Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 176

Chapter 176
If a typical drinking party is loud and full of cheer, the mood at this pondside gathering was the complete opposite—it was unnervingly quiet.
No one had died, yet the atmosphere had somehow become as somber as a funeral.
And the reason for this heavy silence?
It had nothing to do with the formality of the event or the high status of the guests.
The true source was the single bottle of liquor that had been placed on the table.
“In that case, I’ll begin. Please keep watch for me.”
“Naturally, drink without worry. We will guard you.”
“It is only right to offer protection when someone is channeling their Qi.”
I had assumed that, even if the wine held a trace of medicinal essence, it was still just alcohol and would be drunk normally. But would martial artists ever waste a single drop of a precious elixir?
However minute the amount of medicinal energy in each cup, they were determined to absorb every last bit to strengthen their inner power.
Consequently, instead of toasting one another, a strange scene played out—each time a person drank, the other three would stand watch, safeguarding them as they focused on circulating their Qi.
“Khh… Incredible. A single bowl contains months’ worth of internal energy. It’s sweet, truly sweet.”
The Iron Cavalry commander opened his eyes after completing his cycle, his voice thick with pleasure, which immediately sparked excitement in the others.
“Oh? It’s truly that potent?”
“So it is confirmed to be a mid-grade elixir. The energy is dense. Exceptionally dense.”
“I am pleased to hear you are satisfied.”
“This household has a truly impressive son-in-law. To refine a Golden-Furred Wasp King into a medicinal liquor… I have never even heard of such a feat!”
“Hahaha, my son-in-law is quite exceptional, is he not?”
Seeing his guests so delighted, my father-in-law’s face shone with pride.
Hearing my praises sung so enthusiastically, I couldn’t suppress my own inner satisfaction.
After the Iron Cavalry commander, each guest took their turn to drink and cycle their energy, with my father-in-law going last. When the process was finally complete, the weighty silence broke, replaced by the lively sound of the guests’ happy chatter.
“Speaking of which, we have partaken of something truly valuable. It would be improper not to offer something in return, don’t you agree, General Maeng?”
“The Governor of Sichuan speaks wisely. Elixirs demand compensation. To consume one without payment is to invite misfortune.”
“Indeed. In the martial world, it is an unspoken rule that a price must always be paid for the benefit of an elixir.”
Listening to them, I was reminded of a similar custom from my past life—when taking in a living creature, one always had to pay a token sum, however small.
It appeared the martial world held a parallel belief regarding elixirs: compensation was mandatory.
‘That’s actually a very sensible tradition.’
After all, those who crave free things too much are destined to lose their hair.
As I nodded in agreement to myself, the discussion continued.
“In that case, since the three of us have enjoyed such a fine elixir, we should each present a gift to this family’s son-in-law. Truthfully, I am already in his debt, as he prepared medicine for me once before.”
The conversation had begun as a straightforward offer to repay me for the elixir, but it was swiftly derailed.
The moment the Governor of Sichuan mentioned medicine, the other two expressed immediate concern.
“Medicine? Are you ill?”
“Hold on, are you sick?”
My father-in-law, who knew the truth, could not hide an uncomfortable expression.
The Governor had been complaining about his troubles, which led me to concoct a Ji-dam Pill for him. However, the man had carelessly ignored my instructions for its use and had nearly ended up paying a visit to the King of Hell.
“Ahem…”
After glancing around to ensure no one else was listening, the Governor of Sichuan leaned in close over the table and lowered his voice to a whisper.
“It was a tonic to revitalize a man’s vigor. I have tried countless remedies, but none could compare. Of course, it possesses a certain toxicity, so one must be cautious, but the results are astounding. I was even compelled to take in a new concubine because of it.”
“!”
“!”
As he finished his explanation, the faces of the other two men lit up with unmistakable excitement.
A moment later, all three turned to look at me in unison.
I offered a knowing smile.
I didn’t need to see them directly to recognize the avaricious glint in their eyes.
“I will have the apothecary prepare some for you to take home before you depart. However, you must be exceedingly careful with the dosage.”
“What!?”
“You mean it!?”
With that, the gathering erupted into a clamor of exhilaration, and the previously sidetracked conversation found its way back on course.
“I mean, isn’t it enough that this young man shared his elixir with us? And now he is giving us medicine to take home? Hahaha.”
“This son-in-law is truly a marvel! What has my own son-in-law done with his life?”
“Not only did we receive an elixir, but we are also being gifted medicine. We must compensate him handsomely. Hahaha!”
The three middle-aged men, now elevating the virility tonic to the status of an elixir, laughed uproariously.
Having been given what they considered the ultimate gift, the drinking session soon became a symphony of praises aimed at me.
Ultimately, their discussion reached a clear conclusion—they each wished to give me a present.
“Let us proceed like this. We will ask this young man what he needs or desires, and from his requests, we will grant what lies within our power.”
“A splendid idea, Governor.”
“A most prudent suggestion.”
“Indeed. So, is there anything you require? Or something you wish for? Speak your desires, and we will see what can be done.”
Their proposition was simple—I would list my wants, and they would choose from among them what they could provide.
“How could I ever ask for anything? I was merely fulfilling my duty as a host to my family’s guests…”
I pretended to be modest, attempting a polite refusal.
Yet, just as I expected, the three of them frowned and spoke with firm insistence.
“Do not say such things, young man. The effects of an elixir are worthless unless a price is paid.”
“Exactly, exactly.”
“Come now, there is no need for shyness. Speak openly.”
Somehow, it felt less like repaying a kindness and more like performing a superstitious ritual to avert the elixir’s supposed curse. But by now, I was well accustomed to this sort of dynamic.
And so, I gave them my standard reply.
I rarely ever received actual compensation for my requests. This time, however, I had a feeling I might get something.
My usual answer always concerned venomous creatures or spiritual beasts. But since information on spiritual beasts was scarce, my inquiries had never yielded much before.
‘Cho, Bini, your father is by the pond. Please come here both of you.’
When explaining something, showing was always better than telling.
After I called for them, the sky above began to darken.
The Head of the Qingcheng Sect, who had instinctively looked upward, seemed to suspect an approaching rain. But when he saw what was truly happening, his face lost all color and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword.
“H-hah?!”
Reacting to his shock, I also looked up—just in time to see Cho arriving first.
As the centipede descended from the sky, the other two guests, confused by the sudden alarm, turned to look. The instant they comprehended the sight, they too shot up from their seats and scrambled backward.
“W-what in heaven’s name?!”
“A c-centipede?!”
-Tssrrt?
Then, from the entrance to the pond, another dark shape appeared.
A massive, glossy, chitinous body skittered forward at high speed—Bini had arrived.
-Tssssssssrrrrr.
“T-two of them?!”
“A s-spiritual beast?!”
My two daughters had come, each taking a place beside me. Filled with boundless affection, I hugged them both and nuzzled my cheek against theirs before addressing the stunned men.
“I have a particular passion for raising venomous and spiritual creatures. If you have ever heard any unusual tales or rumors, no matter how small, I would be grateful to hear them.”
‘If you are truly thankful, then give me information on venomous and spiritual creatures.’
The three of them could only exchange stunned glances, blinking in utter silence.
***
After they had somewhat recovered from their shock, it was General Maeng of the Iron Cavalry who broke the silence first.
He had been staring intently at Cho and Bini, lost in thought, before suddenly clapping his hands as if he had remembered something important.
“Ah! That’s it! Young man, have you ever heard of the salamander?”
“The salamander? You mean the amphibian?”
‘Salamander? Which kind?’
Tilting my head in confusion, General Maeng clarified.
“Most common folk simply refer to it as a Crying Salamander.”
“Ah! The Crying Salamander! Of course, I know of it!”
The moment I heard that name, I nearly leaped to my feet.
It was perhaps an undignified reaction for such a formal setting, but I couldn’t contain myself.
The Crying Salamander was the common name for the Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, capable of growing up to 1.8 meters long.
These enormous salamanders could be found in both Japan and China, but the very largest specimens resided in China.
With their big, saggy, wrinkled bodies and flat heads, they resembled wet mops. When alarmed, they would exude a viscous, sticky fluid.
Though its name was written in Hanzi, it had a unique pronunciation. This was because, during their breeding season, their cries sound eerily like a human infant wailing—hence the name Crying Salamander.
In my past life, they were called Chinese giant salamanders, but their scientific name was Andrias davidianus, belonging to the Cryptobranchidae family of giant salamanders under the Urodela order.
I had always wanted to keep one, but China strictly prohibited their export—even while they themselves cooked and ate them.
They were apparently considered one of the “Eight Rarities” in the Manhan Quanxi (the Manchu Han Imperial Feast), making them a costly delicacy.
I’d heard stories of people trying to smuggle them through illicit means, only to be intercepted at customs. I myself had only seen one during a trip to China.
I recall asking my guide there to show me a Crying Salamander, only to be led to a restaurant. I was absolutely appalled.
‘That’s right! The Chinese giant salamander is native to this area! How could I have forgotten?’
Since I was in the Central Plains, it was only right that I should try to acquire a Crying Salamander. I had been so fixated on other spiritual beasts that I’d overlooked these foundational creatures.
They looked like worn-out old slippers—so unsightly they looped back around to being adorable. The mere thought of them filled me with joy.
‘I’m going to catch one the second this gathering is over!’
They were sure to live here in Sichuan. I was resolved to find one immediately.
Seeing the broad grin on my face, General Maeng nodded with understanding before continuing with a smile.
“You truly do adore venomous and spiritual creatures. It wasn’t merely empty words. Anyway, I am quite fond of salamanders myself—I often have them prepared for my meals.”
‘Gyaaaah! You brute! You monster!’
I barely stopped myself from shooting him a look of utter revulsion, forcing a polite smile onto my face instead.
This was, after all, the Central Plains—where they would eat anything that wasn’t nailed down.
“I-I see.”
“Yes. So, from time to time, I send my servants to purchase salamanders, or I accompany them myself. But I recalled a peculiar story one of the traders told me.”
“What was it?”
“They said that while salamanders are exceedingly rare, there exists an even rarer kind—the Tiger Salamander.”
“Tiger Salamander?”
“Yes, the Tiger Salamander.”
‘Not just any salamander, but a Tiger Salamander? That implies one with tiger-like patterns…?’
As I tried to visualize the creature, General Maeng continued his account.
“It is marked with patterns like a tiger’s stripes, and anyone who approaches or touches it is said to die on the spot. The strangest part is that the bodies show no injury or signs of poison.”
“Ohhh! Tiger stripes!”
I wracked my memory, trying to recall if any giant salamanders had tiger-like patterning.
Some were orange or yellowish, like a golden perch, but I had never heard of one described quite like this.
And if it could kill people with some mysterious venom, it had to be a genuine spiritual beast.
I hadn’t expected much, and yet here I was, receiving incredibly valuable information.
Thrilled, I quickly asked, “Do you know when and where it was last sighted?”
“About a decade ago, right here in Sichuan. Two fishermen who tried to catch it died on the spot.”
Ten years was a long time, but if it hadn’t been caught, it could still be alive.
After all, Chinese giant salamanders were called ‘giant’ for a reason—they were incredibly long-lived.
The average lifespan of an ordinary Crying Salamander was about fifty years.
‘Just you wait, Tiger Salamander, or whatever you are. You are already destined to be Fabre’s next prized possession!’