Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Chapter 66

"What, why has the grand ritual started!? W-What’s going on!?"

"So-ryong! What’s happening here!? Why has the ritual begun!?"

"Grandfath… Ugh…"

As the cauldron began to bubble and hiss like it was about to overflow, my grandfather and father-in-law, who had been preparing other ingredients for the ritual, ran over with panicked expressions.

-BOOM!

The liquid inside the cauldron let out a violent roar, as if it were about to explode.

The pain was so excruciating I couldn’t even open my mouth, but thankfully, my sister quickly explained the situation to them.

"O-O-Gong accidentally dropped a single drop of venom! I-It seems the ritual has started because of that!"

I’d been told beforehand that I absolutely must not move once the ritual started, so I clenched my teeth and endured with superhuman willpower, though every fiber of my being wanted to leap out of the cauldron.

‘This… This pain is insane!’

And for good reason—this felt exactly like being subrged in boiling oil.

It felt as though the skin covering my entire body was peeling off, and the sensation of my whole body being consud by fire was enough to make doubt my sanity.

The venom from the Jewel Poison was supposed to paralyze pain, or so they said, but the venom from O-Gong was of a whole different league—capable of dissolving human flesh. This wasn’t just pain; it was tornt.

And could I really bla O-Gong? All it had done was drip a tiny droplet of venom, like spitting once by mistake. How could I get mad about sothing like that?

Not that I was even in a state to get mad.

My jaw trembled uncontrollably.

Every extremity—my fingertips, toes, and even the very edges of my body—felt as if they were dissolving into nothingness.

A deep, desperate scream rose from the depths of my soul.

‘I haven’t even experienced my wedding night yet! And now my whole body is going to lt away! Aaaaargh!’

"What!?"

"Say what!?"

Their shocked voices and hurried footsteps followed after my sister’s explanation.

"So-ryong, focus! Listen to carefully! Try to regulate your energy according to the principles of the Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art that I taught you. The Five Poisons Returning Divine Art isn’t too different, so calm your mind and slowly circulate your Qi. I’ll assist you by channeling energy into your Baihui point."

Grandfather placed his hand on the crown of my head, and a surge of energy flowed into my mind. Struggling against the pain, I dug into my mories, recalling the technique, and began the Grand Circulation slowly.

Barely managing, by sheer grit.

‘Khhhk…!’

As the Qi began to circulate from my dantian and through my ridians, the pain lessened ever so slightly.

Sensing this tiny relief, I realized that my only lifeline was to throw myself fully into the Grand Circulation. So, with the desperation of a drowning man clutching at a rope, I clung to it.

-BUBBLE… BUBBLE…

The only sound I could hear was the boiling liquid in the cauldron.

With each cycle of the Grand Circulation, my grandfather subtly adjusted the pathways, modifying them as needed. By the fifth cycle, the pathways stabilized.

It was only then that the venom, which had felt like an external force tornting , started to feel… familiar.

It began to be absorbed through my skin, circulating with my Qi throughout my entire body. It felt as though it was transforming sothing deep inside .

Not my dantian itself, but the Qi stored within it. If my Qi had previously felt like pure distilled water, it now felt more like soda—sharp, invigorating, and almost sparkling.

As the venom and my Qi finally settled, the pain dissipated, and I regained so clarity of thought.

I had escaped the horrifying fear of my body lting away.

I’d heard that once the ritual was complete, my energy would overflow, but instead, I felt completely drained.

‘Damn, I survived death by a thread.’

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was my sister standing nearby, unable to touch , nervously pacing in place. When she noticed my eyes opening, her own widened in shock.

Next to her was O-Gong, surrounded by Xue, Bing, Jewel Poison, and Bin-ah, who were all glaring at him with accusing eyes. They seed to be scolding him harshly for the accident.

They were chittering away in a language only they could understand.

-Kissit! Kishishi!

-Gukkuu! Kkuu!

-Chrrrr!

O-Gong hung his head low, looking utterly pitiful.

Then my sister’s panicked voice reached .

"So-ryong! Can you hear ? Can you see ? Grandfather said you could speak if you regained consciousness!"

"Is… Is O-Gong okay?"

I asked, my thoughts still on the venom drop earlier. Had it hurt O-Gong’s antennae? The mont I asked that, ti seed to freeze.

‘Huh? Does the ritual have this kind of effect?’

My sister froze completely for a mont, and I wondered if ti had actually stopped. But it wasn’t that. She let out a long sigh.

Her expression was one of exasperation as she replied, "Yes, I washed his antennae imdiately. While agonizing over whether you were going to live or die, mind you. Really…"

Her tone was cold as she crossed her arms.

The first thought that ca to mind was: ‘I’m screwed.’

‘This was such a reflex…’

It was an old habit from my past life—I always worried about the creatures I raised before anything else. Without thinking, the words had slipped out.

But now, I was engaged, and it was my fiancée who should have been my priority. This was a massive mistake.

Desperate to fix the situation, I let out a weak groan.

"Khhk…"

"So-ryong! What’s wrong!? Are you hurt!?"

Startled, my sister rushed to , concern written all over her face.

Feigning just-woken confusion, I answered, "Ugh… Hwa-eun, I seem to have caused you great worry. But… Is O-Gong really okay?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and then she gazed at with pity.

"Oh, you’re still not fully conscious, are you!? Grandfather! Grandfather! So-ryong’s awake, but he doesn’t seem to be in his right mind. Please co take a look!"

"What!? Is his mind addled!?"

Thankfully, I managed to dodge the situation this ti. But I swore to myself—I’d be more careful in the future.

‘That was a close call.’

***

It took two full days for the grand ritual to finally end.

The once-abundant liquid in the cauldron had evaporated entirely, leaving nothing behind. When I asked Grandfather about it, he explained that the venom from O-Gong had reacted with the mixture, enabling my body to absorb the venom’s potency. The rest had either evaporated or been absorbed into .

Stepping out of the cauldron, I washed myself off and put on fresh clothes. As I finished, Grandfather’s voice echoed behind .

“I had to scramble to find additional ingredients when the venom unexpectedly changed, but the ritual is complete. How are you feeling? Is there anything wrong with your body?”

“No, I don’t think there’s anything unusual,” I replied, though the initial pain had left worried for a while.

Grandfather’s concerned voice ca again. “When you woke up, Hwa-eun said your mory seed strange. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong? I’m worried the venom might have seeped into your mind.”

“I-I’m fine, Grandfather,” I insisted.

“Are you certain? Perhaps I should examine you more thoroughly.”

“I’m really fine, Grandfather,” I repeated, trying to deflect his concern.

I could tell that pressing the issue might lead to an unnecessary ordeal. Managing to shake off Grandfather’s worries, I tried to slip away, but he promptly handed five books.

After nearly dying just a few days ago, I had hoped for so rest. But no—Grandfather, ever the strict teacher, was already preparing for what seed like the Ten Poisons Trial.

With a reluctant grimace, I accepted the books. Grandfather noticed my expression and smirked.

“Why the long face?”

He knew exactly why but still enjoyed teasing . Back in my past life, if I’d been good at studying, I wouldn’t have ended up a reclusive YouTuber raising venomous creatures.

“N-Not at all, Grandfather! I’m just so thrilled that the ritual went well. Ha, ha…” I lied, shaking my head quickly.

Grandfather opened the books one by one, explaining their contents. “Perhaps it’s just my imagination. Regardless, take a look here.”

“Yes, Grandfather…”

“Now that you’ve officially entered the Five Poisons Returning Divine Art, you’ll need martial arts techniques that complent it. These five techniques are passed down alongside the Divine Art, and I’m entrusting them to you.”

‘Wait, this isn’t a test? And these techniques are a set that cos with the Divine Art?’

Intrigued, I finally gave the books my full attention. Sets in gas always had synergistic effects that made them far more powerful than standalone skills.

“These are the five techniques I’m giving you: Centipede’s Venom Fang Claw (O-Gong Dok Ah Jo), Venomous Serpent’s Life-Snatching Hand (Dok Sa Tam Myeong Su), Scorpion’s Swift Tail Kick (Heol Mi Kwe Sok Toe), Gecko’s Wall-Climbing Step (Seok Cheok Byuk Ho Sin Bo), and Toad’s Exploding Palm (Seom Seo Pok Ryeol Jang).

Each corresponds to a specific type of technique: claw, hand, foot, movent, and palm.”

At first, I expected the techniques to be sinister and full of deadly poison, but the nas resonated with . They were based on venomous creatures I adored.

‘These are perfect for Spicy Fabre!’

The very nas of the techniques made my heart race. It felt like they were designed just for .

The Centipede’s claw mimicked the venomous bite of its fangs. The Serpent’s hand emulated a snake’s movents. The Scorpion’s tail translated into a devastating kick. The Gecko’s steps mirrored its agility, and the Toad’s palm—though the connection was unclear—added to the excitent.

‘This is it. Becoming one with venomous creatures. The unity of self and beast. This must be what Grandfather ant by harmony between man and nature!’

Noticing the gleam in my eyes, Grandfather smiled. “It seems you like them.”

“Of course, Grandfather! They’re amazing.”

“‘Amazing’? What’s so amazing?” he asked, tilting his head curiously.

Smiling, I explained, “I expected typical poison arts or assassination techniques, but these are based on my favorite venomous creatures. It’s fascinating.”

“That’s because these aren’t originally from the Tang Clan,” Grandfather said casually.

“Huh?”

His unexpected remark caught off guard. For a mont, I wondered if he was discriminating against because I was an adopted son-in-law. But he continued explaining.

“These techniques, along with the Five Poisons Returning Divine Art, co from the now-extinct Five Poisons Sect.”

“The Five Poisons Sect?”

“Yes, it was founded two centuries ago by a son of the Tang Clan and the daughter of the Beast Palace of Southern Barbaria. They eloped and combined their clans’ martial arts to create the sect.”

Grandfather explained that the Five Poisons Sect combined the Tang Clan’s poison arts with the Beast Palace’s beast techniques. However, their act of taking clan secrets and blending them angered both families. The sect was hunted down for over a hundred years before being annihilated in the jungles of Yunnan.

‘Seriously? A hundred-year chase? This world’s family feuds are insane.’

It was a tragic Roo-and-Juliet tale, ending in bloodshed. The story made gulp nervously.

“When the Five Poisons Sect fell, both clans reclaid their martial arts. However, the Five Poisons Returning Divine Art and its associated techniques were claid by the Tang Clan because of their connection to poison. The sect’s leader, who had mastered these arts, was able to hold his own against both clans’ heads for so ti, which speaks to their power. Knowing your affinity for venomous creatures, we thought these techniques would suit you perfectly.”

‘I see… Such deep thought went into this.’

The techniques’ history, combined with their thematic alignnt with venomous creatures, deeply moved . I bowed in gratitude.

“Thank you, Grandfather. I will dedicate myself to mastering them!”

“Good, good. That’s the spirit,” Grandfather chuckled. “It’s rare to see soone so thrilled about these techniques.”

The Five Poisons Returning Divine Art and the Five Poisons Martial Arts. They were a perfect match for .

***

After finishing my conversation with Grandfather, I stepped outside the Grand Ritual Hall for the first ti in three days.

Three whole days. Not making kimchi or fernting fish sauce, but sitting inside a cauldron. Now, at last, I was greeted by the sunlight.

When the searing pain had been at its peak, I thought I might never see the sun again. Now, its warmth felt more precious than ever.

“Ah, it really feels like I’m alive again.”

Stretching lazily in the sunlight, I noticed sothing crawling quickly toward . Startled, I looked down to see O-Gong scurrying my way from the hall’s entrance.

“O-Gong!”

Kneeling down, I scooped him up as he nuzzled against my cheek.

-Chrrrr!

“You were worried, weren’t you? Don’t worry, Dad’s fine now.”

It seed O-Gong had been anxiously waiting for at the entrance this whole ti.

As I held him close, he coiled around my arm like he always did. However, he had grown noticeably larger since his second molt, wrapping from my wrist to my shoulder. His scales, sharper than before, scratched uncomfortably against my skin.

‘I wish he’d wrap over my clothes instead. This stings a bit.’

No sooner had I thought it than O-Gong uncoiled, chirped in response, and rewrapped himself over my sleeve.

‘Wait, what? Did he just… understand ?’

I felt a strange and sudden connection between O-Gong and myself.