold!”
“Never mind that. I need to see Brother Baek right now.”
“What are you saying! It’s only just past the Hour of the Tiger—barely past three in the morning!”
Hong Seol paid no heed, tears streaming down her face as she pressed forward.
The flustered servant hurried after her with a dry cloth.
Baek’s Quarters lay silent as a tomb.
Hong Seol cried out toward it without hesitation.
“Brother!”
Wi Sa, who had been dozing outside, jolted awake at the force of her voice and straightened himself.
“Miss, what brings you here in the dead of night…?”
Hong Seol didn’t answer, only shouted again, louder this time.
“Brother Baek!”
At last, a light flickered on inside Baek’s Quarters.
The response came faster than expected.
Realizing this, Hong Seol’s throat tightened.
So Brother hadn’t been able to sleep all night until the Hour of the Tiger…
Then, signs of movement stirred within.
The servant attending Baek’s Quarters rushed out in confusion.
“Oh my, Miss Hong Seol! Young Master Nam Goong Baek said he’s been unwell since yesterday and hoped to see you another time…”
“Brother!”
Hong Seol raised her voice even higher, ignoring the servant’s words entirely.
The servant fidgeted helplessly.
“You’ll wake everyone in the entire manor!”
Yet no matter how long Hong Seol called, Nam Goong Baek did not appear.
A different approach was needed.
Hong Seol fell silent, thinking.
Then, swallowing her tears, she called out in a clear voice.
“Brother, I’ve finally decided to learn the Dragon Phoenix Dance! With Brother Yi Woon!”
The door flew open.
“What did you say?”
There stood Nam Goong Baek, his brow deeply furrowed, fingers pressed to his temple.
“Hehe, so you did show yourself after all.”
Hong Seol smiled brightly through her tear-stained face.
Even as she did, she swiftly assessed Nam Goong Baek’s body.
The slight unsteadiness in his stance made it clear he had sustained internal injuries.
Fortunately, if he had taken medicine for internal wounds, a few days of rest should see him recovered.
But there was one thing that troubled her deeply.
As long as Yi Woon doesn’t overexert himself like that.
‘My brother Yi Woon, really. What’s so special about the Dragon Phoenix Dance?’
Hong Seol let out a small sigh. At that, Nam Goong Baek made a displeased sound.
“Why are you being so cautious….”
At his words, Hong Seol’s eyes brightened as she looked up at Nam Goong Baek.
It had been so long since I last saw my brother Baek’s face.
His jawline had grown twice as sharp, and the hollowness around his eyes pained me since we last met.
“You’re saying you’ll perform the Dragon Phoenix Dance with Yi Woon? Is that really true?”
“Yes, it is.”
Nam Goong Baek looked Hong Seol over as if he couldn’t believe it.
I knew better than anyone, having watched from beside him, that this little cat was no easy opponent.
Moreover, just yesterday, Yi Woon had sustained an internal injury at my hands.
It wasn’t that I had intended to disrupt the martial contest with Hong Seol, but the result had turned out that way regardless.
“Are you telling me you really lost to that fellow, Seol?”
“Well….”
Hong Seol hesitated for a moment before answering.
I couldn’t say I lost in a test of martial skill, but in the end, it was I who fell into the river first.
Because of that, Hong Seol had promised to perform the Dragon Phoenix Dance with Yi Woon.
‘Of course, there are other ulterior motives behind this as well.’
Yi Woon had looked unsatisfied, but ultimately accepted Hong Seol’s words that she would perform the Dragon Phoenix Dance.
“Tell me the truth at once. Did you really lose to Yi Woon?”
“Yes, I lost fair and square, hehe.”
Regardless of the outcome, Hong Seol was delighted to finally meet her brother Baek’s eyes.
At Hong Seol’s innocent laughter, Nam Goong Baek’s face contorted.
“I really can’t stand this. Why are you laughing about losing a martial contest….”
Was performing the Dragon Phoenix Dance with Yi Woon really that delightful?
‘Could she have deliberately lost?’
This was the thought Nam Goong Baek swallowed without voicing.
He was afraid of what Seol might answer if he asked.
It was the moment Nam Goong Baek bowed his head in frustration.
“I am frustrated about losing the martial contest. But….”
Hong Seol’s voice, brimming with affection, stirred his heart.
“I’m laughing because I’m happy to see my brother’s face after so long.”
Nam Goong Baek laughed as if all his strength had drained away.
“Really, Seol, you’re incorrigible.”
Soon after, the two sat facing each other in the Tea Room within Baek’s Quarters.
Night wind swept in through the open window.
Nam Goong Baek suddenly reached for the blanket beside him and tried to drape it over Hong Seol’s wet shoulders.
“…I’m fine.”
Hong Seol instead wrapped it around Nam Goong Baek’s body.
And I stood up and closed the window.
“…!”
When I turned around, Nam Goong Baek’s blue eyes were fixed on me with an intense gaze.
I could see his fist trembling slightly as he gripped the edge of the robe Hong Seol had draped over him.
“…Seol, did that snake say something to you?”

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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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