Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 291

Chapter 291
For several days now, an odd piece of gossip had been making the rounds in Taean.
Whispers claimed that someone intended to take away the island that had mysteriously surfaced in the river’s center.
What manner of madness was this?
That was the initial reaction from nearly everyone who heard it.
The idea was utterly preposterous.
How could anyone possibly make an island vanish?
Consequently, most people wrote it off as foolish talk at first.
However, they then recalled that the renowned Geumjeok Merchant Guild had constructed a bamboo framework on that very island and had even stationed guards to regulate who could approach. This memory shifted their doubt into a more active suspicion.
Suspicion?
The leader of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild was known far and wide for his penny-pinching ways.
Would a man like that freely spend coin to erect a bamboo structure on an island?
Then, talk began to circulate that a specific date had been set for the island’s disappearance, transforming that suspicion into firm belief.
‘The island will be gone in eight days!’
This precise rumor, that the island would vanish within an eight-day span, swept through the marketplace of Taean with incredible speed.
One after another, the citizens of Taean started gathering by the riverbank, hoping to see for themselves how an island could simply disappear.
In the days that followed, a soft light was sometimes seen emanating from the bamboo structure on the island, and the silhouettes of people were occasionally spotted—but beyond that, nothing seemed different.
A few individuals, their curiosity getting the better of them, tried to take boats out for a closer look, but they were always turned back by guards and martial artists from the Geumjeok Merchant Guild.
Then, it occurred.
With three days left until the eighth day.
Though many had retired for the night, a good number of people were still lounging on mats, keeping their eyes on the river.
“Hm? Is that fog?”
At that utterance, the sleepy onlookers turned their gaze toward the water—and saw a thick, sluggish mist beginning to billow from the river’s heart, enveloping everything in its path.
“I can’t see my own hand in front of my face.”
“Are you still there?”
“Yes, I haven’t moved an inch.”
Soon, the fog rolled onto the shore, becoming so impenetrable that you truly couldn’t see your own hands.
The only things visible were the faint, hazy glows from nearby lanterns.
A fog this dense was usually only seen in early spring or autumn. People were murmuring about this bizarre weather event—when, almost like a miracle, the heavy fog began to lift.
As the world gradually came back into view, moonlight started to filter through.
And when the people, now illuminated by that silvery light, looked out at the river—
“W-what!?”
“The—the island!?”
“It’s disappeared!”
At that shocked cry, even those who had been napping or asleep near the riverbank jolted awake and began yelling, and lights in the nearby houses began to blink on one after another.
In no time, Taean was illuminated from end to end, resembling a city that never rests.
“The island… the island is truly gone!”
“Is it really!?”
The last thing the people at the riverside witnessed was a dense patch of mist drifting slowly upstream, fading into the distance.
Observing the entire scene from the top floor of his private pleasure house, Geum Gi-ryung smiled and spoke.
“This business deal was exceedingly profitable. Have a ship ready at first light tomorrow—we are going to the Ak Clan.”
“Understood, sir.”
Geum Gi-ryung had gained a considerable amount from his behind-the-scenes arrangements, and his face was a picture of contentment.
It was enough to make him forget all about the marriage proposal that had fallen through.

***
‘He’s quick.’
Most believe turtles to be slow animals, but that is a total misconception.
In the water, turtles are remarkably swift.
Now restored to health, Elder Geumdo drew a precise amount of air into his lungs and propelled himself with powerful, crisp movements of his limbs.
With every thrust of his hind legs, Elder Geumdo surged forward like a bolt from a bow.
We were traveling atop the head of the enormous turtle, making our way toward the Ak Clan, where Gwiseong waited.
I was seated on Elder Geumdo’s head, relishing the feel of the cool breeze.
Naturally, this wasn’t a pleasure cruise. I was providing directions to Elder Geumdo for the journey to the Ak Clan.
Initially, Hwa-eun and Sister Seol had held onto me tightly, frightened, but they had both now begun to enjoy the rapid pace.
“So-ryong, this is amazing!”
“Ryong, it’s so exciting!”
The two of them stood up, facing directly into the wind.
With their sleeves billowing in the breeze, they resembled a pair of heavenly maidens.
‘This is like I’ve purchased a luxury yacht and taken my two girlfriends out on it.’
Although we were moving with the wind’s speed on a vessel, Elder Geumdo was cutting through the water with his powerful legs, providing a constant, exhilarating sensation of speed akin to a boat at maximum velocity. They both appeared to adore it.
“Right here, we can stop.”
brrrrr
“That was incredibly fun.”
“Wasn’t it? Sis.”
The journey upstream, which would normally consume half a day by boat, was completed in a single shichen thanks to Elder Geumdo. We reached the Ak Clan’s harbor, where our own boat was moored.
brrrrr
Elder Geumdo then came to a halt next to our boat and glanced around.
Perhaps because he was accustomed to evading humans, it seemed as if he was checking for any nearby presence.
But as it was the middle of the night, only a handful of Ak Clan guards were on duty. When they drew near, Elder Geumdo promptly dipped his head below the surface.
splash
“A raft?”
“It’s me. So-ryong of the Tang Clan. It’s good to see you again.”
Seeing only the sizable bamboo construction, the guards had mistaken it for a raft—but when I waved and called out to them, their faces showed clear delight.
“So So-hyeop, it has been a while! D-did your task conclude successfully?”
From their enthusiastic reaction, these guards were clearly from the Ak Clan and seemed aware of my reason for traveling to Taean. I gave a smile and a nod.
Because everything had been resolved perfectly.
“Yes, the issue is settled. The Ak Clan has no further cause for concern.”
Hearing my reply, the guards’ eyes shone brightly in the dark.
Even at this late hour, they erupted into cheerful celebration.
“Woooooh!”
“Outstanding work, So So-hyeop! You are a genuine savior to the Ak Clan!”
I had gone to Taean because Geum Gi-ryung enlisted my help to eliminate the rice weevil problem.
As payment, he settled a substantial loan the Ak Clan had incurred and permitted them to repay it on their own terms, without any interest.
Furthermore, the betrothal gifts he had brought were instead given as wedding presents for Peng’s ceremony.
Naturally, I was to receive my own separate reward. Even so, I had indeed become a benefactor to the Ak Clan.
They were facing monetary difficulties, and I had secured for them an interest-free, long-term repayment plan.
‘Without a doubt, anyone who arranges an interest-free long-term loan is a true benefactor.’
While I was privately musing that I might be the greatest patron ever, the Ak Clan warriors kept up their happy shouts.
“We must report to the Elder immediately!”
One of the guards sprang into motion, ready to dash off.
I had to call out quickly to stop the guard before he could race into the estate.
“H-hold on a second!”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Let’s postpone that until morning. The leader of the Geumjeok Merchant Guild will be arriving as well.”
“Ah… I understand. Very well. Then, should we arrange accommodations for you inside?”
“That won’t be necessary. I must greet the children first. We’ll sleep on the boat and manage all formalities in the morning.”
Geum Gi-ryung stated he would come immediately after we left, so the final contract signing and any festivities ought to wait until all relevant parties were present.
After all, circumstances could always shift at the last moment.
Of course, if anyone attempted to renege, I would be more than willing to take severe action.
‘If they dare say they won’t honor the deal, I’ll have Elder Geumdo obstruct the harbor entrance then and there.’
If they tried any tricks now, I was fully prepared to execute a major “block-the-apartment-parking-lot-entrance” style maneuver with Geumdo’s assistance.
Just as the martial artists were pulling back with reluctant, disappointed looks, I heard a familiar sound—Yoha’s call.
Kisit?
A moment later, Yoha’s head appeared above the railing of our boat.
The instant she spotted me, she zipped forward.
Kisi!? Kisishi!
Bouncing to a stop right in front of me, Yoha immediately began to chide me for my tardiness.
“My apologies, I wanted to return quickly, but this elder was unwell, so we couldn’t travel fast.”
Kisit?
“Ah, that’s right, you should say hello, Yoha. This is Elder Geumdo.”
“Wait—just a moment, I need to adjust his position slightly. Cho, please ask the Elder to turn his head over here.”
Tsurururu!
Yoha cocked her head at the instruction to greet someone, so I had to pause briefly.
Then I guided Elder Geumdo in a turn.
This positioned his head out of sight behind the hull of our boat.
As the island slowly rotated, Yoha looked astonished.
Kisit!?
When Elder Geumdo’s head finally emerged from the water again, Yoha’s expression became one of startlement.
Kisishi?
“Yes. This is Elder Geumdo. From now on, he will be staying with us.”
Once Yoha had greeted him, the other children began popping their heads up as well.
Shia?
Gguk-ggu!
Pii?
Cheongyu, Seol, Bing, Dong, Hwayang, Hongdan, and finally Orange—the Ji-yeong Snake—all peeked out from over the railing.
“I’m home, everyone. Come and say hello. This is Elder Geumdo.”
The children held onto the railing, gazing at Elder Geumdo with wonder.
Brrr-r-r-r.
Cho translated the low rumble: Elder Geumdo was introducing himself and requesting they be kind to him.
The children all responded in unison.
Shiaaa!
Gguk-gguuu!
Piiit!
After the introductions were complete, the kids made their way over onto Elder Geumdo’s shell.
It was vast, like an expansive playground, and they happily began investigating every part of the new space.
They had been confined to the boat day after day—now, at last, they had room to roam.
“They seem so joyful, So-ryong.”
“Children naturally love spacious areas. The bigger and more open, the better.”
“Ah… I understand.”
Hwa-eun and Sister Seol watched them with tender expressions.
It was then that I realized something was amiss.
And right on cue, a voice resonated inside my mind.
It was Cheongwol’s voice.
Grrr… ‘Who is this that you have brought with you?’
That was it—I had forgotten about Cheongwol.
‘Ah, Cheongwol, yes, this is Elder Geumdo. He is an elderly turtle. Please greet him. Sorry I introduced the others first and overlooked you.’
‘Yes, Cheongwol, you should go ahead and say hello.’
Even though Cheongwol is a serene and kind spirit, Hwa-eun seemed to pick up that my forgetfulness might have hurt her feelings, so she stepped in to help smooth it over.
Cheongwol rose up onto the deck of the boat.
She tilted her head, examining Elder Geumdo.
Grrt? ‘Elder Geumdo?’
‘Yes.’
Grrrng? ‘He is old?’
‘That’s right.’
Grrrt? ‘Hmm?’
Cheongwol tilted her head once more and posed a question to Elder Geumdo.
Then came his response.
Brrrrr.
Grrt. Grrt.
A moment later, Elder Geumdo, appearing rather flustered, bowed his head very deeply to Cheongwol.
He did so with the formality of a person.
Then, after bowing, he moved his head closer to the boat so Cheongwol could step across.
He was being so deferential it was almost uncomfortable to watch.
‘Wait, what is happening here?’
I asked Cheongwol again as she moved onto Elder Geumdo’s shell.
And her entertained thoughts came back to me.
Grrrt. (Isn’t “Elder” a term humans use for ancient beings? This one does not appear particularly old.)
‘Not old?’
Grrrng (Correct. So you should simply call him Geumdo, not “Elder.”)
Wait—he is at least two centuries old. And you’re saying he isn’t old?
I was puzzled, tilting my head in confusion.
But then I recalled—Cho, Hyang, and Bini all referred to him as “Geumdo,” not “Grandpa.”
Perhaps from the perspective of the young ones, he genuinely didn’t seem aged. Still, what I truly wondered was…
If Geumdo is over two hundred years old, and Cheongwol claims that isn’t old… then how ancient is Cheongwol?
I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
‘So how old are you, Cheongwol?’
‘!’
A mental exclamation point struck me with force.
Then came Cheongwol’s flustered reply.
Gr–grrt. (T-that is not something you need to know!)
If a two-hundred-year-old Millennium Golden Turtle is still seen as a youth, then just how venerable must the Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion Cheongwol be to command such reverence from Geumdo?

***
The area became a hub of noise the instant dawn arrived.
Word had clearly spread that an enormous island had materialized overnight, and that I had successfully concluded the affair.
Voices calling my name and discussing the island rang out constantly from outside.
“Where did this massive island come from?”
“So So-hyeop brought it here.”
“He brought an island?”
“So-ryong!”
“So So-hyeop!”
With everyone calling for me incessantly, I had little choice but to get up.
‘Good grief, don’t these people ever sleep?’
I had gone to sleep late, so wiping the sleep from my eyes, I emerged from the bamboo structure—to find Geum Gi-ryung already there, waiting for me.
“So-ryong, I have been told the news. My gratitude.”
“So So-hyeop, thank you for resolving everything so effectively.”
Standing behind him were the Dragon Fangs and a group of Ak Clan members—and then, as my brother and Geum Gi-ryung stepped aside, a woman came forward.
She inclined her head and expressed her thanks.
“I have heard everything. From the grain pests to this latest matter… sincerely, thank you. The Ak Clan and I are profoundly in your debt, So So-hyeop.”
She was thanking me for my assistance—but while she spoke, my attention drifted past her to the men behind.
I shot Geum Gi-ryung and my brother a slight, but decidedly sharp, sidelong glance.
‘Hold on… these two…’
‘What is it, So-ryong?’
Hwa-eun noticed the change in my demeanor and asked through our mental link.
She didn’t seem to grasp why I was glowering at them.
But it was because this young woman—while supposedly an adult—was very petite and still carried the impression of a girl in her teens.
‘Aren’t those two just a little too fond of very young women?’
Where I came from, this would mean jail time. Honestly, it’s rather disturbing.
As that thought crossed my mind, Hwa-eun began flusteredly defending them.
‘T-that’s not entirely fair… i-it’s not so terrible, is it? Truly.’
I was confused about why she would defend them… and then it hit me.
Hwa-eun was, technically, the same type of person.
‘Gyaaaack!?’