"Young Master So, could you show us just one more time?"

"Yeah, please. Just once more. We barely got to see it yesterday."

"Please, Young Master."

First thing in the morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, the women among the Dragon Fangs and my sister-in-law came barging in, begging to see Baekbaek again.

I had shown her briefly yesterday, but apparently that wasn’t nearly enough.

Baekbaek is a baby pure-white pangolin.

Clinging tightly to her mother’s tail with her eyes closed—it was so adorable that they were acting like they were going through withdrawal symptoms.

Whenever a new creature that could tug at the hearts of women appeared, something like this was bound to happen. But this time, it was a bit of a problem.

Never mind that I wasn’t fully awake yet—if I wanted to show her off, I’d have to open the freezer room, and that would let out the cold air and change the temperature.

Sudden temperature changes wouldn’t be good for either the mother or the baby.

‘They only just recovered from exhaustion. Sudden environmental changes won’t do them any good.’

The mother might have said she was fine, but the two of them hadn’t been out of recovery for long.

If the temperature changed, the mother would need to expend more energy, so it was best to avoid opening the door if possible.

‘Should I tell them I’ll show them later? I have to check on the little ones anyway? No, that’s different. Me going in alone is not the same thing at all.’

I was going to tell them I’d check on them later since I’d be going in anyway, but changed my mind.

That would be me slipping in quickly alone.

If it were just one or two people, that’d be fine. But if there were a lot of spectators, I’d have to keep the door open.

“I’m sorry. If I open the door, the cold air will escape, and the mother will have to use up her strength. They only just recovered from exhaustion...”

“I heard they were sick... I guess it’s true, then...”

“Aw, I really wanted to see her again.”

“Well, I guess it can’t be helped. Show us when they’re feeling better.”

I refused them with a regretful expression, and they walked away with disappointed looks, including my sister-in-law.

It seemed like the fuss had died down—but that was just the beginning.

As the women exited, Sister Seol entered like she was switching shifts.

Poking her head through the door I hadn’t yet managed to shut, she greeted me.

"So-ryong, did you sleep well?"

"Did you sleep well too, Sister Seol?"

"Yeah, I slept fine. Want to have breakfast together this morning?"

“Sure.”

We ate breakfast together almost every day, but for some reason, she was formally inviting me today.

Something felt off—when I thought about it, I realized Sister Seol’s energy was different today.

Normally she exuded a kind of untamed freshness, but today she seemed more restrained.

That kind of restraint meant she clearly came here to say something else.

Like maybe she wanted to see Baekbaek.

We’d been around each other long enough that I could tell from just her expression what she wanted to say.

She must’ve seen the other women being refused earlier and, knowing better than anyone the condition of the creatures, she probably found it hard to bring it up.

Since she understood how much rest the animals needed after recovering from exhaustion, she probably felt a bit embarrassed to ask like the others.

‘She could just say she wants to see them.’

But it’s not like she’s some stranger. If it’s Sister Seol, she could just go in with me when I check on them, right?

While I was thinking it was unlike her to be so hesitant, she suddenly ran out again—only to return shortly after with Hwa-eun and some food.

Breakfast looked like it was hot rice and fried fish.

The savory aroma of the rice and fried fish was wafting into the room from their plates.

"So-ryong, did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Hwa-eun. Come in. Something smells really good."

"The boatmen caught a bunch of big carp last night. Breakfast is rice and fried carp."

“Rice and carp, after so long. Sounds delicious. And carp have plenty of meat, too...”

I’d had enough of flour every day—rice sounded like a blessing.

Grinning, I took the bowls from their hands and placed them on the table.

We started eating and chatted about this and that. I’d eaten about half my rice when Sister Seol started poking at the grains with her chopsticks and asked,

"So-ryong, how’s Baekbaek doing?"

She was probably hoping I’d say something like, “I haven’t checked yet, but I’ll go take a look in a bit. Want to come with me?”

But I just played dumb and answered casually.

"Probably doing just fine in there, right?"

"Oh... uh, I see... When are you planning to check?"

Sister Seol hesitated over her words.

From the side, Hwa-eun sent me a soundless message.

[Why are you teasing her like that, So-ryong?]

She was calling me out for answering like that when I knew exactly what Sister Seol wanted.

But what could I do? It was the first time I’d ever seen her act so shy and reserved. I couldn’t resist.

With a straight face, I went on.

"I don’t think I’ll be opening the door for a few days. The trip’s probably taken a toll on Baekbaek, so I want her to rest well for now."

"What? Why? I mean... don’t you at least have to check if she’s okay?"

[So-ryong...]

Sister Seol looked flustered, and Hwa-eun sent me another mental scolding, telling me to stop teasing her.

That was when Unmirang’s voice came from outside the door.

"So-ryong, the Taoist says we’ll be docking at Wuhan shortly."

"Got it."

I quickly emptied my bowl and left Sister Seol behind to head up to the deck.

We were making a brief stop in Wuhan.

The road to the Tang Clan still had plenty of obstacles.

First, I needed to check the whirlpools in Dongting Lake, then stop by Lee Tae’s stronghold to let Geumdo sunbathe.

I also had to drop by the Martial Alliance to see how things were going between the Five Venoms Sect and the Blood Cult.

I’d heard a rough account back in the Beggar Clan in Yeongcheon, but I thought it’d be better to get the details directly from the Martial Alliance.

Of course, I had no intention of going inside myself.

I just planned to browse the market near Wuhan’s harbor.

The reason I avoided the Martial Alliance in Wuhan?

The Alliance Leader had given me a great martial technique, and I’d barely practiced it.

If word got out that I was in town, they’d probably drag me in to ask how my training was going.

He’d claimed he didn’t take disciples, but let’s be real—if you pass down your technique, you’d want to know how far it’s come, wouldn’t you?

And if the person you passed it to barely trained at all?

“So, how far have you mastered my technique?”

“Uhh... I just barely made it past the basics.”

“What!?”

Yeah. That would be very awkward.

Sure, I’d barely managed to survive the camel spider attack in Qinghai thanks to his martial art.

But honestly? I hadn’t used it even once since then.

‘I mean, there’s a martial art that mimics insects. Who the hell wants to master a technique that gives you flaky skin...?’

Let’s be honest—this spicy Fabre already has a technique that suits him perfectly. Why would I want one that gives me flaky skin?

That happens on its own if you don’t wash, anyway.

As Wuhan drew closer in the distance, I started feeling uneasy.

When I stepped onto the deck, I saw the Dragon Fangs gathered in little groups, chatting excitedly about our arrival in Wuhan.

They looked thrilled at the thought of seeing familiar faces again.

I casually approached them and said,

"Everyone seems happy to be visiting Wuhan again?"

‘Looks like everyone’s excited. Except me.’

“Of course. It’s been so long.”

“It’s been ages since we’ve seen Uncle, after all.”

“Just thinking about getting a warm bath at one of the sect lodgings in Wuhan is exciting, isn’t it?”

They definitely looked thrilled.

Nodding, I asked everyone a favor.

“So... I have a request. Please don’t tell anyone I arrived here.”

Because of the whole thing with bringing the creatures, I hadn’t had time to say it earlier.

“A secret?”

“You want to keep it a secret?”

Everyone blinked in surprise when I asked them to keep my arrival at the Martial Alliance a secret.

Among them, my elder brother looked puzzled as he asked,

“Why would you do that? There are plenty of people in the Martial Alliance who’d be thrilled to see you. Just the strategist of the Alliance—Ji-ryong’s uncle—would be overjoyed. You did save his nephew’s life, didn’t you?”

“That’s right, Young Master So.”

“Yeah, true.”

Ji-ryong and Eunbong nodded at my elder brother’s words.

He continued.

“And what about the Alliance Leader? Everyone who matters already knows that you inherited the Alliance Leader’s martial arts. His close aides would welcome you with open arms.

The Alliance Leader is a respected man, but people always felt regret that he had no successor. If you’re the one who inherited his skills, of course you’d be welcomed. So why?”

Originally, it was supposed to be a secret that I inherited the Alliance Leader’s martial arts.

But after what happened in Qinghai, everyone on this boat already knew I survived thanks to that martial art.

As my elder brother brought it up, everyone nodded.

“He’s right, So-ryong. Is there really any reason to hide the fact you’re here?”

“Seriously. After crafting a poison to fight the Blood Cult, they should be treating you like a hero.

You could even stay in the honored guest wing of the Alliance. Why avoid that?”

Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong also looked at me, puzzled.

I scratched my head and answered.

“It’s because of the martial art.”

“You mean the Alliance Leader’s martial art?”

“Yes. The truth is... I’ve barely advanced in it...”

Everyone flinched at my answer.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Then they all started to speak in the Central Plains way—indirectly.

“Now that I think about it, calling you a hero of the martial world might become a bit annoying...”

“Mm... the elders of the Martial Alliance definitely wouldn’t just let things slide.”

“Right. So, well, we’ll just pretend we don’t know anything about Young Master So’s arrival. Wouldn’t want him getting uncomfortable. I mean, awkward.”

In the Central Plains, giving someone a blunt retort or calling them out directly is considered a serious loss of face—sometimes even leading to drawn swords. So people tend to go for roundabout sarcasm or coded jabs.

For example, in Korea, you might insult someone’s mother directly. But in the Central Plains, you’d say something like, “Looks like you have two fathers.” That’s how everyone was showing concern over my situation without saying it outright.

Yeah, looks like I was right. Neglecting that martial art would definitely make the Alliance Leader... uncomfortable.

***

After quickly dropping off the Dragon Fangs at the Martial Alliance harbor in Wuhan, we quietly docked at a different pier nearby—like we were sneaking away.

“Then we’ll go get what we need and load up.”

“Go ahead.”

“Miss, I’ll head out too. I need to buy some planks and things. I used up all the wood making a shelter for the White-Shell Pangolin.”

“Understood. Here, this should be enough, right?”

“More than enough, miss. Thank you.”

“Then with the leftover money, have a drink and get some rest.”

“Oh! Thank you, miss.”

The Taoist handed money from Hwa-eun to the boatmen to buy supplies, and the shipwright also took some to buy wood.

The Dragon Fangs had already gone to the Martial Alliance, so the ship felt empty.

—Knock knock.

“Sister Seol, aren’t you coming out?”

“No, I want to spend a little more time with her.”

I’d let Sister Seol into the freezer room because I felt bad for teasing her earlier, but she hadn’t come out since.

At first, she asked me if she could have either Baekbaek or Sunbaek, but I didn’t answer.

I told her we’d talk after the treatment.

So I guess she’s laying the groundwork now—showing her face and all.

Leaving Sister Seol there, I headed toward the market in Wuhan with only Hwa-eun and Unmirang.

“So this is Wuhan?”

Unmirang asked curiously as we stepped into the marketplace.

“You saw from the boat, right? That’s the Martial Alliance headquarters.”

“That’s where the highest-ranking person in the martial world lives, right? I’d love to get a glimpse of them. If I manage to see the top of the martial world and the emperor, wouldn’t that be something only this Unmirang has done?”

“Y-yeah. I hope your wish comes true.”

Unmirang clearly wanted to see the Alliance Leader, but... that was a problem.

Because then I’d be in trouble.

“What kind of vegetable is this?”

“So-ryong, does this suit me?”

Explaining things to Unmirang, who had never been to a market, and following Hwa-eun on her shopping trip was kind of exhausting.

The sun was already down, and I was getting hungry. So I °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° said to Hwa-eun,

“Hwa-eun, should we grab a bite and rest a bit?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s get something good since we have Unmirang with us.”

Looking around, Hwa-eun pointed somewhere.

“Oh, So-ryong, that place looks nice.”

She pointed to a three-story building guarded by four warriors at the entrance.

The guards alone made the place look upscale.

As we approached, two warriors stepped in front to block our way.

“Is it reservation only?”

I was about to say something when one of the guards suddenly lit up in recognition and asked,

“Aren’t you Young Master So from the Tang Clan?”

At that, Hwa-eun turned to me with wide eyes.

Had my nickname “Spicy Fabre of All Venomous Creatures” reached Wuhan?

I nodded slightly, inwardly pleased.

Maybe I wasn’t known everywhere, but at least here among martial artists, my name had spread.

That made me puff up a little in front of Hwa-eun.

‘Nice. That earns me some points in front of my future wife.’

“That’s right.”

Then the guards all broke into smiles and bowed in greeting.

“Please go up to the third floor. Actually, let me escort you.”

There were two more guards inside, and we passed them as we headed up the stairs.

Just before reaching the third floor, the escorting guard spoke up excitedly.

“You must’ve stopped by the Martial Alliance and then come here, right?”

“The Martial Alliance? No, not really.”

“Ah, then perhaps you were told to come here if the Alliance Leader wasn’t available?

It’s not well known, but when the Alliance Leader gets homesick, he comes here to enjoy some hometown food and a drink.”

‘What!? Who!?’

Startled by the words, my eyes widened—just as my foot hit the third floor.

There, at one end of the empty upper level, stood an old man in a bamboo hat, smiling at me.

A familiar face.

Today was clearly the day Unmirang’s wish would come true.

For me? It was a total disaster.

‘Damn it. Of course my luck at finding rare creatures would screw me over right now...’