Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 3: First Kiss

“Why are you suddenly telling me to look at the mirror, Sister?” I thought, puzzled by Eunkyung’s insistence.

But as I gathered myself and prepared to wash my face in the morning, I began to grasp the meaning behind her words.

The reflection in the basin was undeniably different from yesterday.

“What is this? Something feels off…”

It seemed like my complexion had improved, and I could even sense a different texture to my skin.

After washing my face, I rubbed my cheeks with the back of my hand, and they felt like jelly, sticking to my skin.

In the end, per my sister’s request, I asked the servant girls to bring Eunkyung over, and upon examining my skin, it looked completely transformed.

My skin resembled something that had undergone exfoliation at a Gangnam plastic surgery clinic.

In my past life, I hailed from a rural island village in Hainan, where the salty sea air and tropical jungles had inevitably led to freckles and a somewhat tan complexion. Now, it looked as if I had slathered on BB cream, glowing white!

“Did royal jelly really have such effects? Where did that Hainan villager go?”

They said it was a middle-grade poison, but the royal jelly from the Golden Hair Bee King had truly remarkable effects.

However, just as I was admiring my changed appearance, a thought suddenly struck me.

‘Wait a minute, this skin feels completely feminine…’

Royal jelly is the magical substance that turns worker bees into queens.

I quickly checked under my pants, wondering if there might also be some peculiar (unnoticed) side effects that my sister might have missed.

‘Oh, all safe… that was a close one.’

Relieved that my precious belongings were intact, I began to question if the royal jelly might have somehow changed me into a woman. Thank goodness it hadn’t.

As my mind eased, I remembered my sister’s strange behavior earlier.

‘Wait, did my sister’s face flush red earlier? Could she be infatuated?’

Even I could objectively see that my transformed appearance was slightly more handsome; how would others perceive it?

As I pondered this, I made my way to the dining hall, where the direct lineage of the Tang Clan often gathered for meals.

Typically, this was when everyone assembled after completing their morning training.

Although, admittedly, I had missed out on the training since I had been collapsing.

Walking through the courtyard toward the dining hall, the sun was barely peeking above the horizon, casting a dim light around.

‘Geez, can we move breakfast a little later?’

Since deciding to join the Tang Clan, the toughest part, aside from psychological factors, had been this early morning routine.

Martial artists hardly got any sleep, rising before dawn to train; adapting to this had been quite the struggle.

But thankfully, that pain was now merely a thing of the past.

Perhaps it was due to my accumulated ten years of training that my body felt remarkably light.

My sister had also mentioned that waking up early wouldn’t be a burden for her anymore.

Arriving at the dining hall, I was greeted by my mother-in-law, who was pleasantly surprised to see me as she observed the servants preparing food.

“Oh my, our son-in-law looks wonderful today! Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, Mother-in-law. I apologize for causing concern.”

“Oh, not at all. Congratulations on receiving a fortuitous blessing! Just look at that face and skin!”

As my mother-in-law joyously admired my transformed appearance, I spotted my sister seated at the table.

“Soryong.”

“Hua Eun, it must have been tiring taking care of me all night…”

Yesterday, my sister had stayed up all night tending to me, but she was already here even before me.

I took a seat next to her, looking apologetic as I let my words trail off, and she responded with a faint smile.

“It’s alright. I recently discovered that I can hold out without proper sleep for several days.”

“Oh, ha-ha. Right…”

As she spoke with a smile, I awkwardly chuckled and took my seat.

It felt like a joke, but somehow I felt sorry about it—it was all because of me and my antics with the queen bee.

‘She’s not harboring any resentment, is she?’

As I settled in, my father-in-law and the Mandok God, my grandfather, arrived, and thus the Tang Clan’s breakfast commenced.

Before us lay the simple yet hearty breakfast, featuring large dumplings stuffed with lamb and warm soup, alongside various stir-fried vegetables and meats.

‘This lamb dumpling is utterly delicious!’

“Hey, Soryong, are you feeling alright?”

Just as I was about to shove my first lamb dumpling into my mouth, I heard my father-in-law’s inquiry.

I quickly put down the dumpling and answered.

“Yes, um, Father-in-law. I apologize for causing worry.”

“No worries. I’m just relieved you received a fortuitous blessing.”

Realizing that I had yet to thank my grandfather for taking care of me, I quickly expressed my gratitude.

“Ah, thank you, Grandpa. I heard you looked after me. I’m sorry for causing concern.”

“Yes, I was briefed by Hua Eun, but what exactly happened?”

I wanted to savor that lamb dumpling, yet everyone’s sparkling eyes were now turned toward me.

Curiously, they seemed eager to uncover what had transpired yesterday, as I lowered my hand holding the dumpling beneath the table and began to explain.

“Well, it seems that the bee appreciated my presence and wanted to repay a favor. So when I was pulled into the hive, I was suddenly fed the nectar of the queen. They probably sought to give me that as a gift.”

“To think that even a middle-grade poison knows about gratitude…”

“Even critters know how to show gratitude; fascinating, huh?”

“Indeed, it’s quite astonishing.”

Although it was a brief explanation, the essential details got through, as the elder members nodded in understanding.

I attempted to reach for another dumpling, but all the elders began to question me simultaneously.

“By the way, is it possible to acquire more of that? If what you say is true about honey or more of that substance, it could greatly benefit the Tang Clan.”

“That’s right, Father. If we can continuously obtain the Golden Hair Bee King’s nectar, it would certainly be advantageous, especially the royal jelly.”

“Indeed, son-in-law. Can you obtain it again?”

“Soryong, is it possible?”

Thinking about it, martial artists typically trained early in the morning or at night, using their meditation instead of sleep to bolster their cultivation.

If a single serving of royal jelly could refill a decade’s worth of cultivation, everyone would undoubtedly be interested.

However, upon further contemplation, obtaining it anew might not be so easy.

Similar to regular honeybees, you have to create numerous false colonies for the queen bee to lay eggs, and then wait for the royal jelly to fill them, only to harvest it once the larvae are extracted. The intelligent Golden Hair Bees probably wouldn’t just sit idle.

And the very essence of the royal jelly comes from worker bees; it was provided to me by the queen.

Should this unique substance only be obtained from the queen, sourcing it again would be nearly impossible.

Also, if news spread that it could replenish a decade’s worth of cultivation, it could lead to chaos akin to slaughtering the goose that laid golden eggs.

It seemed best to articulate that until everything became clear, procuring it would probably be an almost impossible task.

‘What should I say? Ah! Right!’

While mulling it over, an idea suddenly struck me—just tell them the truth.

I decided to reveal the mind-blowing truth that could leave people aghast.

Only those open-hearted towards all creatures could acquire the title of “Potential Insect” (可能虫).

The consumption of royal jelly could only be achieved by those who possess extreme potential.

“It might be hard to come by.”

“Hard? Why is that?”

“Indeed, son-in-law, how could it be difficult?”

Everyone stared at me wide-eyed at the claim that it might be difficult.

“Actually, even if it could be consumed, who would actually be able to eat it…”

“Is the taste odd? Or is there something off about its scent?”

When my father-in-law inquired about taste or scent, I shook my head and stated.

“No, it’s not that. The thing is, it comes from the mouth of the Golden Hair Bee Queen; it feels like it should ideally be delivered directly… Also, it seems to require the act of sharing breath like a kiss, where the queen’s tongue has to enter my mouth for it to be conveyed…”

“What!? A kiss with the queen bee!?”

“A, a kiss with the Golden Hair Bee!?”

My family members looked at me, taken aback by my revelation.

Even someone who loves insects like me would lose their mind over such nutrient exchange!

“Then, I guess we must conclude it’s unattainable.”

“It’s certainly improbable when it requires kissing the Golden Hair Bee. Unless Soryong has charmed her, it’s a story that borders on impossible.”

Content that I had managed to keep my family’s greed at bay, I tried to reach for another dumpling when—

– Thud.

I heard something drop from the direction of my sister seated next to me.

Turning my head, I saw her staring blankly, her hand dropped on the table.

Her eyes bore a deadpan expression as if approaching a forbidden knowledge she shouldn’t grasp.

‘Oh no! I completely forgot about my sister!’

Realizing that revealing the fact that only ultra-rare potential beings could consume the royal jelly inadvertently disclosed my own identity as one such being, I could see her eyes darkening as she processed this newfound knowledge.

*

After the meal, I was about to engage in training but was stopped by my grandfather, who insisted that my body needed time to adapt to the cultivation energy.

Even though I had accumulated energy, I was required to let my body adjust to it…

“Today, there will be no training. No, for the time being, you shall rest while taking the medicine Hua Eun brings you.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes, indeed. You need time to adapt to the substantial buildup of energy and blood flow now coursing through you.”

Therefore, during this period, it appeared I needed to rest as my cultivation energy harmonized with my body.

‘This is good.’

Yet, following breakfast, I still had to attend a meeting regarding the clan, focusing on those who had sold information about the Golden Hair Bee King, determining their fate.

In the Clan Head Hall known as Hyeonmu, all the elders had gathered.

“So, Clan Head, are you saying there are those among us who’ve been selling information to outsiders?”

“Yes, indeed, Elders.”

Initially, I was concerned about this scenario.

My father-in-law had hastily bought information without proper verification, and it would surely lead to rebukes from both branch families and clan elders.

In a way, this was a mistake on my father-in-law’s behalf.

‘How could one be so careless as to damage the clan’s reputation by purchasing unverified information?’

Given my earlier observations, I suspected this discussion would take a similar route.

But surprisingly, the elders who had been highly critical about internal clan matters now shared a unified stance due to external interference.

“How dare someone tarnish the Tang Clan’s reputation…”

“If we let this slide, what will the martial world think of our clan!? They must suffer a brutal end!”

“It seems our clan has been too lenient lately. To think such a thing would happen.”

While infighting among ourselves might be acceptable, there would be no mercy for those who dare sully our clan’s honor—it was a chorus of voices.

In the end, a decision was made regarding the punishment for those who sold information.

“I’ve asked for the police to help us track down where they fled. Expect news in some days. I shall address this personally.”

“Yes, the clan head must handle such matters. Show them the consequences of our clan’s might.”

“So, what about the punishment?” An elder queried with a gentle smile on his face.

“Using Soul-Purging Poison (滅魂毒) and Blood-Burning Poison (化血毒), they shall suffer the torment of scorching blood, melting entrails, and loss of sanity, ending with the Seven-Steps Soul-Purging Poison (七步斷魂毒).”

‘C-cocktail therapy.’

In my previous life, cocktail therapy was used for healing, and now it was decided it would be used to cause death.

The con artist would be dealt with through a mixture of three or more poisons, as decided.

After this bizarrely chaotic meeting came to an end, I prepared to leave.

“Ahem!”

“Cough cough!”

From behind, I heard the sound of someone coughing.

I had anticipated the clan elders would disperse after the meeting, but instead, I found them gazing into the distance behind me.

‘What’s going on?’

“Wei So-ryong wishes to meet with the clan elders.”

Concerned they needed something, I respectfully inclined my head, and one stepped forward, glancing around, before speaking in a cautious tone.

“Cough! So, you received a blessing?”

“Y-yes, Elder.”

‘Could it be about the royal jelly from the Golden Hair Bee King?’

Suddenly bringing up blessings made me think the clan elders were starting to harbor greed.

Sure enough, the next words were spoken tentatively.

“Ahem, we come to seek your favor…”

“For what? Is it about obtaining the Golden Hair Bee King’s…”

“No, not that.”

“Excuse me?”

I initially wondered if they were asking whether I could procure the Golden Hair Bee King’s nectar, but the elders were shaking their heads.

With a somewhat bashful expression, one elder asked.

“In this world, all elixirs and spiritual herbs have their masters. Do you think we would covet such things?”

“Then, then what?”

“W-Well, there is something. That… can you whip up some Earth Gall Pills (地膽丸)? Since you’re the creator, you truly hold the authority…”

“Earth Gall Pills? Ah!”

The Earth Gall Pill is an energy-boosting pill made from maggots.

Though it could kill ordinary people if misused, I realized that for the clan members, who possessed some degree of poison resistance, it could surely enhance their spirits.

I smiled and replied.

“Well, I’ve been struggling to adapt to clan life, but if you gentlemen could offer your help, I would be most grateful. Naturally, the pills are to be provided to you.”

‘No need to worry; the pills are yours.’

Hearing this, the elders were overjoyed.

“Of course! Naturally, you are still a part of our clan, even in death!”

“Yes, yes! Now don’t fret! We will be here to support you!”

It felt like my path within clan life might be paved with solid foundations ahead.