We had confirmed that Moji and Soji possessed healing abilities—but we still hadn’t verified the most important trait of any poisonous beast: their toxin.

We had no clue what kind of venom they actually carried.

With the other kids, I could just ask them to release their poison and have Hwa-eun analyze it. But Moji and Soji were different. Even when they were larvae, their "poison" had never been a liquid or gas. It was more like light or mist—something tied to their energy.

Because it was energy-based, we couldn’t extract it like regular poison. And on top of that, they only emitted it when they were in a bad mood.

Which meant asking them to show their poison was basically the same as asking them to get upset. Not something I could comfortably say while they were happily buzzing with purified energy after meeting their sisters.

“Hey, I know you’re happy, but could you be miserable for a second so I can study your poison?”

Yeah. No.

“I can’t exactly say, ‘Okay, now cry and release your venom for science.’”

In the end, I asked Hwa-eun if she remembered anything about them from the Records of the Ten Deadly Beasts of the Martial World—but even she said it didn’t specify what kind of poison they had.

“It wasn’t listed in detail in the Records either.”

“What was written?”

“Just two strange phrases: ‘Black Fog’ and ‘White Fog.’ That’s it.”

“That’s all it said?”

“Yep. So-ryong, you saw it back then too, didn’t you? Don’t you remember?”

“Ah, well, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately... haha...”

Come on, if I could remember everything from a single glance, I’d have been accepted to Sky University in my «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» past life.

If I had that kind of memory, I’d have been Ivy League, Hwa-eun.

Anyway, "Black Fog" obviously referred to some kind of dark mist, and "White Fog" to a light mist. Based on what I’d seen, the white aura was definitely the healing energy. The black aura must be like the murky, chaotic energy they released back when they were larvae.

“So their venom is probably similar to the impure qi they gave off back then? I remember it looked black.”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”

“Well, they’re not just going to spit poison out of nowhere, so let’s take our time and figure it out gradually.”

“Okay, So-ryong.”

I was curious, of course—but there was no reason to rush. It’s not like they were going to hurt us, and I couldn’t obsess over just their venom when there were so many other things going on.

I’ve always been the type who saves the best food for last.

So I decided to leave it for the future.

Finding out later, after some build-up, would feel more rewarding anyway. And right now, I had more pressing matters to deal with.

***

Once the sun goes down, there’s not much to do in this world for ordinary people. With nothing but darkness, most just eat dinner and go to sleep by early evening.

Even the capital city, Yeongcheonbu, wasn’t that different.

The market districts and entertainment zones still glowed brightly, but most of the residential areas had gone quiet. The moon hadn’t even reached its peak, and already the city was hushed.

“Man, I really miss gaming...”

If this were my past life, I’d have gamed until dawn. But now? With nothing to do, I found myself going to bed early too.

Tonight, though—I forced myself to stay up and stepped out onto the deck.

I always made it a point to track the waxing and waning of the moon, and tonight was special.

Tonight, Yeongcheonbu would be under the full moon.

That meant it was the night Miss Cheong-yu would awaken again—her once-every-fifteen-days appearance.

I was waiting alone because lately, Hwa-eun had been crashing early from all the praying mantis boxing practice, and Seol noona had been diving into training ever since she and Hwa-eun ascended to Three Blossoms Breathing, so she was out cold too.

So it was up to me.

I was the only one she could really talk to anyway. And if I wasn’t there, she’d be alone in the middle of the night with no one to greet her.

But when I stepped out onto the deck, thinking I’d be the only one awake—I wasn’t.

—Krrr. 『So-ryong?』

“Oh, Cheongwol? You’re up?”

—Krrt. 『Guess I am.』

The glowing predator of the moonlit desert.

A scorpion-based mystical beast, and one of the Ten Deadly Beasts—Cheongwol—was awake.

Cheongwol tends to sleep a lot, day or night. But more often than not, she’s active at night—so I guess it wasn’t a surprise to see her awake.

I ran over and flopped down on her back.

Yeah, I should’ve asked first—but come on, we’re past that.

“You mind if I lie down here for a bit?”

—Krrrt. 『Do whatever you want.』

As I lay on her back, I could feel her heartbeat pulsing through her hard shell.

And above us, the sky was filled with starlight.

The breeze blew gently, and I felt peace settle over me—until Cheongwol spoke, voice tinged with embarrassment.

—Krrr. 『Ahem... It’s been a while since it was just the two of us... Actually, this might be the first time outside a dream? Crowds aren’t bad, but, well... this is nice too.』

Now that she mentioned it, it really was the first time we’d been alone together like this.

Sure, it’s fun being in a big family, but it also means I can’t always spend quality time with each one of them. And that... made me feel a little guilty.

I gently stroked her broad back.

“Yeah. It’s nice. Quiet. Peaceful... But now I feel kind of bad. Sorry, Cheongwol. I’ve probably been neglecting you a bit, huh?”

The others were small enough to bring along on trips, but Cheongwol was too big, so she usually had to stay on the ship.

That made it feel like she was being left behind—at least a little.

When I apologized, Cheongwol shook her head.

—Krrt. 『Nonsense. I’m not a baby. I’ll always be right where you told me to be. Don’t worry about me.』

“Thanks... Still, being here on your back reminds me of what happened in the desert. I never got to say this properly, but... thanks for saving me back then, Cheongwol.”

—Krrng... 『Saying that now is kinda embarrassing...』

She acted annoyed, but I knew better.

If she hadn’t used her venom to clot my wounds back then, I probably would’ve bled to death.

I threw my arms around her back and hugged her tightly.

“You’re big, and your heart’s even bigger. That’s what I love about you, Cheongwol.”

—K-Krrt! 『Q-Quit that nonsense... Get off me!』

She told me to back off, but she didn’t shake me off.

That’s Cheongwol for you—gruff on the outside, gentle at the core.

Yep. Definitely Cheongwol.

As we lay there, quiet again, staring up at the star-strewn sky, I finally saw it—round and rising:

“Whoa... Look at all those stars.”

—Krrt. 『There were just as many in the desert.』

“Ah! The full moon’s up.”

Krrr. 『So it’s true. The full moon has risen.』

As the full moon climbed high into the sky, I felt her voice stir within me once more—Lady Cheong-yu.

『So... So-hyeop...』

‘Ah, Lady Cheong-yu. I’m up on the deck.’

When I answered her in my thoughts, the door to the cabin slid open, and she stepped out from the shadows within.

Lady Cheong-yu, appearing for the first time in fifteen days.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

And curiously enough, she had Moji and Soji perched on her shoulders.

They were moth-based creatures, so I suppose it made sense they were nocturnal and naturally awake right now.

They hadn’t yet adjusted out of their instincts after emerging from their cocoons.

I had assumed they were sleeping like the rest of my children by now, having lived with me long enough to adopt a nighttime routine, but...

‘I probably should’ve checked before coming up.’

While I was mentally scolding myself for not double-checking, Lady Cheong-yu approached under the moonlight, gently tickling Moji and Soji beneath their chins as she smiled.

-Myumyu.

『You’ve missed a lot in these past two weeks... like So-ryong cross-dressing. Though I did catch a glimpse of it through the eyes of the Golden Crowned Death King.』

Ahem...

Seriously? That’s what you bring up first after fifteen days?

I cleared my throat awkwardly, and thankfully she caught the cue and gracefully changed the subject.

To Moji and Soji.

『These two are... truly adorable.』

‘I know, right?’

『Just watching them lifts my spirits.』

They were already a massive hit with the women, and now it looked like they were charming Lady Cheong-yu as well.

As she watched the two joyfully flutter on her shoulders, I decided it was a good moment to bring up the questions I’d been saving up over the last fifteen days.

‘Lady Cheong-yu, I’ve been meaning to ask you a few things... would that be alright?’

『Of course, So-ryong. What are you curious about?』

‘First of all... how do I open the second gate of the Five Venoms Art? I forgot to ask you last time.’

Back then, she’d spoken as if the gate would just open automatically upon reaching the right level, so I assumed it would happen naturally.

But I still had no idea what that “level” actually meant.

I’d gathered five poisonous beasts and reached the stage of the Five Venoms Return-to-Origin Divine Art, which was a spiritual cultivation technique.

But it seemed more related to the heart and spirit than raw inner energy... so was it about deepening my inner force? Or was it something else?

That’s what I needed to know.

『Ah, you mean the Second Gate?』

‘Yes, Lady Cheong-yu.’

I was especially eager because of what I’d experienced at the palace recently—summoning centipedes and even crafting words with them. It made me realize how many ways these creatures could be used. I wanted to open the next gate as soon as possible.

I looked at her with hopeful eyes, and she smiled warmly before replying.

『No one has ever reached the level you have within the Five Venoms Art, So-ryong, so this is based on the original creator’s notes... but it’s said that the Second Gate opens when your bond with the poisonous beasts deepens.』

‘A bond...?’

I’d hoped for a clear answer, but her response was vague. Frustratingly vague.

I tilted my head.

‘A stronger bond with the poisonous beasts?’

『Yes.』

‘But what does that mean?’

『Even I’m not quite sure...』

Wait, what?

I’d trusted her to guide me through this—and now even she didn’t know?

‘Seriously? I’ve been counting on you, Lady Cheong-yu...’

『Y-You’ve been relying on me that much!? O-Oh no... I just thought... well, So-ryong, you were moving so naturally through the stages of the Five Venoms Return-to-Origin Art that I assumed you’d figure the rest out too...』

She fumbled in panic when I told her how much faith I’d placed in her.

Disappointed, I tried to make sense of what “deepen your bond” could mean.

A bond is a connection... a relationship, right?

That’s what I understood it to mean—so maybe it referred to the emotional bond between me and the kids?

But we already had a parent-child relationship.

Could there be anything deeper than that?

What kind of bond is deeper than being a parent and child?

Marriage?

Wait, no. That can’t be right.

Are they telling me I need to marry my kids or something? What kind of twisted logic is that?!

This was starting to feel like some philosophical mess. And philosophy was not my strong suit.

I sank into gloom at the thought that I still couldn’t unlock the Second Gate even after all my progress... and then Lady Cheong-yu clapped her hands as if an idea struck her.

Clap!

『Ah! That’s right! There’s a Shaolin temple nearby, isn’t there? “Fate” is a word monks often use. Maybe you should seek guidance from one of their elder monks?』

‘Shaolin Temple?’

Now that she said it, it did make sense. In my past life, I remembered the phrase from Buddhist teachings: “Even brushing sleeves once means 3,000 ties of fate from a past life.”

"Fate" was definitely a Buddhist term.

Maybe she was right—maybe I should visit Shaolin and ask.

Her logic tracked. If “fate” was a Buddhist concept, then it made sense to ask a Buddhist expert.

My policy has always been: go to the experts.

For poison, ask the poison specialists. For fate, ask the fate specialists.

‘And if it’s Shaolin, the grand pillar of the martial world, it wouldn’t hurt to pay a visit, right?’

Though I had one small lingering doubt...

Sure, monks might be experts in general fate, but they’re also people who sever their ties with romantic fate. Could I really trust them with this?

I mean, there are many types of bonds—but I wasn’t sure they’d understand every kind.

Experts are supposed to be well-versed in all aspects of their field, after all...

‘Can I really trust them with this?’