Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 235

Chapter 235
Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter, adhering to all your specified requirements.

***

“Three changes of outer robes should suffice… and three sets of warm inner garments as well.”
Hwa-eun spoke softly to herself as she drew several silk pieces from the chest.
She then addressed the handmaid who was preparing to lay the final outfit onto the folded cloth.
“You are to accompany him and assist with the unpacking, understood?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Ordinarily, she would delegate this task to the servants, but because we were traveling to Chengdu to convene with the most powerful leaders in the Sichuan martial arts community, she was personally overseeing my wardrobe.
It still seemed excessive, so I studied her face and ventured a cautious question.
“It’s only for a few days, after all… Wouldn’t a single set be plenty?”
“Every significant master in Sichuan will be present. You must make a tidy impression, So-ryong.”
“My father-in-law estimated it would conclude within three days…”
“Precisely why you require three sets.”
Really—when I traveled to Cheonghae or Neungae, I also cycled through three outfits, but it wasn’t a public exhibition. Now I’m expected to change daily?
Just as I was concluding this was undoubtedly too much, Hwa-eun produced three more silk robes and arranged them on the table.
“Oh! I nearly forgot! Since you recently had a breakthrough, you might be called upon to address the assembly, correct?
Should that occur, you must be dressed appropriately. You would be standing before everyone, after all.
Remove your over-robe and try this one, So-ryong. Select the most flattering one.”
“But father-in-law instructed me to be prepared in half an hour…”
“Trying it on will only take a moment. Come now, quickly.”
Is this the sensation of being dragged on a shopping trip by your partner?
As Hwa-eun pressed me to remove my robe, a voice called from beyond the door.
“So-ryong-nim, Master Baek has arrived to see you!”
“Master Baek?”
If it was Master Baek, that could only be Ururi—the master craftsman who had remained with the Tang Clan following the Xintu affair.
He cultivated silkworms and wove thread into cloth, and had once requested a sample of Yo-hwa’s silk after seeing it, finding it utterly captivating.
Could the prototype of the multi-layered defense robe, crafted from Yo-hwa’s silk, be finished? I’m rescued!
As we are aware, Yo-hwa’s silk possesses a toughness that can deflect blades.
Though it is susceptible to flame, its resilience makes it perfect for protective gear.
That was the reason I had commissioned Master Baek and his team to attempt a prototype. His presence surely indicated success.
I moved toward the door, calling back to Hwa-eun.
This was my opportunity to break free.
“Hwa-eun, I will go and speak with Master Baek for just a moment.”
“But you still need to try these on… Very well, but you must return to do so afterward.”
Normally, she would have released me without argument. Perhaps due to the CPR drills, or the recent brush with death, she had scarcely left my side these past days.
A saying from a web philosopher in my previous life surfaced in my memory:
Marriage is when your girlfriend spends all day with you, does everything alongside you, and then never goes back to her own home.
That was exactly what my existence had felt like recently.
It wasn’t unpleasant—Hwa-eun was wonderfully kind—but her constant presence was like adhesive, and occasionally it became difficult to catch my breath.
A man requires room. Time for his own interests. Time for leisure.
But I could not voice that. Not after reducing her to tears before. It would wound her too deeply.
“Yes, Hwa-eun…”
I replied with tenderness.
After ensuring the handmaid had secured the bundle correctly, Hwa-eun accompanied me outside and announced,
“Let us go, So-ryong.”
“Yes.”
Upon reaching the main gate, Master Baek’s expression brightened the instant he saw me.
“So-ryong-nim!”
“Master Baek! I trust you have been well. Please forgive my lack of visits recently.”
“Not at all! Thanks to you, we are thriving. My family no longer frets about tomorrow—they are overjoyed.”
“What is the reason for your visit?”
“Ah! I simply felt the occasion warranted dressing up a little, haha!
I came because your garment is finished—I thought you might wish to come for a fitting.”
“My garment?”
I had presumed it was the prototype armor, but his phrasing gave me pause.
Master Baek smiled and nodded.
“Miss Yo-hwa was adamant that the first piece created must be for So-ryong-nim.”
I was aware Yo-hwa had personally delivered silk to him, but I had not anticipated her prioritizing my clothing.
“I understand. Then let us proceed.”
With Hwa-eun following, we accompanied Master Baek to the workshop.
I had not returned since my previous visit, but upon entering now, we were met by the rhythmic sound of even more looms and spinning wheels than I remembered.
Clack. Clack.
There had initially been three artisans, but they had since brought their families, and now roughly ten individuals were working inside.
I acknowledged those who greeted us with polite nods and proceeded further inside, where Master Baek brought us to a halt before a mannequin positioned in the room’s center—
a wooden form shaped like those from my former life.
What commanded attention was the brilliantly crimson ensemble draped over it.
The moment I saw it, I recognized the material instantly.
It could only be Yo-hwa’s silk—identical to the thread currently bound around my wrist.
Yo-hwa’s silk was extraordinarily resilient—difficult to shred, far stronger than ordinary fabric.
Its profound, blood-red color caused the entire outfit to shine with a peculiar radiance.
“This is it?”
“Indeed. Miss Yo-hwa spun this thread herself. I cannot speak for the other silks, but this particular one—she can only yield a minuscule amount per day.”
I passed my hand over the clothing and felt its remarkable softness.
Master Baek then drew a dagger from his sleeve and thrust it against the garment without warning.
“You may stab with all your strength; it will not leave a scratch.”
It was truly beautiful and supple—which prompted a worry.
A complete set of long sleeves and trousers fashioned from Yo-hwa’s silk? Wouldn’t that be… stifling?
I frowned slightly and inquired,
“Might it not become overly warm?”
Master Baek grinned.
“Have no concern. It is constructed like the scales of a fish—overlapping sections sewn together to permit air to circulate.”

Inspecting it more carefully, I saw his words were true.
This was not ordinary attire. It was akin to yoryun-gab—scale armor designed to emulate the function of fish scales.
That would indeed prevent issues with ventilation.
“In that event… I suppose I should try it on.”
Given the dedication Yo-hwa had invested in it—and its remarkable appearance—I swiftly removed my outer robe and pulled on the tunic.
Then, I turned to Hwa-eun with a look that asked for her opinion, and saw her bloom into a dazzling, rose-like smile.
“You must wear that one, So-ryong.”
“T-this one?”
“Yes. And we should add some scent to it as well.”
It felt… somewhat too conspicuous.
But Hwa-eun was evidently enchanted by it.
And if I applied perfume on top of it all, the degree of attention I would attract would be absurd.

***

In a great hall within the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance in Chengdu,
the assembled crowd was fixated on a single man.
Ji-ryong.
Gesturing toward a particular point on the map spread out before him, Ji-ryong was elaborating on all we had deliberated.
“…As is evident, this site is situated directly between Sichuan and Guizhou.
Precisely as Sir So observed, it is the convergence point for the focus of all four provinces—Sichuan, Guizhou, Zhongjing, and Yunnan.
To initiate an assault there implies they are pursuing a very particular objective.”
Ji-ryong’s analysis led Baek Heo-ja, the leader of the Qingcheng Sect, to stroke his beard and pose a question.
“Are you suggesting the Blood Cult is employing Mancheon Gwahae?”
Mancheon Gwahae—a strategy from the Art of War.
It is the very first stratagem: “To veil the heavens and cross the sea.”
It signifies concealing one’s true purpose and misleading the adversary to achieve victory.
It matched the circumstances perfectly. The Blood Cult was plainly attempting to divert our attention with one action while executing another.
“That is my belief,” Ji-ryong responded.
After he spoke, an elderly Buddhist nun pressed her palms together and asked,
“Amitabha. Ji-ryong, do you then possess any insight into the precise nature of their scheme?”
This was Master Ja-hee, the leader of the Emei Sect.
Though her eyebrows were pure white, her complexion appeared oddly youthful.
“I apologize, Master Ja-hee. Even I have not yet managed to ascertain that much.”
Really, one cannot expect Ji-ryong to be a clairvoyant.
Foretelling the Blood Cult’s next move is no simple feat.
At that moment, Master Ja-hee shifted her gaze to me.
“And you, Sir So, who first identified this—do you have any further reasoning for your conclusion?”
I had been yawning discreetly behind my father-in-law when my name was spoken, causing me to snap upright.
I was the sole individual clad in vivid red amidst a room of muted tones—inevitably, every eye turned toward me.
I promptly brought my hands together in a respectful salute.
“My apologies… I fear I do not possess that knowledge either.”
I was uncertain why I was apologizing for a lack of information, but I did so nonetheless.
Master Ja-hee offered a slight nod and returned her attention to the map, her countenance now profoundly grave.
“If they selected Inhui specifically to capture the notice of four provinces, what could their ultimate goal be?”
Her query pulled the focus of everyone present.
As their eyes and bodies inclined toward the room’s center, I abruptly perceived that the area around me had grown still.
Since all concentration was directed at the middle, the periphery—where I stood behind my father-in-law—was now effectively empty.
What!?
This realization hit me with the force of a thunderbolt.
When the center attracts all observation, the edges are left exposed.
I started to edge away, shifting to the side opposite my father-in-law.
As anticipated, no one took note.
I detest being the focal point, so I attempted to discreetly signal Ji-ryong, gesturing for him to come over as if to say, *Psst, over here for a moment.*
I required his validation of my theory.
But just as I was motioning from the rear—
–Chirrkk!
The hall’s quiet was abruptly split by a sharp cry.
It originated from Hyang, who was perched on top of my head.
“Chirrk! Daddy! I was good, yes?”
“Y-yes, well done, Hyang.”
I offered a strained smile to the proud little being, but then my father-in-law’s voice sounded:
“Son-in-law, why did Hyang call out just now? Do you have something you wish to contribute?”
“Uh, y-yes. I… I was merely attempting to confer with Ji-ryong briefly…”
Well, I might as well commit fully now.
I summoned Ji-ryong over and spoke to him in a hushed tone.
“I believe determining the Blood Cult’s exact plan is unnecessary.”
“It is?”
“Inhui is located at the very heart of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Zhongjing.
If every eye is pulled to the center, then the outer rims—the frontiers—grow still.
Even absent knowledge of their scheme, identifying the location is equally valuable.”
Ji-ryong’s eyes opened wide.
He seized my hand firmly and declared,
“Sir So, were I a woman, I would have asked for your hand immediately.
In my lineage, the Zhuge family, we prize wisdom above all other qualities.”
Okay—perhaps avoid announcing such things so publicly!
Alarmed, I pulled my hand back. Ji-ryong merely smiled and marched to the center of the hall.
“Sir So’s perception has provided me with clarity. Allow me to elaborate.”
“Oh, our son-in-law?”
“That insight came from Sir So?”
A few looks of astonishment were cast my way before the assembly’s attention returned to Ji-ryong.
“We may remain ignorant of the Blood Cult’s intentions,
but we now possess a robust notion of where they will strike next.”
“Oho! Can this be true?”
“Yes, for even if the act itself is unknown, predicting its venue is just as effective.”
“Indeed, venerable elders. Inhui functions as the nexus of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Zhongjing.
While all vigilance is fixed upon the center, the boundaries between those provinces will become tranquil.”
“Therefore, they will operate along one of the provincial borders.”
“Correct, and based on Sir So’s reasoning, this appears highly probable.”
Those gathered throughout the hall nodded in agreement with Ji-ryong’s logic.
However, then someone raised an inevitable question.
“But… are the provincial borders not extremely lengthy?”
“Ah, that is true.”
If they intended to act along the borders, that afforded them an enormous range in which to maneuver.
Had I just created greater confusion?
Fortunately, Ji-ryong smiled and answered with composure.
“Not exactly. By eliminating the areas where they are unlikely to operate, the viable territory shrinks considerably.”
“Locations they would avoid?”
“Precisely.”
As one would expect from the astute Ji-ryong, his thinking was sound.
Yunnan’s frontiers include Myeonjeon, Samryeo, Namchang, and the border with Daeyue.
However, Myeonjeon, Samryeo, and Namchang all maintain poor relations with Daeyue.
Even if an event occurred in Inhui, the martial world would not dare venture too near the Daeyue border—the risk is too great.
Thus, Yunnan is eliminated.
Sichuan shares borders with Seochang, Yunnan’s Changhae, Gansu, and Seopseo, and naturally, Guizhou and Zhongjing.
Seochang is under the control of the aggressive Podallam Palace, so they warrant no concern.
Changhae was assaulted recently and failed in its defense, so forces are unlikely to return there soon.
That left the Gansu and Seopseo borders.
But the Gongsong Sect commands a portion of the Gansu line, meaning only the Seopseo border remained a possibility.
Zhongjing borders Hobok and Honam.
And situated between Zhongjing and Hobok is the famed region of the Three Gorges.
That territory has already witnessed incidents involving the Western Gate—it is too conspicuous.
Therefore, after discounting all other options, two crucial locations remained:
the Sichuan–Seopseo border and the Guizhou–Honam border.
“We should then dispatch a minimal force to Inhui
and urge the martial artists of Guizhou to comb the Honam border.
For our part, we will sweep the Seopseo border.”
“Then let us apportion the search sectors accordingly.”
Just as the chieftains of Sichuan’s martial world started to allocate duties and operational zones,
my father-in-law turned to me and instructed.
“Son-in-law, please proceed swiftly to the Tang Clan and instruct them to ready the Venom Purge Unit and the Venom Blood Squad.”
Huh? I thought we would be remaining for several more days.
I felt a twinge of disappointment, but there was no alternative.
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
I promptly departed the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance, made a brief stop at the Tang residence in Chengdu,
and then set out on horseback for Tangga Mountain.
He had advised taking guards, but I elected to ride alone.
I wished to relish the sensation of absolute liberty.
As I journeyed back by myself, it felt curiously akin to… punching out after a full day’s labor.
I even entertained the notion of summoning the children to greet me along the path.
Should I have them come out and welcome their father home?
“Hyah!”
I urged my horse faster, anticipating the affectionate reception.