Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 194

Chapter 194
Of the Blood-Eyed Green Furgrass Bamboo Rat.
True to its name, its pelt was a coat of green fur as fine and dense as a blade of grass, creating a most distinctive look.
Each one measured roughly thirty centimeters long, indicating they were likely juveniles. The three of them seemed to have only recently left their mother’s den as a group. They gave the impression not of a mated pair, but of siblings from a single litter.
Their caring dynamic was reminiscent of Cho, Hyang, and Bini. But unlike my trio, who were all female, this group was made up of two males and one female.
The two bigger males appeared to be looking out for the smaller one. From their actions, the little one that had fainted from hunger before was probably their baby sister.
“Zii!”
“Zit!”
“Aren’t they precious. My little ones.”
I turned at the sound of the familiar voice to see Sister Seol cradling one of the animals in her arms, the other two balanced on her shoulders. She was strolling along with a look of pure joy on her face.
Binding these spiritual beasts using the Beast-Heart Technique had given her stats a major boost, and at the same time, they had all but become her personal companions. Naturally, she found them endearing.
This was, after all, her very first spiritual beast.
Becoming a parent was always a moving experience, right?
Well… even if the children in question were fuzzy mammals.
“Do you really like them that much, Sister?”
“Absolutely! I’ve always wished for a spiritual beast, and now my dream is fulfilled. And really, aren’t these little things just the cutest?”
I couldn’t fully grasp the appeal of furry mammals myself, but I just shook my head and moved away. I started mentally cataloging everything I knew about their behavior.
I intended to include them in my Small Venomous Beasts Manual later, so I needed to commit all the particulars to memory.
They were poisonous animals, listed in the Grass-Type category of the 234 Venomous Species, and I’d studied their habits on the journey from Qinghai to Gonryu Pass.
They required feeding four times daily, approximately every six hours, and their diet was meat. The odd thing was their eyes weren’t naturally red—only when they started getting hungry.
The more famished they became, the deeper red their eyes would turn.
It was as though their sight inverted when on the brink of starvation.
For people like us, hunger is a minor annoyance. For them, it was a life-or-death situation.
It stood to reason their eyes would shift color according to such a powerful survival instinct.
They also grew highly hostile in this condition, making timely feeding essential.
That said, they weren’t overly greedy eaters. There was no need to give them too much, and overnight, they were clever enough to help themselves to stored provisions if necessary.
Given the opportunity, they would also hunt for themselves.
“Even so… fur, is it…?”
While I was arranging this data in my head for the manual, I caught myself briefly considering the notion of furry mammals.
Then, a small chirp reached my ears.
Glancing down, I found one of them sitting on my shoulder, looking up at me.
“Chorit?”
It was Hyang, her expression seeming to ask, “Dad, what’s on your mind?”
That sweet, miniature face made me reprimand myself for getting distracted.
“I did think about developing a minor interest in furry mammals due to their venomous nature… but no, it’s not my style. I already have these gorgeous, scale-bearing companions.”
I gently scratched Hyang under her chin and told her,
“It’s nothing important. Just a pointless train of thought, that’s all.”
“Churut?”
Hyang appeared intrigued by my musings, but I could never confess I’d briefly wandered from my true preferences.
Thankfully, I had an ideal subject to divert her attention.
“Speaking of which, Hyang, are you truly never going to evolve?”
“Cho! Chuchu?!”
The instant I said the word ‘evolve,’ Hyang started and promptly dove for the inside of my robes.
Every time the topic of evolution came up, this was her reaction—retreating into hiding.
She had vowed to remain with me forever once, and it truly seemed she had no plans to evolve.
It made me happy that she was so attached to me, but…
I couldn’t help feeling a little let down.
Considering the evolutions of Cho and Bini, it was only normal to wonder what Hyang might become.
Cho had consumed the Mystic Heavenly Hermit’s Neidan and evolved into the Celestial Venom Spirit.
Bini had taken in Umki and changed into the Black Abyss Phantom.
If Hyang were to evolve, maybe she would turn into something like a Blazing Ember Spirit by absorbing power from the Fire Crystal.
But pressuring a cherished daughter to evolve wasn’t something I could do.
I looked up at the sky with a yearning expression and murmured quietly,
“Hyang, your father adores you exactly as you are, but… I’m also eager to watch you mature splendidly, just like Cho and Bini did. A red Hyang…”
Cho had a light green color, so I named her Cyan Jade Cho.
Bini was black, so I call her Ebony Bini.
If Hyang became red, would Crimson Blossom Hyang suit her?
It had a lovely ring to it. Crimson Blossom Hyang…
Like a delicate, beautiful red flower.
As I spoke in a dreamy tone, I suddenly sensed movement from my chest.
“Chu? Chuchu?”
Peeking out from my robes, Hyang looked up at Cho soaring in the sky, then over at Bini gliding beside me.
Her gaze then shifted toward Brother Paeng Gyu-seong.
“Churuk… Chururut.”
More specifically, she was staring at the basket hanging on Brother Paeng Gyu-seong’s back.
She was fixated on the Fire Crystal within.
Because it was so weighty, Brother Paeng Gyu-seong had been assisting Yoonbal with carrying it.
From within the basket, I could just make out a soft, persistent licking noise.
“Churuk. Chururururuk.”
It was Hwayang, seizing every chance to lick the Fire Crystal.
I’d been attempting to convince Hyang for some time, but today…
Today, she was actually looking at the Fire Crystal.
She appeared to be lost in thought.
“Could today finally be it?”
Just as a spark of hope began to kindle inside me, a harsh glare abruptly stabbed at my eyes.
It was sunlight glinting off something in the distance.
I lifted a hand to block the light and peered toward the source of the reflection.
An enormous lake lay ahead of us.
That could only be Qinghai Lake—the biggest saltwater lake in all of Zhongyuan.
“That is Qinghai Lake, sir.”
“So that’s Qinghai Lake?”
I turned to find Ji-ryong coming nearer. He verified my assumption as he also stared out at the lake.
Simultaneously, a small settlement came into sight.
Ji-ryong retrieved a map from an inside pocket, gave it a quick study, then indicated the village.
“It appears to be named Gonghua. If we follow the lake westward from there, we’ll arrive at Gun’gwan Mountain, whereas going right will lead us to Xining.”
Gonghua didn’t have the feel of a standard Zhongyuan village.
Instead, it carried a strong Arabian atmosphere.
The walls and homes were all constructed from reddish clay, and numerous sheep were grazing on the grass around the outskirts.
We’d encountered a few herds on our way, but this village had a great many more sheep clustered nearby.
“Sir, shall we spend the night in the village before turning west tomorrow?”
“I think that’s a wise plan.”
“Very well, everyone, we’re stopping in the village tonight.”
Hearing this, the group erupted into cheerful exclamations.
“Yes! A village at last!”
“We can finally sleep at an inn. I desperately need a real bath.”
“I agree, Sister.”
The idea of a night’s rest in the village before continuing west lifted everyone’s spirits.
Even for trained martial artists, extended travel without proper breaks was draining. I was feeling the weariness myself.
Just as we were feeling relieved to have a village in sight—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A bell suddenly began clanging urgently from the village, followed by a tumult of people running toward the entrance.
It was a disorderly scene, as though something grave had occurred.
“What’s happening?”
“Is there some trouble in the village?”
While we were still puzzling over the situation, Ji-ryong called out urgently.
“Sir! I believe it’s on our account!”
“What?! Us?”
I looked at Ji-ryong, bewildered by his statement, and saw him gesturing first toward the sky, then toward my side.
It was only then that I understood.
We hadn’t visited any inns or villages on this trip, but we had been traveling with the children.
To the villagers, seeing such creatures for the first time must have been a tremendous shock.
I was so accustomed to them that I didn’t give it a second thought. But ultimately, their fundamental form was still that of centipedes.
A giant centipede was more than sufficient to instill sheer terror in anyone.
That’s precisely why I used Command to conceal them whenever we approached a settlement.
Even for overnight stays, we picked lodgings on the very edges and reserved private rooms.
But here in Qinghai, there were no woods—only immense open plains and rocky ground stretching to the horizon.
The inhabitants, living in such exposed territory, naturally possessed keen eyesight.
It was hardly surprising they had noticed Cho in the air.
Cho, get down here!
I swiftly summoned Cho to land and then subtly placed her behind our party as we cautiously moved closer to the village.
We needed to prevent alarming the villagers and resolve any confusion.
However, before we could get to them, a band of figures came rushing forward using Lightness Skill.
Over a dozen men, all dressed in matching Daoist robes, charged at us with their swords unsheathed.
Ji-ryong moved ahead quickly, speaking in a rush.
“This appears to be our fault. I will handle clearing the misunderstanding. Based on their clothing, they are probably from the Kunlun Sect.”
“Understood.”
Ji-ryong clarified that those approaching were likely from the Kunlun Sect, which was our very destination.
As I nodded, Ji-ryong stepped a few paces forward and hailed the oncoming fighters.
“There must be some confusion here! Would you mind lowering your weapons? We represent the Martial Alliance!”
The advancing men paused, looking at one another uncertainly before stopping completely.
They didn’t put their swords away, but they did lower the blades and warily came closer.
Finally, one man stepped out and saluted with a cupped fist.
“I am Ji-ryong, an outer elder of the Kunlun Sect. Might I ask your names, brothers?”
As anticipated, they were from the Kunlun Sect.
Ji-ryong returned the salute and gave his own name.
“Ah, Elder Ji-ryong of the Kunlun Sect? I must apologize for the shared name. I am Zhuge Cheon of the Zhuge family.”
Hearing the name Zhuge Cheon, the Kunlun disciples seemed to ease slightly and moved in closer.
One among them recognized Ji-ryong.
“Ji-ryong! It’s good to see you again.”
“Ah, Taeheo, it has been too long. We last saw each other at the Martial Arts Tournament.”
“That’s right. Elder, this is Ji-ryong.”
With this verification, Elder Ji-ryong, who seemed to be in charge, finally let his guard down and offered a proper welcome.
“So you have indeed come from the Martial Alliance? We had lost hope, assuming the Alliance was too tied up with the Blood Cult to offer aid. But you’ve really come to help us?”
It seemed they had requested help from the Martial Alliance concerning the desert disappearances but had gotten no reply.
“We didn’t journey here specifically to assist…”
At Ji-ryong’s words, their faces fell—
But his following comment brought their hopes back.
“However, we may be able to help. We obtained information that the Blood Cult and the Five Venoms Clan are plotting something in Qinghai. It seems connected to the troubles your sect is facing as well.”
Their initial letdown transformed into dawning comprehension.
As soon as Ji-ryong finished, Elder Ji-ryong’s face contorted with fury.
“So this could be the doing of the Blood Cult?”
“Yes, that is highly probable.”
“Curse those Blood Cult fiends! No wonder everything has been so bizarre!”
After his angry outburst, Elder Ji-ryong suddenly appeared to recall something and motioned toward the village.
“Ah, this is no place for a discussion. We shouldn’t make our guests stand about out here. Let’s move this conversation inside for some tea.”
As he turned to guide us in, both Ji-ryong and the Daoist named Taeheo held back.
“Of course. But first…”
“Elder, I think you’ve overlooked something…”
Ji-ryong seemed to be getting ready to explain about Cho and Bini, and Taeheo was also pointing at them.
“Ah, that’s right… Elder Ji-ryong, what are those unusual creatures exactly?”
Finally taking note of them, Elder Ji-ryong’s face showed shock as he pointed at Cho and Bini, his tone filled with unease.
I was just about to move forward and provide an explanation, but before I could—
“Chorit!” 『Dad, you lied to me!』
Hyang suddenly cried out indignantly and plunged deep into the folds of my clothing.
I thought we were on the verge of making peace, but the second they referred to Cho and Bini as “unusual creatures,” she felt completely betrayed.
I could almost hear her denouncing me for my dishonesty.
‘Kunlun… Maybe I should just allow my daughters to eat every last one of their camels and be on our way?’
Of all the moments, they had to say it right now.
And on our very first encounter, no less.
My first impression of the Kunlun Sect? A resounding negative one million points.