Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 288

Chapter 288
“Ah, you’re referring to the Immortal of Herbs? My father-in-law has spoken of him.”
“Correct. He is due to arrive this evening—he happens to be my disciple.”
If this was the same Immortal of Herbs my father-in-law often mentioned in the same breath as the Immortal of Medicine, then his skill must be nearly equivalent. At the very least, his credentials seemed impeccable.
Nevertheless, a particular worry nagged at me, so I pressed the Immortal of Medicine for clarification.
“So you believe the treatment requires internal remedies? Decoctions?”
“Indeed. Pills or decoctions would be most effective. In a true emergency, the medicinal acupuncture you suggested could be attempted, but the standard course for pulmonary inflammation is treatment by ingestion. That is the conventional method.”
I wasn’t completely certain, but it was true that in my past life, pneumonia was also treated with antibiotics, administered either orally or through injection.
My primary concern, however, was whether Elder Geumdo was physically capable of consuming anything.
Given that most spirit beasts do not partake of ordinary food, it seemed critical to verify if Elder Geumdo could actually swallow medicine or sustenance.
Spirit beasts, after all, typically do not eat.
When the biological mother of Cho, Hyang, and Bini left them in my care, she mentioned they might eat, but also that it was unnecessary if they did not.
They subsist on Qi.
That is why Cho, Hyang, and Bini—like the vast majority of spirit beasts—do not consume physical food.
The simplest solution was to ask him directly.
“One moment, Elder. Since most spirit beasts do not eat, I must confirm if he can ingest medicine.”
“He does not eat?”
“No. They draw nourishment directly from the energy of the natural world.”
“Hoho…”
The Immortal of Medicine gazed at the children with newfound wonder upon learning they sustained themselves purely on Qi, while I made a request of them.
“Could one of you go ask Elder Geumdo if he is able to eat grass or herbs?”
—Chrrr!
At my words, Hyang chirped an immediate reply, then shot through the bamboo grove and scurried off in the direction of Elder Geumdo’s head.
A short time later, Bini’s voice resonated inside my mind.
『“—Chrrt! (Dad, he says he does eat! He eats grass and even rocks!)”
“Rocks? Perhaps for minerals? To fortify his shell? Understood. Thank you, Hyang.”』
Relieved by the answer, I responded with a brightened expression.
“Excellent news—he confirms he can consume things.”
“Hoho, that is most fortunate. Incidentally, you are able to converse with spirit beasts?”
“Ah, yes. I raised these three from a very young age. For other spirit beasts, I communicate through them.”
“It is remarkable that you comprehend the language of spirit beasts.”
Hearing of my ability, the Immortal of Medicine regarded me with open curiosity.
Just then, Hwa-eun’s voice interjected.
“You mentioned you had arranged a meeting with the Immortal of Herbs?”
In response to Hwa-eun’s question, the Immortal of Medicine gave a nod.
“Yes, Hwa-eun. I was journeying to a small village in Unghyeon, within Hebei. I received word that the entire settlement is afflicted by anemia.”
“Unghyeon in Hebei?”
Hwa-eun looked my way, her attention caught by the name.
Her gaze, combined with the Immortal of Medicine’s answer, suddenly triggered a memory I had entirely forgotten.
A report from that scoundrel Lee Tae of the River Patrol Gang, one of my subordinates.
He had gathered some intelligence and presented it to me, but I’d dismissed it as trivial and disregarded it.
*‘First, there are rumors from a small village in Unghyeon, Hebei, where the entire population suffers from anemia. Also, near Mount Tai on the Yellow River, a rock occasionally breaks the water’s surface.’*
As Lee Tae’s report replayed in my mind, I understood the significance of the detail about the Yellow River.
That rock emerging from the water was almost certainly a reference to Elder Geumdo.
It wasn’t a sandy island, but a rock—likely the moss-covered crown of Elder Geumdo’s head.
Even spirit beasts must surface to breathe occasionally, regardless of their capacity to hold their breath.
This meant Lee Tae’s report had been accurate after all.
I now felt a strong compulsion to visit that village in Unghyeon.
*‘We absolutely must go there.’*
When Lee Tae first mentioned it, it seemed unimportant, but now I couldn’t shake the feeling that another spirit beast might be involved.
If Elder Geumdo was that “rock,” then other locations with strange phenomena might also conceal something significant.
I smiled warmly and said:
“This aligns perfectly. We already intended to travel to Unghyeon. Once we have treated Elder Geumdo, we can all journey there together.”
“Oh, truly? Splendid! Two old men traveling by themselves would have been dreary. And this way, I get to enjoy Hwa-eun’s company a while longer.”
The Immortal of Medicine was visibly delighted by my suggestion.
At that precise moment, Hwa-eun’s mental voice and Sister Seol’s sound transmission simultaneously reached my mind and ears.
*‘So-ryong, since when did we plan to go to Unghyeon?’*
[Ryong, are we heading there? What about Young Master Peng’s residence?]
Well, of course they were unaware—I had only just decided it myself.
*‘Let’s not get caught up on the minor details.’*
***
We departed from Elder Geumdo’s island and made our way to the inn where the Immortal of Medicine was lodging.
We needed to meet the Immortal of Herbs.
His arrival was expected around evening, so we settled at the inn to await him.
“That scamp Habokja will likely be overjoyed to see Hwa-eun.”
“Habokja?”
“That is the name of the Immortal of Herbs.”
“I understand.”
It turned out the Immortal of Medicine’s deep affection for Hwa-eun stemmed from the fact that he, my father-in-law, and the Immortal of Herbs had all been part of an informal medical society in their younger days.
The most accomplished healers in the Central Plains had formed a circle to share knowledge, and its members were my father-in-law, the Immortal of Medicine, and the Immortal of Herbs.
The Immortal of Medicine and the Immortal of Herbs traveled the land treating the sick, so they rarely stayed in one place, even if they had a home base. Every few years, they would reunite at the Tang Clan estate. Since Hwa-eun had visited the Tang Clan since childhood, the Immortal of Medicine had come to see her as a genuine granddaughter—or so Hwa-eun explained.
“Speaking of which, So-ryong.”
“Yes, Elder?”
After suggesting I speak informally since he considered Hwa-eun a granddaughter, the Immortal of Medicine began treating me like a grandson as well.
But then he said something puzzling.
“Habokja may be somewhat… cool toward you. If that occurs, I hope you will not be offended.”
“Toward me?”
*‘But we’ve never even met?’*
I blinked in confusion, but the Immortal of Medicine only chuckled.
“He declared he would scrutinize the man who ended up with Hwa-eun, since she is like a granddaughter to him. Vowed to inspect you meticulously. The audacity, really.
Who does he think he is? What gives him the right? Tsk.”
『“The Immortal of Herbs is actually even more fond of me than the Immortal of Medicine is.”
“Ah, I think I understand.”』
Now that I considered it, Hwa-eun always addressed the Immortal of Medicine formally as ‘Elder,’ but referred to the Immortal of Herbs as ‘Grandfather.’
So she herself felt a closer bond with the Immortal of Herbs.
The situation became clear.
This felt like preparing to meet a protective relative from her side of the family, where I needed to present myself well.
*‘I must be exceptionally careful not to give him any cause to disapprove of me.’*
Just as I was resolving to be on my best behavior around Hwa-eun’s loved ones, the Immortal of Medicine, who had just been criticizing his own disciple, grinned mischievously and said:
“But So-ryong, could you perhaps play the same trick on my disciple that you did on me?”
“The same trick?”
“Yes. You know—offer no explanation, leave him utterly bewildered. That sort of thing.”
Not wanting to be the only one subjected to such a prank, he now wanted me to do the same to the Immortal of Herbs.
I could only stare at him in astonishment.
He had just accused his disciple of immaturity… and here he was proposing his own childish scheme.
*‘Is this what the dynamic between martial brothers is like? Still, if he’s already predisposed to think poorly of me, wouldn’t aiding in this only worsen his opinion?’*
I couldn’t outright refuse the Immortal of Medicine, but it was unlikely the Immortal of Herbs would abandon a patient out of pique.
Even so, I began to worry this plan would only make him dislike me more.
“He already stated he wouldn’t think well of me—won’t this simply aggravate the situation?”
My logic seemed sound, as the Immortal of Medicine nodded and said:
“In that case, just remain silent.”
***
“This is wearying. Brother, perhaps we should reduce these excursions. I am not as young as I once was, you know? Hm? Oh—it seems we have visitors.”
We were upstairs at the inn, sharing a meal and conversation over several dishes, when an elderly man with a distinctly severe demeanor entered the establishment around dusk.
Where the Immortal of Medicine presented the image of a gentle, white-haired elder, the Immortal of Herbs possessed neatly styled black hair with white temples and a sharp, austere countenance.
His hair was smoothed back with oil, and his attire was so perfectly ordered he reminded me of a corporate executive from my previous life—a man of precision and exactness.
“Who on earth are you dining with? Wha—Hwa-eun?!”
“Hello, Grandfather Yakseon.”
The Immortal of Herbs had entered looking weary as he noticed the Immortal of Medicine, but when Hwa-eun—who had her back to the door—turned and greeted him, his eyes flew open in shock.
“Why, what brings my dear Hwa-eun all the way out here from the Tang Clan?!”
His stern expression dissolved the moment he saw her, softening into a look of deep, almost doting affection.
“I was passing through on business and heard you were here, Elder, so I came to find you.”
“Oh-ho! What a delightful surprise to encounter you in a place like this! How is your father?”
“He is in excellent health, of course, Grandfather Yakseon. Oh—there is someone I’d like you to meet.”
“Someone to meet?”
At the mention of an introduction, the Immortal of Herbs turned his head and fixed his gaze directly on me.
Smiling, Hwa-eun made the introduction.
“Yes, this is my fiancé, So-ryong. So-ryong, please greet him. This is Grandfather Yakseon. He is very special to me.”
“It is an honor to meet you. I am So-ryong of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.”
“Ah, So-ryong, is it? You’re the one who is known to keep insects, correct?”
His eyes swept over me from head to toe as if conducting a thorough inspection.
He then took a seat, crossed his arms, and continued to stare at me.
“Ahem.”
Doesn’t psychology suggest that crossing one’s arms upon meeting someone indicates a defensive, closed-off attitude?
Just as the Immortal of Medicine had predicted, he did not seem well-disposed toward me.
Nevertheless, a polite demeanor is hard to rebuff, so I managed a somewhat strained smile—at which his head snapped away.
“Ahem!”
He then turned to look at his martial brother, the Immortal of Medicine.
“So, what were you two discussing?”
“Oh, we were speaking of a patient that Hwa-eun located.”
“A patient Hwa-eun located?”
So much for remaining uninvolved—the Immortal of Medicine was now attributing the discovery of Elder Geumdo to Hwa-eun.
The Immortal of Medicine scratched his head with a slightly abashed expression.
“Yes, I examined the case, but I fear it is beyond my capabilities.”
“Beyond your capabilities, Brother?”
“That is correct. My expertise lies primarily in acupuncture and moxibustion, and the patient is suffering from pulmonary inflammation.”
At this, the corners of the Immortal of Herbs’ mouth lifted in a faint, smug smirk.
“Ah, pulmonary inflammation. Really, Brother. To be unable to treat something so straightforward…”
Their tone hinted at a longstanding rivalry, and the Immortal of Herbs seemed openly pleased that the Immortal of Medicine had conceded defeat.
“The patient’s physique is exceptionally large, and the infection and pus have spread extensively within the lungs…”
“Size is irrelevant. A single pill can remedy it. Hwa-eun, do not fret—Grandfather will handle it. Have I not always said internal medicine is the superior path?”
We finished our meal hastily and returned to the harbor to board the boat once more.
Whether driven by professional duty or a competitive desire to surpass his martial brother, he barely finished eating before urging us to proceed directly to the patient.
“The patient is on that island?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Then this old man will demonstrate his skill for Hwa-eun.”
As he said this, the Immortal of Medicine was visibly fighting back laughter.
Soon, we arrived at the bamboo structure.
“There. That is the patient. A giant turtle.”
When I revealed the wound to him, he looked back and forth between the massive injury and the Immortal of Medicine with a completely confounded expression.
He then turned to Hwa-eun and spoke in a halting, uncomfortable tone.
“Hwa-eun, well… you see…”
His voice was filled with uncertainty.
***
After laughing heartily for some time, the Immortal of Medicine relayed the entire story—and somehow, I found myself being the one reprimanded.
“You scoundrel! Why didn’t you offer me a clue? You just sat there observing! I knew my first impression of you was correct.”
Abruptly, it seemed as if every problem in the world was somehow my fault.
As I stared back, completely perplexed—
“Cho? Hyang? Bini? Where have they wandered off to now? We have a visitor—come and greet him.”
Hwa-eun called for the children to come out and welcome our guest.
And just as before, the three youngsters erupted from the sand.
—Chrrr!
—Chrrt!
—Chrrrrr!
“Whaaa—?! O-O-gong!? A-A spirit beast!?”
For a moment, I thought he was jesting again, but the instant the children appeared, the Immortal of Herbs’ eyes bulged in sheer astonishment.
“Do not be alarmed, Grandfather. These are the children So-ryong raised himself. They are spirit beasts, but they comprehend human speech, and I consider them my own daughters.”
At Hwa-eun’s soothing explanation, the Immortal of Herbs stared at me, utterly shocked.
Then, regaining his poise, he suddenly spoke in a tone that was unexpectedly cordial.
“So, you are So-ryong, was it? Did I happen to mention that I took a liking to you the instant I saw you?”
*‘What in the world…?’*
It was a complete reversal.