Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Mandok Hall (만독전) 3

Seeing Hua Eun explaining the Tang Clan’s venom to Wei So-ryong brought a satisfied smile to Dang Cheolsan’s face.

As he watched Hua Eun passionately detail her explanation and So-ryong captivated by her words, he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

Honestly, he had been eager to match So-ryong with Hua Eun, but Dang Cheolsan had many worries lingering in his mind.

He knew exactly what kind of thoughts his daughter harbored.

The issue of continuing their family line, essentially passed onto her, was no trivial matter.

It was a heavy burden, and he was aware that she was striving to present herself better than any man for the clan.

While Dang Cheolsan thought So-ryong was far more valuable than any young man of good clan status or martial skill, Hua Eun, pressed by the clan’s views and expectations, was clearly limited in her perspective.

“If only he were a man…”

“If he were a man, he would surely have advanced to Hundred Poisons level in no time.”

Given her upbringing filled with such talk, it was no wonder she could not ignore the impending scrutiny from branch family elders.

She would likely choose someone with lesser talent like So-ryong, fearing the increased pressure that would come with that decision.

“Haha, the clan’s only direct daughter has reached Ten Poisons Body? It’s only natural to worry about the potential of her future offspring,”

“The future of the Tang Clan…”

Moreover, it was a given that women from martial families sought out strong warriors or ones with exceptional martial talents.

That was their duty.

Hence, it was a dilemma that could not be avoided.

There might come a time when he would have to forcefully break her heart.

He had never taken a second wife, as he thought of his own wife, and he certainly couldn’t treat Hua Eun coldly.

“I’m also a member of the Tang Clan. I understand what you mean, Father. But I will judge whether the Junior Hero is truly worthy of having me!”

Thus, when Hua Eun stormed out in a fit of rage after saying she would give herself to a junior hero, everyone could only worry.

“So, how’s the Junior Hero’s martial talent?”

“Hmm… it would be best for you to check for accuracy, but I’d say he might be limited to the Ten Poisons Realm.”

“If you looked into it, it’s probably true. But that’s a bit disappointing. If only he had achieved Hundred Poisons…”

“Ah, Hua Eun would certainly not fancy that, would she?”

Understanding what Hua Eun usually thought, both father and mother darkened their expressions upon hearing that So-ryong’s talent was at Ten Poisons Body.

“If what you say is true, then the Junior Hero is a treasure of immense value. But winning over Hua Eun’s heart isn’t going to be easy.”

“That’s correct, Father.”

Although the Tang Clan claimed to handle all poisons, it did not mean they used every type.

So-ryong’s preferred poisons—such as venomous insects or vipers—were not the mainstream within the clan.

For good reason: the toxins could cause many issues.

However, as So-ryong had mentioned back on Hainan Island while showing a lizard…

If the poisonous creatures could be cultivated to enhance their toxicity, then that would be an entirely different story.

Possibilities would unfold.

Most importantly, Dang Cheolsan, knowing this better than anyone, looked to himself.

“Then what shall we do? Are you really going to force him as a son-in-law? Although it might hurt Hua Eun, the fellow’s character isn’t bad; he can handle her gently.”

Despite loving Hua Eun more than anyone, he had to admit that sometimes clan interests took precedence.

Dang Cheolsan voiced his thoughts aloud to his father.

“Let’s wait and see what Hua Eun decides.”

“Wait and see?”

Nodding to his father, Mandok God, Dang Cheolsan replied.

“Yes, first, I will trust Hua Eun. Secondly, I will trust So-ryong.”

“You trust Hua Eun, but what about So-ryong?”

“Yes, for now, Hua Eun might discover So-ryong’s potential and find him acceptable. We should check their communications after stepping in, right?”

“That makes sense. There’s always the chance Hua Eun might take a liking to him.”

Sure, she had stormed off in anger to find So-ryong, but things could very well turn out positively.

However, while he told his father to give Hua Eun a chance, Dang Cheolsan’s true hope lay in So-ryong.

A kid with outstanding knowledge of venomous creatures.

If he were truly the expert he claimed, he might just understand the psyche of the poisonous beings he cultivated, similar to how he had communicated with the Blue-Spotted Centipede’s offspring or the Kiss Bug.

Hua Eun of the Tang Clan—the masterpiece he had nurtured.

“And So-ryong also said, didn’t he?”

“What do you mean?”

“He declared that he is an expert in this field—specialist in venomous creatures. As a member of the Tang Clan possessing poison, let’s trust him once.”

“Hmmm… expert…”

While it might resonate with Hua Eun, who bore the blood of the Tang Clan, he wasn’t sure how it would register with her.

*

The next morning.

Though no one said anything, Dang Cheolsan and his family could tell that something unsettling had transpired.

They were all avoiding eye contact, clearly indicating that matters had taken a turn for the worse.

‘So it seems being labeled an expert doesn’t work on our daughter.’

With that, they pondered how to unite the pair over breakfast.

“Did you see this morning? There’s definitely something wrong.”

“It seems like the Junior Hero got rejected by Hua Eun, Father.”

“Ahem… it’s probably time for us to intervene. I’d rather try to help cultivate their feelings for each other than force a wedding. Any ideas on how to bring them closer?”

“Why not feign interest in Hua Eun’s preferences and have her take charge of the Junior Hero’s basic martial training? If they spend time together, surely feelings will develop?”

“Not a bad idea,”

“Well then, let’s proceed. I should ask my friend from the Martial Forest about the method of Through the Skin and Wash the Marrow to see if we can elevate his talent. It’s not an issue if he has low talent; we can just boost it.”

“That’s not something we could achieve at Hua Eun’s time, so don’t expect too much.”

As the three of them were deep in discussion about how to facilitate the feelings of their daughter and the Junior Hero, Hua Eun’s voice echoed from outside.

“Father, it’s me, Hua Eun.”

“Hua Eun?”

“What brings her to find me here?”

Hua Eun called for Dang Cheolsan as she entered the clan head’s office, who was curious about what had happened the previous day and wanted to probe the unfolding situation.

“Come in.”

Once Hua Eun stepped inside, she briefly faltered upon seeing everyone gathered.

It seemed she hadn’t expected to find all of them there.

“Oh? You three are here together?”

Yet something felt odd.

She had known her daughter for over twenty years, but today the atmosphere felt strangely different.

‘What’s going on? Something seems off…’

As she pondered, Hua Eun poured tea and spoke in a cautious voice.

“I came to deliver an important message.”

“A message?”

“Um, I’ve decided to follow Father’s words and…”

Her ears flushed bright red, and the color in her cheeks deepened.

Surprised by her sudden commitment, Dang Cheolsan tilted his head in confusion.

“What do you mean by that?”

His daughter, now radiating a warmth like sunlight, replied shyly.

“It’s about Wei So-ryong… the Junior Hero.”

“The Junior Hero…!? Wait, what!?”

“Oh-ho! So you’ve decided to go with it!”

“Yes, um… Grandfather…”

“Whoa! So, Hua Eun actually likes this fellow, huh?”

“Um, I mean, not that I particularly like him…”

That was about Wei So-ryong—a matter pertaining to marriage.

If she had resolved to follow along, it meant she would be marrying him.

He had initially expected it would take months of struggles to turn her mind, and if that failed, consider issuing a clan decree, but within just two days?

Beaming with joy, Dang Cheolsan asked his daughter.

“W-what happened so suddenly? I assumed it wouldn’t hit you that hard? Surely, So-ryong is a Ten Poisons Body at best!”

Bashfully, his daughter covered her mouth with one hand while gripping her teacup with the other as she spoke.

“Um, for my sake, he, um… promised to become the greatest in the world. He swore it, you know.”

“What!? The greatest in the world!?”

“Oh my goodness!”

Dang Cheolsan leaped from his seat, intrigued by the boastful claim of the ‘greatest in the world’ and moved to grasp his daughter’s hand tightly.

“Could you explain what that means in more detail?”

Then, his once-daughter, now shyly blossoming into a woman, began to describe timidly.

“Um, yes, I know I’m at Ten Poisons Body, but he… vowed to fill my Ten Poisons with the Great Venoms of the World. Father.”

“What!? He vowed to fill your Ten Poisons with the Ten Great Venoms!? That fellow definitely has some guts!”

His future son-in-law was indeed audacious.

To promise to become the greatest in the world not for his training or the clan, but for just one woman?

That was a bold move that melted a heart, once frozen by clan pressures, with a single strategic play.

An expert in poisons, he had perfectly captured the heart of the poisonous creatures nurtured by the Tang Clan.

At that moment, they were all amazed by the competence of the expert son-in-law.

Yet a worried voice came from his daughter.

“Um, but I’m also a bit worried. He might just talk a big game…”

“Oh, are you worried he might just speak fancifully?”

“Yes…”

Seeing his daughter’s concern, Dang Cheolsan smiled, sensing that he needed to alleviate her fears.

“Listen closely, Hua Eun. All spirit medicines and spirit creatures in the Martial World are meant for a destined owner.”

“Precisely. Your father’s right. All marvelous and mysterious things have their destined owners. If an ordinary person acts recklessly, harm will surely follow.”

“Why do you bring this up?”

Hua Eun tilted her head, puzzled.

Dang Cheolsan fetched a case containing a feather from an exotic bird and placed it onto the table to illustrate his point.

“Consider this: When you fell ill from Enthralled by the Fire, do you recall what happened in Hainan Island?

In nearly a century, no one had caught a Blue-Spotted Centipede, nor had anyone seen the Kiss Bug, the wild insect!

And let’s not forget the Fearsome Spirit, the ruler of the Ten Great Venoms, which I witnessed firsthand. Why do you think these strange events occurred?”

“I’m not sure?”

“It happened because a rightful owner for these miraculous occurrences has finally emerged!”

“A rightful owner?”

“A person who knows the most about poisons and commands the loyalty of poison creatures. Mark my words; he will come through with his vow!”

Hua Eun nodded at her father’s explanation.

Whether she found it logical or not, her expression softened, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

The discussion they had with the three of them was now joined by a fourth, shifting from how to connect the two hearts to how to transform So-ryong into an ideal fit for the Tang Clan.

“Father, I gave him my heart, but for the Junior Hero, um… I’ve also stated that the wedding will take place when he comes of age. And if he can procure a single one of the Ten Great Venoms during that time, then I will grant him my consent.”

“Why not request three at once? One should hardly suffice to win over our daughter. Undoubtedly, he understands that you opened your heart to him.”

“No, clan head. I’m sure he won’t get it. Men tend to lack a bit in the awareness department. He probably interprets it as he must capture one Great Venom within three years to marry me.”

“Oh? Does that mean we should tell him clearly the conditions?”

“No, we shouldn’t. That way, he won’t realize I’ve already accepted him, and he’ll work all the harder for it. For your sake?”

“For me?”

“Why would he slack off if he believes he has to work hard to earn you? So let’s allow him to remain unaware; it’s for the best. After all, as you mentioned, if the Junior Hero isn’t yet eighteen, the wedding can’t occur.”

“Then we’ll treat him like a son-in-law while keeping it a secret. That way, he’ll strive all the more to prove himself. Eventually, he’ll become a part of our family.”

It was a bustling scene in the clan head’s office.

*

For a moment, I was stunned by the fact they used the lethal creature.

Sister and the Clan Leader’s family led me deeper inside.

Navigating the lighted corridor with the Night Pearl where they stored all the completed poisons, we finally came to a wooden door.

“This is where we keep the Tang Clan’s poisons.”

“Oh, so this is it?”

Though I still found my heart racing with the knowledge that my sister’s clan was infamous for large-scale killings, the mere mention of poison compelled me to dart inside the door behind her.

‘This is a real predicament for me.’

-Creeeak.

As the door opened, shock overwhelmed me.

This was nothing less than a slaughterhouse, contrary to my expectations.

The snakes contained in jars were emaciated and ill-fed, and clearly, there weren’t many varieties.

Given they didn’t seem to cultivate additional food, it appeared more like a temporary holding area for extracting poison rather than a professional breeding facility.

“What is this…”

“You’re probably disappointed, right? Many venomous creatures die, and unlike plants or mushrooms, they can’t be tended easily…”

Indeed, while the castor bean could be cultivated en masse, venomous creatures required an understanding of their unique ecological needs.

Noticing my expression of disappointment, the clan leader placed a hand on my shoulder in understanding as he continued.

“If you wish, you could manage this place. The clan will provide all the support you need—whether it’s money or poisonous creatures, just tell us what you require.”

“Really?!”

The clan leader was backing my hobby!

The Succession Clan of the Martial World, where psychopathic killings thrived?

A family that only offered extremely tempting proposals, it seemed hard to refuse.

In the face of the mind-bending situation, my head was spinning.

If they would fully support my hobbies, and I could have the latest computers, zero-gravity chairs, and big screens, even a daily chicken meal, that would indeed be paradise!