Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 117

Chapter 117
Crunch.

As the two freshly roasted ducks were set down, Galjihong, the younger brother-in-law, immediately ripped off a leg and held it up, his face a picture of impatience.

“Alright, Hyung, enough waiting. Just tell me. I’m dying of anticipation here.”

He had been looking forward to this, his anxiety about the predicament clear.
He needed to locate the Heavenly Silkworm for his disciple, but months had passed without any success.
From what he understood, producing Heavenly Silk required hatching the eggs, feeding the larvae, and waiting for them to mature into moths to spin their cocoons, from which the silk could be gathered. The problem was that no one knew what the silkworms ate, and the valuable young kept perishing.

“Ah, just eat first, boy. We can talk afterwards.”
Slurp.
The rich, savory flavor of duck oil overflowed as he took a bite from the leg.
With a contented look, Geolhwang finished the first leg, seized the second, and then inquired, “But if you intend to raise these Heavenly Silkworms, your disciple must be quite capable, correct?”

“Capable? I had my concerns at first, but my disciple’s physique is both flexible and fluid. I’m certain he will exceed my own skill eventually. He already manages the majority of my affairs. In truth, he was the one who gathered these silkworm artisans from across the land.”

“Hmm… So, if the targets are from my Gu Daemun Sect or the Seven Great Families, would your disciple still proceed?” Geolhwang asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Wouldn’t that be a perfect opportunity for him to see the Gu Daemun or the Seven Great Families up close? If someone from those groups is involved, all the better,” Galjihong answered.

Recalling the prospect of pilfering from those powerful clans, Geolhwang grinned and asked, “But if he’s captured stealing from the Gu Daemun Sect or the Seven Great Families, you’ll have to grant him three wishes, disciple or not. Will you still send him?”

“Oh, that’s an agreement within the martial world, so of course I’ll honor it. But do you really believe that will occur? They wouldn’t dare pursue me if I take something of theirs,” Galjihong countered.

“Nevertheless, if he is caught, you must uphold the bargain,” Geolhwang stated, his eyebrow arched.

“Well, certainly. But even if my disciple possesses only seventy or eighty percent of my ability, there is simply no chance he would be captured. He isn’t engaging the Gu Daemun Sect in combat; he is merely acquiring items,” Galjihong explained with assurance.

Geolhwang nodded in agreement, contemplating a suitable reward for the young man’s assistance.
He had helped Geolhwang resolve a delicate situation involving a woman he had been watching for some time. The issue was complex, entangled with members of the martial world’s righteous factions and a lack of solid proof, which had prevented action. Because of him, the matter was settled neatly, and a reward was due.
Geolhwang had also heard of his role in subduing members of the Blood Cult by recovering the San Gong Du poison.
Furthermore, he had aided in retrieving the secret method of the Blood-Water Venom Claw.
Geolhwang was very ready to compensate him for these accomplishments.
Although he had already sent some yellow-spotted centipedes (Bin), the true reward would be far greater.
Thinking this, Geolhwang smiled and kept savoring his duck leg.
Once the second leg was stripped to the bone, he faced Galjihong.

“Now, pay close attention.”
“Ah, yes. Who is it?” Galjihong asked eagerly.
“I will tell you, but the youth is still very young, so you must guarantee he isn’t harmed while aiding you. Is that clear? You need to be exceptionally cautious when you take him with you,” Geolhwang cautioned.

“Naturally, Hyung. But young, you say?” Galjihong asked, intrigued.
“Yes, he has only just turned fifteen,” Geolhwang responded.
“Fifteen? So youthful? Could he actually be useful?” Galjihong questioned doubtfully.
“Have no fear. With him present, he will absolutely be an asset to you,” Geolhwang assured him.
“Even so, he’s too young…” Galjihong murmured.
“You idiot, if this boy cannot assist you, then nobody in the Central Plains can. Stop worrying. Concentrate on ensuring he remains safe,” Geolhwang said, his voice firm.

“Who is this person you keep cautioning me about? Is he the Emperor’s son or something?” Galjihong asked, scratching his head.
Geolhwang laughed and hurled a duck bone at Galjihong’s forehead.
“He is the disciple of the Martial Alliance leader and the son-in-law of the Tang Clan,” Geolhwang replied.
“Wait, the Martial Alliance leader’s disciple? But I heard the leader has no heirs! What is this about? And he’s married into the Tang Clan?” Galjihong exclaimed in astonishment.
His eyes grew wide as he started on the third duck leg.
“Yes, you fool. So you must manage this with care,” Geolhwang warned.
“Of course, I’ll be cautious. But perhaps it would be better if I went myself? If something goes wrong, it could cause problems for Young Yeongryeon,” Galjihong said, weighing the options.

Geolhwang rebuked him, “You fool. That is no way to mentor a disciple! You must allow them to tackle significant challenges so they can develop. If you constantly handle everything yourself, how will the boy ever improve? And how do you suppose he would feel? I never instructed my disciples in such a manner.”

“Ah, so you believe if I go, he’ll think I lack faith in him, and that would hurt his feelings?” Galjihong asked.
“Precisely, you idiot. You should entrust it to him, and we can simply share a drink for a few days,” Geolhwang answered with a smile.
“Well, in that case, it has been some time, so perhaps I will. Hehe,” Galjihong chuckled.
He then made his last appeal.
“Incidentally, Hyung, you must supply some reliable intelligence on the Tang Clan. Understood?”
“Certainly, I will ensure everything is arranged,” Geolhwang pledged.
However, there was one detail he would omit: the information concerning the Tang Clan’s poisons.
And when Galjihong’s letter reached the Tang Clan, Geolhwang would discreetly dispatch someone to raise a flag of warning.
After all, this young man, who carried the O-Gong, would be capable of intervening if Galjihong’s disciple faltered. Geolhwang was sure the poisons could be handled and contained.

***

“Tssrrt?”
“Ksshh?”
Hwa-eun’s severe指令 startled Cho and Yo-hwa, who let out sounds of surprise. It was understandable, as being ordered to bite any shadowy figure would shock these gentle-natured creatures.
They were not the types to injure others unless defending themselves or me.
And they were not the only ones alarmed. I, now the object of a theft, was naturally frightened too.
Being targeted meant an attempt to kidnap me.
It was the menace of being taken.
That is why I asked with a shocked voice, “Does Xintu actually abduct people?”
“On occasion,” was the reply. “Xintu does take individuals when he requires assistance. It is not a major affair. He likely just needs your help. His method of acquisition is simply part of his code.” The elder went on, “I suspect he may require something from you. I wonder what it could be?”
“My help?”
I looked confused, uncertain what I could possibly provide Xintu. Why would anyone wish to steal me? I was baffled. The reply came as clarification.
“Perhaps it is due to your talent with poisons,” he said.
“Oh, correct, that is logical. That must be it. I cannot conceive of any other reason Xintu would seek you out.”
According to the elder and the master, they presumed my proficiency with poisons was the likely reason Xintu was pursuing me.
Meanwhile, the beasts’ voices could be heard close by.
“Tssrrt? Tssrrt?”
“Ksshh? Ksshh?”
Cho’s thoughts were spinning. Is she truly serious about biting? Ought she to actually bite? Wouldn’t that be fatal? She repeated the questions in an anxious cycle.
‘Right, if Hwa-eun is behaving unusually, at least you two should remain sensible.’
I was pleased my companions were maturing more correctly than I had anticipated, but even as I felt that pride, I saw Hwa-eun nodding, as if she comprehended Cho’s concerns despite her own intensity.
“Wait a moment. I will consult the adults, and then I will inform you of the plan.”
Hwa-eun appeared furious at the notion of Xintu stealing me, but she reined in her anger, turning to the family elders with a grave expression to ask.
“Grandfather, Father, Mother, I wish to raise the military flag.”
“The military flag?”
“You desire to raise the flag?” The elders reacted with astonishment.
“What does that signify?” I wondered, watching as Hwa-eun gave me a cool smile and explained.
“The military flag,” she said. “It is a banner bearing a dog. The character 戌 for ‘dog’ resembles 戍, meaning to guard. It is a flag of protection.”
“When Xintu announces a theft, the families who get his notice have two options. They can place the valuable objects in the open, allowing Xintu to take them freely, and later request his aid, or they can raise the military flag to oppose him. If they choose to resist and fail, they forfeit their property and receive nothing. But if they succeed, they earn the right to make three demands of Xintu that he cannot decline.”
‘A thief granting three wishes? Is this a magical lamp story?’
I nearly burst out laughing. The concept of capturing a thief for three wishes seemed ridiculous.
But then, recalling the saying that ten men are no match for a thief, I knew it would not be simple. Xintu was a thief linked to the Five Emperors, and his martial prowess was doubtless as formidable as his thieving skills.
“But if Xintu is such a master thief, and the Five Emperors are involved, do you truly believe we can prevent him?” I asked.
Hwa-eun gripped my arms firmly as she responded, “If Xintu steals someone, they could be missing for a month, a year, or even a decade. Do you wish to be taken, So-ryong?”
“No, no, I do not want that…” I answered swiftly.
“And as my mother stated, you belong to me. What woman would simply surrender what is hers? I will ensure he is stopped, no matter the cost!”
‘Uh… did she just declare that publicly in front of everyone?’
While that made me happy, I was still apprehensive.
In a careful tone, I asked again, “But has any other family or sect ever managed to stop Xintu?”
Hwa-eun paused, her face showing unease as she haltingly admitted, “No, not a one.”
Naturally, no one had ever caught Xintu. If they had, he would not be legendary—he would be just another captive.
I understood her determination, but I remained concerned that failure would leave us with nothing.
Noting my worry, Hwa-eun embraced Cho and declared, “But we can certainly apprehend him. We will halt him!”
“How can you be so certain?”
Her words were filled with such conviction that I tilted my head, and she glanced up at Cho before answering.
“We have these little ones with us, do we not? Regardless of how stealthy Xintu is, he is accustomed to evading human detection. But do you think he would anticipate Cho and Yo-hwa standing guard over you? He will not expect it.”
“Oh?”
Considering this, Hwa-eun’s reasoning sounded plausible. Even a master thief used to dodging people would be unprepared for Yo-hwa’s sharp senses and Cho’s night vision. Furthermore, if I remained in the hive, the Golden Wasp Kings would shield me, and with Bini and Seol defending me closely, plus Bin hidden within me ready to strike, I would be well protected.
‘This might actually work, might it not?’
Initially, I thought Hwa-eun was just speaking in anger, but she had clearly thought it through. My grandfather, father-in-law, and mother-in-law all nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, as Hwa-eun says, Xintu excels at avoiding human sight, but how could he know about these beasts? They will serve as our lookouts.”
“My disciple was bested ten years ago at the Four Hundred Seventy-Five Enclosures and failed to become the Poison Emperor. It is time to repay that old man for his past interference,” my grandfather said with a laugh.
“This could be a worthwhile contest.”
“It sounds intriguing.”
“The warriors I brought from the Beast Palace have wolves with them, and those wolves will aid in protecting So-ryong,” my mother-in-law added.
This was the Tang Clan, a place guarded by poisons and beasts, like a Dragon Pond Tiger’s Lair or a Spider’s Web Pit.
“Raise the military flag upon the Nine-Tiered Gates! Let us catch this thief!” my grandfather commanded, his voice brimming with fervor.
And so, the hunt for the thief commenced, and the triumphant cry of Mandok Shingun resounded through the darkened Tang Clan mountain.