Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 429

Chapter 429
Gungbong stared blankly for a moment, as if she couldn’t process what she had just heard, then ventured a hesitant question:
“Gungbong, did you… grasp what those children said?”
Caught off guard, Gungbong’s eyes widened in surprise and she fired back.
“What? G-Grasp? What are you talking about?”
“I’m saying it looked like you knew what Hwanji and Hwana were just talking about. I never mentioned a ride, and the kids were speaking in the language of serpents. Yet you responded by saying you didn’t need one.”
The entire group halted at my observation and turned their attention to Gungbong.
I definitely hadn’t uttered a word. It was Hwanji and Hwana who had made the offer to her—and they had done it in their own snake tongue. So when I brought it up, everyone’s interest was immediately piqued.
Gungbong’s response had implied she comprehended the twins’ words perfectly.
She stood completely still, speechless. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Her eyes were the only thing moving, shifting around wildly.
“Gungbong?”
When I used her nickname again, she began waving her hands in a panic and cried out:
“I—I didn’t get a word of it! It was just… well… a gut feeling? Yeah! A gut feeling! I just guessed based on the situation!”
Sure you did… Total nonsense.
Cold sweat was now forming on Gungbong’s brow and trickling down her temples.
She appeared to be genuinely anxious.
But since Gungbong never gets worked up over things like this, I assumed it must be a side effect of her recent illness.
When you’re just getting over a fever, even a little exertion can make you break out in a cold sweat, can’t it?
Regarding her understanding the kids, I seriously doubted it was some ‘gut feeling’ as she insisted—but alright, let’s attribute it to a bizarre stroke of luck, like a blind squirrel finding a nut.
After all, I’m supposed to be the sole person in this world who can comprehend the children.
And honestly, if she’s resorting to explanations like ‘gut feeling,’ it had to be a complete accident. Who besides me could possibly decipher what they’re saying?
Fine, whatever. A freak occurrence. Still… her physical condition is clearly not good. I should request that Hwanji and Hwana carry her.
Holding that thought, I started to turn to the kids—but before I could, I caught the silent exchanges happening around me.
Every person wore an identical look, as though they had just witnessed something completely unbelievable.
It appeared I wasn’t alone in my suspicions.
I mean, “gut feeling”?
That concept and Gungbong simply did not go together.
She was notorious for having zero perception of social nuances. If Gungbong possessed that kind of intuition, then I wasn’t an eccentric who adored reptiles and raised insects—I’d be the most conventional, ordinary man alive.
And as expected, nobody bought her story about understanding the children.
And in that quiet moment—
—an eruption of laughter followed.
“Bwah—HA! I’ve listened to many absurd claims, but Gungbong saying she ‘guessed based on the situation’? That’s a first!”
“Hohohoho! Gungbong, you’re too much.”
“The fever must have really gotten to her, right?”
“Heh—apologies! I just couldn’t hold it in.”
The entire group broke into fits of uncontrollable laughter.
It was simply that unbelievable.
Even Ji-ryong, Eunbong, Monk Jaheo, and well—even Tenzin, who was relatively new to our company—understood that Gungbong was far from ordinary.
Hu-gae had even remarked once:
“I know she’s from the Peng Clan, but… is she actually related to Do-ryong?”
The Peng Clan was known throughout Murim for favoring strength over intellect. But Gungbong? She elevated that reputation to a whole new level.
Clearly rattled by everyone’s reaction, Gungbong yelled:
“W-Why?! What’s so unbelievable about that?!”
Her forehead was slick with cold sweat as she glanced around in a fluster.
Tang Hwa-eun moved closer, stifling a laugh, and softly extended a cloth to dab Gungbong’s forehead.
“Gungbong, are you certain you’re alright? You’re perspiring quite heavily. Everyone, let’s stop making fun of her. She’s obviously still recuperating.”
Just as she noted, sweat was now freely dripping from Gungbong’s forehead and the backs of her ears.
Before we started our journey, I had inquired about her health, and she had insisted she was completely fine. But seeing her talk nonsense and sweat profusely, it was clear she hadn’t fully healed.
“I—I’m perfectly fine!”
Gungbong jerked away from Hwa-eun’s hand as if it were a dangerous weapon, shouting with alarm.
It was merely a hand holding a cloth—yet she reacted as though Hwa-eun had made an attempt on her life.
Hwa-eun looked briefly taken aback, then turned to address me:
“So-ryong, I believe we should seek assistance from Hwanji and Hwana. Gungbong isn’t in any state to walk.”
“I had the very same idea.”
“Gungbong, since you’re still unwell, why don’t you ride on Hwanji or Hwana’s back?”
I gave a nod and summoned the twins over.
Just in case this ‘gut feeling’ story was a symptom of a larger problem—and considering how much she was sweating—I couldn’t allow her to continue on foot.
“Hwanji, Hwana, my apologies, but would you be able to transport Gungbong for a time?”
—Shuaaa. 『Certainly, So-ryong.』
—Shia. 『Yes, So-ryong.』
The twins gave their assent and began to glide toward Gungbong.
But as they got closer, she shrank back in clear fear.
“N-No! I—I can manage on my own!”
This was coming from someone who had pleaded for a ride countless times before falling ill.
It was downright strange, to be honest—but I couldn’t permit her to walk in that state.
Her cold sweat was pouring out steadily. If this continued, she’d be dehydrated soon.
“You were desperate to ride them earlier. You’re clearly not well, so please just get on.”
“He’s correct. Go ahead, Gungbong.”
“Nooo!”
Despite our repeated urging, Gungbong sprinted to the very back of the group—creating the maximum possible distance from us.
Hwa-eun shot me a glance, her expression full of confusion.
A single, courteous decline would have been normal, but running away?
Then again, I reasoned, refusing things out of politeness isn’t in Gungbong’s character.
Watching her retreat, Hwa-eun asked me with a look:
『“So-ryong, is Gungbong behaving… oddly?”
“Uncertain. She’s always odd.”
“That’s true, however…”』
The unspoken question of whether Gungbong was acting weirder than normal lingered—but we chose to continue.
『“If her condition deteriorates, she’ll inform us. Let’s proceed.”
“Very well, So-ryong.”』
“Alright, let’s continue. Gungbong, please tell us if you start feeling worse.”
“Y-Yes, alright.”
As our party began moving again, I found myself looking back.
There was Gungbong, following at a distance with clear unease—her eyes shifting about like those of a scared animal.
***
We were progressing at a steady, manageable pace when we came upon a small mountain stream.
That’s when almost everyone voiced the same suggestion simultaneously.
“So Sohyeop, perhaps we should make camp here for the day?”
“So-ryong, should we settle here for now?”
“So-ryong, let’s pause here.”
They had enjoyed a laugh before, true—but it was evident Gungbong was still occupying their thoughts.
There were roughly two hours of daylight remaining, but I concurred. Stopping here was the best decision.
Gungbong had kept up surprisingly well, but that was no reason to let her overexert herself.
“If that’s the case, shall we make our rest here?”
I answered with a slight smile, and everyone nodded in unison.
“A good plan, So-ryong.”
“I’ll begin pitching the tents.”
“I’ll start preparing the evening meal.”
The moment I approved the campsite, everyone sprang into action with practiced efficiency.
My elder brother, Ji-ryong, and Monk Jaheo started assembling the tents. The translator, Eunbong, and my sister-in-law went to handle the food.
Everyone had become so accustomed to life on the move, they no longer required specific instructions.
A short time later, once soft reeds had been gathered and spread inside the first completed tent, the children—who had clearly been waiting for this—raced inside in a colorful rush.
Naturally, competing to be the first one in.
—Tsr-r-rk! 『I’m the first!』
—Kyoot! 『W-Wait for me!』
—Ksss-sst.
Cho and Bini charged in first, with Dong still riding on their heads, followed closely by Sandan and Hongdan.
Behind them came Ranghyang and the other children.
It seemed they were all anxious to get inside the tent before the cold mountain air descended at sunset.
Since we were camped partway up the mountain, the frigid winds would soon sweep down from the peaks.
“Children, please be mindful not to snap the tent poles again.”
—Tsr-r-rk. 『We won’t, Dad.』
—Myuu.
—Myu-myu.
I issued the warning as a precaution—recalling the incident a few days prior when they had broken a support while playing. I turned my gaze—
—and noticed Gungbong loitering close by.
She was perched on a chopped tree stump, looking about restlessly.
But when our eyes connected, she raised her hand tentatively, like a shy schoolchild.
She obviously wanted to say something, so I approached her.
She nervously twisted her hands together and said:
“U-Uhm…”
“Yes? What is it?”
“I-I was thinking… perhaps I could go do some hunting.”
“Hunting?”
“Y-Yes. H-Hunting.”
Given the foolishness she had spouted earlier and her profuse sweating, I wasn’t convinced she should. But you understand how some individuals feel the need to be active when they’re not quite right?
This is especially true for martial artists in the Murim world. They are particularly bad about it.
So I kept my tone light.
“You don’t require my authorization. Simply don’t venture too far, understood? You’re not at one hundred percent yet.”
“O-Okay.”
With my permission granted, a faint smile appeared on her tense face.
She seemed ready to explode with pent-up energy as she whirled around, prepared to dash into the woods.
“Gungbong?”
Hearing me call her name, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Surprised, she spun back to face me and asked anxiously:
“Y-Yes!?”
I smiled and gestured toward the stump.
“Your bow.”
She had forgotten it.
Emitting a flustered “Ah!” she scurried back, grabbed the bow, slung it over her shoulder, and then tore off into the forest as if fleeing for her life.
And as I watched her depart, a single concern repeated in my mind.
Is it truly wise to let her go off alone like this?
Something felt even more unusual than normal.
She’s typically missing one screw… but today it feels like the whole bolt is loose.
***
The instant Gungbong vanished among the trees, I reached out to Yeondu with my mind.
I couldn’t dismiss my unease.
Letting her go just felt wrong.
Yeondu.
—Shaaa. 『Yes, So-ryong. You needed me?』
I looked toward the tent where she was relaxing, and right on cue, her small head emerged from the entrance.
She was swaddled in the cold-weather outfit crafted by Yo-hwa, wearing it like a warm sleeping bag.
‘Yeondu, let’s go and see what Gungbong is up to.’
—Shaaa? 『You suspect something is amiss with that person, Gungbong?』
‘Yes. I didn’t pay it much mind when she said she was hunting, but I have a bad feeling now. Let’s trail her, simply to be safe.’
—Sha. 『I understand.』
I pulled her hood up until only her eyes were visible, then coiled her around me. In a heartbeat, we launched into the air.
“So-ryong, where are you off to?”
“Ryong, what’s your destination?”
Hwa-eun and Sister Seol called out as they collected firewood, and I responded.
“Gungbong went hunting, but I have an uneasy feeling about it.”
“Is that so? She hasn’t fully recuperated yet… Please take care.”
“I will.”
“Return safely, So-ryong.”
“Thank you, Sister Seol.”
We ascended into the sky, flying directly in the direction Gungbong had taken.
The sun had sunk low, and the mountain winds were growing bitingly cold. My ears ached from the chill.
I looked at Yeondu, concerned.
“Are you alright? Not too cold?”
—Shaaa. 『I’m comfortable. This garment from Yo-hwa is very warm.』
Good. I didn’t need to worry about her.
I directed my eyes downward, searching for any sign of Gungbong.
Just as a broad, open area became visible below us—
—I spotted her.
She exploded from the tree line and was racing at full tilt across the mountain ridge.
But her method of movement…
Why is she running on her hands and feet?
Gungbong was charging across the mountain landscape like a wild animal. On all fours.