A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 45

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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 45
“That’s a lovely mark.”
“Yes, this one….”
Hong Seol hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“It’s a sign of how much Mother loves me.”
Bing Yu Hua grew puzzled.
‘Didn’t this child say she had been abandoned by her mother?’
It was an incomprehensible statement, but I had no desire to wound the girl by pointing out the truth directly.
“I see.”
Perhaps sensing the lack of sincerity in Bing Yu Hua’s words, Hong Seol whimpered with a sense of injustice.
“It’s true! Really… Mother said that while singing me a lullaby. She said this mark means that I love Hong Seol, she did.”
The gentle touch of her mother’s hand brushing the fine hairs from her forehead remained vivid in Hong Seol’s memory.
“It was when I was very, very young. People say children can’t remember from that time, but they’re wrong!”
“….”
“Really… my mother said she loved me.”
Whether it was genuine or a fantasy the child had constructed, I could not say.
If such a memory existed, the present situation—her mother’s abandonment—would only cause her greater suffering.
Remembering the snow falling white across the footprints of the mother who had departed, Bing Yu Hua let her eyelashes fall weakly.
“Very well. May I take your pulse now?”
“Yes.”
Hong Seol extended her arm listlessly. Bing Yu Hua closed her eyes and concentrated on the pulse diagnosis.
And after some time.
Once her judgment crystallized, she lifted her azure eyes.
“I must have the leader of the Beggar Sect’s Hefei branch brought here at once.”
The Beggar Sect, where beggars gathered, was in fact the Central Plains’ information organization.
And she was calling for the very head who oversaw the entire Hefei region.
Hong Seol asked with a bewildered expression.
“What is this for?”
“To cure your illness, there is someone I must find without fail. My master—Wan Li Yi Xian.”
* * *
“Jeok, don’t stick your nose in the congee bowl!”
“Father, did you sleep well last night?”
“Ah, Brother! Those are my chopsticks.”
“Seol, do try this. It’s wonderfully crisp.”
Hong Seol surveyed her surroundings while holding a ceramic spoon laden with radish kimchi in one hand.
‘When did things become like this?’
The morning at Chang Cheon Pavilion had grown lively and bustling. It was a change that had occurred since Hong Seol’s arrival.
Thanks to this, Lady Lee in the kitchen had her workload doubled, yet she was always beaming.
“At last the family feels like a proper family.”
Nam Goong Ho said this while slurping down egg congee.
He had just returned after attending the Martial Alliance’s council of elders for several days.
“So, Bing Yu Hua, you asked the Beggar Sect’s Hefei division leader to find Wan Li Yi Xian?”
“Yes. However, he seemed reluctant. Wan Li Yi Xian rarely stays in one place, and he dislikes revealing his whereabouts…”
Bing Yu Hua trailed off, her expression clouded with concern.
“Hmm. Money is no object—why not issue a full mobilization order to the Beggar Sect?”
“However…”
Bing Yu Hua lowered her head. She had already considered this possibility herself.
“We cannot reach the Beggar Sect Master, it seems.”
Beggar Sect Master Tian Tong Gai.
The only being capable of moving one hundred thousand beggars at once.
He had a habit of hiding away in places unknown whenever troublesome matters arose.
Once he secluded himself, it was not uncommon for contact to be reestablished only after three or four years had passed.
“Damn that old fool!”
Nam Goong Ho blurted out his true feelings, then caught himself as he felt everyone’s eyes upon him and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, ahem. If this Wan Li Yi Xian can cure our Hong Seol’s illness, then we must find him no matter how many years it takes. We absolutely must.”
At those words, Hong Seol’s heart fluttered once more.
Embarrassed, Hong Seol hastily shoved a spoonful of egg congee into her mouth to hide her feelings.
“By the way, what shall we do about this year’s Anhui River Crossing?”
What is the Anhui River Crossing?
Curious, Hong Seol perked up her ears. Nam Goong On, noticing this, smiled gently.
“The Anhui River Crossing refers to martial families crossing the river to gather. Alternatively, using the character for summer instead, it can mean gathering in the height of summer.”
Before Nam Goong On could finish, Bing Yu Hua’s explanation followed.
“The Anhui River Crossing is attended by one elder from each family and young successors around ten years of age. Wouldn’t it be better to explain such things rather than merely parsing characters?”
That barbed final remark was clearly directed at Nam Goong On.
In that instant, Nam Goong On and Bing Yu Hua’s eyes met sharply, both bristling.
Heuk and Jeok sighed with expressions that seemed to say, “Here we go again.”
Nam Goong Baek remained disinterested, sipping his hot tea.
“Oh dear.”
Nam Goong Ho pressed his temples as his head throbbed.
But Hong Seol was absorbed in other thoughts.
‘Could it be that the Myo Family Estate will also send someone?’
The mere thought caused a sharp pain in her chest. Nam Goong Ho’s heavy voice reached Hong Seol’s ears as she sat dejected.
“This year’s Anhui River Crossing will be held at Yuseong Gate, I hear.”
Yuseong Gate was a minor to mid-sized sect based in Hefei.
It was less than half a day’s journey from the Nam Goong Family Estate’s grounds.
“Since the distance is not far, why don’t you go this time, Bing Yu Hua? It will be good to show your face to people after so long.”
“As you wish, Father.”
While the adults conversed, Nam Goong Heuk whispered to Hong Seol with pride.
“Jeok and I went last year too!”
“What do you do there, older brother?”
“Adults simply drink alcohol, and children play games.”
“Games? What sort of games?”
“It varies each year. The head of the hosting family decides. Last year it was probably archery, wasn’t it, Jeok?”
“….”
There was no response. Hong Seol found it strange.
Now that I thought about it, Jeok—who usually chattered away like an excited puppy—was unusually quiet today.
“Hey, Nam Goong Jeok!”
“Yes? Yes! It was archery.”
Only after being called twice by his older brother did Jeok snap to attention and answer.
Then his face fell again into a dejected expression.
Heuk, leaning over the table, whispered low.
“Hey! Are you still thinking about that time your pants got torn off by accident?”
“N-No, I’m not!”
As he said this, Jeok looked toward Hong Seol with wide, anxious eyes.
He was worried she might have heard.
‘How pitiful.’
Hong Seol had already heard everything, but she pretended not to notice.
Just then, Nam Goong Ho’s voice rang out.
“Baek, why don’t you participate in the Anhui Region Tournament this year?”
His tone carried a subtle note of expectation.
All eyes at the table turned to Nam Goong Baek, who was sipping tea. He answered without hesitation.
“No. I will not be attending.”
Bing Yu Hua sighed and spoke.
“Baek, you should show your face at such gatherings occasionally…!”
“…I have no desire to humor such childish games.”
“Very well, I understand your position.”
Nam Goong On, befitting his role as family head, swiftly resolved the matter.
At that moment, Nam Goong Jeok raised his hand.
“Um, um… I’d also like to sit this one out….”
“What are you saying, Jeok! You must go.”
At Bing Yu Hua’s single word, he immediately dropped his gaze to the floor.
With Nam Goong Jeok’s rebellion so easily suppressed, Nam Goong On spoke again.
“It seems more martial families are participating this year. I hear the Myo Ga Jang is sending representatives as well.”
At those words, the small cat’s heart sank with a heavy thud.
Hong Seol, who had been fidgeting with her teacup, unconsciously parted her small lips.
“Who, who is coming from the Myo Ga Jang?”
Could it be her younger sister Ga Ryung?
“Two brothers named Geum Myung and Eun Myung, I hear.”
“…!”
At those words, every nerve in Hong Seol’s body went taut.
‘Geum Myung and Eun Myung are coming?’
The collateral branch members of the Myo Family Estate who used to force me to drink water steeped in rotted weeds.
Their vile, sneering faces came rushing back with vivid clarity.
Nausea seized me, and I could no longer bring the egg porridge in my hand to my lips.
All I could smell from that bowl was the stench of decaying weeds.
My trembling hands lowered the porridge bowl to the table.
Nam Goong Baek observed my reaction with keen attention.
“And your mother, Je Gal Seon, is coming as well.”
‘Mother is…?’
It was a name I hadn’t heard in a long time.
In that instant, my mind turned to chaos.

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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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