A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 34

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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 34
Nam Goong Do felt the weight of that presence and instinctively retreated a step.
“Cr-crazy bastard. You’re telling me you’ve already reached that level of mastery?”
Even Hong Seol, who knew nothing of martial arts, could see that fist was no ordinary thing.
‘If someone took that punch, they’d be in serious trouble.’
Yet for some reason, Hong Seol found herself unwilling to stop Nam Goong Baek.
It was painfully obvious that Nam Goong Do had been provoking him like this his entire life.
‘From this moment on, no matter what happens, I’m taking Nam Goong Baek’s side!’
Hong Seol steeled her resolve.
Nam Goong Do, seized by terror, was shrieking at the top of his lungs.
“Y-you idiot! You think you can hit me with that fist and walk away unscathed? Do you really believe the elders will just let you go?”
“Of course they won’t.”
At those words, color finally returned to Nam Goong Do’s face.
“Exactly! Think about it!”
A soft chuckle escaped.
Nam Goong Baek glanced between his fist and the terrified Nam Goong Do, as if amused, and then—
Without hesitation, he drove his own fist directly into his solar plexus.
“Ugh.”
Unable to withstand the impact, Nam Goong Baek dropped to one knee, a thin line of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
“Are you an idiot?”
Nam Goong Do muttered in disbelief.
A whisper of movement.
A black shadow swept across the sky, and in an instant, more than a dozen martial artists descended upon them in a panic.
“Young Master!”
“Who dared harm Young Master Nam Goong Baek!”
“We heard commotion and came at once—what is this!”
They were the Dongcheon Guard, responsible for security at the Nam Goong Family Estate.
“Ugh…”
“Are you alright, Young Master!”
“How dare anyone lay hands on the Young Master!”
Once Nam Goong Baek confirmed the warriors had gathered, he slowly turned his gaze. Their eyes followed his to a single point.
There stood Nam Goong Do, sword in hand, his appearance unmistakably that of someone who had been radiating killing intent moments before.
“Wh-what?”
Only then did Nam Goong Do realize he had fallen into a trap.
* * *
The sun was already sinking low on the horizon.
More than an hour had passed since Nam Goong Baek entered the Patriarch’s Residence.
Hong Seol paced back and forth in the courtyard before it, her steps so hurried that the fine leather shoes she wore were beginning to wear thin.
A familiar voice reached her ears from somewhere.
“Hong Seol.”
Nam Goong Baek descended the steps before the Patriarch’s Residence alone, his footfalls heavy and unsteady. Fortunately, the blood that had been trickling from his lips had stopped.
“Brother!”
Hong Seol rushed up the high steps in one breath and nestled into his embrace.
Startled by her uncharacteristic behavior, Nam Goong Baek soon wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
“The evening breeze is cold. Have you been waiting here for me all this time?”
Hong Seol nodded vigorously, her tears soaking Nam Goong Baek’s collar in the process. Seeing this, he spoke with a teasing tone.
“I thought you were a composed child, but you’re nothing but a crybaby.”
“B-but brother, you said you were going to d-die soon…!”
“Why would I die?”
“You mustn’t die, even when you turn twenty!”
“….”
This time, there was no answer.
Hong Seol looked up at Nam Goong Baek’s face with eyes brimming with tears.
But Nam Goong Baek simply turned his gaze away in silence.
“Waaahhh!”
Hong Seol finally burst into loud sobs.
Yet Nam Goong Baek had no promise he could make to her.
His addiction had begun long ago.
At first, everyone who saw him looked at him with pitying eyes. Sometimes it was tiresome.
But before even a year had passed, everyone had grown accustomed to the fact that Nam Goong Baek would die.
Not just the servants of the Nam Goong Family, but even his own family.
“The Medicine Master will surely find a way.”
“Even if there’s no way, he’ll have lived as a young master of the Nam Goong Family. What regrets could there be?”
“The Nam Goong Family is fortunate to have two other young masters to carry on the line.”
It was hollow—having the end of one’s life already determined.
So at some point, Nam Goong Baek lost interest in everything.
Even when he ate, he tasted nothing. Even when his arm was scratched during martial practice, it didn’t sting. He left Nam Goong Do, burdened with inferiority from the Branch Family, alone when he tried to climb up—and that was why.
‘After all, I’m a man with a death date already set. What’s the point of fighting?’
But tiny Hong Seol had grown angry on his behalf.
‘Not only did she grow angry—she bravely scarred the face of the Branch Family young master.’
A faint laugh escaped Nam Goong Baek as he recalled the memory.
A kitten charging at a boy over five feet tall, and one who carried a sword no less.
It was reckless beyond measure, but thanks to it, his heart felt somewhat lighter.
‘Sometimes that’s what brings comfort.’
It was something Nam Goong Baek had newly realized today.
“The sky is beautiful tonight.”
The two sat on a secluded corner of the Patriarch’s Residence steps, gazing at the evening glow. Hong Seol, her eyes reddened, sniffled and asked carefully.
“What happened to the Branch Family young master?”
At those words, Nam Goong Baek broke into a rare smile. Then, seeing Hong Seol’s expression go blank at the sight of it, he whispered softly into her ear.
“He was banned from entering the main residence for a year as punishment for striking the direct heir of the Nam Goong Family, confined to his quarters for two months, and received a severe beating from grandfather.”
“Wow.”
I gasped in admiration, my mouth falling open. Nam Goong Baek laughed sheepishly.
“What, do you think I was too harsh?”
“No, not at all.”
Excited, I jumped to my feet.
Far from thinking he’d been harsh, I still felt a lump in my throat remembering what Nam Goong Do had said to Nam Goong Baek.
I spoke with a slightly choked voice.
“I’m always on your side, no matter what.”
Surprised by my words, Nam Goong Baek’s eyes widened for a moment before he let out a soft laugh and bowed his head.
He was hiding the unexpected emotion that had crept into the tip of his nose.
After a moment passed.
When Nam Goong Baek lifted his head again, he gazed only at the distant setting sun to conceal his embarrassment. The crimson sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon.
Nam Goong Baek carefully softened his voice, which threatened to waver, and asked me a question.
“Hmm, but how did you end up attacking Nam Goong Do earlier? Without a shred of fear.”
“…I’m not sure.”
Finally calming down, I hung my head in embarrassment.
In truth, I knew exactly why I had done it.
Because I felt sorry for my brother Nam Goong Baek.
After all, I was the one who understood best the sorrow of being different from everyone else in this place.
‘Me, unable to use inner strength, and my brother who will die when he turns twenty…’
Perhaps I had always been wishing for this.
When the Myo Family cast me out, for someone to stand up for me.
Just as I had found the courage to stand up for my brother Nam Goong Baek today.
I had said I didn’t know why I attacked Nam Goong Do because I was afraid I might burst into tears.
Even now, it was dangerous. I scrunched up the bridge of my nose, fighting back tears.
Seeing this, Nam Goong Baek let out a quiet laugh.
Though he had pretended not to know, he understood.
What had driven me to attack Nam Goong Do.
‘Did I look lonely in her eyes…?’
A child cast out by the family for being unable to use inner strength.
This small child knew how to approach someone in pain and whisper to them.
That she was the same as them.
That she understood their suffering too, and begged them to find courage.
Perhaps, in this vast Nam Goong Family Estate, this small child was the only one who truly understood him.
Afraid that tears might spill over, Nam Goong Baek spoke with forced playfulness.
“Look at you, so small yet so stubborn. Here, eat this.”
Nam Goong Baek rummaged through his robes and produced a rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves. My eyes widened.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Wasn’t it because you wanted to eat this that you went to the Kitchen earlier?”
Foolish brother Nam Goong Baek!
It wasn’t simply that I wanted to eat it.
I was caught by Lady Lee trying to sneak away Nam Goong Baek’s rice cake as well. And he didn’t even know!
“Sniff.”
Yet despite my frustration, I accepted the rice cake obediently.
The cold rice cake somehow felt warm in my hands.
As I took a bite, I burst into tears. Nam Goong Baek, standing beside me, smiled faintly at the sight, then drew out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped away my tears.
Then he spoke with a hint of playfulness.
“Oh dear, what should I do? It seems Uncle, thoroughly provoked, will pummel Father during tomorrow’s martial contest.”
Hiccup!
I startled mid-bite of my rice cake and hiccupped.

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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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