A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 186

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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 186
Beneath the cat-shaped mask, a proud nose and cheeks as lovely as peaches came into view.
When at last two eyes that sparkled like stars appeared.
Every soul present found their hearts stolen by Hong Seol in that moment.
“Who in the world is this young lady, brother!”
“How should I know? Why, shall we arrange a marriage proposal?”
“If we were to arrange one now, there’d be a line of two hundred men waiting ahead!”
Especially the warriors of the Ha Bei Peng Family and Mo Yong Family, seeing Hong Seol’s face for the first time, showed tremendous interest.
Once the murmuring subsided, Hong Seol swept her gaze around the gathered crowd.
‘These people are all martial arts heroes gathered from across the Central Plains.’
If I revealed my identity here, the rumors would spread at an unstoppable pace.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on Hong Seol’s full lips.
Those lips finally parted.
“I am the last direct descendant of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.”
The hall fell silent in an instant.
Someone uttered a word in a daze.
“What did you say?”
“You’re telling us this young lady is a direct descendant of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, which was thought to have been completely destroyed?”
Then the crowd began to stir for a moment.
Woooooow!
Soon waves of admiration swept through the assembly.
“Ah, then it makes perfect sense to wear a cat mask!”
“The way she performed the Dragon Phoenix Dance was extraordinary, and she was a direct descendant of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace all along!”
“But how can you be certain of that?”
Sharp suspicion mingled with the voices of astonishment.
Yet this too was something Hong Seol had already anticipated.
That is why I had sought help beforehand.
“I shall vouch for that fact.”
A resonant voice rang out across the Nam Goong Estate Manor.
“As shall I.”
When Sword King Nam Goong Ho and Poison King Dang Yi Mu stepped forward to add their words, the cheers grew even louder.
At the same time, the warriors of the Dongcheon Guard reinforced the perimeter of the estate.
It was a precaution against any unforeseen threats.
Hong Seol raised her hand high.
It was a sign that I still had more to say.
Those who had been chattering away all fell silent at once.
“I am searching for the Golden Cat Sect, a sacred artifact passed down to the direct descendants of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.”
The warriors stirred at those words.
“It is my late father’s legacy and the inheritance of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace that I must rightfully claim.”
I did not mention the fact that it possessed the power of immunity to all poisons.
‘There might be those who grow greedy without proper restraint.’
But there was one more thing I needed to say.
And it was something we hadn’t agreed upon beforehand at all.
Hong Seol caught a glimpse of Nam Goong Ho watching her from afar with more satisfaction than anyone else, then quickly averted her gaze.
‘I apologize, Grandfather.’
Then, after swallowing hard, I infused my voice with inner strength and spoke.
“To whoever provides decisive information about the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace’s treasure, the Golden Cat Sect, I will offer a Jade Vitality Stone as a reward.”
With those words, Hong Seol rolled up her slender sleeves and revealed a golden bracelet adorned with jade.
A Jade Vitality Stone.
A treasure of the Nam Goong Family said to ease the fatigue accumulated during sleep.
“Did she just say a Jade Vitality Stone?”
“That would be quite helpful for cultivation.”
“Why not, let’s see if we can track down this Golden Cat Sect treasure?”
The Martial Arts Family members, whose eyes would flip for treasures second only to secret martial techniques, all swallowed hard in unison.
“What, what did she say!”
And from far away, Nam Goong Ho could be seen clutching his neck and stumbling backward.
“Elder, Grand Patriarch!”
Nam Goong Soo O, the steward who had brought the Jade Vitality Stone to Hong Seol in the first place, was supporting his arm.
Nam Goong Soo O’s face had turned as pale as paper.
‘I’m truly, truly sorry, Grandfather! But there was no other way.’
Hong Seol squeezed her eyes shut.
She had a strong premonition that this time, it wouldn’t end with just cleaning the Outer Courtyard Training Ground.
* * *
Unexpectedly, Hong Seol received no punishment.
After the Dragon Phoenix Dance ended, what Nam Goong Ho said to Hong Seol was this:
“That too was something you did for Baek Yi. What treasure could be more precious than the heir of the Nam Goong Family?”
“…!”
“Besides, the Jade Vitality Stone was already given to Seol Ah—the former owner has no right to complain about such matters.”
Thanks to this, Hong Seol waited with gratitude for news of the Golden Cat Sect to reach the Martial Arts World.
Seven days had already passed since the Murim Five Families Tournament ended.
All the warriors of the Five Great Families who had stirred up Hefei had returned to their respective headquarters.
The Nam Goong Estate Manor also returned to its daily routine.
As always, the entire family gathered at Chang Cheon Pavilion, slurping egg porridge on an ordinary morning.
The Family Head Nam Goong On suddenly opened his mouth.
His calm gaze turned toward Dang Yi Woon, who occupied the lowest seat at the table.
This was where Heuk and Jeok should normally have been seated.
The two children happened to be away at the moment, accompanying the Grand Patriarch Nam Goong Ho.
“So, when does the Young Sect Master of the Dang Sect plan to return to Sichuan?”
Slurp.
Dang Yi Woon, flustered, swallowed the hot porridge he had just put in his mouth.
“Oh my! What do you mean by that, Family Head?”
“Exactly as I said. Did your grandfather not depart for home early on with the Dang Sect’s envoys?”
It was phrased with elegance, certainly.
But the underlying message was clear: ‘Why are you still here, eating someone else’s rice?’
Nam Goong Baek, catching the drift of his father’s thoughts, felt one corner of his mouth twitch upward.
But Dang Yi Woon was no easy opponent.
He smiled smoothly, his expression slick as oil.
“Well, you know perfectly well, don’t you?”
Dang Yi Woon glanced sideways at Hong Seol before offering a respectful fist salute toward Nam Goong On.
“Once I come of age soon, I’ll need to take on the proper duties of the Dang Sect. When else might I have the chance to observe and learn from the esteemed Sword King Nam Goong Ho at such close range?”
The words flowed with the smoothness of a serpent’s tongue.
“And this egg congee truly suits my palate wonderfully. Haha!”
To Dang Yi Woon’s shameless words, Nam Goong Baek replied with a glacial gaze.
“It seems Sichuan produces neither eggs to your liking nor lustrous rice.”
“Brother!”
“I had no idea the Dang Sect’s circumstances were so dire. Had you mentioned it earlier, I would have ensured the Poison King had ample provisions for his journey home.”
At the jab invoking even his grandfather, veins suddenly bulged across Dang Yi Woon’s forehead.
“Ah, Sichuan was once extraordinarily abundant, you see. But five years ago, when those from the Nam Goong Family came, they consumed such vast quantities of grain. Since then, we’ve had to ration both eggs and rice carefully.”
Sparks crackled!
Their gazes clashed above the dining table, and flames erupted between them.
“Yesterday it was Heuk and Jeok causing trouble, and now not a single day passes in peace.”
Bing Yu Hua, her head aching, cradled her temples in one hand.
Yet Nam Goong Baek and Dang Yi Woon continued their low growls at each other.
“Perhaps it would be better if we each took our meals in our own quarters.”
“That won’t do!”
“I also object, Mother.”
Dang Yi Woon opposed it because his time with Hong Seol would diminish.
Nam Goong Baek opposed it because he couldn’t fathom what schemes Dang Yi Woon might devise toward Hong Seol the moment his back was turned.
“Sigh.”
As Bing Yu Hua released yet another deep breath, the Family Head Nam Goong On’s complexion began to shift.
“These brats again….”
Sensing the ominous atmosphere, Hong Seol suddenly raised her hand and asked.
“Um, excuse me, but would it be alright if I went to the Market District this afternoon?”
It was my attempt to change the mood, however I could.
‘Of course, I do actually have places I need to visit.’
At my request, a deep crease formed on Nam Goong On’s brow.
“Today is when we select the Inner Hall warriors, so Nam Goong Ui Gyeol cannot spare the time. Must you go today?”
“Yes, it has to be today.”
At that, Nam Goong On let out a reluctant groan.
If the perceptive Hong Seol insisted this strongly, there must surely be a reason.
‘If Father were here, he would have accompanied me.’
However, the retired family head Nam Goong Ho had been away with Heuk and Jeok for several days now.
He could no longer refuse the invitations from nearby martial families seeking to establish relations.
Except for the eldest grandson Nam Goong Baek, who had used a cold as an excuse.
Until now, he had used the Murim Five Families Tournament as a reason to decline such requests.
Nam Goong On, lost in deep thought, shook his head.
“No matter how I think about it, going out at a time like this is not a wise choice.”
“But…”
Earnestness shone through Hong Seol’s expression.
In that instant, Dang Yi Woon’s crimson eyes gleamed. He never missed an opportunity.
“Then I shall accompany Seol.”
“Young Master Dang Yi Woon?”
“Yes. Surely the young family head of the Dang Family would be sufficient protection for Seol.”
Deep creases formed between Nam Goong On’s brows.
He couldn’t simply refuse this…
Yet he couldn’t possibly imagine leaving my Hong Seol alone with that snake-like fellow.
What Nam Goong On’s decision would be became clear soon enough.
“Baek, you go with them as well.”
By attaching Nam Goong Baek, at least the young family head of the Sa Cheon Dang Family wouldn’t attempt any impropriety.
At this point, it was unclear whether the escort was for Hong Seol’s body or her heart.
“Yes, Father.”
Nam Goong Baek bowed his head as if he had been waiting for this.
* * *
Hong Seol, Nam Goong Baek, and Dang Yi Woon.
The three walked side by side, wearing bamboo hats.
They dressed plainly, lest anyone recognize them.
Hong Seol walked on her tiptoes with barely contained excitement.
“Doesn’t this remind you of the old days?”
The moment Hong Seol turned around, her hair ribbon fluttering in the breeze.
The two young masters, who had been fiercely battling moments before with the Nam Goong Family’s Nineteen Consecutive Strikes and the Sa Cheon Dang Family’s Moonlit Twelve Techniques, suddenly brightened their expressions.
“You’re right, Seol.”
“Right? It really does bring back memories.”
Beads of sweat formed on Dang Yi Woon’s forehead as he feigned indifference.

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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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