A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 265

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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 11
Hong Seol murmured drowsily, lost in slumber.
“Why won’t you sleep, Elder Brother?”
‘How could I possibly sleep when you’re lying so close to me like this!’
My betrothed, blissfully unaware of my inner turmoil, remained oblivious.
Nam Goong Baek felt an almost overwhelming urge to cry, so instead I deliberately nestled deeper into Hong Seol’s embrace.
“Whimper….”
“Just because your body became small doesn’t mean you should act like a child, does it?”
Hong Seol let out a soft, low chuckle and gently patted Nam Goong Baek’s back.
“Hush now, hush, my dear Elder Brother.”
And so the two of us lay there for a while, sharing each other’s warmth.
Snore.
It seemed today had been exhausting for Hong Seol, as a soft snoring sound escaped her.
Still unable to find sleep, Nam Goong Baek lifted his head and gazed intently at Hong Seol.
Her downy, soft cheeks looked particularly beautiful.
‘Surely a light kiss on her cheek wouldn’t be too much, would it?’
It was precisely when Nam Goong Baek carefully brought his moist nose close to Hong Seol’s cheek.
“…Baek Elder Brother is… the best….”
At the sudden sound of her voice, Nam Goong Baek nearly jumped out of his skin.
Moments later, Hong Seol shifted restlessly, her eyes still closed.
“Mmm….”
‘Thank goodness. She’s just sleep-talking.’
Relieved, Nam Goong Baek gazed quietly at Hong Seol’s face.
Hong Seol continued to murmur in her sleep.
“Even if Elder Brother isn’t a dog beastman, I love you.”
In that instant, Nam Goong Baek’s heart lurched.
‘Seol Ah!’
Could it be that she already knew I wasn’t a dog, but a wolf?
Nam Goong Baek listened intently to Hong Seol’s next words, his heart trembling.
“…Even if you were a bear or a mole, it wouldn’t matter…. As long as you’re Baek Elder Brother.”
With those words, Hong Seol fell silent and spoke no more.
Yet Nam Goong Baek felt something hot rising in his throat.
‘So this is Seol’s true heart. And yet I’ve been doubting her feelings all this time….’
I felt like the greatest fool for all the endless worrying I’d done.
Now I could tell Hong Seol the truth.
That I am a wolf beastman, and the Nam Goong Family is a family of wolves.
But the affection and care I hold for you will remain unchanged, regardless of my true nature.
“Whimper….”
Yet all that emerged from my lips was the unmistakable cry of a young wolf.
‘Tomorrow, I must tell her tomorrow for certain.’
Unable to sleep until dawn, like a boy choosing his words for his first love, Nam Goong Baek made a firm resolve.
Tomorrow, once I obtain the antidote pill and return to human form, I will surely speak.
And there will be no more secrets between Hong Seol and me.
Not for the rest of our lives.
* * *
As daylight broke, a narrow path leading out of the forest revealed itself as if by magic.
The illusory barrier had been dispelled.
Hong Seol and Nam Goong Baek hurried from the forest and made straight for Black Cloud Pavilion.
Since Black Cloud Pavilion was so renowned as an Alcohol House in Wuhan, everyone they encountered readily gave them directions.
Yet when Hong Seol finally arrived at Black Cloud Pavilion, she could only blink blankly.
“There’s nothing here?”
Situated in a remote location, Black Cloud Pavilion was a rather spacious three-story Pavilion.
The courtyard was permeated with the rich aroma of fermented grain.
Judging by the roof—not a single broken tile in sight—it was clearly in recent use.
Yet how could it be so utterly silent, without even an ant to be seen?
That was when it happened.
“You’ve arrived.”
A large man emerged from the shadows of the Pavilion.
“That man!”
As the leader of the ferocious beasts suddenly appeared, Hong Seol tensed instantly.
“Grrrrrowl….”
Nam Goong Baek too had his fur bristling on end.
But Jang Mu Hyuk merely glanced at them with indifference.
“The antidote pill is in the Tea Room on the second floor.”
He gestured inward with his chin, then sprawled out beneath a tree in the courtyard and chewed on grass.
His manner suggested he had already fulfilled his duty.
Hong Seol looked down at Nam Goong Baek and spoke.
“For now, there’s no sign of ferocious beasts inside.”
Then she strode purposefully toward the Inner Chamber.
‘W-wait, Seol Ah!’
Nam Goong Baek hurried after her with rapid patter-patter-patter footsteps.
Upon reaching the second floor, they found the Tea Room with its doors thrown wide open.
Hong Seol stepped inside and surveyed the room.
“I don’t sense any human presence?”
As if preparations for receiving guests were underway, steam rose from three teacups placed on the tea table.
And in the wooden box placed in the center, a heap of small pills—no larger than sparrow eggs—lay stacked.
“Is that the antidote pill for the toxin?”
“Woof!”
Nam Goong Baek was about to leap onto a chair without hesitation when he paused.
‘What if that isn’t the antidote pill?’
If the confusion toxin had been made into a single pill form, it would have been a disaster.
I might have spent even more days trapped in this wretched canine shape.
Just then.
A brown dog trotted through the doorway.
“Gyeon Young Hoo?”
Hong Seol recognized him.
Gyeon Young Hoo bowed respectfully toward Hong Seol, then sprang without hesitation onto a chair.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he swallowed the antidote pill.
The next instant.
In place of the brown dog stood a man, grinning widely.
“Arrrrrgh… woof! Woof!”
Seeing his shameless display, Nam Goong Baek barked fiercely.
Hong Seol, clearly displeased, crossed her arms and called out to Gyeon Young Hoo.
“Gyeon Young Hoo.”
Gyeon Young Hoo smiled smugly and offered a respectful fist salute.
“I apologize for the many transgressions during this time, Senior. But I believe you, of all people, would understand my position.”
‘Understand? Nonsense!’
At Gyeon Young Hoo’s absurd excuse, Nam Goong Baek’s fur bristled all over his body.
Meanwhile, Hong Seol let out a long sigh.
“Yes, I understand. Both Gyeon Young Hoo and whoever gave him his orders did all of this for my sake.”
“…Whimper?”
Confused, Nam Goong Baek’s eyes darted between their faces.
“Then I shall take my leave. Please, speak freely.”
As Gyeon Young Hoo disappeared from the Tea Room, Hong Seol pointed to the antidote pill on the table.
“Since Gyeon Young Hoo has personally demonstrated its efficacy, you can set your mind at ease.”
What in the world was happening here?
Nam Goong Baek felt utterly bewildered, but this was no time for hesitation.
‘I must return to human form and confess my true identity to Seol Ah.’
I no longer wished to keep secrets from Hong Seol.
With firm resolve, Nam Goong Baek chewed and swallowed the antidote pill.
A brilliant flash!
Dazzling light spread across his body.
“Seol Ah!”
In the next moment, a tall man appeared—one Hong Seol had to look up to see.
Always composed, with silver hair that never seemed to fall out of place.
Nam Goong Baek embraced Hong Seol tightly.
I had never realized how precious it was to have these two arms to hold her.
“Welcome back, Baek Elder Brother.”
His blue eyes then gazed directly into Hong Seol’s bright face.
“There is something I must tell you.”
“….”
“It’s something I’ve hidden for a long time. And something I should have told you long ago.”
He grasped both of Hong Seol’s hands and spoke in a clear voice, all in one breath.
“The Nam Goong Family is not a dog-type beast clan. We are an ancient, distinguished wolf clan.”
Having said this much, Nam Goong Baek steadied his breathing and gazed softly at Hong Seol’s face.
“Are you… disappointed?”
Hong Seol did not answer.
Nam Goong Baek’s blue eyes grew clouded.
Perhaps his sleep-talk had been nothing but sleep-talk after all.
He released Hong Seol’s hand weakly.
“I’m sorry. It seems my true form doesn’t suit your heart after all….”
“No!”
Hong Seol shook her head vigorously and squeezed Nam Goong Baek’s sleeve tightly with both hands.
“There’s nothing that could ever disappoint me about you, Elder Brother—not in my past life, not in this one, and never in the future.”
“Seol Ah….”
Moved by her words, Nam Goong Baek gently cradled both of Hong Seol’s cheeks in his hands.
Looking as though he might kiss her at any moment, Hong Seol’s eyes widened.
“It’s just that….”
Still clutching Nam Goong Baek’s sleeve, Hong Seol turned to glance behind them.
“The Black Cloud Pavilion Master is standing right there.”
“Ho, still sharp-sensed as ever, you little furball.”
A woman’s voice—sharp yet brimming with amusement—resonated through the Tea Room.
Nam Goong Baek’s head snapped up.
There stood a young woman with a pipa slung across her back, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
Her lips, painted with crimson rouge, parted.
“It’s been quite a while since we’ve met face to face, hasn’t it?”
She was none other than the Black Cloud Pavilion Master—or rather, the Black Bandit Gang Master, Dok Bi Jo.

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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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