Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 441

Chapter 441
After shutting the door and turning back, I noticed the two snails had drawn close to the railing—whether seeking shelter from the water dripping from above or readying to launch their poisonous projectiles, it was hard to say.

True to their nature as spirit beasts, each held a venomous dart poised within their tubular mouths. It appeared they had grown suspicious after witnessing the monks of Podarlap Palace bowing to me, sensing something amiss. They were thankful, certainly, but now the heirs of their old foes were showing reverence? It wouldn’t have been shocking if one of those darts had already struck me in the back.

Fortunately, the snail pair seemed to be holding onto a thread of reason. ‘Ugh! I knew that cursed Heavenly Master title would cause trouble!’ A hot wave of irritation washed over me as I faced this ridiculous turn of events. I hadn’t even had a proper moment to enjoy any perks of being the Heavenly Master, and already it felt like I was mopping up the historical mess left by Podarlap Palace’s forebears.

Not even a full day had passed since I received this “Heavenly Master” designation, and I was already desperate to discard it. If the choice was between the goodwill of a group of bald men and the favor of spirit beasts, the answer was obvious, wasn’t it? The bald men alliance held no attraction for me whatsoever—beyond their lack of hair, there was nothing about them that held even a flicker of interest.

On the flip side, snails that could fire harpoon-like venomous darts—something I’d never encountered in my previous life? Getting close to such incredible creatures would make the title of Heavenly Master seem as worthless as scrap paper. ‘Whatever.’

Swallowing my apprehension, I offered a smile and began to speak. The fact that they hadn’t instantly shot their darts and seemed to be questioning my connection to the monks suggested we might be able to talk this out.

“Hahaha… I suppose we should have a chat. But let me be clear from the start—this is absolutely not what it looks like. Seriously. I’m caught in a pretty unfair spot myself, you understand?”

The snail duo continued to watch me with doubt in their eyes. Just then, Cheong-yu Sojeo and Cho added their voices in my support.

—Shiaa. 『His circumstances are complex. Would you listen to our explanation first?』
—Tssrrr. 『My father means no harm.』
—Chrrr.
—Piii!

The rest of the children joined in as well, and one of the snails—likely the husband—looked at us with one eye and his mate with the other before finally speaking.

[Alright, we will hear you out. For your sake, I hope this is not some deception.]

To foster trust, I moved forward and took a seat beside them near the railing. Meaningful discussion, after all, should take place on equal footing. As intended, I began by portraying myself as the wronged party.

“I know this may be difficult to accept, but—well, simply put, those people are laboring under a significant misconception. I’ve ended up tangled in it as well.”

[You are a victim?]
[A victim?]

“Well…”

As I hesitated, searching for the right words, Cheong-yu Sojeo intervened to assist.

—Shiaa. 『They possess a legend, handed down through ages. It states that whoever rouses the two of you shall become their leader. So when So-ryong awoke you, they believed their destined leader had appeared. That is why they are behaving so. But So-ryong never had any desire to become your leader.』

She had a real talent for condensation. In just a few lines, she had neatly outlined the entire predicament for them. The wife snail replied with astonishment.

[Waking us makes him their leader?]

“Yes, truly. I never asked for this. I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the two of you lying there asleep…”

I put on my most aggrieved expression, adopting a tone that implied it was my profound affection for venomous beings—not any human allegiance—that had driven my actions. The husband snail answered with indignation.

[That is precisely the sort of ploy one expects from thieves! Now I see it clearly! Compelling someone to lead against their will? Sounds like a tactic for seizing another’s domain!]

“Sniff… You understand me!”

I had been concerned that even Cheong-yu Sojeo’s succinct account might leave room for confusion, but it seemed they grasped the situation. The snail husband continued, his voice now resolute.

[Do not fear, Benefactor. We will not allow them to impose upon you anything you do not desire!]
[That is correct!]
[Now that it’s settled—let us go and eradicate those villains in a single strike!]
[Let us go, dear husband!]

They were clearly a spirited pair, for the instant the discussion concluded, they were off to exact vengeance on the monks of Podarlap Palace. Though “off” might be too strong a word. How quickly can a snail truly travel?

[Those scoundrels! It was not enough to put us to sleep—now they dare to trouble our benefactor!]
[This time we will finish it! We will expel them from these lands!]

Creeeeep.
Creeep.

Moving at a breathtaking rate of one centimeter per second, they started their advance. Observing their sluggish, soft progress oddly lifted my mood. It was rather… therapeutic, honestly.

In my former life, snails had gained popularity as pets. Some vendors even marketed edible snails as exotic companions. Back then, I often pondered: why would anyone choose to keep something so sluggish and dull? When you raise animals, you typically enjoy their reactions to food, the feeling of connection, or at least some active movement. Snails offered none of that.

But watching these two, it genuinely felt as though time decelerated in this little pocket of the world—as if the surrounding turmoil could not touch us here. ‘Ah… so this is the appeal of keeping snails.’

Their languid, gentle motion appeared to soften my frayed nerves and grant a uncommon tranquility. Turning my head, I saw the other children were also observing them—gazing vacantly, likely sharing my sentiment.

Some time later…
The two snails, despite their utmost effort, had not managed to get very far from the railing. Noting our gazes, they halted, looking about with their stalked eyes, and spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

[Ahem. We are not particularly swift, you understand…]
[Benefactor, might you carry us on your shoulders?]

I moved to stand before them and spoke in a soothing voice.
“Perhaps we should all just pause and breathe for a moment.”

[Why?]
[Why not?]

Because unless our plan was to obliterate Podarlap Palace entirely today, deploying these two in a fight was a disastrous notion. And frankly, even if I rejected the Heavenly Master role, I needed to prevent a violent confrontation to ensure their safe departure. They might claim they would defer to me, but attitudes shift once blood is shed.

“I am uncertain how long you both have been asleep, but their numbers have greatly increased since then.”

[How many? I can handle several hundred at once.]
[Indeed! Even a thousand would be no trouble for us!]

Perhaps they each carried hundreds of venomous darts within them? This pair certainly possessed the confidence of an army unto themselves. But within Podarlap Palace alone, the monk population far exceeded that figure. Including the surrounding settlements, the human count would be immense.

When I conveyed this, disbelief tinged their responses. Which was understandable—centuries ago, when Podarlap Palace was first established here, the population must have been very small.

“That might have been the case historically, but now? Their numbers are far greater.”

[W-what?]
[Can that truly be?]

“Yes. The monks are part of Podarlap Palace, and a sizable village has grown around this area. There are many people.”

[Even with the years that have passed… so many…]

‘It seems I must show them.’
Just as I considered fetching Hwa-eun to reveal the world outside…
Her voice resonated in my mind.

『So-ryong, what is happening? I am just outside the door where you are.』

She must have been roused by the commotion and hurried over.
“One moment. I will show you the outside.”

I asked the snails to wait briefly, then requested Hwa-eun’s help in clearing the area near the entrance. From her tone and demeanor, it seemed she had just awoken and was prepared to drive all the monks away—an impossible feat.

『So-ryong, I awoke the head of the Hwaho Grass Division!』
“Y-you did!?”
“Yes!”
“How did you manage it?”
“They turned out to be Wow—snails.”
“Wow?”
“Yes, the ceiling of Podarlap Palace was sealed, and the structure was enclosed by other buildings, so the air was dry. They had entered hibernation on a tree and remained asleep.”
“As I would expect from you, So-ryong. Incredible.”
“Hehe. Anyway, Hwa-eun, could you please ask the monks outside to move back a little? This was once the Wow’s home, and now that they are awake, they seem intent on driving all the monks from Podarlap Palace.
To help them see that it is no longer feasible, I believe we need to show them the area as it exists now.”
“Understood!”

As Hwa-eun responded, sounds of activity came from outside. I gently picked up the two snails, settling one on each shoulder.
“I will show you the outside. Dawn seems to be breaking as well.”

Soon, a faint early glow filtered through an opening in the ceiling, and Hwa-eun’s voice reached us from the other side of the door.
『So-ryong, all is prepared.』
“Understood.”

Before venturing out, I addressed the snails.
“Before I reveal the outside, please try to refrain from attacking anyone, no matter how provoked you feel.”

[…Very well.]
[Agreed.]

Approaching the entrance and pushing the door open, I found Hwa-eun waiting there.
“So-ryong.”

The snails, evidently still cautious, flinched at her sight, venomous darts held in their mouths as they scrutinized her with suspicion.

[Who is this?]
[Who is she?]

“Oh, she is my partner.”
The moment I identified Hwa-eun as my partner, the male snail nodded and stated,

[Ah, your third partner.]
“…Pardon?”
“…What?”

Hwa-eun and I blinked in unison. Then, the male snail used his eyestalk to indicate behind me.
[Over there—are those not your partners as well? Do humans not often take multiple mates?]

I turned to see the snail gesturing toward Yo-hwa and Cheong-yu Sojeo. As I stood frozen, baffled by what the snail was suggesting, Hwa-eun’s incensed voice cut through the air.

“I—I am the first!”
“Hwa-eun?”
“What?! Naturally I am the first!”

She was so agitated by the idea of being third that she missed the actual implication, so I gently clarified the real issue.
“Uh, I believe the ranking is not the primary concern here…”
“…Ah.”

As I corrected her, a crimson blush spread across Hwa-eun’s cheeks. Just then, Cheong-yu Sojeo was replaced by her mature form, the Golden-Crowned Spirit Queen Cheong-yu, and she and Yo-hwa swept in, taking hold of Hwa-eun.

—Shiaa. Correct, Hwa-eun is the first. Isn’t that right, Yo-hwa?
—Heehee!

Utterly bewildered, Hwa-eun glanced from side to side, confused by the two now flanking her.

***
—Pfft!
—Sssssing. Thunk!

A venomous dart launched by the male snail embedded itself in the side of a nearby pillar. Dorje, who had been peeking out from behind it, cried out and pulled his head back.

“Hiiieek!”
“Um, elder?”

Since we had an agreement against attacking, I offered the snail a mild reminder. He turned and provided an excuse.
[I only intended to startle him. Merely a scare.]
“Understood.”

Well, I could not truly prevent him from frightening people. In fact, this was still a remarkably reasonable snail. With the two still riding on my shoulders, I walked out toward the main gate of Podarlap Palace. The palace stood on a modest hill, so from the gateway, the view of the structures and dwellings below was clear.

Looking at my shoulders, I saw the snails peering down at the vista, their eyes retracting slightly when hit by raindrops before extending again. After a silent moment, they both spoke, their tones slightly abashed.

[Oh my. This is somewhat awkward.]
[A whole village has emerged while we slumbered.]

Despite their earlier bravado about facing thousands, the actual scale of the populace clearly surprised them. Then, after a short pause, they spoke again, almost in unison.

[It seems we must relocate.]
[It is a pity—we became quite attached to this place, but it is time to depart.]

My interest was piqued at the mention of moving. I had been concerned they might be too deeply connected here to leave, but evidently not. Since I already intended to take them with me, I seized the opportunity and inquired,

“So this is not your native land? Where you were born and raised?”

Their response was completely unexpected.
[My wife and I were journeying across the world. One day we saw this high mountain and resolved to ascend it. It was so lovely here that we decided to make it our home.]
[Yes, we have lived here for about five years.]

Good heavens. Traveling at one centimeter per second, how did they ever manage to climb the Himalayas? These were truly exceptional spirit beasts. Quietly amazed, I proposed an idea.

“Then… what about accompanying me? Where I live is warmer, so you would not need to hibernate during winter.
And there are other spirit beasts there, so even if you do sleep, others will keep watch over you.”

[Would that be acceptable?]
[Could we truly do that?]

“Certainly.”
It had been an offhand suggestion, but they answered with bright, enthusiastic voices.

[If you would do that for us, we shall regard you as our eternal benefactor. Traveling on our own takes an exceedingly long time, you see…]
[Yes, we will consider you our benefactor for life.]

The agreement was made. Smiling, I responded immediately.
“Welcome.”

Just as I was about to formally welcome them into our group—
Hwa-eun’s voice sounded in my thoughts.

『So-ryong, incidentally… what will you call them?』
“Ah, yes—they require names.”

Naming was a significant affair—a major occasion. I turned to the couple.
“Do you two already possess names?”

[We gave ourselves names when we first arrived here and saw that pond. My wife is Yeonji—Lotus Pond—and I am Yeoncheon—Heavenly Abyss.]

The pond’s flower and the heaven above it. A sizable lake lay just beyond Podarlap Palace. That must have been the inspiration for their names. They were beautiful names, so there was no need for me to rename them. Still, I could not help feeling a touch disappointed. I did not get to name them myself.

Noting my wistful look, Hwa-eun smiled and said in my mind:
『So-ryong, why not bestow upon them their spirit beast names? That is something yet to be done for our clan.』
“Oh—correct!”

A spirit beast name, beyond a common one. That meant a scientific designation. Aside from Yeolbi the fart beetle, I had not yet formally named any of the Ten Venomous Beasts or the Twenty-Four Venoms. I thought I had named Seol, Bing, and Dong, but it turned out the Five Venoms Clan had already done so. Most of the others had been named by Hwa-eun’s ancestors long before my arrival.

However, the Podarlap Division’s “Family” had only been categorized through remote observation. The ancestors had simply assigned them a slot, without granting proper names. In a clear voice, I declared to Hwa-eun:

『Then let us designate them Crimson Poison Harpoon Snail.』

The Crimson Poison Harpoon Snail.
My very first scientific naming in the Central Plains.