A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 199

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 199
Won Cheong was a man whose fiery temperament matched the sharp upward angle of his eyebrows.
Yet it was precisely this quality that became the fierce driving force behind his martial prowess.
As a result, he had surpassed all his senior brothers to become the current Abbot of Shaolin.
“No matter how prestigious the Martial Arts Alliance leader may be, he views Shaolin far too carelessly. Wouldn’t you agree, Won Gwan?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
The monk bowing repeatedly beside him was Won Gwan.
He served as the keeper of the Janggyeonggak, where all of Shaolin’s knowledge was gathered.
Perhaps because he devoted himself more to scriptural research than martial arts?
His belly protruded like a mountain, while his limbs remained thin as reeds.
His broad face appeared affable at first glance, but beneath his narrow eyes lurked a base cunning.
One could tell from how he moved his tongue like a slave to every word the Abbot spoke.
“Everything the Abbot says is absolutely correct a hundred, a thousand times over. Where in all the realm is there a place as safe from demonic energy as Shaolin?”
Emboldened by Won Gwan’s agreement, the Abbot caught his breath and continued.
“Even when the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult poured forth like swarms of insects across the Central Plains, not a single one set foot in this Shaolin!”
The Abbot, having vented his indignation, glanced sideways at Won Gwan.
“…That is indeed what the historical records state, is it not?”
I had spoken with such certainty, yet I lacked confidence in the historical accuracy of my own words.
“Absolutely correct!”
Won Gwan was prepared to affirm whatever the Abbot said, even if he claimed fish could be caught on dry land.
The Abbot turned his head to regard another disciple.
Unlike Won Gwan, this monk had sat in silence throughout.
“What is your assessment, Won Mok? Do you believe it possible for demonic cultists to approach Shaolin’s grounds?”
“…That would be impossible.”
Won Mok, the keeper of the Dining Hall, answered curtly when questioned.
“The pilgrims who come to make offerings cannot penetrate deep into the grounds. The only ones worth suspicion are the hired workers we employ at the Dining Hall….”
Won Mok’s face darkened suddenly as he spoke.
The Abbot regarded him with pity.
“Hmm.”
Won Mok cleared his throat and continued slowly.
“We ensure that all of them pass through the Geumgang Hangma Formation when entering the grounds. Shaolin is absolutely a place where those carrying demonic energy cannot approach.”
“I share that conviction. However….”
The Abbot, having humbly referred to himself, lowered his voice and posed a question.
“I heard that among the newly hired workers, there is one with facial scars like ‘that child.’ Is this true?”
At this, Won Mok, the keeper of the Dining Hall, bowed his head deeply.
“…Yes.”
His tone was calm, yet a profound sorrow permeated his words.
“Strangely enough, the cause of the scars is the same. He was burned by charcoal fire due to his guardian’s mistake when he was young.”
Won Mok hesitated before continuing.
“…I fear that ‘that child’ may be suffering disrespect somewhere because of the scars I inflicted.”
“It is time to release that child from your heart, brother. Let it go.”
The abbot placed a gentle hand on Won Mok’s shoulder.
Though his nature was rough, he possessed the compassion befitting one who followed the Buddha’s teachings.
“All meetings and partings come in their season. To dwell on the past only brings suffering to yourself.”
“…I have failed in my duty, Amitabha Buddha.”
Yet despite his words, anguish still lingered in Won Mok’s eyes.
“Speaking of this Golden Cat Sect… what exactly is this thing that everyone at Shaolin is searching for?”
The abbot released a heavy sigh before continuing.
“First the Nam Goong Family Estate came inquiring, and now the Martial Arts Alliance as well.”
At those words, Won Gwan, the keeper of Janggyeonggak, felt a sudden flicker of tension cross his eyes.
But it was only a fleeting moment that no one else noticed.
“Indeed, that is troubling.”
Won Gwan quickly composed his expression and spoke.
“We clearly sent word to the Nam Goong Family Estate that no such object exists here… yet these rumors persist so stubbornly, Amitabha Buddha.”
The abbot, who had fallen silent in thought, suddenly brightened.
“Brother Won Gwan, write a reply to the Martial Arts Alliance on my behalf. Tell them that Shaolin harbors no traces of the Demonic Cult and they need not worry. However!”
Abbot Won Cheong raised his index finger with a sly smile.
“Employ your finest calligraphy and eloquence. Make the Alliance Master jump with astonishment!”
* * *
The next morning.
Scolding voices rang out from dawn.
“You brats, wandering the Sect Grounds in the middle of the night?”
“We apologize…”
“We were wrong…”
Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon were receiving a stern rebuke in front of Nahan Hall after breakfast.
Hong Seol glanced toward the Dining Hall during the scolding.
‘I’m grateful Mu Yeop isn’t here.’
Otherwise, they might have been caught following him last night.
“Are you thinking of something else while being scolded?”
The one rebuking them was an Arhat Monk with the fierce bearing of a tiger.
Nahan Seung, who had been assigned to patrol the Sect Grounds, had discovered Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon outside last night and sent them back to their quarters.
Because of this, Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon had lost track of the Freckled Boy Mu Yeop.
Mu Yeop didn’t return to the Monk’s Quarters until nearly dawn, where Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon pretended to be asleep waiting for him.
“Last night I let it pass due to the late hour, but if this happens even once more, you will face punishment in the Precept Hall!”
The Precept Hall was where Shaolin maintained and enforced its rules.
Strictly speaking, it didn’t apply to Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon, who were hired hands, but Nahan Seung made the threat anyway.
He feared these thoughtless youths might attempt something foolish.
“Yes!”
“We understand!”
Despite their outward compliance, Hong Seol and Dang Yi Woon had no intention of staying put tonight either.
Time was of the essence in finding the Golden Cat Sect.
– Brother, let’s disguise ourselves today and tail that girl instead!
– Yes, that’s a better idea!
Mu Yeop would never suspect they were beasts in human form.
But before that, I still had mountains of work to finish today.
* * *
Tap-tap-tap!
Upon arriving at the Dining Hall, Dang Yi Woon began chopping vegetables with the same cheerful rhythm as yesterday.
Had his knife skills improved in just one day?
Or was it because he had prior experience handling swords and blades?
His technique for cutting vegetables into uniform sizes was exquisite.
“Excellent work!”
At Bul Mok Hani’s praise for teaching him, Dang Yi Woon’s shoulders rose with pride.
“Hey, over here!”
“We’re running short on firewood over here too!”
“Y-yes, coming!”
Mu Yeop, who shared the same quarters, was equally popular.
With his great strength, he was in charge of the firewood.
As Mu Yeop answered calls from all directions, he stacked firewood like mountains in the corner of the Dining Hall.
Hong Seol was just as busy.
“Hey, Fluffy! There’s no time to dawdle. Come over here at once!”
One of the Bul Mok Hani making dumplings called out to Hong Seol.
“Yes, sir! Coming right away!”
Summoned from the dumpling hell, Hong Seol scurried over.
“Here, take this!”
Bul Mok Hani thrust an enormous bowl into Hong Seol’s arms—so large it barely fit.
Inside was a mass of dough larger than a watermelon.
My task for today was to tear off pieces the size of walnuts, roll them, and flatten them into dumpling wrappers.
“These dumplings will be offered to Ha Dae In and his party arriving around lunch, so hurry!”
“Yes!”
Considering the quantity needed, the time until lunch was tight.
Hong Seol quickly moved to a corner and began kneading dumpling wrappers with practiced hands.
That was when it happened.
A thunderous voice echoed from the Dining Hall entrance.
“By order of the Sect Master! All Bul Mok Hani from the Dining Hall, gather in front of the storage house to verify the delivered provisions!”
It seemed a merchant caravan had arrived with supplies.
The Bul Mok Hani left the hired workers behind and headed toward the storage house.
The Bul Mok Hani working with Hong Seol did the same.
“The flour has finally arrived, it seems! I’ll go verify it quickly, so keep working.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hong Seol craned her neck forward and answered.
It was while they were all absorbed in their work.
“Everyone, stop what you’re doing!”
Suddenly, a fierce voice echoed through the Dining Hall.
The bewildered mercenary boys looked toward the entrance in alarm.
Three monks stood at the entrance, their bodies appearing as solid as granite even at first glance.
Beneath their bulging forearms, each gripped a sturdy staff.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————