Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 376

Chapter 376
As the Dragon Fangs came aboard, Geumdo propelled the vessel away from the dock.
The city of Muhan swiftly receded into the distance behind Geumdo.
A small celebration was soon underway on the deck, thanks to the Dragon Fangs who had returned with a bounty of food from Muhan, renowned as the best in the region.
They insisted it was a thoughtful gesture to share with me, Hwa-eun, and Sister Seol after we had waited for them on the ship.
There was grilled duck and an assortment of other savory meals—the plates were heaped high.
Yet my focus was drawn less to the feast and more to the information the Dragon Fangs had gathered from the Martial Alliance.
“···Our scouts sent past the border kept vanishing. We reached a point where we could no longer deploy anyone. The prevailing theory is that the Five Venoms Sect’s insects are to blame.”
“They’re using bugs to detect outsiders?”
“Precisely. With assistance from the Beast Palace wolves, we were also intercepting Blood Cult operatives attempting to infiltrate the Central Plains. However, that activity ceased entirely about three months ago. There has been no sign of them since. The silence is deeply unsettling.”
“So the situation has deadlocked?”
From what my brother Gwiseong described, the struggle between the Blood Cult, the Five Venoms Sect, and the martial world had ground to a halt.
One might say nothing is different—yet that isn’t entirely accurate.
Previously, even during periods of apparent calm, the covert war for information raged on. Both factions perpetually dispatched spies and reconnaissance parties.
Minor clashes at the border were a regular occurrence. Now, however, neither side can manage even that. They are paralyzed—incapable of collecting intelligence or taking action. They simply watch each other across a silent divide, uncertain how long this impasse will continue.
“Yes, that is a fair assessment. If this persists, we could be looking at another twenty years of silence…”
My brother’s tone suggested he believed the Blood Cult might enter another prolonged period of dormancy, similar to the past.
I, however, held a contrary view.
“That will not come to pass, brother.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because of my martial art. The greater my mobility becomes, the more the power of the Five Venoms Sect wanes. Even if this appears to be a calm period, they are undoubtedly plotting something in the shadows.”
“Correct. That is logical.”
“I concur with that assessment, Little Sir So.”
The more I unlock the Gates of Five Poisons, the fewer poisonous creatures the Five Venoms Sect can command. They must be in a state of alarm.
This quiet period is likely just a pretense.
In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before they execute a major maneuver.
“Yes. In fact, it could occur quite soon. We must send a warning to the Martial Alliance immediately upon reaching the next city.”
“Then I shall write to my uncle the moment we arrive in Akyang.”
Akyang—the city that stands sentinel at the opening to Dongting Lake. It was once temporarily governed by Brother Bin-ak, following his marriage of convenience to the princess.
It was decided that Ji-ryong would dispatch the warning letter to Zhuge Hu, the commander of the Martial Alliance.
Then my brother turned to me and inquired:
“Speaking of which, So-ryong, did you encounter any trouble on the ship?”
It seemed like a casual query, but given the context, I understood his meaning perfectly.
So I recounted the event involving the Alliance Lord.
“Nothing occurred on the ship. But in the town? That is another matter entirely.”
“Oh? What happened?”
“Hwa-eun and I went to dine at a pleasant restaurant… and the Alliance Lord was present.”
“What?! The Alliance Lord?!”
“Why would the Alliance Lord be at a restaurant?”
“Little Sir So, was your entire purpose not to avoid the Alliance Lord?”
Everyone gazed at me as if I were insane.
“The restaurant specialized in cuisine from his homeland. I suppose he was drawn there by nostalgia.”
“A sigh of relief… You must have been terrified?”
“Terrified? That is an understatement.”
They all looked at me as if to say, *What sort of absurd scenario is this?*
I had explicitly requested that the Martial Alliance not be informed of my arrival to evade him, and then—suddenly—he appears in the very same eating house.
“Is that fortunate or unfortunate?”
“Misfortune disguised as fortune? Or fortune tainted by misfortune? I cannot even tell.”
No one could determine if I was the most blessed or the most cursed individual alive.
“So what transpired? Did he discover you have been neglecting your martial training?”
“The strange part is—he requested a demonstration of my martial arts… and it ultimately saved me.”
It was a complete coincidence. Trapped with no way out, I somehow managed to earn his praise.
To be honest—it was nothing but sheer chance.
Who could have predicted that Cheongwol’s shell would be the final component needed to perfect my Iron Fortress Technique?
“Then that is a true blessing.”
“Since it concluded well, I suppose that does indicate you have luck on your side.”
“Accompanying So-ryong is like being swept into a new fantastical episode each time. Nothing is ever straightforward, is it?”
As the discussion about the Alliance Lord concluded, the topic changed.
Everyone grew interested in the legendary resilience I had gained from Cheongwol’s shell.
“Wait, So-ryong, did you truly claim earlier that you have assimilated Cheongwol’s shell?”
“Yes, brother Gwiseong.”
“But you appear ordinary now?”
“Ah, it only manifests when I activate the Iron Fortress Technique.”
“Would you demonstrate? I understand it is somewhat improper to ask someone to reveal their martial arts, but… I cannot contain my curiosity. I feel apologetic for asking, much like the previous occasion.”
My brother seemed genuinely remorseful.
The Dragon Fangs also offered slight nods, silently sharing his request—and his unease.
Even among trusted allies, requesting to see another’s martial art is typically a significant breach of decorum.
But I did not mind. I simply agreed.
It was not a secret technique with specific forms or postures.
It was an external skill—there was no risk of its essence being stolen. And by now, these people were like kin to me.
“Very well. It is no inconvenience.”
I pushed up my sleeve, channeled my inner energy, and engaged the Iron Fortress Technique.
The transformation of my skin was visible.
My brother stepped forward and touched my forearm—his expression blooming with astonishment.
“It is genuine. It is like stone. I would estimate it could resist blades. The external arts of our Peng Clan are not far behind, but this…”
“I know. That has been my observation as well.”
“Allow me to feel.”
“I would also like to!”
The Dragon Fangs crowded around to touch and examine my arm, their curiosity akin to that of children.
Then—
–Krrrhhhh.
A low growl rumbled from behind us.
It was Cheongwol—and she sounded displeased.
An enormous claw gently inserted itself among our group, pushing everyone backward.
The table on the deck scraped across the floor, and people cried out as they stumbled and fell.
“Aaack!”
“Kyaaa!”
No one was injured—merely shocked and unbalanced by her sudden intervention.
“Cheongwol! What is the matter?!”
I called out in surprise.
She carefully took hold of me with her claw, placed me upon her back, and stated:
–Krrrh! 『We must converse.』
“Converse?”
–Krrrhhr. 『Yes. Why do you permit others to touch that shell? That shell originated from me. No one else has permission to touch it.』
“No one?”
A powerful sense of déjà vu washed over me. This felt… familiar.
Without thought, I repeated the question I had asked the day before.
“Not even Hwa-eun and Sister Seol?”
“…”
And just as yesterday had been… there was only silence.
And an intense stare.
‘Why do you refuse to answer and simply continue to fix me with that severe look…?’
***

As the sun started to sink beneath the horizon, the outline of Akyang finally came into view. Yet the closer we got, the more something seemed… amiss.
“Why does the entire city feel like it is in mourning? The silence is overwhelming.”
“It is unusually hushed, is it not?”
“It truly is, Sir So-ryong.”
The city should have been vibrant—we had, after all, resolved the Lovebug epidemic. It was supposed to be full of life. Instead, the town seemed to have slipped back into the somber atmosphere of before. No—perhaps it was even more silent than that.
Akyang, as the entry point to Dongting Lake, was typically abuzz with fishing vessels and merchant craft. Full of sound. Full of activity. But despite the time that had passed since we helped eliminate the infestation, the mood was eerily quiet.
The sparse figures we could see in the distance moved with a lifeless apathy.
As I was pondering this, Do Sagong suddenly called out and gestured toward the waterway that led into Dongting Lake.
“Hm? Sir So-ryong, something is strange over there. The boats are arranged in a line as if they are barricading the entrance. It appears intentional.”
“I will look more closely.”
I employed my enhanced vision, and indeed—the boats were aligned in a deliberate row.
Concentrating further, I saw the ropes. They were fastened from ship to ship, forming a crude barricade.
This was no mere congestion—these vessels were intentionally lashed together to obstruct access to the lake.
“The boats are all connected. They have sealed the entrance completely.”
“What?!”
Just as Do Sagong and I shared a look of confusion, torches began to wave from the harbor in Akyang.
People were signaling to us with broad, urgent motions.
“It seems they wish for us to approach.”
“Let us do so. Geumdo, take us in that direction.”
—Vrrmm.
Our intended path lay further in, but with the entrance sealed, we had no option but to head for the harbor.
And the harbor was, without doubt, crammed full.
With no berth available, Geumdo drifted hesitantly, searching for a place to moor. At that moment, officials jumped across the tethered boats and yelled out to us.
“Were you attempting to enter Dongting Lake?!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Access to the lake has been forbidden since this morning. The details are unknown, but if your destination is a village within, you must proceed by land!”
“Forbidden since this morning?!”
“That is correct!”
“What possible reason is there for this?!”
“If the officials say it is closed, then it is closed! Why all the inquiries?! I am losing my voice from shouting!”
“A-Apologies, sir!”
I was on the verge of asking for more details but was sharply rebuffed.
Do Sagong promptly offered a bow of apology and reversed the ship, managing with difficulty to dock at a rocky outcrop on the port’s far edge.
There simply was no room—every possible space was occupied by other vessels.
“We must discover what is happening.”
“Understood, Sir So-ryong.”
Once the ship was made fast, I assembled the Dragon Fangs.
Our objective: to learn why the lake passage had been sealed.
“Please look into the reason for this blockade.”
“Understood. We should form three or four teams.”
The Dragon Fangs separated into two units. Hwa-eun, Sister Seol, Jaheo, and I made up one group.
We went ashore and hurried in the direction of the city market.
“Let us spread out and collect information. We will meet again later.”
“Agreed.”
“Very well.”
“Which direction should we take?”
As the Dragon Fangs dispersed toward the inner city and the government offices, we were still deciding when a disturbance nearby seized our attention.
“To hell with all of this!”
“Please, remain calm.”
“What, are we expected to die of hunger out here?”
“Hmm… We should investigate that.”
Voices thick with frustration traveled through the air.
We followed the sounds to a narrow alley behind the market—a space filled with improvised tables.
Fishermen and boatmen were congregated at roadside stalls, drinking in quiet groups.
The harbor had seemed deserted, but it was clear all the sailors had gathered here.
“It seems they are the ones we should ask.”
Jaheo offered a slight, relieved smile.
Then, from a nearby table, we caught fragments of hushed conversation.
[Should we not be conducting a ceremony by now? We must pacify the Dragon King’s anger.]
[Last time, when the black insects overran the region, the previous governor performed a ritual and even consumed them alive. But what is this new governor doing—nothing?]
[To perform a proper ceremony for the Dragon King, we would need to venture out on a boat, yet no one is willing to gamble with their life.]
“Ugh, forget this…”
They were attempting to speak softly—but we are martial artists. Our hearing is far superior to that of ordinary people.
We swiftly took a table close by and leaned in to whisper among ourselves.
[Did they just mention the “Dragon King”? What are they discussing?]
[Is the Dragon King not a god of the sea?]
[The Dragon King is a sea dragon, correct? Similar to you, Ryong?]
[Precisely. We need to listen more intently.]
[I will go and speak with them.]
[You, Master Jaheo?]
We all regarded Jaheo with some worry, but he merely nodded and stood up.
He approached the group, pressed his palms together, and offered a benign smile.
“Amitabha. I am Jaheo, of Shaolin. Might I ask you a few questions?”
“Oh, a monk from Shaolin? What brings you to this place?”
“I have only just arrived in Akyang and observed the unusual quiet—and the blocked passage to Dongting Lake. I could not help but overhear mention of the Dragon King’s anger. What exactly has occurred here?”
Normally, those in the Central Plains do not react well to eavesdropping. But the name of Shaolin commands respect—its prestige opens many doors.
The boatmen looked at one another, then welcomed Jaheo into their group and started to explain.
“If you are from Shaolin, we will tell you gladly. Please, join us.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks are needed. Where to begin… Ah, yes. A few months ago, small whirlpools started to form in Dongting Lake. Initially, we simply navigated around them. Occasionally a boat might be lost, but it was infrequent. Recently, however, it has grown much worse. Boats capsize almost the instant they leave the harbor.”
“Heavens, is that true?”
“Yes, Master. Just yesterday, an entire row of small ferries was overturned. And a large fishing boat—capable of holding ten men—almost sank with two aboard.”
“We believe the Dragon King must be furious. But the new governor? He has merely prohibited boat traffic without proposing any true remedy. That is the source of our frustration.”
Ah. So that was it—the whirlpools in Dongting Lake we intended to investigate.
It all fell into place.
And then… I detected a scent.
You wonder what kind?
The scent of a spirit beast.
“I smell something.”
“The aroma of food has been drifting over here for some time, Ryong.”
“No, not food, Sister Seol. I mean a spirit beast. That scent—it is known to me.”