Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 229

Chapter 229
“…Ryong! …So-ryong!”
“So-ryong! Open your eyes!”

A desperate shout pierced through my hearing, and I struggled to lift my incredibly heavy eyelids. It took all my remaining strength to finally pry them open, allowing the light to rush in.

My sight was still unfocused at first. Slowly, the world sharpened, revealing Sister Seol’s face, full of relief, and Hwa-eun’s comical appearance—her mouth was a mess from the lipstick I had created for her.

Hwa-eun’s complexion, normally fair and lovely, was now pale with fear, and the crooked smear of color around her lips made her look like a flustered performer.

I didn’t have it in me to laugh—the situation was far too serious.

“Th-this is terrible… How… how am I going to explain—”

The instant my senses returned, my mind was already racing for an excuse. At the same time, Sister Seol was embracing Hwa-eun in celebration.

“You—You did it! Hwa-eun, he’s alive! You really saved him!”
“Hrk… So-ryong…”

But while Seol was overjoyed, Hwa-eun fell against me, her body shaking with quiet sobs. She must have been utterly horrified—watching me nearly die before her eyes.

I could feel the vibration of her voice through her chest where it met mine.
“I-I truly thought you were lost… I hit you and hit you but your eyes wouldn’t open… huuh…”

Maybe it was because her voice was resonating from deep within her, or perhaps because her words carried the full weight of her fear, but the guilt that washed over me was overwhelming.

She had been so terrified for me, and there I was, conscious but silent, worried about being told off. And it was all my fault to begin with.

I had tried to make contact with the Ho-ye—and this was the outcome.

It wasn’t a reckless impulse. As usual, I had my logic.

Naturally.

Our ship had been moored at the harbor closest to the Tang Clan—Gold Hall—for three days.

I had already sent a message ahead, asking the Tang family to prepare a wagon for moving the Ho-ye. Since we would need to carry them off the ship, I wanted them to be accustomed to human contact to prevent any trouble.

Of course, Cho could have managed them, but I was concerned they might still be nervous—

So I made the decision to attempt touching them myself.

[“You’re going to touch them!?”
“We have to move them to the Tang estate, so yes…”
“But what if they release their lightning qi?”
“That’s precisely why… I’ll make the attempt after you practice resuscitation.”
“I-I’m not sure I’ve mastered it yet…”
—“I have faith in you. Besides, they’re more familiar with me now. They won’t just unleash their lightning wildly.”]

I had spoken with complete assurance. But the result was a disaster.

The moment my hand made contact, a violent, ripping current of electricity seared through my entire being.

[“Ack…” “S-So-ryong! So-ryong!” “What’s going on!? So-ryong! Wake up!”]

I had intended to prevent a panic—but instead, I was the one who sent Hwa-eun into a frenzy.

Swamped with remorse, I forced out a whisper.
“S-Sorry… Hwa-eun…”

My voice was barely a breath, but hearing it, Hwa-eun—her eyes swimming with tears, her makeup ruined, yet still beautiful—clutched my hand and pleaded.
“So-ryong… Promise me, no more reckless actions. Please, I’m begging you…”

She would usually reprimand me, but now she seemed so helpless, as if scolding was pointless and supplication was her only option.

Words failed me. I could only offer a feeble nod.

And right then—
As I lay there, choked with shame—
I registered the angry noises in the background.

The commotion that had begun when I fell had apparently continued, and I was now aware of it.

Raising my head toward the sound, I saw the Ho-ye being aggressively lectured by the other creatures.

[“Chorururur! Chorurut!” “Ksssh! Ksshshshsh!” “Piii! Pii!”]

Cho, Hyang, and Bini were snapping their fangs menacingly at the Ho-ye, Yohwa stood to the side with her arms tightly folded, tapping her foot impatiently as if preparing to deliver a stern talking-to,

and Hwayang was slapping the edge of her water tank with a small, displeased hand.

[“Piii? 『Roast?』”]

She had even ignited the fire she seldom uses—

Her back was alight with furious flames.

The Ho-ye looked thoroughly intimidated, clearly receiving a severe dressing-down. I felt a mix of shame and pride.

After all, my family and Hwa-eun had united out of love and worry for me.

The Ho-ye absolutely deserved this reprimand. They had almost ended my life. And in doing so, they had nearly jeopardized my entire future marriage.

***

The following day, the group that arrived from the Tang Clan with the wagons was none other than Gu Pae and the top fighters of the Venom Blood Squad.

It had been some time since our last meeting—a very welcome sight.

“So-ryong-nim! My lady!”
“Commander Gu Pae! …Agh—!”
“So-ryong, are you all right?”

Commander Gu Pae called out a boisterous greeting as he hurried over from a distance. I instinctively raised a hand in response—and promptly doubled over, grabbing my side in pain.

Gu Pae used qinggong to close the distance instantly and helped Hwa-eun support me.
“What occurred!? Are you wounded!?”
“It’s nothing, just… a minor issue.”
“It does not look minor!”

In truth, I likely had a few fractured ribs. But it was an inevitable consequence.

Sometimes, resuscitation can break ribs. Hwa-eun felt horrible about it, but I would never hold it against her.

She had preserved my life. And in a way, the injury was born from affection.

“What are a few broken ribs when it’s for love, eh?”
“Don’t concern yourself. I’ll have it seen to once we’re at the Tang estate. It’s truly fine.”
“Then I shall take you directly to the Medicinal Hall the moment we arrive!”

Seeing Hwa-eun’s anxious look and Gu Pae’s skeptical one, I swiftly steered the conversation elsewhere.
“Understood. Also, our family has expanded significantly on this journey.”
“Oh? You mean your little companions? I suspected as much from your request for additional wagons and tanks, but what is the full count?”

Gu Pae’s expression brightened at the mention of new venomous additions.

I smiled and answered,
“The results this time are quite astounding, actually.”
“We have gained one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, one Mind-Sync Poisoned Earth Scorpion, and two unknowns whose species we have yet to identify.”
“Whaaat!? That many!? How do you return with a premier venomous beast every single time you travel!?”

Gu Pae peered behind me with an expression of disbelief.

It was the ideal time for introductions. He was, ultimately, the captain of our Venom Blood Squad. He would be helping me care for them.

Best to familiarize them early.
“Hongdan!”
“Kyii?”
“Come here.”

When I called, Hongdan poked her head from the cabin and scurried toward me with the eager expression of a happy child. She swiftly jumped up to settle on my shoulder.
“This is Hongdan, one of the Twenty-Four Venomous Beasts, the Black Whale Crimson Delight. As evident, she is a gusoo. Fully grown, she can reach the size of an ox, and her pincers possess the strength to shatter stone. She represents the Crimson Happiness among the Twenty-Four Venomous Beasts.”
“Oooh! A gusoo! Her pincers are truly spectacular!”
“Hongdan, come now. Give a proper greeting.”

—Kkreeet!
“Oooh, indeed. I am Gu Pae. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

He’s certainly one of us now. He seemed completely captivated by Hongdan’s pincers, but her greeting made him beam with happiness.

While Gu Pae was admiring Hongdan with sparkling eyes, I moved aside and tapped a large, rock-like form.
“This may appear to be a stone, but she is Cheongwol. She is one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts of the Central Plains—known as the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion.”
“Whaaaat!? T-this is the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion!? I wondered why a boulder was on the deck! To think the beast you brought back, no, the one you have graced us with… is Cheongwol herself!”
“Cheongwol dislikes being handled, so please be careful.”
“Ah, understood, Sir So-ryong!”

At Gu Pae’s excited outburst, Cheongwol slowly opened one eye to look at him.

—Krrr. 『May I disembark now?』
“Yes, just a short while longer. I’ll make room once everyone is off.”
—Krrt. 『Understood.』

After asking for her patience a little longer, I guided Gu Pae to the cabin to show him the final two.
“These two are named Hoye. They are spirit beasts that emit lightning from their bodies.”
“As I thought—a spirit beast that commands electrical energy directly! You have surpassed yourself this time, Sir So-ryong!”
“If their lightning strikes you, it can halt your breathing instantly, so you must not touch or go near them.”
“Ah, yes! I will ensure all the warriors are warned!”

Once the introductions were complete, a sharp, discontented sound came from nearby.

—Tsrut!

Turning my head, I saw Hyang glowering at me from on top of the bed, her expression decidedly sour. She had several of her front legs crossed petulantly near her face, her head tilted at a sulky angle.

‘Is our Hyang upset?’

For a moment, I wondered if she was being rebellious, but it wasn’t that—it was pure jealousy.

Why hadn’t she been introduced?

Why was she being left out when she looked so impressive now?

She clearly felt overlooked. But I had a specific reason for not presenting Hyang to Gu Pae just yet.

‘Hyang-ah, I was saving your grand introduction for when we meet the elders. Can you picture their astonishment when they see you wrapped around your father like brilliant crimson armor?’

A son-in-law returns after a long absence, bearing members of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts and more—he must make an entrance worthy of a victor, must he not?

Admittedly, I left without authorization and was away for a considerable time, but I had certainly earned some praise for this.

Not only had I acquired one of the great treasures—the massive fire spirit—but also one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts of the Central Plains, the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion, and one of the Twenty-Four Venomous Beasts, the Black Whale Crimson Delight.

And finally, I had obtained a spirit beast capable of wielding lightning—the Ho-ye.

This was all unquestionably worthy of acclaim.

It wasn’t as if I was bringing these achievements back solely to evade a scolding or anything of the sort.

「Tsrut?」

That skeptical noise from Hyang—she clearly didn’t buy it.

Why was her trust in her father faltering?

『It’s true. Everyone will be amazed when they see your gleaming form coiled around me.』
「Tsrut! 『Truly?』」

With Hyang now looking somewhat proud again, we began the two-day journey to the Tang Clan.

Normally a one-day trip, we traveled only by night to avoid attracting attention.

When the Gujin Gate of the Tang Clan finally came into view in the distance, I climbed onto Cheongwol’s back and told her to assume her most impressive posture.

『Hyang-ah! The moment is here!』
「Tsrut!」

At my signal, Hyang instantly spiraled up my body and wrapped herself around me.
“Hwa-eun, come up.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Yes.”

From atop Cheongwol’s back, I approached the Gujin Gate with Hwa-eun, and with Hyang now gloriously coiled around me like crimson armor.

A stunning woman holding my hand, standing in crimson splendor upon a gigantic living rock—who could witness this and not be impressed?

This was, without a doubt, the heroic return of a triumphant son-in-law.

—Piiiieeek!

Our approach alarmed the Tang Clan’s lookouts, and signal flares shot into the sky.

The guards at the gate stared, their eyes wide at my majestic appearance.

I turned and spoke to Cheongwol.
“Cheongwol, this is our home. It is called the Tang Clan.”

From Cheongwol, a voice brimming with anticipation replied.

—Krrr. 『This is my new home? This should be entertaining.』

From the high grounds of the Tang residence, I saw my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and the Ten Thousand Venoms God-Grandpa rushing toward us using lightness techniques.

The expressions on their faces were no different from those of the other warriors.

Astonishment. Wonder.

‘You see? The Tang Clan was truly fortunate to gain a son-in-law like me.’

This clan was indeed blessed.