Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 169

Chapter 169
After several months of travel, the magnificent Nine-Tiered Gates of the Tang Clan finally rose into view.
Stretching from the First Gate all the way to the Ninth, they reached deep into the clan’s core, a monumental testament to its strength and heritage.
Seeing them again stirred a peculiar feeling within me.
‘This place… it really feels like home now.’

Beside me, Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong, the two senior warriors journeying with us, also looked upon the gates with a sense of wistfulness.
“It has been too long since I last laid eyes on the Tang Clan.”
“Indeed, Geom-ryong. It has been quite some time.”
Hearing this, I glanced at them with curiosity.
“Have you both been to the Tang Clan before, Geom-ryong, Kwon-ryong hyungnims?”
“Of course, Gwang-ryong. That was back—”
Just as Geom-ryong started to explain, a voice as sharp as a knife sliced through his words.
“Hmm? Gwang-ryong? Did I hear that right?”
“Hwa-eun, did you catch that? I thought I heard that name again.”
“Ah! L-Ladies, it was a slip of the tongue! I-I meant Bi-ryong! I came here on business a few years back, once or twice, when you weren’t present…”
Poor Geom-ryong.
He had been speaking offhandedly, his eyes on the gates, when he carelessly let my forbidden nickname slip.
The pure dread on his face was like that of a boy caught sneaking out to play games by his mother.
And for good reason.
After those two had saddled me with the absurd nickname Gwang-ryong (Mad Dragon), they had received a severe dressing-down from both Seol-noona and Hwa-eun.
From that day forward, Gwang-ryong was strictly prohibited.
Not that they always listened, of course.
“Gwang-ryong?! You dare call my fiancé that?”
“Are you deliberately insulting my little brother? The heir to the Beast Palace?”
The last time that name was uttered in their presence, it was met with glacial stares and cutting words.
“A-Ah, no, not at all! Please, ladies, understand! It was only meant as a fond—”
“Fond? If you say it twice, does that mean next time it will be Lustful Dragon or Depraved Dragon?”
“If you continue to disrespect my fiancé, I may have to take this issue directly to the elders of the Tang Clan…”
Consequently, the nickname was formally changed to Bi-ryong (Flying Dragon).
Ordinarily, the Bi (Flying) honorific was reserved for those who mastered supreme Lightness Skill.
Given that I had once flown through the air before plunging into a fiery abyss, the nickname review committee deemed it more appropriate.
Naturally, said committee was composed of Hwa-eun and Seol-noona.
Thus, my title was officially amended to Bi-ryong, perfectly aligning with their wishes, and Gwang-ryong became taboo.
So when Geom-ryong accidentally said it now, he instantly found himself under the intense scrutiny of Hwa-eun and Seol-noona.
I could see the terror in his eyes.
‘Serves you right.’
Watching him get an earful gave me a deep, private satisfaction.
That is, until I turned and found Seol-noona and Hwa-eun staring directly at me.
Their looks said it all: *What are you so amused about?*
I winced and averted my gaze, mirroring Geom-ryong’s reaction.
True, they had liberated me from that dreadful nickname, but it came with a price.
After all, when they had chastised Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong previously, I was also pulled into the lecture.
“This is all because you don’t act responsibly, So-ryong!”
“So-ryong, you must promise us you won’t be so reckless next time!”
‘I was the one wronged! Why am I being blamed?!’
My sentencing had been delayed back then only because Hyang was hungry.
But the moment my forbidden nickname was spoken again, the tribunal was instantly back in session, and I was found guilty by association.
After what felt like hours of relentless scolding from Hwa-eun and Seol-noona, our trip had finally found peace again.
Now, feeling that familiar tension return, I resolved myself.
‘I will stay silent today.’
I peeked to my side and saw the same thought reflected in Geom-ryong’s eyes.
We shared a brief look and a silent nod of understanding.
Just then, a group of Tang Clan warriors emerged from the Nine-Tiered Gates to welcome us.
“Lady Hwa-eun! You are back!”
“So-ryong-nim, your journey must have been long!”
“It is good to see everyone again.”
“It is good to be back.”
As we exchanged greetings, I saw Gu Pae, the captain of the Venom Blood Squad, step forward.
He bowed to me respectfully.
“Welcome back, So-ryong-nim!”
“It is good to see you, Gu Pae Da-ju. How fares the Venomous Beast Garden?”
“All is perfectly well! After you have reported to the clan leader, would you care to see for yourself?”
He was clearly proud of his work and eager to demonstrate it.
However, my first duty was to see our guests, the Three Dragons and Two Phoenixes, settled into their quarters.
It was a fundamental rule of martial courtesy—to properly host visitors, providing them with refreshments and a place to rest.
“Not yet. Let us all take some time to recover first. I will come to the garden tonight.”
“Understood! I will ensure everything is prepared for your visit this evening.”
As I followed Gu Pae toward the clan leader’s residence, a hesitant voice called from behind.
“So-ryong-nim, if I may… that thing on your head… What is it…? It resembles a rather simple-minded toad.”
“Hmm? My head?”
I blinked and glanced upward, feeling the soft, squishy weight of Hyang’s belly against my scalp.
I had grown so accustomed to her perched up there that I’d forgotten she was there.
Looking at the Tang warriors, I saw them all staring at Hyang with mixed expressions of curiosity and confusion.
A smirk touched my lips as I straightened up and gave Gu Pae a look of mild pity.
“Heh… Gu Pae Da-ju, it appears you still have much to learn.”
“Pardon?”
He tilted his head, bewildered.
I, too, had been skeptical of Hyang at first, but now…
I raised a hand and announced with confidence.
“How can you assess a venomous being by its looks alone? The outside is merely a disguise.”
“…?”
“Behold. The creature resting upon my head is none other than the Azure Fire Magma Toad. One of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, the sovereign of all toads.”
A wave of astonished murmurs swept through the crowd.
“W-What?! The Azure Fire Magma Toad?! A Ten Great Venomous Beast?!”
“““The Azure Fire Magma Toad!”””
The moment I revealed that the foolish-looking creature on my head was actually one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, the Tang Clan warriors jolted back in amazement.
They gaped at Hyang, utterly unable to reconcile her silly appearance with such a legendary title.
Smirking at their reaction, I reached up and gave the small swell of Hyang’s belly a few light, playful pats.
—Pat. Pat.
‘Wow, that’s surprisingly spongy.’
—Peep? 『Food?』
Stirred by the patting, Hyang woke groggily and immediately inquired about eating.
I sighed inwardly.
I really needed to teach her some words other than “food” one of these days.
‘No, Hyang, not now. Make some fire for me. Let’s give them a demonstration. I’ll feed you well later, I promise.’
『Food!』
Her reply was still about food, but I sensed her agreement.
—Fwoosh!
A moment later, flames erupted across her back.
A vivid blue fire leaped into the air, pulling shocked gasps from the assembled warriors.
They stared at me as if I had just conjured a mythical creature.
“B-By the heavens… The toad is on fire!”
“Q-Quick, inform the clan leader! S-So-ryong-nim has returned with another Ten Great Venomous Beast!”
“““Incredible!”””
This truly was paradise.
Where else could a man receive such admiration simply for pursuing his passion?
The Tang Clan’s Flying Dragon had returned in glory, welcomed by nothing but acclaim.

***

After ensuring our guests were comfortable in their rooms, I went to the clan leader’s residence to announce my return.
Standing before the doors, I spoke.
“Grandfather, it is So-ryong.”
“Enter.”
I stepped inside to find Grandfather in his usual seat, reading a scroll.
With my father-in-law away, leading a contingent of warriors to aid the Murim Alliance, Grandfather had been managing the clan’s affairs.
He had not gone to the front himself, but he was coordinating with the regional authorities to root out any hidden remnants of the Blood Cult within Sichuan.
“Are our guests properly settled?”
“Yes, Grandfather. Hwa-eun and Mother-in-law are overseeing their refreshments and comfort.”
“Good. Sit. I expected you would come.”
The moment I sat down, Grandfather got straight to the point.
He studied me thoughtfully before giving a slow nod.
“Your energy feels different. You have entered the Realm of Dual Venoms, have you not?”
I hadn’t said a word about it, yet Grandfather had already perceived it.
Nodding, I reached up and gave Hyang a gentle tap.
“Yes, Grandfather. Hyang began as a tadpole. While aiding her maturation, I was poisoned and forced to adapt.”
After I explained what happened, Grandfather stroked his beard, his expression approving.
“Then it was unavoidable. You must have endured much, but you managed it well. I must praise you—retrieving the Azure Fire Magma Toad is a remarkable feat. I am proud of you, So-ryong.”
“You are too kind, Grandfather.”
Grandfather then narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You did not seek me out just for compliments. Is your internal energy unsteady?”
He assumed I had come because my qi was still unstable.
I shook my head quickly.
That was not the problem.
The real reason for my visit… was my fingernails.
After achieving the Realm of Dual Venoms, they had all fallen out, and I didn’t know why.
“No, my energy feels completely stable. My dantian is balanced—the two venoms cycle in harmony, almost like a Taiji symbol.”
“That means your foundation is firm. Why are you here?”
Instead of answering, I simply extended my hand.
“Because of this.”
Grandfather’s eyebrows drew together as he examined my fingers.
“Your nails came out?”
“Yes. Just like this.”
I splayed my fingers so he could see the newly grown nails.
Grandfather rose at once and came closer, taking my hand in his.
He inspected them carefully for a long moment before speaking.
“This is strange. I have never seen anything like it… This is not bone-reforging rebirth, nor any known metamorphosis. Let me channel some qi into your fingertips. Do not move.”
“Understood.”
I closed my eyes and concentrated as Grandfather sent a stream of energy into my fingertips.
A peculiar sensation spread through my hand.
A warm, tingling feeling traveled from my fingertips, up my wrist, along my arm, and into my dantian.
And then—
“What on earth…?!”
Grandfather’s voice was thick with astonishment.
He gripped my hand tighter, his gaze intense.
“So-ryong, since reaching the Realm of Dual Venoms, have you been practicing Centipede Venom Fang Claw?”
Oh no.
I had promised Grandfather I would train diligently even during our travels…
But truthfully, I hadn’t practiced at all.
Or more accurately, I had deliberately avoided it.
Without thinking, I scratched my head—
Which caused Hyang to shift.
She lazily lifted a leg and thumped me on the back of the head.
—Thump, thump.
“A-Ah, well… I was, um, too occupied with travel to practice…”
Bracing for a reprimand, I bowed my head apologetically.
But instead of scolding me, Grandfather simply nodded.
“That is alright. Attempt to execute Centipede Venom Fang Claw now.”
“Here? Inside the residence?”
“Yes. Do it.”
There was a pressing tone in his voice.
Intrigued, I activated my internal energy, guiding it through the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art and into my fingertips as the technique dictated.
The energy flowed more effortlessly than ever before.
A core function of Centipede Venom Fang Claw was to fortify the fingers and nails with internal energy.
The instant the energy reached my fingertips—
A bizarre sensation shot through them.
The tingling was different from before.
Startled, I paused, but Grandfather urged me on.
“Do not stop. Continue.”
Following his direction, I pushed the energy further—
And at that moment, my fingernails changed.
My partially regrown nails abruptly extended, growing marginally longer.
Simultaneously, my fingertips deepened to a rich emerald green, the exact hue of Cho’s venom.
“Wh-What is this…?!”
Alarmed, I cut off my energy, and my nails instantly returned to normal.
Grandfather, still holding my hand, whispered in awe.
“It seems… your fingertips have acclimated to Cho’s venom.”
‘Wait…!’
Did that mean—?!
If I used Centipede Venom Fang Claw, my nails would act like Cho’s poisonous fangs—letting me imbue my attacks with venom?
I can deliver poisonous strikes now?!
My thoughts raced.
Seeing my astonished expression, Grandfather gave a soft laugh.
“You must be startled by the change in your body. It is understandable. Your fingernails now operate much like the pincers of a centipede.”
He believed I was shocked by the transformation.
But he was mistaken.
I wasn’t just shocked—
I was overjoyed.
To love something and then to become it is the highest aspiration of any true devotee.
A man who adores elves dreams of becoming an elf.
A man fascinated by venomous creatures dreams of becoming like Spider-Man.
I was living that dream.
My hands shaking with exhilaration, I immediately reached out to Cho.
『Cho! Dad—no, your other half—wait, what is the Central Plains word for kindred spirit?! Never mind, just listen! I HAVE GROWN POISONOUS CLAWS!』