Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 282

Chapter 282
“It’s really gold… So-ryong, what is that?”
Hwa-eun’s question cut through my frantic exclamations.
I was already yelling in a #Nоvеlight# state of alarm, having recognized the creature, but Hwa-eun only saw the very top of its head breaching the water’s surface and was clearly bewildered. Unlike me, she hadn’t climbed onto it yesterday and witnessed its movement, so she didn’t understand that the head was attached to a much larger body.
She was probably trying to identify it based on the head alone, just as I had initially done.
“That’s its head, and what you mistook for an island—that is its body.”
I swiftly stepped behind Hwa-eun, took her hand in mine, and traced the creature’s immense form in the air, moving from the head down to suggest its full outline.
Finally comprehending the sheer scale and the glint of the golden head under the moon, Hwa-eun gasped in a stunned whisper.
“Is that… a turtle? A massive golden turtle?!”
We hadn’t seen its entire form yet, but its head was unquestionably gold.
Yes, exactly as Hwa-eun said, it was undoubtedly a golden turtle.
Turtles, often referred to as tortoises, are a distinct group of reptiles inhabiting oceans, rivers, and deserts across the globe.
Their most notable feature is their protective shell.
The majority of turtle species are shielded by a robust carapace, and their classic response to threat, though it varies by type, is to withdraw into this shell for safety.
As reptiles, their bodies are encased in a hard shell formed from adapted ribs.
They are often classified by their environment—aquatic, semi-aquatic, or terrestrial—and all reproduce by laying eggs.
Their deliberate, calm pace and stoic faces make them endearing companions.
They are also relatively low-maintenance, so it’s common for people to have owned one at some point.
Even as a specialist in poisonous beings, I was no different.
I had raised a number of turtles myself.
Scaly, reptilian, and charming.
Certain breeds can be astonishingly valuable, turning their care into a profitable venture if done correctly.
Some individual turtles can be worth tens of millions of won.
And the one before us was precisely the type I had longed to care for in my past life.
The Big-Headed Turtle.
Indeed, that very species.
It appeared to be a spiritual beast designed after a Big-Headed Turtle, given that the portion of its head visible above the water was nearly a quarter the size of its entire form.
“This is unbelievable. A head that large absolutely confirms it’s a Big-Headed Turtle!”
True to its name, the Big-Headed Turtle is famous for its disproportionately large head.
Its head is so sizable that it cannot be pulled back into its shell. It is an adorable species native to southeastern China and parts of Southeast Asia.
They appear in shades like orange and pink, but in my previous life, they were listed as endangered, making them impossible to legally obtain or import in Korea.
“Today is a complete windfall for Spicy Fabre, isn’t it?”
I had always desired an orange one, but this was beyond orange.
This was the pinnacle of majestic coloring: gold.
I called for Yeondu without delay.
I needed to verify immediately if its entire body was golden.
“Yeondu!”
—Shiaa!
Seeming to grasp my urgency, Yeondu, who had earlier brought Hwa-eun, swiftly coiled around me.
Suddenly, Hwa-eun seized my wrist.
Oh no.
I was about to recklessly rush off again, right after my earlier mishap in front of her, without a single apology.
I braced for a reprimand, but her words were different.
“So-ryong, let me come with you. What if something dangerous occurs again and you fall into the water…”
Perhaps because she is from the Tang Clan, or because she is my destined partner, or simply a woman who adores glittering things—she also wanted to see the golden turtle.
But she seemed to recall assisting me after I fell in the river, and her words faded as her cheeks reddened.
I felt my own face grow warm and gave a quick nod.
“Ah, yes. Of course, Hwa-eun.”
The memory of her helping me change resurfaced, causing a brief pause, but then we both allowed Yeondu to lift us into the air.
We moved toward the spot where Cho was conversing with the golden-headed turtle.
The moon was fuller than the night before, but more clouds filled the sky, creating deeper shadows that aided our discreet travel.
—Tssrrrr.
—Brgrrrrr.
—Tssst.
Flying through the night air, we reached Cho’s side, and the turtle’s slow-blinking eyes shifted to observe Hwa-eun and me.
Cho and the turtle then resumed their discussion.
Had they spoken more after I fell asleep last night?
Unexpectedly, the two appeared to be on good terms. As we approached, Cho hovered near us, her antennae twitching, and made introductions.
—Tssrrrrrr. 『This is my mom and dad.』
—Brgrrr.
The golden turtle blinked slowly in response to Cho’s words.
It seemed to be offering a greeting, so I bowed in return.
“Ah, hello. A pleasure to meet you. I am So-ryong. I’m Cho’s father.”
“N-Nice to meet you.”
“And this is my… well… wife, Hwa-eun. You can consider us a mated pair.”
Would a spiritual beast even comprehend terms like ‘partner’ or ‘wife’?
I began with ‘wife,’ but then simplified it to an animalistic concept—“a pair”—which caused Hwa-eun to stare at me in astonishment.
It wasn’t inaccurate, however, and since I was addressing a turtle, she managed an awkward smile and a nod.
“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”
Then, a stream of bubbles rose from the water.
—Brgrr. Brgr.
As one would expect from a spiritual beast, it seemed to follow human language well. Cho interpreted its low sounds for us.
『—Tssst. Tssrrrr. (It apologizes for the incident yesterday. Its name is Geumdo.)
“Geumdo? It has a name?”
—Tssst. (Yes, Dad.)』
Geumdo—combining the words for “gold” and “island.”
A name that meant “Golden Island” in the most literal sense.
My eyes widened in surprise at the turtle’s introduction.
The name itself was startling, but the mere fact it possessed a name was even more so.
I had met numerous spiritual beasts, but this was the first one to introduce itself with a personal name.
Perhaps wild creatures felt no need for names?
None of the incredible beasts I’d encountered before had their own names.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
The nearest example was Orange, the Ji-yeong Snake, who had pompously bestowed upon himself the title “master of this region.”
—Brgrr.
Perhaps detecting my thoughts, another series of bubbles emerged from the turtle.
Again, Cho provided the translation.
『—Tssrrrt. (When Geumdo was very tiny—no larger than a palm—it was briefly raised by a human. That person gave it this name.
The name was a wish for it to grow as vast as an island. The human was named Tang Hwaseong, and after Geumdo grew larger…)
“Tang Hwaseong!?”
“Cho, did you just say Tang Hwaseong!?”』
Hearing the name “Tang Hwaseong” from Cho, both Hwa-eun and I stared in disbelief.
And for a powerful reason—Tang Hwaseong was that figure.
Hwa-eun’s ancestor. The author of the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures.
That meant this turtle had to be at least two centuries old.
‘Really, just how ancient is this creature?’
Turtles, notorious for their sluggish metabolisms as much as their movement, are reputed to live for hundreds of years. This is why they are venerated in Eastern cultures as emblems of long life.
One type of sea turtle is even named the “Longevity Turtle”—reflecting this very notion.
And since this was a spiritual beast, its lifespan was clearly extended.
‘Just what you’d expect from a turtle.’
Regardless, this provided the ideal foundation for a cordial exchange.
After all, in any society, shared heritage, background, or alma mater are the best conduits for conversation.
‘Oh? You went to XX University? Really? You’re from the Gimhae Kim family? Is that so? You’re related to XX?’
I had been contemplating how to connect with this turtle, but now? The opportunity was perfect.
“What an incredible coincidence! If this Tang Hwaseong truly raised venomous beings, then our meeting feels destined.
This person here, Hwa-eun—she is a direct descendant, let’s say about seven generations removed from Tang Hwaseong.”
Speaking to an elder, I adopted a more respectful tone. Instantly, the turtle’s eyes widened, and more bubbles surfaced.
—Brgrgg?
『—Tssrrr? (It asks, “Is that truly so?”)』
“Yes, my partner is named Tang Hwa-eun. She is of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
I smiled and nodded along with Cho’s translation.
The turtle seemed genuinely happy.
Turtles aren’t known for expressive faces, but its look was undeniably one of delight.
Strangely, I could sense the emotion emanating from it.
—Brgrt.
『—Tssrt! (Sichuan Tang Clan! Correct! A lineal descendant of Tang Hwaseong! That is what it said.)』
Just as anticipated, Cho’s translation confirmed its joy.
I, too, replied with heartfelt warmth.
Everything was unfolding perfectly.
“What a destined meeting! It is an honor. To encounter a living connection to Ancestor Tang Hwaseong in this way…!”
Just as I finished speaking—
Another round of bubbling arose from the depths.
Perhaps due to my extensive time living alongside spiritual beasts, or because my proficiency in Beast Heart Art and Five Poisons Returning to the Origin Art had increased, but I perceived something within those bubbles—an emotion deeper than joy. A tinge of sorrow.
And then, a plea followed.
—Brgrrr. Brgr.
『—Tssrr. Tssstss. (If you are a descendant of Tang Hwaseong, then you are trustworthy—and you must possess great knowledge of spiritual beasts like me.
This is excellent. I have a request. I am unwell at this time… I cannot move or journey. That is what it said!)』
Now that I considered it, we first became aware of Geumdo due to its cry of agony.
A shared history, and now it’s ill?
This was the moment.
The time had come.
Time for what?
Time to secure it for myself.
“Without a doubt. We must assist you. Can you describe precisely where the pain is? I will devise a solution—no matter what it requires—to treat you.”
I declared this with resolve, swearing that I, So-ryong, would cure this turtle. More bubbling ensued.
—Brgrrr, brgr.
『—Tssrt. It says initially its back only itched slightly, but now it cannot move at all.』
“Its back?”
Hwa-eun spoke up after hearing about Geumdo’s back pain.
‘So-ryong… might it be due to old age?’
A reasonable worry—two hundred years is certainly a long time. But Geumdo may not be as elderly as we assumed.
Age is a human measurement.
—Thud.
As I was considering ailments of turtles, an object drifted from upstream—a sizable tree root collided with Geumdo’s head before continuing downstream.
Jolted by the contact, Geumdo flinched, and the abrupt motion churned up the murky waters of the Yellow River.
In that instant, a realization struck me about the source of its suffering.
‘Ah! It must be!’
I quickly instructed Cho.
“Cho, please fetch Bini. Inform Elder Geumdo—Grandfather? Grandmother? It matters not—that we need to climb onto its back for an inspection.”
—Tssrr! Tssrrrrr.
“Yeondu, lower Hwa-eun and me onto its back!”
—Shaaaa.
As if Cho had conveyed our need to examine it, Geumdo began to submerge slightly.
Once we were standing on the shell, I turned to Hwa-eun.
“Hwa-eun, if there is a foul odor beneath this soil, do you think you could detect it?”
“A foul odor? Hmm… it depends on the depth, but I will attempt it.”
As a scion of the Tang Clan with a keen sense of smell, it was feasible. Upon my request, she began to move about, sniffing the ground intently.
By the time Bini arrived, Hwa-eun suddenly started back in alarm.
“S-So-ryong. I believe it is here.”
As I approached her, she was pinching her nose, her face a mask of revulsion. The putrid smell reached me as well, seeping up from below.
I immediately addressed Bini.
“Bini, can you dig here, please? Proceed with caution. If you uncover anything hard, avoid contact with it.”
—Tssrrr!
Bini promptly acknowledged my request and started to dig.
A short time later—
Roughly twenty centimeters below the sandy soil, the turtle’s golden shell started to gleam under the moonlight.
This confirmed that not only its head, but its entire shell was golden.
‘A genuine golden turtle!’
While I was marveling at the brilliant gold carapace, something else drew my attention.
Amid the luminous hexagonal patterns revealed by Bini’s digging, one was completely jet black.
As the afflicted area was exposed, the stench intensified.
As Hwa-eun and Bini drew back from the odor, I leaned in to examine the injury.
“Ugh.”
—Tssrr.
‘Just as I suspected.’
The shell was decomposing and crumbling.
This was Shell Rot—a disease where a turtle’s shell decays.