Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 181

Chapter 181
When the village elder inquired, Seol answered him.
“You mentioned you had asked the Beast Palace for aid? I would be interested to learn more. I was returning from a task in the Central Plains, so I am unaware of the specifics.
I have some matters to attend to at Tengchong Volcano, so I intended to rest here for a short while.”

At her reply, the expressions of the villagers grew somber.
The village chief, appearing somewhat unsettled, responded.
“Ah… I understand. Please, come inside.”

As we followed the chief into the settlement, I noticed it was constructed upon volcanic stone. Outcroppings of dark basalt were visible throughout.
The village had a resemblance to Jeju Island. While I was observing our surroundings and thinking of old memories, Seol’s voice reached me through mental communication.
[So-ryong, while we search for Hyang, we ought to assist this village as well. Being from the Beast Palace, I cannot simply overlook their plight. Hear their story, then intervene and propose our help. This will also serve as a good way to introduce you to the people.]

We were not the requested aid from the Beast Palace, but since we intended to lodge in the village for a time, we could not ignore their troubles.
The circumstances felt strangely recognizable, and considering both Seol and I were connected to the Beast Palace, offering our support felt appropriate.
In Yunnan, the Beast Palace acted as an elder sibling to the many ethnic tribes living within the subtropical jungles.
Furthermore, during this time, being a guest meant the hosts would provide shelter, meals, and even care for one’s laundry. At the very least, we needed to return their kindness.

I gave a nod to Seol’s words.
“Alright, I understand.”

We entered the chief’s home and sat down. He offered us tea and some light refreshments before he started to explain.
“Where to begin… Ah, yes. It started perhaps one or two months ago. Initially, some villagers reported seeing groups of Seo (鼠) departing the village after dark.”
“Seo were leaving?”
“Indeed, as though they were escaping from something.”

Seo—rats—fleeing implied that something had terrified them enough to desert their home.
It matched exactly what I had presumed upon hearing the account from the Lord of Sichuan.
“So, the rats truly did run away, then?”

When the Lord of Sichuan noted that the rats had disappeared, I had guessed they fled. But here, there were people who had actually witnessed it occurring.
As I acknowledged this, the village chief continued.
“And after that, our livestock began to vanish—one animal at a time, each night. Our village depends on raising pigs, but after nearly half were gone, we urgently sent word to the Beast Palace for assistance.”
“I see…”
“Yes. Due to the nearby volcano, we cannot farm much beyond small-scale cultivation. We rely heavily on pigs for sustenance, but now half are missing…”

As the chief finished, Hwa-eun’s telepathic voice entered my mind.
[So-ryong, doesn’t this closely resemble what the Lord of Sichuan described to you?]

It seemed Hwa-eun had drawn the same parallel as I had.
I gave a slight nod before interjecting into the discussion between Seol and the chief.
“Since we will be staying in the village for a few days regardless, we will lend our assistance. Isn’t that right, Seol?”

The village chief turned to look at me, his head tilting with curiosity.
“And this young gentleman is…?”
“Oh, my younger brother. His name is So-ryong.”
“Good heavens! You mean the heir to the Beast Palace?!”

The village chief was so astonished he nearly leaped up.
Technically, I was only an adopted son, not the true heir. But I simply offered a polite bow and tried to put him at ease.
Whatever form of giant insect was responsible—I, Spicy Fabre, would handle it swiftly.

“This village chief has encountered some fortune, hasn’t he?”
“You can entrust this problem to us, so please do not worry excessively. We have encountered a similar situation before.”
“Heavens! Is that true?”

The village chief’s eyes widened in amazement at my statement.
I smiled at him.
“We will need to investigate to be certain, but I believe it may be the doing of a giant insect.”
“A-a giant insect?!”

I offered a bit more detail to comfort him, but the very idea of a giant insect made the village chief turn pale.
I nodded and went on.
“Indeed. In another location, they discovered traces of its footsteps. Also, if we are to help, I should bring my children inside. They are waiting outside and can aid in protecting the village.”

Before entering, I had instructed my “kids” to remain outside to avoid alarming the villagers. Now, I asked for permission to bring them in.
The village chief agreed without hesitation.
“Ah, you refer to the beasts of the Beast Palace? By all means! That is completely acceptable. The beasts of the Beast Palace are known for their good behavior.
If they are here to guard us, we would feel much more secure.”

Well, they weren’t precisely “beasts of the Beast Palace”—they were venomous insects and spiritual beasts under my care—but since we had approval, it was fine.
I promptly signaled Cho, who was waiting outside.
“Cho, bring the kids in. Daddy is coming to meet you.”
“Chrrr.”

It seemed Cho had been anticipating my signal, as I received an immediate reply.
“Very well, I will go outside and bring them in.”
“Please do. I would be delighted to see the beasts of the Beast Palace again.”

With the village chief accompanying me, I walked toward the village entrance. Soon, in the distance, I saw Yo-hwa, who had assumed Hwa-eun’s form, with Hyang resting on her head. Next to her, Bini and Cho advanced, their lustrous black and emerald carapaces glinting in the sunlight.
Even from a distance, they were radiant.
“Wow… whose daughters are these? They’ve been raised so well.”

Observing their sleek, well-groomed appearances, I felt a wave of paternal pride. I had always been diligent about polishing them thoroughly with a dry cloth, and it was evident.
Just as I was admiring them, the village chief’s quivering voice reached me.
“Th-those two… they can’t be…?”

He was likely questioning if they were my “children.” As they drew near, I patted all three on the head and replied.
“Yes, these are my daughters. They are lovely, are they not? Girls, greet everyone properly.”
—”Chrrr.”
—”Chrrt.”
—”Kiiish.”

At my direction, all three inclined their heads in a courteous greeting.
Witnessing their excellent manners, my fatherly heart swelled with pride.
After all, showing proper respect to elders signified a good upbringing.

The village chief gazed at me, speechless, his voice shaking.
“Y-you said a giant insect was behind these events…?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“…”

The village chief’s eyes trembled intensely.
Now that I considered it, it must have seemed very odd that we were introducing giant insects to solve a giant insect problem.
I quickly clarified before he could misunderstand.
My “kids” were not like the wild, untamed creatures that preyed on livestock.
My girls were civilized.

“There is no need for concern. My children do not consume pigs or livestock. They were raised around humans from a young age and would not harm people. They are thoroughly trained.”
Finally, the village chief’s tense expression softened, and he spoke hesitantly.
“W-welcome.”

***

“Let us visit the hot spring first.”
“That is a good idea. I am in serious need of a bath.”
“Me as well.”

The women, having perspired heavily during their journey through the jungle, were keen to cleanse themselves.
We decided to get settled first and then proceed to the hot springs to wash.
At the same time, we could also continue our search for Hyang.
“Let’s do that.”

With this plan, we walked for approximately fifteen minutes until we reached the foot of a mountain.
A stunning valley opened before us, with white steam rising and drifting along the stream.
Yang Seong-hu led us a little farther upstream and gestured ahead.
“This way.”

As we followed, I dipped my hand into the stream—it was warm.
Not scalding, but pleasantly hot for soaking.
“When we visited previously, we found the spots where the water bubbles up are hotter, while the flowing water is more temperate.”

Looking where Yang Seong-hu indicated, I saw several bubbling hot springs.
We passed a few of them until we heard the sound of cascading water, and soon a low waterfall came into view.
It was not very tall—maybe three meters in height.
—Chaaaa.

The sound of flowing water surrounded us as Yang Seong-hu explained.
“This is the spot. Seon-hwa and I discovered it while seeking a quiet place to avoid Do-ryong.”
Why he had needed to hide from Gyu-seong was a question for another time—in private.

For the moment, I guided Hwa-eun and the other women to a more private area upstream so they could bathe first.
Then, I returned promptly to examine the base of the waterfall.
Since the water was only about a meter deep, I assumed it would be straightforward to investigate.
“Alright, let’s begin by inspecting the bottom.”
“Shall we take a soak, then?”
“I’ve been anticipating this.”

In this period, when men bathed together, they typically removed their outer garments and entered the water wearing only their trousers.
Eager for a good soak, we jumped in and began feeling along the rocky bottom.
Due to the bubbles from the falling water, visibility was low, so searching by hand was the only method.
“Pfft…”

We took turns diving, retrieving stones, and examining them.
Gyu-seong, Ji-ryong, Kwon-ryong, and Geom-ryong—all of us who had come for a bath—ended up toiling like laborers, meticulously inspecting the rocks.
But Hyang was not to be found.
“Sigh… It won’t be that simple, will it?”
“Of course not. It is a treasure—it will not simply materialize.”
“I am growing hungry. Let’s finish here and return. Speaking of which, since the village is concerned about their missing pigs, we will likely need to hunt for our own food.”
“Shall we, then?”
“Agreed. Also, So So-hyeop, I am quite curious about how Yang Seong-hu managed to sneak here so discreetly with Seon-hwa.”

At Ji-ryong’s remark, the other brothers nodded in unison.
Men certainly thought alike.

***

“So-ryong, wake up. It is your turn.”
“Ugh… Already?”
“Yes.”

I had just begun to doze off when Gyu-seong roused me.
Because animals had been going missing from the village, we had arranged to stand watch in shifts.
“If you are too tired, I can take your shift.”
“No, hyung. It is my turn. I also need to check on Cho and Bini.”

Seeing me yawn, Gyu-seong looked worried and offered to cover for me, but that was not possible.
My two daughters were outside, keeping watch at my request—I could not be the only one sleeping.
First, I called down Cho, who was patrolling the village from above.
“Cho, Daddy is awake. Come down for a moment.”
“Chrrr.”

A short time after my call, I heard a familiar sound from overhead.
“Chrrr.”
Rubbing my eyes, I looked up but saw only darkness.
Tonight, the moon was concealed behind dense clouds—there was no moonlight at all.
Soon, Cho silently emerged near the lantern hanging in front of the house.
“Chrrr.”
“Alright, Cho. Let us go up for a bit.”

I wanted to become fully alert and also get a better aerial view of the village, so I asked Cho to carry me upward.
Coiling around me, Cho lifted me into the air.
With no moonlight, the only lights visible were the scattered lanterns throughout the village.
“Bini, is everything alright?”
“Chrrt!”

I checked with Bini, who promptly replied that all was well.
Just then, while suspended in the air, Cho suddenly nuzzled her head against my cheek.
“Chrrt.”
“Ah… my first daughter is so affectionate.”

The night breeze and Cho’s slightly cool carapace slowly sharpened my awareness.
Just as I was about to become fully awake, Cho’s fangs gently pressed against my cheek, twisting my expression into a comical shape.
And then, something unusual captured my attention below.
“What… is that?”

In the center of the village, starting from the well, the lanterns were being extinguished—one after another.
It was as though someone was flipping a switch, snuffing them out in a perfect sequence.
Since there were not many lanterns to begin with, the entire village was rapidly engulfed in darkness.
—Screech!

A faint, brief cry of death resonated through the night, barely perceptible.
Almost instantly afterward, Bini’s urgent warning flooded my mind.
『Here, Dad! Here!』

She had found something.
I instructed Cho to descend and shouted loudly for Gyu-seong, who was probably still awake.
“Gyu-seong!”
—Crash! Bang!

As expected, he came stumbling out of his bamboo dwelling, startled by my yell.
“W-what is happening?!”
“Something just appeared!”
“What about the fire?!”

The moment I landed, I used Fire Shards to swiftly reignite a lantern and sent a mental message to Bini.
“Bini, where are you!? Stay away—it is dangerous!”

The only reply I received was a single word.
Water.

There were no streams close by, so the only water source had to be… the well.
Holding up the lantern, I sprinted to the well.
There, I found Bini with her head thrust into the well, emitting a sharp hiss.
—Chrrrrt! Chrrrt!
“Bini, move back.”

I had her step aside and lowered the lantern into the well.
There, I saw something—shapes scattering swiftly along the walls of the cavern.
And at the bottom of the well, on one side, was a large hole.
“What in the world is that…?”

The fading echoes of whatever had vanished below still lingered faintly within my sight.