Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 357

Chapter 357
Following the chaotic game of hide-and-seek that finally concluded with the children asleep, and with no further disturbances from any spirit beasts, I resolved to conduct the energy infusion immediately.
Cheongyu Sojeo was eager for it as well, and there’s no time like the present.
“Very well. We’ll proceed now.”
-Siaa. 『Excellent. Hehe. To think a venomous being like me would one day receive energy from the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art. I am quite anticipating this.』
“I am equally eager to discover what new power the Golden-Crowned Death Queen might unlock.”
We were in perfect agreement.
I softly took the hand that Cheongyu Sojeo offered and shut my eyes.
Concentrating the energy of the Beast Heart Technique, cultivated through my breathing, I guided it through my body until it pooled in my fingers.
It journeyed from my lower dantian, moved through my meridians, and coalesced at my fingertips.
Just as I was on the verge of releasing this energy into Cheongyu Sojeo—

-Creak.
“So-ryong, what is going on here?”

At the noise, I glanced over to find Hwa-eun standing in the doorway that led below deck.
She was staring at us, her eyes opened wide.
Perhaps they weren’t actually wider than usual, but my own sense of guilt made it seem that way.
“What are you two up to?”
I usually consider myself a fortunate man, so why do I invariably get discovered by Hwa-eun at these inopportune times?
We weren’t doing anything improper, yet I instantly let go of Cheongyu Sojeo’s hand and began to explain in a rush.
“This isn’t what it looks like!”
-Sia! (This isn’t what it looks like!)
Cheongyu Sojeo echoed my words emphatically.
Hwa-eun walked closer, a sly grin on her face.
“I didn’t accuse you of anything. Why are you both behaving as if you were caught red-handed?”
“Well… the circumstances could easily be misinterpreted…”
-Siii. (Y-Yes, exactly.)
“Avoid suspicious behavior to prevent suspicion.”
Even though we were innocent, the situation appeared compromising, so I clarified.
Still smiling, Hwa-eun inquired,
“Then, what exactly is this innocent thing I misinterpreted?”
“I was transferring Beast Heart Technique energy to Cheongyu Sojeo. Infusing venomous creatures sometimes triggers new abilities. If bonds can foster growth, both internal and external, this qualifies as growth.
Cho learned to swim through this method, and Bini increased in size, recall?”
“Ah… I assumed Cheongyu Sojeo was instructing you, but it was the reverse?”
Hwa-eun revealed she hadn’t actually suspected us.
She had naturally concluded we were engaged in martial arts training.
I hadn’t realized the depth of her faith in me.
I felt a small swell of pride.
‘It seems I’ve become a man Hwa-eun can rely on.’
‘Well, I am the very picture of dependability.’
“Thank you for having faith in me.”
I spoke sincerely, but Hwa-eun shook her head.
“No, it isn’t about having faith in you.”
“What?”
If not faith, then what was it?
Seeing my confusion, Hwa-eun posed an odd question.
“So-ryong, picture yourself walking along a path when a wind gust lifts a woman’s skirt. At that very moment, a red and a blue snake slither out from the bushes. What holds your attention?”
“Naturally, the red and blue snakes. They are novel creatures. Why would the skirt matter?”
Why would I look at a fluttering skirt?
Even in my past life, I never understood those who took illicit videos.
Who could possibly be interested in undergarments that likely have an unpleasant odor?
Red and blue snakes, however—that is an entirely new species!
It could be a discovery that happens only once in a lifetime.
‘Obviously.’
Hwa-eun beamed and nodded.
“That is precisely why I do not concern myself.”
‘…Well, that is oddly logical.’
It wasn’t about trust, but rather about my… inclinations.
It was a slight blow to my pride, yet I found myself nodding in acknowledgment.
‘At the very least, it suggests future misunderstandings will be avoided.’
As I was consoling myself with this thought, Hwa-eun pulled a chair from the deck’s edge, sat down, and gestured for us to proceed.
“Continue. I am interested to see this as well.”
“Then we shall continue.”
-Sia. (Let’s proceed.)
With Hwa-eun’s blessing and her providing an audience, I again took Cheongyu Sojeo’s hands and closed my eyes.
I collected the energy, moving it through my system.
Carefully, I directed it back to my fingertips.
Just ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) as the energy began to transfer into Cheongyu Sojeo—

-Siii. 『Hngh.』
A gentle, involuntary sound escaped her.
I started and pulled back, unnerved by the sudden shift in mood.
“Wh-What happened?”
-Siia. (Ah, it was merely an unusual sensation…)
“An unusual sensation?”
-Siii. (Yes, a peculiar, tingling feeling.)
“Ah, what should we do?”
“It was simply surprising for a first experience. Now that I understand the feeling, I believe I can manage.”
“So-ryong, attempt to transfer the energy more gradually. Do not release it all simultaneously. Even for humans, a sudden surge can harm the meridians.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Perhaps I had been too forceful, thinking of my previous experience with Cho?
Heeding Hwa-eun’s counsel, I tried again, this time with a slower, more measured approach.
Beginning very delicately, with tiny increments.
As Hwa-eun noted, rushing could injure the meridians.
Although I was uncertain if the Golden-Crowned Death Queen even possessed meridians…
This time, the energy transfer proceeded without issue.
Cheongyu Sojeo exhibited no further unusual reactions.
Though I started cautiously, the flow of energy gradually intensified, much as it had with the others before.
After a period roughly equal to the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, near the conclusion, the energy was being drawn in like a powerful current.
Just as my internal energy was nearly depleted, the infusion concluded on its own, and our connected hands parted.
‘That was draining.’
Transferring energy is genuinely exhausting.
Nonetheless, I opened my eyes with an expectant expression.
I was keen to witness what new ability Cheongyu Sojeo had awakened.
But before me, Cheongyu Sojeo was simply blinking.
She tilted her head and asked,
-Sii? (Erm… is that all?)
“Yes. Do you not sense anything? A surge in strength, perhaps, or a new awakening?”
I pressed enthusiastically, but her response was… uncertain.
Cheongyu Sojeo seemed thoughtful and did not answer immediately.
“Cheongyu Sojeo?”
-Siia. (Yes? Ah, So-ryong.)
When I called again, she finally met my gaze and replied, her tone slightly regretful.
-Sia… (I do not feel any different.)
“Nothing has changed?”
-Sii. (No. What does this mean?)
‘Is it possible… a passive ability?’
Cheongyu Sojeo appeared anxious, but since her reaction mirrored Cho’s initial experience, I sought to reassure her.
The Five Venoms Sect likely never experimented with infusing spirit beasts, so they wouldn’t know about passive versus active abilities.
When Cho first awakened her swimming capability, it was identical.
Initially, there were no obvious changes or sensations.
“Do not be concerned. It was the same for Cho when she learned to swim.”
-Siia. Sii? (Truly? That is reassuring. How did it occur for Cho?)
“Allow me a moment to recollect. It was some time ago.”
I retraced the events of Cho’s passive ability awakening.
After receiving a vast amount of energy, she had fallen asleep… and then it had started to rain outside…
The rain had been the catalyst for her awakening.
Cho had discovered her new ability upon waking in the rain.
“For now, let us simply sleep.”
-Sii? (Sleep?)
“Indeed, Cho comprehended it after sleeping as well.”
At the mention of “sleep,” Cheongyu Sojeo glanced upward at the sky.
Dawn was beginning to break.
I had suspected the children’s relentless game would last until morning—and I was correct.
Cheongyu Sojeo observed the sky and stated,
“It appears sleep is indeed necessary. I shall entrust the remainder to the Golden-Crowned Death Queen. Until later.”
With the lightening sky as her backdrop, Cheongyu Sojeo gradually coiled herself and succumbed to sleep.
***
As the sun ascended over the port of Yeongcheonbu, which we had reached during the night, its rays fell upon Cheongyu’s coiled form.
Cheongyu, blinking away sleep, attempted to burrow deeper into her own coils but soon surrendered and began to gaze about groggily.
-Sia?
After verifying her location on the deck, she looked around, and when our eyes met, she shuffled over and nuzzled her head against my chest.
Cheongyu was utterly subdued by sleep.
Her human form, Cheongyu Sojeo, seemed completely saturated with drowsiness.
She could barely keep her eyes open and was unsteady from fatigue.
Normally, she would be alert by now, but not today.
The exhaustion from missing her daytime sleep after our visit to Shaolin had taken its toll.
Typically, Cheongyu Sojeo slept through most of the daylight hours, so being awake at night was not an issue.
But the trip to Shaolin had kept her awake both day and night, and it had clearly depleted her reserves.
“Cheongyu? Cheongyu?”
-Siia…
When I spoke her name, Cheongyu rubbed her tired eyes.
Yet, overwhelmed once more by sleepiness, she closed them.
“It is no use. Cheongyu, let us go inside to rest. It will become too warm once the sun is fully up.”
I assisted the sleepy Cheongyu and guided her toward the cabin.
I had intended for her to sleep regardless.
Perhaps Cho’s passive ability was triggered by rain, but in my view, sleep was the true catalyst.
After all, sleep is not merely for restoring energy—it is also when the brain processes and organizes new information.
This suggested a high probability of latent potential being unlocked during sleep.
I led Cheongyu to her designated sleeping area inside the cabin.
It was a spot prepared with soft, dry grass and a comfortable blanket.
Upon arrival, Cheongyu shaped the grass into a nest-like form and was instantly asleep.
“Good, Cheongyu is settled.”
With her cared for, I determined to complete some outstanding duties before retiring myself.
First, I needed to express gratitude to Eunbi Ruju, the head of the Hao Clan’s Yeongcheon branch, for providing a courtesan to assist us earlier.
I also intended to meet with Elder Punggae to receive an update on the operation targeting the Five Venoms Sect’s clandestine enterprises.
I suspected the operation might have already been executed.
Just prior to departing the port, I successfully encountered them both.
Eunbi Ruju arrived wearing a veil, escorted by a few beggars, and Elder Punggae trailed at a discreet distance.
Their faces brightened upon seeing me, and they came forward.
“So-hyeop.”
“Where are you going?”
“I was just coming to find you both.”
“Perfect timing. We were also seeking you. Let us go inside to talk. We have news regarding the Five Venoms situation.”
“It seems there have been developments?”
I escorted them inside the cabin and heard their report.
The outcome was mixed success and failure.
“In Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, and Jiangxi, the Five Venoms Sect’s covert branches had already gathered their belongings and fled before our arrival.
Their proximity to Great Yue likely made them wary, prompting their escape.”
“However, in Hebei, Shandong, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, and Gansu, we successfully eliminated them.
Fortunately, some were still in the process of closing their operations when we apprehended them.”
“So, a partial victory?”
“Better than half.
Even if we did not capture them all, disabling their secret branches will severely impact their revenue.”
Indeed, even without a total victory, severing their hidden income streams would deal a significant financial blow.
Content with having targeted their finances, I chose not to linger on the matter.
Furthermore, we had other methods to disrupt them.
“Correct. Then we shall count this as a success.
Next, shall we commence with removing their spies? Are you interested?”
“You possess a list!?”
“There is a list?”
“Absolutely.”
I had already compiled the identities of the Blood Cult’s spies when we captured the Deputy Leader of the Bloodshade Unit.
Therefore, we would advance to Phase 2: Eliminating the spies.
***
Concluding our discussion on Phase 2, I bid farewell to the two of them and decided to rest.
After attaining the Three Flowers Gathering Stage, my fatigue had lessened considerably, but without urgent business, sleep remained preferable.
It was already past midday, so I would likely wake after nightfall.
“Hwa-eun, I am going to sleep for a while.”
“Very well, So-ryong. You have worked hard.”
After informing Hwa-eun, I entered the cabin and fell into a profound sleep.
Then—
I sensed someone shaking me.
Upon opening my eyes, the surroundings were dark—it must have been the middle of the night—and Cheongyu, who was shaking me, spoke.
-Sia. 『So-ryong, I have awakened once more!』
“Huh?”
Cheongyu’s astonished blue eyes emitted a faint glow in the darkness.
From the tone echoing in my mind, it was unmistakably Cheongyu Sojeo.
Her words sparked a realization within me.
Cheongyu’s passive ability—
It must be prolonging the duration Cheongyu Sojeo can stay active.