Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 3: The Arrival of the Little One

As soon as I stepped into the Nine Entrance Gate towering at the entrance of the Four Heavenly Houses, people burst forth.

Those rushing out greeted the Clan Head, celebrating his return.

Well, I wasn’t officially introduced as part of the family yet, so I was cautiously following behind the Sub Commander while observing from afar. That’s when the voices of the warriors rose in unison.

“The young lady is coming down!”

“The young lady approaches!”

When they mentioned the young lady, I peeked over the Sub Commander’s shoulder towards the distant mountain ridges, and there she was—a sister clad in a red silk gown, floating toward us like a celestial maiden.

‘This is insane…’

I felt as though a light was bursting from the heavens.

Does she have a divine halo around her?

I had been gaining popularity as a YouTuber, and interestingly, the topic of venomous creatures was quite appealing to women for collaborations.

I wasn’t afraid of snakes.

I wasn’t afraid of bugs.

Many female celebrities and beautiful YouTubers had asked to collaborate, wanting to show either a strong persona or a vulnerable side. So, I thought I had developed quite a tolerance for pretty women.

I had even collaborated with three of the top beauties in South Korea.

But…

That sister was different.

Not just her looks, but her lineage, her aura, her very being was on a whole different level.

Compared to the women I had seen in my previous life, she would easily turn them into mere appetizers.

No, if she stood among the women I met in my previous life, she would surely transform all of them into mere side dishes.

A human side dish factory.

‘Is she truly the Clan Head’s daughter? The Clan Head must have been an astonishing beauty… It appears the Clan Head owes her life to her.’

I was beginning to think that this family was saved by her, and the future of the Four Heavenly Houses looked bright.

“Father!”

“Hua Eun, are you well?”

“Yes, Father. I’m sorry.”

“No need for apologies. As long as you’re healthy, that’s what matters! Ah! I have someone to introduce you to.”

As she gracefully descended before the Clan Head, my introduction came out of nowhere.

As soon as the Clan Head’s words began, the Sub Commander stepped aside, revealing my shabby appearance.

The truth was, I hadn’t washed in nearly a month.

I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to hide in a mouse hole, but as a newbie, skipping the greeting wasn’t an option.

Standing in front of such beauty made me nervous, and my shabby state was an added shame. As I timidly took a step forward, the words of the Clan Head echoed in my ears.

“Ah, Wei So-ryong. This is my daughter Tang Hua-eun. What did you say? Grass smell? Fragrance of grass? Ah! That’s right. Grass stem! Yes, this child is like a grass stem.”

“Whaaat!?”

“Excuse me!?”

The astonished gazes of the surrounding warriors turned toward me.

I had heard plenty of absurd jokes from CEOs in my previous life about how a mere employee would be trampled like an ant, but I never expected that I would become the punchline.

Before starting, I had thoroughly checked everything except for the boss’s penchant for absurd humor.

‘This is the infamous joke of a boss who finds it amusing while the lower-level employees are left in despair! I can’t believe the Clan Head has such a ridiculous sense of humor!’

Thanks to the Clan Head’s joke, my first impression with the Clan Head’s daughter had plummeted.

The Clan Head’s daughter looked at me with an incredulous expression.

After all, which woman would feel flattered to be compared to grass?

In my previous life, “grass stem” was a euphemism for unhealthy-looking women.

‘Oh no! Is my life in the Clan going to be a mess? Of all people to offend, it’s the boss’s daughter… But why did I even say “grass stem”?’

I was baffled but also tried to recall when I had called her that.

Knowing the situation would allow me to at least apologize.

Otherwise, I could just deny it by saying it was a misunderstanding.

“…Well, this isn’t something I’m boasting about, but my daughter is one of the Three Flowers of the Middle Plains…”

“Wait a second!”

“What did you just say!?”

“Huh? Oh, you’re quite young but still a man, right? That’s right! My daughter, one of the Three Flowers of the Middle Plains…”

“No, not that grass stem nonsense. Before that!”

“Huh!?”

‘No way… This can’t be happening. It can’t be!’

This situation was bizarre beyond the functionality of my brain.

According to my memories, that celestial maiden—or rather, the boss’s daughter—was supposed to be one of the privileges given to me by the Clan Head.

‘Wei So-ryong, get a grip! Sure, she’s beautiful, and the moment I saw her, I thought about when I would get married and what to name my third child. Those thoughts are natural. You’re a man after all.

But the boss’s daughter? This must be a misunderstanding.

There’s no way someone of such a high status would offer me such a divine blessing…’

Truly nonsensical.

The only thing I had done was point out a location where the Blue-Spotted Centipede might be found to save the Clan Head’s dying daughter.

But to offer her as a daughter-in-law? What kind of nonsense is that?

Pulling myself together, I attempted to navigate this awkward scenario by offering my greeting.

“Y-Your humor is quite strong, Clan Head. Pleased to meet you, young lady. I’m Wei So-ryong. I’ve heard you were very ill. Seeing you now, I’m relieved to know you’ve regained your health.”

“Y-Yes? Uh… Pleased to meet you for the first time. I’m Poison Flower Tang Hua-eun. Thank you for saving me. I will never forget this favor for the rest of my life.”

As that awkward introduction came to an end, the Clan Head smiled and said, “Hua Eun, you must repay this favor for the rest of your life.”

“Yes, of course, Father. Poison Flower Tang Hua-eun—not “Gracious Stone,” but a heart engraved in memory for this Wei So-ryong. I will cherish this favor deep in my bones and treat him as a benefactor.”

“Good, that’s how my daughter should be.”

Once the introductions concluded, the Clan Head began ascending the stairs with his daughter on his right and me on his left.

As I followed him deeper into the Four Heavenly Houses, I heard the Clan Head’s voice whispering in my head.

“How does it feel? Would you like to pluck a Moon Season flower?”

I recognized this as a form of a secret conversation after having witnessed the Sub Commander’s martial prowess during our journey to Sichuan.

So, I looked up at the Clan Head, who was grinning at me with a comical face.

‘Is this really true!? So, does that mean the rose is this maiden…?’

My hand moved almost on its own to cover my mouth, and I found myself nodding vigorously without even realizing it.

It was shock, yet…

Truly.

*

The awkward greeting that started with my father finished just like that.

Though I had imagined various images of a mystic benefactor, the first impression of the young lady Tang Hua-eun was one of pity instead of grandeur, as she looked malnourished and wore shabby clothing.

According to my grandfather, he had lived off snakes and lizards in the mountains, so I could understand it.

But despite having lived alone in the mountains, her polite demeanor made a deep impression on Tang Hua-eun.

She had planned to treat him like her own brother, worried that he might turn out to be a rogue, but with that character, she figured there was no need to worry.

As such, Tang Hua-eun decided to tell the servant girls to prepare rich food for him daily and vowed to personally take care of new clothes and baths.

It was only natural to repay a favor.

Having arrived at the corner room of the Four Harmonies Courtyard, where only the direct descendants of the clan reside, Tang Hua-eun found her mother and grandfather waiting.

They were celebrating the Clan Head’s return.

“Did you come back well?”

“I have returned, Father.”

“Good, you must have had troubles. It’s been quite a while since I last saw you. Feel free to stay, as this is your home.”

“It’s been a while since I saw you, Elder. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“Did you return, Clan Head?”

“Madam, were you well? You’ve worked hard.”

“I have no troubles whatsoever. It’s you who has suffered. By the way, this is the young hero who helped save Hua Eun?”

“Yes, that would be me. Thank you for your warm welcome.”

With those brief exchanges complete, as only the clan’s direct descendants were in that inner room, the mother was about to escort the guest into the guest hall when…

“Servants, prepare the guest’s bath and the best room in the guest hall…”

“Madam, please give the guest a room in the inner Dong-i room.”

“Excuse me!? The Dong-i room?”

Mother was taken aback by Father’s words.

Grandfather stared, eyes wide open, and asked, “Are you saying you want to give him the Dong-i room?”

The inner area of the Four Harmonies Courtyard was a place exclusive to direct relatives, and the Dong-i room meant sharing a courtyard, which made it shocking.

Sharing a courtyard was only permissible for blood relatives, and furthermore, it meant sharing it with Tang Hua-eun’s own room.

In noble families, a little one like me wouldn’t cross the door frame until a special occasion before marriage. So, it was shocking to be asked to share the inner courtyard.

“Of course, Father. We need to have an urgent conversation, so let’s take this inside.”

Even if he is a benefactor, that felt slightly excessive.

The young hero, looking utterly confused, was led by the servants toward the Dong-i room. Accompanied by the elders, Tang Hua-eun entered the room used by her father and mother.

Then, as usual, it was Grandfather who broke the silence.

“I don’t understand why you brought the young hero into the Dong-i room! The courtyard there is shared. It seems a bit excessive for a guest, especially with Hua Eun here who hasn’t married yet.”

As Grandfather questioned, Mother and Tang Hua-eun nodded in agreement.

The Clan Head smiled and began to explain, “First, let me tell you this. After parting from you, I nearly lost my life at the hands of the young hero.”

“What!?”

“Whaat!?”

The elders were taken aback by the Clan Head almost losing his life.

Then, unexpectedly, he pulled out a book from his cloak and placed it on the table.

“This is…?”

“Blood Water Poison Claw! How dare that cursed scoundrel end up in your hands!?”

The Blood Water Poison Claw was known to Tang Hua-eun, for it belonged to the Blood Hand Demon Tak Woon-yang, who was killed by her grandfather.

“Seems like that Tak Woon-yang was alive after not dying at your hands and had been gnashing his teeth on Hainan Island.”

“Tak Woon-yang! So what happened? If that scoundrel was alive, you must have had a hard time defeating him!”

I recalled that grandfather had once said he struggled for five hundred exchanges to even win a single strike against that guy, so it must have been no easy task for Father.

As everyone was filled with curiosity about what had transpired, the Father’s response was startling.

“The Blood Hand Demon Tak Woon-yang was defeated by the hands of the young hero.”

“Whaat!? The young hero did that!?”

“W-Wait, are you talking about that young hero?”

The shocked family members listened as the story unfolded, filled with strange wonders.

The young hero had even hatched an egg of the Blue-Spotted Centipede.

With that Blue-Spotted Centipede, he had defeated Tak Woon-yang, causing everyone to have expressions of disbelief.

Moreover, Father explained that the young hero possessed remarkable skills in raising venomous insects and recognizing them, leaving everyone astounded.

Also, he had discovered people suffering from a strange disease while searching for Tak Woon-yang, realizing the source was the Kiss Bug, which earned him admiration.

“Is it true you had such talents?”

“Indeed! We thought of it as good fortune, but the fortune was the young hero himself!”

“Ha! I can’t believe I failed to spot such a treasure.”

The final part of Father’s story was the icing on the cake, as it unveiled something unimaginable.

He would speak of having even seen a mythical creature thought to exist only in legends.

Clack.

Inside the container shielding the venom, a single beautiful feather.

“This is the feather of the mythical creature.”

“Th-this is… I can feel a strong venom coming from within this beautiful feather.”

“This is a mythical creature’s feather. It’s truly beautiful.”

While we were captivated by the beauty and venom of the feather, Father’s gentle voice broke through.

“Hua Eun?”

As the call directed her attention away from the stunning feather to Father, he proposed something unbelievable.

“I wish to take that young hero as my son-in-law. What do you think?”

“A son-in-law!? If he becomes my husband…?”

Now, the only daughter of the Clan Head, if he wanted to take her as his son-in-law, it meant he was seriously considering that little guy as her partner.

Having attained mastery in Hundred Poisons, he was on the verge of reaching Thousand Poisons, and even if he wasn’t a man, he would offer much to the clan.

Yet, the Father was willing to hand over his daughter to an unfamiliar little brat.

All she wanted was a son-in-law from the Tang Clan; this little guy’s incredible skill in raising venomous insects must have caught his eye.

Even without that, Hua Eun believed the clan would thrive because of her own contributions.

Tang Hua-eun abruptly stood up and exclaimed, “I, too, am a member of the Tang family. I understand your intentions, Father. But I shall verify if that young hero is truly worthy of having me!”

Then she burst out of the room and dashed toward the Dong-i room.

‘I’ll make sure to check his qualifications and character thoroughly!’

While stomping through the courtyard, she spotted the young hero sitting on the verandah, looking as if he had just finished bathing and was dripping wet.

Without a second thought, she rushed to him and declared, “Excuse me, young hero. I’m in a hurry, so please lend me your hand!”

Asking for his hand was a way to test if he was someone worthy of respect and to gauge his potential.

Although she might not identify as accurately as Grandfather, she could understand loosely.

Silence fell for a moment.

The young hero cleared his throat and gently replied, “Cough… Eh, I’m not sure why you’re in such a hurry, but wouldn’t it be better if we got to know each other a bit more first?”

Realizing how the young hero had interpreted her request, Hua Eun’s face turned crimson.

“I-I don’t mean…”

“W-What are you saying! That’s not what I meant!”

Hua Eun’s sharp voice reverberated as it echoed through the courtyard into the grand hall.

What she thought was a young child turned out to be a surprisingly mature young hero.