Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 344

Chapter 344
Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter, adhering to all your specified requirements.

***

I realized there was no chance of posing further questions to Elder Punggae.
He was completely inundated, issuing commands to a steady stream of beggars reporting to him.
“Still no word from the Shaanxi direction?”
“None, sir. It appears the message has not yet arrived.”
“It should have been here by now! What is causing such a delay? Could they be dawdling somewhere after labeling it urgent!? Find out when they cleared Hangu Pass!”
“At once, Branch Leader!”
“Branch Leader! An update has just arrived from the Shandong branch!”
“Good. Let me have it.”
It was obvious the immense workload my request had generated was consuming all his attention.
As Hwa-eun and I shared a look of mutual curiosity, one of the beggars who had earlier retreated into the huts came back, holding an object in his hands.
“This is for you, Young Master.”
“Ah, my thanks.”
The member of the Beggars’ Union passed me a sheaf of papers, crudely secured with a piece of string. The documents were creased and worn, giving the impression they had been quickly mended and assembled.
The instant I took the bundle, the beggar issued a stern warning.
“Ensure you burn that report once you have read it. It must not fall into any other hands.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
I gave a grave nod at his earnest expression and promptly turned to the first page.
My curiosity about what this millipede affair could involve had been overwhelming—and I was evidently not alone in that feeling.
Without a word from me, Hwa-eun rested her head against my shoulder.
As she did, the sweet scent of her perfume reached me.
*Hngh. She smells wonderful.*
I turned my head, met her eyes, and then looked back down at the page—
A pointed cough sounded from nearby.
“Ahem. Perhaps the two of you should examine that in a more secluded spot.”
Ah, damn. My curiosity got the better of me…
We had just been instructed to prevent any leaks, and yet we were opening it right here in the open. Naturally, they would be displeased.
Sharing an abashed smile with Hwa-eun, I quickly offered an apology.
“My apologies. This is my first time receiving such a report from the Beggars’ Union, and my curiosity overwhelmed my judgment. We will return to our ship to review it properly.”
“I would be grateful for that.”
Having apologized, I resolved to depart immediately.
I was simply too eager to learn what was inside.
“Hwa-eun, should we return?”
“Yes, So-ryong.”
I bid a brief farewell to Elder Punggae—who simply flapped a hand in my direction while murmuring into another beggar’s ear—and then offered him a respectful bow at his back before carefully stowing the bundle inside my robe.
We departed from the bridge and strolled beside the riverbank, where the sunset was painting the sky, making our way back to the harbor.
Once the bridge was a good distance behind us, Hwa-eun tilted her head and inquired with keen interest:
“So-ryong, what do you suppose this issue about millipedes could be?”
She must have been too eager to wait until we were back on the ship.
I rubbed my chin, lost in thought, when a sudden recollection came to me.
Something I had entirely forgotten about until now.
“Well… a Taoist and millipedes? Ah! One possibility occurs to me… Could it be that?”
“What possibility?”
“Well, the thing is…”
It appeared I would need to tell Hwa-eun an old tale—or more accurately, a tale from a time yet to come.

***

On the western fringe of Mount Song, home to the Shaolin Temple, lay a small hamlet.
The inhabitants named it Sosang Village.
It was a minute settlement of scarcely a hundred homes, yet its residents possessed a profound pride in their community.
The name Sosang, which translates to “small appearance,” was bestowed a century ago by a venerated Shaolin monk to honor the village’s founding under the temple’s guardianship.
“What is your decision, Village Chief?”
In the modest confines of Sosang Village, Village Chief Gu-gil stroked his chin with a worried air as the herb gatherer posed the question.
The autumn harvest had concluded, providing a slight respite—but this new problem promised to be far costlier than he had anticipated.
“Hngh… You mentioned three silver pieces?”
“Yes, Village Chief.”
“That is a significant sum.”
“It is. But you can see the condition of the village for yourself…”
“And his method is truly effective?”
“Yes. The river village next to us, Gaoae, achieved genuine success. The Taoist visited and eradicated the problem entirely. Fisherwoman So saw it with her own eyes, so the information is trustworthy.”
Sosang Village had not always been so small.
In the days when the Yi River ran directly past it, it was the most substantial village in the area.
It had been a prosperous fishing community, crowded with people who made their living from the river.
But three decades prior, a tremendous flood altered the river’s path, and the majority of the population relocated to Gaoae Village, which emerged along the new riverbank.
Now, Sosang Village was sustained only by a few herb gatherers eking out a living.
Consequently, any major expenditure required thorough deliberation.
Herb gathering was a fickle trade dependent on fortune; some days one could search for hours and find nothing.
“If we merely hold out a while longer, winter will arrive. Is it not possible to endure until then?”
The herb gatherer shook his head.
“How can we possibly last until winter in this state?”
“I feared as much…”
“Correct. It is costly, but people need to survive. If not, others may choose to desert the village for Gaoae. Did not Gwak, who married his daughter off there, vow he would not return until this situation is fixed?”
Village Chief Gu-gil reached his decision.
He told himself they would simply have to endure a leaner winter this year.
As the herb gatherer stated, survival was the priority. They could not forsake the village for a matter like this.
They had stayed when the river deserted them—how could they leave now?
“Very well. We will proceed. We will sell the twenty-year-old fleeceflower root we were holding back for winter.”
“Understood. I will go to Gaoae to sell it and bring the Taoist back with me.”
“Go on. I will retrieve it from storage.”
“Yes, Village Chief.”
Releasing a weighty sigh, Gu-gil moved toward the village storehouse.
It was a small cavern excavated into the hillside.
He unlocked the rusted padlock—bought many years prior—and entered.
There, positioned far inside, was a large chest for storing herbs.
–Click.
He opened it to reveal a massive fleeceflower root, as thick as a sweet potato.
They had discovered it several months ago while foraging and had collectively decided to save it for winter, when its market price would be higher.
It was not a mythical elixir pursued by martial artists, but given its size and quality, it could effortlessly command at least five silver pieces.
“Here. Take it.”
“Yes, Village Chief.”
Gu-gil meticulously rewrapped the root in moss and cloth, tying it securely.
Then, he slung it onto his back and wordlessly exited the village with the herb gatherer, setting a direct course for Gaoae.
The Taoist was reportedly there.

***

The pungent odor of fish drying in the air saturated Gaoae Village, which they reached following a two-hour trek.
In Gu-gil’s childhood, that very same smell had been familiar in Sosang Village.
In those days, this location had been nothing but an open field.
The proverb about mulberry fields transforming into blue seas held true in every sense.
As Gu-gil was immersed in these recollections, the briny wind in his nostrils, the herb gatherer’s voice interrupted his reminiscing.
“Chief, should we not visit the herb merchant first?”
“Indeed, we should.”
“Then let us proceed to Merchant Hwang’s establishment.”
“Agreed.”
Merchant Hwang’s herb shop had consistently been the preferred destination for the people of Sosang. He not only offered fair prices, but when winter ended and supplies were low, he would provide advances in exchange for the promise of spring herbs.
Therefore, for any significant transaction, the herb gatherers of Sosang invariably went to Merchant Hwang.
“Good day!”
Upon entering the shop, the workers seemed occupied in the rear courtyard. The only person visible was Merchant Hwang, napping at the counter.
The moment he noticed Gu-gil enter, his face brightened with delight.
“Churup… Oh, my! Chief Gu, what brings you all this way?”
His pleasure was evident—a personal visit from Gu-gil always signaled a major sale.
He had a history of coming himself whenever there was something particularly valuable to offer.
“A rather exceptional herb has come into our possession…”
“Truly? Do not linger there. Come, sit—I will prepare some tea.”
“You are most kind, Merchant Hwang.”
After they had settled at the table and taken a sip of tea, Merchant Hwang clasped his hands and inquired:
“So, what have you brought for me?”
He did not even wait for the herb gatherer’s cup to be empty—his desire to see the merchandise was immediate.
Gu-gil, who had carried the item on his back the entire journey, placed the herb box on the table and pushed it across.
“See for yourself. It is fleeceflower root. It appears to be more than twenty years old.”
“Fleeceflower? A root of twenty years!? Allow me to examine it.”
–Rustle. Rustle.
Gently pulling back the moss covering the root, he exposed an exceptionally thick fleeceflower that unquestionably seemed over two decades old.
With a thrilled expression, Merchant Hwang scrutinized it from every perspective.
After a complete inspection, he smiled and proposed:
“Oho. This is superior quality. What would you say to seven silver pieces for it?”
Hearing this, the eyes of both Gu-gil and the herb gatherer widened in surprise.
They had optimistically hoped for five silver—with seven, even after paying the Taoist three, they would retain four.
There was no deliberation needed.
Merchant Hwang was not known for deceit, so Gu-gil agreed without hesitation.
“An excellent offer, Merchant Hwang. We accept.”
“Splendid, I will get the money immediately.”
In high spirits after securing a better price than anticipated, Gu-gil and the herb gatherer exited the shop and made their way to the giru of Gaoae Village.
Although termed a giru, it was not a tall, multi-leveled tower—merely a structure somewhat larger than a standard inn.
Gaoae was not sizable enough to support a more grandiose building.
Standing before the giru identified by a sign reading “Gaoae Pavilion,” Gu-gil directed the herb gatherer to approach one of the attendants.
“Excuse me, is the Taoist Master Taiheo presently here?”
The attendant looked them over and then mutely extended his hand.
It was a clear demand for a gratuity in exchange for information.
The herb gatherer stifled a frown and retrieved a coin from the money pouch concealed near his thigh, pressing it into the attendant’s palm.
The man pocketed it and finally spoke.
“He is inside. What is your business?”
“We are here to seek his assistance with a problem.”
“Hmm. Follow me.”
Trailing the attendant through a rear entrance of the giru, they crossed a back courtyard and arrived at what seemed to be a private annex.
From within, they could hear the sound of women laughing.
“Kyaah! Taoist Master, you must not!”
“Oh-ho! This is unacceptable. I must employ my talisman. Immediately, by the decree—disrobe!”
“Kyaah! Oh my, my garments are slipping off by themselves!”
Gu-gil and the herb gatherer exchanged flustered glances.
The attendant quietly called inside.
“Taoist Master, you have visitors seeking your expertise.”
“What!? Clients?”
The laughter ceased at once, replaced by the sound of shuffling.
A short time later, the Taoist appeared, his robe draped on hurriedly, his manner flustered.
“Oh my. More guests? I do not know which village you represent, but let me surmise—yours is also plagued by millipedes, and the smell is intolerable?”
Behind him, talismans were stuck to the bare limbs of the courtesans.
Catching a glimpse of the interior, Gu-gil pushed aside his discomfiture and nodded swiftly.
“Y-yes, precisely, Taoist Master. We are here to beg for your aid.”
Wearing a self-assured smile, the Taoist responded:
“Ah, I see. Well, very good. If I apply my talismans, those millipedes will be dispersed in an instant.”
As he said this, he began peeling the talismans from the courtesans and stuffing them into his robe.