Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 222

Chapter 222
Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter, adhering to all your specified requirements.

***

Giant Salamander.
Also referred to as Wawa fish.
In English, it is known as the Giant Salamander.
In Korean, its name is jangsu dorongnyong—the salamander of longevity.
Five or six of them rested motionless in a water tub, their expressions blank and bewildered.
These were the exact creatures brought up last time in the debate over Oh-ye or Hwa-ye, and I had promised myself I would raise one at least once in this lifetime.
Their bodies were large and heavy. Their faces were endearingly foolish. Their eyes were tiny beads, like grains of millet.
Ah, they were truly and utterly adorable.
However, my enchantment with their charm was fleeting.
The moment I understood their circumstances, I could only let out a sigh—ah… Jongwon remains Jongwon, in my previous life and in this one.
This was not a random location. This was the Fish Hall.
An establishment dedicated to the trade of fish for consumption.
Those beings in the tub were not for sale as companions—they were destined for the cooking pot.
To imagine such delightful creatures being bartered as food…
It was just as I expected; Jongwon was utterly unconventional.
Even in my former life, they were a protected species that could not be traded internationally, yet within the country, they were farmed and eaten.
The very giant salamanders that individuals like him prepared and consumed.
I tightened my fist and made a silent pledge to save them and bring them home.
Certainly, I could likely locate a vendor selling them in Seongdo as well,
but having seen them here now, how could I possibly abandon them?
‘Tsk… If I place them in that large tub I purchased for Hwayang previously and transport them to the Tang household, it should suffice, correct? Just hold on a little longer. I will save every one of you and take you home.’
Just as I was making this internal vow with a clenched fist, I overheard the voices of Hwa-eun and Sister Seol.
“Tong, we could never consume all of this. But did So-ryong truly eat these as well? We typically distinguish between our pets and our prey, you know…”
“Oh, I heard that during his time on Hainan Island, he sustained himself by catching and eating giant salamanders in place of rice.”
“Is that so? How unexpected! I perceived him as having more refined tastes.”
Alarmed by Yang Seong-hu’s statement, I exclaimed without thinking—
“Th-that is not what happened?!”
As Hwa-eun’s fiancé, we had spoken of various things on occasion, and I must have shared a story from my time on Hainan Island.
Yet based on this reaction, it appeared the tale had become distorted, leaving them with a severe misunderstanding.
The essence of that story was about my desperation—a state so severe I would consume even the venomous creatures I held so dear.
But from their response, they seemed to believe I was a person who coldly compartmentalized affection from sustenance.
It was clear to me now.
They assumed I, similar to the members of the Tang Clan, could easily eat the very poisonous beings I nurtured.
That was completely inaccurate.
Truthfully, my existence on Hainan Island had been wretched.
An orphan without family, without notable abilities, and without understanding of this world.
Despite possessing an attention-craving personality that served me well in livestreaming—adept at recognizing cues for engagement and entertainment—I found it useless here.
Nevertheless, I needed to survive.
With no exceptional gifts to depend on, my sole useful knowledge was how to capture snakes and lizards.
It was the only skill from my past that had any application in this new reality—
Thus, I became a trapper.
Yes, I would skin snakes to sell their pelts,
capture lizards for their value as medicinal components and trade them as well.
And, of course, when my hunger for meat became overwhelming, I would consume them myself.
I vividly recall a time after three days without food, watching a snake slither toward a pine shoot…
I was powerless to resist.
I ate it—and then I wept…
It was delicious, damn it all…
In psychology, the act of redirecting an innate aptitude into a constructive pursuit is termed sublimation.
For instance, an individual with a sharp understanding of criminal psychology might become an investigator.
Since they comprehend criminals more deeply than anyone, they employ that skill to apprehend them.
However, if they fail to direct it appropriately, they might instead become a formidable lawbreaker—
a person whose profound comprehension of crime allows them to orchestrate their own perfect offenses.
So, my decision to become a trapper on Hainan Island?
That was a tactic for mere survival.
It is a history I prefer not to discuss.
Therefore, when I shouted at Yang Seong-hu, Sister Seol and Hwa-eun looked at me with wide eyes and inquired,
“It’s not? What is not?”
“You did not?”
“No, my intention was not to eat them. I only meant I planned to take those little ones back to the Tang household…”
I was in the midst of urgently explaining to Yang Seong-hu that my plan was to rescue and care for those creatures—
not to devour them—
when—
CRACK!
A sharp, loud noise rang out, immediately followed by a piercing shriek from one of the giant salamanders.
“Waaaeeeehhhhhhh!”
An eerie cry, perfectly matching its name, Wawa fish.
Shocked, I spun around to see—
A middle-aged woman striking a giant salamander’s head with a wooden mallet on a cutting board.
The unfortunate animal thrashed momentarily before falling still.
“!”
My eyes opened wide in horror.
Then came the woman’s voice, filled with feigned regret.
“Oh my, I do apologize. You mentioned you would be eating them, so I went ahead and selected one…”
“AaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!”
I released a scream I could not suppress.
She had obviously become eager when I stated I wanted all of them,
but the instant I clarified I was not going to eat them, she hastened to kill one before I might retract the order.
This was a classic market deception from my previous world.
If a customer deliberated too long at a fish market, the vendor would simply proceed to crush the fish’s head.
And predictably… she had chosen the largest one.
***
When scalding water is poured onto a giant salamander,
a clear membrane materializes over its skin.
This is a mucous coating that shields the animal,
and it solidifies into a gel-like layer that is removed with a blade.
Then, the meat is cut into pieces and fried.
This releases a rich, savory aroma.
The pieces are then temporarily removed, and garlic is sautéed in the oil to form a base.
Doubanjiang is stirred in, water is poured, and a piquant broth is prepared.
A handful of vegetables are added and it is seasoned—
Resulting in: Hongshao Wawa Fish.
A zesty giant salamander stew, prepared in the Jongwon fashion, with Sichuan pepper.
How am I aware of all this?
Because I witnessed the entire cooking process directly before me.
“There, you observed its preparation, correct?
This is our establishment’s signature dish—Hongshao Wawa Fish. Please, enjoy.”
After placing the pot down, the woman withdrew back into the Fish Hall.
I gazed at the Hongshao Wawa Fish with a stony expression.
“She is… remarkably skilled at commerce, is she not…”
“Y-yes…”
“Truly, she is…”
Hwa-eun and Sister Seol murmured uncomfortably, evidently monitoring my response.
They must have heard my scream.
That woman was far too proficient in salesmanship.
When I cried out, “I intended to purchase them alive!”,
“I wished to raise them, not consume them!”,
she winced—
but then, with the composed demeanor of an experienced merchant, she stated,
“Oh dear, how dreadful! I was unaware, I had already prepared it… I feel just awful. If you simply eat this one, I will offer you the remainder at a reduced price.”
Her meaning was clear: Purchase them all regardless.
But if she was providing a discount… what other choice did I have?
Thus, we ordered additional dishes, resulting in a complete meal spread out before us.
‘Well, I successfully saved five, so… perhaps it is acceptable?’
One had been lost in a tragic mishap,
but at least five remained alive.
Seeking solace in that thought, I quietly sampled the grilled fish and other stews.

Hwa-eun and Sister Seol, after observing me with concern,
only took small bites from the edge of the grilled meat.
But the enticing, spicy fragrance proved too much for them—
their resolve crumbled.
People from my previous life were not well-informed about Yunnan.
They believed only those from Sichuan appreciated fiery food,
but Yunnan’s culinary offerings could be equally intense.
Therefore, drawing a parallel to my past life…
Hwa-eun and Sister Seol were likely experiencing what a Korean would
after two monotonous, tasteless months journeying through Europe.
In my former life, I once spent two entire months in Europe, beginning each day with nothing but scrambled eggs, cheese, and Mediterranean salad—
and the instant I returned to the airport, my first action was to consume a boiling bowl of kimchi stew.
And now, who was I to judge? I observed as Hwa-eun’s chopsticks trembled, recoiling slightly at the sight of the Hongshao Wawa Fish.
Yang Seong-hu, resembling a thief caught in the act, quickly moved his hand toward a different plate.
“Please, eat. Sister Seol, Hwa-eun. I am alright, truly.”
At my words, Yang Seong-hu offered ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) a strained smile.
“Ah, haha… V-very well?”
“Is… is it truly acceptable?”
Well, one was already deceased. I was not so inflexible as to resent others for eating an animal I personally cherished.
Simply because it held significance for me did not negate its role as sustenance for others.
“Certainly.”
“Th-then…”
“If So-ryong permits it…”
With my consent, Yang Seong-hu carefully gathered some broth with his spoon.
The fiery red liquid glistened as he tentatively tasted it.
Slurp.
“It is flavorful.”
“The texture of the meat is quite substantial as well.”
I could not bring myself to try it. It felt like a profound betrayal of my own principles.
However, Wawa Fish was renowned for its restorative properties.
Its slippery mucus was believed to be abundant in amino acids and other nourishing elements, making it a favored meal for recuperating strength.
After we finished eating and exited the restaurant, I noticed the middle-aged woman waiting beside a sizable cart bearing a water tub and the surviving giant salamanders.
A man, either her spouse or her son, stood next to the cart.
True to her word, she was arranging for their delivery to the harbor for us.
“Was the meal to your satisfaction?”
“Yes, it was exceptionally tasty.”
“I believe I shall return tomorrow. I have longed for food that spicy.”
I had not partaken of the Hongshao Wawa Fish myself,
but the other grilled fish had been of excellent quality and flavor.
The woman smiled at our replies.
“My son will escort you to the port. Ensure you board your vessel.”
“We are very grateful.”
“There is no need for thanks—if anything, the gratitude should be mine.”
After bidding the woman farewell, we trailed behind her son as he maneuvered the cart.
As we reached the port, I noticed a crowd assembled near our boat, conversing in worried tones.
“This is terrible…”
“How tragic…”
“Incidentally, did someone not go to alert the officials? Why has no one returned yet?”
It seemed a calamity had occurred.
While I was interested, our immediate task was relocating the saved salamanders.
We positioned the cart close to our boat and quickly went aboard.
“Do Sagong! Do Sagong!”
Uncertain of his location, I called for him regardless.
Shortly, Do Sagong hurried over from the bow, his posture respectfully bent.
“Yes, So-ryong! You called for me?”
“Could you instruct someone to fill that large water tub—approximately halfway? The one Hwayang formerly resided in?”
“Water, young master?”
“Ah, yes. I have acquired some Wawa Fish, and I intend to transport them back with us.”
“Understood. I will see to it immediately.”
Without hesitation, Do Sagong summoned the boatmen and started filling the water tub.
It finally seemed I was growing accustomed to living as a person in this world.
While I waited for the water to be prepared before moving the Wawa Fish,
I glanced down from the boat and spotted Hwa-eun and Sister Seol within the gathered assembly.
Past the crowd, I observed something peculiar.
Two male corpses were visible, their faces a ghastly shade of blue.
For some reason, it appeared two men had drowned—
but what I found most strange was that the bodies, though unmistakably deceased,
remained floating in the water, a sinister gloss still adhering to their skin.
When Hwa-eun and Sister Seol came aboard and followed my line of sight, they scowled.
“An incident has clearly taken place… yet why are they leaving the remains in the water in this manner?”
“Indeed? Sister… there was no indication of any disturbance yesterday, yet now…”
The three of us were perplexed by the odd scene.
Finally, Sister Seol could no longer contain herself and called out to the crowd:
“Pardon me! I am Seolpyo of the Beast Palace.
My father is the Master of the Beast Palace.
What reason is there for leaving the departed in this state, without retrieving them from the water?”
“The Beast Palace!?”
“A representative of the Beast Palace is here in Sichuan?”
Her announcement prompted exclamations of astonishment.
Then, an elderly man emerged from the throng.
“Silence, everyone.”
He was unmistakably a member of the Black-Clad Tribe—
but with a unique bearing, deeply rooted in totemic and shamanic customs.
“So, you hail from the Beast Palace.
I am Jjoro, the mourning shaman of the Black-Clad Tribe.
These men were slain by a lake spirit’s venom. That is the reason we must not touch them.”
“Venom?”
“Yes, lady of the Beast Palace.”
Hearing the word venom, Sister Seol shifted her gaze to Hwa-eun.
If it was poison, then logically, it fell under the purview of our Tang Clan.
Her look communicated plainly,
“We cannot ignore this. You must act.”
Hwa-eun nodded and moved forward, speaking to the elder.
“I comprehend that you have your traditions,
but would you permit me to inspect the bodies?
I am Tang Hwa-eun of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“Th-The Tang Clan!?”
“Sichuan Tang!? The principal lineage!?”
At her declaration, the crowd swiftly drew back as if jolted by electricity.
A direct scion of one of Sichuan’s Three Great Powers—
it was no wonder they retreated in reverence.
Hwa-eun, Sister Seol, and I moved closer to the corpses.
Hwa-eun produced several needles and tested the bodies, scattered some reagents—
then cocked her head in confusion.
“These men were not poisoned.”
“They were not?”
“It is not venom, Hwa-eun?”
“You are claiming… it was not poison?”
“Not poison? Then what caused it?”
“Yes. I, Tang Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan, affirm it.
Who identified this as poisoning?”
Her confident rebuttal caused agitation among the onlookers.
Then the old man who had spoken before yelled in response:
“That cannot be!
They were unmistakably killed by a lake spirit’s venom!”
“Venom from a spirit?”
Spirit… could this be another divine beast?
Hearing that term, my interest was immediately piqued anew.