Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 275

Chapter 275
My gaze kept shifting nervously between Cheongyu and Hwa-eun without my conscious intent.

Hwa-eun tilted her head, studying the look on my face with confusion.
“So-ryong? Is Cheongyu… truly that unwell?”
“Ah—no, not exactly. I believe it’s nothing major…”
“Well, that’s good to hear. But then… why do you keep watching me like that? As if you’ve made some sort of mistake?”
A cold shiver shot directly down my back.

I swear, there are moments I’m convinced Hwa-eun possesses genuine telepathy or some other preternatural sense. She’s eerily accurate, like a mystic entering a vision—hitting the truth without fail.
She did the same thing before I went into the inner realm… And honestly, just because her family is named Tang doesn’t automatically make her a soothsayer.
But her intuition? Unnervingly precise.
“Cheongyu might be the actual specter here, yet it’s Hwa-eun who gives me the chills…”

Still.
Considering how angry Hwa-eun had been previously—about my method of leaving the inner realm—I was uncertain how to clarify the present circumstances.
It felt unjust, but… she obviously viewed Cheongyu as a type of competitor. Even if I absolutely didn’t share that perspective.
“My interest in Cheongyu is solely because she is a magnificent venom beast. Nothing more. Wait… didn’t Hwa-eun mention once that she’d be less anxious if Cheongyu were human?”
Yes. She had said exactly that.
That she wouldn’t worry if Cheongyu were a person—since I typically showed no interest in people.
So perhaps… the human Cheongyu who resides within the Golden Crown Death Centipede would be acceptable?
According to Hwa-eun’s own reasoning, Cheongyu in human form should not be a problem.
“Wait, no, she certainly was furious when she discovered Cheongyu had kissed me in the inner realm—just on the cheek, admittedly, but still…”
Correct. She claimed people were fine, yet reacted explosively to a kiss.
That sent my thoughts spiraling back to the beginning—and a headache began to pound.
Her words say one thing, but her actions consistently say another.
“What in the world am I supposed to do now?!”
Trapped between Hwa-eun’s conflicting statements and behavior, I was utterly lost on how to resolve this dilemma.
She continued to stare at me, awaiting a response.
“So-ryong?”
『“Ah, forget it. If I attempt to conceal this and she discovers it, the consequences will be far worse. I haven’t done anything incorrect! That’s correct—I am completely innocent! Hwa-eun is the one I love most. Without a doubt.”』
Sure, she was angry about my exit from the inner realm, but honestly—a peck on the cheek? That’s practically a formal greeting in some cultures.
And I wasn’t even the one who started it!
It was simply the necessary method to escape the inner realm at that moment. No ulterior emotions. No intention. Nothing of a romantic nature.
My conscience was clear. So rather than twisting myself into anxious knots, I resolved to be direct.
『“I have done nothing wrong. Absolutely. And if she misinterprets, I will clarify: I do not love Cheongyu. I regard her as I would a common stone. My love is for Hwa-eun. Unquestionably. I will state it plainly.”』
And then—
A voice resonated inside my head.
『—“Shiaa? (So-ryong… hearing it stated so directly was somewhat painful…)”
—“WHAAAAAT!?”』
I jerked upright and glanced down.
Cheongyu was still cradled in my arms… wearing a faint smile.
“Wait—what is this?! That was an internal monologue!”
It appeared I had inadvertently changed communication channels. I had begun on a private mental line with Cheongyu, but at some point, I had drifted into the communal network.
“Ah, no, that isn’t what I intended—!”
I had just effectively called her an inanimate object and professed my love for another—directly to her. A terrible move.
Now I was swamped with guilt and humiliation.
I swiftly scanned the mental connections. Thankfully—none of the children were active.
“Phew… Okay. Disaster avoided. If the kids had been listening, they would have erupted: ‘Why do you love Mom the most?!’”
I wiped my brow—only to abruptly sense a well-known presence in the group channel.
Hwa-eun.
“GYAAAAAAH!”
I had assumed no one was connected, but it turned out Hwa-eun had been listening the whole time.
She must have initiated a call while I was deep in thought, and her connection activated automatically.
“This is it. I am finished.”
Just then, a soft wave of embarrassment flowed through the mental link.
『—“Shiii… (So-ryong, it’s alright. You may release me now. I believe I felt a bit lightheaded earlier. Being carried like this is… somewhat awkward.)”
—“Oh nooooo…”』
Right.
I was still holding Cheongyu.
I panicked and instantly released her—leaping backward like a spooked animal.
Thud.
Cheongyu dropped directly onto the wooden deck, landing seated. She massaged the back of her head and rose to a sitting position.
『—“Shiaa? (That likely would have been painful for a human… but I suppose there are advantages to the Golden Crown Death Centipede’s physique. Nevertheless, you startled me, So-ryong.)”』
She offered a slight pout, resting her hands on her hips—resembling a chastised young woman sulking at her companion.
And then—
A soft voice cut through the atmosphere.
“Lady Cheongyu? It has been some time. It is good to see you again.”
I turned.
Hwa-eun, her face slightly tinged with pink, was offering a gentle smile as she addressed Cheongyu.
“Huh!?”
For an instant, I thought she was furious—her flushed complexion made me assume it was rage.
I instinctively prepared for a scolding.
But… her tone was serene. Almost warm.
“W-Wait… what is happening?”
***

I had been intensely anxious…
But ultimately, the situation resolved itself far better than expected.
Evidently, my accidental remark—declaring in front of both Cheongyu and Hwa-eun that Hwa-eun was my greatest love—had put her in an extremely merciful mood.
During their entire exchange, I noticed Hwa-eun stealing looks in my direction, and every time, her face conveyed a single message:
Contentment.
She resembled a person who would presently pardon any offense short of outright treachery.
“Honestly, it’s as if a bright sign is glowing on her forehead reading: ‘I am feeling exceedingly gracious.’”
『“I understand. Let us be on good terms from now on, Lady Cheongyu.”
—Shia… (I appreciate you saying that. I fear I committed many awful acts…)
“Those were merely the result of the Five Venoms’ influence, correct? Please, do not trouble yourself over it.”』
“Wow… I truly dodged a catastrophe.”
Or had I? I couldn’t decide.
Regardless, my accidental public broadcast had resulted in an unexpectedly positive development.
『“But Lady Cheongyu, how precisely did you manifest? You were still within the Golden Crown Death Centipede, yes?
I imply nothing untoward—I merely wish to understand if this means the beast will resurface, or if you will remain for a time.”』
Once the initial pleasantries concluded, Hwa-eun inquired about the mechanism of the human Cheongyu’s emergence.
Cheongyu lightly touched her chin and replied:
『—Shia. Shiii… (Perhaps it is due to the full moon? Yin energy is strongest then. Maybe my spirit was pulled forth by that power.)
“Ah, that is logical. So you may remain for a day or two, then return once the full moon fades?”
—Shiaa… (That is my assumption. We will need to observe, however.)
“That seems reasonable.”』
Cheongyu’s hypothesis—lunar influence—actually held considerable weight.
After all, full moons have unique effects on creatures.
For instance, specific species of crab and coral spawn exclusively under a full moon. Most insects (mosquitoes being the notable exception) become entirely dormant during full moons.
Speaking of mosquitoes? Their biting increases five hundredfold under a full moon.
But for an insect collector? Full moons are a futile time.
You could search without finding a single specimen.
The reason remains largely unknown—lacking a definitive scientific explanation—but insect activity plummets dramatically, and fishing hauls in tropical regions also suffer significantly.
So if an unusual event was triggered by moonlight? Frankly, it’s hardly surprising.
And in this world, full moons occur twice monthly, not once. Meaning Lady Cheongyu might appear twice each month.
As I nodded in agreement, Hwa-eun turned to me with a contemplative expression.
『“Oh, and So-ryong. There was something I intended to ask you, as well.”』
The moment she spoke, I tensed and shot a look at Cheongyu.
Even in her agreeable mood, she clearly had a point she wanted to address.
Cheongyu also looked at me, flustered, uncertain what was coming next.
She likely thought the issue was settled—clearly not anticipating Hwa-eun to broach a new topic.
『—Shii… (Um, I… I simply… I am thankful, that is all! There is truly no reason for misunderstanding… and within the inner realm it was merely… a necessity…)
“Oh, please do not concern yourself with that. That was just my own jealousy surfacing, wanting So-ryong to focus more on me.”
“That is not my question, regardless.”
“What I wish to ask… pertains to the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art.
So-ryong did not mention it, but I learned from the Dragon Fangs that he sought their assistance.
He has been having difficulty recently—managing all our communications—and it seems he is attempting to learn a mind-division technique.
I wanted to ask if that is truly advisable. You would know best, Lady Cheongyu.”』
『—Shii… (So that is the struggle So-ryong has been facing…)
“Yes.”』
Cheongyu tapped her forehead softly, as if searching her memory.
Then she organized her thoughts and spoke.
『—*Shiaaaa. Shii… (Truthfully, even within the Five Venoms Sect, no individual has ever achieved the “Five-Poison Realm” while contracted with all five supreme poison beasts simultaneously.
However, the founder of the Five Venoms did record certain conjectures—predictions regarding the potential state one might attain.
And according to those…
So-ryong is advancing superbly.
Therefore, I would advise concentrating on mastering the Five-Poison Realm instead of dividing your consciousness.
You have already formed a pact with the Ice-Lizard Triplets, correct?
Once your physique stabilizes, I recommend you proceed directly to full Five-Poison integration.)*』
When one assimilates a venom beast’s poison and their cultivation ascends, a period of adjustment to the new state is required.
It is somewhat akin to wearing garments that are excessively tight or overly loose.
Your mind commands your body to act, but your muscles and bones respond with a slight delay.
Thus, your body requires time to synchronize with its own advancement.
This adaptation phase typically lasts a few months.
Cheongyu was suggesting—once the process with the Ice Lizards (also known as Seol, Bing, and Dong) was finished, I should immediately commit to Five-Poison cultivation.
There is no need to divert attention toward new techniques.
“And in approximately two months, we ought to be arriving at Hyung’s location anyway…”
I decided I would make my choice then—whether to follow Cheongyu’s counsel or accept the Ak Clan’s proposal.
I was on the verge of asking her what capabilities one gains upon fully reaching the Five-Poison Realm when—
『“But Lady Cheongyu, once an individual does achieve the Five-Poison Realm, what—”
—Shii… (Ah, it appears my time is up.)
“…What?”』
Cheongyu suddenly swayed again, precisely as before.
I looked toward the horizon—and saw the reason.
The sun was beginning to crest over the ocean.
The full moon still lingered in the sky, but its radiance was gradually being overtaken.
Just like that, the human Cheongyu started to recede back into the form of the Golden Crown Death Centipede.
Both she and Hwa-eun had hoped this manifestation would last several days—but it seemed Cheongyu could only emerge when the full moon’s power was at its absolute peak.
“Are you okay?”
I asked cautiously, concerned something might be wrong.
Cheongyu held a hand to her forehead, still slightly unsteady—but then I received one final transmission, on a private channel.
『—*Shiaaa… (So-ryong, recall when you stated your fondness for the Golden Crown Death Centipede?
I do not believe you were aware, but although we manifest separately… Cheongyu and I inhabit the same physical form.
Therefore, when you express affection for her—a portion of that… is meant for me.)*』
Her tone held a note of bashfulness—yet the meaning struck me with immense force.
“Oh no. She has now been added to the roster…”
Another member joined to the expanding collection.
“Gyaaaaaah!”
Perhaps Hwa-eun’s apprehensions were not as unfounded as I had believed.