Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 496

Chapter 496
A warrior answered my question.
“Yes. Each night, we lose one or two men—either they vanish or we find their bodies…”
Soldiers were disappearing or being discovered dead every evening.
From his account, they still hadn’t found the cause—yet the warrior stated with certainty that it was the work of a poisonous beast, which struck me as odd.
It was puzzling. How could he be so sure if they hadn’t even seen it?
“Hmm… If you haven’t identified it, why are you convinced it’s a venomous creature?”
“Well, you see—”
“Black Elephant!”
“My lady!”
But I never got that explanation.
Just as the warrior was about to answer, Sister Seol showed up.
It turned out the Beast Palace warrior was named Heuksang—Black Elephant—and he appeared to be quite familiar with her.
“How have you grown even more lovely?”
He offered the compliment the moment he saw her.
Sister laughed and gave his chest a light tap.
What woman doesn’t enjoy being called beautiful?
“Hahaha, Heuksang, you smooth talker. How is Father?”
“He’s well. Rather than hear it from me, why not go see him yourself? He’s at the Beast Palace.”
Of course, he was close by, so there was no point talking about it here.
Sister Seol smiled and said,
“Shall we, then?”
“Indeed. We constructed a new dock further up, but… well, your vessel is too large for it. You should drop anchor here and continue on foot.”
The warrior recommended we not take the ship all the way to the dock due to its size.
Eagerly, Sister called out,
“Then let’s do that. Let’s go, So-ryong!”
“Right away, Sister Seol. Everyone, prepare to disembark! We’ll be walking from here!”
『“Kids, stay here for now, alright? Daddy will come back for you tonight.”』
—Tsrururu. (Okay, Daddy.)
—Kishi. (I’ll tell everyone else, So-ryong oppa.)
—Piiiii. (Baap!)
—Kkuggugu. (Understood, Father.)
After calling out that we would be walking from here, I reassured the children that I would return for them after dark.
For the moment, only the human members of our party would be leaving.
We decided to leave the supplies behind and go ahead to greet everyone first.
The luggage could be dealt with later. We could get helpers from the Beast Palace, perhaps even a few elephant-sized ones—it would be no trouble.
After all, elephants are the ultimate combination of muscle and machinery, aren’t they?
But as I was stepping off the ship—
Sister Seol looked at me and inquired,
“Why are you coming out by yourself?”
“But Hwa-eun is right here with me?”
“I’m here, Sister Seol.”
Tang Hwa-eun had promptly moved to my side, with the Dragon Fangs trio right behind us.
I was confused—what was the problem?
Then Sister Seol pointed at Cheongwol, who was camouflaged as a boulder on the ship’s deck.
“You have to bring the children.”
“The children? But I heard there are many Martial Alliance warriors stationed here now…”
I was concerned about causing a panic among the stationed forces, but Sister shot me a look of pure incredulity and stated,
“So what if my little brother raises these children at the Beast Palace? Should he worry about the opinions of outsiders? Should my brother and the children he cares for have to hide from strangers?”
Wow. Sister Seol, speaking nothing but the raw truth.
I felt a surge of liberating confidence.
She was absolutely right.
This was the Beast Palace, a sanctuary for animal companions.
Our kids might not be fluffy, but they are pets in their own way, aren’t they?
Here, it’s completely ordinary to be seen with animals or unusual beasts.
Sure, our children might be a bit larger or more unique in appearance—but as Sister Seol said, this is our home. Why should we care about the stares of others?
Feeling emboldened, I yelled toward the ship,
“Kids! Your aunt says it’s okay to come out! Everyone out!”
“Huh? Wow! So many little ones all at once!?”
I had just told them to wait and that I’d be back at night—but the instant I gave the new order, they all came pouring out onto the deck.
The deck was suddenly packed with children, and the warrior named Heuksang stared in wide-eyed astonishment.
—Tsrururu. 『For real, Daddy?』
—Kishi. 『Really, oppa?』
“Yes, your aunt says it’s fine. Let’s go. Cheongwol, you too!”
—Krrng. 『Understood! Geumdo, secure the ship properly. I am coming ashore.』
Cheongwol’s tone was noticeably brighter as he called out to Geumdo. It had been some time since he last set foot on land.
He always claimed it didn’t bother him, but clearly, he was more affected than he let on.
—Bugurururu.
As Geumdo shifted and drew the ship near the bank, an elephant nearby started and took a step backward.
And once the ship was fastened, Cheongwol stretched on the deck—but the instant his front claw touched the water—
—BBOOOO!!!
The spooked elephant turned around without a backward glance and fled straight toward the Beast Palace.
‘Hold on, did a God-phant just… take off?’
In my previous life, people called elephants “God-phants.”
In those silly arguments about “who would win, a tiger or a lion?” there were always those who said, “Cats? Please. The God-phant reigns supreme,” backed by videos of elephants easily overpowering lions.
Even lions fear adult elephants.
No matter how strong or fast a lion or tiger is, they are no match for sheer mass.
So in Africa, the elephant was the true ruler—hence the name God-phant.
But that very God-phant had just spun around and run the moment it saw Cheongwol.
Its small tail swished nervously as it hurried away.
—Krrrng. 『What a charming creature.』
Cheongwol observed, remarking that the elephant seemed rather endearing.
***
The Beast Palace I returned to after such a long time was greatly transformed.
Originally, wasn’t the Beast Palace constructed within a bottle-gourd-shaped hollow in the midst of a rocky mountain?
There was level land before it, and behind stood the palace structures and the homes of its inhabitants.
But now, in the area where the army ants had once been eradicated, an entire settlement had emerged.
And not a small one—a sizable village.
Structures built from newly cut timber and makeshift bamboo frames, the most plentiful building resource in Yunnan, filled the space.
I spotted vendors beneath tents, and a market had even been established to one side.
“What in the world… What is all this?”
Even Sister Seol, who was from the Beast Palace, seemed astonished.
The warrior leading us grinned at our reaction and clarified,
“After the Murim Alliance set up their base here, people who provide food and equipment followed. Traders arrived, and as their numbers grew, so did the population. That’s how all this came to be.”
Now that he mentioned it, I recalled something from my past life.
In medieval times, whenever armies marched, supply trains, camp followers, and merchants would accompany them—often outnumbering the soldiers two or three to one.
Here as well, it seemed that with thousands of Murim Alliance warriors arriving, a village had naturally sprung up around them.
“Hm. I understand. Let’s proceed, So-ryong.”
“Cheongwol, let’s move.”
—Krrrng. 『Understood.』
Thud, thud.
Cheongwol, who had paused for a moment, began to walk again.
The smaller children rode on his back, the flying ones accompanied us from the air, and Hwanji and Hwana followed at our rear.
Everyone was together, save for Geumdo and Heukjeom.
This was, after all, the paradise for creature companions—the Beast Palace.
And just as I recalled our dear “God-phant” from before—the one that had fled with its tiny tail wagging—the astonished cries of villagers spotting Cheongwol reached our ears.
“What is that… G-good heavens—!”
“What is that thing!?”
“Whoa! It’s the Scorpion King!”
“There’s someone riding on its back!”
“There’s a huge two-headed snake following them!”
People were utterly bewildered at the sight of me atop a gigantic scorpion.
Since our path to the Beast Palace led through this new village, we approached its entrance, and the warriors guarding the gaped up at me, completely stunned.
They stood speechless, their mouths agape.
With a broad smile, I announced,
“Returning home to the So-ryong residence of the Beast Palace.”
My words jolted the two warriors from their stupor.
“W-welcome! P-please, enter!”
From the village entrance to the narrow path leading into the Beast Palace, a wide road had been constructed. As we traveled along it, crowds emerged to observe us.
A massive scorpion bearing a collection of poisonous beings, with vibrant butterflies and glistening silver moths fluttering above.
Flying snakes in the sky; behind the scorpion, an enormous two-headed serpent—how could anyone not stop and stare?
As we moved through the village and reached the gates of the Beast Palace itself, the mood shifted noticeably.
“So-ryong-nim! So-ryong-nim has come home! Inform the Lord! He has brought the spirit beasts!”
These people weren’t afraid. Instead, they were radiant with excitement as they welcomed us inside.
“My, what an impressive and grand scorpion.”
“That snake is magnificent as well!”
They even complimented our children.
The kids seemed pleased too.
It had been some time since they could roam freely under the open sky without needing to conceal themselves from people.
—Tsrut. 『My second visit.』
—Shiaa. 『I once dwelled near here. It was in this place that I gave my Neidan to So-ryong-nim…』
—Kishishi. 『I know this place! It’s where oppa did that reckless thing.』
“Haha, this place is really wonderful, isn’t it?”
A fragment of past embarrassment nearly emerged, so I swiftly changed the topic.
At that moment, a large figure came rushing out from the Beast Palace entrance.
A big, robust man hurried toward us.
“So-ryong!”
“Father!”
We weren’t overly demonstrative, but when met with such happiness, it’s only right to reciprocate.
As I greeted my foster father, he hugged me with joy.
“Welcome home! I’ve heard many stories.”
“It’s been too long, Father. Your son offers his respects. Hwa-eun, come here.”
“Yes, So-ryong.”
As if in a historical play, I drew Hwa-eun to my side and we both knelt to bow deeply on the ground. My foster father looked utterly delighted.
“Hahaha! My son is so respectful. And the new bride—welcome!”
“Have you been keeping well?”
“Absolutely! I’ve been in excellent health. It’s wonderful to have you both here. Come inside. We have much to discuss.”
He patted my shoulder and led us in.
From behind us came Sister Seol’s indignant voice.
“Hey! I’m here too, you know!”
“I see you.”
“But you only welcomed So-ryong!”
For some reason, Sister Seol was being overlooked. Muttering complaints, she followed us inside, where we settled down for tea and talk.
We shared stories of our travels, our recent marriage, and other events.
After some time had passed—
We had finished discussing the wedding and adventures, so I asked Father,
“Father, if I may—”
“Yes, So-ryong? What is it?”
“On our way here, I heard that our forces have pulled back from the border. Is the situation that dire?”
I couldn’t simply disregard what I had heard earlier.
My foster father’s face grew serious as he replied,
“Well, it’s not that we’ve been defeated in any significant way. The enemy hasn’t even appeared at the border yet. It’s just that…”
“Just that?”
“Every night, warriors disappear or are found dead. So we’ve temporarily withdrawn for safety.”
That matched what I had heard before.
But now, I needed the details.
My foster father would certainly know more.
“Could you tell me the specifics?”
“Ah, certainly. Now that you and your bride are here, you may be able to assist. Firstly, the warriors found dead showed no significant external injuries. After examination by the elders sent from the Tang Clan, it was determined they had been poisoned.
Thus, we suspect the perpetrators may be venomous creatures controlled by the Five Venoms Sect.”
As this was effectively the front line, the Tang Clan had committed a significant contingent.
I’d heard two of their elders were dispatched, and they appeared to be the ones who made the confirmation.
“A new type of venomous creature? Did they identify the poison involved?”
Hwa-eun inquired about the specific poisons found, and Father answered with a perplexed expression.
“They found two types.”
“Two?”
“Yes. Both lethal. One was the toxin of the hadoon. The other was identified as shellfish poison.”
Hadoon—that meant pufferfish poison.
Shellfish poison—as the name indicates, from shellfish.
It was a combination that seemed very unusual for a venomous creature.