Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 278

Chapter 278
Just as I was privately thinking how perfectly the title Heavenly Venom Beast Papa suited me—
Geum Gi-ryung’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“To encounter Young Master So, the Heavenly Venom Beast Papa, in such a location. It seems destiny is at work, paving the way for a beneficial relationship.
Truthfully, I intended to seek you out after concluding my business here. This is a fortunate coincidence.
Young Master So, this is rather abrupt, but would you consider making a deal with me?”
“With me? A deal?”
“Indeed, Young Master So. I am confident the terms would be advantageous for you as well…”

Geum Gi-ryung made his sudden proposition.
However, before I could formulate a reply, Hwa-eun interjected with an icy tone.
“The Tang Clan sees little purpose in engaging in business with the Geumjeok Merchant Guild.”

It was a blunt, stone-cold refusal.
Geum Gi-ryung responded with a robust laugh, scratching his head in a gesture of bemusement.
“My, my, it appears I have inadvertently provoked your displeasure.”

Hwa-eun, sister Seol, and the other women present all exchanged looks of even greater astonishment.
In this antiquated period, women were frequently regarded as little more than property—yet even by those standards, using terms like “merchandise” or “acquire” in their presence was certain to create a poor impression.
Even if his words weren’t directed at them personally, to hear such dehumanizing language was enough to infuriate any woman.
Ultimately, even if someone is viewed as an object, one does not openly refer to them as such.

“Hmm… a predicament.”
Geum Gi-ryung cupped his chin, deep in thought under the frosty stares from Hwa-eun, sister Seol, and the others.
Then, as if struck by inspiration, his expression cleared.
“Ah! Perhaps this will suffice? If Young Master So consents to assist me with my issue through a transaction, I will consider the funds already given to the Ak Clan as a loan, to be repaid by you at your leisure, without any interest.
Moreover, the betrothal gifts I presented—I shall redirect them as wedding presents for Young Master Peng’s marriage. How does that sound?
Naturally, you will also receive appropriate compensation—you will not be disadvantaged.
Well then? Is that not a reasonable adjustment?”

At his revised offer, both the Ak Clan Lord and my hyung noticeably started.
Yet, they both swiftly declined.
“Our Ak Clan does not require you to make such an accommodation.”
“Indeed, So-ryong, you should not feel obligated to do so on our account.”

The offer was attractive, but their reluctance to impose on me was clear.
Nevertheless, I felt it might be prudent to at least listen to the details.
‘Couldn’t we just hear him out before deciding against it?’
An immediate refusal seemed unnecessary. If the task was within my capabilities, it would, in the end, be of aid to hyung.
And if there is one thing I am dedicated to—it is thoroughly crushing despicable individuals.
If it assists hyung in defeating a scoundrel, then my assistance is a given.

I gave a nod to Geum Gi-ryung’s suggestion.
“I see no loss in simply listening to your proposition.”
“Just as I anticipated, the rumors of your remarkable maturity and capability for your age are clearly accurate.”
“So-ryong!”
‘So-ryong! Why entertain a man of his character?’
[Ryong! Do not bother with that sort of person!]

The combined voices and thoughts of hyung, Hwa-eun, and sister Seol reached me simultaneously, urging me to reconsider.
I simply offered them all a reassuring smile.
“It is merely a business discussion. If the conditions are not to my liking, I will refuse—so please, do not be concerned. And hyung, if an agreement is reached, you may consider it a wedding gift from your younger brother.”
“Th-that…”
‘Hyung, I sincerely hope you marry and begin producing many children.’

Inwardly, I conveyed the finest blessing a Venom Beast Father could bestow upon hyung.
I then turned back to Geum Gi-ryung.
“Shall we proceed? What is this proposition?”
“Might we relocate to my vessel for the discussion? It would be best if your retinue was small.”
“Agreed. I will bring only Hwa-eun and sister Seol.”
“Very well.”

The situation certainly hinted at a clandestine proposal.
We began making our way toward the docks.
‘What manner of proposal could this be?’

We were merely steps away from his opulent pleasure ship, anchored next to ours, when I reached out mentally to the children.
『Cho-ya, come out and bring Hyang with you.』

Since we were about to negotiate, applying a degree of pressure seemed judicious.
If this proved to be a waste of time, he needed to comprehend the consequences would be severe.
Geum Gi-ryung did not strike me as a man of impeccable virtue.
『
– Chrrt! (Understood, Daddy!)
– Chrrrt? (Daddy, shall I not come? Why am I left out?!)
‘Bini, I intended to summon you as well, naturally.’
– Chrrrr. (I suppose so…) 』

I had initially planned to call only Cho and Hyang, but Bini’s petulant objection made it evident I had no alternative.
Once all three were summoned, I heard the faint skittering of their limbs from our ship.
– Chrrr-rrrrr.
“What was that—Heavens!”

Hearing the noise, Geum Gi-ryung staggered backward, landing seated on the ground at the sight of the children.
I took a few calm steps forward and extended my arms.
Instantly, Hyang—who had been perched on Cho—coiled around my form like living armor.
Cho took up a hovering position, and Bini leaped from the ship, settling under each of my arms.
It resembled the assembly of a transforming automaton, each part locking into place on my body.
I smiled, gently patting their heads.
“There now. You longed for Daddy’s presence, didn’t you?”
– Chrrrt?
– Chrrt.

Their confused chirps seemed to question my statement, given I had been the one to call for them—but Geum Gi-ryung could not possibly understand this.
Still seated on the ground, Geum Gi-ryung gazed up at me, his eyes wide with stunned admiration.
“T-this is the true meaning of the title Heavenly Venom Beast Papa!”
‘Perhaps… perhaps my initial assessment of this man was mistaken?’

His authentic sense of wonder gave me a moment of pause.
***

The guest cabin was extravagantly appointed, exuding an air of sophisticated elegance.
Upon a table of deep ebony wood, tea had been set, its delicate fragrance permeating the space.
“Please, enjoy some tea while we converse. This Longjing is quite acceptable.”

He said it casually, but Hwa-eun’s mental voice reached me, laced with interest.
‘That is the highest grade of Longjing, valued at its weight in gold.’
‘Is it truly?’
‘Yes, So-ryong.’

Coming from Hwa-eun, whose olfactory senses were peerless, there was no room for doubt.
Thinking I might as well sample such a rarity, I raised the cup to my lips—but sister Seol, Hwa-eun, and the others did not touch theirs.
Instead, Hwa-eun addressed Geum Gi-ryung with chill formality.
“We are here to listen to your proposal, not for a social tea. State your business.”

Hearing this, Geum Gi-ryung released a sigh.
He offered a strained smile.
“It seems a significant misunderstanding has occurred. I should likely clarify that first. This atmosphere is not conducive to a business discussion.”
“A misunderstanding? What sort of misunderstanding?”

As Hwa-eun pressed him with a cutting tone, Geum Gi-ryung shifted his gaze from her to me and began to explain.
“You all seem to believe I attempted to exploit the Ak Clan’s circumstances to essentially buy their daughter with currency. That is incorrect.
The Ak Clan’s difficulties intensified ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) only after my proposal was made. You may verify this with Lord Ak himself.
Naturally, the Ak Clan’s standing—particularly their many commissions within the Imperial Iron Cavalry—was a factor in my consideration. But is that not standard practice?”

If his account was truthful, then perhaps he hadn’t committed any real wrongdoing.
Even in my previous life, in the contemporary world, marriages for social or political advantage were still commonplace.
Sister Seol, however, intervened with her own pointed remark.
“The specific circumstances are irrelevant. What we find objectionable is speaking of people as if they are commodities for purchase.”

Her speech, unburdened by the conventions of the Central Plains, was frank and unambiguous.
At this, Geum Gi-ryung’s polished demeanor finally cracked, revealing genuine emotion for the first time.
He spoke with the air of a man who felt deeply aggrieved.
“I must voice my frustration on this matter.
Did I seek the hand of the Ak Clan’s lady solely for their status? No.
My interest in her was sincere.
I first saw her at the birthday celebration for General Maeng Gyu-seong—the commander of the Imperial Iron Cavalry—and I corresponded with Lord Ak to ascertain the facts.
He confirmed she was unattached and had no prior engagement, so we moved forward. I delivered gifts, secured the marriage agreement, and then, abruptly, Young Master Peng arrives, requesting I step aside due to some complication.
Can you fathom how perplexing that is for me?
Individuals of my wealth, who have amassed fortunes, are constantly targeted for marriage proposals—nearly all of which are motivated by greed for my assets. I believed martial artists were above such material concerns, which is why I proceeded…
Yes, I did use language that objectified her. But I was acting in desperation. Were my words not few?
If anyone has been wronged here, it is surely me. Yet you have all judged me with excessive severity.”

‘Hold on… if that’s all accurate… then he is actually the aggrieved party?’
If his story was true, Geum Gi-ryung was the one who had been poorly treated—left with nothing after hyung’s sudden appearance.

When he finished his explanation, sister Seol and Hwa-eun recoiled slightly.
Sister Seol averted her eyes, appearing uncomfortable.
“Well… for a man supposedly nursing a broken heart, you do not appear particularly sorrowful… You are even discussing a business arrangement…”
“I was educated that a merchant must never reveal his emotions readily. That is why I limited myself to that single remark. And furthermore—does grief generate profit?
Regardless, with the misunderstanding now resolved, let us attend to our transaction.”
“Y-yes, let’s.”
“I initially learned of you, Young Master So, from General Maeng Gyu-seong, during the time I first became acquainted with the Ak Clan’s lady.”
“Ah, him.”

General Maeng Gyu-seong had previously visited the Tang Clan, where he greatly enjoyed what he described as a feast rivaling the best in Busan.
I nodded as Geum Gi-ryung continued.
“Yes, at his birthday celebration…”
***

At the birthday celebration for General Maeng Gyu-seong, commander of the Iron Cavalry.
He had lately returned from Sichuan, and his countenance seemed brighter than usual.
Geum Gi-ryung inquired,
“You seem in remarkably good spirits, General.”
“Oh? You notice it as well?”
The question was polite, but Maeng Gyu-seong appeared genuinely pleased.
“Yes, General.”
“Haha. It is because I was the recipient of most exceptional hospitality at the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“Exceptional hospitality, you say?”
“Indeed. I was granted a taste of a rare medicinal concoction.”
“A concoction!?”

Geum Gi-ryung’s eyes widened in surprise.
Being offered such a precious item was unprecedented. No matter how distinguished the guest, these were not simply given away.
“Such a tonic is immensely valuable. They served that to a visitor?”
“Well, it was of a medium grade, blended into wine. A single cup was extraordinarily potent.”
“B-blended into wine?”

This revelation shocked Geum Gi-ryung even more.
Such potent medicines are consumed with great care—not casually mixed into alcohol.
“Yes, into wine. Their son-in-law nurtures spirit beasts. One of them—he served us its gallbladder within the drink.”
“A spirit beast’s gallbladder?”
“It was from a wasp the size of a man’s head. The taste was tart, with a hint of sweetness. Quite pleasant.”
“That is astounding.”
“No, that is merely the beginning. In their vast rear garden, which contains a pond, hundreds of such creatures were in flight. There were even flying centipedes measuring twenty feet. It was incredible.”
“W-wait, you claim they domesticate such fearsome beings?”
“Fearsome? That was my initial thought. But the creatures he raises are different. Almost like… puppies? No, he even referred to the centipedes as his daughters.”
“Daughters?”
“Yes. He was like a… a genuine Heavenly Venom Beast Papa.”
***

So it was General Maeng Gyu-seong of the Iron Cavalry who originated my nickname.
I made a mental note to prepare him an exceptionally strong drink in thanks next we met, just as Geum Gi-ryung pressed on.
“On that occasion, the General spoke highly of you and presented me with several Ji-dam Pills. He detailed their nature and mentioned your profound expertise not just concerning spirit beasts, but insects as well.
The Tang Clan’s leader himself proclaimed that your gift for handling poisonous beings and insects is unequaled in a millennium.
I remembered all this, and now, finding myself in need of assistance—it is the reason I sought you out.”
“I understand.”

That man—I explicitly instructed him not to distribute those Ji-dam Pills, and he went and gave them away at a birthday celebration?
Although, if he shared them, it was probably safer. It was unlikely anyone consumed a dangerous amount at once.
‘At least that is one consolation.’

I imagined the Tang Clan must now be inundated with requests for Ji-dam Pills.
Geum Gi-ryung nodded and arrived at his central appeal.
“Yes, and now to my specific need. Our Geumjeok Merchant Guild specializes in grain trade, operating from the Mount Tai region. We convey rice from the southern regions to the north, and wheat from the north to the south.
However, the recent intense heat has led to a severe infestation of insects in our stores. We have attempted sun-drying, but the scale makes it impractical—and the process cracks the grains, reducing their worth…
I have come to inquire if you possess a solution to this problem. And if so, would you be willing to part with it?”
“Ah, to state it plainly—you require a method to eradicate pests from stored grain?”
“Exactly, Young Master So.”
“Well, then. You have found the correct individual. This is precisely my area of expertise.”

A matter like this is simplicity itself.
I possessed numerous methods to exterminate weevils, flour moths, and other such pests completely.
It seemed my hyung’s future prospects for a large family were now virtually assured.