Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 338

Chapter 338
We had established that Moji and Soji had the power to heal—yet we still hadn’t identified the most defining trait of any venomous creature: their poison.
We remained completely unaware of what form their toxin actually took.
With the others, I could simply request they release their venom and let Hwa-eun examine it. However, Moji and Soji were a unique case. Even in their larval stage, their “poison” was never a physical substance like a liquid or gas. It resembled something more ethereal, like light or haze—an expression of their inner energy.
Since it was energy-based, collecting it like a typical toxin was impossible. Compounding the issue, they only produced it when they were feeling distressed.
This meant that asking them to demonstrate their poison was effectively the same as demanding they become unhappy. It was not a request I could make lightly, especially while they were radiating such pure joy after being reunited with their sisters.
“Hey, I see you’re having a great time, but could you try being sad for a moment so I can inspect your poison?”
Absolutely not.
“I can’t just tell them, ‘Alright, start crying and let your venom out for research.’”
Eventually, I inquired with Hwa-eun if she recalled any details from the Records of the Ten Deadly Beasts of the Martial World, but she confirmed that even that text did not describe their specific poison.
“The Records didn’t go into specifics either.”
“What did it say?”
“Only two cryptic terms: ‘Black Fog’ and ‘White Fog.’ Nothing more.”
“That was everything?”
“Yes. So-ryong, you saw it yourself back then, didn’t you? Can’t you recall?”
“Ah, well, my mind has been a bit crowded recently… haha…”
Really, if I could memorize everything after just one look, I would have gotten into Sky University in my previous life.
With that kind of recall, I’d have been Ivy League material, Hwa-eun.
In any case, “Black Fog” clearly suggested a shadowy mist, and “White Fog” a luminous one. From my observations, the white energy was unmistakably their healing power. The black energy was likely akin to the turbid, disordered aura they emitted when they were still larvae.
“So their poison is probably similar to the corrupted qi they released back then? I remember it had a black appearance.”
“That is my assumption as well.”
“Well, they aren’t going to produce venom on command, so we should be patient and discover it slowly.”
“Understood, So-ryong.”
Naturally, I was interested—but there was no urgency. They weren’t a threat to us, and I couldn’t afford to fixate solely on their venom with so many other matters demanding attention.
I’ve always been one to save the most delicious part of a meal for last.
Therefore, I chose to set the question aside for later.
Unraveling the mystery in the future, after some anticipation, would be more satisfying. Besides, more immediate concerns required my focus.

***
After sunset, there is little entertainment in this world for common folk. Surrounded by darkness, most people simply have their evening meal and retire to bed early.
Even the capital, Yeongcheonbu, followed a similar pattern.
The commercial districts and pleasure quarters remained bright and lively, but the majority of the city’s neighborhoods had fallen silent. The moon was not yet at its highest point, and the streets were already quiet.
“I truly miss video games…”
In my past life, I would have been gaming until sunrise. But now? With no distractions, I’ve found myself adopting an earlier bedtime as well.
This particular night, however, I pushed myself to remain awake and walked out onto the deck.
I am always careful to note the moon’s cycle, and this evening was significant.
Tonight, Yeongcheonbu would be bathed in the light of a full moon.
That signified the return of Miss Cheong-yu—her awakening that occurs once every fifteen days.
I was waiting by myself because, these days, Hwa-eun has been exhausted from her intensive praying mantis boxing training, and Seol noona has been wholly dedicated to her practice since she and Hwa-eun achieved Three Blossoms Breathing, so she was also fast asleep.
So the responsibility fell to me.
I am the only one she can truly converse with. If I failed to be here, she would awaken in the deep of night with no one to welcome her.
But when I stepped out onto the deck, believing I would be the only one stirring—I was mistaken.
—Krrr. 『So-ryong?』
“Oh, Cheongwol? You’re awake?”
—Krrt. 『It appears so.』
The radiant hunter of the moonlit desert.
A mystical beast based on a scorpion, and one of the Ten Deadly Beasts—Cheongwol—was conscious.
Cheongwol spends a great deal of time asleep, regardless of the hour. But she is more frequently active during the night—so perhaps it wasn’t entirely unexpected to find her awake.
I hurried over and settled down onto her back.
I probably should have asked for permission first—but honestly, we are well beyond such formalities.
“Do you mind if I rest here for a while?”
—Krrrt. 『Suit yourself.』
Lying against her, I could sense the steady rhythm of her heartbeat resonating through her sturdy carapace.
Above us, the sky was a tapestry of starlight.
A soft wind blew, and a deep calm washed over me—until Cheongwol spoke again, her tone carrying a hint of shyness.
—Krrr. 『Ahem… It has been some time since we were alone like this… In fact, this might be our first time outside of a dream? A crowd is enjoyable, but, well… this is pleasant in its own way.』
Now that she mentioned it, this truly was our first occasion to be completely alone together.
Certainly, being part of a large family is wonderful, but it also limits the individual time I can share with each of them. And that… stirred a feeling of guilt within me.
I softly patted her wide back.
“Yes. It is nice. Quiet. Serene… But now I feel somewhat remorseful. Forgive me, Cheongwol. I fear I may have been paying less attention to you lately, haven’t I?”
The others are small enough to accompany me on excursions, but Cheongwol’s size means she must usually remain on the ship.
That created a sense that she was being excluded—to some degree.
When I offered my apology, Cheongwol shook her head.
—Krrt. 『Do not be absurd. I am not a child. I will remain exactly where you need me to be. You need not concern yourself with me.』
“Thank you… Even so, being here on your back brings back memories of the desert events. I never expressed this properly, but… I am grateful for your rescue back then, Cheongwol.”
—Krrng… 『Hearing that now is somewhat awkward…』
She pretended to be irritated, but I knew her true nature.
If she hadn’t applied her venom to seal my wounds in that desert, I likely would have died from blood loss.
I wrapped my arms around her back and held her tightly.
“You have a large form, and an even larger heart. That is one of the things I admire about you, Cheongwol.”
—K-Krrt! 『S-Stop with this foolishness… Release me!』
She told me to let go, but she made no move to dislodge me.
That is Cheongwol all over—seemingly tough on the exterior, but deeply tender within.
Yes. That is definitely Cheongwol.
As we rested there in renewed silence, gazing up at the star-filled heavens, I finally saw it—round and ascending:
“Wow… Look at all those stars.”
—Krrt. 『The desert sky held just as many.』
“Ah! The full moon has risen.”
Krrr. 『So it has. The full moon is here.』
As the full moon ascended to its peak, I sensed her voice awaken inside me once again—Lady Cheong-yu.
『So… So-hyeop…』
‘Ah, Lady Cheong-yu. I am out on the deck.’
When I responded with my thoughts, the cabin door slid open, and she emerged from the shadows within.
Lady Cheong-yu, making her first appearance in fifteen days.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
And, interestingly, she had Moji and Soji resting on her shoulders.
As moth-based beings, it was logical that they were naturally nocturnal and awake at this hour.
They had not yet fully shed their instincts after metamorphosing from their cocoons.
I had presumed they were asleep like the rest of my children by now, having adapted to a nighttime schedule after living with me, but…
‘I really should have checked on them before coming up.’
While I was inwardly reprimanding myself for not verifying, Lady Cheong-yu approached under the moonlight, smiling as she gently scratched Moji and Soji under their chins.
-Myumyu.
『You have missed much these past two weeks… such as So-ryong dressing in women’s attire. Although I did get a partial view through the Golden Crowned Death King’s eyes.』
Ahem…
Really? That is the first thing you bring up after fifteen days?
I coughed awkwardly, and fortunately she understood the hint and smoothly shifted the topic.
To Moji and Soji.
『These two are… utterly delightful.』
‘I agree completely.’
『Simply observing them improves my mood.』
They were already enormously popular with the women, and now it seemed they had also captivated Lady Cheong-yu.
As she watched the two flutter contentedly on her shoulders, I judged it an opportune time to pose the questions I had been accumulating over the past fifteen days.
‘Lady Cheong-yu, there are a few matters I have been wishing to ask you… would you mind?’
『Certainly, So-ryong. What is it you wish to know?』
‘To begin with… how does one open the second gate of the Five Venoms Art? I neglected to ask you previously.’
Back then, she had spoken as though the gate would open on its own once a certain stage was reached, so I had taken it for granted.
But I still had no comprehension of what that “stage” actually entailed.
I had assembled five poisonous beasts and achieved the level of the Five Venoms Return-to-Origin Divine Art, a technique of spiritual cultivation.
But it felt more connected to the heart and soul than to pure internal energy… so did it require strengthening my inner power? Or was it something different?
That was what I needed to understand.
『Ah, you refer to the Second Gate?』
‘Yes, Lady Cheong-yu.’
My eagerness was heightened by my recent experiences at the palace—summoning centipedes and even shaping words with them. It revealed the vast potential of these creatures. I desired to unlock the next gate as quickly as possible.
I looked at her with hopeful anticipation, and she gave a warm smile before answering.
『No practitioner has ever advanced as far as you have within the Five Venoms Art, So-ryong, so my knowledge comes from the original creator’s manuscripts… but it is written that the Second Gate opens when your bond with the poisonous beasts grows stronger.』
‘A bond…?’
I had hoped for a definitive answer, but her reply was ambiguous. Maddeningly so.
I tilted my head in confusion.
‘A deeper connection with the poisonous beasts?’
『Yes.』
‘But what does that entail?’
『I am not entirely certain myself…』
Wait, what?
I had been relying on her for guidance—and now she didn’t know either?
‘Seriously? I’ve been depending on you, Lady Cheong-yu…’
『Y-You have placed that much trust in me!? O-Oh dear… I merely thought… well, So-ryong, you were progressing through the stages of the Five Venoms Return-to-Origin Art so intuitively that I believed you would deduce the remainder on your own…』
She became flustered when I revealed the extent of my reliance on her.
Feeling let down, I attempted to decipher what “deepen your bond” might imply.
A bond is a link… a relationship, correct?
That was my understanding—so perhaps it pointed to the emotional connection between myself and the children?
But we already share a parent-child bond.
Could there be something deeper than that?
What manner of bond surpasses that of parent and child?
Marriage?
Wait, no. That cannot be right.
Are they suggesting I must wed my children? What kind of distorted reasoning is that?!
This was devolving into a philosophical quagmire. And philosophy is not my forte.
I sank into despondency at the realization that the Second Gate remained locked despite my progress… and then Lady Cheong-yu clapped her hands as though struck by inspiration.
Clap!
『Ah! Exactly! There is a Shaolin temple in this region, is there not? “Fate” is a term frequently used by monks. Perhaps you should consult one of their senior monks for advice?』
‘Shaolin Temple?’
Now that she mentioned it, it seemed reasonable. In my previous life, I recalled the Buddhist saying: “A single brush of sleeves signifies 3,000 bonds of fate from a former life.”
“Fate” was indeed a concept rooted in Buddhism.
Perhaps she was correct—maybe I should journey to Shaolin and seek counsel.
Her reasoning was sound. If “fate” is a Buddhist idea, then it follows to consult an authority on Buddhism.
My approach has always been to consult specialists.
For poison, ask poison masters. For fate, ask fate masters.
‘And since it is Shaolin, a great pillar of the martial world, a visit would be worthwhile, wouldn’t it?’
Although one minor reservation lingered…
Certainly, monks may be experts on fate in a general sense, but they are also individuals who renounce worldly attachments, including romantic fate. Could they truly be trusted with this?
I mean, there are countless types of bonds—but I wasn’t convinced they would comprehend them all.
Experts are expected to have mastery over all facets of their discipline, after all…
‘Can I truly rely on them for this?’