Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 271

Chapter 271
Upon the broad, sun-warmed golden rock—the sort of perfect basking spot any serpent would adore—both the human Cheongyu and the Golden-Crowned Serpent King Cheongyu, her form a blend of woman and serpent, gazed down at me.

The sudden sight of human Cheongyu gave me a start, but I managed to offer a greeting and move closer to the rock.
“Ah… Lady Cheongyu, it has been some time.”
She had spoken first, and though we were never on particularly familiar terms before, at least our past interactions hadn’t ended in animosity.
Then Cheongyu laughed softly, her smile radiant in a way I had never witnessed from her.
“Huhu…”
The Cheongyu I remembered only wore such an expression moments before striking out—or in the grip of utter, deranged madness.
But now, freed from that mental control, her smile was pure. Genuine.
It felt as if I was finally seeing her real self.
If the former Cheongyu was a creature of shadow, this was Cheongyu brought into the light.
“I’m relieved… She doesn’t appear sorrowful.”
My last memory of her was of a brutal death, an image that had haunted me since.
Witnessing her face so bright and untroubled… eased a weight in my heart.
Just as I began to relax under the warmth of her smile, the Golden-Crowned Serpent King Cheongyu suddenly launched herself from the rock and into my embrace.
—Sia!
“Whoa!”
She threw her arms around my torso and wound her serpentine lower body around my waist, letting out a sigh of profound relief.
—Siaaa…
We had grown close, true, but the fervor of this physical affection took me aback.
Human Cheongyu smiled warmly and offered an explanation.
“She was rather alarmed when you were drawn into the mental realm so abruptly.”
“Ah, right… I wasn’t able to explain anything beforehand, I just proceeded… My apologies, Cheongyu. Did I frighten you?”
Even though she is a spirit beast who comprehends language, I hadn’t been able to describe what a mental realm was or how the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Technique functioned, so I’d omitted the details.
She must have been truly startled.
Now that I considered it, both Hwa-eun and Cheongwol had been deeply unsettled their first time being pulled into a mental realm.
It was no surprise that Cheongyu would react similarly.
“I ended up alarming you. I am sorry.”
As I apologized, human Cheongyu hopped down from the rock and gently patted the Golden-Crowned Cheongyu’s head.
“I told you there was nothing to fear, didn’t I? It happened because So-ryong linked with you using the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Technique. He arrived just as I promised he would, correct?”
—Sia-ya.
The Golden-Crowned Cheongyu nodded at her words, her tension finally melting away.
Then human Cheongyu smiled and continued,
“Separate from that… I said it had been a while, but… were you aware we have actually been seeing one another daily?”
“Daily? Oh… I suppose we have?”
I assumed she meant she had been observing everything from within the Golden-Crowned Cheongyu’s body.
I offered an awkward chuckle and glanced at the Golden-Crowned Cheongyu—both of them nodded in unison.
—Sia.
“Indeed. I have watched you every single day from inside her.”
“That is precisely why I wished to thank you. I am immensely grateful to be able to say this to you directly. For giving my body a peaceful resting place, and for caring for her exactly as you vowed. Thank you, sincerely.”
She inclined her head respectfully as she spoke.
I shook mine.
Seeing the clarity in her eyes and knowing all she had endured, any honorable person would have done the same.
“There is no need for thanks. I merely did what any principled individual would have done.”
“I anticipated you would say that. In truth, it genuinely feels I entrusted her to the correct person.”
—Sia!
The moment she stated she had entrusted Cheongyu to me well, the Golden-Crowned Cheongyu nuzzled her cheek against mine once more.
It seemed she was fond of me as well.
With this degree of trust, the mental realm connection was certain to succeed.
As I gently stroked Cheongyu’s head, human Cheongyu spoke again.
“So-ryong Sohyeop, you drew her into your mental realm with the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Technique because you plan to accept her, is that right?”
“Yes, that is correct, Lady Cheongyu. You are familiar with the technique?”
“I studied it as well. I even attempted to form a bond with a spirit beast once—Gwaemyeonghoja—but I was unsuccessful.”
She mentioned trying to nurture one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, Gwaemyeonghoja—often shortened to Hoja—and my interest sharpened.
It was the first I’d heard of anyone failing to create such a bond.
“Hoja… Yes, that one. Wait, failure is possible?”
She nodded as if it were common knowledge.
“Naturally. If the beast is not one of the designated Five Poisons, the likelihood of failure increases significantly. And if the spirit beast is intensely hostile, it becomes far worse. In my situation, both conditions applied. The Five Poisons Clan believed I could simply overpower Hoja’s will, but within the mental realm, it was an entirely different matter. Ultimately, I was expelled.”
“Ah…”
“The technique was originally created specifically to bond with the Five Poisons—centipede, snake, scorpion, gecko, and toad. You, however, possess the technique’s original form—the Beast Heart Technique—so you can likely manage other beasts as well.”
“I understand. That is extremely useful knowledge.”
“I am pleased it helps.”
It might have seemed like a simple exchange, but every word she uttered was invaluable.
Despite her past brainwashing, she had once been a core member of the nun branch of the Five Poisons Clan—the very creators of the technique I now practiced. Each detail she provided was a precious piece of information, illuminating the purpose of my martial arts and its potential pitfalls.
As I committed her words to memory, she suddenly made a request.
“Oh, and… Hoja is a pitiable being. Please save him if you are able.”
“Of course.”
Even without her asking, I had already intended to welcome him, so I nodded.
And since we were speaking directly, it seemed the perfect opportunity to ask all the questions I had been accumulating.
Matters from Hwa-eun’s ancestor’s notes, the manifestation of Cheongyu’s personality through the Serpent King… there was much I wished to know.
Facing each other now created the ideal chance.
Things like the Five Poisons Clan’s location—
And their fundamental reason for gathering the Five Poisons.
“Ah, there is also much I wished to ask…”
I had barely begun to speak when human Cheongyu nodded.
It seemed she already had a strong sense of my questions, having listened to our conversations through Cheongyu.
“You are curious about the Five Poisons Clan’s whereabouts? And why they are collecting the Five Poisons?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“Well, shall we sit and talk? It will be a lengthy tale. Particularly after that entire arm-biting episode earlier.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
The conversation had been progressing naturally when she posed her initial question—whether my reason for bringing the Golden Crown Snake King Cheongyu into the inner realm was to accept her.
I nodded, and she guided me up onto the golden rock, settling onto a tiered ledge with a soft sound, and began her story.
“You and the Tang Clan are unaware of the true secret within the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art, correct?”
“A secret?”
“What occurs when it achieves its highest stage…”
“There is a major secret I don’t know?”
A secret of the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art?
I asked again, curious, but she merely smiled.
“Before that, I find myself curious about something else.”
“What is it?”
“I know you are not a wicked person and that you appear to genuinely adore venomous creatures, but may I ask—why are you gathering the Ten Great Venomous Beasts? What do you intend to do with them?”
She must have overheard much while residing within Cheongyu’s body, but it seemed she had not caught the reason behind my collection of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts.
‘Ah, well, the reason is somewhat…’
Truthfully, it was simply because I liked them.
And what did I plan to do? Live happily? Merely indulge my passion?
Would that even qualify as a valid answer? Yet there was no cause to lie or invent a grand purpose.
So I scratched my head and gave her the honest truth.
“There is no monumental reason. If I must provide one, it is just… I am fond of venomous creatures. You said you know I like them, but I likely adore them more than you can imagine. Truly. An excessive amount.”
“An excessive amount?”
“Yes. I love raising them, aiding their reproduction, that sort of thing. Compare it to how ordinary people keep dogs or cats. You know those individuals who treat their pets as their own children? It is similar to that, only more so. To me, these little ones are family. I refer to them as my companion venomous beasts.”
“Companion venomous beasts?”
“It signifies we remain together for life. Even after I have gathered them all, I simply wish to find a tranquil place where we can live in peace and be content until my dying day.”
“I see.”
She stared at me with a blank look, then suddenly began to giggle.
“Pfft… hehehe…”
She laughed for a time, her hand covering her mouth, then smiled and said,
“They claim that gathering all Ten Great Venomous Beasts could allow one to unite the martial world or even establish a nation… I had a suspicion, but my, that truly is your reason. That is so characteristic of you, So-ryong. Now I believe I comprehend why none of your inner realm contracts with spirit beasts have ever failed.”
“I’ve never failed?”
“Yes. When I was attempting to form contracts myself, I did not understand it. But from within the Golden Crown Snake King, I could sense it. The sheer genuineness of your emotions. The depth of your love for these creatures—it transmits so vividly.”
“It transmits?”
“Yes, because you are connected to them in the inner realm. Ah, it is not a flawless link, but it seems to allow them to perceive human emotions. To discern falsehood from sincerity… I believe it is because the technique originates from the Beast Heart Art, which prizes affection for animals.”
Hearing that the little ones were aware of my feelings sparked an unexpected wave of embarrassment.
She nodded as I flushed.
“That answer suffices. If—just if—you were concealing some darkness in your heart… well, I see now there was no cause for concern.”
Then she began addressing the questions I had been eager to ask: the location of the Five Poisons Sect, the Blood Cult, and the accumulating mysteries.
“So, the location of the Five Poisons Sect is…”
She started divulging information.
Could I possibly remember it all? I was uncertain, but I strove to absorb every syllable.
Not only about the Blood Cult and the Five Poisons Sect, but also the hiding places of their key operatives. Priceless intelligence.
“They even have agents within the royal court?”
Apparently, they did—infiltrating even the imperial court.
“The Five Poisons Sect possesses a unique form of ‘go’—a prosthetic crafted from venomous creatures that can replace destroyed body parts. They rescue people from death, then secure their loyalty in return.”
The intelligence was astounding, but also overwhelming.
So many names, ranks, and functions.
Even with my martial training enhancing my memory, this was another level entirely.
I voiced my anxiety, and she nodded understandingly.
“Yes, it is a great deal. I am not certain I could recall everything either.”
“Perhaps if fortune favors us…”
“If fortune favors us?”
“You mentioned how the soul bonded to the Golden Crown Snake King managed to emerge externally before, correct?”
“Oh… yes.”
It had occurred previously—Cheongyu’s human soul manifesting through the Golden Crown Snake King’s body.
If it happened again, she could transcribe the information using human hands.
But I could not rely on that, so I simply remained in the inner realm for as long as possible, memorizing everything I could.
I even felt flashes within my hippocampus, as if my brain were physically straining to retain the data.
And then, just as she was on the verge of disclosing the ultimate secret of the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art—
Cheongyu’s human form flashed that dark, perilous smile I remembered.
“I believe I will keep that particular detail a secret.”
“…What?”
“You must be joking. That is the most crucial part!”
“If I told you now, it would spoil the surprise. But do not worry—it is something you will appreciate. It will be beneficial to you.”
“Even so, that is no justification—”
I stared at her with a helpless expression, and she turned to the Golden Crown Snake King version of herself.
“You recall what So-ryong said, correct?”
The Golden Crown Snake King Cheongyu slid over and pressed a kiss against my forehead.
It felt as if she was attempting to eject me from the inner realm without revealing the secret.
But even after her kiss on my cheek, nothing occurred.
Typically, that was all it took to leave the inner realm.
“Huh? What is happening?”
I looked between both Cheongyus in bewilderment.
They appeared equally perplexed.
Thinking perhaps I needed to initiate it, I leaned in and kissed Cheongyu’s forehead myself—yet again, nothing happened.
‘What in the world?’
Just then, a voice came from the side.
“…It cannot be.”
When I turned, Human Cheongyu wore a look of profound embarrassment, her cheeks flushed crimson.
I did not understand why until she began fanning herself and walking toward me.
“I cannot believe I now qualify as one of your venomous creatures…”
“Wait, what?”
Then, in one fluid motion, she leaned in and kissed my forehead.
*Chok.*
And instantly, my vision flooded with golden light, and Cheongyu’s voice resonated in my ears—
“So does this mean I am a companion venomous beast as well…?”