Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

After breakfast, I gathered Captain Gu Pae and the Venom Squad for a much-needed educational session.

It turned out that the warriors had taken liberties with the hamsters because, in the Tang Clan, venomous creatures were only ever regarded as tools—living sources of venom while alive, and culinary ingredients once dead.

Snakes were stewed into soups or roasted, their venom seen merely as an ingredient to be harvested. As a result, venomous creatures weren’t valued beyond their utility, and even the feed given to them wasn’t considered worth managing.

Captain Gu Pae, at least, understood my respect for venomous creatures, which was why he brought the offending warriors to apologize. But it was clear that the problem was deeper than their actions—it was systemic.

The Tang Clan didn’t have a concept of treating animals as companions. Even dogs were just livestock, fed scraps, and occasionally eaten as a delicacy.

Moreover, the idea of using living venom as a resource was still a minority view within the clan. The Tang Clan prized their own synthesized poisons and a few select natural venoms. Venomous creatures were seen as expendable; if their numbers dwindled, they would simply catch more.

I had also mentioned yesterday that it would take at least a month or two to establish a stable supply of Chinese hamsters. Until then, I suggested feeding the tiger-striped pit vipers with frogs and small toads. This likely contributed to the warriors’ lax attitude, leading to the incident.

“From now on, you must never harm or touch any living creatures within the Venomous Creatures’ Garden. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir So-ryong!”

With that, the educational session ended, and I left the Venomous Creatures’ Garden.

“Sir So-ryong, I’m truly sorry. I’ll ensure that the warriors who misbehaved are punished severely,” Captain Gu Pae said, bowing apologetically.

“It’s not just about punishment, Captain. This problem won’t be solved by discipline alone. I have an idea, so let’s wait and see.”

“You have an idea, Sir?”

“Yes,” I replied confidently.

The first place I went was the Pavilion of the Clan Leader.

“Grandfather, it’s So-ryong. May I come in?”

“Ah, So-ryong, come in!”

Inside the pavilion, I found Grandfather in the middle of a meeting with the clan elders. Despite being busy hosting guests and managing the aftermath of the Blood Cult attack, he greeted me with a smile.

“Ah, our grandson-in-law is here!”

“So-ryong, how are you feeling?”

“Look who’s here—our proud Tang Clan family member, So-ryong! Haha!”

The atmosphere was warm, likely influenced by my recent success against the Blood Cult.

I greeted the elders politely and stepped further inside.
“Pardon my intrusion during your busy meeting.”

“No need to apologize. We were just about to take a break. Now, what brings you here, So-ryong? Oh, but first, have a seat. Would you like some tea?”

“No need for tea, but I’ll gladly sit.”

I sat down as requested and informed them that preparations for retrieving the tiger-striped pit vipers were complete.

Then, I brought up the main reason for my visit.

“Grandfather, there’s something troubling I’d like to discuss.”

“Go on.”

I explained how venomous creatures weren’t being treated with respect within the clan and shared the incident involving the hamsters.

“Is that so?” Grandfather frowned, clearly displeased.

The elders listened intently as I explained the growing importance of venomous creatures to the clan and the need to shift their perspective.

“You’re right, So-ryong. If things continue as they are, we’ll run into problems,” Grandfather agreed, nodding.

“Eldest Patriarch, shall we punish a few of the offenders as an example?” one of the elders suggested.

“That might be necessary. So-ryong, what do you think we should do?”

Grandfather turned to me for my opinion, and I seized the opportunity to share my idea.

“I believe we need more than just punishment. We should establish a culture of companion venomous creatures within the Tang Clan.”

The room fell silent, the elders exchanging puzzled looks.

“A culture of companion venomous creatures?” Grandfather echoed, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. We need to create a set of rules that ensures every clan member understands the value of venomous creatures—not just as tools but as companions deserving respect. For example…”

I began laying out my proposal.

***

Zhuge Hu, the strategist of the Martial Alliance stationed in Wuhan, was on his way to the Tang Clan in Sichuan. Leading the Fierce Tiger Division, one of the elite Martial Alliance units, he was accompanied by forces from his own Zhuge family and the Wudang Sect.

“We’ll reach the Tang Clan shortly, Strategist,” reported one of the elders from the Wudang Sect riding ahead.

“Good. That means we’ll finally escape sleeping under the stars,” Zhuge Hu replied.

“Indeed, it seems so.”

As they neared the bridge spanning the Tang River, which marked the entrance to the Tang Clan, Zhuge Hu wore a conflicted expression. Though the prospect of resting in proper accommodations was appealing, his thoughts were preoccupied with the instructions given to him by the Martial Alliance’s leader.

When the news of the Blood Cult’s resurgence and their attack on the Tang Clan had reached the Martial Alliance, no one had reacted more strongly than the current leader, Zhou Jung-hak. Thirty years ago, during the Blood Cult Rebellion, Zhou’s family and wife were slaughtered by the cult, leaving him the sole survivor. His hatred for the cult was legendary, known even to the youngest disciples of the Martial Alliance.

Zhou had famously vowed upon becoming leader:

Hearing the news, Zhou had erupted in fury and intended to personally lead the Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan.

“I’ll lead the Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan myself! How dare those Blood Cult scum!” Zhou had declared.

Zhuge Hu, however, had intervened.
“Leader, you must not leave your post. If the Blood Cult has truly resurfaced, there could be massacres happening across the Central Plains. Your presence here is essential for maintaining control.”

After much persuasion, Zhou relented.
“Fine. Strategist, I trust you. Go in my place and bring me good news—catch their trail and find their base if you can.”

Thus, Zhuge Hu had found himself on this mission, now standing on the threshold of the Tang Clan.

As the Tang Clan’s gates came into view, a guard stepped forward to address them.
“Who goes there?”

“I am Zhuge Hu, strategist of the Martial Alliance,” Zhuge Hu replied.

The guard bowed respectfully. “Welcome to the Tang Clan, Strategist. Please wait a moment; the Elder, Mandok Shingun, will personally come to greet you.”

As the guard hurried off toward the clan's main compound, another Tang warrior approached Zhuge Hu with a cautious expression. Bowing, the warrior said,
“Before you enter, Strategist, I must inform you of one rule within the Tang Clan.”

“A rule?” Zhuge Hu asked, tilting his head.

The elder of the Wudang Sect, Silver Star of Heaven, also raised a brow.
“Do we need to leave our weapons behind? Is there a Sword Releasing Pool?”

In Wudang, visitors were required to leave their weapons at a specific location known as the Sword Releasing Pool. Silver Star of Heaven assumed the Tang Clan might have implemented something similar, given the recent Blood Cult attack.

The Tang warrior scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed.
“No, it’s not that. The rule is… no harm must come to even the smallest insect within the Tang Clan’s gates.”

The group stared at the warrior, bewildered.

“No harm to insects?” Zhuge Hu repeated, incredulous.

“Has the Tang Clan converted to Buddhism?” Silver Star of Heaven asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

The warrior winced. “It will make sense once you enter, but please take this rule seriously.”

Before they could question him further, two figures approached from the Tang Clan compound, moving swiftly with light-footed grace. One was a young woman, the other a boy.

The woman was Tang Hwa-eun, a name Zhuge Hu recognized instantly. Known as one of the "Three Beauties of the Martial World," she was the cherished daughter of the Tang Clan.

“Ah, Lady Hwa-eun. It’s been some time,” Zhuge Hu greeted her warmly.

“It has been exactly a year since we last met, Strategist,” she replied with a polite smile.

“And where is Mandok Shingun?”

“My grandfather is inspecting the site where the Blood Cult attacked alongside the clan’s warriors. I apologize for his absence and hope you don’t mind us welcoming you in his stead.”

“No need to apologize. It’s an honor to be greeted by Lady Hwa-eun herself,” Zhuge Hu replied graciously.

As the group began to enter the Tang Clan’s gates, Zhuge Hu’s eyes fell on the boy accompanying Tang Hwa-eun. His refined features and composed demeanor caught Zhuge Hu’s attention.

“And who might this young man be?” Zhuge Hu asked.

The boy stepped forward and introduced himself.
“Pleased to meet you, Strategist. My name is Wei Su Long.”

“Wei?” Zhuge Hu echoed, puzzled by the surname. He turned to Tang Hwa-eun, seeking clarification.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she stammered,
“H-he’s my fiancé.”

“Your fiancé?”

“Her fiancé?!” Zhuge Hu’s entourage erupted in whispers, especially among the younger warriors who secretly admired Tang Hwa-eun.

Tang Hwa-eun was not only known for her beauty but also for her sharp wit and martial prowess. Hearing that she was engaged to this seemingly young boy was a blow to many of her admirers.

As Zhuge Hu pondered how this revelation might stir up trouble among his troops, a strange sound filled the air.

Bzzz… Bzzzz…

Startled, Zhuge Hu looked around, trying to locate the source.
“What’s that noise?”

“Above! Look up!” someone shouted.

Zhuge Hu raised his head to see a swarm of giant bees descending toward them.

“Golden Hornet Kings! Everyone, be on guard!” a warrior from the Fierce Tiger Division shouted, drawing his sword.

Before chaos could erupt, Wei Su Long stepped forward, raising his arms to block them.
“Stop! Put your weapons away immediately!”

“Are you mad? Those are deadly creatures!” one of the warriors protested.@@novelbin@@

Wei Su Long shook his head firmly.
“They’re mine. Stand down.”

The warriors stared at him in disbelief.

One of the hornets landed gently on Wei Su Long’s outstretched arm. He spoke to it in a calm, almost affectionate tone.
“Did you come looking for me? I know I’ve been away for a while, but don’t sting the guests, okay?”

The swarm of hornets buzzed harmlessly around him, as if responding to his words.

Zhuge Hu, along with everyone else, stood frozen in awe. The hostile gazes of the warriors who had bristled at Wei Su Long moments ago dissipated, replaced by stunned silence.