Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 373

Chapter 373
Of course. Here is the paraphrased chapter:

“Young Master So, could you possibly show us one more time?”
“Yes, please. Just once. We hardly had a chance to see her properly yesterday.”
“We beg you, Young Master.”

The moment I awoke, the women of the Dragon Fangs and my sister-in-law were already in my room, pleading for another glimpse of Baekbaek.
I had let them see her briefly the day before, but it seemed that short viewing had only sharpened their desire.
Baekbaek is a pure-white infant pangolin.
The image of her clinging to her mother’s tail with her eyes tightly shut was so endearing it had sent them into a state of desperate longing.
It was common for a new creature that appealed to the women’s affections to cause such a stir, but on this occasion, it posed a genuine difficulty.
My own drowsiness was the least of the issues—to display her, I would need to open the freezer room door, allowing the chilled air to escape and destabilize the interior climate.
An abrupt shift in temperature would be harmful for both the mother and her child.

‘They have only just gotten over their exhaustion. A sudden change in their environment is the last thing they need.’
The mother might claim to be fine, but the pair had only recently emerged from a period of recuperation.
If the temperature fluctuated, the mother would be forced to burn more energy to compensate, so it was wisest to keep the door sealed.

‘Perhaps I should promise to let them see her later? I need to check on them anyway… No, that wouldn’t be the same. Me entering alone is a completely different matter.’
I nearly told them I would look in on them later during my own visit, but I stopped myself.
That would involve me slipping inside quickly by myself.
One or two people might be manageable, but a large audience would necessitate leaving the door open for too long.

“I must apologize. If I open the door, the cold will leak out, and the mother will have to expend her precious energy. They have only just recovered from their fatigue…”
“I heard they were unwell… I suppose it’s true, then…”
“Oh, I so wanted to see her again.”
“Well, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped. You must show us when they are stronger.”

I declined with a sympathetic expression, and they departed looking dejected, my sister-in-law among them.
It appeared the commotion had subsided—but that was merely the first act.
As the women left, Sister Seol entered as if they were changing shifts.
She poked her head through the doorway I had yet to close and greeted me.

“So-ryong, did you rest well?”
“Did you also sleep well, Sister Seol?”
“Yes, well enough. Shall we have our morning meal together today?”
“Of course.”

We shared breakfast nearly every day, so her formal invitation felt unusual.
Something was different—upon reflection, I sensed a shift in Sister Seol’s usual demeanor.
Normally, she radiated a wild, vibrant energy, but today she seemed subdued and hesitant.
This restraint signaled she had come here with another purpose in mind.
Most likely, she also wished to see Baekbaek.
We had known each other long enough for me to read her intentions from her expression alone.
She must have witnessed the other women being turned away and, understanding the creatures’ condition better than anyone, found it difficult to make the same request.
Since she knew how vital rest was after such exhaustion, she probably felt too embarrassed to ask outright.

‘She should just say she wants to see them.’
But she isn’t a stranger. If it’s Sister Seol, couldn’t she simply accompany me when I go to check on them?
I was thinking it was unlike her to be so timid when she suddenly darted out—returning moments later with Hwa-eun and our food.
Breakfast consisted of steaming rice and fried fish.
The rich, savory scent of the meal drifted from their trays into the room.

“So-ryong, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, Hwa-eun. Please, come in. That smells wonderful.”
“The fishermen caught several large carp overnight. We are having rice and fried carp.”
“Rice and carp, after such a long time. It sounds delicious. And carp is a meaty fish…”

After a diet heavy in flour, the prospect of rice felt like a divine gift.
Smiling, I took the bowls from them and set them on the table.
We began to eat and made light conversation. When I was about halfway through my rice, Sister Seol began pushing grains around with her chopsticks and inquired,

“So-ryong, how is Baekbaek faring?”

She was likely hoping I would say something like, “I haven’t looked in on her yet, but I will soon. Would you like to join me?”
But I pretended not to understand and gave a noncommittal reply.
“She is probably doing just fine in there, isn’t she?”
“Oh… I see… When do you plan to check on her?”

Sister Seol stumbled over her words.
From beside her, Hwa-eun sent me a silent message.
[Why are you tormenting her like this, So-ryong?]
She was chastising me for playing oblivious when I knew perfectly well what Sister Seol desired.
But what could I do? It was the first time I had seen her behave with such shy reservation. I found it irresistible.
Keeping a straight face, I continued.

“I don’t believe I will be opening that door for several days. The journey must have been hard on Baekbaek, so I want to ensure she gets proper rest for now.”
“What? Why? But… surely you need to confirm that she is alright?”
[So-ryong…]

Sister Seol looked dismayed, and Hwa-eun sent another mental rebuke, telling me to cease my teasing.
Just then, Unmirang’s voice came from beyond the door.
“So-ryong, the Taoist says we will be arriving in Wuhan soon.”
“Understood.”

I finished the last of my rice and left Sister Seol behind to go up on deck.
We were pausing briefly in Wuhan.
The path to the Tang Clan was still fraught with upcoming tasks.
First, I needed to investigate the whirlpools at Dongting Lake, then make a stop at Lee Tae’s fortress to allow Geumdo to bask in the sun.
I also had to touch base with the Martial Alliance to learn the current state of affairs between the Five Venoms Sect and the Blood Cult.
I had received a general report back at the Beggar Clan in Yeongcheon, but I believed it was better to get a detailed account directly from the Alliance.
Naturally, I had no plans to enter the building myself.
I intended only to peruse the market near Wuhan’s port.
The reason for my avoidance of the Martial Alliance in Wuhan?
The Alliance Leader had bestowed upon me a powerful martial technique, and I had scarcely practiced it.
If news of my presence spread, they would undoubtedly haul me in to inquire about my progress.
He had stated he didn’t accept disciples, but let’s be honest—if you pass your technique to someone, you would want to know how they are progressing, wouldn’t you?
And if the person you entrusted it to had done almost no training?
“So, to what level have you mastered my technique?”
“Well… I’ve only just grasped the fundamentals.”
“What!?”
Yes. That would be profoundly awkward.
Certainly, I had managed to survive the camel spider attack in Qinghai because of his martial art.
But in truth? I hadn’t used it a single time since.
‘I mean, it’s a martial art that emulates insects. Who in the world would want to master a technique that makes your skin flake…?’
Let’s be frank—this spicy Fabre already possesses a technique that fits him perfectly. Why would I want one that causes dry, flaking skin?
That happens naturally if you skip bathing.
As Wuhan grew closer on the horizon, a sense of dread began to build within me.
Stepping onto the deck, I saw the Dragon Fangs clustered in small groups, talking animatedly about our approach to Wuhan.
They seemed overjoyed by the prospect of meeting old acquaintances again.
I ambled over to them and remarked,

“Everyone appears delighted to be returning to Wuhan?”
‘It seems everyone is excited. Everyone except for me.’
“Naturally. It has been too long.”
“It feels like an age since we last saw Uncle.”
“The mere thought of a hot bath at one of the sect’s lodgings in Wuhan is thrilling, isn’t it?”

They were unquestionably thrilled.
Nodding, I made a request of them all.
“So… I have a favor to ask. Please do not tell anyone that I am here.”
Due to the commotion with the creatures, I hadn’t found an opportunity to mention it sooner.
“Keep it a secret?”
“You wish to remain undiscovered?”

Everyone looked astonished when I asked them to conceal my arrival from the Martial Alliance.
Among them, my elder brother seemed confused as he asked,
“Why would you do that? Many within the Martial Alliance would be delighted by your visit. The alliance strategist—Ji-ryong’s uncle—would be overjoyed. You did save his nephew’s life.”
“That is correct, Young Master So.”
“Yes, it’s true.”
Ji-ryong and Eunbong nodded in agreement with my elder brother.
He went on.
“And what of the Alliance Leader? All the important figures know you inherited his martial arts. His closest advisors would welcome you with open arms.
The Alliance Leader is a revered man, but people always regretted that he had no successor. If you are the one who inherited his skills, you would certainly be welcomed. So why?”

Initially, my inheritance of the Alliance Leader’s martial arts was meant to be a secret.
But after the events in Qinghai, everyone aboard already knew I had survived due to that very art.
As my elder brother spoke, everyone nodded in agreement.
“He is right, So-ryong. Is there truly a reason to conceal your presence here?”
“Absolutely. After devising a poison to combat the Blood Cult, they should receive you as a hero.
You could even lodge in the alliance’s guest of honor quarters. Why avoid that?”
Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong also gazed at me, perplexed.
I scratched my head and answered.
“It is because of the martial art.”
“You mean the Alliance Leader’s technique?”
“Yes. The truth is… I have made almost no progress in it…”

Everyone recoiled slightly at my response.
For an instant, time seemed to stand still.
Then they all began to speak in the indirect manner common to the Central Plains.
“Now that I consider it, having you hailed as a hero of the martial world might become somewhat… troublesome…”
“Hmm… the elders of the Martial Alliance most certainly would not let that pass unnoticed.”
“Indeed. So, well, we shall simply pretend we know nothing of Young Master So’s arrival. We wouldn’t want him to feel… uneasy. That is to say, awkward.”

In the Central Plains, delivering a blunt criticism or a direct challenge is considered a grave insult—often enough to lead to drawn blades. Therefore, people tend to employ subtle sarcasm or veiled remarks.
For instance, where one might directly insult another’s mother elsewhere, in the Central Plains one might say something like, “It appears you have two fathers.” This was how everyone was expressing their apprehension about my predicament without stating it plainly.
Yes, it seemed I was correct. Neglecting that martial art would undoubtedly make the Alliance Leader… very uncomfortable.

***

After swiftly depositing the Dragon Fangs at the Martial Alliance harbor in Wuhan, we discreetly moored at a different pier nearby—as if in secret.
“We will go acquire our necessities and load them.”
“Proceed.”
“Miss, I will go out as well. I need to purchase planks and other materials. I exhausted my wood supply building a shelter for the White-Shell Pangolin.”
“Understood. Here, this should suffice, correct?”
“More than enough, miss. Thank you.”
“Then use any leftover money to have a drink and take some rest.”
“Oh! Thank you, miss.”

The Taoist distributed money from Hwa-eun to the boatmen for supplies, and the shipwright also took some to buy lumber.
With the Dragon Fangs gone to the Martial Alliance, the ship felt hollow.
—Knock knock.
“Sister Seol, are you not coming out?”
“No, I wish to remain with her a while longer.”

I had allowed Sister Seol into the freezer room out of guilt for teasing her earlier, but she had not emerged since.
Initially, she had asked if she could have either Baekbaek or Sunbaek, but I had not given her an answer.
I told her we would discuss it after their treatment was complete.
So I supposed she was now laying the groundwork—making her presence known.
Leaving Sister Seol there, I set out for the Wuhan market with only Hwa-eun and Unmirang.
“So this is Wuhan?”
Unmirang asked with curiosity as we entered the marketplace.
“You saw it from the boat, correct? That is the Martial Alliance headquarters.”
“That is where the most powerful figure in the martial world resides, is it not? I would dearly love to catch a glimpse of them. If I can behold the leader of the martial world and the emperor, would that not be a feat unique to this Unmirang?”
“Y-yes. I hope your wish is fulfilled.”

Unmirang clearly desired to see the Alliance Leader, but… that was a problem.
Because it would mean trouble for me.
“What manner of vegetable is this?”
“So-ryong, does this look well on me?”

Explaining things to Unmirang, who had never visited a market, and accompanying Hwa-eun on her shopping excursion was somewhat draining.
The sun had begun to set, and I was growing hungry. I said to Hwa-eun,
“Hwa-eun, should we find something to eat and take a break?”
“Ah, yes. Let us find something good, since Unmirang is with us.”

Looking around, Hwa-eun pointed to a location.
“Oh, So-ryong, that establishment looks promising.”
She indicated a three-story building with four guards stationed at its entrance.
The guards alone marked it as an upscale venue.
As we neared, two of the guards moved to block our path.
“Is a reservation required?”
I was about to speak when one of the guards suddenly brightened with recognition and asked,
“Are you not Young Master So of the Tang Clan?”

At this, Hwa-eun turned to me with wide eyes.
Had my moniker, the “Spicy Fabre of All Venomous Creatures,” spread as far as Wuhan?
I gave a slight nod, feeling a private sense of gratification.
Perhaps I wasn’t famous everywhere, but it seemed my name had circulated among the martial artists here.
This allowed me to inflate with a little pride in front of Hwa-eun.
‘Excellent. This scores me points with my future wife.’
“I am.”

The guards all broke into smiles and bowed in greeting.
“Please proceed to the third floor. In fact, allow me to escort you.”

Two more guards stood inside, and we passed them as we climbed the stairs.
Just before we reached the third floor, our escort spoke up eagerly.
“You must have visited the Martial Alliance first and then come here, correct?”
“The Martial Alliance? No, I did not.”
“Ah, then perhaps you were directed here because the Alliance Leader was unavailable?
It is not common knowledge, but when the Alliance Leader feels nostalgic, he comes here to enjoy food and drink from his homeland.”

‘What!? Who!?’
Startled by his words, my eyes went wide—precisely as my foot landed on the third floor.
There, at the far end of the vacant top level, stood an old man wearing a bamboo hat, smiling in my direction.
A familiar face.
Today was unmistakably the day Unmirang’s wish would be granted.
For me? It was an utter catastrophe.
‘Damn it. Of course my talent for finding rare creatures would backfire on me now…’