Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 423

Chapter 423
Anxious anticipation for Yo-hwa’s response gave way to a sudden, quiet sadness that settled over me.
Here I was, experiencing a kind of pleasure I never could have imagined in my former existence—no, in an entirely different world—yet still carefully maneuvering around another’s emotions. It was… a bit humiliating.

But honestly—would I truly prefer a life without this delicate dance over one shared with adorable companions like Cho, Hyang, and Bini?
No, most likely not.

What a peculiar preference I’ve been cursed with.
Why was I reborn as Spicy Fabre?
Why couldn’t I have ordinary tastes, like those who adore soft, furry creatures?
Why do I find myself so drawn to sleek, scale-less beings?

Now that I consider it… haven’t I wondered this very thing before?

Just as I recognized the familiar loop of my thoughts, a faint prickle touched the crown of my head.
I was being observed.

Raising my head from where it rested in contemplation, my eyes met Yo-hwa’s.
Naturally—she had reached a decision and was now looking directly at me.
Was this… her reply?
A good one?
Did she consent?

My mind raced through the possibilities—but the instant I registered her expression, a chill of dread traced down my spine.

Yo-hwa was watching me with a stare as vacant and devoid of life as an inert object—completely blank, without expression, color, or feeling. Just emptiness.
That hollow gaze pierced me with cold fear.
I couldn’t accept that she was viewing me this way—as nothing more than a thing.

When Yo-hwa first assumed a human-like form resembling Hwa-eun, her pedipalps bore that same empty mask.
But after all our time together, even if she remained stoic around others, her expressions grew much more lively when we were alone.
Even her eyes held meaning now.
But this… this was just like our first meeting. A doll’s face. Utterly soulless.

If Hwa-eun looked like that, I might consider it a reward—but from Yo-hwa? Never.
This was Yo-hwa’s face, immediately after I shared my plan.

A crimson alarm flashed in my mind. Everything else vanished, leaving one stark realization:
I’ve made a terrible mistake.
An absolute, irreparable error.

There was no chance that Yo-hwa, clever as she is, would fail to see past such a transparent falsehood.
In fact, now that I consider it, Yo-hwa might be more intelligent than the average human.
Actually, she is.
She weaves webs and navigates them, computing angles, distances, and weight distributions with flawless accuracy. That requires a mind capable of advanced spatial reasoning.

And I had attempted to deceive her with a story a young child would see through, all because I was too eager to register Hwanji and Hwana.
Fool.

I was certain my true motives had been laid bare.

Then, Yo-hwa made a soft sound.
*Ki-sit?*
It carried the tone of a question.
As if asking, “Is that all?” or “Do you have more to add?”

The cold sweat on my back was now drenching my shirt.
Wh-what should I do?
I wanted to yell at myself, but there was no way out. I recognized this scene from countless animations in my previous life.
This was the heroine’s ultimate test—the instant she allows you one final opportunity to tell the truth.
And though Yo-hwa wasn’t exactly the “heroine,” she was unquestionably offering me that last chance.

If I persisted with the lie now, I couldn’t fathom the consequences.
So, in a frantic impulse, I wrapped my arms around her human-like waist—the form shaped after Hwa-eun—and burst out:
“I-I’m sorry, Yo-hwa! I was wrong! I saw Hwanji and Hwana and became too impatient—I wanted to register them right away! Sob!”

In the past, an embrace and a swift apology typically resolved things. I could only hope she wouldn’t become angry.

Then… I felt it.
A gentle touch on my head.
Not warm, but soft—Yo-hwa’s hand.
*Ki-si-si.*

I flinched, like a dog expecting punishment, and glanced up to find her patting my head gently, her expression seeming to say, “Well done, silly.”
D-did I make it?
It felt like absolution.

As I released a breath of relief, a new notion occurred to me:
Exactly who is the trainer here, and who is the trained?
Because now, it truly felt as though the dynamic of master and companion had been entirely inverted.
So this is my existence…

***

“I-I’m sorry, Yo-hwa! I was wrong! I saw Hwanji and Hwana and became too impatient—I wanted to register them right away! Sob!”
*Ki-si-si.*

Watching him apologize with such sincerity, Yo-hwa lifted her hand and softly patted So-ryong’s head.
Because… he looked utterly endearing this way.

She had been thrilled earlier when he quietly drew her aside and proposed sneaking away together.
But once they were alone, he informed her he intended to register others before her. Truthfully? It was disappointing.

She didn’t entirely grasp what “registering” involved, but she had been assured she would be next. And from what Cho, Hyang, and Bini described, registering enabled them to speak with So-ryong through their thoughts.
The three mentioned they now converse with him directly via a mental connection.

Sometimes, Yo-hwa felt frustrated by her inability to form words properly. She desired that, too.
But her disappointment was short-lived.
She understood that So-ryong had brought her here specifically to explain, to avoid causing her distress.
He could have done it secretly—but he didn’t. He brought her here and made the effort to discuss it openly.
That alone pleased her.

She was already aware his justifications were untrue.
Wasn’t this always his behavior whenever he encountered a new spirit beast?
She already knew how intensely he wished to register other companions, and frankly… it was somewhat charming.

So Yo-hwa decided she would permit him to register the others first.
He was simply doing his best, after all.
Still… she had felt a slight sting.
Which was likely why she neglected to maintain expression in her human-like form.
Shifting part of her body into human shape was simple, but crafting expressions? That demanded focus—and she had briefly forgotten.

And then, So-ryong collapsed into guilty tears, clearly overcome with remorse.
Having observed humans long enough, Yo-hwa now comprehended what such crying signified.
It meant he genuinely felt regret.
That he was sorry for the deception.

“I’ll never lie to you again, Yo-hwa. I promise.”
*Ki-sit.*

As he continued to apologize, Yo-hwa felt an unconscious smile form. She promptly swapped it for an approving look.
That appeared to be the suitable response for now.

***

After vowing never to deceive her again and making my way back to the derelict temple, I noticed Lady Seol under a enormous vine, cleaning the children.
I had bathed them only the day before, but they had evidently become dirty again—so Lady Seol had taken over.

“There, Cho is finished. Bini, shall I clean you next?”
*Tssrrt.*

The ground surrounding the temple was forested, but the soil was… unusual.
It consisted of a beautiful yet loose red powder—so fine that it rose with every step.
Apparently, this was common in much of northeastern India. Even minor movements covered one in dust, necessitating frequent washing for the children.

The lizard-types—Seol, Bing, Dong—were relatively resistant to grime. The same applied to the snakes, like Lady Cheong-yu, Yeondu, and Orange.
After all, both reptiles and snakes possess skin that repels water, thanks to minute grooves and surface structures.
But the dust here was sufficiently fine to adhere even to their specialized bodies.

As I drew near, Lady Seol looked up from her task and inquired:
“Where did you go, So-ryong?”
“Oh, um… just into the woods briefly. I thought I might attempt to hunt something.”
“With Yo-hwa?”
“Yes, well, I’m hardly a skilled hunter, but Yo-hwa is in another league.”
“Is that so? But it seems you caught nothing? You didn’t venture far, then? Gungbong mentioned few beasts roam near here.”
“Ah… I see.”

I dismissed it as a brief hunting trip with Yo-hwa. While I was pondering how to conceal my discomfort…
*Ki-sit.*

Yo-hwa produced a sound behind me, and I jumped involuntarily.
“Hmm?”
“What is it, So-ryong?”
*Tssrrrk.* 『Father, are you alright?』
*Kkuu.* 『Dad, is something wrong?』

Lady Seol and the children tilted their heads, observing me with curiosity.
Is this what they call a guilty conscience? Or perhaps being easily startled? Or—no, not quite…
“I-it’s nothing.”

I waved both hands rapidly, feigning normalcy.
That’s when I detected two sets of wide, inquisitive eyes among the children.
*Shaaa.* 『Us?』
*Skah.* 『You mean us?』

Yeondu and Orange—now shining from Lady Seol’s care—were gazing past me, directly at Yo-hwa.
Clearly, she had communicated with them.
“What? What is it? What did Yo-hwa say?”

I asked nervously, fearing the worst. Was she cautioning them against getting close to me? Or threatening them for being too familiar?
But then, from the tree above Lady Seol and the children, Hyang peeked out.
*Tssrrrk.* 『Yo-hwa said for the two of them to follow her.』

Gulp. Wait, what? Is she going to reprimand them? Issue a warning about me? Surely not…
Knowing Yo-hwa, her request for them to follow could imply… anything. And likely nothing pleasant. Cold sweat once again beaded on my back.
At this pace, I would be parched by nightfall.

Then her voice came again:
*Ki-sit. Ki-si-si.*
*Shaaaa.* 『Ohh, really? I understand.』
*Ska-ska.* 『Then I mustn’t miss this! I’ve longed to attempt it!』

Based on their delighted reactions, whatever Yo-hwa said didn’t seem negative—at least, not to them. Somewhat reassured, I repeated:
“What did she say?”
*Ska!* 『Oh! She mentioned you were going to register us into the mental network, Hyung-nim!』
“Wait, what?”

I stared in astonishment, and Yeondu tilted her head innocently.
*Ska?* 『Why are you shocked? Didn’t you say so earlier?』
“Oh? Uh, y-yes. I… did.”

Turning slowly, I looked toward Yo-hwa.
She was smiling at me tenderly.
In that expression, I recognized the same warm patience I often saw in Hwa-eun—full of understanding and forgiveness.
Wait. What? Why are you smiling that way…?

***

Yo-hwa’s unexpected approval took me by surprise, but was quickly followed by another thought.
Well… isn’t this favorable?
Yes, the path was uneven, but she was authorizing the mental registration.
And once Yeondu and Orange were connected, I could move forward with Hwanji and Hwana.

Focusing on that, I rushed over to Lady Seol.
“Lady Seol, before we journey to Podarlap Palace…”
“Hmm? Before we depart?”
“Well, it will be perilous, correct?”
“They pose no threat to our Beast Palace, but I’ve heard they are unwelcoming to martial artists from the Central Plains.”
“Exactly. So I thought—perhaps it would be wise to register a few snake-type spirit beasts into the mental network before we proceed. Specifically those without venom slots. Purely for safety. I swear, no other reason. Only safety.”

She glanced up at me with a knowing smile.
“I was curious when you would finally mention it. If you wish to do it, simply say so. The ‘for safety’ pretext is unnecessary.”

Why do my excuses fail to convince—whether spirit beasts or humans?
With a resigned sigh, I asked again:
“S-so… may I?”

Lady Seol reflected briefly, then nodded.
“Thus far, the mental links haven’t overburdened you. It should be acceptable.”

Soon after, at her bidding, Cho brought Hwa-eun over, and I obtained her consent as well.
And so, beneath the tree, the dual registration ceremony commenced for Yeondu and Orange.
“Very well, let’s begin.”
*Shiaa.* 『I am ready, So-ryong.』
*Ska.* 『Prepared, Hyung-nim.』

Since they were a pair, I linked them simultaneously.
I collected their saliva, placed it in my mouth, shut my eyes, and started channeling my energy with the inner beast mantra of Beast Heart Art. I began sensing my awareness drift into the mental realm.

Just then, a voice spoke near my ear—Tenzin’s.
“What is the Heavenly Master doing?”
“Oh, merely… registering these two into my mental network?”

He hadn’t been present moments before—he must have returned from hunting.
Lady Seol must have clarified the situation, because a horrified gasp followed immediately.
“Accepting nagas under the Bodhi tree!? Just as in the ancient stories!”

Wait—this tree was a Bodhi tree!? Of all possibilities!?
As the misunderstanding deepened, my awareness faded into the spiritual plane.