Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 462

Chapter 462
We dropped swiftly from the air and concealed ourselves within a thicket of nearby shrubs.
“Graaaah!”
“Gwaaah!”
The moment we took cover, the three demonic cultivators sprang toward the blonde woman with bestial ferocity.
The scene was reminiscent of a zombie movie.
The key difference was that these were martial artists, so they moved not with a shambling gait but with terrifying speed and agility.
I quickly reached out to Hwa-eun through our private mental channel.
『Hwa-eun, what’s the plan?』
My question was essentially whether we should assist the woman—as she appeared to know something about these demonic cultivators—or if we should simply defeat all four of them.
Perhaps reaching the Flower Realm truly did enhance one’s intellect. As expected, Hwa-eun grasped my meaning instantly without requiring a lengthy explanation and replied.
『Since she is attempting to subdue these mindless demonic cultivators, her objective seems to parallel our own. However, she employs demonic arts, marking her unmistakably as a remnant of the Demonic Cult. Therefore, we should observe rather than assist. Even if intervention becomes necessary, it is wiser to let them weaken each other first than to involve ourselves in a disordered three-way conflict.』
『Hmm… Understood.』
A plan to wait until a single victor remained.
It was a sound strategy.
Although the woman seemed to be handling the demonic cultivators, her earlier shout suggested she recognized them.
They were mindless and wouldn’t cooperate with her, but it was still better to let them exhaust one another rather than engage both her and the frenzied attackers simultaneously.
The woman appeared capable of managing three demonic cultivators on her own, and with Hwa-eun present, I felt confident.
After all, Hwa-eun had ascended to the Flower Realm.
Surely she would prevail, right?
Just as I finished my silent exchange with Hwa-eun and turned my attention back to the woman—
Her icy voice cut through the air.
“Are you from the orthodox sects? Withdraw now, and I will spare your lives. Leave.”
We had masked our auras exceptionally well, yet she was aware of our presence in the bushes.
More accurately, it seemed she had detected me specifically.
Hwa-eun’s cultivation had advanced, and her ability to conceal her energy had grown profoundly refined.
She could likely approach and cover my eyes without my slightest awareness—so it was impossible the woman had sensed Hwa-eun.
Her gaze was fixed directly on my hiding place.
She had undoubtedly sensed my presence.
Her confidence was such that she issued a warning not only to the charging foes but to any observers, radiating an aura of utter self-assurance.
Hwa-eun shot me a look of sheer disbelief.
『Tch… The arrogance. With a presence like that, one could almost confuse her for the Heavenly Demon.』
『The Heavenly Demon? You mean the leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect?』
『Precisely, So-ryong.』
It was logical. Though Hwa-eun had only recently entered the Flower Realm and was still acclimating to her new power, there were exceedingly few in the martial world whose internal strength could rival hers now.
Perhaps only the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?
Yet, the woman’s prowess seemed to justify such confidence.
She plowed directly through the three demonic cultivators, releasing a pair of palm strikes and a single punch.
—Boom! Crack!
Two of the demonic cultivators were hurled backward, smashing into large trees and shattering the trunks. The one who received the punch had his chest catastrophically pierced and dropped instantly.
Vivid crimson blood seeped into the trampled earth.
—Crack.
The woman crushed the throat of a spasming cultivator beneath her heel, then delivered decisive punches to the chests of the other two, neutralizing all three in mere moments.
The sheer brutality of it echoed how Hwa-eun had effortlessly broken a demonic cultivator’s neck earlier.
It couldn’t be…
Masters of the Flower Realm were not ordinary. But this power—it carried the same crushing pressure I felt from Hwa-eun.
It made me speculate: could this woman be a descendant of the very Heavenly Demon who battled the Three Sovereigns fifty years ago and was defeated?
Having overwhelmed her opponents with pure force, the woman now turned to face us directly.
“I offered you a clear choice. You refused the courteous option and selected violence. You have chosen death; do not hold me responsible.”
Speaking in a coarse, masculine tone, she thrust out her hand and sent a palm strike shooting toward our position.
Hwa-eun immediately burst from the bushes, meeting the attack with a palm strike of her own.
—Boom!
The two blasts of force collided. Both the woman and Hwa-eun were driven back a single step.
Their techniques were perfectly matched.
Hwa-eun’s voice rang out, keen and cutting.
“How audacious! For a lowly remnant of the Demonic Cult to dare spout such insolence at Tang Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan, here on Sichuan soil? This is unforgivable!”
The blonde woman smirked, seeming exhilarated, and launched another palm strike.
“Oh? The Tang Clan? Let us see if your skill can match your pride. Prepare for fifty percent of my strength!”
—KWA-BOOM!
Another pair of palm strikes met, resulting in a deafening explosion.
Both combatants were forced back three steps.
They immediately exchanged another volley.
—KWAG-GWANG!
This time, each slid back five steps.
Identical expressions of fierce fighting spirit settled on their faces. It appeared they had each taken the other’s measure.
They surged toward one another at the same instant.
“To infiltrate Sichuan and disrupt the Tang Clan’s celebration! Apologize with your death!”
“Hmph, is this truly the extent of your capability?”
A cloud of shimmering needles erupted from Hwa-eun’s sleeves, swirling around her.
A shroud of dark inner energy billowed from the blonde woman’s form, acting as a protective barrier.
Their palms crashed together. Fists shot forward. Kicks intercepted, and finger strikes darted out.
A savage battle erupted between the two women.
Of all the fights between women I have witnessed—in either this life or my last—this was undoubtedly the most terrifying.
Not because of the ferocity of the combat.
But because—
One of those two women is the person I am destined to spend the rest of my life with.
Marriage is going to be a challenge.

***

Consumed by fury, Hwa-eun channeled all her rage toward the blonde woman.
They were perfectly balanced.
It was as if she intended to crush her opponent into the dirt then and there.
She seemed to be transferring all her frustration onto this woman, holding her responsible for the wedding’s postponement caused by the demonic cultivators.
Ultimately, the arrival of the demonic cultivators had scattered the guests and delayed the ceremony. In that way, they had started everything.
Crime: creating this chaos.
Sentence: death.
“Kukuku. It has been too long since I’ve felt this exhilarated!”
“Just be silent and die!”
Their conflict continued on an even footing for a long while, like an unbroken line, and as they pulverized trees and rocks in their vicinity, Yeondu and Cho moved to protect me from the hurtling debris.
—BOOM!
—Clatter…
A cloud of dust erupted from their impact.
As the dust began to clear, I could see past Yeondu and Cho that the two were still embroiled in their violent struggle—and it suddenly occurred to me that Hwa-eun might not be able to secure victory alone.
‘She may require aid.’
Even to someone as unskilled in martial arts as myself, their parity was obvious.
So to defeat the woman, Hwa-eun would need support.
『Hwa-eun, should we have Yeondu and Cho assist?』
My own intervention was impossible. The disparity in power was too great—I would be obliterated immediately.
If anyone were to help, it would be Yeondu and Cho—Moji and Soji, as healers, were not suited for direct combat.
However, our adversary was unleashing inner energy in all directions.
That kind of power could harm even spirit beasts, so caution was necessary. Still, their mere presence would apply pressure, so I inquired if Hwa-eun wished to involve them.
Her response was immediate.
『No! I will manage this myself! I can defeat her!』
A definitive refusal. She was adamant about fighting alone.
There was a distinct tone of pride in her words.
It reminded me of playing versus fighting games in my previous life.
When you encountered a rival of equal skill in a one-on-one match, yielding was not an option.
If you lost repeatedly, you would eventually quit. If you won consistently, boredom would set in and you would leave. But if victory and defeat traded back and forth, you couldn’t stop until the other person conceded first.
I didn’t dare interfere and simply reminded her of one crucial point—the woman must not be killed.
Her death would cost us any opportunity to learn why these demonic cultivators had emerged.
『Hwa-eun, no matter what, she must live. That woman probably knows why these demonic cultivators have swarmed into Sichuan.』
『Understood! I will merely bring her to the brink of death.』
『No, that isn’t—』
But Hwa-eun was no longer listening.
Whether she had finally discovered a target for her pent-up stress or was simply enjoying herself, my words went unheard.
Strangely, both she and the blonde woman now wore faint, peculiar smiles.
Their duel continued, remaining as balanced as a calm ocean.
Finally, after a prolonged series of blows, they both retreated. A temporary pause settled over the battle, and they began to speak—almost complimenting one another.
“A sigh… To think the Tang Clan possesses a talent your age who has achieved the Flower Realm. Remarkable. I recognize your skill.”
“You are also quite capable, for a leftover from the Demonic Cult.”
They exchanged sharp grins.
“Having crossed blows with you, I am beginning to believe my elders were mistaken in claiming all orthodox sect members are corrupt.”
“I share the sentiment. I was taught that all demonic cultivators were bloodthirsty beasts. Yet the energy you project is not fueled by mere petty malice.”
“It seems you perceived my Willforce.”
“Willforce?”
“The intention embedded within my techniques. Yours was also notable. You seek to protect? It appears you are like me, striving to defend your sect.”
“Kuh… Ahem.”
As she said this, Hwa-eun glanced in my direction and flushed.
I had no comprehension of their discussion or her reaction, but the two of them—both unequivocally Flower Realm masters—seemed to be drawing something positive from the exchange.
Then their eyes once again ignited with anticipation.
“Shall we continue?”
“With pleasure.”
Just as Hwa-eun tightened her fist to re-engage—
A piercing sound erupted.
—Beeeep.
It resembled a signal. Hearing it, the blonde woman expressed regret.
“Tch… So you are Tang Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan. I am Gun Hye-rin, heir to the Heavenly Demon Cult. A pity to conclude just as this became interesting, but I have pressing matters. Let us delay our rematch for another time.”
“W-What? The heir!?”
I had heard before—the term “demonic cultivator” applies to those who practice demonic arts, and most belong to the Heavenly Demon Cult, a sect-like organization on the margins of the Central Plains.
So she was next in line.
That meant she wasn’t merely a surviving remnant—she was their future leader.
Hwa-eun’s eyes widened in shock as she questioned again.
“You are the successor to the Demonic Cult—the future leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult?”
“Correct. Not that I will achieve that status in my current condition.”
“…?”
“Regardless. Should fate allow, we will meet again. I will not forget the name Tang Hwa-eun.”
As she pivoted to depart—
I dashed out and called after her.
“Wait! I have a question!”
Hwa-eun, perhaps catharsized from the fight, had forgotten—but I had not. We needed to know why the demonic cultivators were appearing here.
The woman turned back, looking entirely dismissive.
“I do not have the leisure to answer inquiries from the weak.”
“…What?”
‘Did she just openly disrespect me for lacking strength?’
Grandfather always said members of the Demonic Cult possessed wretched personalities, and now I comprehended why.
Then Hwa-eun’s voice sounded in my mind.
『So-ryong, do not be offended. It is not a personal insult. Those from the Demonic Cult worship martial power to a fanatical degree. They offer no respect to those they deem weak. Allow me to speak.』
『Understood.』
So it was standard behavior for the Demonic Cult. I shouldn’t internalize it.
“Then I will be the one to ask. Please respond.”
As Hwa-eun was not weak, she was deserving of an answer.
Gun Hye-rin paused briefly—having promised to remember her name—and then responded.
“Very well. But I am pressed for time. One question only.”
So, she would answer just one.
Hwa-eun indicated the demonic cultivators partially embedded in the ground from their struggle.
“What prompted these demonic cultivators to assault Sichuan?”
It seemed she wouldn’t provide a complete explanation. A flicker of regret crossed her features.
“This is an internal affair of our cult; I cannot elaborate. Understand that I am here to eradicate them and penalize those responsible for instigating this turmoil.”
So her purpose was exactly as she had stated upon arrival—to handle the demonic cultivators.
This was insufficient for us, so Hwa-eun proposed a deal.
“If your goal is to eliminate the mindless demonic cultivators, we can offer assistance. In exchange, could you share more information?”
“Assistance? That is not required—I can manage them myself…”
“You are hunting them, correct? But we possess a method to locate them.”
“You can track demonic cultivators?”
Gun Hye-rin tilted her head, curious, so I summoned the children.
“You can come out now.”
“There were more of you concealed? I sensed nothing. Wait… spirit beasts!?”
Upon seeing the children, Gun Hye-rin was visibly astonished.
Yeondu coiled around me and inquired softly:
—Shaa. 『Lord So-ryong, she feels threatening. Should I guard you?』
“No, it’s alright.”
Yeondu had asked if she should remain near for protection—but then—
Gun Hye-rin suddenly exclaimed in shock.
“C-Could it be?! You command spirit beasts… you can communicate with serpents!?”
It seemed the fallen Demonic Cult was behind on news from the Central Plains—she was unaware of my reputation as the renowned Venom Master of the Martial World.
I responded with cold indifference.
“A weakling such as myself has no right to answer a question from someone so strong.”
“…What?”
Yes. I can hold a grudge.