Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 331

Chapter 331
Who could have anticipated a twist involving a palace official’s sudden rise in rank?
Why, of all moments, did he have to be elevated now?
And this wasn’t just any ordinary promotion—it felt like an exceptional appointment.
A eunuch who had remained in a minor role for more than a decade, suddenly granted a special advancement?
Just as I was beginning to suspect that something was seriously amiss, Uncle Ak Bulgun—the uncle of my sister-in-law—spoke.
“He was initially assigned to the Office of Imperial Carriages, accompanying the Emperor on processions, but this promotion was completely unexpected. But can it really be true that Eunuch Heo belongs to the Five Venoms Sect?”
He asked again, as though he couldn’t quite believe it, and Ji-ryong affirmed this with a thorough account.
“That’s correct, sir. We obtained this intelligence from the leader of the Blood Cult’s information division, whom we apprehended in the north. Additionally, the Blood Cult has now been assimilated into the Five Venoms Sect.”
“Their merger is irrelevant—they were collaborators from the start. What’s urgent is that such a threat is now close to the Emperor. We must act without delay!”
We were concerned the circumstances might become tangled, but Uncle Ak Bulgun was already stirring with fervor, ready to take swift action.
Ji-ryong, appearing somewhat uneasy, inquired cautiously.
“Now that he serves directly beside the Emperor, won’t that complicate matters?”
Considering his new position as a direct attendant to the Emperor, it was natural to assume additional complications might arise—I nodded in agreement.
After all, in those period stories, aren’t those close to the Emperor often pardoned, no matter their crimes?
And in these times, the Emperor stands above the law.
However, Uncle Ak Bulgun responded with a serene demeanor, as though there was no cause for alarm.
“If we possess undeniable evidence, there is nothing to fear. His Majesty is a compassionate and judicious sovereign. Regardless of the individual’s proximity, His Majesty would not spare someone so corrupt.”
Wow… could the Emperor actually be righteous?
My only knowledge of him was that he was famously known throughout the Central Plains as an indulgent father to his daughter.
All I’d heard was that he would grant the princess anything she wished—an absolute doting parent—but listening to Uncle Ak Bulgun, he sounded like a competent leader.
According to my brother, the Ak family is unwaveringly devoted to the imperial household.
If Uncle Ak Bulgun expressed such confidence, then the Emperor must truly be an enlightened and principled ruler.
Even so, given the nature of our adversary, we couldn’t simply storm in and accuse him outright.
Thus, Uncle Ak Bulgun questioned whether we had any tangible evidence.
“Do you have any proof? However evil he may be, I cannot move forward based solely on your account.
His Majesty would also require conclusive evidence to dismiss one of his personal aides.”
I grinned at Uncle Ak Bulgun’s inquiry.
Naturally, this So-ryong had anticipated this very situation.
We intended to dismantle the Five Venoms Sect’s stronghold in the capital—how could we not come prepared?
I instructed Ji-ryong to present what we had brought.
“I suspected we might need this, so we arrived equipped. Ji-ryong, bring it forward.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes, understood. Do-ryong, could you escort that individual here?”
“Understood.”
A sealed document was set upon the table, and then Gwiseong led in a woman who was missing an arm.
It was Nanhwa, the commander of the Bloodshade Unit, the Blood Cult’s intelligence branch.
“What is this?”
Uncle looked puzzled as he observed the letter and the woman in her wretched state.
I unsealed the letter and clarified.
“This is a verified letter from the commander of Dongbang Pavilion in the northern capital. And this woman is the director of the Blood Cult’s intelligence agency, the Bloodshade Unit.”
The reason this woman remained with us was that I decided not to surrender her to the authorities.
I turned over the others, but this particular woman possessed extensive knowledge of the Blood Cult’s activities, so I believed she would be valuable and retained her.
We had already gathered all her intelligence, but we kept her in reserve should physical proof be necessary.
She was trained in Blood Cult martial arts—irrefutable evidence of her affiliation. She served as ideal verification.
“She is a leader of the Blood Cult!?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And the confirmation letter? What does it confirm?”
“The document certifies that, based on this woman’s testimony, Commander Dongbang conducted an operation that eliminated the Blood Cult’s base in the northern capital.”
The letter originated from the same commander who had collaborated with me to cleanse the Blood Cult in the north.
It affirmed that this woman was indeed a high-ranking member of the Blood Cult and that her disclosures led to the total annihilation of their remaining forces in the capital.
She was slated for execution in the northern capital, but since their primary headquarters was in Yeongcheon, the capital, she was transferred to my custody as a martial artist instead.
At that time, government forces and the Murim were working together to eradicate the Blood Cult, so she was released to me informally, not as a convict.
This constituted more than adequate evidence.
We had a genuine Blood Cult leader in our possession, along with an official letter of validation from the imperial commander of the northern capital.
“I see. Is that so?”
Judging by Uncle Ak Bulgun’s satisfied expression, he too deemed this proof sufficient.
He stood up and declared resolutely.
“If we submit an official appeal, it may be discovered. I will take these items myself and enlist a trusted associate to convey this intelligence to His Majesty discreetly!”
Uncle Ak Bulgun held the title of Instructor within the Imperial Guards.
Essentially, he was a combat instructor for the palace sentinels—but he acknowledged that his own authority was limited, so he mentioned he would leverage his connections.
He wished to avoid a formal petition to prevent alerting their foes or allowing them opportunity to flee, so he intended to use personal channels to relay the information covertly to the Emperor.
“Rest assured, the individuals I will approach are entirely reliable.”
As my sister-in-law’s uncle, he was certain to manage this effectively.
Ji-ryong and I exchanged glances and bowed our heads almost simultaneously.
“Understood, sir.”
“We leave it in your hands.”
There were initial concerns, but now it appeared that matters were progressing favorably.
***

While Uncle Ak Bulgun attended to his task, we resolved to act promptly ourselves.
Ji-ryong proposed that we make preparations in the event of unforeseen complications—even if Uncle managed things covertly.
“Although we’ve entrusted this to Uncle Ak, we cannot remain idle. The core of any plan is to prepare for the worst. We should operate on our own as well.”
“Operate independently? In what way?”
“I’m not suggesting a direct assault. But we should collect information and monitor Sewollu, the lavish pleasure house said to be formed by combining an upscale Five Venoms Sect dining establishment with a Blood Cult brothel.
Nanhwa, the head of the Bloodshade Unit, disclosed nothing about Sewollu, so our knowledge is limited.
If anything goes awry, we should at least have sufficient intelligence to rely on or adapt as needed.”
“You’re right…”
Our initial step was to initiate intelligence collection and observation.
The Five Venoms Sect’s opulent brothel: Sewollu.
We decided to gather information and surveil that venue—the one rumored to be so entertaining that hours slip away unnoticed.
We needed assistance to manage this, so we sought help. Where did we go? The Beggars’ Union.
Now that I considered it, the Beggars’ Union had maintained its influence, operated discreetly, and—I had a connection with Geolhwang.
I hadn’t seriously contemplated involving them due to their “beggar” identity, but Ji-ryong had convinced me they would be advantageous.
“Well, well. So you are the young warrior So?”
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Beneath the grandest bridge in Yeongcheon.
The sun had descended. We raised a straw mat ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ and were greeted by a surge of odor.
We had informed them of our arrival in advance, so the man beneath the lantern grinned, revealing missing teeth.
“Haha. No need to show such deference to a beggar.”
“Well, the customs of the Murim still require certain formalities…”
The man was the deputy leader of the Yeongcheon branch of the Beggars’ Union.
He continued, his expression amiable.
“Just as Elder Geolhwang indicated. He mentioned you might visit and said you would explain yourself. So, what brings you to the Beggars’ Union? Ah, and no need to concern yourself with payment—Geolhwang instructed us to extend you every courtesy.”
Who would have thought that presenting silkworm larvae to Elder Geolhwang would yield such benefits?
I elaborated on my purpose.
“Actually, I recently captured the chief of the Bloodshade Unit—the Blood Cult’s intelligence division.”
“The Bloodshade Unit! You captured their leader!?”
The branch leader’s eyes expanded in astonishment.
His cheerful demeanor instantly contorted into one of incredulity.
And as he writhed in sudden shock, the odor intensified.
“Ugh… Yes, sir.”
“Impossible… Some time ago, I heard a commander in the north captured a deputy leader of the Bloodshade Unit. Is this connected?”
“Ah, yes. I was the one who delivered her. That woman was the deputy.”
“What! That was authentic!? We assumed that crooked commander had used some deranged woman to close down a lawful brothel. So that wasn’t the case?”
Typical Beggars’ Union.
The branch leader had learned of the incident where I transferred the Blood Cult members to the Dongbang Pavilion commander.
He had presumed the woman—who had lost her sanity—was merely a pawn used to shut down a brothel and was unaware that we had also captured the true leader.
“Yes, sir.”
“Astounding. The leader of the Bloodshade Unit never engages directly. Not even two decades ago could anyone apprehend her! So… did you acquire any information? That sort of intelligence would be invaluable… Ah, but since she was from the intelligence division, I assume she took her own life? How unfortunate…”
He supposed Nanhwa must have ended her own life, evidently unaware of her true fragility.
Or rather—when faced with torture and questioning, she was utterly feeble.
The instant a centipede entered her nose, she wept uncontrollably and revealed everything.
She was so acquiescent it seemed dubious, so I even administered Cheongyu’s toxin and hypnotized her for validation—yet, she disclosed everything with absurd candor.
“No, she did not take her life. And yes, we obtained the intelligence.”
His eyes widened once more, and then he seized my hand in admiration.
“Remarkable! Elder Geolhwang predicted you would achieve great deeds, and now I see it… Truly extraordinary!”
His exhilaration raised his body temperature—and with it, the stench.
I discreetly withdrew my hand from his grimy, soiled fingers and addressed the main issue.
“…That is why I am here. I understand the Blood Cult and the Five Venoms Sect maintain their central base here in Yeongcheon. I was hoping you could assist us in surveilling it.”
“Their main stronghold in the Central Plains!? Assist? Of course we will assist! This is for the Murim! So, where is it?”
“A brothel named Sewollu.”
“Sewollu is the Five Venoms’ base!?”
I didn’t disclose everything immediately.
Only the details pertinent to Yeongcheon for the time being.
With the Five Venoms and Blood Cult extended far and wide, the more that was revealed, the more challenging covert operations would become.
“Then we will look into who enters and exits Sewollu, and identify those individuals. Anything further?”
“We can discuss additional details after this task is completed.”
“Very well. Understood.”
After enlisting the Beggars’ Union, we started back.
The harbor gate was in an uproar. As we drew nearer, we saw the cause—our ship.
It was encircled by troops.
Not the standard sentries we were accustomed to, either. These soldiers were clad in gilded uniforms and armor.
What was with all the spectacle?
“What’s happening?”
“Let’s investigate, So-ryong.”
Only Hwa-eun and I were returning, and as we arrived, we witnessed Nanhwa being forcibly removed from the ship.
“What is the meaning of this?”
I demanded to know why soldiers were overrunning the ship and seizing Nanhwa. My sister-in-law, eyes filled with tears, rushed over and exclaimed.
“Sir So! Uncle has been arrested!”
“What!?”
Wait, wasn’t he serving a wise and fair Emperor…?
Her uncle had described the Emperor as a benevolent sage, but his imprisonment didn’t align with that portrayal.
As Hwa-eun and I stood in disbelief, the officer in golden attire approached.
“I am Meng Cheong-un, Commander of the Jinmusa in the Imperial Guard. Are you the proprietor of this vessel, and the one who apprehended this woman from the Blood Cult?”
The Imperial Guard!?
At the reference to the Imperial Guard, my instincts sharpened.
When we studied the general knowledge of the Central Plains, Hwa-eun had explained that the Imperial Guard functioned as the Emperor’s private covert force.
They executed the Emperor’s most confidential tasks.
“Uh, yes… That is, I did…”
“Accompany us. We require your statement.”
“Wait, what—?”
As the guards took hold of my arms and started to lead me away, I heard the furious voices of my children flood my thoughts.
『-Tssssrr! (Father! Who are these individuals!? Why are they taking you!?)
-Tsss! (Are they enemies?? Should we attack!? Should we attack them, sister?)
-Grrr… (Should we eliminate all of them!?)
-BEEP! (Baaap!?)
-Kyuu! (What is occurring, Father?)
-Shiaa! (Shall I call the snakes?)』
W-wait! Compose yourselves, children!
Everyone, it’s not what you think. Please, remain calm.』
Below deck, Cheongwol’s enclosure quivered.
From the crew’s quarters, the doors started shaking—likely because the children had glimpsed my capture through the openings.
If they broke out, the entire ship would become a site of carnage. And I would undoubtedly be labeled a rebel.
Hwa-eun shouted to the Dragon Fangs.
“Secure the doors!”
“Y-yes, ma’am!”
“Ugh… K-keep them closed! Children, please stay calm!”
Hwa-eun rushed to stabilize Cheongwol’s chamber, and my elder brother and the Dragon Fangs reinforced the door as it trembled.
Then, amid the turmoil, I heard a hushed voice speak directly into my ear.
It was Meng Cheong-un’s whisper.
[Do not be alarmed. I will not harm you. Simply accompany me for the present.]
…What?
His voice was unexpectedly reassuring and known.