Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 283

Chapter 283
Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter, adhering to all your specified requirements.

***

This ailment, often called turtle shell rot, is a frequent occurrence among fish and various water-dwelling creatures.
It is widely known as a water mold infection, where fungal spores take root in wounds or areas damaged by parasites, leading to fungal developments. The exact type of fungus can differ, but when it infects turtles, the condition is specifically named Shell Rot.
It is a compound term: Shell for the protective casing, and Rot for the process of decomposition.
The name is quite descriptive.
In fish, the sickness appears as a fuzzy mold or obvious infection on the skin, but for turtles, it results in the actual decay of their shell.
The symptoms are diverse. Sometimes the whole surface of the top or bottom shell becomes thinly coated with a whitish, rotting film. In more advanced instances—such as with Elder Geumdo—specific sections rot profoundly inward.
Elder Geumdo mentioned a stinging sensation on his back before becoming immobile, indicating the decay had reached a significant depth.
It likely began on the shell’s surface and worked its way deep, possibly even reaching his internal organs.
As I assessed the severity of the injury, Hwa-eun came closer, pinching her nose, and inquired,
“So-ryong, do you recognize this illness?”
“I do. This is shell rot disease—specifically for turtles.”
“This smell… it’s truly from something rotting, isn’t it?”
“You are correct, Hwa-eun.”
“Is a cure possible?”
I gave a firm nod.
Left untreated, Elder Geumdo would have surely died. But with Spicy Fabre present, it was akin to having the finest physician in all the Central Plains on hand.
I had handled this very condition numerous times in my previous life.
‘Elder, you will easily live for another century or two.’
“Absolutely. We will excavate the decayed portion, cleanse the area with medicinal wash, and allow you to bask in the sun.”
“Excavate it?”
Hwa-eun’s eyes grew wide with surprise.
This was likely due to the era’s lack of modern medical procedures. I clarified:
“Yes. The shell itself cannot feel pain, so it is optimal to take out the rotten parts. Leaving them be will only let the decay spread further through the body.
Since neglecting it could be lethal, removal is undoubtedly the wiser course.
Furthermore, the shell will regenerate, so you need not be concerned.”
While fatal if ignored, shell rot is not a difficult thing to treat.
This case appeared severe, but if we excised the diseased tissue, applied a thorough disinfection, and ensured adequate food and sunlight, a full recovery was certain.
Given his nature as a spiritual beast, food was unnecessary—disinfection and sunlight would suffice.
“Also, I will require your assistance, Hwa-eun.”
“My help?”
“Yes.”
We had to be careful in selecting an appropriate disinfectant.
Normally, antifungal solutions or povidone-iodine are employed to address shell rot.
Povidone-iodine is particularly crucial for sterilization.
It is a common and reliable choice, and while one might consider alcohol as a replacement—it must never be used inside the body.
Turtles are incapable of processing alcohol. Internal use could potentially be fatal.
Therefore, without access to povidone-iodine, we required an alternative herbal disinfectant—and I was relying on Hwa-eun’s specialized knowledge of toxins and healing plants.
She would know of something effective.
“Are you familiar with any herbs used to address pus or swelling? The infection has surely reached the inner flesh, and we will need to flush it out with a medicinal solution.”
Seizing the moment, I posed the question. After a brief pause to think, Hwa-eun responded:
“For pus and swelling? We might use dandelion and fish mint.”
“I know of fish mint. What is dandelion?”
“It is a common plant found in fields and on mountains. It bears white or yellow blossoms, and when it goes to seed, you can blow on it to scatter the fluffy seeds into the air.”
“Ah, that plant is called dandelion!”
So Hwa-eun was suggesting dandelion and fish mint.
Ideal. We could either boil them to create a cleansing wash or crush them to extract a juice for direct application.
“Then we will remove the rotten section and irrigate the internal flesh with a decoction made from dandelion and fish mint.”
“What a relief. I am so thankful it can be healed. This being carries the heritage of my ancestor—or perhaps I should address him as Elder?”
Hwa-eun’s face shone with relief as I detailed the treatment.
However, while treating the shell rot itself was straightforward, the subsequent challenge was greater.
“But the treatment is the simple part. The complication lies in what follows.”
“What do you mean?”
“I will explain as we speak with Elder Geumdo. Cho, Yeondu.”
As Hwa-eun looked on, puzzled, I summoned Cho and Yeondu to carry us back to where Elder Geumdo’s head rested.
When we arrived and Cho called out to him, Elder Geumdo’s anxious voice emerged at once.
—Brgrrr.
『—Tssrr! (Well? Is a cure possible?)』
Cho, performing his role as elder interpreter perfectly, even adopted a venerable tone.
It was endearing—I nearly chuckled. But I quickly composed myself and spoke with the full gravity of a physician consulting his patient.
“Yes. It can most certainly be cured.”
—Brgrt!
『—Tssrrrt! (Truly!? What a weight off my shell!)』
Elder Geumdo was visibly elated.
Naturally he would be—he must have believed he was facing death, only to be offered a chance at life.
But now arrived the actual problem.
‘The difficult part is next.’
“However, even once you are healed, I still have concerns.”
—Brgrt?
『—Tssrt? (Concerns? Regarding what?)』
“Because the true danger of this illness emerges after the treatment. If the surrounding conditions remain unchanged, it could recur.”
—Brgtt!
『—Tssrrr! (It could return!?)』
In the dim light, Elder Geumdo’s golden eyes opened very wide.
He was unmistakably alarmed.
For turtles, the primary triggers for shell rot are stress, insufficient sunlight, and poor water conditions—all factors that weaken their natural defenses and permit mold to grow in injuries.
Considering his circumstances, Elder Geumdo probably developed the condition due to a lack of sunlight and contaminated water.
A back submerged in sand and the silt-filled waters of the Yellow River.
A dreadful living situation for a turtle.
Many assume turtles are so tolerant and resilient that they can live anywhere, but the quality of their water is vitally important.
Therefore, even after we treat the disease, a return to the same environment would make a relapse highly likely.
“Yes.”
—Brgrrrrr.
『—Tssrrrt. Then what am I to do!?』
At Elder Geumdo’s question, I gazed down at the turbid river flowing below us.
“First, you must relocate. The Yellow River is not a suitable home for a turtle. And all this sand piled on your back—it must be cleared away.”
—Brgrt? Brgrrrrr.
『—Tssrrrt. (What? Move? And take off all this sand as well?)』
Cho’s voice mirrored the elder’s astonishment.
It was clear Elder Geumdo was taken aback.
And then came the explanation—the reason Elder Geumdo had remained here and burdened himself with so much sand on his back.
—Brgrr. Brgrt.
『—Tssrt. Tssrrtssrr. (As I increased in size, people continually saw me. They attempted to catch me, to tear my shell from me, so I was forced to only emerge from the water under cover of darkness.)』
So Elder Geumdo had traveled about, steering clear of human settlements, until he eventually discovered this muddy riverbank and chose to reside here.
The murky water hid him from view. He had heaped sand upon his shell for further camouflage against human detection.
If the Tang Clan had set him free, he would have been in the Yangtze River… So how had Elder Geumdo come to be here, in the Yellow River? Now I comprehended.
Given his appearance, it was hardly a shock.
A golden turtle—the sight would drive anyone to madness.
Even if it were not genuine gold, the shell of an ancient golden turtle would be considered a miraculous cure by all.
I nodded and spoke with a trustworthy and earnest demeanor.
“Elder Geumdo, if you are amenable, would you consider coming with me? I will, of course, provide treatment, but you will also require convalescent care afterward. You will need a pristine place to recover, and aid in maintaining your health and your considerable size.
I have no ulterior motives.”
And in truth—I did not.
I held no selfish agenda in asking Elder Geumdo to join me.
I solely desired his recuperation.
This was entirely for the sake of the patient’s health and the elder’s welfare.
Elder Geumdo blinked his large eyes once as he regarded me, and then he spoke.
—Brgrr-brgr.
『—Tssrrrt. (If you would truly do that for me, I would be in your debt… but might I ask one single thing of you?)』
“A thing?”
At the unexpected mention of a request, I became more attentive and listened closely.
A golden turtle making a request? That was unusual enough to be intriguing.
‘What could he ask for? I find myself anticipating this.’
As I waited, full of expectation, Elder Geumdo gave a slow nod and said, with a tone of slight apprehension:
—Brgrr…
『—Tssrrr. (It is only… your eyes remind me of Hwaseong from long ago, and I felt compelled to ask—you are not intending to rub your face against my shell, are you? It truly makes my skin crawl… Provided you do not do that…)』
‘What!?’
My eyes flew open.
That was precisely the first thing I had intended to do upon his agreement to accompany us, and now it was expressly forbidden!
Tang Hwaseong… what a vexing individual.
He had his amusement, and gave no thought to those who would follow!
‘Absolutely no consideration for his descendants!’
***

With Elder Geumdo’s agreement to join our group, the approach of dawn became a concern.
As people were starting to awaken, I made haste back to the inn.
We had temporarily concealed the wound with earth.
“So-ryong, do you recall the formal name for Elder Geumdo?”
Back in our room, Hwa-eun posed this question while looking out the window.
“Naturally. I committed that section of the Twenty-Four Venom Beasts registry to memory recently. He is designated the Millennium Golden Turtle, correct?”
“Correct.”
His official title was the Millennium Golden Turtle.
One of the Twenty-Four Venom Beasts, occupying the Yellow position among the elemental symbols.
It is said to begin life the size of a fist and mature to the dimensions of an island—based on his present size, this was undoubtedly his fully matured form.
And with this, my Heaven-Earth-Black-Yellow grouping within the Twenty-Four Venom Beasts was now finished.
Heaven: Flying Heavenly Gentleman
Earth: Earth-Swimming Divine Serpent
Black: Silent Black Noble
Yellow: Millennium Golden Turtle
That brought the total collected to four.
‘Heh… does this count as a completed set?’
It had the feeling of checking off a box on a list of accomplishments.
With an inner smile of pride, I stated,
“We must start the treatment at first light tomorrow. He cannot move, so we must act quickly.”
I needed to examine the wound directly, but since he was immobilized, there was no time to lose.
At this, however, Hwa-eun’s expression became troubled.
“But So-ryong… if we treat him at night, what if we are discovered?
Scraping at his shell will create noise, and if his golden body is revealed, it might start a riot…”
She was right. If Elder Geumdo’s gleaming golden form became visible, the villagers would descend upon us like a swarm of insects.
All for an opportunity to seize a piece of what appeared to be gold.
Whether it was authentic gold or not was irrelevant.
Therefore, we required assistance.
Someone who could provide the necessary supplies—tools, herbs—and would not pose too many questions.
Someone who would, in fact, be grateful and even offer payment for the chance to be of service.
“I have a notion about that.”
Ding.
I tugged on the cord in the room, and a small bell rang.
When a servant appeared and asked my needs, I smiled and said,
“This is a pressing matter. Could you please fetch the Gold Guildmaster? Simply inform him it is extremely urgent.”
“Huh? At once!”
The servant, not grasping the situation but hearing the word “urgent,” hurried away.
A short time later, the Gold Guildmaster himself rushed into the room ahead of the servant, breathless.
He did not seem to have been roused from sleep, so he must have already been awake—but he appeared genuinely startled by the emergency summons.
“Y-Young Master So! What has occurred? You said it was urgent? Ah—but you have recovered?”
In response to his question, I smiled and motioned for him to approach the window.
Then I pointed through the window—toward Elder Geumdo, the island of sand—and asked,
“If I were to make that disappear, what sum would you offer me?”
Truthfully, when I considered it, this was a perfect opportunity:
Treat the Millennium Golden Turtle—
And generate a profit simultaneously.