Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 494

Chapter 494
Here’s the full paraphrase of the chapter you provided. I kept all proper names (Hwa-eun, Geombong, Dianchang, Ji-dam Pills, Qinggaroe, Beast Palace, etc.), preserved the same sequence, length, and emotional weight, while rewording the narration and dialogue naturally.

—

Having lived through two separate lives—my former existence and this one—I can confidently say my life experience exceeds that of most ordinary people.
Of course, in my previous life I didn’t grow old and die in bed. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) My end came in my mid-twenties, so if we’re comparing sheer length of years, I fall short of anyone who reached old age.
Yet, having walked two entirely different paths across two worlds, isn’t that a kind of experience no one else could ever claim?

The truth I’ve come to understand most profoundly across both lives is this: life never follows the script you’ve prepared.
Even the most carefully laid plan collapses the moment fate decides to twist in another direction.
And when things begin unraveling, you can claw and fight all you want—it won’t set them back on track.

Take my previous life for example.
I was staying at a lodge deep in the African wilderness. Who could have imagined a black mamba slipping into my room at night?
And me—Spicy Fabre, of all people—renowned for handling venomous creatures, ended up perishing by the very snake I specialized in.
That’s how unpredictable life is. And right now, Hwa-eun and I found ourselves in a situation just like that.

—

“Ahh… this is marvelous.”
“Good, isn’t it? Do-ryong, this is called Okrim. It’s a famous liquor from Yunnan.”
“It coats the tongue perfectly. Truly delicious. Geombong?”
“What do you think, Your Grace?”
“I enjoy it. Just as I enjoy your company.”
“Oh, Your Grace…”
“What a splendid drink. Geombong, please be sure to thank Dianchang for us later.”

Out of nowhere, a drinking party had sprung up in my room in the middle of the night.
Hwa-eun smiled politely as she poured for the guests, but I noticed the corners of her mouth twitching as if she was straining to keep that smile steady.
What on earth was this about?

It had only been earlier that evening when everything wrapped up.
We had captured everyone involved in producing fake Ji-dam Pills and locked them aboard a ship. During that very chase, we’d also solved the Qinggaroe murder case.
In the same process, we had secured the newborn Qing Ji-dam larvae without harm.
With everything concluded, even the Dianchang disciples who had lingered to help with the search had departed.

Originally, I intended to transfer to another vessel tonight, but instead, we decided to leave at dawn for the Beast Palace.
All tasks were completed.
No further issues needed our attention—just drift downriver until we reached the palace gates.

That afternoon I had secretly cleaned out a spare cabin, and after dinner, I had gone to the river to bathe.
My intention was clear: tonight would belong to Hwa-eun and me. If we explained matters to the children properly, nothing could interfere.

I lay sprawled on the bed, thinking about what awaited us.
But perhaps because of those very thoughts, Daeryong stirred restlessly, refusing to settle down.
Hold on, not yet. Don’t waste strength before the time comes.

I fixed my eyes on the ceiling, silently coaxing Georyong into calming down, while Hwa-eun, true to her promise, gathered the children to explain why we’d be sleeping elsewhere.

“Tonight, Mommy and Daddy will stay in another room. Daddy isn’t feeling well, so Mommy needs to look after him.”
Tsss. (But I thought Daddy was fine now?)
Tssr. (He’s still sick?)
Tssrrr. (It’s been days already!)
Tssrrr. (Yeah! A few nights ago you said you needed to check him, but then you told us he was better!)
“Oh, well… it got worse again! He has blocked energy inside his body, and I must help release it.”
Tsss! (Isn’t that serious? Shouldn’t a doctor see him?)
“N-no need. Mommy knows a special Tang Clan technique called Inner-Body Treatment. I’ve trained in it, so I can handle it.”
Tssrrr. (Okay… but Daddy, please get better. Bini’s worried.)

As Bini looked up at me, worry etched on her little face—

—a sailor’s voice rang out from beyond the door.
“So-ryong-nim, are you inside?”

So much for Hwa-eun’s assurances that everything would go smoothly. Her explanation was already faltering, and now this interruption.

“Yes? What is it?”
“There’s a guest waiting for you.”

A guest, at this hour?
Back in my old world, this would have been eight or nine p.m.
Here, it was already the deep of night—the hour of the dog (sul-si), long after sunset.

“Someone came at this time of night?”
“Yes, from Dianchang.”
“They already left earlier—why come back?”

When I stepped outside, I found Seonhak—Geombong’s martial brother and a Dianchang disciple—waiting on the deck.
Two others stood beside him with a cart carrying two massive jars.

“Young Great Hero, forgive us for disturbing you so late.”
“You had already gone before. Why return?”
“Our master heard the matter was settled and sent us to deliver a celebratory gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes, these here…”

He pointed at the jars. Clearly liquor.

At that moment, Geombong, who apparently hadn’t gone to bed yet, suddenly appeared from behind me.
“Martial brother? Why show up again after leaving?”
“Oh, martial sister, nothing alarming. Our master simply sent this drink in celebration.”
“But So So-hyeop doesn’t even care for alcohol.”
“Still, it’s Okrim.”
“Okrim? How many years aged?”
“Twenty.”
“Twenty!? Truly!?”

I’d never realized Geombong had such fondness for drink, but the instant she heard it was twenty-year-old Okrim, her eyes practically lit up like lanterns.

“So So-hyeop, let’s go right now!”
“Eh? Where?”
“To your room, of course! This kind of treasure must be tasted immediately!”
“Wait, I’m not that fond of—”
“What nonsense! Twenty-year-old Okrim is no mere alcohol—it’s priceless!”
“I’m just… busy at the moment.”
“Busy at night? Come, just a small taste! Once the seal’s broken, the aroma fades quickly.”
“Still, it’s late… maybe tomorrow—”
“Don’t be like that!”
“I, uh… wait…”

She had promised just one sip, but when I suggested tomorrow, Geombong gathered every soul still awake and physically pushed me toward my room.
Trailing behind were her husband, her brother-in-law, and Chang-ryong—summoned after she told him to fetch everyone still up.

—Knock, knock.

“So-ryong, what’s going on? I told the kids already. Let’s—huh?”

As I opened the door, Hwa-eun tucked her hair back with a charming smile, only for Geombong to pop in behind me.
“Dokhwa, we’ll just borrow the room for a bit, alright? You don’t mind, do you?”
“Ge-Geombong? No, wait, that’s—”

Ignoring Hwa-eun’s startled look, the group barged right in.
“Just for a while, Dokhwa.”
“Sorry, Dokhwa.”
“I’ve heard endlessly that Okrim is the king of liquor—finally, I’ll taste it myself.”
“She went on and on about it, I thought my ears would fall off.”
“I’ll fetch cups!”

And so, just like that, a drinking party erupted inside my room.

At first it was supposedly a single taste, but before long, one glass became two, and the first jar was drained.
That’s how alcohol works—once you begin, stopping is the hard part.

“Feels lacking though, doesn’t it? I’ll prepare some snacks.”
“No, I only wanted a quick sip—”
“Don’t be silly, So-ryong. Fine liquor and good company, how can we stop?”
“Exactly. Let’s finish this one jar at least.”

With food brought from the galley by my sister-in-law, the night carried on, stretching past midnight, the hour of the rat.

“Ahh… delightful. Too bad Ji-ryong, Geom-ryong, and Kwon-ryong missed it.”
“They went to bed early. Nothing we can do.”
“True. We even woke just for this.”
“Hm? My cup’s empty already.”
“What? So fast? Ah… the first jar’s gone. Should we open the second?”

Geombong, her husband, Chang-ryong, and my brother-in-law were ready to dive into the next jar—

—when suddenly Hwa-eun, who had restrained herself all this time, snapped.

“That’s enough!”

Her voice cut through the laughter like a blade.
All eyes turned, stunned, at her outburst.

“Do… Dokhwa?”
“Dokhwa?”

“Drinking ends here! We’re departing tomorrow. Everyone return to your rooms and rest. You can’t allow our plans to be ruined by overindulgence, can you?”

The sharp authority in her tone froze them all. Then, after a moment, my sister-in-law nudged her husband and quickly supported her.
“She’s right. It’s very late—we’ve intruded far too long in the newlyweds’ room.”
“Ah… true.”
“Y-Yes, of course. Thank you for everything, Young Great Hero.”

As if awakened from a spell, they all gathered themselves and hurried out, wearing sheepish expressions.

Just like that, with a single shout, Hwa-eun had ended the chaos.

After they left, she turned to the children.
“Alright. Mommy has to go treat Daddy now. All of you, get some sleep.”
Tssrrr. (Okay, Mom.)

The children, sensing her mood, didn’t protest. She took my wrist and led me away, the fierceness fading from her face into tired weariness. Resting her head on my shoulder, she whispered softly:

“Why does it always get so complicated whenever we try to be alone? For once, I thought… So-ryong having so many children and friends is a blessing, but sometimes I wish it could just be you and me.”

The vulnerability in her voice contrasted so sharply with the commanding tone from earlier.
How ironic—a married couple, merely wishing for their first night together, and still it turned into this farce.

I stroked her shoulder gently and guided her into the room I had prepared.

Words weren’t needed. I understood exactly what she longed for.
She didn’t truly wish the children gone—only for a moment where nothing else existed but the two of us.

—

The room was simple: a sturdy wooden bed, sheets borrowed from my quarters, moonlight spilling through the open window. Sparse, but secluded.
And in that solitude, relief washed over me.

I held Hwa-eun close, her warmth soft against me, and for a while we simply stood in silence.
Then, gently, she pushed me onto the bed.

As I landed, she raised her hands, loosening the tie that bound her hair.
It cascaded over her shoulders like a flowing stream.

She slipped her sash into my hand, and without intending, I tugged—it fell loose, her robe parting.
Her slender shoulders and pale nape were revealed, the thin garment beneath clinging faintly to her frame.

—Gulp.

I had seen her like this before, yet every time felt new. And as her underclothes slid down like fading petals, my heart pounded.

I stood, shedding my own garments until nothing separated us.
“Now nothing stands between us,” I murmured with a grin.

Without replying, Hwa-eun wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her lips firmly against mine.

—Chup.

And then, as though a lid had been lifted from a sealed pot, her long-restrained voice finally spilled out in a trembling moan.

“Haang…”