Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 219

Chapter 219
After my meal and a quick wash, though the routine was slightly altered, I made my way directly to the training grounds Kunlun had set aside for us.

Tsrurrr!
Tsrut!

Naturally, I wasn’t traveling by myself.
Cho and Bini trailed behind me, with Hyang wound around my torso. The three O-gong sisters were there, along with Moji and Soji, each perched on one of my shoulders.
Hongdan and Yeondu were balanced on top of Cho’s head, while Seol, Bing, and Dong were arranged in a neat row on Bini’s head.
The sole one missing was Hwayang, who had chosen to stay back at the residence, saying she wished to meditate.
Other than her, our entire group was present.

Tsrut?
Just as we passed a corner of a pavilion on the path to Cheongwol, Hyang, who was coiled around me, inquired.
He was double-checking our destination.

“Yes, that’s right. We’re going to see Cheongwol.”
Tsrut!
Hearing my confirmation, Hyang became excited and nudged me to move faster.
He had always held a fondness for Cheongwol, and now his head stretched out in front of me, eager and anticipatory.
My purpose in bringing everyone today was to help Cheongwol become better acquainted with them all.
Usually, I only brought one or two along during my training sessions to let him adjust slowly.
But since there was no training today, I had brought the entire crew.

When we reached the training ground, situated on the very edge of Kunlun, the first thing I noticed was a large white cloth.
Beneath it was an enormous, rocky form.
The cloth was spread above, offering some shade from the sun and protection from the wind.
It was Yo-hwa’s doing.
Just as I moved to approach, Yo-hwa, the creator of this shelter, dropped down from somewhere above and landed next to me.

Chiiik.
“Yo-hwa, have you been looking after Cheongwol?”
Kishii!
At my behest, Yo-hwa had been keeping watch over Cheongwol.
Of course, Cheongwol didn’t truly require a guardian, but I had promised not to leave him alone at night, and I couldn’t break my word.
Furthermore, the doorways to the Kunlun residences were too narrow for Yo-hwa to enter.
Since Yo-hwa preferred the open air anyway, he was an ideal companion for Cheongwol.
I had also hoped there was another reason for putting them together.
Even though scorpions and spiders appear very different, they are actually close relatives and might find it easy to understand one another.
Scorpions are part of the Arachnida class, the same as spiders.
In terms of classification, they are almost like family.
To show my gratitude, I gave Yo-hwa’s head a good, thorough pat before walking over to Cheongwol.
I stopped near where I thought his face would be and spoke to him.

“Did you sleep well?”
Kududuk.
The sound that followed wasn’t from a living creature, but the grating of stone on stone.
A huge claw gradually descended, and a section of rock that seemed part of the boulder began to move.
Then, from within that stony facade, a pair of polished, jewel-like eyes opened and focused on me.
Krurr.
The thought that came to me was: “You’re here?”
A terse, typical greeting from Cheongwol.
He never displayed any suspicion toward me, but he was always a being of few words.
The Cheongwol I had encountered within my heart had perfectly mirrored this aspect of his personality.
I replied in an equally brief manner.
“Yeah.”
I kept my smile in place as I answered, and Cheongwol’s gaze moved to the creatures behind me.
Then, his immense, rock-covered body adjusted slightly, in a manner that suggested a sigh.
Another thought arrived.
Krur.
“It will be louder than yesterday.”
“…Ahaha… R-Really?”
I gave an awkward laugh at his blunt observation.
And, as if on schedule, Hyang unwound himself from my body and scampered over to Cheongwol.
Tsrurrr! “Big sister, how have you been?”
Hyang instantly launched into a stream of chatter, talking incessantly to Cheongwol.
He rambled about how Moji and Soji were getting bigger, how they had begun to glow, and various other pieces of news.
Hongdan, who had rushed over to join him, added her own eager commentary.
Tsrurrr! Tsrurrr!
Kiii!
Cheongwol’s large form shifted again, in what felt like another sigh.
Yet he didn’t appear overly troubled—he even offered short responses to Hyang and Hongdan’s ongoing stories.
Tsrurrr. “…And then, Hwayang did that…”
Krur. “Oh?”
Tsrut! “It made me so mad!”
Khot. “I… understand.”
As the discussion continued, Cho, Bini, and the others started to gather around, forming a little circle of listeners.
‘Hyang is really quite the social one, isn’t he?’
Aside from his tendency to be overly clingy with me, he was a delightful companion.
As I stood there, feeling a bit out of place while observing the vibrant exchange, Yo-hwa came up quietly and guided me onto his back.
Kishi.
“You want me to sit here? Thank you. Like this?”
I settled into a proper seated position, with my legs together.
Now comfortably seated on Yo-hwa’s soft back, I watched as the conversation between Hyang and Hongdan carried on.
Later, I saw them using Cheongwol’s body as a slide, and some even hitched a ride on Cho to fly around.
By the time I had witnessed all their playful behavior, I felt utterly exhausted.
Supervising energetic little ones was surprisingly taxing.
Simply observing them play had drained my energy.
Finally, just as Cheongwol had foretold, after all the commotion, the little ones wore themselves out and dozed off on top of his body.
At last, the training ground grew quiet.
With the calm restored, I thought it was a good moment to see if my training had paid off.
‘I really hope I can do it this time…’
I slipped down from Yo-hwa’s back and cautiously approached Cheongwol.
A faint sense of nervousness came over me.
It was only reasonable to feel this way—mental combat isn’t something you can see.
There was no obvious method to verify whether my practice had been effective or not.
I didn’t know how much longer I needed to train, and to add to my worries, Cheongwol had been glancing my way occasionally as if to ask when I planned to depart.
His physical injuries were completely healed now.
There was still some time before we were due to leave together, but I couldn’t predict when Cheongwol might suddenly question me about my plans.
As I drew near and extended my hand to touch his claw—
A sudden thought washed into my mind.
Krur… “Hmm…”
I started and paused, but then another thought followed.
It seemed that with the little ones asleep, he was choosing to communicate with me mentally.
And what he said caused me to freeze.
It was the question I had been fearing most.
Krurrrr… “Is your body fully healed now?”
“…Oh? Oh… well, yes, I suppose it is…”
Not wanting to lie, I just nodded and responded with my thoughts.
Cheongwol turned his gaze toward the far-off desert.
Then came the next question.
Krut. “I see. When will you be leaving?”
Naturally, after I had confirmed my full recovery, this was the obvious thing to ask.
I could only answer with an uncomfortable look.
“Ah… I expect it will be soon…”
Krumm. “I see… Hm?”
At that moment, Hyang, who had been sleeping on Cheongwol’s head, started to slip off.
I darted forward and caught her, setting her back safely on Cheongwol’s body.
‘Got her.’
Cheongwol had jolted at the feeling, angling his body as if to prevent her fall.
But when he saw that I had her, I sensed a wave of relief from him.
After that, a lengthy silence fell between us.
It created a distinctly awkward feeling.
‘Why does it feel like this…’
I was the one to break the silence, speaking to Cheongwol.
Now that I had conceded that I would be leaving soon, he might begin asking me about it daily.
I thought it wiser to be upfront and hopefully gain a little more time.
“Cheongwol, the situation is… I would like to keep training for a while longer. What I meant to say was…”
Krur. “I know.”
“…You know?”
Krurrr. “You have been practicing right in front of me every day. It would be odd if I hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, yes, that’s true.”
Since I had been training openly in his presence every day, it really would be strange if he were unaware.
Just as I prepared to explain further, I heard something I didn’t anticipate—
A low, rumbling sound of amusement from Cheongwol.
Krurrr. “Training to claim me? You must have been worried.”
I hadn’t even stated my aim yet, but Cheongwol already knew the purpose behind my training.
For a creature who preferred not to talk much, this was more than he had ever said to me.
My eyes opened wide in surprise.
“How… how did you know?”
He emitted a sound that seemed like a amused grunt.
Krur. “Your woman told me. That you have been training diligently to acquire me.”
‘Your woman’—he meant Seol.
Instead of correcting him that she wasn’t my woman, I rushed to explain.
“No, no, it isn’t like that…”
If he believed I was training solely to capture him, it wouldn’t sound very good.
But before I could elaborate, his next question left me completely speechless.
Krurut. “So… are you saying you do not want me?”
“What—no! Of course I want you!”
I wanted him, without any doubt whatsoever!
Khot. “Heh.”
Hearing my frantic reply, he made a sound like a chuckle.
Well, since things had reached this point, I needed to advance my plan.
It didn’t seem like Cheongwol was strongly opposed to the idea, so I might as well request more time.
And if fortune was on my side, I might even manage to succeed today.
There’s a saying that a clever guest can get an extra serving at a feast—
And from Cheongwol’s demeanor today, he didn’t seem displeased.
“So… about that. May I attempt it again today? The method where I channel my energy to you—the same as before.”
But before I could finish, Cheongwol’s response interrupted me.
Krur. “No.”
His tone was decisive.
I was totally taken aback.
What, had he consumed a particularly stubborn rock today?
He sounded incredibly firm.
‘Oh no… Did I ruin everything?’
If he had realized I was training to claim him, he might feel as though his free will was being manipulated.
Naturally, that would be an unpleasant sensation.
It would be akin to brainwashing.
Of course he would refuse.
But then, he said something I never saw coming.
Krut. “There is no need for disappointment. The idea of dwelling elsewhere does not seem so terrible. However… your peaceful days are concluded.”
I turned his words over in my mind—
And when their full meaning hit me, my eyes grew wide.
I stared at him in astonishment, and for the first time, he appeared slightly self-conscious.
“…What!?”
Krurrr. “After observing your persistent effort over so many days, very well. I will permit it.”
“You—truly!?”
But instead of answering, he simply shut his eyes.
For the longest time, I had wondered when I would finally be skilled enough to take Cheongwol with me.
But it appeared that my dedication and hard work had won him over.
And now, he had decided of his own will to accompany me.
The anxiety that had been eating away at me—the dread of potential failure—vanished completely.
An intense excitement rushed through my entire being.
Now, I had one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts under my care.
A Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion, a being that could resist the qi assaults of martial artists, possessing a unique Petrifying Poison.
He was officially mine.
“YEEEEEESSSSS!!!”
Krur?! “Wh-what was that!?”
My sudden shout caused Cheongwol to startle in alarm.
The noise also woke all the other creatures, who immediately became alert and stared at me in bewilderment.
My little ones looked completely confused—Dad had apparently lost his senses and yelled like a madman.
Tsrurrrr?
Kishat?
Kyak kyak?
But I couldn’t contain myself.
I dashed forward, threw my arms around Cheongwol’s claw, and held on tightly.
“Thank you, Cheongwol! I will care for you like a king for all your days!”
I made a vow to myself—
I would polish his shell to a brilliant shine every day, construct a magnificent home for him, provide the finest food—
Anything he could ever want, I would make sure he had it.