A Baby Cat Who Commands the Dog Clan - Chapter 96

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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 96
“Yes, I understand.”
Hearing Hong Seol’s reply, he finally returned to his place with a satisfied expression.
Then, crossing his arms, he asked in a rather stern tone.
He was testing whether she had grasped his meaning.
“Now then, tell me—is Yang Do Jin male or female?”
“Male…”
“Correct. So it’s perfectly fine to smile at him, isn’t it?”
Hong Seol tilted her head, clearly confused.
“But Yang Do Jin is my friend. So So said that friends laugh together and exchange gifts…”
Good heavens.
A vein throbbed on Nam Goong Baek’s forehead.
“Men have no such thing as friendship, Seol Ah!”
Nam Goong Baek exhaled heavily, speaking with emphasis.
“That Yang Do Jin fellow—if you give him the chance, one day he’ll come wagging his tail, saying he likes you, asking to marry you, and all that nonsense.”
Nam Goong Baek’s blue eyes flashed sharply.
“And that’s not all. When you go to the Sa Cheon Dang Family, you must also be wary of that Dang Yi Woon.”
“Young Master Dang Yi Woon?”
The grandson of the snake grandfather’s younger brother, wasn’t he?
Hong Seol recalled what she had heard from Nam Goong Ho and asked again.
“Yes.”
Nam Goong Baek nodded seriously. Hong Seol, sensing she had broached the topic well, asked further.
“What sort of person is Young Master Dang Yi Woon? Grandfather Nam Goong Ho said he’s the same age as my older brother.”
At those words, Nam Goong Baek recalled the image of Dang Yi Woon, who resembled a newborn monkey.
‘From what I saw in childhood, he doesn’t seem to be the type Seol would favor…’
In any case, he was a direct heir of the Sa Cheon Dang Family, no less wealthy than the Nam Goong Family.
It would do no harm to guard Seol’s heart in advance.
“He’s merely a direct heir of some noble clan, nothing more. Should he try to tempt you with silk robes or jewels, you must not fall for it…”
“We’re arriving at the Chengdu docks soon!”
A boatman’s voice rang out from outside.
Nam Goong Baek, having inadvertently trailed off, furrowed his brow.
Hong Seol, her curiosity kindled, forgot she had been in a serious conversation with Nam Goong Baek and her eyes sparkled.
“Older brother, it’s Chengdu! Can we go outside and look?”
Seeing Hong Seol, who seemed to have forgotten everything he had just cautioned her about, Nam Goong Baek let out a long sigh.
* * *
Chengdu, the heart of Sichuan.
It was a region so prosperous it had been called throughout the ages “the land where heaven opened its granary.”
One could tell simply by walking through its streets.
Bolts of exquisite silk hanging endlessly in the Fabric Shop instantly captured Hong Seol’s gaze.
“Wow! What is that, Grandfather?”
“It’s the famous silk of Sichuan. We call it Shu Brocade. There’s also something called Shu Embroidery.”
“What’s that?”
Hong Seol’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“It’s one of the Four Great Embroideries under Heaven! They say it’s the most beautiful embroidery in all the world.”
“Wow….”
Hong Seol’s wonder was quickly captured by something else entirely.
“What’s that, Grandfather?”
Hong Seol pointed with her small fingers at wooden puppet figures suspended by strings, moving gracefully.
Puppeteers gripping cross-shaped bamboo rods manipulated the figures with practiced urgency, keeping rhythm with the drums.
“It’s a puppet play called Sichuan Wood Puppet Theater.”
Seeing Hong Seol’s rapt attention, Nam Goong Ho allowed himself a faint smile.
“Shall we watch?”
“Yes! Brother, let’s go!”
Hong Seol tugged Nam Goong Baek’s hand eagerly and rushed forward.
Nam Goong Ho followed with his hands clasped behind his back, content.
‘It was wise not to go directly to the Sa Cheon Dang Family.’
He had sent word of his arrival, but deliberately took his time strolling through the Market District.
It was to give the Sa Cheon Dang Family time to prepare for their guests.
‘It’s been so long since I’ve had leisure to enjoy a puppet play.’
Once I entered the Sa Cheon Dang Family compound, such indulgences would become impossible.
Though I knew not what matter my old friend Poison King Dang Yi Mu had summoned me for, it was surely no trivial affair.
Seol Ah had already claimed the front row seats, pulling her grandson along beside her.
Watching the children’s joy brought me contentment as well.
“Welcome, everyone!”
As the crowd gathered, the Storyteller announced the performance with enthusiasm.
“Today we present the youthful exploits of Poison King Dang Yi Mu, master of the Sa Cheon Dang Family!”
Nam Goong Ho, who had been walking leisurely apart from the children, suddenly froze.
‘Surely not…’
An ominous premonition sent cold sweat trickling down his spine.
Yet the Storyteller continued with undiminished fervor.
“The legendary tale of the Three Martial Oddities who once commanded the Martial Arts World!”
Boom boom boom boom boom!
As the drums sounded, the wooden puppets ascended the stage one by one.
Nam Goong Ho’s brow furrowed as he watched.
One of the puppet figures looked disturbingly familiar.
A blue martial robe adorned with cloud patterns, and a long scar running across its cheek.
‘That’s…me.’
Nam Goong Ho stood rooted to the spot.
‘What in the world are they about to tell in front of the children…’
He considered turning back, but it was already too late.
“Wooooahhh!”
Hong Seol, seated in the front row, was clapping her hands louder than anyone else.
Beside her, Nam Goong Baek sat with an expressionless face, his chin resting on his hand as he stared at the stage.
Nam Goong Ho was forced to hide his anxiety and take a seat in the back row.
As the crowd swelled, the delighted Storyteller cried out.
“In his youth, Poison King Dang Yi Mu traveled the world alongside Sword King Nam Goong Ho and Beggar Sect Master Tian Tong Gai, earning the title of the Three Martial Oddities!”
The beginning was decent enough. The problem came next.
“Of course, the leader among the three was the Poison King! Sword King Nam Goong Ho would gather firewood each night, cook rice, massage the Poison King’s legs, and attend to his every need!”
“Oh my!”
“Truly, the Poison King is Sichuan’s pride!”
On stage, a scarred puppet was repeatedly bowing before a white-haired puppet with crimson eyes.
At the sight of this, Nam Goong Ho’s hair stood on end with fury.
‘What utter nonsense!’
Even if Sichuan was the Poison King’s domain, this was bending the truth far too much.
It was a moment when Nam Goong Ho nearly leaped onto the stage and grabbed the Storyteller by the collar.
“Wait a moment!”
Hong Seol, seated in the front, raised her hand and asked.
“Is it really true, Grandfather—I mean, Sword King? Did the Sword King truly serve the Poison King? But the Sword King is incredibly strong and remarkable!”
At those words, Nam Goong Ho felt tears prick his eyes from gratitude.
‘That’s my Seol Ah, well done!’
But the Storyteller answered without mercy.
“Indeed, he served the Poison King faithfully!”
After finishing his answer, the Storyteller placed his hands on his hips and bowed his head to Hong Seol with a warning.
“From now on, you mustn’t speak during the performance, young lady.”
“Oh! Yes, I’m sorry.”
Hong Seol’s face flushed red as she hunched her shoulders.
The story continued.
Of course, some parts were actually true.
For instance, the time Nam Goong Ho made a wager with Beggar Sect Master Tian Tong Gai and won.
The tale of how he rode Beggar Sect Master Tian Tong Gai around like a donkey as a result.
The puppets faithfully reenacted those scenes.
But whenever the Poison King Dang Yi Mu became involved, the story strangely diverged from the truth.
“The strengthened Sword King attacked the Poison King! Yet he fell to the Poison King’s Flower Rain of Heaven!”
Flower Rain of Heaven—a secret technique of the Sa Cheon Dang Family.
Like flower petals scattering across the heavens, it meant unavoidable projectiles raining down from all directions.
“And it just so happened that poison was smeared upon them! The Sword King collapsed to the ground.”
A faint smile crossed Nam Goong Ho’s lips as he watched.
Collapsed? Hardly.
Not like the Seven-Step Soul-Severing Poison that kills before one can take seven steps.
At my level, I could dispel such toxins with mere internal energy circulation.
Unless it were a Scattering Function Poison that disrupted one’s inner energy.
Nam Goong Ho tried his best to console himself.
‘That’s right. This is Dang Family territory, so I can embellish the story a bit here, can’t I.’
But those ignorant of the truth grew ecstatic at the mere mention of poison.
“As expected, the Sa Cheon Dang Family’s poison mastery is unrivaled under heaven!”
“Among the Five Great Families, it’s not the Nam Goong Family that ranks first—it’s the Dang Family!”
Emboldened by the audience’s enthusiasm, the Storyteller wove his tale with even greater fervor.
“Terrified, the Sword King desperately pleaded with the Poison King for an antidote!”
On stage, a scarred puppet was crawling between the legs of a white-haired puppet.
The moment Nam Goong Ho witnessed this, his mind went blank.
‘These… these fraudsters…’
Unable to contain himself any longer, he cried out from his seat.
“You insolent—!”
At least he still had some conscience; he refrained from channeling his inner energy into the outburst.
But he couldn’t finish his words.
Hong Seol, whose eyes had grown wide, came scurrying over and clamped her hand over his mouth.
“Shh! Grandfather, you’re not supposed to speak during the performance.”
Hong Seol furrowed her delicate brows in embarrassment, glancing nervously at those around them.

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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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