Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 232

Chapter 232
Detecting the peculiar strain hanging in the air, I moved quickly to make introductions and ease the mood.
My hope was that a formal introduction would dissolve the stiffness, even if it felt a bit forced at the start—or so I reassured myself.
‘Is this tension, though? Doesn’t matter. Just get them to greet one another.’
“Alright, Cheongwol, I’d like you to meet Ranghu—she is the queen of the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings. Ranghu, this is Cheongwol, a Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion. She’s among the new companions I’ve returned with. Consider each other family now, so please exchange greetings.”
“…”
“…”
A heavy quiet lingered between the two.
Cheongwol, however, was first to make a move, offering a slight, respectful tilt of her body.
*Krurrr.*
I had been concerned that Ranghu might reply with her typical prickly demeanor, but since Cheongwol initiated the courtesy, I assumed the situation would relax.
Feeling a touch relieved, I looked toward Ranghu—
—but she gave no reaction at all to Cheongwol’s polite gesture.
She remained perfectly still, her gaze fixed intently on Cheongwol.
“R-Ranghu? You saw her greet you, right?”
It’s basic manners to return a greeting, and I was certain Cheongwol would be offended by being ignored.
I called Ranghu’s name again to ensure she was aware, and at last her wings stirred—yet oddly, they produced no sound.
‘Strange… but surely it will be fine once they’ve acknowledged each other?’
I had fulfilled my role as introducer. I trusted that after this initial hurdle, things would calm down.
Regrettably, Ranghu’s subsequent action was not what I had anticipated.
She crossed her forelimbs—her arms, perhaps—and started to slowly walk a circle around Cheongwol, inspecting her from every angle.
It was the kind of deliberate, measuring circuit you’d make if you were unimpressed with what you saw.
I could sense it clearly—displeasure, annoyance, a negative energy thickening the air.
None of the other beings had responded this way when new members joined our group. It was… unusual.
Ranghu had become part of us after Cho, Bin, and Hyang. When Yoha, Yeondu, Seol, or Bing-i arrived, she hadn’t shown any concern.
‘Is it possible… she feels challenged by Cheongwol?’
It could be due to Cheongwol’s immense size—she is a colossal scorpion—but then again, Ranghu didn’t behave this way when we introduced Yoha, a giant spider.
In fact, Yoha and Cheongwol are close kin.
So if Yoha didn’t provoke a reaction, why would Cheongwol?
It was baffling.
‘Maybe I’m overthinking this. It could be nothing.’
Perhaps I was misinterpreting the cues. I’m not fluent in the nuanced language of insects, and these spirit beasts communicate in subtle ways I don’t always understand.
But then Ranghu finished her slow circle and flew directly to Cheongwol’s face—halting just a hand’s breadth away—to stare her directly in the eyes.
*Buuuuung…*
At last, the humming of her wings returned.
Cheongwol and Ranghu were locked in a silent face-off.
‘No, this is absolutely not simple awkwardness.’
This was an outright confrontation.
Even Father-in-law appeared to sense the trouble. I recalled the confused expression he sent my way.
‘Son-in-law, there’s a weird feeling here… are they going to come to blows…?’
It truly felt like an explosion was imminent. I let out an anxious chuckle and intervened to de-escalate.
“H-hey, now… that’s a unique way to greet someone, right? Ahahaha…”
*Krurrrng.* ‘Hmph.’
As I attempted to gently nudge Ranghu back from Cheongwol, I caught a low, threatening growl vibrating from deep within Cheongwol’s chest.
*Buuuung?*
Ranghu’s wings shivered—or was that their normal vibration? Regardless, she abruptly alighted softly before me and turned back to face Cheongwol.
Then she leaned her head in and deliberately rubbed her cheek against mine.
*Buuung.*
This time, Cheongwol twitched visibly.
*Clack.*
She snapped her pincers once, holding them quivering in the air—as if restraining a powerful urge to strike out.
And Ranghu was not finished.
Pleased with the reaction she’d provoked, she suddenly tossed her head and began to lick my cheek.
*Churup.*
A damp, slick feeling spread over my skin.
I turned my head and saw her tongue flicking out, lapping at my face.
This was not an affectionate kiss—it wasn’t even like the ceremonial nutrient sharing from before. This was purely… an attack.
*Kh!?*
Cheongwol went completely rigid.
Ranghu, continuing to lick me, shot triumphant, mocking looks in her direction.
Her wings buzzed with a boastful, jeering tempo.
*Buuuung. Buuung. Bzzzzz.*
Cheongwol didn’t budge. Which meant I had to.
This was unmistakably the lull before a disaster.
If I didn’t do something immediately, I knew something terrible was about to occur.
“Ranghu! Hey, cut it out! Why are you licking my face?!”
*Buuuung!?*
I pushed her away, but the damage was already done.
Cheongwol’s pincer snapped out and seized me.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
Before I could respond, she lifted me onto her head and promptly charged toward the pathway that led to the pond.
“S-Son-in-law?!”
Father-in-law’s shocked cry followed us.
But Cheongwol paid no heed, her heavy steps thundering toward the rear garden.
*Buuuung. Buuung.*
Sensing the danger, Ranghu flew ahead to cut her off—but it was pointless.
Given the sheer difference in their sizes, there was no halting her advance.
Even the worker wasps attempted to create a barrier, clustering and buzzing frantically in her path—Cheongwol simply plowed through them.
Like an enormous bicycle with no brakes, she shoved the sizeable wasps aside without even slowing her pace.
She arrived at the main gate to the pond, used her pincers to sweep Ranghu and the workers out of the way, and fixed her eyes on Ranghu.
*Krurrrng. Krurrrng.*
“No—Cheongwol, wait!”
I tried desperately to stop her, my panic rising.
She shot Ranghu one last look of smug finality, a clear “You brought this on yourself,” and then—
She slammed into the gate. And the walls.
*Crash. Boom!*
The gate that led to the pond was sent flying backward, and a section of the adjacent wall collapsed into rubble.
Through the billowing cloud of dust, I could see Father-in-law staring at me, his face a mask of pure dread.
“H-heavens… the gate… it’s…”
I shut my eyes tightly, unable to meet Father-in-law’s gaze.
Yes, it was a catastrophe… but then again, wealthy households can afford repairs, can’t they?
As the dust started to clear, the wreckage of the entrance came into view.
Cheongwol, stepping over the demolished gate and shattered wall, serenely entered the rear garden where the pond was located.
She moved to a large tree beside the water and settled herself down, resting her belly on the ground.
*Buuuuuuung!*
Ranghu’s angry buzzing reverberated behind us, but honestly, there was no scenario where she could possibly defeat Cheongwol.
It wasn’t only the gap in rarity between a low-grade venomous being and one of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts—Cheongwol also possessed the greatest defense of all ten.
No matter how many wasps assailed her, they couldn’t even mar her surface.
True to form, a handful of worker wasps buzzed toward her in alarm, but the “conflict” ended almost as soon as it began.
It was akin to hurling bees at a solid rock.
Nevertheless, the wasps continued to orbit Cheongwol agitatedly, refusing to let it go.
Seeing Ranghu and her wasps thoroughly distracted by Cheongwol, I chose to make my escape while the opportunity was there.
‘Right, I’m leaving now before I have to face more of Ranghu’s displeasure.’
If I lingered by the pond, I’d likely suffer more than just bodily harm.
There had been a minor clash for dominance, but no one was injured.
Well… except perhaps Father-in-law.
‘My apologies, Father-in-law…’
I edged away slowly, then sprinted off using a quick application of light footwork in the direction of the Medical Hall.
I required treatment.
Even if I hadn’t before, I certainly needed it now.

***
The following day, after Cheongwol had forcefully taken up residence by the pond, the entire area was in a state of commotion.
Cheongwol had simply planted herself there and refused to move.
Hongdan had emerged with the others to occupy a communal space.
Now, the only task remaining was to relocate Hohae.
Servants and warriors of the Tang Clan were busy clearing the debris of the broken gate and wall from the previous day’s turmoil, and were also netting the pond’s carp to move them to another location.
Since the pond was supplied by fresh, cold mountain springs, it was ideal for a salamander.
But the carp had to be removed.
If Hohae released even a single electrical pulse, those skittish fish would perish instantly.
“So-ryong, we have nearly collected all of them.”
“Then order the warriors to leave the water.”
“Understood!”
“Everyone, out of the water!”
At Deputy Commander Gu Pae’s command, the warriors who had been wading to corral the fish emerged onto the bank.
I performed a final visual sweep to be certain no one remained in the pond.
Then I reached out with my mind to Cho.
『Cho, you can bring them now.』
『Chorrr!』
I would have preferred to escort Hohae personally, but after that incident with the electric shock… well, not again until we were far better acquainted.
Besides, Hwa-eun would never permit it.
‘One brush with death is quite sufficient, thank you.’
I took a seat in a pavilion near the pond and waited.
Cho, who had disappeared toward the well where the water jar was stored, reappeared overhead, descending in spirals from the sky with two salamanders swaddled in her silk.
*Wehhh…*
*Chorrrt!*
The two emitted low, disgruntled growls, apparently annoyed by the confinement—until Cho chirped sharply at them, and they immediately stilled.
Upon reaching the pond, Cho deposited them gently onto the grass.
The two salamanders wriggled for a brief moment before sliding into the water.
*Plop.*
Hohae swam around, exploring his new pond.
I had prepared a sheltered spot by stacking rocks on a tiny island at the center.
After circling the pond for a time, the two salamanders attached themselves to that shaded area and observed the humans nearby with wariness.
They were still uncertain, visibly frightened.
They were likely weighing whether to remain or attempt an escape.
I called to Cho again.
“Cho, can you request that they come here? Dad wishes to speak with them.”
*Chorrrt!*
She flew to the island and appeared to communicate with them.
They glanced in my direction, let out sighs that seemed to say they were being inconvenienced, and began to sluggishly approach the shore.
They moved slowly, reluctantly, dragging their bodies like petulant children.
*Chorrrt!*
*Wehhh!*
It was only after Cho admonished them from behind that they reluctantly quickened their pace.
They arrived at the water’s edge, poked just their heads above the surface, and stared at me.
Despite the crowd of people, they revealed themselves.
This indicated not bravery, but rather a healthy fear of Cho.
I knelt by the pond and spoke in soft tones.
“The one with the 王 character on its forehead is the male, correct? And the one with the pattern resembling flames is the female? In any case, now that you are part of our family, you deserve names.”
“You may call me So-ryong, by the way.”
*Wehh.*
*Whehh.*
I didn’t understand the meaning of their growls, but I had already selected names for them.
“Very well. The male shall be Byeok, from the word Byeokryeok—thunderclap. The female shall be Seom, from Seomjeon, lightning flash. Byeok and Seom. Do you approve?”
I had taken one character each from the words for thunder and lightning—straightforward, potent names: Byeok and Seom.
The two looked at one another and then offered a small nod.
*Wehhhh.*
*Wehh.*
“Good. Let us endeavor to coexist peacefully, agreed? No one here intends to harm you, so please refrain from using your lightning breath unless it is utterly necessary. Understand?”
They nodded once more, appearing satisfied.
“You may return to your rest now.”
With that, the two swam back to the island.
Amidst the red and white lotus blossoms adorning the clear water, the vivid yellow salamanders vanished beneath the surface.
It was… a magnificent sight.
‘Incredible. That is truly majestic.’
I allowed myself a moment to appreciate the view, watching them glide peacefully through the water.
But it wasn’t long before another concern resurfaced in my thoughts—
Would these two manage to coexist peacefully with the rest of our group?
And more pressingly, how in the world was I going to mend the relationship between Cheongwol and Ranghu?
The two of them were still acting as if the other didn’t exist—a spirit beast standoff of the coldest order.