A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 35

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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 35
“The Patriarch will be fine, surely!”
“I hope so, but I’m not so certain.”
“No, the Patriarch will definitely win! I just know it!”
What on earth was she basing such confidence on?
I found myself chuckling despite myself. Nam Goong Baek gently stroked Hong Seol’s round head as she continued to shout with such spirited conviction.
“We should head inside now, or Grandfather will scold us.”
Nam Goong Baek rose first and extended his hand toward Hong Seol.
His hand was straight and beautiful, yet hardened by calluses from relentless training.
Hong Seol, who had been sniffling, grasped his hand and stood up.
Two small shadows made their way toward Chang Cheon Pavilion. The moment their figures disappeared, someone crept around the corner of the Patriarch’s Residence. He muttered in disbelief.
“Her name is Hong Seol…?”
* * *
Colorful paper streamers fluttered abundantly across the sky from morning onward.
Near the Martial Arts Arena set up in Oe Dang, all manner of people had gathered. There were even street vendors selling tea and roasted peanuts.
It was strange.
‘For a friendly family match, the scale seems far too grand…’
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, standing beside Hong Seol, appeared to share the same thought. One could tell by the way he cursed quietly, ensuring Hong Seol wouldn’t hear.
“Damn it, the Branch Family must have summoned all these people.”
The intention was transparent.
‘Are they trying to humiliate the Patriarch if he loses the match?’
If so, that was too cruel.
Hong Seol pouted and rose onto her tiptoes, straining to catch a glimpse of the Martial Arts Arena.
‘Is it because I’m so small? I can’t see the Patriarch well.’
In that moment, the trotting Hong Seol suddenly lifted into the air.
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol had hoisted her onto his shoulders.
“Can you see well now?”
“Yes, yes! Thank you, Changcheon Master.”
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol smiled contentedly.
Hong Seol was the one receiving help, yet somehow Nam Goong Ui Gyeol, who had offered his shoulders, appeared far more pleased.
He gazed with a satisfied expression toward the Grand Patriarch Nam Goong Ho, seated among the honored guests in the distance.
‘Grandfather seems to be in a poor mood today.’
In any case, perched atop those broad shoulders, even the young Hong Seol could survey the Martial Arts Arena and the guest seating as if they lay in the palm of her hand.
“Wow, those people are wearing incredibly expensive-looking clothes.”
Seated in the chairs before the Martial Arts Arena were figures who clearly held positions of importance.
There was the Government Branch Office representative, beside him the Lord of the Golden Phoenix Escort Service who controlled the logistics of this region, next to him renowned martial officials from An Hui Province…
The Elders of the Nam Goong Family were also present at those seats.
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence.”
Nam Goong Yeol, dressed in martial robes, was busy offering greetings as he passed before them.
Displeased by his demeanor, Hong Seol puffed out her cheeks indignantly.
‘As if the Nam Goong Family Estate’s main branch belonged to him.’
Ever since yesterday’s incident, Hong Seol found it impossible to harbor any fondness for Nam Goong Do and his father, Nam Goong Yeol.
‘They’re both clearly eyeing the main branch, waiting for their chance.’
From Nam Goong Yeol, Hong Seol detected not a shred of nervousness before the martial contest.
‘He truly believes he’ll win today.’
Based on the martial records she’d examined in the dusty Record Hall over the past few days, such confidence wasn’t entirely unfounded.
‘He’s won overwhelmingly every single time….’
Yet today would be different.
Hong Seol clenched her small fists tightly.
“P-Patriarch! You can do this!”
Perched on Nam Goong Ui Gyeol’s shoulders, Hong Seol summoned her courage and cheered so loudly the Martial Arts Arena trembled.
Roaaaar!
Following her lead, the thunderous roar of the Changcheon Division shook the entire arena.
* * *
Nam Goong Yeol adjusted the hero’s headband across his forehead and gazed toward the cheering crowd.
The young girl with an innocent face, riding on the Changcheon Master’s shoulders, stood out most prominently.
‘Is that the child Father brought to raise?’
The sight of her small fists clenched, her voice hoarse from cheering for his brother, irritated him deeply.
All the cheers in this arena rightfully belonged to Nam Goong Yeol himself, whose martial prowess far surpassed his brother’s.
He couldn’t fathom how his brother had won over the little one’s heart in mere days.
‘After this contest ends, I’ll make you all regret backing the wrong horse. You too, little one. And all you cursed Changcheon bastards.’
Nam Goong Yeol leaped onto the arena.
Following Nam Goong Ho’s brief opening remarks, Elder Judge Nam Goong Mu Young raised his hand, the flag swept through the air, and the contest began.
“Brother, I offer no courtesy.”
At those words, Nam Goong On nodded slightly, his sword raised. Tension was evident on his face.
“Come then.”
As always, he was yielding the first move.
“Needless pride.”
Nam Goong Yeol struck his fists together sharply—a clear provocation—yet Nam Goong On’s voice remained cold.
“You’re not using a sword today.”
At Nam Goong On’s observation, Nam Goong Yeol smirked.
“I didn’t think I’d need one.”
Like most direct descendants of the Nam Goong Family, Nam Goong Yeol’s specialty was the sword.
If he chose to fight barehanded, his intent was transparent.
‘Brother, let’s see you taste humiliation today.’
And Nam Goong Yeol had never lost a single contest where he’d made the first move.
Whether wielding a sword or fighting barehanded, it made no difference.
‘This is for the patriarch’s seat I was robbed of, and for our Do, whom I was unjustly punished for yesterday!’
With such thoughts burning in his mind, Nam Goong Yeol unleashed a lightning-fast punch.
“Hah!”
A fist shrouded in a murky blue aura shot toward Nam Goong On’s chest with no room for defense.
‘That’s it!’
The moment Nam Goong Yeol smirked inwardly, Nam Goong On lightly pivoted and deflected his strike.
As if he had known in advance which path the attack would take.
“What?”
This had never happened before.
Flustered, Nam Goong Yeol barely managed to turn and look at his older brother.
Nam Goong On stood with his sword drawn, his mouth pressed firmly shut and his expression terrifying.
Recognizing the technique, Nam Goong Yeol let out an involuntary gasp.
“The… the Emperor’s Sword Form…”
A secret martial art passed down only to the patriarch of the Nam Goong Family.
Though Nam Goong On’s mastery was still shallow, the Emperor’s Sword Form wasn’t called the supreme technique of the Nam Goong Family for nothing.
His legs trembled slightly at the overwhelming momentum.
‘I thought it would end on the first move.’
Yet here he stood with both hands empty, having acted on impulse.
He had no sword to meet that heavy blade.
The moment Nam Goong On leaped forward with his sword raised, Nam Goong Yeol thought:
‘Then I’ll simply evade!’
Until his brother’s inner energy was depleted.
Crash!
With a tremendous sound, three or four massive Blue Granite stones shattered where Nam Goong Yeol had been standing moments before.
“Damn!”
Dodging his brother’s unremarkable sword was simple enough.
But several of the stone fragments scattered in all directions came hurtling toward his eyes.
“Hell!”
Panicked, Nam Goong Yeol rolled across the ground in an ungainly manner to avoid the debris.
The Lazy Donkey’s Roll.
A technique named for how a lazy donkey rolls on the ground—its appearance was so ridiculous that among martial artists, it was considered shameful.
“Damn it!”
Of all places, this had to happen before all these distinguished guests.
Nam Goong Yeol heard the audience’s sighs mixed with jeers.
“How could someone resort to such an ugly technique?”
“Truly. And someone bearing the Nam Goong name, no less…”
Nam Goong Yeol brushed himself off, grinding his teeth.
‘I swear I’ll repay this humiliation today, older brother!’
But the space behind him remained silent.
Understanding why, a sneer crossed Nam Goong Yeol’s face.
‘Exhausted from just that one move?’
His older brother’s shallow inner power had clearly reached its limit.
Now there was nothing to fear. A murky blue energy swirled around his fists.
“Now, allow me to present you with a spectacle worth witnessing!”
The moment Nam Goong Yeol turned toward where Nam Goong On stood, bellowing grandly to the crowd—
“Huh?”
His vision plunged into sudden darkness.

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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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