Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 475

Chapter 475
‘-Kisit. “…Oppa, are you alright?”’

Though she had just finished molting and should have been concentrating on her own condition, Yohwa’s first concern was for me.
I steadied my pounding heart and softly urged her to pay attention to drying herself.
“Yohwa, I’m okay. You need to focus on drying your body completely, alright?”
‘-Kishishi. “Okay, Oppa.”’
After a molt, the new exoskeleton is still pliable, and if any pressure is applied, the deformation can become permanent until the next shedding.
Even more seriously, a misshapen form can lead to a failed molt the next time.
The inner body could become trapped, unable to emerge properly.
This is why it is a period that demands the utmost care.
Once Yohwa fully extended her limbs and began drying herself in earnest, I ensured everyone kept their distance from her.
“Yohwa has just molted, so everyone must avoid touching her.”
“Understood, So-ryong.”
“We hear you, So-ryong.”
With everyone now at a safe distance from Yohwa, I finally asked the question that had been on my mind.
“Grandfather, what is the Golden-Faced Spider Queen?”
I was burning with curiosity about the name Grandfather had mentioned.
Taken literally, it meant “Golden-Faced Spider King” or “Queen,” and just from the sound of it… was it some legendary spirit beast?
It certainly had that aura.
Others might not grasp it, but for gatherers like us, we often catch wind of tales like, “A rare beast lurks in those parts,” though most turn out to be empty rumors.
The majority are simply unfounded whispers.
But on occasion, the information proves true, and in those moments, we exclaim exactly as Grandfather had.
That specific tone of validation, as if a long-standing myth had finally been verified.
“It can’t be, a crimson spider is actually here?! Wow, that ancient story was real?!”
Grandfather smiled at my question and answered,
“Go and get washed up first.”
I glanced down at myself. Covered in expelled impurities, a layer of sooty grime clung to my skin, emitting a peculiar smell.
Hwa-eun had also cleansed herself after her transformation, so it seemed the appropriate thing to do.
I gave a quick nod.
“I understand, Grandfather. Yohwa, Oppa is just going to wash up quickly.”
–Kisit. “Yes, Oppa.”
I removed my outer robe, attempting to wipe some of the filth away—but Hwa-eun swiftly took it from my hands.
“I’ll handle this. You go on ahead.”
“Thank you, Hwa-eun.”
“No need for thanks. You did the same for me when I transformed, remember?”
Feeling grateful to Hwa-eun, I was just stepping out of the training room when a voice resonated in my thoughts.
Kishishit. “…Um, Oppa…”
“Hmm? Yohwa? What is it? I’ll be right back, don’t be concerned.”
Thinking she might be feeling uneasy about my departure, I assured her of my quick return—but her next words stopped me cold.
‘-Kishishi. “Oppa… um… regarding what occurred inside… don’t worry, I won’t mention it to Hwa-eun. I just… really wished to tell you myself. I-I like you.”’
WHAAAT?!
A chill of sweat trickled down my spine.
Our Yohwa was unquestionably the sort of girl who remained vigilant at all times—without a single exception.

***

My mind was reeling from Yohwa’s admission, but I attempted to rationalize it: She didn’t declare love. She stated she likes me. That’s… presumably acceptable… right?
“Acceptable? Absolutely not!”
Nevertheless, I knew inwardly that this was unquestionably not acceptable.
And during times like these?
Avoidance.
I concentrated on cleansing myself and assessing the physical changes.
My physique now appeared to be that of a man in his early twenties.
Clearly defined abdominal muscles, a wide chest.
My arms and legs were not excessively muscular—just toned and well-proportioned.
“Incredible. This transformation is truly remarkable.”
Now I comprehended why martial artists in Murim were so fixated on this process of bone-shedding and marrow-cleansing.
Looking down at the water, I saw that everything was now prepared for the wedding night.
So-ryong was gone, and in his place stood the Great Dragon.
“I might need to select a new name. This physique no longer suits the name So-ryong.”
When I had chosen the name originally, it was based on the only martial arts actor I could recall at that moment—but now I recognized that as a significant error.
In my previous life, some parents selected adorable names for their children like Choryongi or Saetbyeoli, but those names often didn’t fit them well in adulthood.
This turned out to be accurate.
As I pondered this while studying the Great Dragon’s reflection in the water, I suddenly heard Unmirang’s voice from outside.
She must have been informed by the other ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ servants and had come with a change of clothes.
“So-ryong-nim, I have brought fresh garments for you!”
“Oh, thank you.”
Splash.
I emerged from the water and took a sniff.
The odor had been so potent that I needed three thorough washes.
“I believe that’s sufficient now.”
Fortunately, the smell had dissipated.
I opened the door slightly, accepted the towel and new clothes from her, and dressed hurriedly.
But Unmirang evidently hadn’t been aware that my body had matured.
She had brought my old attire.
Consequently, when I stepped out wearing trousers that ended above my ankles and a top that now resembled a cropped shirt, Unmirang let out a shocked gasp.
“W-Who are you?! Wait—So-ryong-nim?!”
“Hahaha… Indeed, I underwent a transformation. It seems I require a new wardrobe.”
“A-A transformation?! P-Please wait a moment!”
Apparently, she had no knowledge of my bone-shedding, as I hadn’t informed any of the servants.
Shortly after, I changed into a martial artist’s uniform that Unmirang brought and made my way to the training hall.
The group had relocated their tea and seating to the entrance, giving a wide berth to Yohwa, who remained in the center of the hall.
When I entered, Hwa-eun’s cheeks flushed a deep red.
“Grandfather.”
“Ah, you’ve returned?”
“Yes. Please, tell me now—what precisely is the Golden-Faced Spider Queen?!”
“Ha-ha. You impatient boy. First, we must examine your condition. Come, sit here.”
Despite my desperate urge to learn about the Golden-Faced Spider Queen, Grandfather Mandok Shingun was adamant about checking my physical state first.
I sat down and offered my arm. In turn, Grandfather, Sister Seol, and then Cheong-yu Sojeo conducted a thorough inspection.
“The Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art has undoubtedly advanced.”
“Yes, Elder. That is precisely it.”
–Shiaaa. “Without a doubt.”
It appeared my internal technique had indeed progressed into a new form. Based on the sensation, the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art had evolved into the Six Poisons Returning to the Origin Art.
“So does that mean my martial art is now called Six Poisons Returning to the Origin Art?”
Since I had integrated one additional poison beyond the initial five, the name seemed logical.
When I voiced this, Grandfather gave a gentle smile and responded,
“In time, won’t it grow to include ten poisons?”
“Oh, so then should I refer to it as Ten Poisons Returning to the Origin Art?”
The name had a appealing rhythm to it—suitable for a fellow poison enthusiast, I felt. But Grandfather laughed softly and said,
“Perhaps we should simply call it the All Poisons Returning to the Origin Art.”
“All Poisons Returning to the Origin Art?”
The original name signified that five varieties of poison would send an adversary back to their origin—a euphemistic way of stating, to their death.
Therefore, All Poisons Returning to the Origin Art must indicate a martial technique that kills using every poison in existence.
As I tilted my head in confusion, Grandfather elaborated further.
“Consider it, So-ryong. Do you genuinely believe you will stop at merely ten poisons? Do you not intend to register all twenty-four of the Venomous Children?”
I had to concur. Grandfather was completely correct.
Even with ten poisons, my appetite was far from satisfied.
I still desired to register each and every one of the Twenty-Four Venoms.
I wished to converse with all of the children.
But wait—was there not a constraint beyond ten?
Although the Beast Heart Art permitted me to form boundless contracts with venomous beasts, my martial art was still rooted in poison cultivation, which came with its own limitations.
Certainly, I could register a few more—but it didn’t seem as though I could continue indefinitely.
With a look of bewilderment, I asked,
“But I thought I could only register up to ten?”
Answering instead of Grandfather, it was Hwa-eun who replied.
“Within the Tang Clan, we categorize individuals by Five-Poison Physique or Ten-Poison Physique based on their body’s tolerance for poison.
However, that applies only up to the peak master level. Once one ascends to the Flower Realm and experiences bone-shedding and marrow-cleansing, their body is remade to ideally align with their cultivation technique.
Thus, your body has now perfectly adapted to the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art. This means you can withstand even greater quantities of poison than before. And if you continue to absorb poisons from the Ten Venomous Beasts, your limitations will ultimately disappear entirely.”
“Ohh!”
So, it’s akin to being born into poverty, but after achieving success and moving into the upper class, your origins become largely irrelevant?
It was an odd comparison, but the essence was correct—my body had transformed to be in perfect harmony with my martial art, expanding my potential, and eventually, the idea of a “Ten-Poison Limit” would lose all meaning.
So-ryong had evolved into a Great Dragon, and all else had developed accordingly.
Excellent!
I clenched my fist in exhilaration, and at that moment, I noticed Hwa-eun’s joyful expression.
I promptly conveyed my appreciation.
“Hwa-eun, thank you. This is all possible because you took a chance on someone like me.”
If she had refused to marry a beggar-like youth from Haenam Island, I would never have gained the Tang Clan’s backing or progressed this far.
That is why I felt the need to express my gratitude. Hwa-eun blushed and shook her head.
“N-No. I am not worthy of that. I am the one who should feel remorse for ever having doubted you, even briefly.”
Admittedly, there had been a moment of uncertainty—but today, I was the Great Dragon.
I spoke with generosity.
“Anyone would have reacted the same, bringing home an orphan from a solitary life on a distant island. Yet despite that—you still selected me, correct?”
“P-Please stop, you’re embarrassing me…”
As she rubbed her cheeks with the backs of her hands, Sister Seol remarked with a smirk,
“Our Hwa-eun is completely captivated. These two might stir up some excitement tonight—we will need to monitor them.”
“Haha, I would agree. But I shall feign ignorance.”
Their joking caused my own face to heat up.
Tonight might mark the first occasion the Great Dragon is employed for… an alternative form of martial practice.
All those instructional videos from my past life began to replay in my mind like a panoramic presentation—when abruptly, a shimmer of light from Yohwa’s direction caught my attention.
She had stretched out her body, and the manner in which it caught the light jogged my memory of something I had entirely forgotten.
“Ah—that’s right. Yohwa! Grandfather, what about the Golden-Faced Spider Queen?!”
“Ah, yes. Now that the physical examination is complete, it is time I shared that tale. Where to begin… indeed. So-ryong, you have been collecting the Ten Venomous Beasts and the Twenty-Four Venoms, but you are aware, are you not, that there are spirit creatures existing outside that classification?”
“Yes, certainly.”
Just as Grandfather stated, although I had concentrated on the Ten and the Twenty-Four, I knew that system was an arbitrary creation of the Tang Clan.
There were innumerable venomous beings that did not belong to either group.
Like the mountain goat spirit beast I encountered in Yizhou.
Or poisonous creatures such as Yeolbi or Ranghu, who were not included in either category.
And then there was the mother of Cho, Hyang, and Bini—clearly outside the classification.
I nodded, and Grandfather continued.
“Our Tang Clan is dedicated to gathering poison. In the venom arts, spirit beasts and their Neidan hold significant power, so our clan has a lengthy history of conflicts with poison-bearing spirit beasts.
And among them, one type appears most often: the Human-Faced Spider. Do you know why?”
Yohwa consumed human yang energy—but only in small amounts. I assumed this was because her father raised her from a young age and taught her restraint.
Typically, they drain humans until they perish.
I had learned this while conducting research for the So-ryong Venom Bestiary.
Hwa-eun once mentioned that the clan’s records even contained an account of a Human-Faced Spider depleting a man until he was a mere shell.
“Oh—is it because Human-Faced Spiders subsist on human yang energy, so they often bring harm to people?”
Grandfather nodded.
“Yes. Because they need human vitality to live, they frequently clash with humans.
Our clan’s archives document many instances where such a spider appeared, and a team was dispatched to eradicate it.
But there was one incident—a single, catastrophic failure.
Every martial artist in the unit perished, and only one individual survived. Or more accurately, after communication was lost, reinforcements were sent—and only one survivor was discovered.
Before that man breathed his last, the final word he uttered was: Golden Face.
Some speculated it might have been a different type of spider spirit beast that looked similar to the Human-Faced Spider—or possibly the monarch of their kind.
But since it could not be verified, we merely recorded the name: Golden-Faced Spider Queen.”
“Ooh… So are you suggesting our Yohwa could be that very queen of the Human-Faced Spiders?!”
“Does it not appear probable? Look at her.”
Everyone turned to look at Yohwa.
Her face glimmered softly with a luminous golden light.
Good heavens—my heart began to race once more.