Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 261

Chapter 261
‘What Moji and Soji released is likely the condensed essence of what they’ve consumed—one infused with pure spiritual energy, the other saturated with dark, polluted qi. It seems to be an accumulation of impure force.’

When I responded to Hwa-eun’s inquiry, her eyes grew round with surprise.
Then, with a tone of disbelief, she asked,
‘Hold on—does that mean one is a sacred elixir, and the other… a demonic core?’
‘Sacred and demonic elixirs?’
‘Exactly! Since Moji and Soji have previously aided in replenishing our inner energy, it stands to reason that one would be a sacred elixir. The one overflowing with foul qi must be steeped in demonic power. That would make it a demonic pill—a madan!’

For a typical martial artist, the demonic pill would be nothing short of toxic, but for those who cultivate demonic energy—practitioners of sinister arts—this would become a treasure worth slaughtering to obtain.
Hearing her explanation, my own eyes now widened in turn.
I was aware of martial artists who intentionally made use of the turbid qi that others desperately purged from their systems, though such energy was known to be so volatile that only those with ruthless or aggressive natures could withstand it.
In essence, they became complete madmen within the martial world.
That was why those who practiced demonic arts were typically pursued and eradicated.
Yet for such individuals, this would be an invaluable prize.
However I considered it, this object was perilous.

‘Then our first step should be to conceal it… and stay silent. Ji-ryong and Eunbong likely didn’t understand what they witnessed… For now, we focus on hiding it.’
Even if Sister Seol remained quiet, it was certain she would grow curious before long. Ji-ryong and Eunbong may have observed it as well, but they wouldn’t grasp its true nature.
Attempting to hush them might only arouse greater suspicion, so for the moment, I closed my hand firmly around both spheres.
‘That’s likely the wisest move, So-ryong. But what about these? If anyone comes near, they’ll detect them instantly.’

Hwa-eun was correct—concealing these had to be our main concern.
After a moment’s reflection, I hurried off to retrieve a set of chopsticks.
Then I opened a cabinet in my room and withdrew the wooden case given to me by the leader of the venom sect in Qinghai, when I received my official seal.
‘You’re placing them in that container, So-ryong?’
‘Yes, Hwa-eun. I intend to keep them here.’
While this box appeared ordinary, it was designed to hold spiritual elixirs and was capable of masking their energy effectively.

But then Hwa-eun’s worried voice reached me.
‘It may be unwise to store them together…’
‘Why is that?’
‘Because their energies are contrary. They could disrupt one another, or even worse—taint each other.’
‘Ah, I understand.’
That was true—just as venomous beings of opposite kinds might kill each other if confined together, a sacred pill and a demonic one stored in proximity could annihilate one another.
Therefore, they needed to be kept apart.

I turned toward Yoha, who was still observing Moji and Soji from afar, and requested,
[Yoha, could you encase this one in silk for me?]
–Kiiit.
Without delay, she accepted the radiant elixir from my palm and started enveloping it in silk.
Pale silk strands emerged from Yoha’s lower form.
She swiftly spun the thread, winding it layer upon layer around the sacred elixir until it was nearly the size of a marble, resembling a cocoon of green silk from a silkworm.
After several dozen rotations, it was complete—and the energy was entirely hidden.
It was a spontaneous idea, but it proved successful.
Now, even if someone handled it, they wouldn’t detect the elixir within.
Yoha’s silk wasn’t easily torn by anyone other than its creator.
–Kiiit.
[It’s done? Thank you, Yoha.]

She gingerly passed me the two silk-covered orbs.
As I took them, a faint, clear ringing resonated softly in my grasp.
–Tiiing.
The sacred elixirs quivered slightly, emitting a delicate, crystalline tone.
‘What in the…? Is that due to Yoha’s silk? Or are the two reacting to each other?’
My plan was to conceal them silently, but now sound was emerging as well.
Just as I pondered what to do, my gaze fell upon the red thread around Yoha’s ankle.
Then I realized—there was a location safer than all others.
‘That’s the answer!’

[Yoha, would you mind safeguarding this for a time?]
–Kishaa.
[Could you attach it to that red thread on your ankle? Similar to a tiny bell.]
She glanced at the orbs in my hand, then at her own ankle.
I raised one of the silk-wrapped orbs and brought it near the red thread on her ankle.
[Don’t you think it would appear charming like this?]
She tilted her head, visibly delighted, then accepted the orb, brushed it gently with her fingers, and affixed it to her ankle.
She didn’t tie it, but Yoha’s silk functioned as an adhesive—the orb held fast.
–Tiiing. Tiiing.
From that point on, whenever Yoha shifted her foot, the orb produced a light, ringing chime.
If a thread beast like Yoha was personally guarding it, no one—not even a supreme master—would risk touching it.
This wasn’t akin to fastening a bell to a cat. Here, trying to remove the bell from the hunter would be a fatal mistake.

With the sacred elixir protected, it was time to address the demonic one.
[Yoha, could you craft a small bag for me?]
–Kishashak.
Pleased by the praise, Yoha wove a sturdy pouch and offered it to me.
I couldn’t allow her to wrap the demonic pill in silk as before—it would be too hazardous for both her and me to make direct contact.
So instead, I deposited the demonic pill into the pouch and placed the pouch inside the large storage box I had brought from Qinghai.
Even through the pouch’s thin material, a slight energy was already seeping out.
However, once I closed the box’s lid, the energy disappeared entirely.
‘Finished. Thank heavens, So-ryong.’

After double-checking to ensure no sign of turbid qi was escaping, I had Yoha secure the pouch with a crosswise silk bind and slipped it into my sleeve.
I had briefly thought of wrapping it in silk as well, but that would involve direct skin contact, which I wished to avoid. I needed to keep this item on my person, after all.
‘Now that’s settled… I should take it to Grandfather and seek his advice.’
Undoubtedly, I would have to return the demonic pill to the Tang Clan and ask Grandfather how to manage it.

Having now addressed both the sacred elixir and the demonic pill, I redirected my focus to Moji and Soji, who were still crafting their glimmering silver cocoons under the ceiling.
I draped cloth over the cabin’s windows and addressed everyone present—both the young and the adults.
“They’re weaving their cocoons now. It will likely take no less than two days. Until then, let’s maintain quiet and refrain from moving the vessel.”
“Understood, So-ryong.”
“Yes, young sir.”
Moji and Soji persisted in moving their mouths relentlessly in the ceiling’s corner, spinning their long-anticipated metamorphosis into silver silkworms.

***
Ordinarily, a silkworm requires about three days to finish its cocoon.
On day one, it sketches the cocoon’s outline. On day two, it reinforces the outer layers until the interior is hidden. Then, on day three, it keeps spinning from within until the cocoon solidifies.
But the silver silkworms—as spiritual beings—had taken almost eight days merely to reach the stage where the cocoon became opaque.
Approximately four times longer than a common silkworm.

“It’s finally progressed to where we can’t see inside anymore,” Hwa-eun remarked after our morning meal, pressing her ear lightly against the cocoon.
“True. The threads appear to be densely layered. Can you hear anything?”
“Yes, So-ryong. I detect faint shuffling sounds within.”
“Then we probably have another eight days remaining.”
Even though the cocoon was now fully obscured by silver thread, it would still require time to solidify. This initial phase alone had consumed over a week, and from the sounds, the entire process might take a fortnight.
“So we must wait at least another eight days?”
“Yes. I’ll inform the others that we need additional time.”

Because Moji and Soji had abruptly begun spinning their cocoons, our search arrangements were postponed indefinitely.
If we ventured out to search and the watermelon beast—whatever that entity was—assaulted us again as previously, it could disrupt the cocooning procedure.
And cocooning demands absolute calm. If any disturbance occurred, such as jostling or loud sounds, they might not shed properly or could end up permanently misshapen.
“How long until the silver silkworms emerge after the cocoon is finished?”
Typically, a silkworm emerges from its cocoon around a fortnight after beginning.
Thus, since Moji and Soji were already taking four times longer than a normal silkworm, the progression to mature silver moths would probably take two full months.
“I estimate about two months.”
“So that leaves one month and fifteen days, not counting the time to complete the cocoon itself.”
“That’s correct, Hwa-eun.”
“That’s still a substantial duration. I’m eagerly anticipating their appearance.”
“I feel the same.”

Like Hwa-eun, I couldn’t suppress my anticipation.
Silver silkworms… Silver moths… What would they resemble?
Similar to Hwa-eun’s natural face.
No—Hwa-eun seldom wears cosmetics, so perhaps more like her face after three days without washing. Equally enigmatic and intriguing.
‘Certainly… a form of unapproachable beauty…’

I exited the cabin and notified the rest of the group that we’d need to wait at least another eight days. Senior Brother Gyu-seong nodded in acknowledgment.
“So we’ll postpone for another eight days.”
“I deeply regret the holdup. It’s my fault.”
He dismissed it lightly, but I still felt responsible for our journey being stalled due to my companions.
When I expressed regret, Senior Brother smiled and replied,
“No apology needed. This spot has proven unexpectedly agreeable. Plenty of fish, favorable weather, serene atmosphere. It’s also an excellent site for training. Don’t fret over us—we’ll utilize the time to practice and advance.”
“That’s right, young sir. We’re here to back you up and confront those Five Venom scoundrels regardless. No need to agonize over the timeline.”
“Simply by being present, we’re already thwarting their schemes, correct?”
“Precisely, young sir. I’m merely relishing time with Seon-hwa, so you needn’t be concerned about me either.”
The other Dragon Fang members nodded and concurred it was not an issue.

That left only the children to address.
I assembled them and reiterated the warning.
“Moji and Soji are at a critical juncture, so no loud sounds and absolutely no rocking the boat. Clear?”
–Tsrurrr!
–Kii-sha!
–Kkukkuk!
–Shaaa!
–Shaaa!
They replied in eager unison—but I detected that several voices were absent.
I scanned the area, inspecting each one, and noticed some were missing.
“Wait… where are Bini, Hyang, and Hongdan?”
–Tssrr?
Cho, coiled around my form, raised her head and surveyed the surroundings.
Her air sac expanded with a heavy sigh, then gradually contracted once more.
So much for relying on the silver threads’ barrier to contain them—those mischievous little ones must have slipped away unnoticed.
‘Bini, where have you gone?’

***
Weary of the inactivity due to Moji and Soji’s cocooning, Bini, Hyang, and Hongdan had ventured out to investigate.
Remaining confined on the boat had grown tedious.
They yearned to dig in the soil, scale trees—engage in all their favorite pastimes. But they couldn’t, not with Moji and Soji cocooning and the chance of other spiritual creatures in the vicinity.
Still, they heeded their dad’s caution, so they intended only a brief inspection of that “marshland” he’d referenced.

The instant they stepped into the open again, all three perked up immediately.
Thrilled chirps came from each.
–Tssrrr.
–Tssrrt.
–Kkii!
After navigating a dense area of high grass, they reached the spot Dad had indicated.
The vegetation was lush and spread out, and at the center lay a sizable pool.
Fish were leaping, splashing water in lively arcs—much like the pond near their home.
If only they could employ salt magic like Cho-sister, they might have captured some fish to bring back to their mothers. Observing the fish playfully splashing, Bini and Hyang exhaled in frustration.

Then Hyang, who had been perched on Bini’s head, shifted over and gestured for Hongdan to come see.
–Tssrrt.
Over here! This is worth a look.
But when they checked behind them, the one who should have been there… was absent.
–Tssrrr!
Hyang promptly scanned the area and called to Bini—Hongdan had vanished.
–Tssrrt!?
Alarmed, Bini extended her neck upward and scrutinized the vicinity in every direction.
Then, rustling sounded from ahead, and Hongdan emerged from behind a clump of grass.
–Rustle. Rustle.
–Kkii!
–Tssrrt!?
–Tssrrrt?
She tweeted excitedly: “There’s something amusing over here!”
The other two had been prepared to reprimand her for disappearing, but upon hearing that, they automatically trailed after her.
And what they discovered…
…was a round object, nestled in the grass.
–Tssrrt?
It was in motion.