Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Chapter 169

After several months away, the grand Nine-Tiered Gates of the Tang Clan finally ca into view.

From the First Gate to the Ninth Gate, they stretched deep into the clan’s heart, a towering symbol of power and legacy.

Seeing them again, I felt a strange sensation.

‘This place… actually feels like ho now.’

Beside , Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong, the two senior warriors accompanying us, also gazed at the gates with nostalgia.

"It’s been a long ti since I last saw the Tang Clan."

"Indeed, Geom-ryong. It’s been a while."

Hearing this, I turned to them curiously.

"Have you visited the Tang Clan before, Geom-ryong, Kwon-ryong hyungnims?"

"Of course, Gwang-ryong. That would have been—"

Just as Geom-ryong was about to explain, a sharp voice cut through his words like a blade.

"Hmm? Gwang-ryong? Did I hear that correctly?"

"Hwa-eun, did I mishear that? I could’ve sworn I heard Gwang-ryong again."

"Ack! L-Ladies, it was a mistake! I-I ant Bi-ryong! A few years ago, when you weren’t around, I ca here once or twice on an errand…"

Poor Geom-ryong.

He had been speaking casually, looking toward the gates, when he accidentally uttered my forbidden nickna.

The sheer panic on his face resembled that of a man caught sneaking out at night to play gas—only to be discovered by his mother.

And for good reason.

After those two had bestowed the ridiculous nickna Gwang-ryong (Mad Dragon) upon , they had been scolded thoroughly by both Seol-noona and Hwa-eun.

From that mont on, Gwang-ryong had beco a banned word.

Though, of course, they didn’t always obey that rule.

"Gwang-ryong?! You’re seriously calling my fiancé that?"

"So you’re choosing to insult my little brother? The eldest son of the Beast Palace?"

The last ti those words were spoken in front of them, the response had been ice-cold stares and razor-sharp words.

"A-Ah, no, no! Please, ladies, calm down! You see, it was just a term of affection—"

"Affection? If you call him that twice, does that an next ti it’ll be Lustful Dragon or Perverted Dragon?"

"If you keep insulting my fiancé like this, I might have to formally bring this matter up to the Tang Clan’s elders…"

As a result, the nickna was officially changed to Bi-ryong (Flying Dragon).

Typically, the Bi (Flying) title was only given to those with exceptional Lightness Skill.

Since I had literally flown through the air before crashing into a blazing inferno, it was deed a more fitting na by the nickna review committee.

Of course, said committee consisted of Hwa-eun and Seol-noona.

Thus, my title was adjusted to Bi-ryong, fully reflecting their preferences, and Gwang-ryong beca a forbidden phrase.

But since Geom-ryong had accidentally uttered it just now, he was instantly subjected to Hwa-eun and Seol-noona’s scrutiny.

I could see the panic in his eyes.

‘Serves you right.’

Watching them scold him filled with a quiet sense of satisfaction.

That is, until I turned toward Seol-noona and Hwa-eun—

And caught their gaze boring into .

Their expression practically scread, What are you smirking about?

I flinched, quickly avoiding their eyes, much like Geom-ryong.

Sure, they had helped rid of my cursed nickna, but it hadn’t co without cost.

After all, when they had reprimanded Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong last ti, I had also been dragged into their lecture.

"This is all because you don’t handle yourself properly, So-ryong!"

"So-ryong, next ti, you have to promise us you won’t do anything reckless!"

‘I was the victim! Why am I being blad?!’

Back then, my execution had only been postponed due to Hyang’s hunger.

But the mont my banned nickna resurfaced, the jury had imdiately convened, finding guilty by association.

After hours of intense nagging from Hwa-eun and Seol-noona, our journey had finally regained so peace.

Now, sensing the familiar tension in the air, I made a firm decision.

‘I need to keep quiet today.’

Peeking to my side, I noticed Geom-ryong thinking the sa thing.

We made brief eye contact and silently nodded in agreent.

Just then, a group of Tang Clan warriors rushed out from the Nine-Tiered Gates to greet us.

"Lady Hwa-eun! You’ve returned!"

"So-ryong-nim, you’ve worked hard!"

"It’s been a while, everyone."

"It’s good to see you all again."

As we exchanged greetings, I noticed Gu Pae, the leader of the Venom Blood Squad, stepping forward.

He bowed and greeted respectfully.

"You’ve returned, So-ryong-nim!"

"It’s been a while, Gu Pae Da-ju. How’s the Venomous Beast Garden?"

"Everything is in perfect condition! Once you’ve greeted the clan leader, would you like to inspect it yourself?"

He seed eager to show how well he had maintained the place.

However, before I could do that, I needed to escort our guests, the Three Dragons and Two Phoenixes, to their accommodations.

It was basic etiquette in the martial world—hosting guests properly, offering them food and tea, and ensuring their comfort.

"No, let’s take so ti to rest first. I’ll visit the garden this evening."

"Understood! I’ll make sure everything is ready for your inspection tonight."

As I followed Gu Pae toward the clan leader’s residence, I heard a hesitant voice from behind.

"So-ryong-nim, um… About that thing on your head… What is that…? It looks like a particularly dumb-looking toad."

"Hmm? My head?"

Blinking, I glanced up—only to feel the soft squish of Hyang’s belly pressing against my scalp.

I had gotten so used to her sitting up there that I had forgotten all about it.

Turning to look at the Tang warriors, I noticed their gazes fixed on Hyang with varying expressions of curiosity and bewildernt.

With a smirk, I straightened my posture and gave Gu Pae a patronizing look.

"Heh… Gu Pae Da-ju, it seems you still have a long way to go."

"Huh?"

He tilted his head, confused.

Sure, I had also doubted Hyang at first, but now…

I raised my hand and gestured confidently.

"How can you judge a venomous creature rely by its appearance? The exterior is nothing but a shell."

"…?"

"Prepare to be amazed. The creature sitting atop my head is none other than the Azure Fire Magma Toad. One of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, the ruler of all toads."

A stunned gasp echoed around .

"W-What?! The Azure Fire Magma Toad?! One of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts?!"

"““Azure Fire Magma Toad!””"

As soon as I revealed that the dumb-looking creature on my head was actually one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, the warriors of the Tang Clan recoiled in shock.

They stared at Hyang with their mouths agape, as if unable to comprehend how such a goofy-looking creature could hold such a grand title.

Smirking at their reaction, I reached up and gave the little bulge of Hyang’s belly a few satisfying pats.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

—Slap. Slap.

‘Damn, this thing is bouncy.’

—Peep? 『Food?』

At the unexpected pats, Hyang stirred, groggily waking up and imdiately asking if it was ti to eat.

I sighed.

At so point, I really needed to teach her so vocabulary beyond just food.

‘No, Hyang, not that. Light up so flas for . Let’s show off a little. I’ll give you plenty of food later, I promise.’

『Food!』

Her answer was still food, but I could feel the acceptance in her tone.

—Fwoosh!

A second later, the flas ignited on her back.

A deep blue fire flared upward, drawing gasps from the gathered warriors.

They stared at like I had just summoned a divine beast.

"H-Holy… The toad’s back is on fire!"

"R-Report this to the clan head imdiately! S-So-ryong-nim has brought back another Ten Great Venomous Beast!"

"““Uwaaaaaaah!””"

Truly, this place was paradise.

Where else could a man be showered with praise just for indulging in his hobby?

Tang Clan’s Flying Dragon had made his grand return, greeted with nothing but cheers.

***

After escorting our guests to their rooms, I made my way to the clan leader’s residence to report my arrival.

Standing before the doors, I spoke.

"Grandfather, it’s , So-ryong."

"Co in."

As I stepped inside, I found Grandfather seated at his usual place, reading a scroll.

With my father-in-law leading a group of warriors to assist the Murim Alliance, Grandfather had been handling clan affairs in his stead.

He hadn’t gone to the front lines himself, of course, but he was working with the local governnt to hunt down any remnants of the Blood Cult hiding within Sichuan.

"Have you made sure the guests are settled in?"

"Yes, Grandfather. Hwa-eun and Mother-in-law are handling refreshnts and other hospitality matters."

"Good. Sit down. I knew you would co to see ."

The mont I sat, Grandfather imdiately cut to the heart of the matter.

He gazed at thoughtfully before nodding.

"Your qi has changed. You’ve reached the Realm of Dual Venoms, haven’t you?"

I hadn’t even ntioned it yet, but Grandfather had already noticed.

Nodding, I reached up and gave Hyang a light pat.

"Yes, Grandfather. Hyang was originally a tadpole. While helping her reach maturity, I was poisoned and had no choice but to adapt."

After I explained the circumstances, Grandfather stroked his beard, nodding in approval.

"Then it couldn’t be helped. You must have suffered greatly in the process, but you handled it well. I must comnd you—bringing back the Azure Fire Magma Toad was an excellent achievent. I’m proud of you, So-ryong."

"You flatter , Grandfather."

Grandfather then narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You didn’t co here just for praise. Is your internal energy unstable?"

He assud I had sought him out because my qi hadn’t fully settled yet.

I quickly shook my head.

That wasn’t the issue at all.

The real reason I was here… was my fingernails.

After reaching the Realm of Dual Venoms, they had all fallen out, and I had no idea why.

"No, my internal energy feels perfectly stable. My dantian is balanced—my two venoms are rotating in harmony, almost like a Taiji symbol."

"That ans your foundation is solid. Then why are you here?"

Instead of answering, I simply held out my hand.

"Because of this."

Grandfather’s brows furrowed as he took a closer look at my fingers.

"Your nails fell out?"

"Yes. Just like this."

I spread my fingers so he could see the freshly regrown nails.

Grandfather imdiately stood up and walked over, grasping my hand.

He studied them carefully for a long mont before speaking.

"This is peculiar. I’ve never heard of such a thing before… This isn’t bone-reforging rebirth, nor is it any kind of known transformation. Let circulate so qi into your fingertips. Stay still."

"Understood."

Closing my eyes, I focused as Grandfather infused energy into my fingertips.

A strange sensation spread through my hand.

A warm, ticklish feeling traveled from my fingertips, up my wrist, through my arm, and into my dantian.

And then—

"What in the world…?!"

Grandfather’s voice was filled with shock.

He tightened his grip on my hand, looking at seriously.

"So-ryong, since reaching the Realm of Dual Venoms, have you practiced Centipede Venom Fang Claw?"

Crap.

I had promised Grandfather that I would train diligently even while traveling…

But, honestly, I hadn’t trained once.

Or rather, I had chosen not to.

Reflexively, I scratched my head—

Which led to Hyang shifting in response.

She lazily lifted her leg and thwacked on the back of the head.

—Thwap, thwap.

"A-Ah, well… I was, um, too busy traveling to find the ti…"

Prepared to be scolded, I lowered my head apologetically.

But instead of reprimanding , Grandfather simply nodded.

"That’s fine. Try executing Centipede Venom Fang Claw now."

"Here? Inside the residence?"

"Yes. Do it."

There was an urgency in his voice.

Curious, I activated my internal energy and channeled it through the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art, directing it into my fingertips according to the technique’s mnemonic.

The energy moved far more smoothly than before.

Centipede Venom Fang Claw strengthened my fingers and nails with internal energy as part of its core function.

As soon as the energy reached my fingertips—

A strange sensation shot through my fingers.

They tingled differently than before.

Startled, I hesitated, but Grandfather urged on.

"Don’t stop. Keep going."

Following his instruction, I continued channeling my energy—

And at that mont, my fingernails shifted.

My partially regrown nails suddenly extended forward, growing slightly longer.

anwhile, my fingertips turned a deep erald green, matching the color of Cho’s venom.

"Th-This is…?!"

Startled, I withdrew my internal energy, and my fingernails imdiately reverted to normal.

Grandfather, still holding my hand, murmured in awe.

"It seems… your fingertips have adapted to Cho’s venom."

‘Wait…!’

Did that an—?!

If I used Centipede Venom Fang Claw, my nails would function like Cho’s venomous fangs—allowing to coat my strikes with poison?

I can attack with venom now?!

My mind reeled.

Seeing my stunned face, Grandfather chuckled.

"You must be surprised by the change in your body. Understandable. Your fingernails now function much like the mandibles of a centipede."

He thought I was shocked by my transformation.

But he was wrong.

I wasn’t just shocked—

I was ecstatic.

Loving sothing and becoming that sothing was the ultimate dream of any enthusiast.

A man who adores elves wants to beco an elf.

A man obsessed with venomous creatures wants to beco Spider-Man.

I was living the dream.

My hands trembling with excitent, I imdiately called out to Cho.

『Cho! Dad—no, your partner—wait, what’s the word for soulmate in Central Plains dialect?! Whatever, listen! I GREW VENOMOUS CLAWS!』