Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 178

Chapter 178
Seated before a map of the Central Plains—a map so crude I could have sketched a better one with my own foot—I was lost in contemplation.
Then, Hwa-eun’s finger landed on a specific point.
“So-ryong, our first stop should be here.”
She indicated a village near the border of Sichuan and Qinghai—one of the leads acquired in exchange for the Queen Bee Royal Jelly Wine.
“This place?”
Hwa-eun gave a nod and elaborated.
“Correct. The Governor of Sichuan promised his assistance in gathering intelligence on the Tiger Salamander, but tracking down an actual witness from a decade ago will be a lengthy process.
Furthermore, Qinghai is our most distant objective.
However, this village—we have its precise location, and it lies directly on the route to Qinghai. It is the most logical starting point.
We cannot possibly investigate every location in a single journey.”
Her argument was sound and methodical, and I found myself agreeing.
I had arrived at the same decision.
The salt lake region of Qinghai was extremely remote, and without the option of travel by boat, the overland trek would be arduous.
Additionally, such a trip would require a carriage, and it remained unclear if I could bring Cho and Bini.
Regarding the Tiger Salamander, while the Governor of Sichuan had pledged to find information as payment for the elixir, pinpointing its exact whereabouts would be difficult.
Even my father-in-law had shown great interest in the beast due to its infamous venom.
But finding the spot where it was seen ten years prior? That was a formidable challenge.
Sichuan is a massive province. A search for the Tiger Salamander could consume a great deal of time.
Therefore, the only practical choice was the location for which the Governor had already provided exact coordinates.
The mountain village near Seokjip, on the Qinghai border, where a giant insect was reported.
We knew where it was. All that remained was to travel there and see for ourselves.
“You’re correct.”
“Moreover, we can journey there independently without requiring special permission.”
Hwa-eun was right again.
Securing authorization to depart for that area would be far simpler.
Until now, the threat from the Blood Cult and Five Venoms Sect had meant I couldn’t leave without an escort from my grandfather or father-in-law.
Those fanatics still sought vengeance, and if they captured us traveling alone, it would be catastrophic.
But Seokjip is in northwestern Sichuan, a far more secure region.
Sichuan is partitioned into three principal territories:
The Tang Clan governs the east, with Chengdu at its heart.
The Qingcheng Sect controls the northwest.
The Emei Sect holds the southwest.
The village near Seokjip falls under Qingcheng’s domain.
And since I recently shared Queen Bee Royal Jelly Wine with the Head of the Qingcheng Sect, it is among the safest places I could go.
Beyond that, security throughout the Central Plains is currently stronger than ever due to the continued suppression of the Blood Cult.
It is safer now than it has been in a long time.
“Very well, we’ll start there first. Covering everything in one trip is impossible.”
“Exactly, So-ryong.”
Just as we settled on beginning with the mountain village near Seokjip, the sound of rushing footsteps came from outside.
A servant, appearing deeply distressed, ran to the entrance of Hwa-eun’s residence.
I turned from the map to face him.
The servant, on the brink of tears, addressed me.
“So-ryong-nim…”
“…Again?”
“Yes… It’s happening once more…”
“Haa…”
At his words, Hwa-eun massaged her temples, a clear sign of an oncoming headache.
I could not suppress a sigh of my own.
It appeared the recent recurring issue had surfaced again.
“I understand. I’ll handle it.”
“My apologies, So-ryong-nim.”
“No, the apology should come from us.”
The servant spoke as if it were his failing, but truly, the fault was ours.
This was already the third occurrence.
With another sigh, I guided the weary Hwa-eun to the kitchen, the scene of the newest disaster.
Or, more precisely, the latest site of Hwayang’ mischief.
Specifically, the main kitchen of the Tang Clan, which prepares meals for the direct lineage.
Since his initial transgression, Hwayang had been perpetrating culinary offenses every three days.
Whenever reprimanded, he would play innocent, pretending not to hear a word—only to repeat the offense the moment our vigilance waned.
‘What am I going to do with this creature?’
Upon reaching the kitchen, the mood was unnervingly frigid.
A place that should be bustling with steam and the warm scent of cooking was silent and still.
It seemed dinner would be postponed again.
Perhaps we would have to take our meal in the soldiers’ mess hall.
I looked inside and called out in frustration.
“Hwayang, come out. This instant.”
-Beep!?
A surprised squeal emanated from one of the stove vents.
A moment later, a puff of ash announced Hwayang squirming his way out.
Blanketed in soot, the oversized toad attempted a stealthy exit from the kitchen, deliberately avoiding my gaze.
He squeezed his eyes shut, as if by not seeing me, he would become invisible.
Then—
-Thump.
His head connected with the kitchen’s threshold.
Embarrassed, Hwayang instantly rolled onto his back, putting on a theatrical display of agony.
-Beeeeep… Beeee…
The portly amphibian flailed about like an enormous potato, rolling miserably across the floor.
His rotund belly wobbled like a water skin with every movement.
“Hah?”
Hwa-eun gaped at him, completely bewildered.
This fool.
A genuine spiritual beast—a creature with skin so resilient blades cannot penetrate it—was feigning injury.
His belly is so soft and yielding it feels like a pillow to rest on…
But in terms of sheer toughness, he is as durable as Cho, Bini, or even Yo-hwa.
There was no possibility Hwayang was harmed from gently bumping the stone threshold.
Not only was he moving at his typical sluggish pace—nowhere near a run—but even if his skin were as soft as pudding, his minimal speed could never cause real hurt.
“Look at this little menace.”
“Hwayang! If you continue this—!”
Hwa-eun’s voice shot out with the sharpness of the Tang Clan’s famed poison needles.
Startled, Hwayang scrambled over to me and seized my leg, tugging at my trousers with his stubby limbs, pleading to be held.
-Beep…
He had evidently learned that I would intervene when he was scolded, and he clearly expected it now.
Hwa-eun’s chastisement truly frightened him.
But today, I was not in the mood.
Once? Perhaps.
Twice? Tolerable.
But three times? Unacceptable.
“No. Not now. You are on your own.”
“Hwayang, I told you, didn’t I? Even So-ryong won’t defend you now.”
Resolved to let Hwa-eun administer proper discipline, I folded my arms and fixed the large amphibian with a stern look.
It was then we heard the signal from the Tang Clan’s gates.
-Beep! Beep! Beep!
Hwa-eun let out a sigh and threw an irritated glance at Hwayang.
“Lucky for you.”
“Haah… Hwayang, this discussion is not concluded. We will address this later.”
It seemed visitors had arrived.
We needed to proceed to the Nine-Tiered Gates immediately, forcing us to cut short today’s punishment.
As Hwa-eun began preparing to depart, a servant passed me a dusting brush.
“For you, So-ryong-nim…”
They evidently had it ready—likely because this was the third such incident.
The second time, we spent an age cleaning the soot off that wretched toad.
“Ah, thank you.”
Before leaving, I pried Hwayang off my leg and gave him a thorough brushing.
-Thwack, thwack, thwack!
-Beeeeeep!
The little rascal complained as I vigorously scrubbed the soot from his head and face, but I showed no mercy.
I needed him clean before allowing him back onto my head.
Once finished, I lifted him up and sprang into the air, speeding toward the Nine-Tiered Gates with Hwa-eun.
“Who could it be? Perhaps news regarding the Tiger Salamander has already arrived?”
“That would be fortunate, but…”
Considering the present state of the martial world—with the Blood Cult being pursued—it was unlikely anyone brought good news to the Tang Clan.
Bad news was far more probable.
However, upon reaching the gates, we found familiar faces waiting.
“So-brother!”
“So So-hyeop!”
“Hwa-eun!”
Standing before the Nine-Tiered Gates were Brother Gyu-seong, Yang Seong-hu, and Seon-hwa—all looking fit and healthy.
They had said they would visit Yeong-yeong after recuperating, and by their appearance, they had made a full recovery from their wounds.
“Brother Gyu-seong!”
“Seon-hwa! It is good to see you well!”
After surviving life-and-death struggles together, our joy at reuniting was only natural.
This was especially true for Yang Seong-hu and Seon-hwa, for whom I had acted as a matchmaker.
Even Hwa-eun, who usually finds making friends difficult, now seemed at ease enough to use Seon-hwa’s martial title as casually as her personal name.
I hurried forward and clasped hands with them—only to be drawn into a hearty embrace by Brother Gyu-seong.
He patted my back and chuckled warmly.
“You look well. That is a relief.”
“I should be saying that to you, Brother.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“I am truly glad you are here. You have recovered completely?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
During our flight from the Blood Cult and Five Venoms Sect, Brother Gyu-seong sustained a grave injury to his side, and Seon-hwa was run through the back by a sword.
Both wounds were critical, so my relief at seeing them healed was immense.
Hwa-eun and Seon-hwa spoke from the side.
“There is some minor scarring, but the healing is complete.”
“In that case, I shall prepare some of the Tang Clan’s finest medicinal ointments for you.”
“You are always aiding us. Oh, and I heard something amusing from Yang-rang—about you serving as the Matchmaker Beneath the Moon for us.”
“…Wait. Yang-rang? Matchmaker Beneath the Moon!?”
I assumed “Yang-rang” was an affectionate name for Yang Seong-hu.
And Matchmaker Beneath the Moon—that is an honorific for one who facilitates marriages.
Wait… could that mean…?
I turned to Yang Seong-hu, who rubbed the back of his neck in a sheepish manner.
“Aha… Haha…”
So they were formally engaged now?
That progressed quickly.
I grinned at him.
“It seems there is a story I need to hear, is there not? Well, let us speak inside. Ji-ryong and the other members of the Five Dragons and Three Peaks are already within.”
“Oh? Ji-ryong and the others? Excellent! Let us go in then.”
Hearing their comrades were inside, the three eagerly followed Hwa-eun and me through the gates.
However, we had taken only a few steps before Brother Gyu-seong clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“Tsk. Really, have you no shame? You are at the Tang Clan, for pity’s sake.”
Hwa-eun and I shared a look before glancing behind us—
—where we saw Seon-hwa virtually attached to Yang Seong-hu’s arm.
In the Central Plains, a woman merely holding a man’s sleeve in public is considered brazenly forward.
But this?
She was practically fused to him.
‘Honestly… leave them to their own devices, and they might just lay out a mat and recline right here.’
They say those who start late indulge wildly, don’t they?
And judging by this…
those who find love later in life are equally intense.
***
Inside, the remainder of the Five Dragons and Three Peaks welcomed us heartily.
Assembled in a pavilion, we shared tea and recounted all that had transpired.
When the discussion turned to Yang Seong-hu’s proposal, Seon-hwa set a red object on the table and explained.
“Actually, we went to recuperate at a hot spring near Tengchong Volcano. While there, Yang-rang discovered this and presented it to me…”
I had been leaning in, far more captivated by this than the men’s battle tales, when—
-Beep!
Hwayang suddenly launched himself from my head, diving into the group of women—
—and seized the red item from the floor with his mouth.
‘Hey, you little devil!’
That was someone’s betrothal gift