Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 109

Chapter 109
As I considered how to soothe Hyang and Bini, I resolved to wait until Cho had completed his molt.
For creatures such as centipedes and spiders, the molting process is when they are most defenseless. They require close and careful supervision.
Their new shell is soft and malleable until their bodily fluids expand within it and it solidifies. Should they be compressed, twisted, or endure any trauma in that condition, the deformity will persist until their subsequent shed.
With luck, it might correct itself in the next molt. However, more frequently, such imperfections cause further issues, rendering future molts even more perilous.
A misshapen leg or segment that does not shed correctly raises the odds of a “molting failure.”
An arthropod’s body is comparable to a tin container—once dented, whatever is inside cannot move properly.
If it cannot fully free itself from the old exoskeleton, the built-up layers may impede fluid flow, resulting in necrosis. It could have faced the same fate as Seol, who almost perished from a failed molt.
And the larger they grow, the greater the risk of such failure.
—Shrrk.
The loss of two of Cho’s legs had caused me some concern. Yet, he successfully extracted himself from his former casing.
The legs, which had been see-through in the discarded skin, were now completely restored.
He also appeared significantly bigger.
With every breath, his body throbbed, swelling and receding like a chest heaving with a heartbeat.
When I brushed my fingers against him, he did not have the typical firm, pliable shell of a centipede. He was remarkably tender and moist.
All that remained was for his body to desiccate and toughen.
Since I needed to be absent for a short time, I entrusted Yohwa with the task of watching over him.
For a typical, fully-grown centipede, drying takes approximately a day. But as Cho was a spiritual being, it might require longer. I intended to make preparations to remain here overnight.
Observing Cho resting in the grass, gradually drying, I addressed Yohwa.
“Yohwa, I need to leave briefly to gather supplies for the night. Can you watch Cho for me?”
—Kishish!
With that, I headed for the quarters where Seol and Hwa-eun were recuperating.
I meant to tell them I would be staying the night here, and also to see how they were faring.
I also planned to share an update on Hyang and Bini’s situation.
That morning, someone had inquired if they were with me, as they had disappeared after staying in my room last night.
If possible, I hoped to seek their counsel on how to lift the spirits of the two centipedes.
After all, who could better comprehend a woman’s heart than another woman?
‘I am certain I can decipher most puzzles, but comforting an offended heart is entirely beyond me.’
“Seol, Hwa-eun, I’m entering.”
Upon announcing my presence at Seol’s door, a bright voice answered.
“Mm, enter, Ryong.”
“Come in, So-ryong.”
Inside, I found Seol and Hwa-eun seated at a table, dressed in relaxed attire and drinking tea.
I had thought they would be confined to bed for several more days, but they did not appear to be in such poor condition.
—Kkuukku!
—Kuu!
As I neared the table, Seol and Bini, who had been curled beside Bing-ok, jumped into my embrace.
“Oh, you mischievous things. Have you been good? You didn’t trouble your mother while she was recovering, did you?”
—Kuu-kuuu!
They waved their chubby tails with the excitement of eager pups.
Seol’s tail had only grown back to half its former length, but I was confident it would eventually restore itself completely.
While scratching under their chins, I returned my focus to Seol and Hwa-eun.
“Are you both well? Should you truly be out of bed already?”
“Well, they’re internal injuries. My ears are still humming slightly, but I’m managing.”
“I’m fine as well. My injuries weren’t critical—just extensive bruising.”
They seemed capable of handling daily routines without difficulty.
Reassured, I sat down and told Hwa-eun that Cho had healed.
She had been anxious for him, so this would be welcome news.
“I just assisted Cho in regenerating his missing legs.”
“You… regenerated them?”
“Indeed. It appears Bi-cheon Shin-sa left behind some of the centipede’s Neidan. I used it to induce a molt. Centipedes regenerate limbs when they shed.”
“What a relief. It pained me deeply to see he’d lost his legs… Truthfully, my own wounds hurt less than that did. I suppose this is how a mother feels when her child returns home injured.”
Hwa-eun exhaled deeply, briefly savoring the news before hardening her expression with fresh resolve.
“I must grow stronger as a mother. If I cannot safeguard my children, then I have neglected my duty.”
She balled her fists with determination.
“F-failed seems a bit harsh…”
“No. A mother must be powerful!”
‘Uh… is she embracing this roleplay a tad too earnestly?’
I was somewhat worried she was becoming overly invested in this “mom and dad” performance.
However, her next words made me reconsider that perhaps it was not so unfavorable.
“You should become stronger too, Xianggong. You are the father, after all. Next time, we will protect them together.”
‘Wait… this is actually acceptable?’
She was so immersed in the role that she referred to me as Xianggong—a term blending “husband” with a formal title.
Essentially, “Dear Husband.”
For the first time, I was addressed as Dear Husband.
My mind went blank for an instant.
It must be ingrained in human genetics—when a lovely woman calls you “Dear,” your body responds on instinct.
Even though we were not truly married, my lips moved independently.
“Understood, m-my dear.”
Seol, observing from the sidelines, looked completely astonished.
“Hah?”
***
After witnessing Seol’s stunned reaction, Hwa-eun finally comprehended what she had uttered.
Her face flushed a deep crimson.
Even now, she had not fully recovered from the embarrassment as she inquired about Hyang and Bini.
That morning, someone had come asking if they were with me since they had vanished unexpectedly.
“So, what of Hyang and Bini, So-ryong? Since you did not bring them, does that mean you could not locate them?”
“I found them. They are with Grandfather.”
“Grandfather? Hyang and Bini are?”
She blinked in surprise.
I scratched the back of my neck and sighed.
“Yes, I believe they are upset with us. They likely deduced that our story about killing intent was false.”
“Wh-what!?”
Hwa-eun’s eyes widened in alarm.
It was like observing a mother react upon her children discovering Santa is not real.
“Indeed… last night, they roamed about and tested their killing intent on the palace beasts. Since nothing occurred, they realized we deceived them.”
“T-that is terrible. They must feel devastated.”
Seeing both Hwa-eun and Seol appear so worried, I asked,
“Do you have any thoughts on how to cheer them up? Previously, I promised them a Neidan, and that scarcely sufficed. This time, I am at a complete loss.”
“Hmm…”
Hwa-eun frowned, propping her chin on her hand.
“Won’t they simply forgive us on their own?” Seol proposed.
“And if they do not?”
“Really, do you imagine they will hold a grudge indefinitely? They are merely displeased for the time being.”
“You think so?”
“Yes.”
Still, as their “parents,” I could not idly stand by.
“What of you, Seol? How do you typically overcome being upset? Or rather, how did your father comfort you?”
“Me? Uh… well, it differs for me. They are centipedes, and I simply… felt improved after consuming some quality meat.”
“Meat, you say…?”
Just then, a servant’s voice called from beyond the door.
“My lady, a visitor has arrived.”
“A visitor?”
Seol tilted her head, perplexed.
She had not anticipated anyone, given she was still healing.
Then, an unforeseen name was announced.
“Yang Seong-hu is here.”
“Yang Seong-hu?”
Seol and Hwa-eun exchanged looks before Seol slightly furrowed her brow and spoke.
“It is inappropriate for a man to call upon a lady’s chambers uninvited. That is basic courtesy.”
She was not especially acquainted with Yang Seong-hu, and permitting him entry would violate propriety.
Moreover, Seon-hwa had nearly died saving him. If he was here because he still held feelings for Seol, then it was correct for her to deny him.
‘Wait, is this fool still unaware?’
It seemed he had come despite his injuries to inquire after her, but if he remained oblivious to Seon-hwa’s affections, it would be truly exasperating.
Just as I thought that, Yang Seong-hu’s voice echoed from outside.
“So-So-ryong! Please aid me! I heard you were here!”
Both Hwa-eun and Seol shifted their gazes to me.
His sudden cry for help was unexpected, and I blinked in confusion.
His voice sounded terribly desperate.
It appeared I had no option but to go out and investigate.
When I opened the door, I found Yang Seong-hu standing there, his face ashen.
The instant he saw me, he seized my pant leg and begged frantically.
“So-ryong! Please help me!”
His neck was fractured, so Yohwa had stabilized it with spider silk. This made his posture rigid and ungainly as he clung to my leg.
“Compose yourself, Yang Seong-hu. I cannot assist if I do not know the problem.”
I needed to hear the cause before acting.
But when I asked, he stared at me with an incredulous expression and stammered,
“S-Seon-hwa! Seon-hwa—!”
“Is Seon-hwa in a dire state!?”
I had heard her injuries were grave, even impacting her internal organs.
If she was critical, I needed to involve Grandfather Mandok Shingun and the Beast Palace’s doctors immediately.
As I prepared to suggest this, Yang Seong-hu yelled something utterly unanticipated.
“Seon-hwa stated she favors me!”
“…?”
“S-She said she favors me, and I-I am at a loss! You may be youthful, but y-you are experienced! Please help me, So-ryong!”
I had assumed Seon-hwa was near death, but this was merely an absurd romance consultation?
I had to press my thigh down to prevent myself from instinctively delivering a kick to his ribs.
‘What am I to do with this individual?’
As I pondered how to handle him, the door behind me suddenly flew open.
Seol emerged, looking highly amused.
“You have come to the correct place. We will certainly help.”
“W-wait, I was asking So-So-ryong—”
Before he could object, she seized him and pulled him inside.
It seemed she could not resist meddling in another’s love life.
***
“So, allow me to comprehend this,” Yang Seong-hu started, his face still somewhat bewildered. “When I learned Seon-hwa had awakened, I went to assess her state. While there, I felt compelled to ask why she had taken that spear for me.”
That seemed a logical question.
“However, Seon-hwa exhaled and regarded me as if I were the most foolish person alive.”
I had anticipated a romantic tale, but from the outset, this felt like consuming a bowl of mashed sweet potatoes—dense, burdensome, and stifling.
Suppressing my irritation, I inquired,
“And what was her response?”
“She sighed and then posed a question to me instead.”
“Why do you believe I did it, Yang Seong-hu?”
“As a friend? Or as an ally who shared a covert mission?”
—Thwack!
“Ow! Why did you strike me!?”
Yang Seong-hu had answered sincerely, but Seon-hwa had retaliated by hurling a wooden pillow at his head.
As he clutched his forehead and objected, she muttered with chagrin,
“Fool! It is obvious, is it not!? I could not simply watch someone I favor perish!”
“You… favor me? You mean… you, Seon-hwa, favor me?”
He had gaped at her in total disbelief, entirely unable to process the revelation.
Her face reddened with fury, and she yelled,
“Leave! You idiot! I should have let you die!”
“And then she expelled you?”
“Y-yes…”
The room sank into a weighty silence.
Hwa-eun and Seol sat with arms crossed, both glowering at him with plain dissatisfaction.
“That is so pitiable,” Hwa-eun murmured. “How is he so unlike our So-ryong? Had that been a blade instead of a wooden pillow, he would not be here now.”
“Indeed,” Seol added. “It should have been envenomed, too.”
Seeing Yang Seong-hu visibly wither under their words, I chose to intervene before he was utterly demolished.
I also wished to contribute a few jibes of my own, but I restrained myself.
“Very well, you two, let us not dismantle him yet. So, Yang Seong-hu, what precisely do you require assistance with? You have already received a confession. I fail to see what more I can do.”
He hesitated, rubbing the back of his head.
“This is the inaugural time a woman has confessed to me, so… I-I am uncertain how to proceed! Please, help me, So-ryong!”
So he was clueless how to reciprocate her feelings.
I sighed and posed the most essential question.
“Do you even favor Seon-hwa?”
He froze, clearly taken aback. After a prolonged pause, he shook his head.
“I… I do not know.”
He was still flustered by the sudden confession and had not deciphered his own emotions.
I hauled him up by the arm.
“Alright. Then let us determine that first.”
“H-huh? Determine what?”
I guided him to where Yohwa was supervising Cho’s drying.
Facing Yohwa, I made an appeal.
“Yohwa, I understand you will dislike this, but could you extract a portion of his Yang energy and reveal whom he perceives as most beautiful?”
—Kisshh!? Kishishishi!
Yohwa clearly detested the idea, but after some persuasion, she reluctantly approached Yang Seong-hu and bit his hand.
As she absorbed some of his energy, her shape began to alter.
Her appearance, which had reflected Hwa-eun moments prior, gradually shifted… into Seon-hwa.
A love-at-first-sight type, it seemed. One confession was sufficient to upheave his standard of beauty.
“This… this is…”
Yang Seong-hu looked utterly rattled.
I crossed my arms and clarified,
“Yohwa can transform into whomever the person she drains Yang energy from finds most beautiful. Since she took some of your energy and became Seon-hwa, it signifies you already regard her as the most beautiful woman.”
“S-so that implies… I… I favor Seon-hwa?”
I slapped him on the back.
—Smack!
“Very well, you have your answer. Now, as a man, you should go and answer her confession appropriately.”
He inhaled deeply, then nodded with resolve.
“Correct. I shall.”
As he turned toward Seon-hwa’s quarters, I called after him.
“I have saved you three times now.”
He halted, then turned and bowed his head in thanks before rushing off.
‘Now that is resolved…’
As I watched Yang Seong-hu vanish into the distance, I finally recalled something I had been too preoccupied to consider.
Hyang and Bini.
I had entirely forgotten about them during all this foolishness.
“I should visit Grandfather and see how they are faring.”
Just then, my foot struck something.
I glanced down and saw Cho’s shed exoskeleton at my feet.
And with it, Seol’s words reverberated in my memory.
“I always felt improved after consuming good meat.”
Cho was a legendary centipede. His molted shell undoubtedly retained his essence.
Could this be the solution to improving Hyang and Bini’s disposition?
‘This… might actually work.’