Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 277

Chapter 277
Before the outer commander of the Ak Clan could respond to hyung’s question—

Gwiseong hyung seized him by the collar and shook him violently.

“Out with it! What is happening here!?”

“I-it’s… Ugh. Y-Young Master Peng, if you would just release me… For a moment—gahh…”

Hyung was jostling him so fiercely that the outer commander swayed like a reed in a hurricane.

The man was clearly a trained martial artist, but hyung was from the Peng Clan.

A lineage famous for their raw power—and hyung was their finest.

That meant aside from the clan leader himself, he was likely the most powerful individual in the entire Peng Clan.

With that kind of strength, the commander could only flail helplessly, like a fish tossed onto raging waves.

“Hyung-nim, please, calm yourself and let him speak—”

I couldn’t just stand by, so I rushed in and grabbed onto hyung’s arm.

But his strength was absolute.

Now holding onto him, I was also whipped around—I felt like a bug clinging to a leaf in a tempest.

It was a profoundly humbling experience. I finally grasped what my tiny insect companions must endure during a storm.

“So this is their reality… how pitiful.”

“Speak, you fool!”

“Hyung-nim!”

Just as we were all being shaken together, the commander finally choked out a few words between gasps.

“N-now is not the moment for this… Hurry, to the Ak Clan’s direct-line pavilion—the Sahapwon!”

Hearing this, hyung jolted and stared toward the inner estate.

Then, tossing both me and the commander aside, he exploded into motion, using his lightfoot technique to bolt through the Ak Clan’s main gate.

It was astonishing how swiftly he moved for his size—like a bear set on fire and charging into war.

“You, there! Escort Young Master Peng inside—immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

The fallen commander shouted the order, and the warriors instantly sped after hyung.

Several members of the Dragon Fangs also charged into the Ak Clan behind him.

“Do-ryong! Do-ryong, are you there?!”

“Do-ryong!”

Only Yang Seong-hu and Geom-ryong, who were restraining Jin-gyu, remained with us.

That left me, Hwa-eun, and Seol noona.

“So-ryong, are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Hwa-eun.”

Hwa-eun came to my side and helped me up from where I’d landed on the ground. She then turned to the commander, who had fallen beside me.

“Commander, are you okay?”

“Yes… Young Master Peng’s strength is truly breathtaking. Phew… You appear to be with him—might I ask who you are?”

He was still massaging his temple as if dizzy, but he managed to thank us and inquire about our identities.

Since we hadn’t had a proper chance to introduce ourselves amid the chaos, I bowed with a martial salute.

“I am So-ryong, son of the Beast Palace and son-in-law of the Sichuan Tang Clan. Gwiseong hyung is my sworn brother. This is my partner, Tang Hwa-eun of the Sichuan Tang Clan, and this is my elder sister, Seol-pyo.

As for Yang Seong-hu and Geom-ryong hyung, I believe you are already acquainted?”

As I quickly presented our group, the commander struggled to his feet and returned the bow with a martial salute, though he swayed slightly.

“From the Sichuan Tang Clan? It is an honor. I am Bang Un-gyu, outer commander of the Ak Clan.

I would be delighted to exchange pleasantries more properly, but time is short.

Let us proceed inside together. The situation is critical. Though my orders were to bring Young Master Peng immediately, we will require that man for the complete story.”

He pointed toward Jin-gyu, who was still stupefied from Cheongyu’s venom—his eyes blank and unfocused.

Nodding, I replied,

“Understood. Yang Seong-hu, Geom-ryong hyung—please follow the commander inside.”

“Understood, So-hyeop.”

“Let’s go. So-ryong, I am burning to know what this is all about.”

Following the commander’s quick pace, we entered the Ak Clan’s inner estate. At the entrance, all the guards were facing inward, not outward.

It must have been due to the disruption hyung caused when he stormed in.

As we trailed the outer commander, I asked,

“But what has happened to the Ak Clan’s lady? Why did you say she needs to be saved?”

I was eager to learn what had transpired to make the commander speak of rescue.

He didn’t break stride but glanced back and paused briefly before answering.

“This is an internal clan affair… but since you are Young Master Peng’s sworn brother, I will tell you.

Besides, it seems you assisted in capturing that man.”

He shot a glare at Jin-gyu, his temple twitching with anger.

“I do not know if you are aware, but our Lady Soso and Young Master Peng have known each other since they were very young.”

“Yes, hyung mentioned that to me.”

The Peng and Ak Clans are relatively close geographically and follow similar martial arts traditions. I had heard they were childhood friends.

I nodded, and the commander continued.

“Indeed. I believe the two held affection for each other for many years… but perhaps out of timidity, neither could ever muster the courage to confess.

Then, one day, a girl from a branch family who fancied Young Master Peng asked Lady Soso for assistance. Our kind-hearted lady, concealing her own feelings, chose to withdraw.”

I was already familiar with that part.

Not wanting to hear the entire romance again, I condensed what I knew.

“Yes, and then that branch girl was… assaulted by that man, and Lady Soso blamed herself, pushed my hyung away, and he vowed to bring back that scoundrel’s head as a marriage proposal. That is as far as I was told.”

As I concluded, the commander provided the rest.

“Yes. Our lady never gave him an answer to his proposal… but she waited. I know that better than anyone—I have watched over her all these years.

But Young Master Peng did not contact her for several years.

And during that time, disaster befell our clan. Just when all seemed hopeless, the head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild offered to resolve the crisis—on the condition that he be permitted to marry Lady Soso.”

“Oh no…”

Seol noona covered her mouth in dismay.

“Then that ship from before…”

The ship flying the Geum (金) flag at the dock came to mind. I questioned the commander again.

“You said a marriage proposal? Then the ship we saw earlier…?”

“Yes. That is the one. The head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild came in person to finalize the proposal. Lady Soso… still cares for Young Master Peng, but for the sake of the clan…”

No wonder I had a bad feeling about that ship.

It seemed hyung’s beloved was about to wed some wealthy old merchant for her clan’s survival.

“This is terrible.”

As soon as the commander finished, we hastened our steps.

We reached a neat and refined Sahapwon courtyard.

Passing through the main gate and the second gate—the Suhwa Gate—I spotted hyung’s immense back ahead.

Standing behind him were several Dragon Fangs and the warriors who had gone on ahead.

And facing him—

An older man and woman stood beside a well-dressed, handsome young man on the pavilion, all three gazing at hyung.

The elders were likely the clan master and mistress of the Ak Clan, which meant the opulently dressed man was the head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild.

The instant I saw him, I knew this would be difficult for hyung.

“Oh no… hyung is in trouble.”

When I first heard the tale, I pictured a wealthy, unattractive old man attempting to purchase a young bride. But this man? He was youthful, handsome, and impeccably attired.

The only description that sprang to mind was:

“Mom’s friend’s son.”

He was that individual. The one who had everything.

Good looks, wealth, intelligence—he was probably the guild’s heir. Meanwhile, hyung was pure muscle.

This was like Ddolsoe versus Lee Mong-ryong from The Tale of Chunhyang.

It was a completely one-sided contest.

“No—perhaps not. Maybe she prefers rugged types like hyung? The commander said she still likes him. And this isn’t modern-day Korea. This is a different era!”

Sure, the dramas from my past life always favored the pretty boy, but perhaps here… it would be different.

Clutching at hope through nostalgia and fate, I approached hyung—and saw his trembling back and heard his voice break.

“S-Soso…”

As he uttered her name, I couldn’t see her past his broad shoulders—but a woman’s voice rang out from behind him.

“Please leave, Young Master Peng. I have chosen to respect my father’s decision.”

What had she consumed before meeting him? A rock? Her voice was steadfast and firm.

Then the outer commander who led us here promptly dropped to his knees beside hyung and cried out.

“My lady! I, Bang Un-gyu, have watched you grow up! I know it is not my place, but I cannot stay silent!”

“Un-gyu!”

“Young Master Peng has kept his word! He captured the Strangling Lust Demon, Jin-gyu, and brought him here!”

“What!?”

Turning, I saw Yang Seong-hu and Geom-ryong hauling Jin-gyu forward.

Geom-ryong ripped away Jin-gyu’s tattered clothes, exposing the crow tattoo on his shoulder.

“Wh-Why… Why wouldn’t you let it go… You fool…”

The woman’s voice fractured with incredulity.

—Thud.

“S-Soso! Soso!”

Something collapsed. Hyung surged forward and caught the woman in his arms.

***

The Lord of the Ak Clan, said to be descended from a famed loyal retainer, truly appeared to be a man who valued justice and honor.

When he learned that hyung had captured Jin-gyu, he immediately bowed his head to the head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild.

“I must offer my apologies. While I did indeed promise my daughter’s hand in marriage, I cannot turn my back on Young Master Peng, who suffered for years for our clan’s sake.

If I did, how could I ever face my ancestor, the Loyal Martial Lord?

Everything sent in preparation for the wedding will be returned without delay.”

After all, hyung had spent years hunting down the villain who had dishonored their house—and finally caught him.

Even if it seemed insignificant on the surface, hyung had left his home and roamed the world searching for that man, pursuing every clue.

When I first met him at the Martial Alliance, he had mentioned he was awaiting information.

He had stayed stationed there and rushed out with Yang Seong-hu and Geom-ryong whenever a lead emerged.

At the clan lord’s apology, the young man—identified as the head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild—rested his chin in his hand.

Then, with a calm expression, he gave a slight nod and spoke.

“If something I invested a great deal to acquire turns out never to have been mine… then perhaps I would have been better off never pursuing it in the first place.”

He was clearly alluding to the lady of the Ak Clan—Soso.

From his words and the earlier scene, it seemed he had realized her heart belonged to hyung.

Hearing his words, I perceived Hwa-eun’s mental voice, followed by Seol noona’s inner message.

“So-ryong, that man is vile. Speaking of people as if they are objects…”

[Ryong, promise me you’ll never become like that, alright? What kind of person talks that way?]

Their disgust at his words was unmistakable.

Then, the merchant’s smiling voice continued.

“That aside, Lord of the Ak Clan, I must say—I worry for you. Without my assistance, I suspect this matter will be challenging to resolve.”

“Be that as it may, I will find a way.”

“Ah, and since our agreement is now void, I trust you have also considered compensation? My reputation is not a trivial matter.”

At that, the face of the Ak Clan’s lord paled.

So now he demanded compensation because the marriage was off?

“Incredible. This guy truly is a merchant with no heart and no tears.”

Just as I was shuddering at the sheer audacity of this “perfect man,” hyung—who was still attending to the unconscious Soso—stood and intervened with a martial salute.

“Lord Ak, I will speak with my father and provide the compensation myself. After all… I am the one who arrived too late.”

Truthfully, hyung was just too noble.

It made me think he might need a lesson in self-advocacy.

But before I could interject, the Lord of the Ak Clan slammed the tray beside him with a resounding crack.

—Bang!

“What foolishness is this?! Do you believe our Ak Clan would solicit money from a benefactor who fought for our family? Enough of this nonsense—go attend to Soso! And if you ever make her weep again, I will not forgive you!”

Hyung, visibly moved, bowed deeply.

“Th-thank you, Elder.”

Still, despite the Lord’s brave words, his expression remained burdened.

From what I had overheard, their financial woes were severe—and now they would have to pay damages on top of that.

Then, just as tension was mounting, the voice of the head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild reached us once more.

He turned toward us with a bright, professional smile and introduced himself.

“It seems the circumstances of this encounter have led to some awkwardness. Permit me to introduce myself properly. I am Geum Gi-ryung, head of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild. I do not avoid befriending martial artists—might I inquire your names?”

“…”

He was all smiles, but something about him felt deeply wrong.

No one wished to respond.

Still, I thought an awkward silence was worse than mere formality. So I stepped forward to speak for everyone.

“Ah, so you are Merchant Lord Geum Gi-ryung. Starting from over there, these are the Dragon Fangs: Geom-ryong, Yang Seong-hu, Ji-ryong, Kwon-ryong, Seon-hwa, Gungbong, and Eum-bong.

This is my elder sister Seol-pyo of the Beast Palace, and here is Tang Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan, known as the Venomous Flower Moon.

As for myself, I am So-ryong—son of the Beast Palace, son-in-law of the Tang Clan, and sworn brother of Master Do-ryong over there.”

If we were seeking closeness, I would have introduced everyone by name—but instead, I used titles to maintain a respectful distance.

I also made it clear I was Do-ryong hyung’s sworn brother—don’t even consider trying to get friendly.

But once I finished, Geum Gi-ryung looked me over from head to toe with an intrigued gleam in his eye.

“Well, well… the Venomous Flower Moon of the Three Blossoms of the Martial World…”

His words and gaze prompted me to immediately shift to shield Hwa-eun with my body, displaying clear displeasure.

He was leering at Hwa-eun—who was acknowledged as one of the Three Blossoms of the Martial World.

“That is my partner you are staring at. Rather openly, I must say. I find it disagreeable.”

At that, Geum Gi-ryung tilted his head slightly and then laughed heartily.

“Oh? Ahaha! It appears there has been a misunderstanding. I am not interested in the lady of the Tang Clan—my interest lies with you, young master.”

“…I beg your pardon!?”

“Wait—he wasn’t looking at Hwa-eun—he was looking at me?”

Startled, I recoiled. Hwa-eun instantly stepped forward and shielded me with her body.

Her thoughts came through clearly.

“So-ryong, I believe that man prefers men.”

Prefers men. In other words—he’s gay.

I flinched and practically clung to Hwa-eun from behind.

“I mean… I know I am exceptionally handsome, but that guy?!”

Just as I was shuddering with secondhand horror, Geum Gi-ryung smiled again and spoke.

“It seems the misunderstanding is profound. I am simply captivated to have met the one and only ‘Heavenly Venom Beast Papa,’ Young Master So-ryong.”

“Heavenly… Venom Beast Papa?”

“You mean Heavenly Venom Beast Papa?”

I turned to look at Hwa-eun and Seol-pyo noona, and both their voices reached me at once—

“So-ryong, it seems you have acquired a nickname. Though… what sort of nickname is that…”

[So-ryong, I think you received a new title—but what kind of name is that…?]

They were certainly acknowledging the nickname, but it sounded like they weren’t exactly fond of it.

But personally, I thought it was magnificent.

“Whoever—no, whichever genius granted me this title… I adore it.”

Heavenly Venom Beast Papa meant precisely that—the father of all venomous creatures under heaven.