A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 78

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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 78
“What do you mean?”
Nam Goong Ho’s voice came out sharp and irritated.
This was already the second time. The Changcheon Division, whom the Nam Goong Family called their elite, had failed a mission.
Because of this, his mood had soured considerably.
“It appears the man who seemed to be their leader had no head, sir.”
“What?”
If skilled masters had simply clashed by chance, there would be no reason to behead anyone.
It was truly suspicious.
“Furthermore, all of their bodies bore marks where skin had been flayed away.”
“Their skin was stripped? Could they have been tortured?”
“Perhaps it was where a tattoo had been!”
At the sudden clear voice, Nam Goong Ho and Nam Goong On turned their heads in unison.
“Oh, I’m—I’m so sorry.”
Hong Seol had inadvertently interjected into the adults’ conversation and quickly bowed her head in embarrassment.
Behind her, Nam Goong Baek, who had been standing with what seemed like firm resolve, nodded slightly.
“This is not a matter for children to hear, but since you’ve already spoken, go ahead. What do you mean by a tattoo?”
Emboldened, Hong Seol spoke clearly and deliberately.
“The beasts we encountered in the Underground Chamber all had black feather-shaped tattoos on their bodies.”
In that instant, Nam Goong Ho and Nam Goong On’s eyes met.
“The Black Bandit Gang!”
Crash!
Nam Goong Ho shot to his feet once more. The chair he had been sitting in toppled backward with a thunderous clang.
“Seize those wretches at once!”
While Nam Goong Ho trembled with rage, even his beard quivering, Nam Goong On remained composed.
“Please calm yourself, Father. They are absolutely not members of the Black Bandit Gang.”
“What?”
Nam Goong On turned his gaze toward Nam Goong Baek, who stood at the entrance.
“Baek, what are your thoughts?”
“…My thoughts align with yours, Father.”
“Why is that?”
“The Black Bandit Gang may be an unorthodox sect, but I’ve heard they are a faction with honor among their members. They would not have executed their own wounded to silence them.”
Baek’s gaze settled on Hong Seol.
“Moreover, in a situation where witnesses have already seen their tattoos, there would be no need for such actions.”
Nam Goong Ho cleared his throat.
He had long known his grandson was intelligent. Yet it was embarrassing that he, the patriarch himself, had nearly rushed forward without thinking.
‘How strange. When did I start throwing caution aside whenever it concerns Seol…’
Nam Goong Ho, his face flushed with embarrassment, gazed into the distance to mask his discomfort.
“Baek speaks truly. Furthermore…”
Nam Goong On’s smooth face broke into a knowing smile.
“There’s been quite a bit of talk lately. They say Dok Bi Jo, the leader of the Black Bandit Gang, has appeared in Anhui.”
At the familiar-sounding name, Hong Seol’s ears perked up.
Nam Goong Ho’s face twisted.
“Then it was that old woman who eliminated the vicious beasts after all.”
“That’s likely the case. She’s someone whose affection and pride in the Black Bandit Gang are second to none. Those vicious beasts used the Black Bandit Gang’s name without permission, after all.”
Nam Goong On sipped his tea.
“Well then, Dok Bi Jo and the Black Bandit Gang will search out the vicious beasts’ identities themselves. Even Heuk, whom our hands can scarcely reach, will comb through the entire Martial Arts World.”
“Heh heh.”
Nam Goong Ho, deflated, sat down and grasped his teacup again.
All that remained for them now was to wait.
“But tell me—why have Baek and Seol come here? You both vanished from the Training Ground just moments ago.”
Nam Goong Ho surveyed the two children.
Whether they had made peace in the meantime or not, Hong Seol was laughing with an embarrassed grin, scratching her head.
His grandson, as always, wore a sullen, expressionless face.
Hong Seol’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Grandfather, we saw our carrier pigeon!”
“What?”
“The carrier pigeon with blue-tipped wings came from Sichuan, didn’t it?”
“That’s true, but… it’s far too soon.”
Nam Goong Ho looked at Nam Goong On. Nam Goong On’s expression showed he was equally bewildered.
“The carrier pigeon we sent shouldn’t have even reached Sichuan yet. There’s no way the Poison King would have sent a reply already.”
Just then, a voice came from outside. It was a warrior from the Namcheon Order who handled the carrier pigeons.
“A carrier pigeon from Sichuan has arrived.”
Nam Goong On raised his voice.
“Bring it here!”
“Well, that is… that’s…”
The warrior’s words trailed off. A slight furrow appeared on Nam Goong On’s brow.
“What is it?”
“It says the message is to be delivered directly to the Grand Patriarch, not the Patriarch.”
Nam Goong On frowned and leaned back. Meanwhile, Nam Goong Ho sensed something and grew grave.
“Bring the letter here.”
After receiving and reading the letter, Nam Goong Ho’s expression grew serious.
Nam Goong On asked with concern.
“What is the matter, Father?”
“I must go to the Sichuan Tang Family myself.”
“Pardon?”
“Something has happened to the old man of the family. He’s asking me to come to Sichuan at once.”
Nam Goong Ho lifted the object that had come with the letter.
Made of fine, lightweight wood, it was none other than a debt-of-gratitude tablet.
A token given to another in repayment for a favor received.
If the bearer of a debt token inscribed with one’s name made a request, one had no choice but to fulfill it.
Such was the law of the Martial Arts World.
Nam Goong Ho spoke in a voice heavy as Mount Tai.
“At last, the time has come to repay the price of the thousand-year fleece flower.”
* * *
A group of middle-aged men in simple traveling clothes bustled about, packing their belongings as if embarking on a long journey.
They were escort agents from the Escort Bureau and their porters.
Their work was to deliver goods or people safely to their destinations.
And the people they were to escort today were….
“Are all the preparations complete?”
Pyo Du, the leader of the escort agents, approached Nam Goong Ho and bowed respectfully.
“Not yet! The most important child hasn’t arrived.”
Just then, Hong Seol, holding Bing Yu Hua’s hand, came rushing out from Chang Cheon Pavilion.
Behind her, the attendant Mae Ran followed, carrying a large bundle.
Hong Seol’s mind was scattered.
It was because Bing Yu Hua kept asking Mae Ran to verify the luggage as they walked.
“Did you pack the child’s padded jacket?”
“Yes, Medicine Master. I packed it as a quilted garment with delicate floral patterns.”
Bing Yu Hua fell into thought, her brow furrowing with concern.
“Last time, Lady Hong sent a fur-lined padded jacket from her fabric shop. I should include that one!”
“Pardon?”
The young lady is going to humid and hot Sichuan, not the Northern Ice Palace.
Confusion crossed Mae Ran’s face. Then Bing Yu Hua spoke, somewhat embarrassed.
“But it can still be cold at night there, can’t it?”
Without another word, Mae Ran went to find the fur-lined padded jacket.
Once her concern was settled, Bing Yu Hua smiled warmly at Hong Seol.
“Come now, let’s go, child.”
“Yes…. Oh!”
Hong Seol, who had been walking eagerly behind Bing Yu Hua, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“I forgot something too!”
“You did? What did you forget?”
“My purse!”
“But child, you won’t have need to spend money….”
“I want to give alms to beggars! Everywhere we go!”
“Is that so?”
Charmed by her words, Bing Yu Hua laughed and gave her permission.
Hong Seol rushed back to her quarters in Chang Cheon Pavilion.
Watching from below, Nam Goong Ho sighed and looked around.
“Everyone, have some tea. It looks like we’ll need another hour or so before we can depart.”
At his gesture, the attendants led the escort agents and porters to the courtyard adjoining the guest hall.
A canvas tent shielded the area from the warm sunlight.
Watching the escort members quench their thirst, Nam Goong Ho withdrew his feet from the carriage window and spoke.
“Come out and have some tea to wet your whistle.”
The boy sitting quietly inside lifted his eyes.
Silver hair and cool blue eyes.
It was Nam Goong Baek.
He maintained an air of composure as though he had spent his entire life traveling by carriage, but in truth, he had only just secured this position after a fierce struggle.
“I am fine, Grandfather.”
He feared that the moment he stepped away from the carriage, they would abandon him and depart without him.
‘I threatened to stop eating if he wouldn’t take me—I can’t waste this hard-won opportunity.’
Observing Nam Goong Baek’s refusal to budge from the carriage, Nam Goong Ho clicked his tongue.
“Why is he so obsessed with this journey? Surely he doesn’t think I’m incapable of protecting Hong Seol.”
He never imagined that his grandson was working to bind Hong Seol’s heart to the Nam Goong Family.

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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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