Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 467

Chapter 467
—Ssshhhhaaaa.
As the song of Mingsha Mountain filled the air, dense clouds of sand and dust swirled upward.
The wind grew fierce and biting, tearing sand from the ground and hurling it in all directions. I immediately took my scarf and wrapped it around Hwa-eun’s nose and mouth.
“Wow, this sandstorm is something else. Hwa-eun, cover your face and eyes with this.”
Garments in the Central Plains are known for their extraordinarily wide sleeves—so wide that a single sleeve could provide enough fabric to stitch together an entire shirt.
Under normal circumstances, Hwa-eun would have been able to cover her own face. But that’s assuming she wasn’t a member of the Tang Clan.
In the Tang Clan, it’s customary to conceal weapons or needles within their sleeves. Carelessly pulling one over your face could mean impaling yourself on a poisoned needle.
Not that Hwa-eun would ever make that kind of error. Having reached the Flower Realm, she’s now immune to most toxins.
Still, I had my own reasons for taking action.
Even though Hwa-eun consented, the reality is that I postponed our wedding and brought her all the way out here to capture a spirit beast.
Yes, she agreed—but honestly, this expedition only happened because our wedding was delayed, and I seized the chance to slip away on a spirit beast hunt.
That meant I needed to be exceptionally attentive to Hwa-eun throughout this journey.
If she felt even a little overlooked, all the delicate issues we’d carefully avoided might resurface.
And let’s be real—this wouldn’t be the last time I did something like this.
Sure, Gun Hye-rin was with us this time, but in the future, I might go spirit beast hunting with only Hwa-eun. I had to set a good precedent now.
And let’s be even more honest—when I say “just the two of us,” it might well mean “sneaking off alone.” Still, after marriage, getting permission will likely become the norm.
If this trip leaves a bad impression, there won’t be another.
In my past life, most people were fanatical about pastimes other than venomous creatures, like I was.
One of the most typical examples? Fishing.
After observing those enthusiasts, I promised myself I would never become one of them—and now I was acting on that promise.
Here’s what I learned:
In my past life, husbands addicted to fishing often fought with their wives over their hobby after marrying.
It’s the weekend, time for a trip, but the husband only wants to fish. What wife would actually enjoy that?
So, shortly after marrying, these men would face conflict over their beloved pastime. Their solution?
“Let’s take my wife fishing too!”
If they could get their wives hooked on fishing, they could go together—sounds ideal, right?
So they’d take their wives to the fishing spot. But most attempts failed immediately.
Why?
Because after that one trip, the wives would absolutely refuse to ever go again.
Which meant no one went fishing anymore.
The reason for this failure is simple:
They never saw things from the other person’s perspective.
Fishermen often believe, “Once she catches a fish, she’ll love it.”
But that’s a serious error.
They’re bringing along absolute beginners.
Worse, they overlook the fact that their wife is a female beginner.
A standard fishing trip involves tolerating mosquitoes, damp mist, and staring at a float in the dark all night.
Veterans don’t notice the discomfort or boredom—they’re accustomed to it.
But from a beginner’s point of view?
Mosquitoes swarming your face, relieving yourself in the bushes, trying to sleep in a flimsy tent on rocky ground—it’s pure misery.
And for a woman, it’s even more challenging.
That’s why these fishing fanatics never succeed in converting their wives.
If you genuinely want your wife to enjoy fishing, rent a high-end fishing bungalow with heating, air conditioning, and proper restrooms.
Then, while watching the float together at night, murmur something like, “I’m happiest when I’m with you,” just softly enough for her to hear.
If I had applied myself to romance in my past life, I could have moved countless women to tears.
“I understand. Thank you, So-ryong.”
As I finished wrapping the scarf around her, I heard the happiness in Hwa-eun’s voice.
I mentally recited my prepared line.
“Don’t mention it. It feels good to experience a new place like this with you.”
“S-So-ryong, you really…”
So far, so perfect.
We were already accustomed to rough travel and basic lodging. One well-delivered line like that, and the rest would follow naturally.
I moved to adjust the cloth over her eyes one final time—
But then, Cheong-yu Sojeo let out an awkward sound.
—Shiaa. “Ugh…”
I turned and saw her wrestling with the blowing sand.
Her winter robe, woven from Yohwa’s silk, was billowing in the wind and failing to shield her face.
Why did this have to happen now?!
I wanted to devote all my focus to Hwa-eun so she’d feel uniquely cared for, but now it seemed I had to assist Cheong-yu Sojeo as well.
I worried this might disrupt Hwa-eun’s positive mood, but I couldn’t just ignore Cheong-yu Sojeo’s struggle, so I started toward her—
Just then, the voices of Cho and Yeondu reached me.
—Tsrrt. “Everyone, get in.”
—Shaiya. “So-ryong-nim, we will provide cover.”
They stretched their bodies out like a dome, blocking the whirling sand.
“These two are so considerate!”
In a flash, they had created a protective shelter.
Yeondu formed the walls, and Cho the ceiling, encasing us within. The wind still blew, but with far less force now.
Inside, Cheong-yu Sojeo shook the sand from her hair and spoke.
—Shiaa. “That was a fierce gale. My thanks to you both.”
—Shaaa. “You are welcome, Miss Cheong-yu.”
—Tsrrrt. “No problem, big sis.”
What nearly became an awkward situation was smoothly handled thanks to Cho and Yeondu.
I glanced at Hwa-eun, and she responded with a radiant smile.
It appeared I had managed to make this journey a positive memory after all.
Phew…
Within the shelter formed by Cho and Yeondu, we could still feel gusts seeping through the gaps in their bodies, but the amount of sand was significantly reduced.
I peered out from behind the sleeve I was using to protect my eyes.
—Ssshhhhaaaa.
Roughly the time needed to finish a cup of tea passed.
Gradually, the spinning sand began to expand outward in a circular motion—until finally, the storm of dust and sand completely subsided.
“Is it over?”
As the dust settled, I looked out between the coiled bodies of Cho and Yeondu. The wind still blew—but only in a broad ring about a hundred meters away. Where we stood, it was perfectly calm, like the center of a storm.
As we dusted off our clothes and emerged from the protective dome formed by the two youngsters, Hwa-eun’s voice called out.
“So-ryong, look over there! Look!”
She had already taken off the cloth covering her eyes and was pointing toward a specific area in the sand field, illuminated clearly by the full moon.
Everyone followed her gaze. Before us, the ground had sunk inward, revealing a large opening at the heart of the depression.
That had to be it—the sacred ground of the Heavenly Demon Cult.
At that moment, Gun Hye-rin’s voice rang out.
“What are all of you doing?”
“?”
She was questioning our actions.
At first, I wondered if she was upset because she hadn’t been included under Cho and Yeondu’s makeshift shelter. But looking at her, she was completely clean—untouched by the sandstorm.
Surprised, I stared at her, and she turned to Hwa-eun.
“I taught you how to control your Qi Veil to deflect the wind. Why didn’t you use it? You could have easily extended it into a circular shield.”
Wait, it could be used that way?
I truly hadn’t realized the technique could be adapted to protect against wind and sand.
Gun Hye-rin went on.
“Someone of your skill would not have failed to consider that.”
Then Hwa-eun, walking toward the hole ahead, looked back over her shoulder at Gun Hye-rin and said:
“Little Heavenly Demon, have you ever been with a man?”
“Uh… n-no, I haven’t.”
“Not even once?”
“Not even once. Why do you ask?”
Hwa-eun turned fully toward me and offered a tender smile.
“When the man you love is trying his hardest to do something for you, sometimes… even if you know a better method, you pretend you don’t. It’s endearing.”
…Hrrkk.
So she had been fully aware that my actions were intentional all along.

***
Still reeling from Hwa-eun’s perceptive remark, I followed the group toward the cave entrance.
The opening, hewn into sandstone, was still partially buried under a layer of accumulated sand.
But the moment we reached it, Gun Hye-rin extended her hand and channeled her energy—forcing the sand piled before the entrance to flow outward.
It resembled a form of telekinetic Qi control.
Once the sand was cleared, Gun Hye-rin turned to me.
“It’s inside.”
Before entering, I posed a question.
“Wait, isn’t this a sacred site? Are we truly permitted to enter just like that?”
“Naturally.”
Well, I suppose once she ascends to Heavenly Demon, she will command the cult. The sacred grounds would fall under her authority.
It was only a courtesy to ask—but if the future leader herself says it’s allowed, I had no grounds to protest.
“…”
“…”
I looked at Gun Hye-rin, expecting her to lead the way.
She simply stared back at me, blinking.
With a sigh, I asked, “Would you mind guiding us inside?”
“Ah, r-right. Of course. The guide…”
Flustered, she hurried ahead.
We followed her into the cave.
It was constructed entirely of milky-white sandstone, forming a passage that was both smooth and sturdy.
For sandstone, the walls were remarkably solid—clearly fortified or treated after being carved.
As I observed the surroundings, I abruptly walked straight into something.
“Oww…”
“S-Sorry!”
Rubbing my nose and looking up, I saw Gun Hye-rin wearing a guilty expression in the dim light.
It occurred two more times after that.
Puzzled, I realized she was reducing her pace.
“Why are you walking so slowly?”
“Ah, it’s just… it’s dark in here. My apologies.”
Dark? A martial artist who has achieved the Flower Realm wouldn’t be hindered by mere darkness… Could it be… she’s afraid?
I ventured cautiously from behind her.
“Speaking of which… are those snakes truly that strong?”
“O-of course they are! I couldn’t defeat them. Even with the elders assisting, we still lost.”
As she spoke, Gun Hye-rin gave a noticeable shudder.
So she had been beaten multiple times… Had it damaged her confidence?
Just as I began to suspect she was genuinely frightened, I heard Hwa-eun’s voice in my mind.
“So-ryong, do you believe this is alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean… we have an agreement, but there’s no written contract or official document. It’s only verbal. I can’t shake this feeling of unease. What if they intended to trick us from the start…?”
Ah. She was concerned about whether Gun Hye-rin would truly uphold our deal.
But from my observations so far, she didn’t appear to be a bad person.
She taught us valuable techniques during our travels, even assisted when we hunted deer out of hunger, and when Moji and Soji clung to her, she didn’t snap—she simply asked me to deal with it.
I told her I didn’t think we had cause for worry—but Hwa-eun’s concern ran deeper.
“She doesn’t seem malicious, right? And she’s obviously afraid of the snakes, so I doubt she’s plotting anything herself.”
“That’s true, but… sometimes a leader must act contrary to their personal wishes.”
“Hmm…”
She had a point. Even if Gun Hye-rin means well, her subordinates might be planning something.
At that moment, a sharp hissing sound echoed from ahead.
—Kssshaaa! “Hooh. You still haven’t learned your lesson from last time. I admire your persistence.”
—Shakiii! “Indeed, sister. I thought she’d be too terrified to come back. This is a surprise. It seems she brought company this time, however.”
—Kssha? “I detect another presence like hers. But even so… Huh? Wait, what is that energy behind them?”
—Shakii? “T-that… that’s… that’s her qi!!”
I swiftly stepped forward and looked ahead.
We had entered a vast underground cavern.
From the ceiling, grains of sand drifted down like stardust, and in the center of the space, two gigantic snakes were staring at us, clearly astonished.
They watched us in a stunned silence—until Cheong-yu Sojeo poked her golden-horned head out from behind me.
In that instant, the two snakes screamed and charged at us madly.
“Hiiieek!!”
And simultaneously, Gun Hye-rin jumped behind me and hid.