Chapter 41 – Companion Venomous Creature Culture

After breakfast, I gathered Uncle Gu Pae along with the Venomous Creature Squad for some disciplinary education.

It turns out the reason the warriors messed with the hamsters yesterday was because, up until now, the Tang Family had been using venomous creatures either for poison extraction or as ingredients for cooking once they were dead.

For instance, they would boil snake soup or grilling them for consumption.

Because of this practice, venomous creatures were seen merely as living sources of poison when alive and as cooking ingredients once dead.

The creatures weren’t treated with any sort of respect. And what about the feed given to those creatures? It wasn’t even considered a matter of concern.

At least Uncle Gu Pae, knowing how much I treasure venomous creatures, took the initiative to drag the warriors to apologize yesterday.

Since the concept of pets or domestic animals doesn’t exist here, even dogs were seen as livestock fed on leftover scraps, and occasionally regarded as a delicacy to be eaten.

Furthermore, the fact that the venom of living creatures is considered inferior also contributed to yesterday’s incident.

In the Tang Sect, the poisons most highly valued are those synthesized in secrecy or a select few natural poisons that are easy to handle.

Venomous creatures, however, were treated with the mindset that if the supply runs low, more could simply be caught and added to the pool.

Additionally, I had mentioned that it would take at least a month or two for the supply of Chinese hamsters to stabilize and grow. In the meantime, I had instructed them to feed the Tiger Keelback with frogs or small toads, which may have also influenced the situation.

“Although the number of creatures is currently insufficient, and we were planning to feed frogs to the Tiger Keelback when it arrives, from now on, under no circumstances are you to touch any venomous creature in the Venomous Creatures Garden or any living thing. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Young Master Soryong.”

After the education concluded, I was about to leave the Venomous Creatures Garden.

“Young Master Soryong, I sincerely apologize. I will make sure to severely punish the ones who made the mistake yesterday.”

Although Uncle Gu Pae insisted on punishing the three warriors responsible for the mishap, punishment alone wouldn’t resolve the issue.

“No, this isn’t a problem that can be solved with mere punishment. I have something in mind, so please wait a little.”

“You have a plan, Young Master Soryong?”

“Yes.”

Leaving the Venomous Creatures Garden, the first place I went to was the Hall of the Family Head.

I intended to meet grandfather, who was currently acting as the interim Family Head.

“Grandfather, are you in? It’s me, Soryong.”

“Ah, yes, come in, Soryong.”

When I entered the Hall of the Family Head, I found grandfather inside, in the middle of a meeting with other elders of the family.

Despite being preoccupied with hosting guests, when I stepped into the hall, both grandfather and the other elders of the family greeted me with smiles.

“Ah, so my grandson-in-law has arrived?”

“Soryong, you’re here? How have you been?”

“Our proud member of the Tang Family, Soryong, is here. Hahaha.”

Perhaps due to the recent events with the Blood Cult and the Pills, the atmosphere was exceedingly warm and friendly.

I greeted the elders respectfully and stepped further into the hall.

“I apologize for bothering you when you’re busy.”

“Not at all. We were about to take a break anyway. So, tell us, what brings you here, Soryong? Ah, but first, take a seat. Would you like some tea?”

“I’m fine without tea, thank you. I’ll take a seat and explain.”

Following grandfather’s suggestion, I sat down and reported that preparations for bringing in the Tiger Keelback were complete.

Then I explained the reason I had come to see him.

“…And so, all preparations seem to be in place.”

“That’s excellent news. And what else?”

“Yes, well… I’ve heard that the warriors of our family don’t treat venomous creatures with much care. This led to an incident…”

“An incident?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

I explained that, moving forward, the number of venomous creatures would inevitably increase, and that the current attitude toward them within the Tang Sect could create significant problems. Both grandfather and the elders nodded thoughtfully at my words.

“Soryong, you’re right. If things continue as they are now, it could indeed lead to issues.”

“Elder, what if we were to severely punish a few individuals to set an example?”

“That might be necessary. Soryong, what do you think should be done?”

When grandfather asked for my opinion, I shared the idea I had been considering.

Rather than simply handing out harsh, one-time punishments, I felt it was necessary to establish a culture of “partnering with venomous creatures” within the Tang Family.

‘I will spread the culture of partnering with venomous creatures to the Tang Family of Sichuan, the assassins of the Central Plains!’

“Could we establish a set of rules that all members of the family must abide by?”

“Rules?”

“Yes, something like this…”

* * *

Meanwhile, Zhuge Hu, who had been stationed in Wuhan as part of the Murim Alliance’s military forces, was on his way to the Tang Family in Sichuan. He was leading the Fierce Tiger Division, one of the elite combat units of the Murim Alliance.

Behind him marched not only the Fierce Tiger Division but also reinforcement troops from both the Zhuge Family and the Wudang Sect. A considerable number of people were accompanying him.

“It’s said we’ll soon reach Tang Family River, Sir.”

“That means we’ll be able to stay at the Tang Family tonight.”

“Most likely, yes?”

“Finally, we’ll escape from sleeping out in the open.”

This was reported by one of the elders of the Wudang Sect who was leading the way.

As he said, Tang Family River soon came into view. Zhuge Hu was well aware that once they crossed the bridge spanning the meandering river, they would arrive at the Tang Family.

As the bridge up ahead came closer, Zhuge Hu’s expression turned awkward.

Although spending the night under the stars would now be a thing of the past, his troubled expression was not due to the prospect of rest.

Rather, it was because of the thoughts of the Alliance Leader, the one who had sent him here.

‘I need to bring back at least some good news.’

When the Murim Alliance received the news that the Blood Cult had resurfaced in the martial world and attacked the Tang Family, no one had a stronger reaction than the current Murim Alliance Leader, Fist Emperor Zhou Zhonghe.

Thirty years ago, Zhou Zhonghe lost both his family and his wife to the Blood Cult. When he heard the news, he was consumed by rage.

During the Blood Cult Massacre three decades ago, the Zhou family had been annihilated, leaving Zhou Zhonghe as the only survivor.

The depth of Zhou Zhonghe’s hatred for the Blood Cult was so well-known that even a three-year-old child in the Murim Alliance were aware of it.

When Zhou Zhonghe ascended to the position of Alliance Leader, he had vowed that he would not stop until he personally tore out the last heart of the Blood Cult members with his own hands, so it was impossible not to know.

Upon hearing the recent news, the Alliance Leader had initially intended to personally lead the Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan.

“I will lead my Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan myself! Those vermin from the Blood Cult dare to-!”

“You cannot do that, Alliance Leader. Why would you go in person? The fact that the Blood Cult, after thirty years of hiding, has begun to act again means that, just like before, they might be conducting large-scale massacres in places unknown to us across the Central Plains.”

“This is precisely why you must remain here, to safeguard the central command. What will happen if dire news arrives from elsewhere while you are absent?”

“Hmph. Then would you, be willing to go in my stead? I trust you. If you go, you can thoroughly investigate and track down their tails. Meanwhile, I’ll handle any critical matters here with the Vice Strategist.”

“M-me?”

“Yes. I believe you will surely bring back good news.”

In the end, it was Zhuge Hu who convinced the Alliance Leader to stay behind, which is how he ended up being sent to Sichuan in his stead.

“Hah…”

Recalling the Alliance Leader’s words as he sent him off, Zhuge Hu let out a sigh.

The Alliance Leader told him to definitely bring back good news, but it seemed unlikely he could bring back the kind of good news the Alliance Leader wanted.

The good news the Alliance Leader desperately wanted was the capture of the Blood Cult’s trail.

However, based on the information Zhuge Hu had gathered on his way here, it seemed unlikely that he would find the stronghold of those the Alliance Leader wanted so badly to capture.

It wasn’t because rain had washed away tracks or because too much time had passed.

The reason Zhuge Hu doubted he would return with good news was that the recent Blood Cult attack on the Tang Family seemed off.

During the Blood Cult Massacre thirty years ago, the martial world had united to eradicate the Blood Cult.

Their branches and strongholds were burned, and Blood Cult members were hunted down and exterminated.

Forced into hiding, the remnants had no choice but to disappear completely.

But now, after thirty years of silence, they suddenly reappeared to launch an attack?

And on the Tang Family, of all places?

Even without the Man of Ten Thousand Poisons or Family Head present, the attack force’s numbers and composition were too unreasonable, and what the Blood Cult seemed to be after was the Blood Water Poisonous Claws secret manual.

When considering all possibilities, it felt like they initially came to steal the manual, but something went awry, resulting in an assault instead.

Nevertheless, Zhuge Hu decided to hear the Man of Ten Thousand Poisons’ explanation in detail and arrived at the Nine Progress Gate of the Tang Family.

“Who are the guests arriving at the Tang Family?”

“It’s me, Zhuge Hu, Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”

“Ah, you are the Strategist. Welcome to the Tang Family. Please wait for a moment. Family Head, Man of Ten Thousand Poisons, will come to greet you shortly.”

One of the Tang Family warriors hurriedly headed up Tang Family Mountain, leaving Zhuge Hu and his group to wait briefly in front of the Nine Progress Gate.

Just then, another Tang Family warrior approached Zhuge Hu with a cautious expression, clasping his fists in a polite salute as he spoke.

“Strategist, before the Man of Ten Thousand Poisons arrives, there are some precautions I must inform you about before you enter our family grounds.”

“Precautions?”

At the mention of precautions, Zhuge Hu tilted his head in curiosity.

Standing nearby, Elder Yunsheng Tian, one of the Eight Swords of Wudang, also tilted his head and asked,

“Has the Tang Family established a Disarming Pool?”

In Wudang, when entering their sect grounds, visitors were required to surrender their weapons, which were stored in a designated area called the Disarming Pool.

Elder Yunsheng Tian was essentially asking if the Tang Family required them to lay down their weapons before entry.

After all, when martial artists from different sects gather, even in a prestigious and orthodox sect like the Tang Family, conflicts could break out.

However, given the recent attack by the Blood Cult, there was a chance some might protest this rule.

But the Tang Family warrior scratched his head awkwardly and answered, wearing a hesitant expression as if embarrassed to say it himself.

“No, Strategist Sir. That’s not it. It’s a bit surprising, but there is one thing I must request. Under no circumstances should you take the life of even the smallest insect inside the Nine Progress Gate.”

“Not even the life of the smallest insect?”

“What? Has the Tang Family converted to Buddhism or something?”

Such a request was usually heard in places like the Shaolin Temple or other Buddhist sects.

Hearing this, Zhuge Hu’s group, puzzled by the unusual statement, exchanged confused glances.

The Tang Family warrior, scratching his head again, repeated his request.

“Well… You’ll understand once you enter. But please, I must ask you to remember this absolutely.”

At that moment, two figures could be seen rushing down from Tang Family Mountain, using Qinggong techniques.

One was a woman, and the other was a young man. The pair, who displayed slightly playful footwork as they used their Qinggong, arrived in front of Zhuge Hu and respectfully clasped their fists in greeting.

“We greet the Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”

“We greet the Strategist of the Murim Alliance.”

Zhuge Hu immediately recognized the woman. She was none other than Tang Hwa-eun, the cherished daughter of the Tang Family.

“Ah, yes, Young Miss Hwa-eun. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, we met at the Alliance last year, so it’s been exactly one year.”

“Yes, that’s right. And Man of Ten Thousand Poisons?”

“Ah, my grandfather is currently inspecting the location where our family warriors fought with the Blood Cult members. That’s why we’ve come to greet you instead. Please forgive us for any discourtesy.”

“No, no. To be welcomed by one of the Three Beauties of the Central Plains cannot be considered discourteous in the least.”

While Zhuge Hu was curious as to why the Man of Ten Thousand Poisons hadn’t come himself, it was understandable if he was inspecting the battlefield where the family warriors fought against the Blood Cult elders.

Nodding in understanding, Zhuge Hu prepared to enter through the Nine Progress Gate under Tang Hwa-eun’s guidance.

At that moment, the young man standing beside Tang Hwa-eun caught Zhuge Hu’s attention.

Was it what they called ice-white skin and jade-like bones?

Typically, such a phrase was used to describe women, but even standing next to one of the Three Beauties of the Central Plains, Tang Hwa-eun, the young man didn’t feel overshadowed.

Zhuge Hu paused his steps and asked,

“Ah, and who is this young hero beside you?”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Elder. My name is Wei Soryong.”

“Wei?”

Thinking the young man might be a member of the Tang Family, Zhuge Hu tilted his head at the mention of the surname Wei. In response, Tang Hwa-eun replied in an embarrassed voice.

“H-he’s… my fiancé.”

“F-fiancé!?”

“““Fiancé!?”””

The fiancé of Tang Hwa-eun, one of the Three Beauties of the Central Plains!

At those words, the group behind Zhuge Hu erupted with emotion.

Among the Fierce Tiger Division, brought from the Murim Alliance, and the disciples of the Wudang Sect, there were no small number of people who admired Tang Hwa-eun. To hear that she had a fiancé stirred them deeply.

Among the Three Beauties of the Central Plains, Poisonous Flower China Rose, Flower King Peony, and Smiling Sunflower, the one who stirred men’s hearts the most was Flower King Peony. However, there were still many men who adored Poisonous Flower China Rose.

While Smiling Sunflower was kind to all men, and thus had fewer admirers, Poisonous Flower China Rose, with her eyes that seemed to scorn men, had a strange allure that drew many admirers.

Some claimed that her cold, disdainful gaze somehow made their hearts race.

The tastes of the younger generation these days were baffling, but there was now a legitimate concern that challenges for duels might flood in for this young hero from today onward.

Zhuge Hu was already wondering if he should warn the Fierce Tiger Division to be cautious. He could feel the burning stares of many people behind him directed at the young man.

It was at that moment,

-Buuung. Buung.

A strange, eerie sound came from somewhere.

Startled, Zhuge Hu looked around, and when someone shouted, he raised his head to the sky.

“Above! Above!”

As Zhuge Hu looked up, large bees were flying down toward their group from the sky.

The Fierce Tiger Division members ducked instinctively, their shocked voices ringing out.

“Golden-Furred King Bees! B-be careful! How can such venomous creatures be inside the Tang Family?!”

In their alarm, members of the Fierce Tiger Division instinctively drew their swords.

At that very moment, the young hero stepped in front of Zhuge Hu, spreading his arms wide, and shouted,

“Everyone, sheathe your swords! I made sure to tell the warriors to inform all guests about this. Are they not doing their jobs properly?”

“Young hero, it’s dangerous! What are you doing? The Golden-Furred King Bee is a mid-tier venomous creature, one sting could kill someone instantly!”

Though they tried to stop the young hero due to his actions, instead the young hero told Zhuge Hu and his group to put away their swords.

Unbelievable words burst from the young hero’s mouth.

“These are ones I raise, so everyone please calm down.”

“Ra-raise them?”

-Buuung. Buung.

As if to confirm the young man’s words, one of the Golden-Furred King Bees landed gently on his outstretched arm.

The young man then spoke to the bee in a warm, affectionate tone, as though he were addressing a child.

“Did you all come looking for me? I know I’ve been out of sight for a while, but you can’t go around stinging our guests, okay?”

Surrounding the young man were several Golden-Furred King Bees, a sight that was utterly unbelievable.

The heated gazes that had been burning into Zhuge Hu’s back only moments before quickly disappeared, replaced by stunned silence.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – 에르훗]

[Translator – bjgoofy]