Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 358

Chapter 358
-Sii? 『Is this what they call growth? It must be, isn’t it?』
“I believe so.”
-Siia. 『Will it only last for tonight? Or will I be able to awaken tomorrow as well? How wonderful it would be to wake up tomorrow! No—every single night! If I could emerge every night, that would be truly extraordinary!』
‘Has Cheongyu Sojeo always been this high-spirited?’
Cheongyu Sojeo was overflowing with exhilaration.
Before she was freed from the Five Venoms Sect’s mental control, she had been an enigmatic, perilous, and silent presence. Even after regaining her senses, although she became more cheerful, she still maintained a serene and soft demeanor. But now, she was practically vibrating with fervor and delight.
She chattered incessantly, hardly pausing to let me respond.
-Siaa, Sii, Sia. 『I never expected growth to feel like this! I imagined my poison becoming more potent, or my body turning harder, or perhaps gaining the power of flight—but to be able to manifest outside of a full moon! Now I could even spend more time near Hwa-eun Sojeo…』
Cheongyu Sojeo continued her joyful rambling, but in truth, I felt a slight sense of dissatisfaction.
It would have been preferable if her physical form had become more resilient, or if she had acquired the capability to fly, or if her venom had intensified.
The poison, in particular—being the core attribute of a venomous creature—would have been ideal if it had grown stronger.
So, admittedly, I was somewhat disappointed.
Nonetheless, if Cheongyu Sojeo was pleased, then that was the most valuable form of progress.
Furthermore, if she could appear each night, I would no longer have to endure a fortnight’s wait whenever I had a question for her.
There were countless queries regarding martial arts or the Five Venoms Sect, but I always had to hold out until the next full moon to ask them.
I wasn’t certain how the Golden-Crowned Death Queen herself felt about this situation, but…
‘Well, Cheongyu is kind enough that it likely won’t be a significant issue.’
-Sii, Sia. 『What shall I do today…? I awoke so abruptly, I’m at a complete loss. What should I do?』
As Cheongyu Sojeo kept murmuring to herself, I sprinkled water on my face to fully rouse myself and took a seat at the table.
It was then that I spotted a cloth draped over something, accompanied by a water pitcher and a cup.
Lifting the cloth, I found chilled dumplings beneath.
The edge of the cloth was stitched with the character for “Silver,” indicating Hwa-eun had prepared this for me.
She must have anticipated I might be hungry if I woke in the night.
‘How considerate of her.’
Feeling a wave of gratitude, I first drank some water and then nibbled on a dumpling.
At that moment, Cheongyu Sojeo’s voice, still brimming with anticipation, came to me.
-Sii? 『Ah, I’m becoming too carried away. What if this is just for one night? So-ryong, I will be able to awaken tomorrow as well, won’t I? This isn’t the end, is it?』
I quickly swallowed the bite of dumpling and asked in return:
“Do you sense anything different? A new feeling you haven’t experienced before?”
-Sii… 『Let me see… I don’t believe so.』
As you are aware, through the fundamental power of the Beast Heart Technique, which evolved into the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art, Cho unlocked a passive ability, while Bini unlocked an active one.
Cho’s body developed an affinity for fluid, water-like motion after a single energy infusion, and Bini gained the ability to temporarily enlarge herself whenever energy was channeled into her.
Roughly to the size of her biological mother.
Therefore, if Cheongyu Sojeo had unlocked a passive ability like Cho’s, she would continue to awaken every night.
But if it was an active ability like Bini’s, then she would only reawaken if I channeled energy into her again.
Passive abilities remain effective permanently; active ones require reactivation.
“Based on what happened with Cho and Bini, if you wake up again tomorrow, you will probably be able to keep awakening every night. But if tonight is all there is, it means I would need to channel energy into you again for another night.”
Hearing my words, Cheongyu Sojeo pressed her hands together and spoke with a pleading look.
-Siiwu… 『It would be so marvelous if it were every day…』
From her words and actions, it appeared she wasn’t very content residing inside Cheongyu.
I inquired cautiously:
“You’ve been feeling quite confined, haven’t you?”
Cheongyu Sojeo gave a firm nod, her lips drawn tight.
-Siiaa, Sii. 『Being perpetually trapped inside Cheongyu, only able to observe the outside world… it’s stifling. And Cheongyu doesn’t always let me see what I wish to see. Even when I want to speak, I must wait. Last time, there were Blood Cult members close by, but I couldn’t alert you… it was torture…』
“Ah…”
Hearing this, her sense of entrapment made perfect sense.
To have foes so near and be unable to issue a warning—It would madden anyone.
‘Yes… that must have been pure torment.’
Reflecting on this, I offered a warm smile.
Even if it placed a slight strain on me, I could perform the energy infusion regularly.
Perhaps not daily, but at least every other night before sleep. Channeling energy only required about thirty minutes, so it was feasible.
“Even if it turns out you need energy infusion, I will endeavor to do it frequently so you can emerge more often.”
-Sii? 『Truly?』
Cheongyu Sojeo’s eyes opened wide in astonishment.
She looked incredulous, but I smiled and nodded.
“Absolutely. It was trying for me as well, waiting half a month just to pose a single question. And it would be beneficial if you could provide more frequent guidance on my martial arts—acting as my master.”
At my words, Cheongyu Sojeo seized my hand tightly.
It seemed the term “master” filled her with immense joy.
-Siiia! 『Thank you! Thank you, So-hyeop! And, Master! Yes! From now on, I shall be your master!』
***
For two nights in a row, I had met with Cheongyu Sojeo.
Aside from yesterday, there had always been a half-month gap between our sessions, making our time together invaluable.
Yesterday I scarcely managed to converse with her because I was occupied playing with the children.
But with two successive nights together, we at last had sufficient time for substantial discussion.
Midway through our conversation, Cheongyu Sojeo steered the topic toward martial arts.
I had planned to steer clear of that tonight given her excitement, but she seemed invigorated by her new role as my master and was keen to begin.
-Sia! 『Then before the day breaks, I shall assist you in reviewing your martial arts.』
“Is that acceptable?”
-Sii! 『Without a doubt! It is a master’s responsibility to direct their disciple’s martial development.』
“What should I inquire about this time?”
However, despite her eagerness, I didn’t have any urgent questions.
I still needed to learn the Scorpion Tail Swift Kick from Grandpa later, and other than that, there were no immediate technical hurdles requiring guidance.
As I pondered what to ask, Cheongyu Sojeo spoke up.
-Sii. 『Ah, I should inform you of this. It isn’t fully perfected yet, but I’ve been contemplating something ever since So-ryong brought it up last time. Since I’m always confined within, I had ample time to mull things over.』
“Something I mentioned?”
‘What did I say?’
While I tried to remember, Cheongyu Sojeo elaborated.
-Siia. 『Yes, concerning the final three forms of the Venomous Snake Life-Seizing Hand. You stated they weren’t functioning correctly.』
“Ah, but wasn’t it said that they require a special concealed weapon distributed only to the Black Snake Division of the Five Venoms Sect?”
I had certainly mentioned that before.
That the final three forms of the Venomous Snake Life-Seizing Hand weren’t operating properly.
It hadn’t felt like a genuine offensive technique—and it was revealed that it was originally designed to launch hidden weapons.
But the discussion had concluded that unless we captured those hidden weapons from the Five Venoms Sect and had the Tang Clan reproduce them, the technique would remain unusable.
When I tilted my head in confusion, Cheongyu Sojeo smiled and said:
-Siii. 『I conceived of a substitute.』
“A substitute?”
-Sii. 『One moment, please.』
She asked me to wait, then moved to the window.
Cheongyu Sojeo peered outside, scanned the room once more, then took a stick resting in a corner and returned to the window.
She held the stick far out the window, and from outside came a soft, sibilant noise.
-Sheeeek, sheeek.
It seemed she had summoned some snakes—several serpents crawled onto her arm as she turned back to me.
-Sia. 『I will demonstrate. Let us go outside.』
“Very well.”
We stepped out onto the deck, and I examined the snakes Cheongyu Sojeo had called.
They were Elaphe rufodorsata—water snakes recognized for living in colonies and being non-venomous.
-Siia. 『I summoned some Hongmunche-ransa.』
Evidently, in the Central Plains, they were known as Hongmunche-ransa.
Once we were on the deck, Cheongyu Sojeo assumed a ready position and said:
-Sia! 『Attack me!』
I had wondered why she had summoned the snakes—but now, with serpents coiled around her arms, she was challenging me to assault her.
The understanding struck me with immense force—my eyes opened wide.
If my suspicion was correct, it was absolutely astounding.
‘Is it even possible!? Could it truly be!?’
“Here I come!”
Containing the thrill in my heart, I swiftly offered a respectful salute and took my stance.
I charged at Cheongyu Sojeo, employing the Seokcheok Byeokho Movement.
I needed to witness this for myself.
“Venomous Snake Pounce!”
The initial form of the Venomous Snake Life-Seizing Hand—Venomous Snake Pounce.
You fashioned your hand into a snake’s head, coiling around the opponent’s guard to strike their chest—the fundamental technique.
I launched Venomous Snake Pounce at Cheongyu Sojeo, who skillfully pivoted her upper body, using the snakes wrapped around her arms to evade effortlessly.
Then she initiated a counteroffensive, transitioning seamlessly into the final three forms.
-Sia! 『Venomous Snake’s Fangs!』
The first of the final three forms: Venomous Snake’s Fangs.
Originally, it merely involved grazing the enemy with your fingertips—ineffectual if done empty-handed, but lethal if a hidden weapon was ejected upon contact.
Cheongyu Sojeo’s pale hand reached toward my chest.
-Sheeeek! Sheeeek!
The snakes entwined around her arms hissed, and her hand gently tapped my chest.
At that instant, three water snakes launched forth, spiraling along her arms in my direction.
They whirled through the air toward my chest.
I could see their approach distinctly.
They gently nipped at my clothing without injuring me—they must have been instructed not to harm.
Even though I let her make contact with my chest using the first form, I was too captivated by amazement to respond to the subsequent two.
-Sia! Sii! 『Venomous Snake Soaring! Venomous Snake Twin Fangs!』
With Venomous Snake Soaring, a snake soared toward me from a distance, and with Venomous Snake Twin Fangs, two snakes shot from each hand, arcing toward both my shoulders.
Had they been lethal snakes, the result would have been fatal.
A chill traveled down my spine!
I had been trembling since the very first strike.
Because she was performing the techniques using living snakes in place of hidden weapons.
In a single word:
‘Incredible!’
Employing live snakes as concealed projectiles—it was a perfect match for this Fabre’s martial arts.
Three snakes attached to my chest, two to my shoulders, and three to my stomach.
Cheongyu Sojeo must have issued a command, for shortly after, the snakes let go and slid over the deck’s edge into the river.
As the snakes vanished, Cheongyu Sojeo looked at me and inquired:
-Siiaa. 『Once So-ryong opens this gate, you will be able to command snakes as I do. Then it will become a martial art that only the two of us can perform throughout the entire Central Plains. What is your opinion?』
Only one word escaped my lips.
“Ma… Master.”
Cheongyu Sojeo was undoubtedly worthy of being the master of this Fabre.
***
-Pii?
-Kkuuuu?
-Tsrrt?
After witnessing Cheongyu Sojeo’s astounding martial technique at dawn, the necessity to open this gate grew even more pressing.
The moment morning arrived, I assembled the still-groggy children before the bedding.
Hwayang, Seol, Bing, Dong, and Hyang.
All those who had not yet unlocked new abilities.
I absolutely had to open this gate.
“Alright, ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) everyone. Did you rest well? Daddy has something very important to discuss with you today.”
Speaking in a gentle tone, the half-asleep children blinked, looking puzzled.