Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

Mandokjeon (Palace of a Thousand Poisons)

“Didn’t I have some flirty encounters during my previous life as well?

Even shared chemistry with some pretty famous actresses.

One of them was an older sister—three years my senior. After filming, she occasionally contacted me, and we even had private dinners together.

At first, I thought she was just naturally outgoing.

But after our second dinner, at a cozy wine bar where the mood was perfect and the wine had loosened our inhibitions, she suddenly asked:

‘Fabre, would you date me? I like you.’

‘Pardon!?’

A heavy, direct fastball. No, a nuclear pitch.

Back then, I was a mere YouTuber with only 100,000 subscribers.

Flustered, I asked for a few days to think it over, and my answer was… an apology.

‘I’m sorry, noona. I’m just a YouTuber with a modest following. More than that, I’m just an ordinary guy. You’re a celebrity. I think it’d be inappropriate and rude for someone like me to date someone like you.’

She looked at me quietly, her expression turning disappointed as she said:

‘I’m a little disappointed.’

‘S-sorry! I didn’t mean to offend you…’

‘No, I’m not disappointed that you rejected me. I’m disappointed that the person I like lacks so much confidence.’

Her words were like a hammer to my head.

‘Even if you’re a nobody right now, someone without a stable job, having a vision and striving for your dreams is attractive. If you had said something bold like, “I’ll become the world’s top venom expert so you won’t regret your choice,” even if it sounded unrealistic, it would’ve been cool.’”

Recalling those memories, I stood in front of noona, who was staring at me, as if asking me to present a vision.

“I thought about it all night. About what you said yesterday—that I am a ‘Ten-Poison Body,’ someone who can only absorb ten poisons. You mentioned it’s the highest level an untalented person like me could ever reach.”

“T-that’s…”

“So, I came to a conclusion. If my body can only accept ten poisons, why not fill it with the most potent ones—the Ten Great Poisons of the Central Plains?”

“The Ten Great Poisons!?”

“Yes. If I commit to filling my body with the Ten Great Poisons, would that be enough to convince you? If I promise to pursue such a feat, would that give you confidence in me?”

Taking her advice from my past life, I decided to take the plunge.

After all, there’s no point in losing out because you didn’t even try, right?

Noona’s ears turned bright red, and she awkwardly turned her head away before speaking, a bit flustered.

“D-do you even know what you’re saying right now?”

“I don’t!”

I answered honestly.

How could I know? I was simply proposing to fill my ten poisons with the Ten Great Poisons.

She explained further, “That path will be excruciatingly difficult. It’s not something that can be achieved in a year or two. It might take ten years, twenty years, thirty years—or even a lifetime. That’s the kind of challenge you’re talking about.”

‘Wait, that long!? Noona, didn’t you say to dream big even if it’s unrealistic?’

Just as I was lamenting the apparent gap between her past and present preferences, she nodded slowly.

“Alright. So-ryong Sohyeop, I heard you’re fifteen years old. In three years, you’ll be of age and eligible to marry. If, within those three years, you successfully acquire even one of the Ten Great Poisons, I believe I’ll have enough confidence in your potential. Even just one will be enough to show me your capability.”

‘Wait, did she just say yes?’

Hearing her answer, I felt immense gratitude for the noona who had imparted her wisdom in my past life.

But then, noona abruptly stood up and started walking away, clearly flustered.

Despite my elation, I couldn’t let her leave like that. There were still important matters to address.

I quickly called out, stopping her in her tracks.

“Sojeo!”

Noona paused mid-step but kept her back turned to me as she answered, “Is there something else you wish to say?”

Although she seemed embarrassed, I couldn’t let her go just yet.

The O-Gongs must be hungry by now, and I also needed to perform her treatment under the guise of breaking the curse.

“Yes, the treatment. You should at least stay for one more sijin before leaving.”

“…”

Noona, unable to decide whether to leave or stay, eventually took slow steps back toward me and sat down.

Still avoiding my gaze, she muttered, “Fine. Just for a bit.”

It was time to begin the treatment.

To reassure her, I uttered a line that any pet owner should avoid saying, “Don’t worry. My little ones don’t bite. Alright, kids, go to mommy, not daddy.”

Having seen noona’s face in their dreams, the O-Gongs climbed onto her body without hesitation.

I could sense them breathing deeply, more so than usual.

Then, noona’s surprised voice broke the silence.

“D-daddy? M-mommy?!”

Her shock at being called “mommy” was evident as her ears, cheeks, and even the nape of her neck flushed bright red.

Looking up at me with wide eyes, she stammered, “W-what do you mean by that?”

I scratched my head and quickly clarified, “It’s nothing! Just… a pet thing, you know.”

There was truly no hidden meaning.

***

The Blue-Spotted Centipede, a spirit beast that had lived for three hundred years and formed a neidan, watched events unfold from within the woman’s body.

When it manifested again in a dream late at night, it was overjoyed.

“G-great benefactor! You’re truly incredible!”

This person, who had asked the centipede to trust them, had resolved matters righteously. The centipede recalled how the woman’s heart had pounded wildly at their benefactor’s words.

It was a sign of complete submission.

How could the centipede not bow deeply and express its gratitude?

Now, the children would always be able to absorb the energy flowing from the neidan that had dissolved inside the woman’s body.

The Blue-Spotted Centipede, having seen countless greedy humans but very few righteous ones, felt it was truly lucky.

“Haha, well, being a man is all about guts and perseverance,” said the benefactor with a lighthearted laugh.

Grateful beyond words, the centipede repeatedly bowed and promised to assist them with anything they needed—no matter the request—before it could rest and ascend.

With its lingering grievances resolved and its neidan dissolved, the centipede could no longer remain tethered to this world. Its spirit had already begun to drift away from the woman’s body, unable to stay much longer.

Today would likely be its last.

“Is there anything I can do for you? This is my last chance. Although I’m in this state, if it’s within my power, I’ll do anything you ask before I go.”

The benefactor stared at it silently, their gaze filled with an intense longing that made the centipede flinch.

Then, in an apologetic voice, the benefactor said, “Ahem… There is one thing.”

The centipede tensed as the benefactor’s gaze scanned its borrowed body, leaving it increasingly flustered.

The intense desire in those eyes seemed to suggest they wanted something from this woman’s form. Could it be… this righteous person had a weakness for lust?

The centipede, once considering the benefactor virtuous, now felt uneasy. It hesitated, wondering what it should do if the benefactor wanted to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh.

“C-could you take it off, just once…?”

Of course. They wanted it removed.

The centipede resigned itself, thinking of its daughters and beginning to untie the borrowed body’s clothes.

“Do I… need to undress?”

“W-wait, don’t undress! I mean, how would you—oh, could you return to your original form instead?”

“Huh?”

The centipede froze, utterly bewildered.

The benefactor, eyes gleaming with excitement, eagerly explained.

“The thing is, I’ve never actually seen a full-grown Blue-Spotted Centipede before. To see one of your size, well, it’s a rare opportunity! If I wait for the kids to grow up, it’ll take forever. I’d really like to see your full form, just once, even if only in this dream.

A giant centipede… I mean, how could anyone resist?

Besides, seeing your fully-grown form might help me raise the kids better! What do you think?”

The centipede, stunned by the sudden request, could only nod blankly. It shed the borrowed woman’s body and revealed its true form.

A gasp escaped the benefactor.

“Wow! It’s real! Does it repel water? And when you walk, do the front legs step in sync with the back? Can I touch it? How potent is your venom? Do your eyes work? Is it true about the antennae?”

“W-what? Yes… I suppose… What about my legs? I’ve… never really thought about it…”

The benefactor spent a long time examining and poking the centipede’s massive form with unbridled enthusiasm. When they finally expressed their thanks, the Blue-Spotted Centipede felt a growing unease as it began to fade.

“Will my daughters really be okay?”

That worry lingered.

After all, the benefactor’s eyes and hands seemed far more interested in the centipede’s true body than the shell of the beautiful woman it had borrowed.

***

The next day, whatever noona had said to the Tang Clan elders, they were absolutely overjoyed.

Throughout the meal, they couldn’t stop smiling, and after we finished eating and were drinking tea, they suddenly declared:

“Well then, Sohyeop—no, So-ryong—I heard everything from Hwa-eun. From now on, you’re officially our son-in-law.”

“Pardon? But, what about the three years…?”

“The wedding will naturally wait until you’re of age at eighteen.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“Oh my, son-in-law! Welcome! I’m your mother-in-law.”

“Hahaha, now that Hwa-eun’s match has been decided, only good fortune awaits our Tang Clan!”

Noona had clearly said I needed to succeed in capturing at least one of the Ten Great Poisons within three years. Yet the elders were acting as if I was already their son-in-law.

I glanced at noona, silently begging for an explanation, but she simply sipped her tea with a calm expression, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.

‘What is this? Am I supposed to just play along?

Ah, maybe noona didn’t mention the conditions because the elders might raise a fuss about it. She must have made it sound like they already accepted me to avoid unnecessary drama.

If that’s the case, I should go along with it for now so she doesn’t get into trouble.’

In this era, if the clan head, noona’s father, pushed for something, and noona objected or added conditions, it could cause a huge commotion.

Besides, marriage couldn’t happen until I turned eighteen anyway, and if I succeeded within the time frame, the conditions would naturally become irrelevant. It seemed like they planned to handle things that way.

Noona would also have the chance to evaluate me as I worked toward my goal.

So, I responded with a polite smile.

“Yes, I’ll do my best. Thank you, everyone.”

With that, the awkward situation came to an end. But the Tang Clan, being as proactive as ever, decided to start my education immediately that afternoon.

Since I was now part of the family, it was time for training.

The Heavenly Poison Deity, Tang Mu-seong—better known to me as Grandfather Mandok Shingun—sat me down with a stack of brushes, inkstones, and books.

As he wrote one word at a time on a sheet of paper, he began his explanation.

“In the Tang Clan, there are three core disciplines. Memorize them well: Poison Handling Arts, Poison Techniques, and Poison Crafting.”

“Poison Handling Arts, Poison Techniques, and Poison Crafting,” I repeated.

“Yes. Poison Handling Arts involve understanding different kinds of poisons and how to use them. This includes antidote preparation, so study hard. If you don’t understand poisons well, you could harm yourself. That’s why this knowledge is vital.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“As for Poison Techniques, I’ll introduce you to them starting tomorrow. Poison Crafting, as the name suggests, involves creating poisons. This means extracting toxins from poisonous plants, mushrooms, venomous insects, and snakes, and refining them into usable forms.”

Finally, the explanation I’d been eagerly awaiting.

While I didn’t know much about Poison Handling or Poison Techniques, the part about crafting poisons using venomous creatures and snakes was the highlight for me.

To craft poisons using venomous creatures, a proper breeding facility was essential. I was particularly curious about the facilities of this era.

After all, the clan head himself had shown great interest in my breeding techniques and even asked me to help improve the Tang Clan’s facilities. I couldn’t stop imagining what their current setup looked like.

Grandfather noticed my sparkling eyes and chuckled.

“Look at him, all eager. How about seeing it for yourself?”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

Smiling warmly, Grandfather gestured for me to follow him.

“Very well, then. Let me show you the Tang Clan’s Palace of a Thousand Poisons. Follow me.”

“Yes, Grandfather!”

The Palace of a Thousand Poisons.

My heart was racing.

The name alone suggested a place housing countless venomous creatures.

I couldn’t wait to see what wonders lay inside.