Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 122: Poisoning 2

Following Shin Tu’s awkward remarks, Elder Sister Seol’s voice filled with complaints came next.

“I can’t carry three! If I were a man, I’d manage to carry two, but with them both being women, Young Ryeon can’t possibly carry them both!”

“I don’t want to be carried by that woman! I’ll just walk!”

“S-sorry! But haven’t I already apologized?!”

“Does saying sorry solve everything!?”

Young Ryeon, Shin Tu’s disciple, apologized to Elder Sister Seol again due to her anger, but her fury was not easily extinguished.

It stemmed from the incident where her blood was drawn and her clothes ripped off, and the grudge was still fresh.

While there was hardly a difference in surface area between Elder Sister Seol’s original attire and her current state, psychologically, it felt quite different.

“But no one saw you, right?”

“What!? You saw me!”

“S-sorry!”

Thus, deciding who would go to the Martial Forest Alliance before departure became a rather awkward affair.

The individuals heading to the Martial Forest Alliance were me, Elder Sister Seol, and Hua Eun.

Elder Sister Seol needed to personally visit with a recommendation letter from the Tang Clan and an application to join the Martial Forest Alliance from our adoptive father. Meanwhile, I was going to explain the poison we would deliver, and Hua Eun was accompanying us as the family representative.

It was a bit amusing that someone like Mandok God or an artisan wasn’t present, and it was Hua Eun, as the experienced representative, joining our group.

The reason was simply that ‘it would look improper.’

The reason Shin Tu could reach Wuhuan in just three days was due to his incredible lightness skill.

So, using this fast bullet taxi required being carried on the back of either Shin Tu or his disciple, Young Ryeon.

However, it was unthinkable for an artisan or Mandok God to carry a woman like Shin Tu’s disciple, nor could Shin Tu himself carry another person.

Thus, Hua Eun became the representative from our clan.

I couldn’t say I couldn’t go because Seol and Bing might lay eggs, as Shin Tu assured us he could get us there in three days.

That was more than enough time to make a trip.

But there was a problem: aside from Elder Sister Seol’s unresolved anger, we had only two taxis available.

The Martial Forest bullet taxis were one-person rides, and currently, only two operated.

That was why Shin Tu was making a troubled face.

If I were a man, Shin Tu could just shoulder both, but Elder Sister Seol and Hua Eun were women, so carrying them wasn’t an option. Young Ryeon also couldn’t carry more than one person due to her lack of skill.

‘Shall we leave Hua Eun out?’

“Then we should leave out Hua Eun, but I’m worried because So-ryong doesn’t know the etiquette of the Martial Forest. Since my in-law’s Southern Barbarian Beast Palace is joining the Martial Forest Alliance, they need to understand the manners well.”

“Indeed. Father.”

As Mandok God said, both Sister Seol and I were country bumpkins from the Central Plains, lacking knowledge of etiquette, so someone experienced like Hua Eun was needed. This created an ambiguous situation.

– Tsrit?

At that moment, Chao, who had been flying around the sky, noticed our rather confrontational atmosphere and asked what was going on.

“No, Chao, we’re not fighting. We’re just chatting. Don’t worry, Chao. Just play for a bit.”

As I stroked Chao’s head, telling her not to worry, she soared back into the air above me.

It was while watching Chao making a circle above my head that a sudden brilliant idea struck me.

‘Ah! Of course! That would work!’

Taking Hua Eun along while ensuring Elder Sister Seol wouldn’t be burdened by Young Ryeon.

I quickly asked Shin Tu, “Can you fly a kite, Shin Tu?”

“A kite?”

“Yes, a long, big one…”

‘If we fly it over the Han River we could definitely be the center of attention.’

*

“······So then, everyone is okay with this, right? I’ve even tried a demonstration?”

“Got it. Long.”

“Alright, then let’s hurry up.”

Once everything was organized by my idea, Shin Tu was ready to set off immediately, saying we’d quickly return in a few days without any preparations needed.

“Hold on a moment. Shin Tu, just let the kids greet each other. I need to explain why we’re leaving. Otherwise, they’ll all follow us.”

But with the kids in my care, I couldn’t just take off like that.

If I vanished alongside Hua Eun, it’d cause chaos, after all.

“Uh? The kids? Oh, those kids? Right, I see.”

So, I decided to say goodbye to those who would be left behind since I would be taking only Hyang and Chao with me.

Seol was likely busy laying eggs at this moment, so we agreed to leave her behind, and with Seol staying, Bing had to as well.

Besides, a snake could go without food for a month or two, but that was something that should only be done when absolutely necessary.

Yeon-du needed to eat baby koi every other day, so mobility would be a hassle for her.

Seol seemed to be aware of Bing’s condition and nodded obediently when told to stay, while Yeon-du showed no reaction—perhaps simply because there wasn’t much attachment yet.

But the real problem was Yeo-hwa.

“Yeo-hwa, you can only stay for ten days, alright?”

– Kishi…

With a clearly sulky expression, Yeo-hwa crossed her arms, clearly miffed due to Hua Eun’s presence.

It seemed that since she had consumed the Yang Energy of Spear Dragon last time, her resistance to other Yang Energies had lessened, and despite her pleading to stay, it seemed she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

As expected, she responded affirmatively but, just like last time, refused to let go of my sleeve.

I worried we might not be able to leave today if this continued, and when I saw her distressed face, Young Ryeon stepped forward and asked me.

“Could you give me that thread from earlier, So-ryong?”

“The thread?”

“Yes, the thick thread.”

I had just pulled out a thread from Yeo-hwa, and now Young Ryeon, Shin Tu’s disciple, wanted it.

She requested two short threads.

“Sure, um…”

Not sure if she wanted it as a souvenir or for some other reason, I nodded and took a bit of thread from Yeo-hwa to hand over to Young Ryeon.

“Now, both of you, stretch out your wrists.”

“Wrists?”

– Kisit?

Suddenly being asked to stretch out our wrists, Yeo-hwa and I timidly extended our hands, which led to Young Ryeon tying the thread I had handed her around my wrist and Yeo-hwa’s.

Looking at Yeo-hwa, Young Ryeon remarked:

“Yeo-hwa, right? With this, I’ve tied the thread of your life to So-ryong, so even if you’re apart, you stay together. How about that, can you let him go now?”

Upon hearing this, Hua Eun smiled and suggested, “Is this similar to the red thread of fate?”

“Red thread?”

“Yes, when the Old Man Under the Moon ties a red string around the ankles of two people, they’re destined to meet. It symbolizes connection, so since it’s around your wrists, it’s a promise of return. I thought that’s what it might mean.”

‘Ah, the red thread of destiny?’

I nodded, recalling that tale about fateful threads.

And wondering if this would make Yeo-hwa let me go, I then noticed the sudden outburst.

– Kisit!

Yeo-hwa angrily severed the thread right there.

Both hers and mine.

“S-sorry! I thought you’d like it…”

Young Ryeon hastily apologized to Yeo-hwa, but with an annoyed Yeo-hwa cutting the thread, she started behaving inexplicably.

Out of nowhere, she began pulling out threads again.

This time, they were vividly red.

“Red?”

I had never pulled out red threads before, but it came out as if dyed.

While I was stunned by the fact that she could pull out red threads, a thick red thread bound my leg to Yeo-hwa’s.

No, it looped around like a ring.

With no visible knots.

Then, with a satisfied expression, Yeo-hwa gave me a gentle shove, gesturing as if wishing me a safe trip.

– Kisisisi.

“Eh?”

“Uh?”

“Hmm?”

Hua Eun, Elder Sister Seol, and Young Ryeon all gave bewildered looks as they stared at the thread between Yeo-hwa and me.

I waved goodbye with a strangely awkward expression.

After all, our races were different.

“No, it couldn’t mean that. Ah, no way.”

‘No, Yeo-hwa? Right? We’re… different races! Impossible love!’

I may love and adore venomous insects, but my mind went blank.

What would I do if it turned out to be real?

*

Giant centipede kite flying.

A colossal centipede wrapping around a person, soaring through the sky.

As we led that centipede-like kite to the entrance of the Martial Forest Alliance, the crowd welcomed us with immense enthusiasm.

“Oh, Oh-gong!?”

“Is that Oh-gong flying in the sky!?”

“That’s not Oh-gong, but looks like a Green Dragon!?”

Indeed, as I expected, Shin Tu was definitely the center of attention.

The reason this spectacle had to happen was that Elder Sister Seol refused to ride on Young Ryeon’s back, leading many to travel.

So I had Chao wrap around Elder Sister Seol while telling Shin Tu and Young Ryeon to take Yeo-hwa’s tied Chao and run.

Chao hovered in the air with a powerful current, and when soaring, it felt almost weightless.

The excessive reception was likely due to something weird coming from afar, causing a stir.

As soon as Shin Tu presented his identity, the commotion died down, and everyone stepped back.

“Is the leader here!? It’s urgent! Quickly relay a signal to the leader! I am Shin Tu!”

With a display of the thread released from his wrist, the warriors reacted in shock.

As Shin Tu’s artifact, the Heavenly Serpent’s Soul, glimmered, showering light around, the warriors bowed and cried out.

“S-Sin Tu!”

“We greet you, the illustrious Shin Tu!”

*

– Bang!

Frantically notified of our arrival, the leader slammed his hand onto the table with an expression of anger and shock.

This was because all personnel involved in intelligence activities reported killed in action.

“What!? All… all died!?”

“Such a thing!”

The familiar military officer, Zhuge Hu, also held a perplexed expression.

“Yes, it seems nearly all twelve members, including Bu Gak-ju, have perished. As we retreated to the Central Plains, the area was searched, and Mandok God even searched within the borders, but no survivors were found.

The only ones who happened to accompany us were Spear Dragon, Sword Phoenix, and Knife Dragon.

Those three are severely injured and will need to recuperate at the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace for over three months…”

“Ugh… I should have mobilized more experts… This was my mistake.”

It seemed this operation had been set up by Officer Zhuge Hu, who hung his head in sorrow.

Seeing this, the leader shook his head firmly.

“Is this really the right time to ascertain right or wrong? Military officers should not speak such words.”

“Here, take this…”

To the somber duo, I presented the paper we brought with us.

It wasn’t a senseless sacrifice after all.

“What is this?”

“It was provided by Bu Gak-ju when he rushed toward danger, parting the way for us. It details some locations suspected to be the headquarters of the Blood Cult…”

As I handed over the blood-stained paper with a hole from Knife Dragon’s stab, the leader took it with trembling hands.

“Thank you. The Martial Forest Alliance has once again received substantial help from you.”

Afterward, I introduced Sister Seol to the leader and relayed the news that the Blood Cult formed an alliance with the Five Poisons Sect.

And that, thanks to it, the poison of Blood Demon Wood might become useless, along with the information about finding a new poison.

“This time, it’s a poison that blocks blood energy?”

“Yes, Military Officer. Leader.”

“Hoho…”

“Blessed fortune for the Martial Forest.”

The Southern Barbarian Beast Palace’s entry into the Martial Forest Alliance was immensely welcomed.

The location was very close to the border of the Great Yue Kingdom, where the Blood Cult surely resided, making it a good base for monitoring any movements of the Blood Cult.

Thus, the entrance was a free pass.

Soon, we agreed to send a delegation through Sichuan, and just as we were stepping out of the leader’s office, someone’s voice called out.

“Poison Flower, it’s been a while.”

Turning my head, I saw two women and three men standing there.

Hua Eun greeted the man who spoke.

“It’s been a while. Ji-ryong.”

‘Ji-ryong?’

He seemed to belong to the same group as Knife Dragon.

Hua Eun introduced this man to me and Elder Sister Seol.

“So-ryong, this is Ji-ryong from the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes. Ji-ryong, this is So-ryong, son of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, and this is Elder Sister Seol, daughter of Beast King.”

“Nice to meet you. Young Hero and Miss Seol. I am Ji-ryong, Ji-gal Yong-cheon. I’m a military officer of the Martial Forest Alliance, and Officer Zhuge Hu is my uncle. These are Kwon-ryong and Geom-ryong, and the woman behind is Eun-bong and Gong-bong.”

The man was obviously the nephew of Officer Zhuge Hu and also belonged to the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

This group consisted of Ji-gal Yong-cheon, who looked rather rough, Kwon-ryong with thick eyebrows, and a brooding Geom-ryong.

And two women, one with a dazed face named Gong-bong, and the other with lips red like a rat’s dying gasp, named Eun-bong.

“So, what brings you here?”

When I asked why they stopped us, Ji-ryong pressed his temple as if he had a headache and replied.

“Um… Actually, I’m curious about the news regarding Knife Dragon, Spear Dragon, and Sword Phoenix. I heard my uncle say Poison Flower brought news from there…”

“Ah…”

It seems he was worried about his other friends from the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes.

I couldn’t tell him that all the intelligence gathering personnel had been slaughtered, so I vaguely responded that they were alright.

The military officers and leader would announce the details later.

“I cannot provide specifics. They’re fine, so you needn’t worry.”

“Is that so… I understand. Then.”

Nodding in understanding, Ji-ryong appeared perceptive, perhaps because he was related to Officer Zhuge Hu.

Just as he headed away after confirming their business, the evening fell.

As Shin Tu stole some famous wine and delicacies from Wuhuan, we sat around sharing the spoils.

“Here, give this a try. This is ten-year-old Shaoxing wine.”

“Did you steal this too?”

“Of course! Do you think this Shin Tu would just buy it?”

Just then, military officer Zhuge Hu rushed over, appearing flustered.

“Excuse me for troubling you, Shin Tu. Poison Flower, can you help me!?”

Not directed at me, but at Hua Eun, Zhuge Hu was asking for something.

Hua Eun tilted her head, asking back.

“Do you mean me?”

The military officer nodded vigorously with an urgent look.

“My nephew Yong-cheon has collapsed, and the Martial Forest Alliance’s doctors suspect poisoning.”

“Eh!? Yong-cheon, you mean Ji-ryong!? Poisoning?”

The military officer’s nephew almost got poisoned within the Martial Forest Alliance!

The outside world was beginning to stir.