Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 188

Chapter 188
As I declared that I could not simply stand by, every gaze in the room swung toward me.

With my fists clenched in resolve, I swept my eyes over the assembled group and raised my voice so it would carry to all.

“Our clans’ ancient foes are plotting in the shadows! How can we retreat to Sichuan and pretend all is well? Sister Seol! Hwa-eun! We must go to Qinghai together!

As the rightful heirs of our houses, how can we delegate a matter of such gravity to subordinates and shrink from our duty?

If we were distant or ignorant, that would be excuse enough. But this is a clear chance for us to take charge and set an example!”

At my abrupt, passionate declaration, both Sister Seol and Hwa-eun, suddenly the focus of everyone’s attention, stumbled over their words in flustered agreement.

“Wha—? O-Oh, y-yes, of course.”
“Y-Yes, So-ryong.”

‘Did I surprise them too much?’

They seemed unaccustomed to seeing me so vehement, and Sister Seol appeared especially disconcerted.

But even I must reveal a courageous side from time to time.

How could I, an heir to the Beast Palace and a son-in-law of the Tang Clan, turn a blind eye to a threat that endangered both of our great families?

Naturally, my interest in the house-sized venomous beast contributed a minor factor to my choice.

But that was merely a fraction of my true intention. Perhaps only… 0.1%.

‘At least it isn’t 99.9% of the reason.’

As I stood there with my fists tight and determination etched on my face, the warriors of the Beast Palace and the members of the Martial Alliance burst into roaring cheers, their eyes alight with respect.

“Ooooh! To have Lord So-ryong himself accompany this mission—our hearts are put at ease!”
“Truly, a man who embodies the spirit of the Beast Palace’s deepest halls!”
“Ooooh, Lord So-ryong’s connection to our clan proves that neither destiny nor lineage can be denied!”
“We are also thankful for the Tang Clan’s backing!”

But as the crowd’s fervor reached a peak, I abruptly heard whispers slip directly into my ears.

[Foolish little brother, this isn’t just about the giant venomous creature, is it?]
[So-ryong, you aren’t doing this solely because of the giant venomous creature, are you?]

Goosebumps.

While I had been reveling in the crowd’s adulation, their direct sound transmissions took me utterly by surprise.

My fists were still raised in victory when I started, turning wide-eyed toward Sister Seol and Hwa-eun.

Somehow, even though I had won over everyone else, they had seen directly into my core.

‘H-How did I give myself away?’

I swiftly composed my expression and averted my gaze.

I could feel their doubtful stares boring into the back of my skull, but I opted for sheer audacity.

[You can’t possibly question my steadfast devotion to my clan and my wife’s family?]

Attempting to reclaim the upper hand, I stepped between them and murmured with firmness.

Yet, without a second’s pause, they both nodded.

[Yes.]
[Absolutely.]

Not a moment of doubt.

I was utterly found out.

‘Really! It’s only a bit of curiosity! Why is it such a problem…’

But I couldn’t argue.

Ever since I’d heard the term “house-sized venomous creature,” my hands had been quivering with ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ excitement.

It was the identical rush I’d felt in my past life when a brash elementary school kid had confronted me at an arcade fighting game—sheer, adrenaline-charged expectation.

‘Ah… hold on… could that be what betrayed me?’

I hurriedly concealed my trembling hands behind my back.

Hwa-eun and Sister Seol released simultaneous sighs, making it apparent they had already resigned themselves to my whims.

At the very least, they were gracious enough to shield my honor in front of the others.

But in all seriousness, I wasn’t a gambler, or a game obsessive, or a drunk.

I merely wished to raise a few venomous pets!

Why did it seem like I was being reprimanded for pursuing a hobby?

Was this the same sensation middle-aged men in my past life felt when discovered playing games after work?

***

Even though my true intentions were unfortunately laid bare to those two, our trip to Qinghai was not called off.

In fact, the group’s momentum only intensified.

The Five Dragons of Wu Mountain even voiced their ardent desire to participate.

“So-ryong! We’re coming with you. This may be the ideal opportunity to settle accounts from our last meeting in the Great Moon Nation!”
“So-ryong, you won’t abandon us, will you? That wretched Ghost Woman—I vow to land a clean blow on her next time we meet!”
“She had the audacity to scar our Seon-hwa’s body for life!”
“Yang Seong-hoo…”
“Seon-hwa…”

…Truthfully, I didn’t understand how they connected every circumstance back to their perpetual enmities in this manner.

Somehow, they wove personal grievances into chance events, pulling everything into their tales of retribution.

The fact that the Ghost Woman had harmed them before—and that the Five Venoms Clan was implicated here—was sufficient reason for Gu-seong, Seon-hwa, and Yang Seong-hoo to choose to accompany us.

The original plan had been straightforward.

After recuperating in the hot springs, they were to head back to Sichuan, where Ji-ryong would get additional treatment for mercury poisoning from Mandok Shingun, and the others would disperse.

However, upon learning that the Five Venoms Clan was tied to our assignment, they all demanded to join.

There’s a proverb: A friend’s enemy is my enemy.

‘Martial artists occasionally have the most peculiar concept of loyalty…’

“We are connected by fellowship. The foe of one is the foe of all. We have no choice but to go!”
“Certainly! We couldn’t provide aid previously, but this time will be distinct.”
“Qinghai, eh? This ought to be intriguing.”

For the Five Dragons of Wu Mountain, who prized honor and virtue above all, punishing a friend’s adversary was a duty they could not disregard.

And so, with the Beast Palace heir, the Tang Clan heir, and the elite disciples of the Martial World, our venture had morphed from a basic reconnaissance task into a premier combat unit.

The fighters’ morale reached unprecedented heights.

What was initially a stealthy intelligence operation had abruptly become a distinguished combined mission, spearheaded by the successors of three major powers.

“WOOOOOO! GLORY TO THE BEAST PALACE! GLORY TO THE TANG CLAN! GLORY TO THE MARTIAL ALLIANCE!”
“BE READY, FIVE VENOMS CLAN! YOU WILL NOT EVADE US AGAIN!”
“With the Five Dragons of Wu Mountain, and the heirs of the Tang Clan and Beast Palace—what force on earth could hinder us?!”

Thus, our voyage to Qinghai was settled.

Before setting out, I seized the chance to confer with the leader of the Eagle Claw Squad and the other commanders from the Beast Palace and the Martial Alliance.

After all, it was crucial to collect every possible detail about our goal.

Or more precisely, about the venomous creatures we might find.

‘Is it possible? Qinghai is famed for its salt lakes and distinctive setting. There must be some incredible venomous creatures there, right?’

On the village’s edge stood a temporary bamboo shelter, its roof thatched with banana leaves sufficiently to keep the dew off.

Approaching, I found the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain reclining on a reed mat, his body relaxed.

The instant he saw me, he promptly sat upright.

“Lord So-ryong, you’re here?”
“Ah, please, be at ease.”

The nearby fighters also started to stand, but I motioned for them to keep their seats before sitting down myself.

Then, he inquired,
“Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

Naturally, I had a purpose for coming, so I affirmed with a kindly, almost gracious smile.
“Yes. I want to learn more specifics about this affair with the Five Venoms Clan and the Blood Cult.”

At my query, the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain regarded me with an appreciative glance before checking our surroundings.

He lowered his voice a little and responded,
“Ah, just as anticipated from you, Lord So-ryong… You are truly diligent…”
“Yes.”
“To be so meticulous even before we leave… But what precisely do you wish to know?”

At his question, I unleashed the flood of inquiries swirling in my mind.

‘First, what type of venomous creatures are we discussing?’
‘When they say house-sized, do they mean a common house? A temple? Or perhaps a great hall? And if a great hall, how many levels high would that be?’
‘And of course, when talking size, we must ponder the species…’

As my incessant questions streamed forth, the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain could only blink in astonished silence.

At that very moment, Hyang and Hongdan, who had been nesting inside my robes, crept out and settled on my shoulders, chirping and clicking.
— Tsrrrt.
— Kii!
Hyang scampered to the crown of my head before descending, apparently elucidating something to Hongdan.
A moment later, Hongdan nodded as though she comprehended.
— Tsrrr. Tsrrt!
— Kii-kii!
I had been concerned that Hyang, who occasionally grew envious when I paid attention to others, might pick on Hongdan.
But oddly, the two coexisted peacefully.
Perhaps it was because Hongdan was petite and of a similar build, or because they were both arthropods.
They stayed near each other even while sleeping, and now, Hyang was diligently instructing her.
Under usual conditions, I would have commended them for their close relationship.
But now was not the moment.
This was a significant discussion, so I gave them soft taps on their heads.
“Your father is speaking with this man right now. Can you two stay quiet for a bit?”
— Tsrrt?
— Kii?
As they quieted down, I observed the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain staring at me.
His look… was disquietingly familiar.
It was the same dubious expression I had often seen on Sister Seol and Hwa-eun.
I hastily appended an explanation before he could misconstrue.
“I-I don’t know if you’re aware, but in Dali, I nearly fell to a Five Venoms Clan assassin.
That’s why I must understand exactly what we face. If I know the characteristics of these venomous beings, I can devise strategies beforehand.
*Ahem*. There is absolutely no other motive.”

Hearing this, the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain abruptly nodded in approval, his eyes shining.
“Ah, just as I thought! Just as I thought! Intelligence from the prisoner indicates the Five Venoms Clan is nurturing something massive in the Padan-Gilin Desert.”
“That’s why we must identify it—and if it’s a threat, we intend to ask Kunlun for help to destroy it.”

Now, it became clear.
They had ample personnel to aid the village, but insufficient for a major expedition.
It appeared they had meant to gather additional forces locally before venturing into the desert.
The notion that the Five Venoms Clan was cultivating something colossal in the desert made my jaw slacken slightly.
Desert fauna always possessed more uniqueness than their forest equivalents.
And this one was the size of a house?
Not only that, but it was a venomous creature adapted to the desert?
Whatever it was, it had to be immensely potent.
‘What desert animal could attain such size? A gigantic desert lizard? An enormous serpent? Might it be an insect?’
And more significantly…
‘Wait. Why does the Padan-Gilin Desert ring a bell?’
A vague recollection emerged.
I swiftly turned back to the Eagle Claw Squad’s captain and asked,
“Hold on. Did you mention the Padan-Gilin Desert?”
“Yes, Lord So-ryong.”

The Five Venoms Clan was cultivating something in Qinghai.
And their site was the Padan-Gilin Desert.
I delved into my memories.
There was a reason this location was notable.
I had heard of it before—from one of the three esteemed guests who had previously visited the Tang Clan.
Specifically, from the sect leader of the Cheongseong Sect.
On that occasion, he had spoken of an appeal from Kunlun.
Kunlun had requested they dispatch a skilled tracker to the Padan-Gilin Desert.
He had stated:
“Kunlun sought help in tracing something in the Padan-Gilin Desert.
Merchants and their camels have been disappearing there after dark.
People vanishing in the desert isn’t unusual… but recently, the frequency has surged dramatically.
Since Kunlun is situated in Qinghai, they could no longer overlook the issue.
Regrettably, tracking over moving sands is a challenge, even for our Cheongseong Sect.”

So…
People had been vanishing.
Kunlun had become involved.
And now, we discover the Five Venoms Clan is raising something there?
This was dubious.
Extremely dubious.
A venomous creature of immense size would demand a vast quantity of sustenance.
And that implied ordinary sources of food would be inadequate.
‘Camels and people going missing… Might that be its nourishment?’
The Five Venoms Clan had never shied from expending human lives.
The place… the timing… the situation…
Everything aligned far too well.