Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 362

Chapter 362
As I shouted with pure delight, the individual snowflakes that had been drifting down suddenly began to dance and whirl through the air.

“Aigoo! You clever little thing!”

I dashed over, wrapped my arms around Dong-i, and pressed my cheek against his as hard as I could. Along with the chill of the snow came the coolness of Dong-i’s skin. It wasn’t a warm or soft feeling, but the refreshing cold and the unmistakable, sleek smoothness unique to the Snow-Ice Stone was clear against my face.

At the same time, Dong-i let out a distressed sound.
–Pyuik. Pyu-pyu. 『G-Grandpa, p-please stop. You’re squishing me, Grandpa… Hnnngh.』
I showed no mercy as I continued to nuzzle him, and he used his front paw to push at my face, his expression pleading. But I simply couldn’t bring myself to end the moment.

Because this… this had to be Dong-i’s power.
As his body glimmered, snowflakes fluttered down from the sky in perfect time. I still needed to verify it, but it was obvious—Dong-i’s ability was to create snowfall around himself. The power to alter the weather.

It didn’t appear particularly potent yet, but Dong-i was still an infant. Just as children mature, wouldn’t his innate talents and skills also develop? This gentle snow might one day become a raging snowstorm… or even a full-blown blizzard. Even if, for now, it was only a delicate shower of flakes.

As his grandfather, my heart raced with so much exhilaration I felt lightheaded—or as if I might pass away.
‘Ah, my head is spinning.’
It was like dopamine was flooding my system. Was this the overwhelming pride a grandfather feels upon realizing his grandchild is a genius?

Dong-i’s mother and father could only produce cold air and shape an ice horn, but this little one—it felt like an area-of-effect ability. This was a true case of the pupil eclipsing the master! I was utterly elated. Not only was he more powerful than his parents—but let’s be honest, in any game, the most coveted skill is always an AOE. My grandchild was absolutely phenomenal.

“My dear, precious Dong-i. How can you be so amazing…?”
–Pyu-uu…
Just as Dong-i surrendered to my relentless affection and went slack against my cheek, Sister Seol’s voice cut through the air.

“So-ryong, this is no time for a celebration!”
No time to celebrate? What kind of absurdity was that? If my life had a limited number of moments for genuine happiness, then this—right now—was undoubtedly one of them. Aside from the day I complete the Ten Poisons and my marriage to Hwa-eun. Without a doubt!

“What are you talking about?! Dong-i has just manifested an amazing power! Of course I should celebrate!”
“Look over there!”
I objected with a look of pure incredulity, but Sister Seol gestured past the edge of the boat. At first, I only saw the ship’s curtain. I leaned out past it to see what was beyond—and every single person at the harbor was standing completely still, their gazes fixed directly on our vessel.

“Oh…”
It felt as if the entire world was watching us. They likely couldn’t see us or the children through the curtain, but there was no doubt everyone was staring at our ship.

“Wait, why is everyone looking?”
“Because it’s only snowing on our boat!”
Ah.
Dong-i’s snow was falling solely on the immediate area around our boat. This intensely localized snowfall… Naturally, it would capture everyone’s attention.

I turned and yelled urgently to my sister.
“We need to go!”
“Go?”
“Yes, go!!”
I had been so absorbed in celebrating with Dong-i in my arms that I failed to notice everyone on the ship—the Dragon Fangs included—was standing around in a state of alarm.

I turned and shouted to Do Sagong.
“Do Sagong! Cast off! Make ready to depart!”
“Y-yes, Lord So-ryong!”
Do Sagong, who had been gaping blankly at the sky, jolted back to awareness and barked orders to the sailors.
“P-prepare to cast off!”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Understood, Do Sagong!”
At his command, the crew started loosening the mooring ropes. Once all the lines were back on deck, I called out to Geumdo.

“Geumdo-ya, let’s move!”
The disguise sail billowed open, and with a powerful stomp of Geumdo’s hoof, the ship started to glide forward.
‘In a situation like this, it’s best to escape first and ask questions later.’
The official story? We had no idea why it was snowing, and we were simply leaving the area.

***
We didn’t go far.
We merely dropped anchor a little further away from Yeongcheonbu. I had thought about going farther, but we still hadn’t finalized our plans for handling the Five Venoms Sect spies embedded within the Hao Clan and the Beggars’ Union.

We had finished our initial discussions, but hadn’t taken action yet because of the government personnel involved. The Five Venoms and the Blood Cult had deeply infiltrated the Central Plains—their influence extended to martial artists, common citizens, and even government officials.

This meant we required someone who could operate on the government’s behalf, something the Hao Clan and Beggars’ Union were unable to do. Martial artists could not openly move against civil officials—adhering to the principle of the Separation of the Bureaucracy and the Martial World.

Thankfully, we had an answer.
Commander of Internal Affairs Meng Cheong-un of the Imperial Guards. As the son of General Meng and someone with whom I had a connection, he seemed like a viable ally.

The Imperial Guards not only served as protectors of the royal family but also functioned as an intelligence organization. That was why we intended to bring Meng Cheong-un into the fold.

I had sent him a message to set up a meeting, but he had been held up dealing with the aftermath of the previous incident. Regardless, here we were—anchored by the riverbank just outside Yeongcheonbu.

Luckily, the snow had ceased after about an hour, and it had been confined to the harbor. You might be wondering how I knew this even after our hurried departure? Because shortly after we moored a distance from Yeongcheonbu, we received a series of… displeased visitors.

“Really, what were you thinking, causing such a spectacle in Yeongcheonbu?!”
“It occurred completely unexpectedly, I assure you…”

Commander of Internal Affairs Meng Cheong-un of the Imperial Guards. Despite his busy schedule, General Meng’s son had rushed over in a worried state, as had Elder Punggae of the Beggars’ Union and Eunbi Ruju. Of course—they were intelligence specialists. It had taken them barely an hour after we docked to locate us.

“I was astonished as well. I never expected it to snow…”
“I knew it had to be your doing—and I was correct. A spirit beast that creates snow…”
All the major intelligence leaders stationed in the capital, Yeongcheonbu, had hurried over. Apparently, rumors were already circulating that something inauspicious had happened—snow in early autumn was being interpreted as an omen of turmoil for the nation.

Even in my past life, tales of white crows or white deer often spread as signs of a shift in the country’s destiny. Now, here in this time, it had snowed in early autumn… It was inevitable that people would gossip.

“My apologies.”
I inclined my head, but Meng Cheong-un still appeared deeply concerned.
“We haven’t even finished managing the Crown Prince situation, and now this…”
“Crown Prince?”
I started at the words and echoed them. Meng Cheong-un gave a nod.
“Yes. He was adamant that it was a fairy. The Crown Prince apparently conducted inspections of every palace maid. He seems to have relented—for the time being—but one can never tell. He is a tenacious individual.”
Why couldn’t he simply let it go?
As a cold sweat broke out on my brow, Elder Punggae swiftly intervened.

“Since it occurred at the harbor, we—the Beggars’ Union and the Hao Clan—will assist in quelling the rumors.”
“You’re offering to manage the rumors?”
“Correct. The majority of the boatmen, dockworkers, and even the inn staff around the harbor are connected to the Hao Clan, and since many of our beggars are also positioned there, it will be simple to control the narrative. We will simply circulate a story that it was dandelion seeds from Pogongyeong drifting on the air. That is the account we will promote.”

“If you could manage that, it would relieve me of a significant burden.”
Commander of Internal Affairs Meng Cheong-un smiled with clear relief at the suggestion from Eunbi Ruju and Elder Punggae. Since they were tidying up a mess caused by my own accident—no, my granddaughter’s accident—I was overwhelmed with thankfulness.
‘I will make certain to return this favor one day.’

Just as I made that silent promise, Elder Punggae noticed Meng Cheong-un’s satisfied look and promptly added with a smile.
“Well, now that’s arranged. Anyway, it’s fortunate we met. I had been wanting to speak with you.”
It meant he had been seeking an opportunity to meet regardless, and this had turned out perfectly.
“With me? So it was you who asked for the meeting?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“But what possible business could the esteemed members of the Beggars’ Union and the Hao Clan have with me?”
Meng Cheong-un tilted his head in confusion at the remark, clearly puzzled by their desire to meet him.

Eunbi Ruju took the lead in explaining.
“Young Master So is in possession of a list of Central Plains officials who have been compromised by the Blood Cult and the Five Venoms Sect. The issue is, a number of government officials are on that list. They are parasites consuming the Central Plains from within. They must be excised. However, due to the martial world’s policy of non-interference in governmental matters, we cannot act against them directly. That is why we require someone to manage the government side.”

“Is that so?!”
Startled, Meng Cheong-un glanced around for verification—and everyone nodded.
“Yes, Commander.”
“You should have informed me of this earlier.”
Naturally, he was intrigued by the mission. But as we conversed, it became apparent his strategy differed from ours. We had intended to remove the threats discreetly—but he proposed an alternative.

“Instead of eliminating them immediately, we should utilize them.”
“Utilize them?”
“You mean use them?”
“Even if we know their general location, the precise spot isn’t certain. They may have already relocated. So we use them to verify their operational base and track their sources of funding. If we simply eradicate them, we will be severing connections that could lead us back to the Five Venoms Sect and the Hao Clan.”

“That is a valid point. Hmm. It’s not a bad strategy, but… that would necessitate extensive surveillance. Are you capable of handling that?”
Rather than merely disposing of them, he suggested using them for a larger purpose. Although Elder Punggae seemed worried, Meng Cheong-un replied with assurance.

“If you manage the martial world aspect, we will handle the officials ourselves.”
“Then let’s proceed accordingly.”
“Agreed. It’s a sound plan.”
With the Beggars’ Union and Hao Clan in accord, the meeting came to a close. The issue of dealing with the infiltrators within the Hao Clan was resolved, and our work in Yeongcheonbu was finished.

Now, we would conclude our affairs here and head back to the Tang Clan.
***
“We intend to leave at once. It has been too long since we departed the Tang Clan—it is time to return home.”
As the meeting concluded, I said my goodbyes. It had already been half a year since I left the Tang Clan. There was no further reason to remain—so it was time to go home. All of this had begun with aiding the princess… and one event led to the next until we found ourselves here.
‘What sort of endless chain of quests is this…’

“Then we will keep you updated on any progress via letter.”
“I will also send letters, Young Master.”
“Very well.”
“If I need to convey anything, I will do so through the Beggars’ Union or Hao Clan.”
“Yes, Commander.”
And so, all three pledged to use letters for future communications.

Just as we were completing our farewells, Eunbi Ruju, who was walking across the gangplank to the shore, turned back with a sudden thought.
“Young Master.”
“Yes, Eunbi Ruju?”
“Thanks to this event, I have strengthened my standing within my faction. I would like to offer you a farewell gift.”
“But you already provided a courtesan last time…”
“That was not a gift.”
“It was a tremendous help to me.”
I attempted to decline, but her next words made refusal impossible.
“You collect poisonous creatures, correct? I recently acquired some information, and when the snow began to fall, it jogged my memory. As the Hao Clan’s branch master, this sort of intelligence concerning venomous beasts comes to me naturally, so I felt compelled to share it.”

I asked with keen interest, my face full of anticipation.
“Yes? Ah, what is it?”
“They say the peak of Mount Lushan in Jiangxi Province is already covered in ice. Much like the out-of-season snowfall, perhaps this ice is also the work of a spirit creature.”
The mountain peak was frozen?
My Spicy Fabre venomous creature senses tingled. I bowed deeply in thanks.
“Thank you!”
“If you ever decide to raise birds, please do visit Eunbi.”
As I expressed my gratitude, Elder Punggae of the Beggars’ Union stepped up, clearly not wanting to be left behind.
“Now, what’s this? Distributing gifts on your own?”
“Then the Beggars’ Union should contribute as well, Elder.”
“Hrmm. What sort of information would benefit a young hero like you, who has a fondness for venomous creatures…”
“You truly don’t need to…”
“Oh, but the Beggars’ Union cannot be outdone by the Hao Clan.”
He paused, thinking, then suddenly brightened.
“Ah! That’s it! Young hero, they say a strange whirlpool has been forming lately in Lake Dongting in Hunan. You ought to investigate. Who can say? Perhaps a turtle is hiding in the depths.”
“Oh! Understood! Thank you!”
A whirlpool under the water, then.
We already possessed a turtle, but still—there was no knowing what it might be. The journey back to the Tang Clan certainly wouldn’t be dull.