A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 185

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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 185
I hesitated to speak carelessly, afraid that Grandfather might lose his temper again.
“Tell me what it is.”
Hong Seol bit her lip and opened her mouth.
Though I tried not to cry, tears had already begun to well up in my eyes.
“Baek Oppa is suffering greatly.”
“…!”
“…!”
* * *
Boom, boom, boom.
The sound of a drum echoed from afar.
With each beat of the drum, my heart raced in the topmost chamber of Chang Cheon Pavilion where I stood.
The procession of the Five Great Families was circling through Hefei and drawing steadily closer.
Nam Goong Family, Sichuan Tang Family, Je Gal Family, Hebei Peng Family, Mo Yong Family.
These five families, who gathered once every five years, remained in the nearby city until the formal Murim Five Family Banquet was held.
‘As befits such a grand gathering of the martial world, the townspeople too shall share in this prosperity—a gesture of profound benevolence.’
The members of the Five Great Families, who had been lodging at various inns, would dress in their finest when the time came and proceed in groups toward the estate grounds where the event was to be held.
The honor of leading the procession belonged to the Nam Goong Family, who were hosting this year’s event.
Changcheon Swordmasters bearing blades inscribed with cloud patterns.
At the very front, riding on horseback, was Nam Goong On, the Family Master himself. His composed features had taken on an air of majesty.
Several large carriages followed at the rear of the procession, laden with mountains of precious mooncakes—delicacies ordinarily savored only during festivals.
“Take them! Here as well! And there!”
The poor who received the mooncakes stamped with cloud patterns sang praises of Nam Goong Family’s benevolence.
The shrewd Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young had orchestrated it all.
“So Nam Goong Family has truly been making considerable wealth lately.”
The sharp, acerbic voice of the cantankerous Poison King Dang Yi Mu cut through the air.
The Sichuan Tang Family had arrived.
Dang Family Master Dang Won Pyung took the lead.
Behind him came the Fierce Snake Squad, each member’s eyes gleaming with lethal intent.
“What is that?”
“A mask-changing performance?”
In mere moments, masks upon their faces changed four or five times in a dazzling display of technique.
“Wow!”
Each transformation drew gasps of wonder from the spectators that pierced the sky.
Next came warriors of such refined and lofty bearing that they seemed ready to transform into cranes and take flight at any moment.
The Je Gal Family Master, who had recently become obsessed with becoming a literary figure, walked like a poet, savoring his surroundings.
Je Gal Hyeop, the supreme commander of the Martial Arts Alliance, followed behind him, fanning himself with a white feather fan in graceful sweeps.
With each step the Je Gal Family warriors took, the streets filled with the fragrant aroma of ink.
“When it comes to intellectual pursuits, no family rivals the Je Gal Family.”
“Indeed! I’ve heard they can subdue most martial artists with ease using their iron brushes and fans.”
From the Haber Family, known for their massive builds, strongmen displayed their prowess by hoisting boulders into the air.
The Mo Yong Family, with their distinctive crimson hair, drew twin blades and performed an elegant sword dance.
It was a magnificent spectacle.
Just before that procession entered the Nam Goong Estate Manor.
Flutter!
With a grand flourish, five-colored silk banners unfurled from every pavilion throughout the Nam Goong Estate.
Seeing this, my heart began to pound even more forcefully.
It wasn’t because of the Dragon Phoenix Dance itself.
‘Once I finish the Dragon Phoenix Dance today, I’ll truly become a direct descendant of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.’
Then there might be those who would seek my life.
‘It’s alright, Miao Hong Seol. This is absolutely necessary to find the whereabouts of the Golden Cat Sect.’
If I could only save Elder Brother Baek, I was willing to endure even greater dangers.
Just then, peach blossoms scattered down like rain.
“Oh my, to have the Dragon Phoenix Dance on such a day….”
Mae Ran, unaware of anything, gazed out the window as if enchanted, her words trailing off.
“With the flower rain falling like this, Miss will truly look like a celestial maiden descended from heaven.”
Indeed, as I adorned myself carefully, I truly resembled a heavenly maiden.
The fabric draped around my body was violet silk of the finest quality, sent by Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young.
Lady Hong had personally embroidered it for days on end.
Over that, she had layered transparent fabric as delicate as dragonfly wings.
It was cloth designed to enhance my grace with every movement of the dance.
“Hah!”
The procession had arrived at the Estate Grounds, and a resonant cry echoed through the air.
From the highest level of Chang Cheon Pavilion, I carefully peeked out the window.
Though I had positioned myself behind the flowing curtains, I was cautious lest my appearance be discovered.
It was the principle that the phoenix dancer in the Dragon Phoenix Dance must not reveal her face until the performance ended.
“Seol Ah!”
Moreover, during the practice of the Dragon Phoenix Dance, the only man I could meet was the one taking the dragon role.
“Wow.”
Dang Yi Woon, who had found my temporary quarters, seemed overwhelmed with emotion.
“Are you ready, Seol Ah?”
What Dang Yi Woon brought were two swords forged from eternal cold iron.
Originally cast from a single blade into two, these swords bore the name ‘Dragon Phoenix Blades’.
It was customary for the dragon dancer and phoenix dancer to each take one blade and perform the sword dance together.
Boom, boom, boom.
The drum sounds drew closer, circled the Nam Goong Estate Manor once, then ceased.
“Shall we go?”
“Wait a moment.”
Click.
I opened the box Mae Ran had brought and withdrew the mask inside.
Two pointed ears.
Eyes with a slight upward tilt.
Within them lay a cat mask carved from precious sandalwood.
“Miss, are you truly going to wear this mask sent by someone unknown?”
Mae Ran asked with concern in her voice.
I gazed down at the cat mask in my hands.
Someone had left it before my quarters one day.
It was a gift without a letter, without even the recipient’s name, yet I knew immediately who had sent it.
‘Thank you, Baek oppa.’
During the Murim Five Families Tournament, Nam Goong Baek had decided to enter the Training Cave under the pretense of closed-door cultivation.
He could not rashly appear before the masters of the Five Great Families in his current weakened state.
After all, the condition of a martial family heir’s body was information of paramount importance.
‘Unable to come watch in person, he sent me this cat mask instead….’
I placed the mask upon my face.
“Let’s go, Yi Woon oppa!”
* * *
Two silhouettes appeared side by side on the Performance Platform before Chang Cheon Pavilion.
Dang Yi Woon, who had blossomed into a radiant young master over five years, and a beautiful girl wearing a mysterious cat mask.
Dang Yi Woon glanced around and flashed a confident smile.
“Well, well, someone certainly raised their child splendidly!”
At Poison King Dang Yi Mu’s brazen remark, Dang Family Master Dang Won Pyung shook his head in disapproval.
Beside him, Dang Cheon Gang and his twin sisters whispered among themselves.
“Who is the Young Master’s opponent?”
“Judging by the blue robes, I hear she’s from the Nam Goong Family.”
“Then isn’t she that Nam Goong Seol?”
“But if so, shouldn’t she be wearing a wolf mask!”
They still did not know that the Hong Seol they believed to be Nam Goong Seol was actually a child of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.
It was thanks to the Dang Family Master’s discretion.
‘I can feel the weight of their gazes.’
I took a deep breath as I stepped onto the Performance Platform.
‘By now, they must be wondering who this woman truly is.’
That answer would be revealed once the Dragon Phoenix Dance concluded.
Clang!
A pair of dragon and phoenix swords collided in mid-air, producing a crystalline sound.
With that sound as the signal, the Musician below the platform began plucking the guqin.
Ting, ti-ding, ting.
My feet glided gracefully in rhythm with the elegant melody.
“Hah!”
“Ohhhhh!”
As my sleek form soared into the air, applause erupted from the crowd.
Dang Yi Woon flashed a subtle smile as he ran low and swift beside Hong Seol.
Ting! Ting-ting! Ting!
In rhythm with the zither’s melody, the two executed their predetermined sword dance with meticulous precision.
In that moment.
Poison King Dang Yi Mu clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
“…That incompetent fool.”
“What do you mean, Poison King?”
Dang Won Pyung, the Dang Family Master, asked.
“That wretch is sacrificing himself to make Il Bong shine, can’t you see?”
Only then did Dang Won Pyung perceive the Young Master of the Sichuan Poison Sect’s true intention.
Poison King Dang Yi Mu was right.
Dang Yi Woon’s sword dance was like a calyx supporting a flower.
When Il Bong thrust his blade forward, he retreated dramatically, and when he withdrew, he deliberately created openings to allow his opponent to advance.
“…Heh.”
The Dang Family Master laughed hollowly before speaking.
“Still, the next generation of the Dang Family Master and his wife seem to have excellent harmony between them.”
At those words, Poison King Dang Yi Mu clicked his tongue once more.
“That’s only if they can actually marry.”
Then the zither’s melody ceased.
The Dragon Phoenix Dance had come to an end.
“Waaaaaah!”
The pair on the Performance Platform sheathed their blades with the grace of a dragon and phoenix.
They then circled the platform, offering respectful fist salutes to all four cardinal directions.
Thunderous applause erupted.
But the moment everyone truly anticipated was only now beginning.
“At last, we’ll see Il Bong’s face!”
“Which great family’s young lady could she be?”
Basking in the collective anticipation of the gathered crowd, Hong Seol slowly removed the mask damp with perspiration from her face.

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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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