Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 294

Chapter 294
My thoughts were still tangled around the news of a death when a commotion broke out close by.
I could make out the officer shouting commands, the soldiers calling to one another, and the distinct voice of the Immortal of Medicine rising above the noise.
“You there! Halt! Did you not hear my order?”
“Elder, are you seeking your own end? There could be plague within!”
“I am the one who bears the title ‘Immortal of Medicine’ in the martial world. Would you permit me to enter? I wish to offer my aid.”
I looked over to see the Immortal of Medicine walking toward the officer, asking for entry.
The officer’s face initially held a look of contempt, but the instant he registered the name “Immortal of Medicine,” his expression shifted to one of shock and he offered a deep, respectful bow.
“The Immortal?! You are the Immortal of Medicine from the Many-Healing Sect?”
During our travels, my brother had told me that the Many-Healing Sect was the organization to which both the Immortal of Medicine and the Immortal of Herbs belonged—a group akin to a medical relief force for the Central Plains.
Their sect was devoted to curing every kind of sickness.
They offered free care to those in poverty, while the wealthy chose to donate after being treated. Consequently, they were held in high esteem by everyone.
“You know of me?”
“Who in any branch of government or military service has not heard of the Immortal of Medicine and the Many-Healing Sect?”
It appeared that whenever a disease spread, the Immortal of Medicine, the Immortal of Herbs, or their students would be sent to assist personally.
I had been told that even the official epidemic control offices knew of their work, and that clearly was no overstatement.
“This is a bit awkward. In any case, may we proceed inside? Or would this create a problem for you?”
“N-Not in the slightest, Immortal of Medicine. We would be grateful for your leadership. In fact, we had instructions to clear a path should you appear.”
Bowing once more, the officer moved aside.
The Immortal of Medicine then began to ask questions to learn more.
“Have there been many fatalities?”
“None yet, sir. The first death occurred only this morning, which is why we chose to observe and seal the village for now. Had the losses reached half the population, our orders were to set fire to the entire settlement, but fortunately, that has not been necessary.”
“I understand. Then we have no time to lose.”
“The rest of you, remain here. So-ryong and my disciple, you will accompany me.”
“As you say, Elder Brother.”
“Of course.”
The Dragon Fangs were instructed to wait at the perimeter, while I alone was permitted to go with the two elders.
The Dragon Fangs lacked any understanding of contagious sickness, but my own medical knowledge earned me entry.
Even without that permission, however, I would have found a way inside.
I refuse to turn away from anything without seeing it for myself.
A spirit beast could be the cause—so I obviously had to enter. The news of a death gave me pause, but there might be a reason for it. I needed to see the truth before making a judgment.
If it was truly a plague, there would be cause for caution—but if it was mere anemia, it was unlikely to be a sickness of the lungs and probably not spreading.
“We should use this cloth to cover our noses and mouths, simply as a precaution. I believe we will be safe, but it is wiser to be careful.”
The Immortal of Herbs, standing next to me, passed me a piece of fabric.
Unfolding it, I saw it was shaped like a mask.
Likely because the chance of infection remained, he wished for me to shield my face.
Having this kind of protection certainly eased my mind.
“It has been treated with medicinal herbs, so it carries the properties of realgar as well. It should provide some defense against poison, at least temporarily.”
“I understand, Grandpa.”
I fastened the triangular mask, which had the appearance of an outlaw’s bandana, and the aroma of herbs rose from it.
Breathing in the soothing scent, I got ready to trail the elders into the village—
“So-ryong, take care.”
“Young Lord, please be safe.”
“I will.”
I offered a reassuring smile to my brother and sister-in-law, who were watching me with worry, and then went after the two elders.
As we traveled the narrow trail leading to the village, the Immortal of Medicine inquired,
“Incidentally, do your little ones require masks for their noses and mouths?”
He was likely concerned about diseases crossing between species, but insects contracting human illnesses? That was a notion I had never encountered.
“Sir, the biology of insects is entirely separate from that of humans, so they are not vulnerable to human sickness. I do not think there is any cause for concern.”
“Good. That is reassuring. I simply found those small ones so endearing that I was anxious for them.”
It seemed we had won over another admirer. The presence of my children really does comfort people.
Moving further along the path, a village became visible.
It was a common countryside hamlet, situated on a gentle slope.
Roughly a hundred homes were gathered together, peaceful and still.
“Is this it?”
Just as we arrived at the gateway, a small group emerged from within the village.
Two strong men were bearing a cloth-wrapped form, following an older man. A woman walked behind them, drying her eyes.
It had the appearance of a funeral party, but something odd drew my attention—every individual had deep, shadowed rings around their eyes.
Like pandas, the people’s eyes were surrounded by heavy, dark circles.
“What?! You—are you wearing masks?”
“Please, do not be alarmed. We mean no harm.”
The older man at the front seemed surprised by our appearance, and the Immortal of Medicine spoke up quickly.
Hearing this, the old man replied warily.
“However… did the authorities not bar the way into the village? How did you come to be here?”
“I am called the Immortal of Medicine in the martial world…”
“The Immortal!?”
“We are saved! The Immortal is here!”
“Salvation has come!”
Before the Immortal of Medicine could complete his introduction, the villagers were already crying out in relief.
The renown of the Immortal was truly remarkable.
Witnessing it, I could not help feeling a touch of envy.
I thought to myself how wonderful it would be if my own epithet were as recognized throughout the Central Plains as his.
My title, Father of All Venomous and Spirit Beasts, ought to become known across the entire Central Plains one day…
「‘Whaaat?! The Father of All Venomous Beasts!?’
‘You mean the patriarch of all poisonous and spiritual creatures?!’
‘Heh heh… it is nothing so impressive, truly.’
‘To encounter the Father of All Venomous Beasts in a location such as this!’」
I was lost in a brief fantasy of achieving great fame when—
After the celebrations quieted, the Immortal of Medicine addressed the village elder.
“Is the deceased within that bundle?”
“Yes, Immortal.”
“Might I examine the body before it is buried?”
At his question, the villagers glanced toward the woman at the back.
She appeared to be a relative. She dropped to her knees and spoke through her weeping.
“If he could have endured just a short time more… the Immortal might have arrived in time…”
It sounded like she was grieving that he had not survived long enough to be treated. But to me, the situation felt inverted.
Had we come only a little earlier, his life might have been spared.
We had, after all, spent days attending to Geumdo, and I could not shake a sense of accountability.
It had not crossed my mind before, but without that delay, we might have reached this place sooner.
Damn it…
At that moment, I heard the Immortal of Herbs speaking to me through a mental whisper.
[So-ryong, you are not to blame for this. In all our years of tending to the ill, we have witnessed more regrettable deaths than we can count?
There were occasions when we lost a patient merely because we had stepped away for a meal. One time, a flood delayed us, and many perished while we were stranded on the journey.
Every life has its own destiny. That is the nature of things.]
Seeing my despondent expression, he was offering me solace.
Meanwhile, the Immortal of Medicine gently questioned the weeping woman once more…
“I apologize for my tardiness. But to heal the others, I must first conduct an examination. Would you allow this?”
Hearing his words, the woman, who was holding what was unmistak