Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 524

Chapter 524
“How do you intend to capture it?”
“What method could possibly work on such a creature?”
“Do you have a plan?”
Hwa-eun, Elder Yakseon, and Elder Uiseon all pressed with keen interest etched on their faces.
Naturally, they were fascinated—the idea that I could effortlessly secure a being the mighty Tang Clan had never even managed to approach.
I answered with a radiant smile.
After all, wasn’t there a particular phrase I always used in moments like these?
“Se…”
“Se?”
“Se what?”
“It’s a secret.”
All three stared at me, completely stunned, their expressions blank with disbelief.
The silence was brief.
As seasoned martial artists, their reflexes took over—my arms, forehead, and cheeks were suddenly targeted by a swift volley of playful flicks and prods.
“You little devil! Is this because we’re always calling you adorable!?”
“So-ryong! You and that same old line! Ah, how do I keep getting tricked!?”
“You impudent boy! Making fun of your elders!”
“Waaah!”
I attempted to evade, but the three of them employed light footwork to stay right on me.
I dodged every strike except for one precise jab to my side.
That one was from Hwa-eun.
The two elderly men were no longer as fast as I was, so anticipating and avoiding their moves was simple.
But Hwa-eun, despite being my age, possessed far greater martial prowess, and her quick finger found its mark before I could shift away.
Her slim fingers gave my side a sharp, playful pinch.
“Ouch ouch ouch ouch!”
Of course, it wasn’t truly painful.
It was just a gentle, teasing nip, the sort that playfully scolds a misbehaving child.
Nevertheless, I threw myself into a performance of utter agony, tumbling dramatically to the floor.
Alarmed and remorseful, Hwa-eun was instantly flustered.
“Ah, did that actually hurt? Was it too much? Forgive me, So-ryong. It’s just that you never share anything with us…”
“Heavens! So-ryong is perishing!”
“Hold on a moment! That couldn’t have hurt so badly! So-ryong is putting on another act, isn’t he!? Fooled again! What is wrong with me!”
But my overly theatrical display gave me away—and Hwa-eun’s concern quickly turned to a sulk.
“So-ryong never tells me anything when I want to know. He’s only ever joking around…”
She turned her back to me, muttering quietly to herself.
“Is Hwa-eun upset?”
“What do you think.”
She was unmistakably sulking. So, I moved behind her, rested my hands lightly on her shoulders, and spoke in a soothing tone.
“It would ruin the surprise if I explained now. Please, don’t be angry.”
“I already am…”
“But you’ve told me before that you enjoy it when the answer comes out later, haven’t you?”
“I definitely never said that…”
As we continued our cloyingly sweet back-and-forth, the two elders tutted in unison.
“Tch… what are these two up to now?”
“Ah, to be young again…”
“Oh! My apologies!”
“S-sorry, elders.”
Right, that was likely inappropriate in front of our seniors.
In my previous life, influenced by Western customs, even a kiss in public was hardly noticed.
Young lovers kissing in side streets was quite common.
But in this time and place, our behavior probably fell into a category beyond a simple kiss.
I offered a quick apology, and Elder Uiseon was the first to speak.
“It’s quite alright. We are glad to see the two of you so fond of each other. That is a fortunate thing. Now, So-ryong—you are certain you can capture this beast?”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“I see…”
As I confirmed, the two elders studied me, their faces etched with contemplation.
After a moment of silence, they posed the next question.
“So, if you were to discover its whereabouts… would you pursue it?”
“You intend to, correct?”
“Without a doubt!”
Wasn’t the answer obvious?
A golden frog with the power to end the world.
If I knew where it was, I would pursue it without hesitation.
I had already successfully captured most of the Top Ten Venom Beasts.
Only Jimjo and this one remained. I wanted to secure it before making another attempt on Jimjo.
That would finalize my collection.
But then Elder Yakseon inquired, his demeanor turning grave.
“Is it truly essential that you be the one to capture it?”
“Pardon? Why would you ask that?”
Suggesting I shouldn’t catch the World-Ending Golden Frog?
How could they even think to meddle with my passion?
I cocked my head in confusion, and the elder elaborated.
“Because this venom has already been disclosed to the imperial court.”
“To the court!?”
“Indeed. It was part of the report concerning the Five Venoms, meant to reiterate their danger to the imperial family. That is the very reason we journeyed here. The Martial Alliance was tasked with a deeper investigation after the court voiced significant alarm.”
“Ah… but why does that mean I shouldn’t catch it?”
“If we inform the court of our findings—that the poison originates from the World-Ending Golden Frog—they will likely attempt to destroy the creature, claim it for the throne, or subject it to relentless observation.
However, if they believe it is beyond anyone’s reach, they will settle for monitoring—simply to ensure the poison is never used.
Now consider if you were to possess it. The court might brand you a conspirator and sentence you to death. Or they could simply seize it. At a minimum, they would place you under perpetual scrutiny.
And should that occur, every other spirit beast you’ve secretly raised would be discovered, and you would be deemed a threat of the highest order.”
After hearing Grandpa’s reasoning, the situation became clear.
Essentially, this “Myeolse” poison was being handled like a weapon of mass destruction—comparable to a nuclear threat.
Its potency was so fearsome that the imperial court itself was disturbed and had commanded a thorough inquiry.
If Grandpa and the others verified the poison belonged to the World-Ending Golden Frog, the court would almost certainly move to confiscate the frog, eliminate it, or enforce stringent surveillance.
But if I, a mere individual, were to own such a thing…
What would I become? A commoner in possession of a nuclear arsenal?
To ensure security, the imperial court would have no choice but to eliminate me—or subject me to endless watch.
Worse, if the frog’s existence became known, they would investigate me thoroughly. All my other spirit beasts would be revealed.
The court would begin to view me as a danger to the entire nation.
Hence their counsel: perhaps you should not capture the World-Ending Golden Frog.
I understood their perspective.
But to be advised against securing one of the Top Ten Venom Beasts?
With a look of sheer desperation, I implored them.
“Could you not simply report it as a toxin manufactured by the Five Venoms?”
Since the poison’s source wasn’t officially confirmed, I was suggesting a minor alteration to the report.
If it were documented as a concoction of the Five Venoms, then even if I possessed the World-Ending Golden Frog, it wouldn’t escalate into a grave matter.
But Grandpa shook his head, his expression one of pure astonishment.
“So-ryong, this isn’t a matter of misleading an ordinary official. To deceive the Son of Heaven… that is a transgression punishable by the eradication of one’ entire lineage.”
“Precisely. So-ryong, it would constitute the highest form of treachery.”
Certainly, in my former life, lying to a head of state might be met with shrugs—but in this Confucian society, the emperor was the supreme ruler, an absolute entity.
Attempting to deceive him wasn’t merely unthinkable—it was the ultimate act of treason.
A sigh escaped me… So Confucianism is what holds me back now?
I once appreciated Confucianism for instructing men to be honorable and upright within their homes… and now it betrays me like this.
Then again, wasn’t I the Heavenly Master of Humanity?
As the leader of Buddhism, I was being outmaneuvered by a rival philosophy. It was a moment to firmly recommit to my Buddhist roots.
Just as I was solidifying that resolution, Ji-ryong’s voice reached us from beyond the door.
“Young Master? Are you present?”
“Ji-ryong?”
“Was that Ji-ryong’s voice?”
“Allow him to enter.”
I began to mention we had company, but the elders, seeming to consider our discussion concluded, instructed me to invite him in.
“Ah, Ji-ryong. Please, come in.”
Why would Ji-ryong arrive alone at such an hour?
I was still pondering when Ji-ryong entered the room, his arms laden with stacks of paper that appeared to be reports.
Noticing Elders Yakseon and Uiseon, he halted abruptly and offered a flustered bow.
“Oh! Forgive me, I was unaware the elders were present. I shall return at a more convenient time.”
But the two elders rose from their seats and gestured for him to stay.
“Unnecessary. The hour is late, and we have concluded our business. So-ryong, we will withhold the information you provided—for the time being. You uncovered this knowledge, so it is yours to hold.
However, once Mandok Shingun arrives, the truth will undoubtedly be reported then.”
They were granting me a temporary reprieve, refusing to immediately relay what we’d learned to the Martial Alliance or the imperial court out of deference to Hwa-eun and myself.
But once Grandfather Tang Mu-seong—Mandok Shingun—appeared, his expertise would uncover the truth, and the information would eventually be passed upward.
I bowed in sincere gratitude.
It was the greatest leniency they could afford me.
“I understand, Grandpa.”
“Then we shall leave you to converse.”
“Safe travels, Grandpas.”
“Farewell, Hwa-eun.”
“Go in peace, child.”
As the elders departed, Ji-ryong, who had been waiting uncomfortably, set his documents down on the tea table and spoke.
“I feared my timing was poor, but it seems not. Still… Young Master, why do you look so troubled?”
Noting my somber expression, he inquired.
“It’s nothing too serious. Just… a minor complication.”
“Something you cannot share with me?”
“No, it isn’t that…”
My words trailed off as I glanced toward Hwa-eun, who gave a slight nod.
It signaled her consent to discuss the matter with Ji-ryong.
Naturally. That was Hwa-eun for you.
Her nod also conveyed her willingness—if there existed another path to obtaining the World-Ending Golden Frog, she would support it.
And if anyone could devise such a plan, it would be the clever and dependable Ji-ryong. So I chose to confide in him completely.
“It concerns the poison the Five Venoms employed during our pursuit.”
“Ah, yes. The one named Myeolse, correct?”
“Exactly. You recall Elders Yakseon and Uiseon came here to examine it?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well, they have deduced its probable origin.”
“Naturally. And the result?”
“It appears to be the venom of the World-Ending Golden Frog, one of the Top Ten Venoms. Realistically, I am the sole person capable of capturing it…”
“Ah… I understand. So the elders cautioned you against pursuit out of concern. I have heard the imperial court is deeply troubled by this.”
“Just as I’d expect from Ji-ryong.”
He comprehended the entire situation with mere hints.
Ji-ryong smiled and remarked,
“Then my timing is ideal. I believed you would wish to see this, Young Master, which is why I came despite the late hour. It seems my intuition was correct.”
“What is it?”
I anticipated a strategy, but instead, Ji-ryong unfolded the documents he had brought.
From among them, he produced an item I recognized.
“Here. I have determined a possible location.”
“Oh! Is this!?”
“Yes, the map we discovered within that Tianzhu temple. It was in the possession of those Five Venoms villains.”
Right.
I had nearly forgotten, but after we eliminated the Five Venoms members responsible for the locust plagues, we had recovered a map.
It lacked any identifying features or labels, so I had entrusted it to the brilliant Ji-ryong for analysis.
Evidently, he had been conducting his own research all this time—and had now uncovered a promising clue.
“Incredible work, Ji-ryong!”
We had theorized the map might lead to a powerful spirit beast.
A realization dawned on me, and I looked at him intently.
“Wait, are you suggesting…?”
“Yes. I entertained the same notion—that this could very well mark the dwelling of the World-Ending Golden Frog.”
“Ooooh!”
Initially, it was probable that the Five Venoms’ assassination unit managed anything pertaining to the frog.
But this map had been owned by a different faction.
Therefore, the chances of the map pointing to the frog were reduced.
But not nonexistent.
And occasionally, a slim chance was sufficient.
As I fixed Ji-ryong with an expression of burgeoning hope, he continued his explanation.
“Should the imperial court learn the true nature of this poison, they will dispatch search parties to locate the frog.
They might even pressure the Martial Alliance to utterly eradicate the Five Venoms—then compel them to surrender any intelligence. But what if the frog is gone when they arrive?”
“Then… we secure it beforehand?”
“Precisely. If you find it first and conceal it, Young Master, all will be well.”
Indeed, misfortune sometimes carried a silver lining.
Just as I was sinking into despair from the elders’ warning, Ji-ryong appeared like a soothing balm.
But then Hwa-eun’s voice interjected, laced with concern and surprise at Ji-ryong’s proposal.
“Ji-ryong, wouldn’t that be… far too risky?”
“Not at all. Did we not agree that the Young Master is the only one who can capture this beast? If its true nature is never officially confirmed, the court won’t suspect private ownership. They will merely continue their fruitless search. That is actually the safest course.
I believe the elders were erring too far on the side of caution.”
Ahh… Impeccable timing. Impeccable reasoning. This is why Ji-ryong is indispensable.
I approached the map Ji-ryong had spread out and asked,
“So, where is it located?”
Ji-ryong responded with a slightly regretful expression.
“Before I reveal it, I must confess—the topography was more generic than I anticipated. Pinpointing an exact location proved impossible. I have, however, reduced the possibilities to seven probable sites.”
Realistically, how could anyone determine a precise spot from a crudely drawn map of black lines on blank paper?
Yet, Ji-ryong had narrowed it down to seven options. That alone was a remarkable feat.
Far superior to having no leads. Seven was a workable number.
By process of elimination, the correct site would eventually be found.
I smiled and assured him,
“That is more than sufficient.”
It seemed my departure would commence right after the wedding festivities concluded.