Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 301

Chapter 301
Since our initial approach required us to infiltrate the village covertly, we found ourselves devising a new strategy.
A house-by-house search risked injury or death, and might alert our hidden foe, giving them a chance to flee.
It was then that Ji-ryong proposed we employ the same tactic as our last endeavor.
“I am of the opinion that our best course is to replicate our previous actions exactly.”
“Replicate them?”
Elder Physician inquired, his head tilted in curiosity.
Ji-ryong’s gaze shifted from me to Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist as he elaborated.
“The imperial troops can cordon off the village under the pretense of a contagion, allowing the three of you to make your entrance.”
“Ah, you mean we should gain entry in the identical manner as last time?”
“Precisely. It is the approach least likely to arouse doubt. Furthermore, once within, we will conduct ourselves in the same fashion as we did then.”
“The three of us?”
“Yes.”
Ji-ryong was advocating that we reenact the entire situation—soldiers encircling the settlement, with Elder Herbalist, Elder Physician, and me entering under the guise of offering medical aid.
“‘Beat the grass to startle the snake.’ While it was not our conscious aim initially, our previous method achieved exactly that.”
“Startle the snake?”
“The phrase means to disturb the grass to flush out the snake, Sir So.”
According to Ji-ryong, though it was unintentional the first time, it was a superb strategy for forcing a concealed adversary into action.
Flushing out a snake by rustling the grass, was it?
Depending on the serpent, one could easily get bitten attempting such a thing. The author of that saying was perhaps a shrewd tactician, but clearly knew little of a snake’s nature.
‘People truly hold so many misconceptions about snakes.’
As I was privately lamenting the unjust reputation of our serpent friends, Ji-ryong continued.
“Those who practice the martial arts may not fear imperial soldiers, but they undoubtedly find them a nuisance. They will go to great lengths to avoid any messy involvement with officials.
To a martial artist fleeing pursuit, a government soldier is like a chattering magpie that gives away a tiger’s position.
Moreover, the Blood Cult has been branded heretical and is being vigorously hunted by the authorities. So even without fear, the psychological weight of being encircled by troops is significant. The exposure of their location could easily draw the attention of other righteous martial heroes.”
As Ji-ryong pointed out, I had already learned through the mental realm that the woman who attempted the Soul-Stealing Technique on me was agitated by the troop movements and acted because of it.
“She did confess that the soldiers surrounding the area made her anxious, prompting her to try the technique on me.”
Nodding in agreement with Ji-ryong’s analysis, he pressed on.
“Indeed. So consider this scenario—the village is surrounded by soldiers, and then the three of you appear?
If a Blood Cult expert is truly hidden within, they will perceive it as a prime opportunity.
Their position will be revealed if they try to flee regardless, so if they are willing to assume a minor risk, it represents a chance to acquire the refined essence of a potent master.”
“Ah… so that explains that woman’s actions…”
“Yes. She likely believed that by capturing you, Sir So, she could threaten one of the elders and potentially subdue one alone.
When cornered, a person will gamble if there is a prospect of a reward that justifies the peril.”
Hearing Ji-ryong break it down so clearly, I finally grasped why that woman had targeted me.
By his reasoning, with government troops already creating pressure and risk of exposure, our arrival—Elder Physician, Elder Herbalist, and myself—presented a tantalizing way to counter that risk: by seizing our vital energy.
“So what is our specific course of action?”
“As I said, simply repeat your behavior from inside the village last time. Sir So, you mentioned you possess a resistance to the Soul-Stealing Technique, correct?”
“That’s right, Ji-ryong…”
Well, perhaps not complete immunity, but with Hwa-eun and the little ones monitoring the group chat, we could likely defend against it once more.
At my answer, Ji-ryong gave a nod.
“Then please have Sir So run the errand alone again. Should anyone offer to accompany him, it may be beneficial to allow it.
If a spy is present, they will make their move the instant Sir So is isolated.”
It was truly the same plan as before, yet Elder Herbalist seemed apprehensive.
He was likely concerned for my safety.
“Will So-ryong not be in danger?”
“They will not be able to kill or injure Sir So. He must be taken alive to be used as leverage against the elders.
Furthermore, he carries the little ones concealed on his person. Even in a worst-case situation, they will be powerless against him. You are aware of this, yes? Sir So’s daughters.”
Trill!
Peeekuu!
Hearing their names, the children emitted cheerful, affirming cries.
Ji-ryong smiled at the sound and at the sight of them.
“They appear to concur.”
“Hoho. Is that so?”
“My apologies, little ones, for doubting your capabilities.”
Hearing their vocal agreement, the elders nodded with gentle smiles. Thus, the plan to infiltrate the village of sleepers was settled: we would exactly recreate the previous method.
“Then we will proceed accordingly.”
“Agreed.”
“Understood. Let us finalize the specifics.”
***
The following day at midday.
The sun stood directly overhead, its heat pressing down, as we approached the intended village.
The settlement was situated deep within an expansive bamboo forest, with soft, rolling hills at its back that eventually rose into a distant northern mountain range.
“Halt!”
The moment we reached the village gate, a government soldier barred our path by crossing his spear.
His voice was harsh, but he shot me a quick, knowing glance.
[Sir So, you’re here?]
To be accurate, it was Yang Seong-hu in a soldier’s disguise.
Beside him, appearing decidedly uncomfortable, was Gwiseong hyung.
They were dressed as troops because the real soldiers were too unreliable for our scheme—and in case swift action was needed within the village.
Thus, all the men from the Dragon Fangs had taken on the roles of soldiers. After some rehearsal, it seemed Yang Seong-hu and Gwiseong had been chosen to play the greeters.
“Stand back! A plague is rampant! None may enter this village!”
As we advanced, Yang Seong-hu shouted once more.
He was pouring his entire being into the performance, striving to compensate for Gwiseong hyung’s stiff demeanor with a flawless one of his own.
‘He’s putting in a tremendous effort.’
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
As Yang Seong-hu yelled, Elder Herbalist came to a stop and asked,
“It seems we have found the correct place. Pardon us, but might you allow us entry?”
“M-move back!”
When Gwiseong hyung attempted to mimic him and tripped over his own tongue saying “move back,” Yang Seong-hu winced, squeezing his eyes shut.
Frankly, it would have been more useful if he had remained silent.
Just then, the officer in charge emerged from a tent and demanded,
“What is the meaning of this commotion?”
“Sir, these elders are requesting permission to enter.”
Ji-ryong responded swiftly, a look of relief on his face.
Hearing Ji-ryong’s report, the commander turned to Elder Physician and roared,
“What foolishness is this!? Have you a death wish, old man!? A plague is loose!”
“I possess some knowledge of medicine. I beg you, allow us to enter.”
“Pah! Unless you are the legendary physicians of the martial world, Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist themselves, be on your way!”
“However did you know? We are, in fact, Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist.”
“Whaaaat!? You are truly Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist!?”
This was certainly not part of the prepared script—both the commander and Elder Physician were now ad-libbing their lines.
The elders were performing so convincingly that I felt a pang of secondhand embarrassment for Gwiseong hyung.
‘Hyung, I’m feeling embarrassed for you.’
After a few more lines of exchanged dialogue between Elder Herbalist and the commander, the commander turned and barked an order at Yang Seong-hu.
“Let them pass.”
“Yes, sir!”
The gate opened, and we proceeded into the village.
After a short walk down a path lined with bamboo, we entered the main part of the settlement, just as the villagers were stretching and emerging from their homes.
There’s a saying that even perilla seeds sleep at noon, and indeed, the entire village seemed to be rousing from a deep slumber.
‘So they truly only awaken when the sun is highest?’
“Is it noon already?”
“What in heaven’s name is happening to us?”
Criiing.
The villagers looked about in confusion at the sight of each other awake.
Even the dogs were stirring and letting out lazy yawns.
‘Even the dogs?’
A faint sense of disquiet touched me, seeing the dogs also waking from an unnatural sleep, just as a middle-aged man stepped from his house and noticed us.
Tilting his head, the man asked,
“Might I ask who you are?”
Dozens of lanterns hung in the yard of his home. Elder Physician stepped forward to answer.
“Ah, I am one known in the martial world as ‘Elder Physician.’ I came upon hearing that a peculiar malady has afflicted this village.”
“E-Elder Physician!? Can it truly be you!?”
“It is. This is my disciple, Elder Herbalist. And this is our grandson.”
I had added the ‘grandson’ detail to make myself a more appealing hostage in their eyes. The man’s eyes widened dramatically as he shouted.
“Everyone! Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist are here! They have come to treat the strange sickness in our village!”
“Elder Physician!? Elder Herbalist!?”
“Heaven be praised!”
The people, now fully awake, began rushing toward us.
This bamboo village was not large—perhaps fifty households—but in moments, people streamed from their homes and swarmed around us.
“Welcome!”
“A thousand welcomes, revered elders!”
Hearing their joyous cries, I couldn’t help but think:
‘The path to becoming the Papa of All Venomous Creatures remains a long one…’
***
We were led into the home of the young man who had first addressed us.
He seemed quite young to be the village chief, but it appeared he was.
As was customary when healers visited a village, we were offered lodging in the chief’s home, and he provided us with a room.
“Please make use of this chamber.”
He cleared out the bamboo and paper crafting materials that filled the space and invited us to settle in.
“Thank you. We will be in your debt until the patients are seen to.”
“In our debt? No, the debt is entirely ours.”
“Incidentally, why are there so many lanterns hung about?”
Noting the numerous lanterns even within the room, Elder Herbalist tilted his head in question. The village chief scratched his head as he answered.
“Ah, our village crafts lanterns from the materials we gather in this bamboo forest.”
“Ahh, that explains the abundance.”
“Yes, sir. Our lanterns have something of a reputation.”
Now that he mentioned it, the other homes in the village also displayed many lanterns. Evidently, the village’s primary trade was in making and selling them.
“Shall we begin seeing the patients, then?”
“Of course. I will have them form a line.”
“No, have your own family come in first.”
“Is that truly acceptable!?”
“Well, as we are guests in your home, it is only proper.”
“Th-thank you, Elder!”
The village chief’s face lit up at the offer to treat his kin first.
We had been briefed on this custom—staying at the chief’s home and treating his family first—so I addressed him as expected.
“Please send them in one by one.”
“Yes, Sir So.”
Shortly after, the village chief’s wife and children entered the room, and the elders commenced their examination.
“What symptoms have manifested?” they asked.
“Well… beyond finding it difficult to wake from sleep, there is truly nothing else.”
“Are the others the same?”
“A few complain of weariness, but aside from them, it is the same for all.”
There were no other specific symptoms.
After feeling their pulses, the two elders shook their heads. Elder Herbalist lowered the cloth covering his mouth and stated,
“This is not an illness.”
“So, it is just as we suspected?”
“Indeed, we must be wary. Those without symptoms are not sick. Their blood levels are also sufficient. We will know more definitively once we examine those who feel fatigued.”
Roughly two hours later, after checking the pulses of every other villager, the two nodded in confirmation.
“Those reporting fatigue definitely exhibited a blood deficiency. It was not severe enough for anemia, but the reduction was noticeable. Not enough to cause grave harm, but present nonetheless.”
Only two people had reported feeling tired, and both were found to have less blood.
It was time to initiate the second phase of our plan.
The operation where I would go out alone to retrieve medicine.
We had already prepared a sufficient quantity of Blood-Tonic Pills, but the objective was to draw out our enemy.
“Oh dear, the medicine is quite heavy. Must I really fetch it all by myself?”
I hinted that the medicine would be a burden for one person to carry, yet no one volunteered to assist.
Even when I stated I had to go alone for the medicine, they merely urged caution, explaining they could not leave the village due to the quarantine.
“Please take care, young lord. We would aid you if possible, but with the government soldiers outside… we would face trouble, even if you would not.”
‘Huh… this isn’t following the script? Is it possible? Is the spy simply being overly cautious?’
Regardless, I retrieved the medicine and administered the pre-prepared Blood-Tonic Pills to the two villagers who were lacking blood.
And that night.
Elder Physician and Elder Herbalist took shifts keeping watch…
*Smack! Smack!*
A stinging slap on my cheek roused me to find Yang Seong-hu staring down at me, his expression fraught with worry.
[Sir So, are you awake?]
[What is it?]
[You were supposed to send a signal this morning, but I heard nothing, so I slipped in. Both elders are sound asleep.]
I had closed my eyes that evening, and now the sun had not yet reached its zenith, yet everyone in the room was deep in slumber, as if lifeless.
Hyang, Hongdan, Seol, Bing, Dong—every single one.
‘What manner of sorcery is this?’