Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 483

Chapter 483
My father-in-law had presented it with such a casual tone that I lowered my defenses. Naturally—it was yet another one of those deceptively simple missions.

I had faced the Five Venoms Sect and the Blood Cult in combat, where the fight for survival made killing a necessary act. When someone is actively trying to end your life, you don’t exactly adopt a saintly posture and allow them to go free.

But apprehending a fugitive and then carrying out their death sentence personally?

I wasn’t a headsman or a slaughterer. The idea gave me a moment of hesitation—until a realization struck me.

Hold on… is it actually necessary for me to be the one to do it?

And if anyone pressed the issue, I could always adopt a dignified stance and declare something impressive like, “I do not sully my hands with blood so vile,” and have another person take care of it.

In the jianghu, a little bit of theatricality often makes everything acceptable.

So-ryong, that was unusually clever of you. It must be the influence of merging thoughts with the brilliant Hwa-eun.

So, I resolved to discreetly assign the entire matter of “Tang Clan justice” to the commander of the Venom Extermination unit. Once we finished our morning meal, I summoned him to talk over the mission details.

The punishment could wait—the immediate priority was locating the targets.

If someone was tarnishing the reputation of the Beast-Papa of Venomous Creatures, they needed to be apprehended without delay.

It might not technically be a capital offense, but it was certainly bordering on one.

“Should we make for Dali first? Oh, and °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° I understand we also need to send a message to the Dianchang Sect, correct? What are your thoughts on that?”

“Indeed. I intended to deliver a formal dispatch myself once we arrived.”

“Let’s have it sent ahead of us now.”

We concurred that notifying the Dianchang Sect should come first. It was then that Geombong, who had been listening nearby, spoke up.

“Young warrior, instead of merely sending a notice, would you consider paying a visit to Dianchang in person?”

“To Dianchang?”

“Yes. You have journeyed all this way; it would be our honor to host you at our sect. From the provisions you have supplied for this trip to your role in uniting me with Chang-ryong… it would be a personal disgrace not to extend a proper invitation.

Naturally, I understand a mere visit does not settle the debt.”

Her request was clearly born of genuine gratitude—for bringing her and Chang-ryong together, and for the kindness she had received throughout her stay with us.

Chang-ryong nodded in agreement beside her.

“We would be delighted to host you at our family’s home as well, but since Dianchang is the closer destination, we hope you will grace us with your presence first.”

There was no urgency regarding the Beast Palace ceremony. The primary wedding had already been conducted with the Tang Clan.

The event at the Beast Palace was to be more of a formality.

And frankly—marriage is society’s method of officially sanctioning a couple to have children. We had already obtained that sanction and were diligently pursuing the next phase.

Besides, the restrictions have been removed now, haven’t they?

I looked toward Hwa-eun and Sister Seol to gauge their opinions. They both gave their assent.

“Well, since it is so near, a brief stop would not be an inconvenience.”

“Geombong has extended the invitation so earnestly, So-ryong. We should go.”

It was a distance of only about twenty-five li—approximately ten kilometers. No great journey at all. And so, we settled on visiting the Dianchang Sect first.

“Very well. We’ve broken our fast. Let us depart for Dianchang.”

“You have chosen wisely, young warrior.”

We were nearly prepared to leave.

As this was a formal visit, most of the children would remain on the ship. I intended to take only Hyang and Hongdan along.

But just as we were about to disembark, a voice called out from the riverbank.

“Is the master of this vessel aboard?”

The youthful voice reached my ears just as I was exiting the cabin.

Do Sagong moved quickly toward the gangplank, and I followed him.

“What is it, sir?” he inquired.

Sir?

I was momentarily puzzled by the term “sir,” but the following words made it clear.

“Ah, I am Seonhak, a disciple of the Dianchang Sect. I merely came to inquire—as this is our sect’s territory—from where your ship has come and to where it is bound.”

Judging by the voice, they were indeed from the Dianchang Sect.

Geombong had mentioned this was their territory, and it appeared they had become aware of our arrival promptly.

“So-ryong?”

“I will handle this.”

As I descended the gangplank to answer, I heard a thrilled voice from behind.

“Oh, we’re—”

“Seonhak!”

“Sister Geombong!?”

“Sister!”

There were four young men in total, and they hurried to Geombong’s side, seizing her hands with evident delight.

“Wait, what occurred? The last news we had was that you were healing at the Beast Palace, and everyone was deeply concerned! We then dispatched a messenger and learned you had departed for the Tang Clan… Are you fully recovered now?”

“Yes, I am healed. And all of you are well?”

“We are fine, of course.”

“You all appear in good health.”

Geombong smiled warmly, while her junior disciples looked both overjoyed and intensely worried.

They must have received her last letter around the time she was assaulted by Cheong-yu Sojeo and nearly killed. She likely hadn’t been able to send any messages after that—how could she, while a guest dependent on others?

Still… she really ought to have sent word. They must have been sick with worry.

As I reflected on their probable anxiety, the disciple named Seonhak asked,

“Incidentally… what is that enormous ship? A local villager reported that a massive craft had moored here, and we came running at once.”

Turning back, Geombong looked slightly embarrassed as she introduced me.

“Oh, that? It is our young warrior’s ship. Or perhaps I should say… his turtle?”

“Turtle?”

The disciples from Dianchang looked bewildered at the word “turtle.”

Geombong continued.

“I will explain that later. First, introductions. This is So-ryong, son of the Beast Palace and son-in-law of the Tang Clan. He treated my injuries and ensured I could recover and live in comfort until now.

Since he was passing through the area, I invited him to Dianchang. He is a valued comrade who fought alongside us against the Five Venoms and the Blood Cult—treat him with the highest respect.”

Hearing her words, the four young men clasped their fists and bowed. Seonhak stepped forward to speak for them.

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance, young warrior. Our sister is deeply indebted to you.”

“The honor is mine. I am So-ryong.”

“We have heard your name spoken far and wide. It is a privilege to meet you in person. Since our sister has invited you, please permit us to act as your escorts. Any guest and benefactor of hers is a great benefactor to the entire Dianchang Sect.”

And so, we found ourselves on the path to Dianchang.

***

After roughly an hour of walking, we reached Mount Dianchang, which presented a truly striking landscape.

The lofty mountain had a band of clouds encircling its middle like a sash, and Geombong, walking at the front, turned back to explain.

“That is one of Dianchang’s renowned views—Yokdaeyun, the Jade Belt Cloud. It is named so because the white cloud wraps around the mountain like a sash of jade.”

“I understand.”

“And the cloud clinging to the peak over there is named Mangbuyun, the Longing Husband Cloud.”

“The Longing Husband Cloud?”

“Yes. The tale tells that the daughter of the Southern Kingdom’s king fell in love with a hunter, and they escaped to this mountain. But the summit of Mount Dianchang is fiercely cold in winter. Her husband attempted to steal a monk’s robe, said to ward off the cold, and was cursed and transformed into a mule as punishment. She missed him so desperately that she became a cloud, forever waiting for him.”

Wait, she turned into a cloud over a husband who was a thief?

Geombong wore a profoundly proud expression as she recounted the legend, though the story’s moral somewhat escaped me.

Given that jianghu folklore is often like this, I employed some basic social etiquette.

“Oh, that is remarkable!”

We continued our ascent, making similar conversation—until we came across a large deer-like creature.

“Ah! It’s a Sabul-sang!”

“A what?”

“Sabul-sang! It is a creature with the body of a donkey, the face of a horse, the hooves of an ox, and the antlers of a deer. But since it does not truly resemble any one of them, it is called the ‘Sabul-sang’—the beast that resembles nothing. Is it not fascinating?”

She was utterly enthusiastic as she indicated the animal, but having witnessed many strange things, I wasn’t particularly amazed.

Where had I seen something similar?

Yo-hwa.

The spirit creature Yo-hwa, whose form was a blend of several women—Hwa-eun, Sister Seol, Geombong, and others—yet did not perfectly mirror any single one.

That was Yo-hwa—essentially the Sabul-sang of the spirit realm.

Geombong went on to describe how the creature was deemed rare and not pursued by hunters. The disciples of Dianchang likely fed them, for when they drew near, Sister Seol beamed with happiness.

“Ahh! So-ryong, look at them! They are so tame! One just licked my hand!”

Even though it was a furry animal and probably had a potent smell.

I’ve never been particularly fond of furry creatures—with the exception of Hwa-eun—so I slowly edged away from Sister Seol, who was now glistening with animal saliva.

Yes… furry animals remain outside my preferences.

Some time later, we successfully detached Sister Seol from the creatures, and just after we passed through the Jade Belt Cloud partway up the mountain, we finally reached Dianchang’s Nine-Tiered Gate.

It was an imposing structure—nine archways rising alongside the sunlight, as if to dry the moist cloud vapor from our garments.

The disciples stationed at the entrance gave Geombong a heartfelt welcome, treating her like a returning celebrity.

—Beeeeep.

A horn’s call resounded through the peaks, announcing Geombong’s return, and people started pouring out to greet her with authentic happiness, without a trace of pretense.

“Geombong!”

“Master!”

“You reckless child! Do you have any idea how worried we were upon hearing you were wounded?!”

“I apologize, Master.”

“Come here! Your senior brother almost worried himself into an illness!”

“Wait, Master. Please allow me to introduce someone first. This is So-ryong, heir to the Beast Palace and son-in-law of the Tang Clan. He tended to my injuries and made it possible for me to heal and live in comfort.”

“Oh? A pleasure to meet you, young warrior. I have heard much about you. The rumors fail to capture your presence. You have rendered a great service to our Geombong.”

“The pleasure is mutual.”

Geombong was unmistakably someone profoundly cherished within Dianchang.

“They all truly revere Geombong, don’t they?”

I murmured, observing the scene as we proceeded, taking in her evident popularity. Chang-ryong, wearing a proud grin, explained at my side.

“Well, that is because she is the one who elevated Dianchang from being viewed as the weakest of the Nine Great Sects to being considered an equal once more.”

“What do you mean?”

So Chang-ryong elaborated.

Among the Nine Great Sects, Dianchang was the sole sect situated in the southern frontier of Yunnan, and their sword arts were uniquely pragmatic compared to the others.

They favored lethal efficiency over flamboyant techniques.

Instead of perfecting countless forms to achieve enlightenment, they focused on pinpoint accuracy, striking vital points to conclude battles immediately.

This approach meant they were not highly esteemed. Their martial arts were perceived as brutish, as if they were mere assassins training solely to kill, not to cultivate the self.

To compound matters, Dianchang had not produced a distinguished new master or high-caliber disciple for almost fifty years, cementing that perception.

Then, appearing like a comet, Geombong arrived—defeating disciples from other Great Sects one by one, ultimately achieving second place in the martial world tournament.

Her style honed the thrust to an extreme, chaining together techniques that targeted only vital areas—transforming their reputation from one of savage killing to one of genius precision.

“So, naturally, Dianchang holds her in the deepest regard.”

“I see… that clarifies things.”

Given those circumstances, Geombong’s veneration here was completely logical.

But as I watched Chang-ryong proudly explain all this to me, I couldn’t suppress the thought—

This fellow is in serious trouble.

“Chang-ryong, doesn’t that imply you are in danger?”

“Huh? Me? Why?”

He seemed confused by my question, but I felt quite certain.

Because at this moment, Geombong was plainly the daughter, sister, and icon of the entire Dianchang Sect.

And she had brought home a suitor?

Would the uncles, brothers, and father figures here possibly be accepting of that?

Would they give their approval?

“Yeah, now that you’re her man… but she is someone so invaluable to the entire sect—wait.”

I stopped mid-sentence.

I could sense it.

Turning my head, I saw them. The individuals who had gathered to welcome Geombong were now completely still, their gazes fixed directly on Chang-ryong as we walked in the direction of the sect leader’s residence.

Gulp.

I watched Chang-ryong’s Adam’s apple bob nervously.

I told you so.

Their stares were anything but welcoming.