Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 303

Chapter 303
Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly.
In Korean, would it translate to “the dream illusion butterfly of the blood flower”?
This was the name of a gigantic crimson butterfly, a creature recognized among the Ten Great Venomous Beasts within the Tang Clan’s Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures.
Its blood-red wings sailed through the air beneath the moonlight.
At the moment the creature aligned itself with the full moon, as if striking a pose before it, the gentle lunar light seemed to pass partway through its form, glowing with a translucent red hue like stained glass.
It’s not common knowledge, but the wings of certain butterflies are actually transparent, much like those of a dragonfly.
The substance often called “linbun”—a term with unfortunate associations—is in reality a layer of minute scales coating the wings.
To be more accurate, the wings aren’t coated in powder, but are instead lined with microscopic, tile-like scales that can only be seen under magnification.
If these were to be scraped off, one would discover that the butterfly’s wings are indeed clear.
This is why, when it superimposed itself on the moon, the light filtered through its body in that stained-glass effect.
As I gazed in awe at the being, its gently beating wings softly disturbed the air, and with every motion, a blood-red dust, resembling flower petals, was cast into the sky—living up to its name.
I recalled from the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures that it was named the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly for its ability to scatter a crimson pollen that induces dreams or visions upon contact.
And now, it was flying directly in my line of sight.
‘We were in the middle of pursuing Blood Cult scoundrels, and now this? Why is it appearing here?’
No matter how I considered it, I couldn’t escape the notion that the gods, perhaps pitying my death in a past life, had blessed me with supremely high luck attributes.
Lately, it seemed that even when I was motionless, venomous beings would arrive and behave as though they were pleading:
‘Master So-ryong, please accept me. I am endearing.’
‘Master So-ryong, I am here as well. My venom is exceptionally powerful.’
‘Master So-ryong, I am truly charming. Please adopt and care for me.’
‘Hey! I was here first.’
‘No, I was!’
‘Absolutely not! I am the one who will be raised!’
‘You youngsters, what are you saying? Very well, cease your squabbling. All of you, come with me. I will take you in and bestow upon you boundless affection.’
Of course, these were merely voices within my own head, but still.
I expressed my gratitude to the heavenly gods and the Eight Immortals of the Central Plains for permitting me to assemble such a collection of venomous creatures.
‘Thank you, thank you, my gratitude is immense!’
After offering my thanks, the reality of what was outside—a butterfly from the Ten Great Venomous Creatures—struck me, and I could not contain the scream, or more accurately, the spontaneous cry of exhilaration within my heart.
『“GYAAAAAA! GYAAAA! GYAAAAAAAA!”』
Venomous butterflies existed in my previous life as well.
Typically, the monarch butterfly comes to mind when one hears “venomous butterfly.”
It is a species native to the Americas, not found in Asia, and is frequently referenced in discussions about toxic butterflies. However, there are numerous others.
Queens, viceroys, soldier butterflies—all possess some level of toxicity. There is also the Hebomoia glaucippe, the crimson-tip butterfly, and many other poisonous varieties.
These butterflies do not generate their own toxins, however; they ingest the poisons from the toxic plants they consume as caterpillars and retain them in their bodies for defense.
Thus, they are not “venomous creatures” in the truest sense, but due to their beauty, I had always desired to raise one. Regrettably, in my former life, I never had the opportunity.
Raising butterflies requires a sizable facility where one can also cultivate their host plants.
I did not have access to such space.
Furthermore, the four distinct seasons in our country make butterfly rearing particularly challenging.
‘M-Master So-ryong!? What is happening?’
– Siaa!? (So-ryong, what is happening!? So-ryong!?)
I had unintentionally flooded the mental connection with my characteristic So-ryong-style yelling, startling Hwa-eun and Cheong-yu, who immediately inquired what was wrong.
I winced and replied.
『“Ah, it’s nothing—simply… the butterfly is quite beautiful…”』
“…”
“…”
Abruptly, the shared connection fell into complete silence.
Feeling awkward, I tapped the side of my head and said:
『“Ahaha… does it feel like the connection dropped? What is this? I can’t hear anything?”』
When the signal is poor, tapping sometimes helps.
I added a comment suggesting a possible reception issue, but the connection stayed utterly quiet.
‘It seems my joke fell flat.’
As I looked back at the butterfly outside the window, trying to gauge the mood, Cheong-yu finally spoke again, her tone hesitant.
『– Sia. (I-Is… is that truly the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly outside?)』
“Yes, Lady Cheong-yu. I am sure of it. Most likely.”
Fortunately, Lady Cheong-yu eventually responded, allowing me to just barely recover from the embarrassment.
Really—if that wasn’t the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly, what else could it possibly be?
When I answered promptly, Lady Cheong-yo offered a word of caution.
『– Sia, Siia. (You are likely standing where it has already dispersed its venomous dust, so be wary, So-ryong. Do not trust everything you see. It is said that the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly always shows hallucinations to those under the influence of its venom. The poison is not particularly potent, but…)』
“Understood. I will remember your advice, Lady Cheong-yu.”
As I filed her warning away in my mind, a sigh laden with resignation and concern came from Hwa-eun.
『“Sigh… Why must a new venomous creature appear precisely when I am absent…? Attempting to dissuade you is pointless, isn’t it?
So-ryong, it only induces illusions and sleep, so your life may not be at risk—but you must still exercise caution. Alright? Refrain from any rash actions.”』
Hwa-eun had undoubtedly discerned that I would be unable to restrain myself and would attempt to capture it immediately.
She was beginning to understand the sort of person I am.
But there was still one who hadn’t quite adjusted—not a person, but a half-human, half-snake being.
The instant Hwa-eun finished speaking, Lady Cheong-yu’s alarmed voice erupted.
『– Siiiia. Sia!? (Why does it sound like you are going to pursue it this very moment!? Y-You are not genuinely considering trying to catch it now, are you!? I mean, my knowledge is limited, so perhaps you should take time to observe it first…)』
She proposed I study it for a while before acting, but honestly, isn’t charging headlong at a new boss the moment it appears the conventional approach in any game?
Failure is the foundation of success.
Unable to restrain myself, I announced my intention to plunge forward.
『“Understood. I will attempt to capture it—with care.”』
– Siaa!? (Truly!? You mean right now!?)
If she had been physically present, her eyes would have been wide with astonishment.
But what can I say?
If a venomous creature is present, then the man I am must act.
I responded immediately.
『“Yes, well—I say capture, but tonight I merely wish to make its acquaintance. I will not employ any force.”』
After all, I said I would capture it, but I am no hunter. These spiritual beings are all highly intelligent, so the correct approach is naturally to initiate communication and foster a relationship.
Therefore, I resolved to at least offer a greeting first.
“Phew… I am nervous.”
Ever since I met Cho, Hyang, and Bini, the only instances where I was truly by myself were during washing or attending to necessities.
Someone had always been by my side, so this sudden sense of liberty also brought a peculiar feeling of emptiness as I took hold of the door handle.
– Thump-thump.
My heart pounding, I clutched the door handle.
Then I stepped outside slowly.
The creature was flitting about in the sky, engaged in some unknown activity, but I positioned myself in the yard and gazed upward, waiting.
I thought that if we made eye contact, I might be able to wave and offer a greeting or something similar.
‘Hello? I am So-ryong. I mean no harm.’ Hmm, perhaps not that? ‘My name is So-ryong. Would you care to be friends?’ That doesn’t sound quite right either.
As I was still pondering the perfect opening line for my introduction, the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly abruptly flew toward a dwelling in the distance.
I swiftly moved to follow it.
Walking as silently as I could on my toes, I trailed it to a common house.
Creeping close enough to avoid alarming it, I peered over the wall and observed—the creature had alighted in the yard and started rhythmically opening and closing its wings like any ordinary butterfly.
Then, as its antennae quivered, surprisingly, the door opened and a man emerged, his eyes vacant like a sleepwalker’s.
– Creeeak.
‘Huh, that man?’
The man’s face, illuminated by the moonlight, was familiar to me.
He was one of the two men to whom Elder Herbalist had given a Blood Supplement Pill, noting that they seemed slightly blood-deficient.
The man walked out and stood before the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly, whereupon the butterfly unfurled its coiled proboscis and delicately pierced the man’s leg.
‘Astonishing. It is feeding!’
I had assumed it was called “blood” merely due to its red coloration, but this behavior was not recorded in the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures, nor was it known to Lady Cheong-yu—it appeared this creature actually consumed blood.
What was surprising, however, was that after a single sip, it ceased feeding.
Just one draught. No more, no less. It took exactly one sip and then stopped.
‘Ah, is this why Elder Herbalist mentioned their blood was low but not dangerously so?’
It was at that moment that Elder Herbalist’s words returned to me.
– Plop. Plop.
The earth on top of the clay wall I was leaning against crumbled and dropped to the ground, creating a sound.
It was not loud, but this night was one of profound silence.
Even insects were influenced by the butterfly’s powder—not just people or animals.
That was why my children were all asleep.
This meant even the tiniest ants or crickets were under the same influence. Consequently, the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly and I were the only two conscious beings in the entire village.
A night devoid of wakefulness.
The slightest noise cut through the motionless air and resonated intensely.
– Flutter.
Now that I was near, the sound of its wingbeats was distinct, and as I glanced up from inspecting the fallen dirt, the butterfly was hovering in the sky not far from me, its antennae twitching as if in alarm.
I had hoped to seize the perfect moment and extend a friendly greeting, but the situation had become somewhat uncomfortable.
Nonetheless, I managed a smile and waved.
“Um, hello?”
Its antennae shot up rigidly in surprise.
Just like when Cho, Hyang, and Bini get startled, its antennae became straight and stiff.
“I-I mean you no harm…”
Just as I offered an awkward smile and began to introduce myself in the midst of this tense encounter—
Something peculiar began to occur.
– Swish.
Its form started to blur, and then it began to vanish.
“What—!?”
That was not all.
The village’s red-tinged hues started reverting to normal.
No—first, the village shifted to winter, then to spring, then to autumn, before finally settling back into its actual season.
I reached out and touched a nearby patch of red powder that had not yet disappeared, and I could distinctly feel its texture on my fingertips—but then it faded from sight right before my eyes.
“W-What is happening!?”
In that instant, I understood what was occurring.
The hallucinations produced by the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly were not a symptom of poisoning. They were tangible.
‘It does not induce hallucinations through poison—it physically creates and projects illusions!?’
Butterflies exhibit a vast array of vibrant and colorful wing patterns.
These colors can stem from the innate pigment within the scales, but there is another origin.
The multi-layered, thin-film composition of butterfly wing scales manipulates light to generate various colors.
The powder on a butterfly’s wing reflects, absorbs, and disperses light, and its apparent color depends on the structure of these scales.
An optical phenomenon of butterfly wings.
Typically, butterfly wings possess two layers of scales, forming an ideal balance—light enough for flight while reflecting sufficient light for brilliant colors.
Scholars have suggested that additional scale layers would improve light reflection and produce an even wider spectrum of colors, and it seemed the Blood-Blossom Dream Illusion Butterfly had perfected this—generating real illusions through its scale dust.
‘GYAAAAAA!’
A butterfly that fabricates illusions!
I needed to possess it!