Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 513

Chapter 513
I have always been captivated by tales in which the mouse triumphs over the elephant.
It may seem like a ridiculous notion, but the concept that the smallest being can topple the largest through sheer bravery and cleverness has always resonated with me.
Most individuals, however, dismiss such stories as mere fables—invented to celebrate courage and ingenuity. The outcome is a foregone conclusion; it is, after all, a mouse against an elephant.
The elephant is a creature referred to in the animal kingdom as the God-tier Big Bro. A true monster, powerful enough to hurl lions with its trunk and toss rhinoceroses as if they were playthings.
Even a lion that has just finished a large meal will cautiously move aside when an elephant approaches.
Conversely, a mouse exists at the very bottom of the physical hierarchy. A confrontation would be no contest at all.
Mice are essentially a mass-breeding source of initial nourishment for other predators. They are little more than a basic resource within the ecosystem.
Translating this to the Murim world, the elephant would be akin to a martial artist of the Flower Realm, and the mouse merely an ordinary person. How could the mouse possibly emerge victorious?
It is a matter of innate birthright—much like the members of the Peng Clan, who are born with enormous, powerful statures. Their bloodline is fundamentally different.
However, in the natural world, the elephant does not always prevail.
It might not be a direct comparison of mice and elephants, but consider this—badgers, for example, can fight tigers to the death with nothing but raw courage. And small mongooses are known to slay king cobras.
Size or origin does not always determine the outcome.
Even the smallest creatures possess their own unique strategies for survival. Over generations, they have evolved methods to resist, or even overcome, their apex predators.
This is precisely why, even though Hoja holds the second rank among the Ten Great Venomous Beasts, declaring an easy victory would be unwise.
I turned to address Tang Hwa-eun and Gun Hye-rin, who were desperately holding off the advancing leader of the Five Venoms Sect.
“You may not understand it yet, but this is shaping up to be a story where the mouse brings down the elephant. The crucial point is—we are about to deliver a powerful blow directly to that bastard’s face.”
Their delighted replies came through our mental connection immediately.
“Now that is a compelling story.”
“This sounds entertaining. What is the strategy?”
Gun Hye-rin was not one to be bullied easily, but Hoja’s meddling had irritated her. She was burning to retaliate.
And Hwa-eun had just been struck herself. Following the code of Murim warriors, she was undoubtedly eager to repay that insult in kind.
That is the way of this world.
You receive a hit? You return one. That is the culture here.
All that talk from the church about ‘loving thy enemy’? It holds no place within this culture.
Here, an enemy who shares your sky is utterly unforgivable.
Turn the other cheek? Never. You make them regret ever striking the first blow—that is the true sentiment here.
So the instant I suggested we could hit back, the sheer delight in their responses was completely understandable.
We were going to pummel him into oblivion.
And if we died in the attempt?
All the better.
A dark smile touched my lips as I answered their eager question.
“We draw him downstream. Stay just beyond his reach, make it seem as if he is on the verge of catching us. You two can manage that, correct?”
“Simple enough.”
“Understood. We just have to pretend we are being chased while letting him believe his capture is imminent.”
Realizing the implication of my plan, Hwa-eun, who was running toward me, suddenly cried out in alarm.
“So-ryong! At the very least, you need to retreat! We will find a way to keep him occupied!”
Gun Hye-rin also shouted as she launched another assault toward Hoja.
“Yes, do it! Master! Leave this to us—we will handle it!”
Since the situation had become somewhat theatrical, I played along as if I were attending a drama academy.
“No! I cannot! We must get away together!”
Then, within my heart, I swiftly reached out to Cheongwol.
“Cheongwol!”
Grrrr! (I… I have been waiting! I am coming! Hold on!)
Kishit! (Brother! I am on my way! Is it upstream? I will head there!)
Siiiiia! (So-ryong, I am going! Just hold on! Hwanji, Hwana, gather the orange snakes! We erase the Five Venoms Sect today!)
Kuuuuu! (Father! I am coming! Hold on!)
BEEEEEP! (VAAP!)
The moment I called, their frantic answers flooded in—with Cheongwol’s voice at the forefront.
Even Cheong-yu Sojeo was awake, despite it not being nighttime.
Ordinarily, when a conflict erupts at a distance, the rule is to remain silent.
Speaking hastily could only interfere with my focus, so everyone monitors the connection and waits for me to speak first.
It was clear they had been anxiously awaiting my signal since the fight started.
“Were you all so concerned?”
Grrrr! (Naturally! We are coming—every one of us!)
Kishishi! (Brother, just follow the water path, yes?)
Sia! (What do you mean ‘concerned’? Of course we were! These Five Venoms vermin—no, animals! How dare they touch So-ryong!)
They were all coming. Every single one.
Which was… problematic.
I did not require all of them.
Cheongwol alone would be sufficient. The moment she appeared, the Five Venoms Sect would undoubtedly scatter.
The Ten-Thousand-Year Stone Armored Scorpion is a nightmare opponent for martial artists.
Her mere appearance would send them running.
It is straightforward: martial artists depend on internal energy to generate force that shatters physical limits—focusing it into their weapons or bodies to amplify their power.
But Cheongwol?
She can negate that energy completely.
No matter how powerfully they strike, it would not leave a mark—and she, in return, possesses a body that emanates immense strength and a venom that induces petrification.
There would be no battle. Only a savage, one-sided rout.
If the Five Venoms Sect knew her identity, they would flee the second she materialized.
And for good reason.
In my heart, I urgently tried to halt the children.
“No, do not come yet. We are still fine. Even if we do not capture this bastard now, we must deal him a severe wound. But if all of you appear, they will certainly run.”
Then came a chorus of anxious voices.
Grrrr! “What are you saying?! Hwa-eun appears injured! It is chaos over here. Just a moment ago, Yo-hwa tried to charge out and was seized by Jeokwol, and Hwayang attempted to swim over in secret and was swept away and caught by Heukjeom!”
Kishit. “Big brother…”
Sia! “So-ryong, events do not always unfold as intended. If something goes awry, someone could be gravely injured!”
They were clearly in a panic over there as well.
The fact that Hwayang, who typically only thinks of food, had tried to swim over truly took me by surprise.
I attempted to soothe them once more.
“It is truly, truly alright. I will be cautious. I will require your assistance, but if you all charge in now, they will definitely run. So send another in first.”
Grrrr… “Another? Who?”
Sia. “Who exactly?”
Kishit. “Me? Big brother, should I go first?”
BEEP! “BAAAP!”
As they all volunteered simultaneously, I offered a single name.
“Ask Ranghu to come and bring the others.”
Kishit. “Huh?”
Sia. “R-Ranghu?”
Grrrr… “What?!”
“Wait… So-ryong, you mean the Golden-Furred Wasp Queen?”
“Hold on, you claimed we could strike a heavy blow, but are not those Golden-Furred Wasp Kings considered mid-grade as a collective but low-grade individually…? How are they supposed to confront Hoja?”
Even the children—and Hwa-eun and Gun Hye-rin, who were engaged with the leader of the Five Venoms Sect—seemed bewildered by my choice to summon them, of all beings.
By common repute, the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings were only mid-tier spirit beasts, and on their own, they were rated near the low-grade.
Meanwhile, their adversary was Hoja, second among the Ten Great Venomous Beasts.
The disparity was truly like that of a mouse against an elephant.
I offered a faint smile and told everyone:
“Do not worry. They will prevail. Without a doubt.”

***
Once the mental conversation concluded, every gaze turned to focus in the same direction.
Among the spirit beasts riding upon Geumdo’s back, those who had not been formally registered by So-ryong turned to those who had and inquired:
Chii. “What did my little brother So-ryong say? Did he request we hurry over?”
“What did our savior say?”
Kyuki. “Is… is So-ryong alright? I-I am worried about Ranghyang…”
It was Jeokwol, Yeoncheon, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° and Ranghyang—each voice thick with urgency.
They had just perceived that So-ryong’s voice had come through earlier.
Everyone seemed to be staring in one direction, assuming the exchange had ended.
Yet none of them were speaking—they were all simply frozen, their eyes fixed on the same point.
The unregistered spirit beasts followed their gaze and saw what held their attention: Ranghu, suspended in the air.
Chii. “Why is no one answering me?! Why are you all just staring at Ranghu? Someone speak! I asked what my little brother said!”
Jeokwol fluttered her wings with impatience, finally jolting Cheongwol from her trance.
Grrrr. “He said if we all go, the enemy will likely flee. So… he asked for only one to go. No—one species.”
Chiii. “Ah, I see? Then I will conceal myself and go!”
If multiple spirit beasts would prompt the enemy to escape, Jeokwol logically assumed it was her duty to go alone.
She had been unable to follow during the rain as it would have revealed her trail, but now that the weather was clear, she could fly undetected and arrive quietly.
But Cheongwol did not respond to her offer. Instead, she turned once more toward that same direction.
Jeokwol, growing increasingly agitated, suddenly comprehended.
CHIIIII! “Wait—So-ryong is in peril, why are you pausing like this… D-Do not tell me…?”
Cheongwol nodded gravely.
Grrr. “That is correct. We will depart later with you, Jeokwol. But for now… So-ryong asked Ranghu to bring the others.”
And then came the explosion of laughter.
With a mighty beat of her wings, Ranghu erupted into arrogant laughter.
BWOOOOONG. “Ahahahaha! Of course! In a time like this, who else but me? This confirms it once more—So-ryong favors me most after Hwa-eun!”
“It is only logical to summon the one you trust most in a crisis!”
All around her, the spirit beasts frowned.
Most of them found Ranghu’s personality intolerable.
Unlike Cheong-yu, the Serpent Queen, who was kind and gentle, Ranghu, Queen of the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings, was boastful and overbearing. Everyone could immediately picture how insufferable she would be once this was over.
She constantly boasted that So-ryong liked her best after Hwa-eun—even when no one had asked.
To make matters worse, she claimed that she and So-ryong had once shared a kiss.
Since humans placed such significance on kissing, she would parade around, flaunting her self-proclaimed “definite second place” status, which only served to annoy the others further.
Disregarding everyone’s reactions, Ranghu dramatically beat her wings and called out.
BWOOOOONG. “Children! So-ryong awaits me! All of you, assemble now!”
BWONG. BWOOOOOONG. BWONG.
BWOOOOONG!
At Ranghu’s command, the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings erupted from the ship’s deck.
Since arriving in the warm climate of Yunnan, their numbers had swelled to over two hundred, and now they all took to the air, forming a golden tempest above the boat.
Then, Ranghu turned to face upstream and released a powerful scent.
BWONG! “Let us go! Let us save So-ryong, who is in desperate need of me!”
The perfume mimicked the sweet aroma of flowers—but it was a signal for a full-scale assault.
Like a golden cloud, the wasps surged forward with Ranghu at their forefront.
Watching this, Hwayang muttered in disgust.
BEEEEP. “Ugh. What a revolting sight.”
At first, no one took note, but once the wasps had vanished—
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
S-Sia?! “Hwayang… did you just say something unrelated to food?”
Kyut. “This is the first time I have heard Hwayang say anything that wasn’t about eating!”
Realizing her mistake, Hwayang’s face contorted in panic, and she quickly stammered out her customary line.
BEEP. “F-Fooood…”