Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 452

Chapter 452
As the queen ant shuddered, as if holding back tears…
‘Did I move too quickly?’
I had woven an invitation into words of consolation, and now I anxiously awaited her answer.
Fortunately, support arrived from all sides.
[Yes, we should follow our benefactor. My time with him has been brief, but observing how he cares for the young ones, I believe he is worthy of our faith.]
[Indeed. Let us depart together. We, too, were imprisoned for ages by wicked human plots, until he awakened us.]
It was as if they had rehearsed it—my companions intervened without a moment’s delay.
Even Yeoncheon and Yeonji, who were new to our group, alongside veterans like Cho and Yo-hwa.
–Tsrut. 『We should go with him. Our father is a good man. I guarantee it.』
–Ksssht!
‘Hold on, did Cho just say guarantee?’
I was genuinely taken aback to hear that term from Cho.
Not only because it was an advanced word for her, but because a father’s earliest lesson to his daughter is to never guarantee a stranger’s character.
But that rule is for people.
I, her father, was the exception.
So the warning about the perils of vouching for others could be postponed.
After all, even if no man in the world is trustworthy… your father is.
‘We can cover the safety talks later. For now, recruitment.’
As my spiritual beings each took a turn endorsing this So-ryong, the quivering of the Azure Steel Immortal Ant queen gradually stilled… until, at last, she gave a slow, deliberate nod.
Ttak.
[She agrees, Benefactor. She places herself in your hands.]
‘Yes! What a relief.’
I felt a sincere wave of comfort at her acceptance.
Truthfully, I had never been turned down by a spiritual creature—not a single time. My luck had held until now.
But if she had rejected us outright, I would have had no way to compel her.
I might have attempted further persuasion, and if that proved futile—a thought I disliked entertaining—I would have been forced to set her free.
Under different circumstances, I might have found some small solace in that.
But not here.
Had we parted ways outside the tomb, the cold would have been fatal to the ants. Even if we turned them loose, the queen and her two storage ants would have had no hope of survival on their own.
And though I am an enthusiast of venomous beings, my efforts in collecting and raising them are not driven by malice or greed.
I seek to comprehend them, to dispel falsehoods, and to discover a way for humans and venomous creatures to live in harmony.
Therefore, I could never abandon them to a certain death.
Now that they had decided to join us, I could finally relax.
‘Ah… this tomb expedition has been a success. I have what I needed. Should we make our way back?’
With the queen ant’s consent, it was, ultimately, a favorable outcome.
I believed we had acquired all this tomb had to offer, and it was time to depart.
–Ttak. Ttak-ttak.
Abruptly, more clicking sounds emerged from behind the queen.
I looked and saw the two storage ants—the repletes—dangling from the ceiling above. They were starting to awaken, probably roused by the rising warmth in the room.
–Ttak!?
–Chhhk!
–Ttak. Ttak-tak-tak.
Then, mingling with the clicks, came an unexpected, sharp hiss.
A green haze burst forth swiftly from behind the queen.
Hwa-eun shouted a warning.
“Step away, everyone! That’s venom!”
“What!? Why now? Wasn’t everything settled?”
The group jumped back as a pungent odor washed over us.
It was a smell I knew very well.
I had encountered it frequently in my former life.
Formic acid—the signature scent of ants.
In my past life, during fire ant hunts, it was a regular presence.
It seemed the Azure Steel Immortal Ants also produced potent formic acid.
‘Well now, formic acid. That’s useful. It has many applications.’
The potency was undoubtedly high—these were spiritual creatures, after all—yet for a spirit beast’s venom, it was relatively gentle, though still effective.
In fact, concentrated formic acid is quite valuable.
Its uses are broad: in treating leather and dyeing fabrics, as a preservative in animal feed, as a solvent and balancing agent in medicine, for pest control in farming, in rubber processing, metal finishing, and even in creating scents.
It also works wonderfully to keep mites off my companions.
I’ve never observed mites on any of my spiritual creatures, but still—formic acid is ideal ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) should any appear.
Certain birds even intentionally disturb fire ant colonies to let the ants swarm their feathers—the acid eliminates parasites.
Formic acid is effective against both ticks and fleas.
The Tang Clan is likely aware of some its benefits.
However, extracting it from small ants is difficult, so they probably don’t use it often.
With ants of this size? Ample venom, and simple to collect.
A good chance to demonstrate my value as a future son-in-law.
‘Perfect timing to prove what an excellent son-in-law I can be.’
Even my prospective father-in-law and Tang Mu-seong would be impressed.
I smiled at the queen ant, then glanced up to see her visibly upset, reprimanding one of the ants.
–Ttak-tak. Ttak-tak-tak.
–Ttak…
She appeared distressed—clearly, that venom discharge was unplanned.
But it was plainly a simple error.
From her urgent scolding of one storage ant, the situation was clear: one had awoken, seen the humans, and reacted in fear—instinctively expelling its venom.
Just as I prepared to clarify, Yeoncheon’s voice resonated in confirmation.
–Ttak. Ttak.
[Ah, that explains it. Benefactor, the newly awakened one admits it acted out of surprise and released its venom by mistake. It offers an apology.]
“I thought so. It’s alright. Everyone, you understand? No cause for concern. Just a frightened youngster making an error.”
“To be fair, if you woke up to Do-ryong’s face, you might scream too.”
“Absolutely. Absolutely.”
Kwon-ryong and Geom-ryong seized the chance to jest at Do-ryong’s expense, who was still brooding over his shattered sword and lost martial tablet.
I reassured the queen ant with a smile, and she turned back to me.
–Ttak-tak. Ttak-tak-tak.
[She expresses gratitude for your patience. Also, she apologizes but says she will require assistance to travel.]
The queen ant lacked the ability to journey far independently, so she would need to be carried.
And the two storage ants—naturally—were also immobile on their own.
“Certainly. I intended to help from the start.”
I gave a nod, then inquired of the queen ant,
“However, we likely need to empty their abdomens before relocating them. Would that be acceptable?”
My intent was not to claim the Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil for myself.
It was merely a practical necessity.
The repletes—our designated storage ants—were severely distended.
They needed aid regardless, and even with support, they resembled overinflated bladders. Transporting them in that state risked a rupture.
Each ant measured roughly 20 centimeters—not enormous—but their bellies were swollen to the size of a man’s fist.
Moving them like that could cause their abdomens to split.
Honeypot ants frequently burst when overloaded with liquid nourishment.
–Ttak.
[She grants permission.]
With consent given, I faced the others—who had been disheartened until now.
It occurred to me that this was the ideal opportunity to lift their spirits.
“Everyone, would you care for a portion of Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil?”
Instantly, their expressions brightened.
“Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil?”
“Wait, you possess some, So-ryong!?”
“It wasn’t present earlier—have you located it, So-ryong? Do you know its whereabouts?”

***
“You’re stating that the substance within these ants is Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil?”
“Correct, Ji-ryong.”
“To imagine the ants gathered and held it within their bodies… How strange. Yet, it seems improper to simply take it…”
“I agree. Nevertheless, we appreciate your arrangement, So-ryong.”
“It was no trouble.”
After I summarized events and our next steps, those who had first demurred paused—then gazed, swallowing hard, at the engorged abdomens of the Azure Steel Immortal Ants.
I carefully detached one ant and positioned it against a short stone ledge, then retrieved a wooden bowl from my gear and set it below her.
The process ants use to share stored food is trophallaxis—a transfer from mouth to mouth, similar to bees.
This meant… none present would find it palatable if taken directly from the ant’s mouth.
I myself struggled with it initially.
Thus, I intended for the ant to discharge the fluid into the bowl, allowing for a more comfortable distribution.
‘I am considerate to an extreme. Truly, I am a reasonably good person, am I not?’
“Please release it into this container.”
–Ttak.
At my instruction, the Azure Steel Immortal Ant acquiesced and started to emit the Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil from her mouth in small drops.
–Plop. Plop.
Opaque, milky droplets began to land in the wooden bowl—prompting excited murmurs from the group.
“We should begin cycling our internal energy.”
“True. Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil demands correct guidance.”
Everyone promptly seated themselves and started to activate their inner force, readying to assimilate the elixir with maximum efficiency.
As Hwa-eun required a greater quantity, all except her and myself entered meditative circulation.
This left me to keep watch over the party.
When I returned to inspect the bowl of Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil, the sight stunned me.
The oil was still dripping into the bowl… yet almost nothing remained.
The ant’s abdomen had reduced in size, but the bowl held only a negligible residue.
“What in the—!?”
I exclaimed in surprise, and the others hurried over, concerned.
“What occurred, So-ryong!? What is the matter!?”
“What became of the Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil!?”
As all stared in disbelief at the vanished elixir, Hwa-eun moved forward and spoke with composure.
“One moment.”
She edged past the others, brought the bowl near her nose as if detecting something… then produced a silver acupuncture needle from her garment.
She immersed it in the bowl—and the needle darkened to jet black.
This was the Tang Clan’s silver needle for venom detection. blackening indicated toxicity.
The group erupted in exclamations.
“The Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil is poisoned!?”
“Venom!? In that substance?”
Under their collective gaze, Hwa-eun affirmed with a grave nod.
“It must have combined with the ant’s venom during storage. Observe—it is dissipating.”
All looked into the wooden bowl and witnessed the liquid disappearing as they watched.
The Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil had presumably interacted with the formic acid, causing an unfamiliar chemical response.
A reaction beyond our full comprehension.
“So this elixir as well…”
“If it contains poison, none of us can ingest it.”
Each face showed identical disappointment—as if their hopes had been dashed.
I addressed Hwa-eun.
“You cannot consume it either?”
We needed to drain the ants regardless—but if she too was unable to drink it, the remainder would have to be disposed of.
With a look of remorse, Hwa-eun shook her head.
“No… I can drink it. My training in poison arts means a small amount of ant venom is not a threat…”
Her mastery of the Tang Clan’s toxic cultivation made it safe for her—but she evidently regretted that the others could not partake.
Then the group responded with resigned smiles.
“Heh. It is said that spiritual remedies and beasts seek their fated user.”
“Without question.”
“Hwa-eun, proceed. Drink it. It is preferable to someone benefiting than it being lost.”
“Indeed, Poison Flower.”
They urged her to take the elixir herself, arguing that waste would be a greater shame.
However, a fresh complication arose.
“There is an issue… I doubt I can consume very much of it.”
“Why is that, Hwa-eun?”
“The elixir vanishes too rapidly. I cannot collect a sufficient amount for a full portion. The sole method would be to capture the drops directly from the ant’s mouth.
But even then, I would likely manage only a single swallow.
And once I initiate energy circulation, I cannot interrupt to take more.
Moreover, with spiritual elixirs, the initial intake is crucial. Any subsequent consumption has vastly diminished returns.”
Unlike the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings, which could expel elixir in forceful jets, the Azure Steel Immortal Ants could only produce a slow drip.
Probably due to their physical size and form.
Thus, as Hwa-eun detailed, even with collection attempts, she would at most obtain a mouthful before it evaporated.
She might accumulate a bit more prior to circulation—but once her qi flow began, she would need to commence absorption immediately.
And most spiritual elixirs lose their full potency if taken in separate servings.
Meaning a single swallow was her limit.
Yes, she could drink straight from the ant’s mouth, potentially allowing a slightly larger gulp…
“What a loss…”
“To forfeit such a rare treasure…”
Their discouraged voices faded.
But that was only in the absence of this So-ryong.
I possessed a technique to consume every bit of the Sky-Cleansing Stone Oil inside the ants—without losing a drop.
“Set your mind at ease, Hwa-eun. I am aware of a method to ingest it entirely in one intake—with no loss.”
“Eh? You mean, as you did with the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings? Using your mouth? I am willing to do that if necessary—but it would still be one swallow. These ants produce very little to start with, recall? So I assumed catching the drops would yield the same…”
Hwa-eun was evidently ready for direct mouth-to-mouth transfer.
But I smiled, encouraged by her determination.
“There is no principle dictating it must enter through the mouth.”
“…Pardon?”
Really now—who decided the mouth is the only opening?
Do people not sometimes consume yogurt and milk by biting the corner of the pouch?
Other apertures exist. And honestly? They can provide a uniquely intense encounter.