Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

---

Chapter 169: Fabre at the Four Heavenly Houses

“Centipede Poison Tooth Claw, huh? Sounds fancy!”

After a few months away from the Tang Clan, the grand Nine Entrance Gate of the Tang Clan finally came into view.

From the First Gate to the Ninth Gate, the clan’s nine gates stretched out like a majestic line into the distance.

Once I confirmed it, a warm thought flooded my mind that I was home.

‘Does this mean that I really feel like this is home now?’

Just then, beside me, I heard the voices of Geomryong and Gwonryong confirming the Nine Entrance Gate.

“It’s been a really long time since we last visited the clan.”

“Yeah, for sure! Geomryong.”

“When was the last time you came to the Tang Clan, Geomryong, Gwonryong?” “Well, Guangryong…”

It was the moment when Geomryong was about to explain when he last visited the clan.

From the side, a sharp voice interrupted, slicing through the conversation.

“Hmph? Guangryong? Did I hear that right? Hua Eun, did I mishear?”

“No, sister, I think you heard it correctly. Why do we suddenly hear the nickname Guangryong again?”

“Ugh! No, no! That was a slip of the tongue!

I mean, Bi-ryong! A few years ago? When you were gone, I did a delivery or two…”

As the conversation went on, Geomryong accidentally mentioned my forbidden nickname while looking past the Nine Entrance Gate.

He looked as shocked as if he were caught gaming late at night by his mom.

With Seol’s cough followed by sarcastic remarks and Hua Eun’s piercing gaze, things got awkward fast.

There was a reason for this situation.

After those two decided to tease me or possibly give me the nickname Guangryong anew.

After occasionally calling me Guangryong and catching heat from Seol and Hua Eun, the name had been marked off-limits.

Well, it wasn’t exactly adhered to until now.

“G-Guangryong!? You’re calling my fiancé Guangryong? Seriously?”

“Are you saying you would call my little sister that? To the eldest son of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace!?”

The moment they mentioned Guangryong, chilling stares and cold voices erupted from them.

“A-aaaa! Little Ones, calm down. W-well, this is that… We have a bond of intimacy with my little sister…”

“If you feel that intimate twice, next time you’ll be calling her Mar-ryong or Se-ryong too, right?”

“If you keep insulting my fiancé with that nickname, I’ll officially report you through father to the Tang Clan…”

Eventually, the new nickname they created based on my image soaring through the sky became the Tang Clan Bi-ryong (Flying Dragon).

It’s said that only those who are fast with their lightness skills get a nickname with the character for ‘flying,’ but since I literally fly, it suited me even more, according to the nickname judges.

Of course, those judges were Seol and Hua Eun.

Thus, my nickname changed to Bi-ryong, heavily influenced by their tastes, while Guangryong became a banned word.

But suddenly mentioning Guangryong by accident led to Seol and Hua Eun’s criticism, causing Geomryong to wear that shocked expression.

‘How amusing.’

I thought it was hilarious seeing my mischievous older brothers get scolded while Seol and Hua Eun shot me judgmental looks as if to say, “What did you do?”

Startled by their gazes, I also avoided eye contact like Geomryong.

Thanks to Hua Eun and Seol, I managed to wash away the stigma of Guangryong, but it wasn’t all roses.

When my brothers got scolded, I got scolded too.

“This is all your fault, Ryong, for misbehaving!”

“So-ryong, you should promise never to do anything reckless again!”

‘I’m the victim! Why am I the one getting hit?!’

Thanks to Hwa-yang, my interviewing ceremony, which had been postponed, was now conducted due to the angry jury drawn by the nickname Guangryong.

I could not escape responsibility for making the name surface.

Eventually, surrounded by Hua Eun and Seol, I endured a lecture that nearly made me bleed from the ears until peace finally returned to our journey, although I still felt like that lecture might return if I made a mistake.

‘Today, I must stay as quiet as possible.’

Determined to be as quiet as I could, I glanced to the side and found Geomryong nodding at me with a similar thought.

Just then, the warriors of the Tang Clan rushed out through the Nine Entrance Gate, welcoming us.

“Lady! You’ve returned!”

“Little So-ryong, you’ve worked hard!”

“It’s been a long time. Everyone.”

“It’s been a while.”

As I greeted the warriors and moved deeper into the clan, Gu Pae, the Deputy Commander, emerged among the coming warriors.

Gu Pae dashed out between the warriors, bowing his head in a respectful manner.

“Welcome back! Little So-ryong!”

“Gu Pae, it’s been a while. Is everything all right in the Venomous Insect Garden?”

“Of course! Once you greet the Clan Head, shall I show you around right away?”

Confidently asking if I would inspect how well the Venomous Insect Garden was being managed.

However, I had to visit the Clan Head’s Hall first to greet the elders, a custom of this Martial World whenever guests arrived, making sure that everything was in order, including meals and tea for my guests.

“No, there are guests now. Let’s rest a bit and check it out tonight.”

“Understood, Little So-ryong! Then I will prepare for you to visit tonight.”

As I headed toward the Clan Head Hall with Gu Pae, I heard a whispering voice by my ear.

“Little So-ryong, but what is that foolish-looking thing on top of your head?”

“On top of my head?”

I looked up in surprise, recalling the soft little belly resting on my head.

I had gotten so used to it in the last few days that I temporarily forgot it was there. Gu Pae seemed curious about Hua-yang’s identity.

Turning to follow the gaze, I saw the Tang Clan warriors nodding in agreement.

With an air of disdain, I chided Gu Pae like a scolding parent.

“Heh heh… Looks like Gu Pae still has a long way to go.”

“Excuse me?”

Gu Pae tilted his head in confusion at the comment about still having a long way to go.

Truth be told, I was also similar at first, but I grinned and waved my fingers.

“Why judge a venom based on its appearance? After all, the surface is just a shell.”

“?”

“Fear not. The creature on my head is the Qinghua Rock-Magma Toad. It’s one of the Ten Great Venoms and the king of all toads.”

“Gasp! Qinghua Rock-Magma Toad! One of the Ten Great Venoms!”

“““Qinghua Rock-Magma Toad!”””

Upon revealing that what was perched on my head had a position among the Ten Great Venoms, the warriors of the Tang Clan erupted in surprise.

Reaching up, I playfully tapped the belly of the sleeping Hua-yang.

-Slap. Slap.

‘So soft!’

-Kiik? “Food?”

As if waking from a slumber, Hua-yang stirred and asked if it was time to eat.

I figured it would be prudent to teach it more words aside from just food.

‘No, Hua-yang, not food! Light some fire and let’s show off a bit. We’ll have plenty to eat later!’

“Food!”

The sounds formed words but felt more like a promise of response.

-Crackle.

Suddenly, from on my head, a flame flared up, producing the sound of fire igniting, and the startled warriors began to praise me.

“Gasp! There’s fire coming from the toad!”

“Quick! Run and tell the Clan Head! Little So-ryong has brought back another Ten Great Venom!”

“““Wowww!”””

This place, where just a hobby can earn one acclaim, truly felt like paradise.

As Tang Clan Bi-ryong, I returned with a glamorous reception amidst the cheers.

*

After showing the guests to their respective rooms, I arrived back at the Clan Head’s Hall, signaling my presence.

“Grandfather, it’s me, So-ryong.”

“Ah, come in.”

As I entered, I found my grandfather, the Clan Head, reading a book at his seat.

The reason he sat there was that my father-in-law had gone out, leading some clan warriors to assist the Martial Forest Alliance.

He wasn’t directly on the battlefield but had gone to scout for the Blood Cult’s presence in the region.

“Did you see all the guests?”

“Yes, Grandfather. Mother-in-law and Hua Eun are in charge of serving tea and other refreshments.”

“Very well. Sit down. I knew you would come. Since I see you’ve transformed, I assume you received the poison from the Qinghua Rock-Magma Toad and reached the Venomous Realm?”

I hadn’t even mentioned reaching the Venomous Realm due to greeting the guests, yet Grandfather already knew.

Nodding with Hua-yang still atop my head, I replied, “Yes, Grandfather. This little one was originally a tadpole, but after trying to promote it to adulthood, I accidentally became poisoned, forcing me to attempt it.”

As I explained how I reached the Venomous Realm, Grandfather nodded in understanding.

He first praised me for taking in Hua-yang.

“Really? Then there was no choice in the matter. You must have struggled while being poisoned. You did well. And catching the Qinghua Rock-Magma Toad really shows your merit. I praise you again. You truly are like So-ryong.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

After the praise, the Mandok God Grandfather inquired the reason for my visit.

“Did you come to see me because your energy is unstable after suddenly raising your cultivation level?”

Grandfather seemed concerned that I might have sought him because my energy wasn’t stable after suddenly advancing.

I shook my head before replying.

Today, the reason I visited was simply due to my lost fingernails.

When I reached the Venomous Realm, I was puzzled about why my fingernails suddenly fell out.

“It’s not that. My energy is rotating smoothly in my lower dantian, two different poisons intertwining like a Taiji.”

“Then that’s an indication that your realm is stable. So what brings you here?”

In response to Grandfather’s question, I showed him my nearly grown-out nails.

“I lost all my nails while reaching the Venomous Realm.”

“What!? You lost your nails?”

“Yes, like this.”

As I stretched out my hand, Grandfather got up from his seat and stepped closer, examining my fingertips for a while, saying he would add his energy for a moment.

“This is quite a fascinating occurrence. I’ve never heard of something like this before! It’s not a transformation or anything of that sort… Just relax while I channel my energy to your fingertips.”

“Yes, understood.”

As I closed my eyes and focused on my fingertips, I felt Grandfather’s energy surge from his fingertips.

A warm and tickling sensation flowed from my fingertips through to my palm, wrist, and up my arm to my chest, finally settling in my lower dantian.

“No way, this is!?”

I could hear Grandfather’s astonished voice as he sensed the flow of energy.

He held my hand firmly and asked, “So-ryong, have you ever unleashed your Centipede Poison Tooth Claw since reaching the Venomous Realm?”

I had promised to practice martial arts daily during our travels, but honestly, I hadn’t done it even once… No, I hadn’t even planned to.

As I scratched my head, Hua-yang’s little back was scratched, causing her legs to twitch reflexively, tapping my back of the head.

-Whack, whack.

“I-I’m sorry. I forgot during the journey…”

Prepared to be chewed out, I apologized, but Grandfather kept holding my hand and spoke calmly.

“Not at all, just try to unleash the Centipede Poison Tooth Claw.”

“Here? Right now?”

“Exactly. Go ahead and unleash it.”

Given how urgent Grandfather seemed, I drew on my energy from the Five Poisons Return to Origin Divine Skill and directed it to the tips of my fingers according to the formula of the Centipede Poison Tooth Claw.

Once I did, the movement of my energy became much smoother than when I first learned it.

Strengthening my fingertips and nails with energy served as the preparatory stage for unleashing the Centipede Poison Tooth Claw, and the moment my energy reached the tip of my fingers, I felt an unusual tingling experience.

Startled by that peculiar sensation, I reacted, causing Grandfather to reassure me.

“Don’t worry, just proceed.”

His words instilled confidence in me, so I continued moving my energy, and the moment I enhanced my nails and fingertips with that energy, something extraordinary happened.

The tips of my fingers felt tingly, and my undergrown nails gently pushed out, changing color to the same emerald hue as the poison.

“W-what!?”

Shocked, I withdrew my energy, watching my nails crumble back to their original state.

Grandfather, who had been observing my nails, exclaimed, “It seems you can now inject the poison of the little one from your fingertips…”

‘Gasp!’

What Grandfather meant was that when I unleashed the Centipede Poison Tooth Claw, I could now attack as if my nails were coated with the poison!

Was that the case where I could launch poison attribute attacks?

‘Insane!’

As I wore an expression of disbelief, Grandfather spoke again.

“You’re surprised because your body is undergoing transformation, huh? I mean, it would be shocking if your nails were changing to those of a centipede.”

I thought Grandfather was perceiving my surprise due to my nails transforming into centipede-like fangs, but that wasn’t it at all.

I was overjoyed in this moment.

Desiring to be like what I love is every fan’s ultimate aspiration, right?

Those who love elves want to be beautiful elf girls, and those who love poisons want to be spider-men—obviously!

In my heart, I hurriedly called for Chao.

‘Chao! You and I aren’t just a couple; we’re one set! What is the word for ‘couple’ in the Central Plains language!? Anyway, I’ve got nails now!’