A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 48

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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 48
Where the Yu Seong Moon Master pointed, there lay roughly twenty wooden ladles carved from timber and dozens of duck eggs stacked in neat piles.
“The competition involves balancing a duck egg on a ladle and carrying it to the finish line without breaking it. Whoever circles the Pond first and returns shall be declared the victor.”
How exciting!
The children’s faces flushed with delight.
“And today’s prize is this.”
As the Yu Seong Moon Master lifted the cloth draped over the tray his attendant held, a golden mouse was revealed.
“Since this is the Year of the Rat, I prepared it with hopes that everyone would enjoy a healthy and prosperous year.”
In monetary terms, the object was easily worth thirty taels of silver.
At the Yu Seong Moon Master’s generous gift, the adults’ faces now brightened as well.
Hong Seol felt the same way.
“Wow, what a glittering mouse!”
The confusion that had clouded her eyes moments before vanished entirely. Her cheeks flushed with childlike joy—a sight that was truly lovely to behold.
Nam Goong Baek, seated beside her, glanced at that expression.
A faint smile bloomed across his face—unusual for him.
* * *
Before the competition began, the children warmed up in their own ways.
Some jogged lightly, while a few precocious ones sat in lotus position, circulating their inner energy through breathing exercises.
The boys appeared noticeably tense compared to usual.
After all, Nam Goong Baek, the renowned eldest young master of the Nam Goong Family, was participating today.
But the girls were different.
Even as they regarded him as a rival, there was an unmistakable flutter of excitement in their gazes.
“Should we go talk to him?”
“Or maybe ask to stand next to him at the starting line?”
They all blushed furiously while stealing glances at Nam Goong Baek.
Deng Xiao Xiao, the only daughter of the Deng Family Estate master, in particular had been staring at Nam Goong Baek intently from the Pavilion.
She had groomed herself so meticulously that her hair, laden with silk ribbons and silver ornaments, felt impossibly heavy.
Her efforts bore fruit—among all the girls gathered today, Deng Xiao Xiao’s beauty shone most brilliantly.
Her hair, tied only at the ends, gleamed with lustrous shine, and her soft, peach-fuzz cheeks possessed an undeniable charm.
I realized this must be the girl who had sent a marriage proposal to Nam Goong Baek.
I watched Deng Xiao Xiao with an odd feeling stirring within me.
The Deng Family Estate was renowned for its mastery of pressure point techniques.
I had heard this from Changcheon Master Nam Goong Ui Gyeol.
“The Deng Family Estate master’s only daughter, Deng Xiao Xiao, is also famous for her talent in pressure point techniques.”
And she was so enchantingly beautiful besides.
Yet Nam Goong Baek hadn’t spared her a single glance, even from the Pavilion.
Nam Goong Baek built walls between himself and everyone.
But given how intensely Deng Xiao Xiao’s interest in him burned, Nam Goong Baek seemed almost cold in my eyes.
“Jeok, what are you doing?”
Nam Goong Heuk nudged me.
Lost in thought, I jumped in fright at the sudden voice.
“What? Four?”
“Why are you so easily startled? Anyone watching would think you’re that little brat from the estate.”
That little brat?
‘Ah! He’s talking about me.’
I tilted my head in understanding, though still confused.
The clever Nam Goong Heuk deliberately refrained from calling me by name.
He was concerned the children of the Myo Family Estate might overhear it.
“Don’t be nervous. The winner is already decided anyway.”
“What? Who is it?”
“Are you acting strange today? Obviously that guy, of course.”
I followed the direction of Nam Goong Heuk’s chin gesture.
There stood a silver-haired boy leaning against a pavilion pillar with his arms crossed.
Nam Goong Baek showed no intention of looking toward where I stood.
Nor was he looking at Deng Xiao Xiao.
‘Nam Goong Baek… just who are you looking at?’
I turned my head to follow Nam Goong Baek’s gaze.
At the end of that gaze appeared two brothers whose builds were twice as imposing as anyone else’s.
‘Those two…’
My breath suddenly caught in my throat.
They were Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung—the ones who had tormented me before. Geum Myung was already complaining before the competition even began.
“Ugh, what a tedious competition this is.”
“Still, we must win, brother. If we lose to those Nam Goong Family brats, Father will scold us harshly.”
“Cough, cough!”
At those words, Geum Myung suddenly choked and coughed.
Before arriving here, Myo Jung San must have issued quite the threat.
He had said they absolutely had to win the championship and humble the Nam Goong Family.
“How can we win easily?”
“Well, you see…”
As always, the cunning Eun Myung whispered his plan to Geum Myung.
A sinister smile played at his lips.
“As soon as it starts, you trip the person running beside you. I’ll snatch the wrist of the one next to me using the Qinna technique.”
This competition wasn’t simply about who could run the fastest.
The rule was to safely carry a duck egg balanced on a wooden ladle to the finish line.
Using martial arts to prevent others from crossing the finish line was perfectly acceptable.
“It’s not a martial duel, but it is a competition of martial skill.”
That was Eun Myung’s assessment.
“You’re right—Eun Myung, you’re the smartest! I’ll handle at least five of them, so don’t worry.”
“Good. Especially make an example of the youngest from the Nam Goong Family—show them what we’re made of.”
“Understood!”
As he spoke, Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung fixed their gaze on Hong Seol, who was disguised as Jeok.
“Ugh….”
Perhaps it was the memory of drinking that foul water tainted with rotting weeds.
Hong Seol suddenly felt nausea rising in her throat.
Nam Goong Heuk glanced at Hong Seol.
“Nam Goong Jeok! Are you alright?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine.”
Hong Seol, who had forced down her discomfort, managed a faint smile.
“Everyone, gather at the starting line with a wooden ladle and a duck egg!”
The Yu Seong Moon Master’s voice rang out with commanding force, and the children who had been chattering moments before came rushing over, their garments fluttering behind them.
They all held duck eggs and wooden ladles in their hands, taken from the table.
Heuk and Hong Seol each selected sturdy-looking implements and took their positions at the starting line.
‘But why is Nam Goong Baek still over there?’
He, who had shown no interest in the competition, was still rummaging through the remaining duck eggs, carefully selecting his own.
Then it happened.
Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung positioned themselves on either side of Hong Seol, who was disguised as Nam Goong Jeok.
It was a deliberate move.
“Let’s do our best, little one.”
The two of them closed in from both sides, their smiles carrying a fishy quality as they bumped their shoulders against Hong Seol.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Hong Seol’s entire body went rigid, and she even forgot to breathe.
Because of her small frame, and because the memories of that terrible torment came flooding back, Hong Seol could only tremble silently, unable to speak.
Then someone placed a hand gently on Hong Seol’s head.
“Move aside.”
The owner of that gentle touch was a blue-eyed boy—Nam Goong Baek.
“I’ll take this spot instead.”
“Eh? Elder bro… No, you, eldest brother?”
“Yes. This spot looks good to me.”
As he said this, Nam Goong Baek cast a glance at Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung, one after the other.
What was that just now?
Though his gaze seemed indifferent at first, in that instant, Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung felt a sinister chill run through their very bones.
“Yes, if that’s what you wish, brother….”
Hong Seol obediently stepped away from that spot and moved to stand beside Nam Goong Heuk.
It was when everyone had picked up a wooden ladle with a duck egg balanced on top.
Nam Goong Baek spoke to Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung, who were now visibly tense.
“Listen.”
Since it was extremely rare for him to initiate conversation with anyone, Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung waited for his next words with puzzled expressions.
“Sometimes foolish kittens only come to their senses after their throats have been torn out. Isn’t that so?”
In that moment.
The two of them felt their hair stand on end, as though they stood before a ferocious beast.
Despite being roughly the same age, Nam Goong Baek emanated an aura that was decidedly abnormal.
I even found myself under the illusion that his sharp canines gleamed with menace.
It was at that very moment.
Shrill!
Yu Seong Moon Master blew a wooden whistle with forceful vigor.
Simultaneously, the flag in his hand fluttered with impressive momentum.
Nam Goong Baek chuckled softly and strode past the two who stood dazed.
“I’m going first.”
Intimidated by Nam Goong Baek’s presence, Myo Geum Myung and Myo Eun Myung missed the starting signal entirely.
“Damn it all!”
“Run! Brother, hurry!”
The two of them gripped their wooden ladles and scrambled to their feet, racing forward.

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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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