Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 140

Chapter 140
Geolhwang had borrowed my signature term, “expert,” without asking, but the precision of his timing suggested he might as well have been a devoted fan from my previous life.
It was logical. Deploying a YouTuber’s inside joke with such perfect comedic rhythm wasn’t possible without having consumed every piece of their content. You’d need a deep familiarity to get the delivery just right.
Not that this was any kind of show.
Does Geolhwang actually like me more than I realized? Given how frequently he visits, has he bookmarked me somehow?
It appeared Geolhwang had developed a real soft spot for me.
While having an old beggar so attached was somewhat awkward, I had to admit Geolhwang was a valuable contact.
I chose to embrace his goodwill.
He was, after all, the one who brought me news of Shintu’s affair, which led me to my covert informants, Moji and Soji.
It was an inconvenience, but if it meant more helpful tasks like that, I was all for it.
Hearing him say “expert” now, I had a good guess why he’d sought me out again.
After I settled Na-ok’s problem and dealt so thoroughly with the Shintu situation, he’d clearly cemented his view of me as a poison authority.
“Being too skilled has its own drawbacks, I suppose.”
I fixed him with a gaze that said I knew exactly what was coming and inquired,
“If this is about my specialized knowledge… would it happen to be…?”
Since Geolhwang had brought up my expertise, it could only pertain to poisons or insects.
Right on cue, Shintu gave a confirming nod.
Exactly as I’d foreseen, Shintu had come to me concerning a matter involving bugs.
“Indeed, it pertains to a subject you are deeply familiar with—insects.”
For the moment, I opted to listen to the full story.
Him calling them simple “bugs” and not spiritual beasts indicated they were common insects. Yet, Geolhwang had used the words “strange event” when introducing the topic.
A strange event meant an odd, unsettling occurrence.
Typically, it was unusual for mere insects to cause such a phenomenon.
“Could you elaborate on the details of the situation?”
At my question, Shintu nodded and began his account.
“This involves the Martial Alliance, which is why I came myself.
You see, just as we were stymied by the blockade stopping us from moving our forces, a certain individual arrived at the Martial Alliance a few days ago…”
***
“Have we confirmed the Imperial Court’s definitive position?”
Zhu Jung-hak, leader of the Martial Alliance, demanded urgently as Zhuge Hu walked into the main hall.
He had learned just moments before that a court messenger had arrived with news, and he was anxious for an update.
Yet, despite the urgency, Zhuge Hu faltered, his face grim.
“That is…”
“What is it? Why the hesitation?”
Agitated, Zhu Jung-hak pressed for an answer once more.
With a solemn expression, Zhuge Hu finally responded.
“Our situation is grave. I have verified it through the ministers we influence within the court, but the Imperial Court appears unwilling to alter its position. Since the Blood Cult War, the court has been determined to avoid another catastrophe of that scale…”
“What!?”
*Bang!*
Hearing that the Imperial Court would not budge, Zhu Jung-hak slammed his hand down on the Qinggang Stone table, leaving a clear imprint on its surface.
A frustrated sigh escaped his lips.
“Is our mobilization not exactly to stop such a disaster from repeating!? If the Blood Cult is allowed to swarm across the Central Plains, countless innocents will perish. What in heaven’s name is the Imperial Court thinking!?”
A heavy silence fell between them, both men’s faces etched with powerlessness.
The intelligence, for which Vice Chief Bang Sun of Bi-ryong Pavilion had given his life…
That information had pinpointed the Blood Cult’s main base, and they had crafted a strategy for a surprise assault. But without the Imperial Court’s consent, they could not deploy their army.
They had hoped their connections with court ministers could influence the Imperial Court’s judgment. But with this response, they were out of alternatives.
A covert mobilization was a possibility, but the Imperial Court had spies embedded within the Martial Alliance. If discovered, it would be seen as treasonous defiance, an act of rebellion.
Even martial artists were still the Emperor’s subjects.
The doctrine of “The Imperial Court does not interfere in martial matters” stood, but if a secret imperial decree was in effect, they could not act recklessly.
After a moment of oppressive quiet, Zhu Jung-hak muttered under his breath,
“It seems the saying ‘Heaven is indifferent’ fits our circumstances perfectly.”
And it was true.
From their viewpoint, the Imperial Court’s decision was a completely unexpected blow.
Though this unforeseen obstacle hindered their plans, the Martial Alliance did not remain passive.
They resolved to use their court connections to formally notify the government of the Blood Cult’s escalating danger.
They hoped that by making the Emperor aware of the cult’s horrors and clarifying the critical need for their mission, they could sway his opinion.
At the same time, they dispatched a small, covert team to the border of the Great Moon Empire to observe the Blood Cult’s activities.
But days continued to pass with no progress.
Then, roughly a fortnight later, one afternoon, Zhuge Hu rushed into the hall with a look of acute urgency.
“Lord Zhu Jung-hak! You must come outside at once!”
A summons of this nature meant a person of significant importance had arrived.
“Who could possibly require my personal reception?”
Zhu Jung-hak frowned.
In the entire martial world, no one held a rank higher than the Three Grandmasters of Martial Arts.
But then Zhuge Hu stammered out a name that was entirely unforeseen.
“It is… the wife of Lord Seo Bin-ak, the Prefect of Yueyang.”
“The wife of Seo Bin-ak, the Prefect of Yueyang? Seo Bin-ak… wasn’t he recently named Prefect of Yueyang? The government official? Then… then, could it possibly be—!?”
“Yes… it is the Imperial Princess.”
At the mention of the Imperial Princess, Zhu Jung-hak’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Seo Bin-ak, appointed Prefect of Yueyang near Wuhan, was already a person of interest to the Martial Alliance.
And he was no mere official—he was the Emperor’s own son-in-law.
That meant the visitor could be none other than Princess Gwan-do, Yu Ji-ryong, the wife of Prefect Seo Bin-ak.
“Where is she? Take me to her!”
“She has just come through the main entrance of the Martial Alliance.”
Yu Ji-ryong, wife of Prefect Seo Bin-ak, who had been posted to Yueyang, not far from Wuhan.
The two of them possessed highly unusual statuses.
Seo Bin-ak had begun as a simple scholar from the Imperial Academy, but his marriage to Princess Gwan-do had skyrocketed his standing, making him one of the most fortunate men in the Central Plains.
Achieving a prefectorship at just over twenty years old, he was commonly called the luckiest man alive.
The general opinion was that he was a man of little ability who had gained a high station by marrying well.
Ultimately, he was just an Imperial Academy scholar who had captured the affection of the Emperor’s most cherished daughter.
Yu Ji-ryong’s background was even more remarkable.
Not only was she the Emperor’s daughter and his most favored child, but she also uniquely held the status of a martial artist.
From childhood, the deeply pious Yu Ji-ryong had been drawn to Buddhism, journeying to temples throughout the Central Plains to pray. It was on one such pilgrimage to the Nanhai Putuo Hermitage that her potential was seen, and she was accepted as a secular disciple of the Sword Pavilion.
The Sword Queen, whom I’d encountered once, had said that if not for her royal blood, she would have named Yu Ji-ryong her successor.
In other words, Princess Yu Ji-ryong was a martial artist of royal descent.
By the time Zhu Jung-hak and his aides hurried down to the foot of Tianwu Pavilion, the princess had already arrived.
There, before Tianwu Pavilion, stood a woman accompanied by a scribe and a contingent of imperial guards.
She was dressed not in opulent silks but in the plain garb of a martial artist, appearing barely twenty years old.
Yet her eyes held the piercing gaze of a tiger.
Seeing this, Zhu Jung-hak’s own eyes sharpened.
More striking than her appearance was the sword she wore at her hip.
It could mean only one thing—she had come not as royalty, but as a martial artist.
It was common for someone of her status to travel in modest dress, but if she were here incognito, she would not have brought imperial guards.
Furthermore, if she were attending in her capacity as a princess, she would never be wearing a sword.
As Zhu Jung-hak moved to offer a bow of greeting, a voice from across the way stopped him.
“Please, do not bow, Sword Emperor. I come today as a disciple of the Sword Pavilion.”
At her words, Zhu Jung-hak offered a slight smile and replied,
“As a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, an audience with Zhu Jung-hak would not be so easily granted. Are you certain you wish to proceed on these terms?”
He was probing her, interested to see her true character.
Yu Ji-ryong simply returned the smile.
“I am fully aware. However, once you learn of the gift I bring, I believe you will agree to see me.”
“A gift?”
Zhu Jung-hak tilted his head, curious.
Then Yu Ji-ryong spoke in a voice that was clear and unwavering.
“You are currently unable to deploy your forces, are you not? I may be able to assist with that. If I tell the Emperor that I feel threatened and unsafe due to the Blood Cult, he may be persuaded to send reinforcements rather than obstruct your movements.”
I recalled once hearing from the Sword Queen that Yu Ji-ryong was not only deeply devout but also extraordinarily clever.
Now, I witnessed it firsthand.
Zhu Jung-hak let out a robust laugh and nodded.
“Haha! If that is the gift you offer, then you have more than earned an audience with me.”
A short time later, in the leader’s chamber, with warm tea served, their discussion commenced.
“Now then, what is your purpose in seeking out Zhu Jung-hak?”
At his question, Yu Ji-ryong respectfully brought her hands together and answered,
“I wish to offer my help to the Martial Alliance, and in exchange, I request the Alliance’s assistance in return.”
“The Martial Alliance… assisting the princess?”
Hearing this, Zhu Jung-hak instantly shot a look at his strategist.
The Zhuge family often had members serving in the court, and he wanted to know if they were aware of any related matters.
If she sought their aid in some imperial succession struggle, they could not possibly become involved.
A message reached his mind through telepathy.
[I have heard nothing of this. Princess Gwan-do takes no interest in court intrigues. She supports neither the princes nor the crown prince.]
An instant later, Yu Ji-ryong continued.
“You seem wary, but set your mind at ease; this has no connection to the Imperial Court. Though I am a secular disciple, I remain a disciple of the Putuo Hermitage. I understand well the principle that the Imperial Court and the martial world must not meddle in each other’s affairs.
Besides, I have effectively left the Imperial Court. I merely seek help for my husband.”
“Your husband… You mean Prefect Seo Bin-ak?”
Though married, it was widely known that Yu Ji-ryong was still the Emperor’s most beloved daughter.
Because of this, she was likely the sole person who could convince the Emperor to permit the Martial Alliance’s mobilization.
If possible, Zhu Jung-hak wanted to fulfill her request.
But even if this wasn’t about court politics, aiding her husband still meant helping the Emperor’s son-in-law.
Zhu Jung-hak asked once more for clarity.
Assisting Seo Bin-ak could still lead to entanglement with imperial matters.
Yu Ji-ryong’s response, however, was not what he expected.
“Yes. To be specific, I need help with an incident that has struck Yueyang. A bizarre phenomenon has stirred panic among the citizens, and I require aid in resolving it.”
“A bizarre phenomenon? Panic?”
Zhu Jung-hak’s brow furrowed as Yu Ji-ryong produced a pouch from her robe and set it on the table.
“Please, open it.”
Zhu Jung-hak did as requested and looked inside.
The pouch contained something dark and withered.
He tipped its contents into his palm, and a pile of dried insects tumbled out.
They were jet-black bugs.
Their wings were still attached, identifying them as flying insects, and there was a considerable number of them.
At the sight, Zhu Jung-hak’s face tightened in shock.
“This is…!?”
“The entire city of Yueyang is currently overrun by these insects.
The roads, the streets, even inside homes. People cannot venture outside without covering their faces with cloth.
Because of this, rumors are flying that it is a curse brought on by the newly appointed prefect.
My master once told me that the martial world contains many unusual experts, including those who specialize in controlling insects.
Might the Martial Alliance be able to locate such a person to aid me?”
Upon the princess’s request, Zhu Jung-hak and his strategist Zhuge Hu exchanged a look.
Simultaneously, they both spoke.
“This can only be So-ryong…”
“This can only be So-ryong…”
For they knew only one individual who was a true authority on insects.