Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 221

Chapter 221
After several days of journeying from the Kunlun Sect, we at last reached the mooring site where our boat was waiting.

Over the preceding three or four months, the plant life in the area had become dense and wild.
Yet, the vessel held fast against the powerful flow of the river, still bound securely by Yo-hwa’s silk.
“That’s our ride, Cheongwol. We’ll be sailing on that. It’ll be a quick and enjoyable trip across the water.”
Krur.
I gestured toward the boat, now visible through the tall grass, making the introduction to Cheongwol.
Our conversation, however, must have been overheard, as several figures began hastily pushing their way through the undergrowth to investigate the newcomers.
It was Do Sagong and his crew, whom I hadn’t laid eyes on in months.
“…Oh.”
But the instant they cleared the thicket and saw us, they went completely still, their eyes fixed on me perched atop Cheongwol’s immense body.
A stunned gasp came from Do Sagong, who was leading the group.
“Th-this is…”
I leaned out from my spot on Cheongwol’s back to look down at him.
“Long time no see, Do Sagong.
Meet Cheongwol, the newest addition to our group.
We’ll have to arrange for his boarding. The cabin is too small, so he’ll need to remain on the deck.
Will that work?
Perhaps he can manage it using the Night-Climbing Technique, though…”

Our boat measured under two zhang in width—approximately eight meters.
When coiled, Cheongwol was about four meters long, and nearly five when fully extended.
Getting him aboard would present a significant challenge.
Despite my question, Do Sagong said nothing.
He stood motionless, as if trapped in a trance, time having ceased for him.
It took a sharp elbow from one of the other boatmen to jolt him back to awareness.
“Ugh! Huuuh! I-I’ll see what can be done!”
He let out a heavy breath, as though he’d been suffocating, his expression still one of pure astonishment.
They had apparently grown used to Cho and Bini, but the vision of a gigantic scorpion was too much to process.
“Very well, I’ll trust you to handle it.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
Do Sagong promptly assembled the boatmen and they hurried off toward the vessel.
As they vanished into the high grass, I spoke to Cheongwol.
“Let’s head that way too, Cheongwol.”
Krurrr.
Cheongwol advanced, trailing the boatmen, and the trees in his way were pushed aside and snapped.
Rustle. Crash!
Within the resulting space of fallen timber, a clearing materialized—its well-trodden appearance hinting at prior use.
While the grass had grown significantly since my last visit, it was still tidier than the untamed land surrounding it.
“Uh, so… where do we begin?”
“We need to get the cargo ready!”
“But Do Sagong, the weight…?”
“Ah, true. We must assess the weight first. But how do we calculate it?”
The moment Cheongwol entered the clearing, the boatmen descended into a flurry of anxiety.
Their confused and rising voices indicated they were overwhelmed and unsure of the first step.
Deciding to assist, I hopped down from Cheongwol’s back.
Simultaneously, the rest of our companions also started to dismount from their horses.
“F-finally, we’ve arrived!”
The first to voice a complaint was Gungbong, who instantly began massaging her aching rear after sliding from her saddle.
Shortly after, members of Oryong, the Beast Palace, and fighters from the Martial Alliance filtered into the clearing.
“As agreed, we will camp here tonight and depart tomorrow. So-so, you have command.”
Ji-tong, who had approached without a sound, reaffirmed the plan for making camp.
I nodded in confirmation.
Long hours on horseback were draining, and we had previously decided a full day of rest here was necessary before moving on.
“A sound plan, Ji-tong.”
With my agreement given, Ji-tong began organizing the camp.
Meanwhile, I focused on the distressed boatmen.
They had clustered around Cheongwol, looking lost.
“Uh… Honored Spirit Beast… Might we take your measurements?”
A boatman holding a length of rope ventured timidly.
Their intention was clearly to gauge Cheongwol’s size to plan for his boarding.
But, predictably, Cheongwol was permitting no one near him.
Krurrr.
Hiiiik!
A deep, rumbling growl made the boatmen recoil.
My other companions tolerated some proximity, but Cheongwol was not the same—
He allowed no approach.
As I drew closer, he turned his head and communicated with obvious annoyance.
Krut. “These humans attempted to lay hands on me!”
‘I assumed he was reserved and aloof, but it seems he’s actually quite particular?’
His reaction, reminiscent of a finicky cat, made me smile, and I responded with my thoughts.
“They only wish to measure you to facilitate your boarding.”
Krung. “I will not allow it! I shall manage it myself!”
He appeared to have a profound aversion to being touched by others.
Even though his exterior was a crust of mineral deposits, preventing any actual contact with his skin, the idea was clearly repulsive to him.
I addressed the boatmen.
“It seems I will do it. I simply need to secure the rope and hand it to you, correct?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Alright, Cheongwol, remain still for a moment. You may need to hold this position for some time.”
Krurrr. “It is acceptable. I am accustomed to stillness.”
My slight concern about his adaptability was eased by his unexpectedly placid demeanor.
Feeling reassured, I accepted the rope from the boatmen and gave one end to Cheongwol, instructing him to grip it with a pincer.
I then moved carefully along his form, fastening the other end close to his tail.
“Here, Do Sagong.”
“Our thanks, Young Master!”
The moment I passed the rope, the boatmen scrambled onto the ship to make preparations.
From the deck, Do Sagong assessed the rope’s tension, testing if it could support Cheongwol’s boarding.
After a brief inspection, he called over to me, his voice eager.
“It should be feasible for him to board! But… that spirit beast, what is he to be called…?”
“Cheongwol.”
“…Pardon?”
“His name is Cheongwol.”
“A-ah, understood… Cheongwol. Then, Cheongwol, can you climb onto the ship yourself?”
Scorpions are capable of scaling trees, rocks, and even stone walls, depending on the type.
As Cheongwol was a desert variety, I was uncertain of his aptitude for it.
I turned to him and inquired,
“Cheongwol, can you climb up there?”
Krung.
Cheongwol inclined his head slightly, studying the deck.
He seemed unsure himself—
Which was reasonable. Having spent his entire existence in the desert, he had little experience with climbing.
‘Shall we attempt it? Would you like to try?’
Krur.
“It appears an experiment is necessary. Give us a moment.”
Cheongwol offered a brief growl of agreement and then moved toward the ship.
“Everyone, clear the area!”
I yelled to the boatmen, urging them to step away.
Cheongwol set his two enormous pincers upon the ship’s rail and started to haul himself upward—
CRACK—!
The vessel listed sharply.
CREAK! CRACK!
“H-heeeeek!!”
“W-wait! Cheongwol, stop!!”
The boatmen shrieked in terror, grasping the rail for stability.
I had to signal Cheongwol to halt and urgently request Yo-hwa to stabilize the ship with additional silk strands to prevent it from shifting.
Once secured, we tried again—only to face a new problem.
Though Cheongwol could climb independently, as he came over the rail, the entire side of the ship gave way.
Even with the silk reinforcements, the boat rocked fiercely on the water.
Cheongwol lost his balance for a second, and the railing splintered completely.
CRACK!
‘M-my ship…!’
In that moment, my pristine new ship was suddenly a disaster zone.
First, Hyang had scorched the deck.
Then, there was that small incident involving a collision.
But this?
A whole section of the railing was now ripped away.
‘My B-pillar… My ship is now officially a battered wreck…’
It was the equivalent of acquiring a new vehicle only to have it immediately damaged—but my ship was beyond a simple scratch.
It had become a magnet for misfortune.
“…Oh. Did I… cause damage?”
Cheongwol looked at me, his expression filled with remorse.
I paused briefly—then shook my head.
“No, it wasn’t you. The ship wasn’t strong enough. We can repair it.”
Yes… We can mend it.
Or I might labor for years to purchase another.
But which held greater value, the ship or Cheongwol?
The answer to that was clear.
I inhaled deeply and turned to Do Sagong, who still appeared utterly bewildered.
“Let’s simply… remove the remaining railing.”
A flawless new ship, now missing an entire side of its rail.
Yet, what alternative was there? The damage was done.
Moreover, any repair would likely be destroyed again whenever Cheongwol boarded or disembarked.
Removal was the logical choice.
“…Remove the handrails?”
“Correct. If we mend it, it will only break repeatedly with his comings and goings.”
“But without rails, someone could tumble into the water.”
A boatman expressed his worry, but I shrugged.
“It’s of no concern. Yo-hwa’s silk can serve as a barrier. Proceed with removal.”
We could use silk ropes in place of wooden rails.
Ultimately, the rails were taken off, and after considerable effort, Cheongwol was finally situated on the ship.

***

“We require approximately two days to replenish our provisions.”
“Acknowledged. We will pause in Xichang and depart after three days.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
We had spent several days sailing down the Yalong River.
We now found ourselves in Xichang, a picturesque city built beside a vast lake.
Our original plans had not accounted for transporting so many warriors from the Martial Alliance and the Beast Palace, necessitating a stop for additional supplies.
While docking in Xichang, I observed something out of the ordinary—
The locals had a very distinctive look.
Puzzled, I looked to Hwa-eun for clarification, but sister Seol provided the answer first.
“Who are these people?”
“They belong to the Yi Tribe.”
The Yi Tribe—I had encountered them previously, so I frowned slightly and asked,
“But… the Yi people I recall wore different attire.”
The Yi individuals I remembered had on white trousers, blue tunics, and massive red-and-white headpieces that looked like the ornate hairpieces of palace women.
The Ji-tong here, however, were clothed in black and wore black caps reminiscent of a magistrate’s hat.
Noting my confusion, Seol nodded and prepared to elaborate.
“Ah, that is because those were the Bai Yi (White Yi), and these are the Hei Yi (Black Yi).
Their standing is distinguished by color—the Hei Yi are the aristocracy, while the Bai Yi were traditionally the servile class.”
“…I understand.”
After we left the boat, the boatmen went directly into the market to reprovision, and we trailed behind them.
Near the lake, at the market’s entrance, a line of fish stalls immediately caught my eye.
Being far from the ocean, they presumably offered only freshwater catch from the lake—
Nonetheless, the selection was remarkable.
The stalls showcased large freshwater fish, turtles, and a diverse array of other species.
The lake was evidently spacious and teeming, as the crabs appeared particularly large and inviting.
After so much time journeying between Qinghai and Kunlun, our diet had been limited to mutton, horse, and deer meat—
We had reached our limit with meat.
The mere idea of consuming fresh fish with rice made my stomach rumble with anticipation.
“Should we opt for fish and rice for a change?”
“An excellent idea! I agree.”
“I must admit, I am also weary of a meat-only diet.”
Sister Seol and Hwa-eun concurred immediately.
Even pork was becoming tedious; a diet consisting solely of meat was becoming hard to bear.
“Good, let’s locate a decent eatery.”
As we meandered through the market, inspecting the stalls, a jovial-looking Yi woman suddenly hailed us.
She wore a black cap, identifying her as Hei Yi.
Beaming, she called out.
“You must sample the fish from Qiongchi (邛池)! I can prepare it for you immediately!”
Following her indication, I looked behind her stall—
A small eatery was connected to it.
It seemed to be the kind of establishment where you select a live fish from the tank and have it cooked for you on the premises.
In the sizable tanks behind the stall, an assortment of fish swam, still living and fresh.
In contrast to the many deceased fish we had passed in the market—several already attracting flies—these looked supremely fresh.
“All your fish are alive?”
“Naturally! The finest dishes come from the freshest catch.
Those other stalls sell only dead fish, but for the true flavor of Qiongchi, my shop is the place!”
The confidence in her voice was unmistakable.
I exchanged looks with Hwa-eun and Seol—and we all nodded in unison.
“We’ll dine here.”
“Agreed.”
“I’m in.”
With our decision made, we approached the stall to select our fish.
“Very well, we place ourselves in your hands.”
“A wise decision! Now, choose whichever you prefer, and I will cook it fresh for you.”
Accompanied by Hwa-eun and sister Seol, I approached the tanks she indicated.
The first held large carp.
The second was stocked with a kind of crucian carp.
The third contained freshwater crabs and shrimp, moving about.
And the fourth tank…
“…BY ALL THE—!”
“W-what?! What is it?!”
“Tong-ah, what’s the matter?!”
Both Hwa-eun and Seol jumped at my sudden exclamation.
I dashed forward without pause and placed my hands against the glass of the fourth tank.
“These—I’ll take every one!”
“…Every one?”
“…EVERY one?”
“Yes, the entire lot!”
The stall owner, Hwa-eun, and Seol all stared at me in amazement.
They were taken aback by my immediate fervor—
But how could I react otherwise?
Inside the fourth tank were enormous Chinese salamanders—referred to as E or Wawa.
These were Chinese Giant Salamanders—among the biggest amphibians on earth.
‘I absolutely cannot let this opportunity slip away!’