Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 298

Chapter 298
Still recovering from the startling discovery that Hwa-eun was attempting to pioneer telepathic video calls…
The children and Hwa-eun closed in on the Blood Cult woman, demanding the chant and intricacies of the Soul-Snaring Technique.
“Just tell us already.”
“I-I, um…”
—Tssrt! Speak up, now!
—Grrr. You won’t like what happens if you disobey Hwa-eun!
“Shiaa! I advise you to cooperate. We are all quite displeased that you attempted to harm So-ryong.”
Martial techniques are meant to be defended with one’s very life. Yet, the moment the children threatened her, the Blood Cult woman readily divulged the technique’s secrets.
“H-Hiiieek! S-So… the Soul-Snaring Technique functions by employing powerful mental energy to dominate the target’s soul. You utilize illusory mysteries to enter their mind in a form they find most appealing, and then…”
‘Hold on, aren’t martial arts techniques supposed to be protected unto death?’
I expected her to refuse, to say something like “I’d sooner die than betray it,” echoing the lessons my grandfather Mandok Shingun had ingrained in me.
He always said:
“To reveal a martial technique is to betray all who practice it. What if an opponent devises a counter? You must guard it with your life. And if you cannot, you must choose death over betrayal.”
Remembering his words, I murmured under my breath:
“Even the Soul-Snaring Technique is a martial art… I thought you would protect it with your life, at the very least…”
It was then that Hwa-eun gently clarified why the woman was so forthcoming.
“It’s a forbidden art within the martial world. You cannot learn or trade it openly. But that doesn’t mean it holds great value. It isn’t rare or special.
Many similar techniques exist, and if you find a shady enough broker and pay the price, you can acquire it.
Naturally, the condition is that if you are caught, you never disclose your source.”
“It’s forbidden?”
That was it!
If it was forbidden in the martial world, then Hwa-eun shouldn’t be learning it either.
This could be my last opportunity to prevent her from creating a 4D psychic communication network.
I quickly turned to her.
“W-Wait, does that mean you shouldn’t learn it either?”
A small flicker of hope ignited within me—but Hwa-eun simply smiled and waggled her finger.
“Don’t fret, So-ryong. I don’t intend to learn it properly.
Sister Seol and I only wish to identify the component of the technique that permits entry into your mental world.
If we can pinpoint that, perhaps we can devise a method to meet you like this more frequently.”
“…I-I see… b-but still, isn’t that somewhat dangerous…”
“This stays between us. There is no risk. It’s not as if you are going to turn me in to the Martial Alliance, are you, So-ryong?”
“O-Of course not! Report you? I would never!”
She insisted it was solely for research. I had no rebuttal. After all, even in my past life, keeping venomous creatures for study was permitted.
Besides, what kind of person betrays his own girlfriend? Are we living in a police state?
‘Wait… is developing mental realm video chat simply the next stage of societal advancement?’
As this psychic group chat became more established, I started to question if I just had to accept this as inevitable technological evolution.
Hwa-eun returned to interrogating the Blood Cult woman.
“So, in essence, you invade someone’s mental realm and overpower their soul with superior mental force. Correct?”
“Yes, miss.”
“What occurs if you enter, but ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ their mental power is greater? Does a situation like this arise?”
“You wouldn’t manage to enter at all. The stronger an individual’s martial cultivation, the more resistant they are to the Soul-Snaring Technique. Higher-level masters have refined their minds through deep meditation and introspection. This is why the technique fails against most experts—and why it’s considered a low and dishonorable skill.”
Was this a lesson? No, it felt more like a coerced lecture—a ‘forcture’, perhaps?
It appeared the Blood Cult woman’s impromptu tutorial on the Soul-Snaring Technique’s chants, applications, and flaws would continue for some time.
Meanwhile, the children—everyone except Cheongwol, who was still restraining the woman—came over and attached themselves to me.
—Tssrr. Daddy.
—Tsst. Daddy.
—Piii. Daaaddy.
Cho, Hyang, and Bini held onto my arms and chest. Hwayang clung to my back.
“Uh, r-right. I suppose I’ll wait until Mom is done talking… Wow, you all have… really gotten bigger. You’re taller than me now…”
Interacting with them in human form was somewhat uncomfortable.
Not solely because of their appearances.
They were still my little girls—but now they resembled mature young women. Having them cuddle up to me felt peculiar.
Last time, in the mental realm, they had looked like teenagers.
‘Why have they matured so much in here?’
Although it was awkward for me, the girls acted without any hesitation—they clung to me with their usual innate affection.
“Agh… yeah, I should probably sit down.”
Regardless of their appearance, they were my daughters.
Sitting down, I reaffirmed to myself:
‘This is just an avatar chat. An AVATAR. Nothing more.’
Their real forms were still spirit beasts. These were merely mental manifestations.
Even Hwa-eun didn’t look entirely like herself here—she had a large rose tucked behind her ear, for one thing.
Once I was seated, the girls nestled into my arms and rested their heads on my lap.
Then Cheong-yu, who had been lingering uncertainly nearby, approached and sat down gracefully.
—Shiaa? So-ryong, are you feeling okay?
From her voice, I recognized this was Cheong-yu Sojeo, not the Blood Talon Eagle Claw persona.
Her composed manner and formal posture indicated her identity, as she would typically be joking with the others.
“Yes, Sojeo. I’m fine.”
—Shiaa. I’m relieved. I requested that Blood Talon Eagle Cheong-yu allow me to take control when I saw you.
Previously, the two personalities had existed apart in my mental world, but now it seemed they could inhabit the same form and switch between themselves.
“I understand…”
“….”
After my brief response, a slight awkwardness settled between us.
I felt I should say something more, but no words came to mind.
Even though I repeatedly told myself this was merely “avatar chat,” it was difficult to disregard the fact the girls looked human, Hwa-eun was close by, and Cheong-yu Sojeo was sitting right beside me.
The children, however, were completely at ease—snuggling with their eyes closed, content like spirit beasts.
‘What should I say now?’
Seemingly to diffuse the tension, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke again.
—Shiaa? Ah, that’s right. So-ryong, is your cultivation stable now?
“Yes, it’s settling nicely. I’ve grown accustomed to my inner energy, and my mental realm is firm.”
My cultivation had indeed stabilized.
After registering Cheong-yu, I had reached the Four-Venom Realm, and now, with the fourth beast registered, my Beast-Heart Martial Art had grown even more potent.
I was confident I would soon be able to register Seol, Bing, and Dong as well.
Her question reminded me of something I had neglected to ask.
“Speaking of which, Sojeo… are you truly not going to tell me?”
—Shii? Tell you what?
She tilted her head with an innocent look.
“What occurs when every venomous creature in the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art is linked with a spirit beast?”
—Shii… Ah…
She was still evading the question, just as before.
But this time, I was resolved to get an answer.
When she nodded gently with a smile, she responded:
—Shiaa? Do you truly wish to know?
“Yes.”
‘Naturally, I’m curious.’
It began with simply being able to converse with the registered beasts. Then I gained the ability to receive and utilize their venom. And now, there’s a complete group chat room.
How could I not be eager to learn what capabilities might emerge next?
At my reply, Cheong-yu Sojeo smiled with an amused expression.
—Shiaa. Then you must promise me something.
“A promise?”
—Shii. That if I tell you, you will not bear a grudge against me later.
“A grudge?”
—Shiu! Shiaa, yes! Once the ability awakens, I believe you will adore it. But if I reveal it now, it will spoil the delight of discovering it for yourself.
So promise me you won’t resent me if I tell you.
‘Wait, I would resent her?’
Cheong-yu Sojeo’s words threw me into internal conflict.
I am the sort who saves the best part of a meal for last. But what she proposes feels like eating the finest bit before it’s properly ready.
‘Ugh, what should I do?’
Just as I was on the verge of mental collapse over the choice, Cheong-yu Sojeo spoke once more.
—Shiaa. Promise? Then I shall tell you.
“W-Wait!”
Honestly, Cheong-yu Sojeo truly knew how to push someone to the brink.
Who in their right mind would say “tell me” after being tempted like that?
‘Gyaaaaagh!’
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
As I squirmed internally, nearly bursting with frustration, Hwa-eun’s voice called out to us, indicating her business was concluded.
“So-ryong, come over here. You children as well.”
“Are you finished talking?”
“Yes. I obtained all the information—the mechanics of the Soul-Snaring Technique, its advantages and disadvantages, and all about the Blood Cult members concealed in the nearby villages.”
She had, of course, extracted every last bit of intelligence.
“If we linger too long, the elders may grow anxious. And Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong might worry as well. We should return.”
It seemed time to dissolve the Soul-Snaring Technique and go back. Once everyone assembled, Hwa-eun blushed faintly, hugged me, and whispered softly.
[It wasn’t your fault this time, but it could have ended very badly. Please be more careful, alright?]
Even knowing I wasn’t to blame, she earnestly asked me to be vigilant.
Afterward, the others also hugged me one by one.
—K-Krrt. I-It’s merely a parting gesture.
—Shiaa? Me as well?
“It would be strange if you were the only one who didn’t.”
Cheongwol appeared tremendously embarrassed, and Cheong-yu seemed flustered by the idea of hugging me too.
Their cheeks turned red following the quick embrace.
Once the goodbyes were over, Hwa-eun addressed the Blood Cult woman.
“Now, release the Soul-Snaring Technique. And as you stated, you will awaken before So-ryong. But if you attempt anything foolish after regaining consciousness—expect no leniency. Understood?”
“O-Of course!”
As the caster, her release from the Soul-Snaring Technique would naturally occur faster than mine. Hearing this, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol voiced their concerns.
—Shiaa? She’ll wake up first? Isn’t that rather hazardous?
—Grrng. I’ve been considering that as well. This seems unsafe.
They were evidently worried she might attempt something before I woke up.
“Well, Hyang is present, and so are Hongdan, Seol, Bing, and Dong, so it should be fine…”
Hwa-eun attempted to reassure us, though she didn’t sound completely certain herself.
—Tssrrt! I’ll be there, so everyone, don’t worry!
Hyang thumped her chest and proclaimed herself the guard. Seeing this, Cheong-yu and Cheongwol exchanged looks and nodded reluctantly.
There was little else to be done. Typically, the others awoke before me when leaving the mental world anyway, so they chose to trust Hyang.
“Very well, then proceed and release the Soul-Snaring Technique.”
The time to depart had finally come.
The moment Hwa-eun issued the command, the woman spoke in a timid voice.
“W-Well… I’ve been attempting to release it since our arrival, but… it isn’t working…”
“What did you say?”
It turned out she had been trying to find an exit the entire time, but the technique refused to dissolve.
Everyone’s expressions became grave.
It seemed we might be trapped.
“What do we do?”
As Hwa-eun and I began to feel concerned, Cheong-yu’s voice interjected.
—Shiaa. Ah! What if we consider this not as a Soul-Snaring, but as a mental world?
“A mental world?”
—Yes. What if we treat this as So-ryong’s mental world?
“Ah! That’s correct. This isn’t a standard Soul-Snaring state, is it? So how did we typically exit the mental world before?”
This was a wholly different scenario from a normal Soul-Snaring, so her idea was to approach it like a regular mental world and attempt the usual method for leaving.
As Hwa-eun posed the question, I felt a gentle touch on my cheek.
—Smooch.
Turning, I saw Hwayang had kissed my cheek.
Ordinarily, to depart, I would either kiss someone or be kissed.
She was likely demonstrating the method.
‘She’s cleverer than she looks, isn’t she? Hwayang?’
So, one after another, everyone took a turn kissing my cheek—yet we remained trapped in the mental realm.
“Why isn’t it working?”
Then Cheong-yu’s eyes widened abruptly.
In a tone of horror, she said:
—Shiaaaa!? S-Since she was the one who cast it… could it be that SHE has to do it!?
As the Blood Cult woman initiated the Soul-Snaring, she might be the one required to kiss me to break it.
“Wait, so then I…”
As she began to move toward me—
Seven hands shot out simultaneously.
The atmosphere turned icy. The seven exchanged silent, lethal looks.
—Grrng. That woman might end up registered. We must consider this carefully.
—Shiaa. She is correct.
“I concur with that as well.”
—Tssrrt. How dare her unclean lips approach Dad…
—Piii! Daaaddyy!
Their message was unequivocal: under no circumstances.
Then Cheongwol balled her fist and stated:
—Krrt. There is no need for discussion. There is only one solution.
“One?”
As Hwa-eun, the other children, and I looked on puzzled, Cheongwol marched up to the woman.
And then—her tightly clenched fist descended like a sledgehammer onto the woman’s head.
—Whack!
“Guhhk.”
The woman crumpled to the ground, stunned and nearly unconscious. Cheongwol then muttered:
—Grrrng. That wretch said if she is harmed in the mental world, she could be left a vegetable, correct? Then perhaps if we render her unconscious, the Soul-Snaring Technique will break?
Then she won’t wake up before So-ryong.
She murdered a human child. This is the least punishment she merits.
My sight started to blur, and I sensed the Soul-Snaring Technique beginning to disintegrate.
It turns out, when nothing else works—just give the faulty machinery a good whack.
It truly was the most effective solution for poor reception.