Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 386

Chapter 386
Zzzzt.
In that moment, the creature bowed its head—a gesture that felt like a final goodbye.
Was I truly about to allow it to depart like this?
Surrender? That’s a term for pickle-making, not a concept that exists within Spicy Fabre’s lexicon.
For Spicy Fabre’s reference isn’t a general almanac—it is strictly a manual for venomous beings, and nothing else.
Therefore, I seized hold of the creature just as it prepared to depart, using the perfectly reasonable justification that its injury had not been fully tended to.
“Planning to go already? I removed the spine, that’s true, but the wound itself remains open. Your gills draw in water—an infection there would be incredibly painful.
We have young ones aboard our vessel who can provide proper treatment. Accompany us, at least until then. You are free to go once you’ve been mended.”
This was no flimsy pretext, either.
A fish’s gills are indeed highly susceptible to bacteria. They are fragile and prone to sickness.
Even without being an ichthyologist, I was aware of that much.
Fish breathe by passing water through their gills—so of course, that area is continually exposed to any contaminants in the water.
It’s the very reason the gills and intestines are the first parts removed from a fish at market. The same principle applies here.
Zzt.
Zrrt. 『Father, it expresses its gratitude. It will accept your assistance.』
Excellent. I had persuaded it to remain—phase one, accomplished.
I had managed to halt its departure, for the time being.
If I could just get it close to the others, the children would perform their wonders. And if it saw there were others of its kind, perhaps curiosity, or a sense of comfort, would emerge.
And possibly—just possibly—it would reconsider its decision to leave.
I swiftly turned to Geumdo.
“Geumdo, let’s move out! Return to the ship!”
Brrrr.
With Cho and Yeondu holding onto my shoulders, I mounted Geumdo’s back and looked over at the stingray.
“Do you believe you can match our pace?”
Zzzrrr.
“Good. Then follow us closely. Let’s go, Geumdo!”
Brrrrrrrr.
At my command, Geumdo set off, keeping his golden shell concealed as much as possible while he skimmed across the surface of the lake.
On our journey back to the ship, a voice called out from behind us.
“So-ryong-nim!”
I turned my head toward the sound and saw Sagong Won waving to us from the reeds along the shoreline.
The water bandits were there too, their heads visible between their anchored boats and the tall grass.
“Ah, yes—the water bandits.”
I had almost completely forgotten about them. I might have simply departed without a second thought.
But even as we were leaving, our mission was accomplished. A swift word of gratitude was the least I could offer.
I guided Geumdo toward the shore to bid a final goodbye to Sagong Won.
“Chief Sagong Won, you have performed admirably. Because of your efforts, we located the spirit beast and managed to communicate with it.”
“You—you spoke with it?”
“Indeed. And I am sincerely thankful for your aid. Perhaps our paths will cross again another day.”
“You’re departing… just like that? Ah—no, no, of course. Journey safely, So-ryong-nim.”
He appeared momentarily surprised but then quickly smiled. Perhaps he was relieved that we were leaving after all the trouble we had caused him.
I offered him a nod.
“Yes. We have determined the source of the whirlpools—they will not plague Dongting Lake again. I will speak to the spirit beast regarding that matter. Oh, and one final request, if you would allow it?”
“Oh, absolutely! Anything at all, simply ask!”
Sagong Won suddenly became exceedingly generous now that we were on our way out.
We were undoubtedly taking the stingray with us, but nonetheless—pollution is a serious issue, and I wished to send a message.
“Could you help circulate a story that this entire event occurred because people were discarding refuse into the lake and it angered the Dragon King?”
“I will see what I can do.”
“Splendid. Thank you once more. Until we meet again.”
I smiled at his enthusiastic response, nodded, and turned to leave—silently reaching out to my children.
『Listen, kids. Your father is bringing a new spirit beast companion. When we get there, can you welcome it kindly to avoid any awkwardness? Perhaps even attempt to persuade it to join our family?』
Shiaa. Understood, So-ryong-nim.
Gwoo-ooo. Certainly, Father.
Much like the stingray had concealed itself beneath the sand, our plan to recruit it was already underway—silent and beneath the surface.
***
Our ship sat at anchor in the middle of the lake, motionless without Geumdo there to propel it.
We did have sails, of course, but the wind was an unreliable partner.
The moment Geumdo arrived, he swam under the ship and attached himself to it.
Then came the distinctive noise of the sailors securing the connections.
Clunk. Clack.
With Geumdo secured and ready to drive us forward, the stingray that had followed us glided up next to the boat and raised its head above the water.
The instant it broke the surface, the women exhaled in delighted surprise.
“Oh my! Ryong, is this the one? It’s stunning!”
“What magnificent colors, So-ryong.”
With its velvety skin displaying shades adored by connoisseurs of luxury furs, the stingray was an immediate sensation.
They remarked that its pattern brought to mind an inverted dalmatian, which was considered quite stylish.
“I wonder about its texture? Is it silky?”
“It must be incredibly soft.”
“Its tail carries venom, so everyone should be cautious.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. The area where Sister Seol was stung… it dissolved. We will need to verify, but this one most likely possesses a similar toxin.”
“I… understand.”
As they murmured in admiration, eager to touch it, I issued a warning about the danger and then requested that Moji and Soji be fetched.
The puncture from the spine was small, but the twins’ restorative powers would handle it perfectly.
“Could someone please go to the cabin and retrieve Moji and Soji?”
Zrrrt. 『Father, I will go.』
Bini volunteered at once.
“Alright, I’m relying on you, Bini.”
Outwardly, I thanked her—but internally, my thoughts were different.
We had already arranged things in advance.
“Bini, bring them out at a leisurely pace, understand?”
Zrrt! 『Understood, Father.』
We were playing for time—granting the children an opportunity to establish a bond with our visitor.
As Bini went below deck, the next group approached to welcome the stingray.
Shiaa. 『A pleasure to meet you. I am Cheongyu. I am a companion of So-ryong-nim.』
Goo-goo. 『I am Seol. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am his daughter. Your coloration is truly beautiful.』
Zrrrt. 『I am Hyang. I am also Daddy’s daughter.』
Zzzt.
Cheongyu, Seol, and Hyang—the official greeting party.
Riding upon Cho and Yeondu, the three of them drifted to the surface and started conversing with the stingray.
Shiaa? 『Do you possess a name? Oh… you do not? That is perfectly alright.』
Goooo. 『Well, we did not have names initially, either. Father is the one who bestowed names upon all of us.』
Zrrrrt. 『Hyang says Daddy gave her name as well. It signifies “fragrance,” similar to a pleasant aroma. It is lovely, is it not?』
Zzzt, zzt. Zrrrr.
The children conversed easily on the water’s surface.
Content that they were developing a reasonable rapport, I subtly withdrew. When I looked down, Hwa-eun caught my eye with a look of understanding and murmured a realization.
“It has just come back to me. That name—‘Ilwolseongjin’ from the Twenty-Four Venoms. The ‘Moon’ within the ‘Sun-Moon-Star-Quake’ group. The term Baekwolheukjeombun—I believe it referred to this very being.
I failed to recognize it earlier because the final character was obscured, so I only recalled it as Baekwolheukjeom.”
Baekwolheukjeombun — the “White Moon Black-Spotted Ray.”
It made immediate sense.
I had seen it in the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures. As Hwa-eun stated, the last character had been smudged, and I recalled it seeming unfinished. The illustration had merely depicted a moon with a black dot—likely a top-down view of this stingray.
So the name must have originated from that—its form is circular like a full moon, and the black flecks resemble spots upon it.
I suppose I shall call her “Heukjeom” from now on. Even if she does not remain with us… no, reconsidering—especially since I intended to make her stay.
It was then that I heard her voice.
Zrrt?
And a concerned inquiry followed from Seol.
『Father, well… she is asking when the healing will begin. She apologizes, but she is still experiencing discomfort.』
“What? Oh—please inform her it will be shortly, just to be patient for a moment.”
Then another idea occurred to me.
Wait… could it be male?
It seemed strange, as that direct manner of speaking about its own pain… most females would not express themselves that way, spirit beasts in particular.
『“Hyang, is your new acquaintance male?”』
Zrrrrt. (No, she is a sister.)
So much for that notion. Hyang responded matter-of-factly: female.
I sighed and abandoned the delay tactic.
『“Bini, alright, proceed. Bring out Moji and Soji now.”』
Zrrrrr. (Okay, Father.)
Faster than anticipated… it seems she has a straightforward nature. Rather like a squash—endearing and plump yet unyielding.
Shortly after, Bini emerged from the cabin with Moji and Soji balanced on her head.
“Moji, Soji. That elder sister over there is injured—can you assist her?”
Mew!
Mew-mew!
The two fluffy, snow-white creatures gave a polite bow with their antennae before taking to the air.
Wiggling their round little forms, they hovered above the stingray’s head.
A shower of glimmering silver dust descended.
Their bodies emitted a soft glow as well, and as the sparkling powder landed on the stingray, she suddenly twirled with joy in the water.
Zzzt!
She dipped her head—a gesture of thanks, no doubt. The pain had vanished.
I dove underwater to inspect the gills personally.
“Allow me to examine it—let’s see if it is fully healed.”
Zzt.
She lifted herself halfway out of the water, presenting a happy expression to me.
The previously injured gill? Entirely restored. Not a mark remained.
“Good as new.”
The healing had been a success. But a problem persisted: we had not had sufficient time to foster trust.
Just as she seemed ready to thank me and depart, I made one final attempt.
Zz—
“It was nothing. We always heal injured spirit beasts. But… are you still resolved against living with us?”
Zzzz…
She appeared… regretful. Less an absolute refusal, more a gentle denial.
If only I had been granted a little more time… perhaps I could have persuaded her.
Still, I had no intention of pleading.
If I clung to her now, I would ruin any future chance. But if I made a positive impression…
Who could say?
“Well… it cannot be helped. In that case, travel safely—wait! One final thing—might I ask a small favor?”
Zrr?
“Yes, a minor request.”
Just as I was prepared to release her—an inspiration struck me.
“Might I… perhaps stroke your head? You see, I have always held a deep affection for spirit beasts. The chance to pet one has been a long-held wish of mine.”
Zrrrrr?
“Merely for a moment! Only the head. Unless you are truly opposed.”
This was not some inappropriate gesture. I had watched those diving videos—people gently stroking rays in their natural habitat.
And the rays did not object. In fact, most seemed to succumb to the sensation, eyes shutting, allowing humans to stroke them as if it were the ultimate pleasure.
I wished to experience that for myself.
Zrrrrrrrr.
She raised her head slightly—apparently granting me permission.
I softly rested my hand on her smooth, velvety head.
Zzzt, zzt.
And as if by enchantment—precisely as in those videos—she closed her eyes and relaxed, unmistakably savoring the contact.
I continued to pet her for what felt like ten minutes. Just the two of us.
When I finally withdrew and was about to offer my farewell—
“Well then… take care. And if our paths should cross again, perhaps try not to be so troublesome, alright? What a pity. Cho, can you raise me up, my friend?”
Zz. Zzrrr…
From behind me, I heard it.
Her cry.
Different from before—this one was… layered with meaning.
Cho drew near, raising his antennae as if astonished by what he had just heard.
Zrrt zrrrr. 『Father… she just inquired… if she accompanies us, will she receive more head strokes?』
“…What!?”
And in that moment, I understood.
So that is the reason stingrays always appeared so captivated in those videos. It seems human touch is something they find irresistible.
I gazed at her in amazement, the thought crystalizing in my mind:
Is this… what the ancients implied when they declared “Ah, yes—the recluse ray”?!
Heukjeom had been thoroughly won over.