Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 284

Chapter 284
Seemingly unable to believe I was pointing toward the landmass, Geum Gi-ryung blinked in confusion and inquired,
“That… out there?”
“What else? The island.”
I gave a wide grin as I replied, and Geum Gi-ryung’s baffled expression transformed into one of sheer astonishment.
“Y-You mean to tell me… you can get rid of that? The whole island!?”
His widened eyes and trembling voice were saturated with incredulity.
“Naturally.”
“But… how?”
Geum Gi-ryung’s gaze darted repeatedly from my face to the distant island and back again.
Suddenly, as if a realization had dawned, he surged forward, his demeanor intense and eager.
“H-How long? How long will it require!?”
With the fervent look and tone he was using, had I been a woman, he might have dropped to one knee right then.
A little taken aback by his forceful enthusiasm, I feigned deep thought.
I had already worked out the timeline long before.
“Let me consider…”
Reptiles, such as turtles, rarely exhibit clear symptoms when ill.
They will often remain motionless and then perish unexpectedly.
This is why novice turtle owners frequently lament, “It was just sunbathing, and then it passed away.”
Turtles instinctively seek warmth when feeling unwell, yet this very act can sometimes be their end.
Consequently, detecting sickness in a turtle is notoriously difficult.
However, the ability to communicate with them alters everything.
Based on what Cho had relayed the previous day, Elder Geumdo was certainly frail, but his condition was not yet critical.
This implied that by cleansing the afflicted region and administering treatment, his recovery could be swifter than anticipated. Creatures of the wild often possess remarkable regenerative powers.
Thus, my most conservative estimate was a fortnight.
“Well… circumstances may vary, but I would say within fifteen days?”
“Fifteen days!”
Geum Gi-ryung was visibly stunned once more by my response.
Seeing that he was now thoroughly convinced, I continued in an offhand manner—this was the crucial part.
“However, I will require some specific items. The quicker they are assembled, the faster we can conclude…”
I alluded to my needs, and Geum Gi-ryung instantly took the bait.
“W-Whatever you need, just name it!”
‘He’s committed.’
Now fully engaged, Geum Gi-ryung watched me with eager anticipation. I smiled.
“First, I need a simple bamboo shelter constructed on that island. Nothing elaborate—just a basic structure with no floor.
I will also need a supply of certain medicinal herbs…”
This was my strategy.
First, erect a light, open-bottomed bamboo framework large enough to encompass the injured section.
No deep-set posts or permanent attachments—essentially a portable canopy.
Having witnessed warriors from the Beast Palace assemble such a thing in mere hours, I knew it was feasible here.
Once prepared, I could treat the turtle concealed within.
This would prevent any suspicion arising from the sounds of scraping the shell.
And, as it wouldn’t be fixed in place, we could reposition it for sunlight as necessary.
At this, Geum Gi-ryung stared at me, utterly perplexed, clearly wondering how a simple hut and some plants could possibly make an island vanish.
I understood his skepticism—such claims verged on mystical alchemy, even in this day and age.
“Pardon? A bamboo shelter and herbs? Is that truly all?”
“Yes, that will suffice.”
I replied with assurance, but his doubtful expression remained—likely because this sounded far less direct than the weevil solution. He paused, then ventured cautiously,
“Sir So, might you… elaborate on the precise technique you intend to employ?”
“You wish to know the method?”
This wasn’t a proprietary secret I planned to reuse like the weevil trick, but the request did strike me as somewhat intrusive.
Then he explained his reasoning—and it was a windfall.
“I assure you, I do not mean to doubt you or appropriate your knowledge. It is simply that… if you can indeed clear the island, the recompense is beyond my means alone.
To convince the other merchants to contribute, I will need to provide them with an explanation…”
“What are you implying?”
“You see… this port…”
Geum Gi-ryung elaborated: the port served as the economic heart of the entire town.
It employed numerous dockworkers. Multitudes of merchants relied upon it.
It linked to the Yellow River, which flowed into the Grand Canal and onward to the Yangtze. Every import and export moved through this hub. The town’s prosperity was inextricably tied to the harbor.
Therefore, if I removed the obstructive island, the payment would not be his sole responsibility. Beyond the general laborers and minor shopkeepers, the major merchants would all need to pool their resources.
Initially, I had only intended to secure a modest reward from him alone.
But now… the potential was immense.
Dozens of merchants operated here.
‘No wonder it’s called a Golden Turtle!’
Turtles symbolize longevity, and in my previous life, golden turtle trinkets were common in jewelry stores.
So they represent not just a long life, but also prosperity and fortune.
And at this moment? It felt like I had stumbled upon a legendary treasure.
Yet, a significant concern lingered.
Knowledge of Elder Geumdo’s true nature as a golden turtle needed to remain restricted.
If it became common knowledge, a frenzy would ensue with people desperate to claim pieces of his shell.
‘A dilemma… This is problematic.’
When forced to choose between immediate wealth and a spiritual beast—the choice was clear.
Money could always be acquired later.
But a spiritual beast of this caliber? That was an opportunity that might never come again.
As I wavered, Hwa-eun’s voice resonated in my thoughts.
‘So-ryong, you’re deliberating whether to disclose the truth about Geumdo, correct?’
‘Yes. It seems unwise to let the knowledge spread.’
‘I agree. We should confide only in Geum Gi-ryung and allow him to manage the discussions with the others.
We must keep our own involvement completely hidden.
And we must impress upon him that this concerns the Tang Clan’s secret martial arts—a matter of utmost confidentiality.
He will comprehend. Everyone knows the grave consequences of leaking a martial clan’s secrets.’
Her proposal was sound:
Only tell Geum Gi-ryung. Let him negotiate the terms.
State that Elder Geumdo’s situation is tied to the Tang Clan’s clandestine techniques, and disclosure is forbidden.
Clan secrets are guarded with one’s very life.
Given the circumstances, Hwa-eun’s plan was optimal.
I nodded in agreement and turned to Geum Gi-ryung.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
“Very well. I will provide a full explanation. Can you return here at midnight tonight?”
“Midnight?”
“Indeed.”
“I see… Understood, Sir So.”
Although visibly puzzled by the late-hour meeting, the prospect of removing the island was too compelling. He agreed without further argument.
Throughout the day, I wandered through Tai’an with Hwa-eun and Lady Seol, taking in the town’s atmosphere. We retired at evening, and as the temple bell tolled the arrival of midnight, Geum Gi-ryung’s voice sounded from outside.
Deng. Deng.
Ever punctual.
“Sir So, it is I, Geum Gi-ryung.”
“Enter.”
The door opened to admit him.
The instant he was inside, I asked without preamble—
We Koreans value swiftness, after all.
“Master Geum, are you bothered by high places?”
“Heights? No, not particularly.”
He seemed briefly confused by the abrupt question, but confirmed he had no notable fear of heights.
In this time, how many ordinary men had ever been elevated? Still, since he claimed it was fine, I nodded.
And promptly summoned Yeondu.
“Yeondu.”
—Shaaa!
Yeondu, who had been waiting by the window alongside Cho, slid forward immediately.
I decided Yeondu would be responsible for transporting Geum Gi-ryung.
Cho would certainly refuse such a task.
“Yeondu, can you take Master Geum into the sky?”
—Shaaa!
“F-Fly?”
At the word ‘fly’, Geum Gi-ryung’s voice shot up in alarm. But Yeondu signaled assent, and I swiftly instructed him,
“Master Geum, this being will encircle you. Do not be alarmed—simply remain calm and offer no resistance. Cho, to me.”
“E-Encircle me?!”
—Tssrrr.
Upon my order, Cho promptly wound himself around me.
Even before I finished speaking, Yeondu glided over and coiled his form around Geum Gi-ryung.
“Hiiieeek!”
Geum Gi-ryung released a shrill yelp as Yeondu secured him, but I offered a calming smile.
“It is alright. Just let your body go limp.”
“U-Um, pardon, this is…”
His voice was strained and mechanical. I observed him—standing rigid with outstretched arms, eyes squeezed shut.
I relayed the plan Hwa-eun and I had settled on earlier.
“What follows pertains to the Tang Clan’s martial techniques. You must vow absolute secrecy. Is that clear?”
“Y-Yes, perfectly clear.”
Though startled and with eyes still shut, the mention of the Tang Clan’s martial arts made Geum Gi-ryung’s eyes snap open. He nodded with grave seriousness.
“Let’s depart, Cho. Yeondu.”
—Tssrrr.
—Shaaaa.
At my signal, Cho and Yeondu ascended effortlessly into the night sky, accompanied by Geum Gi-ryung’s gasp of shock.
“What? Uwahhh—”
“Please maintain silence.”
Suspended in the air, legs kicking, Geum Gi-ryung instantly clamped his hands over his mouth at my instruction.
As Cho and Yeondu carried us serenely over the dark currents of the Yellow River, I began to speak.
“What you witness now must never be spoken of. Even when you convince the other merchants regarding the island, you cannot mention it.
I would not ordinarily reveal this—but I place my trust in you, Master Geum.”
“V-Very well.”
We arrived at the island and descended near the place where Elder Geumdo’s head emerged.
“Cho, summon Elder Geumdo.”
—Tssrrr! Tssrr!
—SHAAAAA.
Cho emitted a series of clicking calls, and with a great surge of water, that enormous head broke the surface.
“W-What in heaven’s name is that!?”
Geum Gi-ryung’s eyes bulged to such an extent I feared they might leave their sockets.
***
After I clarified that the immense turtle was stranded due to sickness—and would certainly perish there if not treated—Geum Gi-ryung mobilized with remarkable speed.
He assembled a crew of dozens to start building the bamboo shelter immediately and pledged to acquire the necessary prepared herbal medicine from an apothecary in Tai’an.
He also took it upon himself to broker the deal with the other merchants directly.
While the shelter was being erected, we opted to first visit the granary.
Today was the day we inspected the outcome of the weevil eradication.
“You have arrived, Young Master?”
“Yes, Steward Ha. Shall we proceed?”
“Of course. Break the seals!”
“At once, Steward!”
Rrrrip.
Following his order, laborers ripped off the paper seals that had been affixed to the doors for three days.
Creaaaak.
The dry wooden doors groaned open—and instantly, a potent wave of alcohol vapor washed over us.
The scent of evaporated spirits was intense.
“We should allow the fumes to dissipate slightly before entering.”
“As you say, Sir.”
After a short wait, we ventured inside. The sharp, alcoholic odor still permeated the air.
Navigating through the potent smell, we approached the grain containers. It was evident that close to a quarter of the liquor had evaporated.
I gathered a sample of grain from the floor—and just as anticipated, the pests had been utterly destroyed.
“Incredible! The rice weevils are all deceased!”
“The barley moths and flour moths are also completely eradicated!”
“How could mere liquor accomplish this!?”
“Astounding, Sir So.”
Both Steward Ha and Geum Gi-ryung wore expressions of awe and gratification.
However, since the process was not entirely finished, I detailed the next steps.
“The extermination is not yet complete.”
“Not complete? But you stated three days would be sufficient.”
I had said all living insects would die in three days—but that applied only to the mature adults.
Eggs deposited deep within the grains might still be dormant.
“The deceased insects were the mature adults, those active and crawling.
But their eggs—concealed inside the individual grains—may yet hatch.
For rice weevils, in this climate, eggs take five days to hatch, the larval stage lasts twenty days, and the pupal stage five more before adulthood.
That is a cycle of nearly one full month.
Furthermore, upon reaching maturity, they begin laying eggs again after only three days.
Therefore—by airing out the storage for two days, then resealing it for another two, and repeating this process for a full month, you will achieve a complete and final eradication.”
This was the method for ensuring total elimination.
A ten-day process often sufficed—but since I was being compensated, I provided the most comprehensive instructions.
Geum Gi-ryung seemed profoundly impressed.
“To imagine such a meticulous process exists…
I comprehend fully now. My gratitude, Sir So. A great weight has been lifted!”
One task was successfully concluded.
Now, it was time to address the second.
“Well then, shall we attend to our other concern this evening?”
The bamboo shelter was due for completion today, and the herbal medicine was prepared.
It was time for Spicy Fabre the veterinarian to commence his work.