Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Is this… a dream?”

My sister was weeping in the middle of the forest, her demeanor completely unlike her usual self. This couldn’t be real; it had to be a dream.

Watching her cry and call me her savior made the moment even more surreal.

But she shook her head at my words.

She wiped her tears and answered, “It may feel like a dream, but it is not. Benefactor, I am only appearing to you within your dream for a short time.”

‘What is she saying?’

As I stared in confusion, she remained bowed before me, speaking solemnly.

“I am the mother of the three children you rescued.”

“Three children?”

I looked down and saw three little girls clinging to me, sucking on their fingers.

They looked about four or five years old—utterly adorable.

There was something strangely familiar about them. A sudden realization hit me, and I whispered, “The only ones I saved… were the O-Gong centipedes.”

It all came back. Could these girls be…?

“It can’t be… the O-Gongs?”

“Yes, Benefactor. I took the form of the woman who consumed my Neidan so as not to alarm you. I am their mother.”

“Wait… the Blue-Spotted O-Gong? You mean… a centipede?”

“That is correct, Benefactor.”

The woman who looked like my sister claimed to be the Blue-Spotted O-Gong—a centipede.

And the three girls holding onto me? They were the O-Gongs.

‘Wait, were they all female this entire time?!’

Remembering the baths we had shared, a sharp sense of guilt shot through me.

Pushing the thought aside, I asked her, “Why have you come into my dream?”

Her face grew heavy with sorrow, and she began to weep tears of blood as she spoke.

**“I suffered a cruel death and was forced to abandon my children. My bitterness was so great it touched the heavens, trapping my soul within my Neidan. I could not move on or find peace, so I remained inside the woman who consumed my core, cursing her in my anger. But when you arrived with my children, I saw an opportunity to finally release my resentment. That is why I have come to you in this dream.”**

“…I understand.”

Her tale was a heartbreaking one—to die and leave her children behind had filled her with immense bitterness.

Then it occurred to me that I was the one who had led others to her. A chill ran down my spine.

Sensing my distress, she shook her head.

**“No, you did not know my precise location. If I were to resent everyone who played a part in leading them to me, my anger would have to extend to the whole world—those who aided you, and those who aided them. It would never end. I am only thankful that you saved my children. Without you, they would have died before ever seeing the light of day.”**

Her words lessened my guilt, but I couldn’t escape the feeling that I had unintentionally broken a family apart.

The thought of these lovely children growing up without a mother made my heart ache.

I gently passed the girls over to her.

“Here, your children. At least you can be together in this dream.”

“Thank you, Benefactor. My precious ones…”

Tears fell freely as she held the three girls close.

I stood quietly, watching their reunion, feeling both awkward and deeply moved.

After a long, emotional embrace, the woman dried her eyes and turned to me with a request.

“If this is not too much to ask… may I beg one favor of you?”

I nodded. “Of course. If it is within my power, I will do it.”

She pressed her hands together, her expression full of hope.

“Will you watch over my children until they come of age?”

“But don’t centipedes leave their mother after molting twice?”

Her request was unusual. Ordinary centipedes become independent not long after hatching.

The woman shook her head.

“That may be so for common insects, but we are different. Please, raise my children until they are fully grown.”

The idea of them growing as large as houses was concerning, but given their clear intelligence, raising them didn’t seem entirely out of the question.

Since this wasn’t illegal trapping, but more like a rightful adoption, I agreed without hesitation.

“I understand. I will care for them.”

“Thank you, Benefactor!”

And just like that, the O-Gongs were formally placed in my care. It felt less like a capture and more like an adoption rite.

Seeing an opening, I decided to ask for her advice on raising them.

“What should I feed them? And is there anything I should be careful about?”

She brightened at my question and answered eagerly.

**“You truly are thoughtful, Benefactor. It comforts me to see how much you care for them. Before their second molt, they will draw energy from my Neidan. After that, they will sustain themselves on the world’s natural Qi. They can consume other meats, but it is not essential.”**

This was a relief. I had been worried about feeding such large creatures, but it seemed I wouldn’t need to provide specific meals.

Still, one major problem remained.

“But I don’t have a Neidan.”

She patted her chest confidently.

“That is not an issue. The woman who consumed my Neidan can provide for them. The Qi radiating from her body will nourish them.”

“…Does that mean I’ll have to stay near her while raising them?”

To feed the O-Gongs, I would need to keep them close to my sister. Given the current tension between us, that didn’t sound simple.

Noticing my reluctance, the woman offered a warm smile.

“I have a solution. It will allow me to repay your kindness, feed the children, and even help you earn that woman’s affection. Would you like to hear it?”

Her proposal promised benefits for everyone. Intrigued, I asked, “Really? What is it?”

“Of course, Benefactor. You see, the woman is currently affected by my curse.”

She explained that my sister carried a foul odor because of this curse. Her resentment over being separated from her children had led her to curse the woman’s body, ensuring no man would ever approach her.

“So, if you lift the curse, I can get closer to her, and the children can naturally absorb the Qi from her Neidan?”

“Exactly, Benefactor.”

As logical as it sounded, the idea didn’t sit well with me. It felt underhanded, like using her misfortune for my own benefit.

“I’m not comfortable with that. It seems like I’d be taking advantage of her hardship.”

As a man, I couldn’t bring myself to use such a method. If I were to win her over, it had to be honestly. I’ve always believed in genuine romance.

Hearing my refusal, the Blue-Spotted O-Gong smiled gently.

“You are truly an honorable person, Benefactor.”

“No, I’m just… a little foolish, that’s all.”

“Even so, without sufficient strength, winning her heart will be challenging.”

“That may be true, but with this ‘Ten-Poison Body’ limitation, I don’t see how I can grow stronger.”

As we both fell silent, a thought occurred to me.

“Wait, what about those ‘Ten Great Poisonous Beasts’ you mentioned earlier?”

The mention of the Ten Great Poisonous Beasts sparked an idea.

“I think I have a good plan. Trust me.”

“A good plan?”

“Yes, just leave it to me. It will feed the children and take care of everything else.”

It looked like I would have to negotiate with my sister tomorrow.

***

The day after So-ryong learned he was restricted to the Ten-Poison Body (십독지체), he asked to meet with Tang Hwa-eun, which took her by surprise.

She had expected him to remain discouraged for some time, given how dejected he had seemed.

But now, early the next morning, not long after breakfast, he was requesting her presence.

“He said he would wait at the garden gazebo?”

“Yes, young lady.”

“Very well.”

Tang Hwa-eun walked toward the gazebo, her heart heavy with guilt.

Regardless of her reasons, she had hurt him. She felt uneasy, having seen that same disappointed expression many times before on those who came to the Tang Clan hoping to learn martial arts, only to confront their own limitations.

‘Because of my own selfishness, I ended up wounding such a young boy…’

With a burdened heart, she approached the gazebo where So-ryong sat, just as he had the day before.

As soon as he saw her, he smiled warmly and greeted her.

“Thank you for coming. I apologize for calling you out like this.”

“No, it’s alright, So-hyeop. And… I am sorry about yesterday.”

“You only spoke the truth. There’s no need to apologize.”

“Even so…”

Even though he was only fifteen, this unusual boy had a way of unsettling her and making her feel flustered.

After sitting across from him in the gazebo, Tang Hwa-eun finally asked, “Why did you wish to see me?”

What he said next was completely unexpected.

The secret she had tried so hard to conceal was spoken aloud by So-ryong.

“By any chance, since you consumed the Blue-Spotted O-Gong’s Neidan, have you noticed a strange odor coming from your body?”

“How… how could you know that!?”

Only her grandfather and a few trusted elders were aware of this secret.

She stared at him in disbelief. There was no way her grandfather or father would reveal something so embarrassing, so she pressed, “How… how do you know that?”

“Would you like to be rid of it?”

“There’s… a way? Of course I want it cured!”

“There is a method… but…”

“But?”

So-ryong hesitated, looking apologetic.

Seeing his reluctance, Tang Hwa-eun asked cautiously, “Are you expecting something in return? Is that why you’re hesitating?”

She worried he might ask for something unreasonable, perhaps even her hand in marriage.

But to her astonishment, So-ryong shook his head urgently.

“No, not at all, young lady. I want nothing from you. I will help you without any conditions.”

“W-what? Why?”

Tang Hwa-eun gazed at him wide-eyed, even more surprised by this than by his earlier revelation.

He smiled gently and said, “How could I exploit someone in a vulnerable position? That would be without honor.”

*Thump.*

Her heart fluttered—again.

This was the third time.

First, when he smiled despite her rudeness. Second, when he trusted her integrity without doubt. And now, this.

This fifteen-year-old boy was making her heart beat faster.

Feeling embarrassed, Tang Hwa-eun murmured an apology.

“I’m sorry, So-ryong… You are so principled, and I doubted you…”

“Not at all. It was my hesitant way of speaking that caused confusion. I was only uncertain how to explain the treatment.”

“Treatment…? What do you mean?”

Tang Hwa-eun looked puzzled as So-ryong reached into his robe and called out.

“O-Gongs, come out now.”

*Chrrr.*

Three long, golden centipedes crawled out. Their vivid color gave them a peculiar charm.

Though Tang Hwa-eun knew they were hatchlings of the Blue-Spotted O-Gong, she instinctively drew back in surprise.

Noticing her reaction, So-ryong gave an awkward smile and explained, **“The odor is caused by energy from the Blue-Spotted O-Gong’s Neidan lingering in your body. These little ones survive by absorbing that energy. So, if you keep them on your person, they will naturally consume the energy, and the smell will fade. It doesn’t need to be constant—just a few times a week until they shed their skin twice.”**

“You want me to… carry them on me!?”

“Yes.”

The centipedes swayed their heads as if agreeing with him.

Tang Hwa-eun stared, unsure how to respond.

Yet, despite her hesitation, she couldn’t overlook the sincerity in his actions.

This boy had saved her father, offered her solace, and now he was presenting a solution to her problem—one that no one else could provide.

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“I understand… I’ll do it. But I can’t keep accepting your kindness without giving anything back.”

She paused, then continued softly.

“You seem like… a truly remarkable person. So, I will consider what my father said. Perhaps… there is something more valuable than potential. If you can show me that, then I’ll…”

So-ryong smiled, stood up, and took a step closer. Gazing up at her, he spoke with assurance.

“This is perfect timing. I came here thinking the same thing. So, will you give me a chance? If you do, I will prove myself to you.”

“A… chance?”

“Yes. A chance.”

Curious, she tilted her head. “What kind of chance?”

So-ryong looked toward the horizon as he continued.

“I thought a lot about it yesterday. I have the Ten-Poison Body, which can only absorb ten poisons. They say it’s the highest limit for someone without talent, correct?”

“That’s… true.”

“So, I had an idea. If my body can only hold ten poisons, why not make them the poisons of the Ten Great Poisonous Beasts of Zhongyuan?”

“The Ten Great Poisonous Beasts!?”

“Yes. If I can obtain and absorb the poisons of the Ten Great Beasts, wouldn’t that make my Ten-Poison Body stronger than even a Ten-Thousand-Poison Master?”

His idea was bold, even reckless. Yet, in theory, achieving the Ten-Poison Realm using the Ten Great Poisons could surpass the strongest poison masters of the Tang Clan.

So-ryong’s declaration carried a clear meaning: “For you, I will become the strongest in the world.”

Hearing such a daring confession, Tang Hwa-eun’s heart began to race uncontrollably.

No one had ever said anything so audacious to her before. No man had ever dared.

Though his words were grand and seemingly foolish, they were sincere, and they stirred something deep within her.

For the first time, she found herself captivated by the reckless vow of a boy five years her junior.