Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 359

Chapter 359
-Pii? 『Father, what did you wish to discuss so early?』
-Tsrrt? 『Baaap?』
-Kkuguu. 『Father, is it something urgent?』
-Kkuu? 『Father, what is the matter?』
-Kkyuut? 『Grandfather, what is it?』

In response to their inquiries, I gestured toward the upper deck.
“It is significant. Cheongwol must be included in this discussion, so let us proceed outside to speak.”

Cheongwol the scorpion, Hwayang the toad, the centipedes Cho, Hyang, and Bini, the lizards Seol, Bing, and Dong, and Cheongyu the snake — all were members of Odoc, bound to me through the Odoc Guiwon Divine Art and the Beast Heart Divine Art.
Five distinct species, comprising nine beasts in total.
Among them, only Cheongyu, Cho, and Bini had thus far awakened their unique abilities.
My purpose was to address those who had not yet undergone this awakening, hence my suggestion to assemble on the deck where Cheongwol resided.
Explaining this to each of the six individually seemed inefficient; a single gathering was far more practical.

-Tsrrt. 『Understood, Daddy.』
-Kkuguu. 『We will follow, Father.』

With me leading the way, the five creatures fell into step behind me.
However, the moment we exited the room, an issue arose.
-Kkyiit!
A sudden cry from Dong came from behind.
Turning to locate the source of the sound, I saw Dong’s head was oriented in the opposite direction.
‘Why is he facing the wrong way by himself?’
I was puzzled by the sight, but then Dong indicated a direction with his stout tail.
Following the line of his tail, I noticed Hwayang ambling lazily toward a corner.
I had mistaken Dong for the one who was turned around, when in fact it was Hwayang who had strayed from the group.
Dong had evidently spotted Hwayang attempting to sneak off toward the corner, a place everyone knew housed his sustenance — Hwajeong.

“Hwayang?”
-Pii?
Hwayang turned to look at me, head tilted as if questioning why I had called his name.
I managed a strained smile, suppressing the urge to let my irritation show.
Getting angry with the little ones was not an option.
“I said that Cheongwol Unnie is outside and asked everyone to come along. Did you not hear me? Were you distracted by something else?”
-Pii. 『Baap.』
“You heard me? Then why are you heading over there?”
-Pii. 『Baaap.』
“Ah, you were preoccupied with another matter. Breakfast, I suppose? You believe you must eat first?”
-Pii!
At my question, Hwayang nodded with an air of self-assurance, then continued his unhurried crawl toward Hwajeong.
Hearing Hwayang’s declaration that breakfast took precedence made my head ache.
He had heard the instruction, yet his first priority remained his meal.
And, in a way, I could not truly fault him — it was morning, so was it not natural to think of eating?
Could this be another of Hwayang’s peculiar beastly talents?
Sensing that further argument would be futile, I resolved to address Hwayang later and first escort the others to the deck.
‘Yes, Hwayang can be dealt with last.’
Insisting he come without eating would be pointless; he simply would not comply.
He would refuse to budge until he had eaten.
His daily routine consisted of waking at dawn and spending his hours licking Hwajeong until he fell asleep again.
To bring him along, I would have to bring Hwajeong as well — an unappealing prospect.
It was better to manage him separately.
Furthermore, upon reflection, Cheongwol would likely comprehend a normal explanation, but Hwayang, his mind perpetually filled with thoughts of food, would not grasp a word if I tried to explain amidst the others.

“Let us proceed without Hwayang.”
-Tsrrt.
-Kkuguu.
At my words, the others cast a brief glance toward Hwayang before nodding in agreement.
Dong even approached and gently patted my foot with his paw, as if offering consolation.
Was he trying to say, “Be patient, Grandfather”?
It seemed even young Dong had long since accepted that securing cooperation from Hwayang was a hopeless endeavor.
-Tsrrp, tsrrrp.
Meanwhile, utterly indifferent to our conversation, the sound of Hwayang contentedly licking his Hwajeong reverberated from the corner.
“Ehyo.”
With a resigned sigh, I left the room and started down the hallway toward the deck.

Once outside, I saw Cheongwol soaking in the morning sun at the ship’s stern.
Lately, due to Mirang’s attentive care, Cheongwol’s carapace shone with a brilliant luster.
“Cheongwol!”
We had moored the vessel in a secluded area at the harbor’s end, with the deck being the only exposed side, ensuring our privacy.
As I approached, Cheongwol slowly opened one eye and inquired:
-Krr. 『What is it?』
“I have something I need to discuss with you.”
-Krung. 『A matter to discuss? I see the others have joined us.』
As we spoke, the young ones instinctively began to climb onto Cheongwol’s immense form.
Her body served as their personal playground.
Whenever boredom struck, they would scramble over her to pass the time.
-Tsrrt. 『Cheongwol Unnie!』
-Krung. 『Ah, Hyang.』
-Kkyiit.
-Krrr. 『Dong, be cautious as you climb. Hyang, assist him.』
True to her nurturing nature, our kind-hearted Cheongwol.
She never seemed bothered by the youngsters using her as a climbing frame—instead, she kept a watchful eye on each of them.
Once Hyang, Seol, Bing, and Dong had settled onto her back, I commenced.

“Very well, now that everyone is here, let us begin.
The reason I summoned you all this morning is straightforward—through martial arts I have cultivated, I believe I can assist in awakening latent abilities within you. I wished to attempt this.
Cho and Bini have already awakened their traits. More recently, Cheongyu has done so as well. Now it is time for the rest of you.
Cheongwol and Hyang are already aware, correct? That matter related to Qinghai’s Kunlun Sect.”
-Krrr. 『Ah, that phenomenon.』
-Kkugu. 『I am familiar with it as well, Father.』
-Kkuu. 『I have been eager to experience it too. I am curious to discover what ability I might develop.』
At my explanation, the children responded with voices tinged with anticipation.
They themselves expressed curiosity about their potential new abilities, so aside from Hwayang, it appeared I could proceed with the trait awakening without complication.

But just as my hopes were rising, Hyang suddenly shrieked.
-Tsrrrt! 『You awakened Cheongyu Unnie before me!?』
‘Uh oh!’
Her cry made the hairs on my neck stand up.
Of course. Hyang was notoriously susceptible to jealousy.
I had forgotten the necessity of starting with her due to the urgency of opening the Gate.
Hyang, who despised being surpassed by her elder sisters, had previously postponed her own evolution.
Consequently, when her seniors awakened their traits first, she had thrown a significant fit. And now, learning that even Cheongyu had awakened ahead of her, she was sulking once more.
I hastily formulated an excuse.
“No, it was only because Cheongyu Unnie manifests solely on the night of the full moon; I needed to aid her emergence each evening. What if we begin with you on this occasion?”
I offered a warm smile and moved toward Hyang, but she abruptly leaped from the deck.
She dashed toward the cabin, her voice loud and petulant.
-Tsrrr! 『Daddy only favors the other sisters! I refuse! Hyang will not participate!』
“Hyang! Hyang! Everyone, please remain here for a moment.”
Chasing after the fleeing Hyang, I pursued her into the cabin, but she scaled the wall and affixed herself to the ceiling, refusing to descend.
“Hyang. Hyang?”
She was curled up ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ upon the ceiling, her antennae tucked away.
-Tsrrt? 『Daddy, what is the trouble?』
-Tsrrr. 『Why is Hyang Unnie causing a scene again?』
Cho and Bini, now awakened, approached and looked on with puzzled tilts of their heads.
“Well, it is like this, yesterday with Cheongyu Unnie…”
After providing a swift summary of events, Cho nodded in comprehension.
She gently nudged me out of the cabin with her forelegs and stated:
-Tsrrrt. 『Daddy, entrust Hyang to my care. Return to your task.』
“Huh? Cho, are you certain? Will this not upset Hyang further?”
-Tsrrt. 『Hyang behaves this way because you consistently indulge her. I will manage this; please go back to what you were doing.』
Firmly guiding me out the door, Cho turned sharply to address Hyang, who was still clinging to the ceiling.
-Tsrrrrr. 『Hyang, will you not come down? Father assisted Cheongyu Unnie because her presence is limited to the full moon. Why are you behaving so unreasonably?』
-Tsrrt. 『I do not care!』
-Tst! 『You have been neglecting your duties lately, have you not? Do you require a proper reprimand like in the past!?』
‘Such is the authority of the firstborn.’
Her tone was so firm and decisive—reminiscent of a miniature adult.
Hearing Cho’s stern admonishment was a perfect echo of how Hwa-eun scolded me.
It was undoubtedly learned behavior.
I nodded approvingly and murmured to myself.
“She truly is my daughter. It is precisely like when Hwa-eun scolds me.”
“What is precisely like what, So-ryong?”
In the midst of my muttering, Hwa-eun’s voice suddenly reached me.
Startled, I turned to find Hwa-eun observing me with a curious expression, her face still glistening from her ablutions.
She must have risen, washed, and come out seeking breakfast.
“Ah, it is nothing! I merely remarked that the manner in which Cho disciplines her siblings reminds me greatly of you.”
“Ah… Well, Cho certainly does resemble me in that regard.”
“But what are you doing here?”
I had offered a quick excuse, but if Hwa-eun discovered Cho was presently scolding Hyang inside, my true meaning would be evident.
Thus, I swiftly redirected the conversation to Cheongyu.
“Oh, that is right! Cheongyu Soje manifested once more last night!”
“Cheongyu Soje?”
“Indeed. It appears to be a result of channeling the Beast Heart Divine Art energy into her. Should she awaken again tonight, it may signify that Cheongyu Soje will govern the night while King Cheongyu retains presence during the day.”
“Ah… This implies that henceforth, we can seek answers regarding Odoc or martial arts without awaiting a full moon.”
“Precisely.”
A single glance between us—understanding was mutual and complete.
“But what were you doing here?”
“Ah, it concerns Hwayang! I intended to infuse the others with Beast Heart Divine Art energy as well, but Hwayang refuses to depart from Hwajeong, so I relinquished the idea and was on my way out.”
“Let us go, then. Let us observe what transpires when you infuse the others.”
“Agreed.”
Inside, the sound of Cho sternly lecturing Hyang persisted, but I took Hwa-eun’s hand and drew her along. Flustered, she followed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Upon rejoining the others on the deck, they immediately inquired about Hyang.
-Kkuguu. 『Is Hyang still displeased, Father?』
‘Yes, essentially. Let us simply continue today with the rest of you.’
Having settled this internally, I turned to the next candidate for trait awakening.
Then Cheongwol voiced a concern.
-Krung. 『So-ryong, perhaps it would be wiser for me to return to the Tang family’s lands or relocate to solid ground?』
“Huh? Why do you suggest that?”
-Krrr. 『Should I increase in size as Bini did, the ship could sustain damage.』
She had a valid point. If she were to grow larger here, the vessel might indeed fracture.
It would not sink, owing to the buoyancy enchantments, but the wooden deck could splinter, exposing the magical reinforcement beneath.
Our prudent Cheongwol had considered everything.
“Then, Seol, Bing, and Dong will proceed first.”
With Hwayang fixated on food, Hyang in a sulk, and Cheongwol posing a potential risk—Seol, Bing, and Dong remained.
“Very well, let us commence with the gentleman of the group—Bing!”
What traits might Seol, Bing, and Dong awaken?
I rested my hand upon Bing’s head as he perched on Cheongwol’s back, and began to gradually channel energy into him.