A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 259

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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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Side Story, Episode 5
“Who are you?”
Nam Goong Baek demanded sharply, his voice guarded as he sought to identify the intruder.
‘I thought I’d already dealt with all the men approaching Hong Seol earlier. It seems there’s still one left.’
The audacity of this fellow was remarkable—to charge forward even as he watched Hong Seol and himself sitting face to face across the dining table, alone.
‘I’d prefer not to cause a commotion, so I should frighten him away appropriately.’
But contrary to his expectations, the man simply smirked and spoke.
“I have nothing to discuss with a servant.”
“What did you say?”
“Isn’t that right, servant? No matter how much of a young master you are in the Nam Goong Family, you’re merely a servant in the Martial Arts Alliance.”
At those words, Nam Goong Baek’s eyes turned glacial.
“How did you learn that I am the young master of the Nam Goong Family?”
“You’re not the young master anymore—you’re a servant, as I said.”
Nam Goong Baek’s fury ignited, and he glared at the man.
Most would have flinched at the subtle surge of inner force he released.
But the man didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.
“If you’re not a servant, I apologize…”
“Ha.”
Since I had made such declarations before the Martial Arts Alliance, Nam Goong Baek couldn’t bring himself to deny it, and he swallowed his rage.
Hong Seol, equally displeased, addressed the man with a cold tone.
“Wouldn’t it be proper to first reveal your identity before joining the conversation?”
“Ah, my apologies, Senior.”
“Senior…?”
Hong Seol tilted her head at this unfamiliar form of address.
The man before her beamed brightly and cupped his fist in salute toward her.
“Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Gyeon Young Hoo, a novice of the Martial Arts World. I am the second son of the Gyeon Ryu Sect in Hebei Province.”
Gyeon Young Hoo.
Nam Goong Baek had never heard the name before.
“Are you a recent arrival to the Jianghu?”
If he was someone newly emerged in the martial world, it was hardly surprising that Nam Goong Baek, as the young master of the Nam Goong Family, didn’t know his name.
His lack of courtesy and bold demeanor could be understood as inexperience as well.
But Gyeon Young Hoo completely shattered Nam Goong Baek’s attempt at charitable interpretation.
“Ha! How amusing! Your servant certainly talks a lot, Senior.”
At that cheerful response, Nam Goong Baek finally exploded.
He clenched his teeth and reached for his sword’s hilt.
“I’ll teach you proper respect today.”
“Hmm? Isn’t it the servant who lacks respect?”
Even as he spoke, the man quickly raised both fists into a fighting stance.
It was the Willow Fist Eighteen Forms, the signature martial technique of the Gyeon Ryu Sect.
“Wait a moment, brother.”
Hong Seol pressed her fingers to her temples, as if her head were throbbing, and stopped him.
The title of “senior” was clearly bothering her.
In the Martial Arts World, it was common for people to address each other as senior and junior, but it seemed odd for a man who appeared to be around her age to do so.
“Gyeon Young Hoo, you should step back as well.”
“Since I’m the junior, please speak freely, Senior! Just call me Young Hoo.”
Hong Seol ignored his words and asked instead.
“Gyeon Young Hoo, why have you been calling me senior this whole time?”
“Ah, so that’s what you were curious about!”
The man laughed brightly.
“The Commander-in-Chief sent me directly. He told me to assist Senior Myo Hong Seol in this investigation.”
Hong Seol recalled what Je Gal Hyeop had said at the Martial Arts Alliance.
“So the assistant the Commander-in-Chief mentioned was Gyeon Young Hoo.”
That cunning Je Gal Hyeop had sent him.
Suddenly, an ominous premonition flashed through Nam Goong Baek’s mind.
“Then I’ll take a seat beside you, Senior.”
Just as Gyeon Young Hoo was about to casually claim a spot.
Nam Goong Baek’s low voice was heard.
“Before that.”
In an instant, goosebumps erupted across Gyeon Young Hoo’s spine.
Two of Nam Goong Baek’s fingers were pressing his wrist firmly against the table.
‘Truly worthy of the Nam Goong Family’s young master!’
Tremendous force flowed through those elegantly extended fingertips, as if they could snap his wrist in an instant.
Moreover, his voice was as cold as a blizzard sweeping across a snowy mountain.
“Show me your identification first.”
* * *
Contrary to Nam Goong Baek’s hopes, Gyeon Young Hoo’s identification was flawless.
As a result, Gyeon Young Hoo was able to claim the seat beside Hong Seol.
“Senior, would it be alright if I ordered the roasted duck neck?”
“How did you come to receive the Commander-in-Chief’s favor, Senior?”
“Senior, you and… Senior and…”
Senior, senior, that infernal senior business!
Watching Gyeon Young Hoo stick to Hong Seol’s side and chatter incessantly, Nam Goong Baek’s irritation boiled over.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, he abruptly rose from his seat.
“Switch seats with me.”
“What? You want me to sit next to the Servant?”
That was Gyeon Young Hoo’s response.
The way his small eyes widened seemed deliberately designed to provoke Nam Goong Baek.
“Not that. Switch seats with me.”
“Whine, but I like it here, Senior…”
Gyeon Young Hoo gazed at Hong Seol with a pitiful whimper, like a puppy whose tail had been stepped on.
“Let me take your place, Gyeon Young Hoo.”
As Hong Seol exhaled softly, Gyeon Young Hoo rose to his feet, and Nam Goong Baek slipped into the vacant seat.
‘Seol is taking my side!’
Nam Goong Baek puffed out his chest with pride at this small victory.
Meanwhile, Gyeon Young Hoo called over Jeom So Yi, who happened to be passing by, and ordered wine. Seeing this, Hong Seol’s brow furrowed.
“Gyeon Young Hoo, the wine at this tavern is rather….”
“Please don’t worry, Senior! According to my confidential investigation, this wine is perfectly safe.”
“How could you possibly know that?”
“There are four pottery makers supplying wine to this tavern. I’ve already investigated three of them and confirmed they’re trustworthy.”
“Wow, you really are thorough.”
Hong Seol spoke with genuine surprise.
Despite his loose, unassuming appearance, Gyeon Young Hoo seemed to be a nimble and meticulous man.
“This wine comes from one of those verified sources, so you can rest assured.”
He shook the ceramic wine bottle with a grin.
“So, won’t you accept a drink from your junior?”
“…You speak as though you’re the one paying.”
Nam Goong Baek muttered his displeasure.
Though he’d spoken quietly, Gyeon Young Hoo’s ears had caught every word.
His smile remained on the surface, but irritation seeped through the corners of his mouth.
“I thought the young master of the great Nam Goong Family would be more magnanimous, but you’re rather petty, aren’t you?”
“You said you didn’t even want to speak with servants, yet here you are initiating conversation. Does it make a difference when the servant is paying?”
“…Both of you, that’s enough!”
“Aw, Senior, you’re being too harsh!”
“Sigh.”
Watching Gyeon Young Hoo remain completely unfazed by Hong Seol’s mediation, Nam Goong Baek downed a cup of wine in one gulp.
If anything, Gyeon Young Hoo’s spirits only rose higher as he lifted his own cup enthusiastically.
“Come now, Senior, let’s toast!”
Clink!
Hong Seol found herself toasting before she could think, then quietly set her cup back down on the table.
“More importantly, tell me more about what you’ve investigated so far, Gyeon Young Hoo.”
“Ah, yes.”
Gyeon Young Hoo’s mouth curved upward with a knowing expression.
“The last pottery maker I haven’t been able to investigate is a place called the Black Cloud Pavilion.”
“The Black Cloud Pavilion….”
A house where black clouds dwell.
It was an unusually heavy name for a pottery maker.
“Do you know why I couldn’t investigate that place, Senior?”
His voice dropped low.
“There was a barrier surrounding it. I wandered around all afternoon trying to break through before finally giving up.”
Hong Seol’s brow creased with concern.
A formation hidden in an ordinary tavern—this was no trivial matter to overlook.
“Why not report this to the Martial Arts Alliance and launch an immediate assault on the place?”
“Ah, I was considering that very thing, but there’s no need to rush.”
“No need to rush?”
“Today happens to be the day, you see.”
He grinned wickedly.
“Once a week, the workers from Black Cloud Pavilion come to this tavern to deliver liquor.”
A faint tremor rippled through the air.
In that instant, something snagged against my heightened senses.
The presence vanished almost immediately, but I recognized it.
‘Demonic beasts!’
I shot to my feet without thinking.
Beside me, Nam Goong Baek, sensing the same disturbance, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Gyeon Young Hoo’s smile evaporated as he spoke.
“They’ve arrived!”
The next moment, all three of us bolted toward the back of the tavern without hesitation.
Jeom So Yi, carrying dishes, let out a pitiful cry.
“G-guests! You must pay for your meal before you leave!”
A crisp metallic ring echoed through the air.
Something flew through the air and landed perfectly in Jeom So Yi’s hand.
It was a silver coin flicked by Nam Goong Baek. Seeing this, Gyeon Young Hoo cheered.
“As expected of the Nam Goong—wait, what?”
In that moment, Gyeon Young Hoo’s face flushed red and purple as he realized his coin purse was empty.
He stopped dead in his tracks and bellowed.
“Blast it all!”
“Whoever offers pays.”
Nam Goong Baek chuckled mockingly and dashed past him without a second thought.
“Stop bickering and hurry!”
At my sharp cry, both of them snapped to attention and rushed after us.

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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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