I had planned for today to be just a scouting mission.

The original idea was to observe carefully over several days, formulate a plan, and then wipe those bastards out in one clean sweep.

Honestly, once we were ready, there was no way they were getting away from us.

Especially not with the kids on our side.

With Cho, Yeondu, Moji, Soji, and Elder Sister Jeokwol watching from the skies for anything out of place—and with Cheong-yu Sojeo’s photo traps laid out—who could possibly slip through?

And then there was Changcheon, Hyang, Bini, and Ranghyang, each driven by vengeance. There was no way our prey was escaping this net.

‘Go ahead and try running. I dare you.’

In the martial world, there's a term—Heaven's Net and Earth’s Snare. It means an unbreakable trap, like an inescapable spiderweb.

But no matter how tight the net, if it’s made by humans, there will always be gaps.

Now imagine a net made not by humans, but by our kids.

That—is true Heaven’s Net and Earth’s Snare.

Yeondu’s infrared detection. Ranghyang’s ability to sense ground vibrations. Cho, Hyang, and Bini’s antennae that can pick up changes in temperature.

And that’s not even all.

Yohwa could feel even the slightest tremor in the air.

So once our team decided to go all in, escape became practically impossible.

Still, there was always the slim chance of a hidden tunnel or secret exit. That’s why we wanted to scout everything thoroughly.

But seeing those Five Venoms bastards walking around with their sigil plastered on their backs? That smugness made my blood boil.

‘Arrogant punks!’

The Five Venoms Sect isn’t some legitimate martial organization. Back in the Central Plains, they’re traitors, heretics, and public enemies of Murim. They can’t even walk around in broad daylight over there!

And yet here they are—strolling around in another land, broad as day, with their insignia in full display?

Not on my watch.

Someone needs to uphold justice.

Criminals should cower in hiding, while the innocent walk tall and proud. That’s how it should be.

‘And me? I’m sneaking around in hiding, while they walk freely?!’

That settled it. This wasn’t going to be a passive scouting mission anymore. At the very least, one or two of them had to be taught a lesson today.

‘Kids, come on down.’

At my call, two slender bodies slithered down from where they’d been coiled around my arms—Gukja and Jugeok.

They unfurled their hoods and stared at me.

I’d named them after kitchen ladles because the shape of their spread hoods reminded me of spoons and spatulas.

Both snakes tilted their heads, silently asking, Why?

‘See those guys up ahead? They’re very, very bad men. How about going and spitting a little venom in their faces?’

At that, their hoods flared wide with fierce enthusiasm.

To them, I was the most trusted, most beloved being—their protector and closest friend.

We were bonded through the Snake Gate. We were family now.

—Srrrshh.

Gukja and Jugeok slithered off at impressive speed toward the unsuspecting pair walking ahead of us.

Cobras are fast. They skimmed across the broken stone path and darted through vines and brush as I sent them silent instructions.

[So-ryong, what are you doing!?]

[Young Lord! What are you planning!?]

I smiled gently, pointing toward the Five Venoms warriors up ahead.

All eyes followed my gesture—and right then, the bastards' voices drifted back to us.

"Since we’re already out in the Western Regions, I wouldn’t mind stopping by a village to pick up some rice. Why are we banned from the villages again?"

"Yeah, I know, right? Been forever since I had a proper rice bowl..."

"Steamed rice... drowned in piping hot soup..."

"Ugh... just thinking about it makes my mouth water."

Sounded like they were hunting animals out here to restock their supplies, much like we had done during our Qinghai trip.

I felt it—that pang of shared suffering. We, too, had gotten sick of meat-only meals.

I understood their longing for rice.

Which is exactly why... I decided I would serve them some.

Funeral rice.

I responded to the inner voice chatter with a grin.

[They seem hungry. I figured I’d treat them to a proper meal.]

[Wait, what?]

[Hold on—what kind of meal!?]

[Did you say... funeral rice!?]

My teammates stared at me in disbelief.

‘All right, you two—don’t hurt them too badly. Just spit once, and if it doesn’t work, fall back immediately, okay?’

I sent the final order to Gukja and Jugeok.

Just as the two warriors started veering toward a rustling bush on their right, I saw the snakes get into position.

—Rustle... rustle...

“Hm?”

“What was that? Small animal?”

Their guard was laughably low. Clearly, they weren’t expecting much danger here—probably just thought it was prey.

As they stepped closer to the bush—

Now!

At my mental shout, Gukja and Jugeok popped their heads out of the foliage.

In perfect sync, they fired venom like hardened gangsters with a grudge.

—PSSSHHH! PSSSHHH!

Four fine jets of venom shot out—one from each fang.

The streams arced through the air and struck their target dead-on—straight into the eyes of the stunned warriors.

Well, one of them, anyway.

The second guy managed to block his face with his sleeve just in time.

‘Tch! Damn it!’

Still, one of them dropped to the ground screaming.

“GYAAAHHH!!”

He clutched his eyes, rolling on the ground in agony.

I immediately signaled the snakes to retreat, worried the unharmed one might lash out.

But he was too distracted.

“Are you all right!? Damn it, why are there two spitting cobras here!?”

“M-My eyes! My eyes!!”

“Just hold on! We’ll stop by the pond—then show your face to the Heuksadae Captain. He knows how to handle snake venom. You’ll be fine!”

Thank goodness—while he was helping his injured friend, Gukja and Jugeok slithered off to safety.

“Ughhhh...”

The poisoned man was writhing in agony, his eyes blistering. The other one hoisted him up and started back the way they came—toward a nearby pond.

I followed at a distance, Jeokwol riding on my back.

The pond «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» they arrived at was overlooked by a headless stone statue of a coiled serpent.

The wounded warrior leaned over the water, groaning, and began washing his eyes.

Watching him was incredibly satisfying.

‘Oh man. That’s delicious. Should I do it again?’

It was so cathartic, I seriously considered going back for seconds.

I wasn’t the only one enjoying the moment either. Contrary to their initial concern, the rest of the group now looked thrilled.

Had I personally attacked them, they might’ve been more cautious or run off. But being hit by what they assumed were wild spitting cobras? No such risk.

They had no way of knowing I had orchestrated the whole thing.

‘See? I knew you’d like it.’

***

—Grrrr...

It happened when Seon-hwa returned from the scouting trip and gently stroked the tiger’s head she’d “kept on hold.”

A low, threatening growl rolled out.

The beast’s sharp fangs gleamed as it bared its teeth.

It was growling at Seon-hwa—trying to intimidate her.

“Oh... still a bit wild, huh? Sorry about that.”

Apparently, it hadn’t been bound yet by Beast Heart Art, so it didn’t recognize her.

That’s when Bini stepped forward, tapped the tiger’s head a few times with her antennae, and scolded it like a cranky teacher.

—Tsrut! 『Hey! You! Mind your manners!』

—Whine...

Immediately, the tiger’s ears drooped and its tail dropped to the ground.

So much for the fearsome king of the jungle.

Honestly, the way it behaved, it was more like a sulky kitten than a tiger.

Actually... more like a mutt.

If I were to name it right now? Honyang. (Tiger-Cat.)

‘Wait a sec... wasn’t the “King of Beasts” supposed to be the lion anyway?’

As I internally clicked my tongue at this tiger’s pitiful state, the village chief entered the ruined temple—followed by a procession of villagers.

They were carrying large trays.

On the trays were various dishes—spicy curries that had terrified everyone the night before, plus an array of tropical fruits. Looked like dinner was being served.

“Please, eat.”

Still no spoons—everything had to be eaten by hand—and the spice level was as unforgiving as ever. Most of the group still looked hesitant.

The men decided to give the curry another shot. The women mostly picked at the fruit.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

The chief glanced over at us politely, then asked about our temple investigation.

I nodded.

“Yes. The ones we were tracking—they’re definitely there.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

“They’re dangerous people. Please make sure no villagers go near that place.”

After all, the Five Venoms Sect was known for doing human experiments without a second thought.

I didn’t want these kind-hearted villagers getting hurt.

The village chief looked deeply moved.

“Understood. Truly. You even worry for us... Thank you, Nagak!”

I reached for more curry when I suddenly felt a stir at my wrist.

—Ssshhk.

It was Gukja and Jugeok.

The two spitting cobras stirred, conveying a clear message: We’re hungry too.

Well, it made sense—they’d just used their venom.

Snakes burn a lot of energy when they release poison; it takes time and strength to regenerate it.

I figured I should feed them too.

As they coiled around my arm, something clicked in my mind—something I saw earlier that didn’t quite sit right.

‘Wait a sec...’

I turned to the village chief.

“By the way... earlier, when I went to the temple—I saw something strange.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. I’d heard it was a temple of Shiva, but in the pond, there was a statue of a giant snake coiled around it. Do you know what that was about?”

The statue I’d seen was massive—easily three stories high—and that snake coiled around it had left a strong impression.

The chief tilted his head and asked, surprised:

“Nagak doesn’t know what that is?”

‘Crap.’

Right. They all think I’m a Nаga.

If I screw this up, I’ll blow my cover.

Caught off guard, I just opened and closed my mouth uselessly.

“Uh, well... that’s...”

“Ahh, of course! It must be because it was crudely made by humans. That snake represents Kundalini Shakti—as you know, the sacred feminine force coiled around Lord Shiva’s waist.”

“Ah, yes! Kundrati... wait—Kundalini Shakti! Of course, I know.”

I got away with it—barely.

I wiped the nervous sweat from my forehead.

‘That was close.’

I reminded myself to speak carefully from now on.

But even so, something still bothered me.

That beheaded statue—likely destroyed by Muslim iconoclasts—was clearly a depiction of Shiva.

But the snake coiled around it wasn’t just at the waist. It wrapped around the entire body.

It had a unique form, too. Something didn’t sit right.

The chief’s explanation didn’t fully match what I saw—but I couldn’t press the issue further.

If I asked too many questions, I might expose myself as not being a Nаga.

And that would make me a liar—a fraud enjoying free food and hospitality under false pretenses.

‘Still... that’s not what matters right now.’

What matters is hunting down the bastards from the Five Venoms Sect.

And I plan to smash them. Every last one.