Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 211

Chapter 211
—Whoosh!

Fire burst from the assassin’s ears, eyes, nose, and mouth as he dropped straight back like a chopped tree.
The intense heat forced me to leap backward on instinct.

—Thud.

He looked like a human bonfire or a blazing torch, blue flames roaring out of every facial opening.
In the world of Murim, the seven facial orifices are known as the Seven Apertures.
It’s said that when someone suffers critical internal damage or falls into Qi Deviation, all seven can pour forth blood at once.
But this time, it wasn’t blood—it was fire.
And the only one who had bitten him was Hyang.
That could only mean one thing—this was Hyang’s venom at work.

“Hyang! Are you all right?!”

The assassin was unquestionably dead.
His face was already soaked in blood—if he were still breathing, that would be a true miracle.
Leaving his burning body where it lay, I turned at once to check on Hyang.
She had taken the assassin’s strike meant for me—how could I not be frantic?

The last time I was treated for a wound from one of these assassins, the elders of the Gunmun Sect identified it as damage from Qi-infused energy.
Even though Hyang had evolved, it never crossed my mind that she could withstand an attack reinforced with Qi.
After all, the only venomous creature known to resist Qi-based strikes is the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion.

—Churrrr…

But Hyang, paying no attention to my anxiety, kept herself coiled tightly around me and rattled her venomous pincers menacingly toward the assassin.
Even now, she fixed a glare on his remains, her fangs glistening with poison.
I needed to unwind her from me and check for injuries right away.

“Easy now, Hyang. Stay still—let me look you over.”

Gently, I unwound her lengthy form from my body and inspected every inch from her head to the tip of her tail.
Not a single wound.
Not even a scratch marred the gleaming, crimson surface of her exoskeleton.
Under the light, her polished shell shimmered, leaving me speechless with wonder.
I was certain only the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion could endure Qi-infused assaults, yet…
Hyang’s body was perfectly intact.

“…Thank heaven.”

I released a heavy sigh of relief.
I nearly felt like kicking the assassin’s corpse, but by now the scoundrel was burning too fiercely.
I gazed blankly at the unnerving scene until—
the truth of the situation dawned on me—
and my voice rose in astonishment.

“Wait—Hyang! It’s not just about looks, is it?! You’ve got deadly venom and a shell strong enough to stop Qi attacks?!”

Hyang had evolved using the Fire Crystal.
And what set it off?
She’d been furious that I was paying more attention to Cho’s new abilities than hers.
Her anger was immense, even frightening.
In the end, she made me promise her a hundred wishes in return for her forgiveness.

“…Whew. I got off easy with just a hundred.”

But though she forgave me, she hadn’t moved past it entirely.
She’d flatly refused to let me see what her evolution had brought.
Clearly, she had pardoned—but not forgotten.
That’s why I never imagined Hyang’s evolution had gifted her not only flaming venom, but also a body capable of deflecting Qi-infused attacks.

—Chor… Chorut?

“Hyang, you’re incredible!”

From what I could observe, her new form was that of a long, lustrous centipede with an exoskeleton infused by the Fire Crystal.
Her glossy, crystalline shell shone like a rare jewel.
Unlike Cho or Bini, she wasn’t being coy—but oddly, her length had increased dramatically.
How long exactly?
Well—
even after she wound around my ankle, up my leg, over my waist, across my chest, and around one arm, there was still some length to spare.
She resembled living armor enveloping my frame.
With one leg, my torso, and one arm wrapped, it truly seemed like I was suited in battle gear.

At first, it worried me.
I hadn’t realized this was her intention all along.
Her fury and her devotion to me—
had those feelings shaped her evolution?
Was this her method of staying by my side forever?

‘Hyang… did you evolve just to remain wrapped around me for good?’
The idea sent a shiver down my spine.
‘Good grief… Hyang, I’m sorry! I had no idea… sniff…!’

It was obvious now.
Her entire evolution was meant to safeguard me.
Her extended body could encircle and shield me completely.
Her hardened shell could deflect attacks powered by Qi.
And as an added advantage—she now possessed unthinkably deadly fire venom.

“…HYANG!!!”

Swamped with feeling, I hugged her close, pressing my cheek to her exoskeleton.
I was in the middle of crying gratefully when—
the sound of running footsteps reached us.
Disciples from the Gunmun Sect had arrived, alerted by the smoke.

“Wh-what in the world?!”
“Sir So-ryong, are you unharmed?!”
“Send word to the elders at once! There’s been an intrusion at the entrance to Gunmun!”

***

“You were wonderful, Hyang! Mommy is so proud!”
“Yes, Hyang, you were brilliant. You kept Dad safe and even caught an assassin. That’s really impressive!”

—Chorururut…

Coiled on the dining table, Hyang emitted a contented hum under the shower of praise from Hwa-un and Sister Seol.
Her antennae traced faint, pleased circles—
like a person wriggling their shoulders with joy.

Today, Hyang was without a doubt the center of attention.
After all, her dazzling new form had been unveiled, she’d defeated an assassin, and protected her father—all of which brought on a tidal wave of admiration.
Yes, it all began with her tantrum over wanting a solitary walk with me, but regardless—
the fact stood that she’d eliminated the fiend who’d wounded me.

—Ting. Ting.

Sister Seol gently tapped Hyang’s exoskeleton, drawing out a clear, chime-like ring.
“So you truly evolved to become stronger just to guard your dad, hmm?”

—Chorut!

“That’s so commendable. Truly commendable.”

Hyang waved her antennae proudly, shooting a superior look toward Cho and Bini.

As for Cho and Bini?
They scoffed in contempt.

—Choo!
—Chorut!

‘What’s with her? Why is she putting on airs like some prized bee?’

Their cries radiated pure disbelief.
With an exaggerated puff of indignation, both Cho and Bini turned their heads away sharply and marched out of the room.
Cho even slung a few legs over Bini’s back like an arm around a companion’s shoulder, and they exited together.

It wasn’t long before their voices resonated inside my mind.
—Chorurut! 『Dad, come outside!』
—Chorut! 『Dad, get out here.』

They were summoning me outdoors.

‘Go outside?’
It wasn’t that I objected, but—
right now was Hyang’s time to shine.
And, honestly—after some experience as a father, I’d learned to heed my instincts in these situations.

And just as I anticipated—
—Chorurut! 「Auntie showed us something! Come out quickly so we can test it! Let’s go to that spot from before!」
—Chorut! 「Dad, hurry! We have to try what Auntie taught us!」

Three days had passed since I got away from Hyang’s mental realm.
In those three days—
I’d already figured out how to channel energy using the Beast Heart Art.
It was a fairly straightforward method of transferring Qi while in contact with a venomous beast, not unlike practicing an internal martial technique.

But until now, Hyang’s vigilant stare had kept me from attempting it.
And now?
Cho and Bini wanted me to sneak out and finally give it a try.
It appeared they’d joined forces—
and were now eagerly urging me to go.

And the location?
My usual training ground.

—Chorurururut!
—Chorut! Chorut!

‘You’ve been doting on Hyang for three whole days—when will you pay attention to us?!’

Their bitterness was almost smothering.
Ah… the never-ending trials of a father caught in his daughters’ rivalry.

If I slipped out now and Hyang found out, she’d be livid.
But if I disregarded Cho and Bini, they’d be just as furious.

‘Ha… how did I end up in this situation?’

Most days, our household was harmony itself.
But now?
Hyang’s joyful preening under the praise collided fiercely with the mental noise of Cho and Bini shrieking at me to hurry.
It was pure torment.

And just when I believed it couldn’t get more stressful—
a voice called from beyond the door.

“Dong, are you home?”
“Senior Gyu-seong?!”
“Ah, Senior Gyu-seong. Why now of all times?”

I’m not usually one for spending time with hairy men, but in this instant, I felt as if I were being reunited with the parents I’d lost in a former life.
I all but sprinted to the door, thrilled to see him.
At least now I had a believable reason to make an exit.

“Wow, Senior Gyu-seong.”
I’m always glad to meet him, but today? Especially so.
The instant I pulled the door open, he stood there looking a little surprised.

“Hold on… you seem extra happy to see me. Am I really that thrilling?”
“N-no, not at all. You’re mistaken, Senior. So, what brings you by? Oh, should we speak outside?”
“There’s no need to step out—”
“No, no, Senior. Men’s talk is best held in a peaceful spot.”
“But we could just have tea inside and—”

Since when did Senior Gyu-seong become so dense?
I was practically begging him with my eyes to rescue me, and all he wanted was to sit and drink tea.
Without a second thought, I seized his arm and tugged him out, calling back inside.

“I’m going out for a chat with Senior Gyu-seong, Hwa-un!”
“What? But we’re all having tea—”
“No, no, this needs a quieter setting.”

Once we were securely outside, Senior Gyu-seong blinked, perplexed.
I pulled him further away and clutched my chest with relief.

“Senior, how could you? I was signaling you to save me, and you completely missed it?!”
“…Huh? That’s what that was? Oh. I thought you might be feeling unwell—”

Really.
This man’s loyalty knew no bounds.
He’d hauled that heavy Fire Crystal here without a word of protest.
He was sincerity itself.

‘This guy… he’s like a pot of corn tea—the flavor deepens the more it steeps.’

But according to Hwa-un, people from Pyeonggang aren’t celebrated for their sharp wits.
And it seemed she wasn’t only referring to innate intelligence.
Because right now—
this man was utterly clueless.

Still, he’d shown up just in time, so I chose to overlook it.
“Anyway, Senior, you rescued me.”
“…Rescued? Did something occur? Wait, did you and Hwa-un argue?”

Before he could say more, I took his arm again and started leading him away.
I had to reach my training area before Cho and Bini found me.
They were already nagging incessantly, but if I could pretend I was going to Senior Gyu-seong’s quarters, I had a cover.

“Not at all, it’s about the children. Let’s just leave for now. But truly, why did you come?”
“Oh, I simply wanted to share some tea with you.”
“Ideal. Then we’ll go to your place.”

If I could arrive before Cho or Bini circled back, I might still have a opportunity—
but just as we began moving through the pavilion corridors—

—Chorururut! 『Dad’s outside!』

A sharp cry rang out from above.
I halted.
Gradually, I glanced up—
Cho was suspended right over me, peering down with glee.

“A-ah, Cho, I was just going to have a word with Senior Gyu-seong—”

Before I could finish, Cho swooped down and twisted herself firmly around me.
Then, with impeccable courtesy, she offered a slight bow toward Senior Gyu-seong.

—Chorurur!

She was requesting his patience.
Someone had clearly been instructing her in etiquette.

‘Damn… is there really no way out?’

Manners aside—
I’d just missed my final opportunity to flee.