Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 387

Chapter 387
We had just found our way back to the twisting channel the water bandits had guided us through earlier—when an unusual sound from Geumdo caught me off guard.

Brrrgrrr…

Geumdo was normally so steady and calm that hearing clear alarm in his voice put me instantly on edge.

I turned to Hyang, who was wrapped around my neck ready to interpret. “What is Geumdo saying, Hyang?”

Her reply was utterly guileless.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, Geumdo says… he has lost his sense of the path.』

“What!?”

Oh, no.

The intricate network of waterways linking the Yangtze River to Dongting Lake—only the bandits who lived here knew it by heart.

I sought help from Do Sagong, but his face twisted with shame.

“M-my apologies, So-ryong-nim. It was dark when we traveled through… I did not commit the turns to memory.”

For a man who had navigated rivers all his life, this was unusual. But it seemed that being led in complete darkness had disoriented even him.

I looked back the way we had come, toward the southern reaches of Dongting Lake.

I thought of the water bandits we had abandoned. We left them behind for simplicity—but perhaps that had been shortsighted.

“Maybe I should have taken one of the water bandits with us… Should I turn back and grab one now?”

It was dawning on me that cutting ties with them at Dongting might have been an error.

I was weighing the idea of going back to commandeer one of their vessels when a familiar sound came from where Heukjeom rested on Geumdo’s head.

Zzzeeeeee.

She lifted her head from the water and glanced back at our group.

She gestured forward with a flick of her tail—a clear indication that we should follow her lead. Hyang provided the explanation a moment later.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she is saying she remembers the way.』

“She does? You know this route?”

Zzee. Zzeeeee.

Zrrrrrrrr. 『Yes. She says we only need to trace the current backwards.』

“But the currents here are known for being sluggish and strange. Are you certain she can manage it?”

Zzeeeee.

Zrrrrt. 『Absolutely. She says the flow above and the flow below are not the same—but she can feel them both and knows precisely which one to track.』

It was logical. Even a seasoned boatman like Do Sagong could only interpret currents to a certain extent—this place’s water flow was notoriously complex. Even a massive aquatic turtle like Geumdo found it confusing.

But Heukjeom was not just any water-dweller—she was a fish. That meant she could inherently detect and follow the most delicate underwater movements.

I gave her my approval.

“Alright then, we’re in your care.”

Zzeeeee!

Letting out a spirited cry, she powered forward.

It seemed she was employing some ability to manipulate the flow; as she advanced, the water parted cleanly along her trajectory.

SHHHAAA!

Much like a shark cutting through the waves, she used her tail to carve a distinct path as she led the way.

We trailed behind, weaving through the bends of the watercourse.

After three or four hours, the current abruptly grew stronger—and the opening to the Yangtze River appeared before us.

“Look! So-ryong-nim, the Yangtze!”

Because of her, we reached the river mouth faster than the water bandits likely could.

As Geumdo pushed ahead with fresh vigor, I heard a timid sound from behind.

Zzeee…

There was a note of self-consciousness in her tone.

I looked at Hyang, who let out a soft chuckle.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she wants to know why you haven’t commended her yet.』

“Commend her? Oh! Right!”

It was obvious she was hoping for some physical affection.

Without a second thought, I ripped off my shirt and socks and plunged into the river.

What better way to build a bond than some direct contact, right?

SPLASH!

The mighty current of the river immediately seized me.

I began to drift swiftly—but Heukjeom swam close and allowed me to climb onto her back.

Her skin was sleek, solid, and oddly soothing.

I rested my cheek against her back, and a feeling of sheer exhilaration swept through me.

Where else could you possibly get an experience like this?

Traveling up the Yangtze on the back of a stingray? Spicy Fabre was truly making the most of his reincarnated existence.

This was the kind of thing you couldn’t even imagine in the real world.

Perhaps… the black mamba that ended my life in that African hotel wasn’t merely a snake. Maybe it was the isekai delivery service for poisonous beings…

That resort was situated in one of Africa’s sparse wooded zones, featuring individual bungalows. It was easy for lizards and insects to get inside.

Doors were basically open highways for bugs.

Waking up to find a few lizards on the ceiling was routine. But a black mamba? That was extreme.

So perhaps… that snake wasn’t a random tragedy.

Maybe it was fate—a spiritual guide from the world of venomous creatures.

If so, then my death served a purpose.

Still… I recalled something.

Hold on… Those jerks! The hotel staff must have left my door wide open while cleaning when I was out looking for snakes!

Hotels usually clean when guests are out—they probably propped the door open for air, and the mamba just slid in from the nearby woods.

I’d even left a whole $5 as a tip for the cleaning crew…

What an absurd way to go.

My thoughts were interrupted by a bashful cry.

Zzeee?

I couldn’t decipher her words without Hyang nearby, but I had a strong feeling she was asking—

“So… about that head pat?”

She’d definitely deserved it—and she seemed embarrassed to be asking.

I promptly reached out and gently rubbed her head.

Her eyes drifted closed, and she sank into the sensation.

All at once—she lost her focus.

She veered sharply to one side, almost colliding with a rocky wall.

Did it feel… that amazing!?

The other youngsters enjoyed being petted too, but this was a whole new degree—she looked utterly dazed with pleasure.

I was feeling quite pleased with my magical petting abilities when a cliff face suddenly appeared ahead.

“Hey, hey—watch out!”

I ceased petting just in time, and she snapped back to attention and corrected her course.

Zzeee…

She still seemed flushed with embarrassment.

I continued petting her—more cautiously this time—to avoid causing another incident.

“It’s alright. I understand.”

Zzee…

She was still clearly self-conscious.

Time to shift gears.

I had chosen a name for her before—but hadn’t found the right moment to tell her.

“So… regarding your name.”

Zzee?

“Yes. Your name. I can’t keep calling you ‘hey there,’ can I? You understand what a name is, right?”

Zzeeee.

“It’s a unique word that belongs to you. And the one I picked for you is… Heukjeom.”

Zzee.

“Your white body has all these small black marks—so I thought ‘Heukjeom,’ meaning ‘Black Spot,’ would fit. How do you feel about it?”

She hesitated… then dipped her head in a nod.

“Yeah? Wonderful. I’m happy. Let’s have a good partnership, Heukjeom.”

Zzeeeee…

Obviously content, she pushed back against my hand again.

Her eyes shut… and—THUD!—she veered off again, heading right for another cliff.

I pulled my hand back immediately.

ZZEEE!

An indignant squeal echoed around us.

Just then, Cho sped over and translated with amusement.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she says you can’t just pet her anytime you feel like it. Her eyes automatically close and her whole body goes limp.』

Ah. So that was the reason for the annoyed cry.

She adored it—but she didn’t want to have another accident.

It seems I’ll need to be more sparing with the affection.

“I should probably dial back the physical praise for now.”

***

After entering the Yangtze, we made our way directly to Lee Tae’s base.

When we departed a few days prior, I had given Geumdo my word that we would come back and allow him a full week of sunbathing—and I planned to honor that promise.

Extended periods in the sun were crucial for Geumdo’s well-being.

The decay on his shell was a result of insufficient sunlight. Now was the ideal opportunity to restore his vitamins—at least until the Tang Clan located a suitable sanctuary for him.

And so, we arrived at Lee Tae’s base and prepared for several days of relaxation.

It was on the third day.

I was relaxing on the sandbank near the base, observing Geumdo gleam as he soaked up the sun, while Cho and Heukjeom played in the shallow water nearby.

Then, a sharp voice shattered the calm—it was Hwa-eun.

“Lee Tae? What is that expression in your eyes supposed to indicate?”

“…My eyes?”

I turned to see her staring intensely at Lee Tae, who now resembled a trapped rodent.

Hwa-eun was gazing at him as if he were a disgusting insect—or perhaps an animal matted with dirt and parasites.

“You were staring at the children just now. What is the meaning of that lecherous look?”

“M-Me? You are referring to me!?”

“What is happening, Hwa-eun?”

The disturbance attracted notice. Soon, Sister Seol and the other Dragon Fangs members came over, their faces growing stern at Hwa-eun’s next statement.

“He was observing Cho, Heukjeom, and even Geumdo—and he was licking his lips.”

“Wait—what!? This insect—no, this creature—wait, what? Did you say… licking his lips?”

Licking his lips?

If Cho and Heukjeom had been human females, one might suspect some unsavory motive behind that gaze.

But they weren’t. Well… technically, they were female spirit beasts. But even that wouldn’t excuse the sort of crude implications Hwa-eun was hinting at.

I couldn’t even entertain such a strange idea.

And to make matters worse—Geumdo was male.

Everyone appeared puzzled and uncomfortable, except for Hwa-eun, who still looked like she was examining a diseased animal.

What is going on here? Wait… it can’t be… is it possible?

As I mentally sifted through potential reasons, one particularly disturbing idea emerged:

Could Lee Tae have been… considering them as potential components for some kind of medicinal brew?

People from the Central Plains are known to eat virtually anything.

Salamanders, insects, fried scorpions—the list goes on.

So I began to observe Lee Tae with suspicion—and immediately, he began waving his hands frantically, his face losing color.

“No! So-ryong-nim! It is not what you believe!”

“Oh? What exactly do you presume I am believing?”

“You are thinking that I was looking at your daughter with improper intentions—”

“Have you lost your mind? Certainly not!”

“Then what?”

I hadn’t even voiced it, but the look I gave him was sufficient.

Lee Tae shook his head forcefully, insisting.

“I do not know what you are thinking, but it is absolutely not that! I was merely looking at those three and thinking… how incredible they would be to lead a river bandit operation.”

“…River bandits?”

“…River bandits!?”

We all gaped at him, perplexed.

But he continued.

“Yes! Picture riding on Geumdo with those two spirit beasts at your side. Who would ever challenge you on the water?”

Okay, he had a point. That would be an elite-level river piracy force.

But still… what a foolish thing to be thinking while gazing at them like that.

It just goes to show, people perceive what aligns with their own interests.

To look at such endearing creatures and instantly envision a bandit fleet… it was truly pitiful.

I let out a sigh and fixed him with a disdainful look.

“So that is what this was about? How pathetic. Hwa-eun, I believe it was a misinterpretation. No need for concern.”

“I still do not care for the ‘bandit crew’ idea, but very well—I will overlook it this time. However, try to avoid giving such misleading impressions in the future.”

“Yes, understood, my lady.”

Hwa-eun turned and walked toward the boat with Sister Seol.

Lee Tae remained standing, looking dejected, so I tried to steer the discussion elsewhere.

“Well, regardless. You performed well this time. Any new information you’ve gathered?”

“There have been some whispers… but nothing that clearly points to ‘spirit beast’ activity.”

“I see.”

That was reasonable. If we received a new spirit beast tip every day, we would have already collected all the Ten Great Venomous Beasts and the Twenty-Four Venoms by now.

Nonetheless, I couldn’t completely conceal my disappointment as I acknowledged this.

“Oh, but now that I recall—there is talk of a locust plague in Xizang. Probably not significant, though, correct?”

A locust plague—meaning, Hwangchung.

Yeah. Probably not significant.

…Probably.