A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 30

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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 30
“It’s the Woven Grass Protective Robe.”
“Pardon?”
Surprise flickered across Nam Goong On’s eyes.
The Woven Grass Protective Robe.
Though it appeared outwardly like tattered rags with coarse weaving, it was a treasure that would shield its wearer’s body from any blade attack—once.
“How is it that child wearing an artifact from the Beggar Sect?”
“Well….”
Nam Goong On’s expression shifted to astonishment as he learned of Hong Seol and Nam Goong Jong Woo’s martial match and Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young’s gift.
“I find it difficult to believe.”
“That man may be cunning, but he’s not the sort to present mere rags as a gift.”
“Hmm, even so, the Woven Grass Protective Robe…. But more than that, did that small child truly manifest the Heavenly Thunder Divine Technique?”
“Yes.”
“What method was used?”
“Originally, Seol was a body incapable of wielding inner energy. Because of that, her parents drove her toward death.”
For a moment, only the sound of tea being sipped filled the reception room.
Nam Goong On fell silent in thought.
‘A child unable to wield inner energy. I’m certain I’ve heard that story somewhere before….’
Wait. Could it be?
“The Myo Family Estate!”
Nam Goong On shot up from his seat.
Nam Goong Ho, his lips moistened with tea, answered abruptly.
“Yes. Seol is a cat-human from the Myo Family Estate.”
As his dark premonition proved correct, Nam Goong On sighed and sat back down.
“How could you possibly bring a cat-human into the Nam Goong Family Estate?”
Nam Goong Ho stroked his chin and spoke with gravity.
“Her condition is Yin-Yang Severed Meridians. Because of it, she was able to manifest the Heavenly Thunder Divine Technique without even having learned it.”
“If she has Yin-Yang Severed Meridians….”
Nam Goong On gripped the edge of the table tightly. His fingers pressed so hard into the wooden edge that they left deep indentations in the shape of his fingertips.
“Yes. Once her condition is healed, she’ll become a body capable of mastering the Yin-Yang Divine Art. As you know, that child is now in the Nam Goong Family….”
Nam Goong Ho caught himself mid-sentence. The thought occurred to him that the family elders might hold different intentions.
“Rather, she’s an essential existence to our family.”
Nam Goong Ho continued with a bitter expression.
“Of course, we cannot force that path upon Seol.”
The image of the small child surfaced in Nam Goong On’s mind. A child so tiny it was hard to believe she was eight years old.
The child who wore tattered rags instead of the silk garments given to her, tears streaming down her face.
Nam Goong Ho concluded gravely.
“We simply wait. While embracing the children before our eyes.”
* * *
Nam Goong On was heading alone toward the Training Ground in the dead of night.
It was to prepare for the martial arts match with my younger brother that would take place in a few days.
And there was a small shadow following him.
The shadow finally caught up to him only when reaching the entrance to the Family Head’s Private Training Ground.
“F-Family Head!”
It was Hong Seol, her voice still trembling with youth.
Having received permission to live at Chang Cheon Pavilion, Hong Seol had been waiting for the right moment to express her gratitude to him.
‘How strange. When did I start finding the courage to approach others like this?’
Hong Seol didn’t realize it was thanks to the warm affection she’d received since coming to the Nam Goong Family Estate.
She simply moved forward little by little, like someone carefully trying not to extinguish a flickering candle flame.
This moment was no different.
The instant Hong Seol caught sight of Nam Goong On’s shadow emerging from the Patriarch’s Residence, she had rushed over from Chang Cheon Pavilion.
Nam Goong On’s expression grew stern as he noticed her hurried footsteps.
“Why aren’t you sleeping? You won’t grow if you stay up like this.”
The old Hong Seol would have tucked her tail between her legs and hidden at such words, but not anymore.
“It seemed like the Family Head couldn’t sleep… S-so, would you perhaps need this?”
In Hong Seol’s outstretched palm lay a round incense pellet, emanating a sharp, herbal scent of dawn grass.
‘So this is the sleep incense Father always burns.’
I was grateful for her thoughtfulness in rushing after me out of concern.
But I am not an insomniac. Nam Goong On shook his head with a somewhat softened expression.
“No, I don’t suffer from insomnia.”
“Then why are you wandering alone at night…?”
Nam Goong On sighed and looked around. Being the dead of night, not a soul was visible anywhere.
Perhaps because of the darkness, he suddenly felt the urge to confide in someone.
Even if that someone happened to be a cat-human.
“I’ll tell you the reason, so follow me.”
The Family Head’s Private Training Ground they reached was clean and spacious.
“Wow…”
Hong Seol gasped as she looked around.
Most impressive of all was the ceiling.
It was sealed with a high roof to ensure that no one from outside could spy on his training.
“Now I will demonstrate the Changcheon Sword Technique for you. Watch carefully.”
“Yes, yes!”
Hong Seol crouched in a corner and watched him intently.
But as time passed, she could only feel regret.
‘It’s certainly flawless and clean, but compared to the Changcheon Master… it still falls a bit short.’
Even to Hong Seol, who had learned little of martial arts, it was unmistakably clear.
That with his current skill, defeating Nam Goong Yeol of the Branch Family would be difficult.
After completing all the forms, Nam Goong On asked while breathing heavily.
“Haa, haa. What do you think?”
“Well…”
“As expected, I was never particularly talented at martial arts. It’s been that way since I was young.”
Hong Seol nodded heavily.
‘So that’s why he had a roof built over the Training Ground. And why he practices separately only at night.’
So that no one could discover the Family Head’s martial deficiency.
There was no benefit in letting such information spread.
For now, Nam Goong Ho, the Patriarch Emeritus, remained strong, but who knew what would happen after he passed from this world.
I understood Nam Goong On’s heart better than anyone else could.
‘It feels like I’m hearing my own story.’
After all, I too was ashamed of being unable to channel inner energy.
For someone from a martial family, inferior martial skill bred inferiority complex. In such circles, everything was determined by ability.
I knew this principle better than most.
And knowing it made my heart ache.
“But there must be a reason the Family Head rose to this position, yes? I heard you even disciplined Soo Jeok recently.”
“That’s because my strategy and formation techniques surpass anyone in this household.”
“Formation techniques?”
I had definitely heard about this from Changcheon Master Nam Goong Ui Gyeol before.
‘If you arrange trees and stones in a certain pattern, anyone who enters becomes completely subject to your will.’
They could be made to see illusions or wander endlessly lost.
“With my strategies and formations, I’m confident I could match even the direct descendants of the Je Gal Family.”
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but admire the confidence flowing from Nam Goong On.
“Oh!”
A brilliant idea suddenly struck me.
My face brightened as I jumped to my feet and asked.
“Then why not deploy your formations at the Martial Arts Arena!”
At that, Nam Goong On let out a soft laugh.
“I wish I could, but look here.”
Following his gesture, I surveyed the Training Ground once around.
It was completely empty above.
“To set up a formation, I need to utilize surrounding objects, but the Martial Arts Arena has nothing at all, does it?”
Truly nothing at all…?
As I fell into deep thought, Nam Goong On continued.
“Moreover, my younger brother is quite swift. I’m usually caught off guard by his opening move and fall. If I could just block his first strike, I might have some chance of holding my own, but…”
At those words, a thought flashed through my mind.
‘The Righteous Armor!’
Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young’s gift.
According to the letter Nam Goong Mu Young left behind, it was a treasure that could block any blade attack once.
Moreover, it fit perfectly on anyone who wore it, regardless of build or height, without exception.
‘If the Family Head wore that, he’d have the chance to counterattack!’
“Family Head!”
Hong Seol’s eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
“Ho, do you perhaps remember the clothes I wore last time?”
They’re actually an item called the Direct Initiate Robe, you see. If you wear it!
Hong Seol explained earnestly, gesturing animatedly with her hands and feet.
“I must decline.”
“Pardon?”
Hong Seol blinked at the unexpected answer.
“That garment was a gift from the Elder Judge to you, was it not? I cannot use such a precious item that works only once.”
Nam Goong On deliberately smiled and ruffled Hong Seol’s hair.
“It’s fine. My defeat will simply be recorded once more in the Martial Records kept in the Record Hall.”
“But….”
“It’s fine, I tell you.”
‘This is anything but fine…!’
Hong Seol puffed out her cheeks in frustration.
I desperately wanted to encourage this kind Family Head somehow.
‘…The martial contest is in a week, right?’
I would find a way before then, no matter what. Hong Seol clenched her small fists tightly.

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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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