A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 59

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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 59
Perhaps it was thanks to being wrapped in Bing Yu Hua’s skirts.
Hong Seol seemed to have managed to compose her surging emotions well enough.
But Tian Tong Gai was not someone to be trifled with.
“Who do you think you are, calling me grandfather so carelessly?”
“I-I’m so sorry.”
Hong Seol, her spirit dampened, quickly corrected herself.
“From now on, I’ll address you properly as the Beggar Sect Master.”
“That’s better. And let me be clear—I have no intention of helping you. Helping you would be the same as helping that old fool Nam Goong Ho!”
Hong Seol tilted her head slightly.
“That’s… strange.”
“Strange? What’s strange about it?”
“The Changcheon Master said that the Beggar Sect is one of the most righteous among the Orthodox Sects, filled with people of great chivalry.”
“Is that so? Hmm, it seems the Nam Goong Family has at least one person with their wits about them. You certainly know the Beggar Sect well.”
“Surely the leader of such a righteous sect wouldn’t turn away a poor child abandoned by her own family! Isn’t that right, Master of the Estate?”
Hong Seol poked her head out from beneath Bing Yu Hua’s skirts and looked toward Nam Goong On.
“Of course, absolutely. The Beggar Sect Master is a paragon of righteousness.”
Nam Goong On, understanding Hong Seol’s intention, nodded with a grin.
If Tian Tong Gai refused their request here, he would become someone who had driven a helpless child into hardship out of personal grudge.
That would be unworthy of a Beggar Sect Master.
Tian Tong Gai rubbed his sweaty forehead and spoke.
“Ugh… generations of irritating people, I swear.”
He scratched irritably at various parts of his body, then slapped his knee decisively.
“Fine! As you say, I am the leader of the Beggar Sect, which values chivalry. I cannot ignore those who seek my aid.”
“Thank you so much, sir!”
Nam Goong On and Bing Yu Hua’s faces brightened.
“However, Nam Goong Ho is my sworn enemy. I cannot help without conditions. I will give you a test.”
“What kind of test?”
“Not you, but this child will be tested.”
“M-me?”
To Hong Seol, it sounded like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
Hong Seol clasped her small hands together and swallowed hard.
“If you pass this test, my disciples will recognize you as someone of merit. I swear by the honor of the Beggar Sect that I will find Wan Li Yi Xian to cure your illness.”
Hong Seol’s eyes wavered. It was an offer she simply could not refuse.
Hong Seol nodded frantically, waiting for Tian Tong Gai’s next words.
“However, you must not receive any help from the Nam Goong Family in this process. Will you accept my test?”
“W-what is it?”
“Finding a person.”
At those words, Hong Seol’s face brightened.
Finding something.
That was precisely what Hong Seol could do best.
* * *
Late that night, after the entire Nam Goong Family party had departed.
A faint ripple disturbed the clear liquor filling a chipped wine cup.
“You’ve come.”
Tian Tong Gai set down the cup he’d been holding and rose from his seat.
A desolate wind swept through, and the sound of the flag bearing the characters “Heavenly Secrets Revealed” fluttering outside the shop could be heard.
Creak.
With an eerie sound, the door swung wide open, and a chill rushed in.
It was the presence of a shadow-like woman with a black hat pulled low over her head.
“It’s been a long time, Tian Tong Gai.”
“You’ve arrived. Please, sit here.”
The relationship between the two seated across from each other with wine cups before them was enigmatic.
Starting with their ages alone.
One had a white beard that descended to his chest, while the other bore not a single wrinkle on the back of her hand.
Yet their manner of speech was as if they had known each other for a very long time.
“Tian Tong Gai, what of the task I requested?”
“That matter is currently simmering in the pot, so worry not. Simply find yourself an inn and wait patiently.”
“An inn?”
“Indeed. Shall I offer a recommendation? In Hefei, there’s a place called the Hong Hwa Inn that’s quite renowned.”
The woman in the black hat started slightly upon hearing the inn’s name.
“…I cannot go there for certain reasons.”
“I see. Well, any other place will do. Simply stay somewhere conspicuous where people will notice you. Before long, that child will come seeking you out directly.”
At those words, the woman’s lips twisted into a smile.
“What scheme is this old fool concocting?”
“Merely turning the child’s own cleverness against her.”
Tap.
The woman set down her cup. It was already empty.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
As the woman departed, Tian Tong Gai called after her.
“With this, I’ve repaid the debt for saving my disciple!”
The woman glanced back with a slight nod, then threw herself into the darkness.
* * *
Early afternoon, the inner chamber of Chang Cheon Pavilion bustled with activity.
“Squeak! We found that woman!”
“Squeak squeak! We couldn’t see her face because of the black hat, but she was definitely carrying a pipa wrapped in cloth on her back!”
What filled the table were none other than a pack of rats, all chattering away.
Every last one of them bore a pale, sickly appearance, resembling Seo Han Eol and his wife.
“Truly? You’ve found that woman?”
At Hong Seol’s words, one of the Young Rats unfurled a scroll of paper it had been carrying rolled up on its back.
It was a portrait of a woman that Tian Tong Gai had drawn for me.
A woman in her early twenties, a pipa strapped across her back.
One of the Young Rats examined the sketch on paper and spoke with triumphant pride.
“Squeak! That’s definitely her!”
“We need to go there right now!”
Since I had just finished biting Mae Ran’s ear, I hastily dressed myself with my own hands. Yet I didn’t forget to prepare snacks for the Young Rats who had worked so hard.
“Here, please enjoy these!”
With a heavy thunk, I set a large platter on the table.
It was overflowing with red bean cakes, fragrant walnut kernels, and sweet roasted chestnuts that released an enticing aroma.
“Squeak! As expected of the cat lady!”
The Young Rats were so delighted that their black eyes sparkled like polished obsidian.
I stepped outside immediately after.
“Miss, where are you going alone!”
I was stopped several times by Wi Sa, whose face had turned pale with concern, but each time I managed to slip past using the wooden token in my possession.
“Here, I have my access pass! The family head gave it to me.”
“I see you have permission to go out. Please return safely.”
As a result, I managed to leave the Nam Goong Family Estate grounds alone with confidence.
‘When I first arrived at the Nam Goong Family Estate, I was even afraid to step outside my room.’
Now I could venture this far on my own.
‘Is it because I’ve learned external martial arts, or have I developed some courage through all these experiences?’
Or perhaps it was because there were so many people supporting me.
The faces of the Nam Goong Family members flashed through my mind countless times.
They all wore warm smiles directed at me.
‘It really does seem to be thanks to the Nam Goong Family members.’
Even when fear crept in, thinking of them made courage surge from deep within my belly.
‘I’ll definitely pass the Beggar Sect Master’s test with my own strength!’
I clenched my small fists tightly.
‘If Nam Goong Ho finds out I snuck out to the Market District, he’ll be disappointed… but there’s no help for it. This is a test I must pass on my own.’
I headed toward the Market District with determination, the fragrant pouch hanging from my belt jingling softly.
Just to be safe, I had pulled my bamboo hat down low. To any observer, I looked like a child who disliked the sun.
“From here, turn right, and fifty paces past the shop that makes hairpins, there should be the Wandering Minstrel Inn…”
Whenever the path became confusing, I could unfold the paper in my hand.
The Young Rats had carefully drawn a map on it.
“I’m almost there!”
My eyes sparkled as I spotted my destination.
The sign was new, but few people seemed to come and go. For me, that was actually fortunate.
‘I just need to go in there and ask the older sister with the pipa to come meet Grandfather Tian Tong Gai with me… right?’
Nervous, I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt.
‘She… she won’t be a scary older sister, will she?’
With my destination so close, my feet inexplicably felt rooted to the ground.
“I… I can… do this, right…?”
I repeated the words to myself, my fists clenched as tightly as tangerines.
And there were those who clutched their chests at the sight of me.
– Goodness, have you ever seen such a young thing!
– A young lady venturing into the Market District alone! How frightened and nervous she must be.
I didn’t know it, but Nam Goong Ui Gyeol and three other warriors from the Changcheon Division were secretly following behind me.
It was Nam Goong On’s measure to protect me from any unforeseen danger.
Nam Goong Ui Gyeol surveyed the inn with sharp eyes.
– I’ll go in first and check if there’s any danger. Guard the young lady without gaps!
– Yes!
After sending a silent transmission, Nam Goong Ui Gyeol quickened his pace and overtook me.
And he abruptly pushed open the door to the Wandering Minstrel Inn, my intended destination.

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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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