Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The man’s abrupt death left me concerned that the Taehwa Sect might grow suspicious, yet to my surprise, the incident was hastily and quietly buried. The Taehwa Sect didn’t carry out even a basic investigation, promptly removing the body without further questions. They didn’t dispatch anyone to examine the circumstances, let alone question witnesses or put on a show of looking into the matter. Given the intricacies of the martial world, it’s customary to investigate potential poisoning in cases of sudden death, yet even for the third son of a family head, this step was overlooked. Eventually, word emerged from the Taehwa Sect regarding the cause of death—it was simply deemed a sudden passing. According to Elder Geolhwang, the family head had moved swiftly to suppress the affair. Though not publicly stated, Geolhwang suspected the man, who visited the gambling den regularly, may have been a relative sent to manage the situation. Alternatively, someone within the sect might have already been aware of his odd conduct. Rather than suspecting us, the Taehwa Sect sent gifts to express gratitude, having heard we attempted to save their member.

“Receiving gifts after killing someone feels somewhat uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”

Several days after this gratifying act of vengeance, I traveled by carriage with Na-ok, a woman from Songga Village, toward her home. Because the village was remote and communication would be difficult once we arrived, we planned to visit her younger sibling’s grave. My older sister had proposed sending someone to tend to the grave or even relocate it, but that decision rested with Na-ok.

When we reached Songga Village, a small farming community on the outskirts of Seongdo, villagers began to gather. An elderly man who appeared to be the village chief approached and inquired about our purpose.

“What brings members of the Sicheondang family to our Songga Village? Huh? Na-ok!?”

The village chief looked astonished when he saw the woman step down from the carriage.

“It’s been a long time, Elder.”

“Why are you with the Sicheondang?”

“I’ve chosen to entrust my future to the Sicheondang family, Elder.”

“With the Sicheondang!? That is quite uncommon!”

“Na-ok is with the Sicheondang!?”

Since the Sicheondang family was highly regarded, outsiders typically joined only in servitude, but they offered Na-ok their congratulations nonetheless.

After brief greetings, Na-ok accompanied her aunt and uncle to a small hill behind the village where several graves were situated. In one corner stood a modest wooden marker inscribed with “Song Na-eun’s Tomb”—the final resting place of Na-ok’s younger sibling.

“Na-eun…”

The woman tenderly cleared away the sparse grass around the grave, her face shadowed with grief.

Her uncle spoke from behind her, his expression worried.

“Na-ok, I don’t know how you came to be with the Sicheondang, but you must let go of revenge now. You should seek happiness with them. I’m certain your sibling would have wanted that.”

It appeared her uncle assumed Na-ok had abandoned her quest for vengeance.

He then made a request of me.

“Miss, I know it’s not my place, but please look after Na-ok. She lost her parents young and raised her sibling alone. After all the tragedy she has endured…”

It was clear her uncle cared for Na-ok as if she were his own daughter.

“You need not worry. She is under the protection of the Sicheondang family now,” I assured him.

As we finished speaking, Na-ok drew a faded incense pouch from her robe and hung it on the grave marker. When the pouch swayed in the breeze, she could no longer hold back her tears.

“Sobs… If only I had arrived sooner that day…”

It seemed her regret remained unresolved.

As if in answer, the melancholic chirping of a cricket echoed from the tall grass near the grave.

*Chirrup chirrup.*

They say the cricket’s song reminded Na-ok of her sibling’s voice. I wondered what words her sibling might be saying now. Perhaps, as her uncle hoped, urging her to forsake vengeance and find peace.

***

**Late Afternoon, Seongdo’s Back Alley**

In the shadowy back alley of Seongdo, nestled under large trees and surrounded by fences, an old beggar in tattered clothing retrieved something from a pouch at his waist. It was a withered, dried insect. The old man scrutinized it with an air of disbelief before promptly placing it in his mouth. A contented smile spread across his face.

“Looks unappealing, but the flavor is remarkably rich.”

The insect was a Huangfen larva, a gift from the children of the Sicheondang family. Though he could have requested more, out of deference to Geolhwang, he chose to savor it slowly.

*Crunch.*

A deep, savory taste flooded his mouth as he chewed. Geolhwang smiled.

“A savory revenge…”

As he relished the flavor and thought of the child who had given him the larva, he detected a presence in the tree above.

Glancing upward, Geolhwang called out, “Who’s skulking up there, spying like a thief? Show yourself!”

An irritated voice shouted back, and two figures dropped from the tree, landing before him.

“Hey, Brother! Calling me a thief again! You never change!”

The newcomer was a member of the Three Emperors and Five Rulers of the Central Plains Martial World—one of the Five Rulers, Shintu, the Thief Emperor. It was his sworn brother, Shintu Galjiheung.

“You! If you’re a thief, then what else should I call you?”

“But I hold the esteemed title of Shintu…”

“Enough about ‘Shintu.’ Does being a skilled thief make you royalty? Should I petition the Martial Alliance to name me ‘Shigeul’ for being an accomplished beggar?”

“Ha, you truly haven’t changed at all after all these years.”

Galjiheung scratched his head, then tossed another Huangfen larva into his mouth.

“So, what brings you to Seongdo? Wait, foolish question—here to steal again?”

“No, Brother. I’ve even brought my disciple. Please, go easy on me this time.”

Galjiheung adopted a more sincere tone as he pleaded.

When Geolhwang looked toward Shintu, a neatly dressed young girl bowed and introduced herself.

“It’s an honor to meet you, sir. I am Shintu’s disciple, Cho Yeongryeon.”

It seemed Shintu had taken on a pupil without his brother’s knowledge.

Geolhwang sighed in exasperation.

“Galji, you alone are trouble enough. Now with a disciple? The martial world’s future seems dim.”

“Brother!”

“Alright, alright, you scoundrel! Still, it’s good to see you. Don’t just stand there—have a seat. My neck is getting stiff.”

I motioned for them to sit on a pile of straw, and the two awkwardly complied. Despite his gruffness, Geolhwang had a weakness for his disciple, who, to her credit, didn’t complain about the dirty ground. Smiling to myself, I asked, “So, how did you manage to find me here?”

Ordinarily, finding someone required information, but since it had been some time, I was curious how they located me.

Shintu replied with a smirk, “Just as you always seem to know the world’s rumors, I have a talent for tracking you down no matter where you hide.”

He was boasting, but I suspected he had covertly applied Manli Chasing Fragrance the last time we met. Raising an eyebrow, I retorted, “Ha, I bet you used that Manli Chasing Fragrance again, didn’t you? Enough games. Why are you here?”

Still grinning, Shintu changed the subject. “Brother, it’s been so long—let’s catch up over a meal. How about a decent restaurant?”

Then, looking me over, he scratched his head and added, “Actually, you probably can’t go to a restaurant, can you?”

He turned to Yeongryeon and instructed, “Yeongryeon, fetch us some food. Get roasted duck, skewers, and wine.”

“Yes, Master,” Yeongryeon replied.

By diverting the topic and requesting his favorite foods, it was obvious Shintu had a favor to ask.

Lying back on the straw and chewing another Huangfen larva, I asked, “What are you avoiding? What do you need to steal this time?”

Shintu waved his hands defensively and spoke earnestly, “Oh, brother, did you really think I’d come only to steal? This time, it’s something different.”

“Something else?”

He wasn’t one to seek information unless it involved a theft, so I was skeptical. Shintu responded seriously, “Yes, I came to ask if you know the foremost expert in the Central Plains on Zhan Chong—silkworms.”

“Silkworms?” I frowned, puzzled why a thief would need knowledge of silkworms.

Shintu raised his arm to show the silk wrapped around it. “This Tianchan Silk… you’re familiar with it, right?”

“Yes, Tianchan Silk—I know it,” I replied.

Tianchan Silk was Shintu’s signature tool—a rare silk finer than a spider’s thread yet incredibly strong. When wielded sharply, it could sever limbs or necks.

Shintu continued, “I believed this silk would last forever, but it seems even this has a limit. It recently broke.”

“Broke?” I stared in disbelief. Tianchan Silk was impervious to swords, so hearing it had snapped was startling.

For Shintu, who relied on it for his livelihood, this was a serious predicament.

“Yes, I believe it has reached the end of its lifespan,” Shintu said.

“Hah. So even Tianchan Silk has a lifespan?”

“Yes. You may not know this, but it’s tradition in the Thief Emperor’s lineage for the outgoing Shintu to pass the Tianchan Silk to their successor. But it’s not the same as before, so I need to find a silkworm expert.”

“Silkworms…” I pondered. Those most knowledgeable would likely be silk makers or suppliers to the royal court.

It appeared that, for once, Shintu wasn’t here for a heist but to seek help for his disciple. I nodded.

“In that case, I’ll assist you.”

“Thank you, brother!” Shintu said, beaming.

“I’ll have my contacts in Seongdo look into it. In the meantime, stay here and refrain from causing any trouble with your thieving, understood?” I fixed him with a stern look, warning him not to disrupt Seongdo.

Just then, Yeongryeon returned with an assortment of delicious dishes, and soon a modest feast was underway between the thief and the beggar in the alley.

***

**The Next Day**

After formally welcoming Na-ok into the family, she officially joined our Venom Blood Squad the following day. Since she required access to the Venom Blood Yard, we couldn’t treat her as a mere servant, leaving no alternative but squad membership. Though too old to begin martial arts training, she became a member, and Squad Leader Gu Pae took charge of teaching her the fundamentals. Feeling a sense of responsibility, Gu Pae had looked after her since bringing her to Sicheondang, and now it was time to tour the Venom Blood Yard.

“This is the Venom Blood Yard,” I said, guiding her inside.

“Oh, so this is where I’ll be working?” she asked.

“Yes. Would you like to look around first? Over there is where we raise Silsol, and there we keep Danmi insects. We use them to feed the venomous creatures.”

“So I’ll be raising Silsol, Huangfen Larvae, and Danmi insects?” she asked.

“Well, yes, but… are you certain you’re comfortable with that?” I inquired, wondering if the sounds of Silsol would affect her.

Na-ok smiled, her expression brighter than before.

“Yes, it’s fine now. I no longer hear my sibling’s voice. I suppose this is how I will repay the Master’s kindness for the rest of my life.”

Her words were gracious, but knowing her wounds were not fully healed, I nodded, resolved to ensure Gu Pae continued to care for her.

“I understand.”

As I showed her around, I noticed her curiosity about the venomous creatures she would be tending. She seemed eager to learn, so I quickly produced a Cho I had concealed in my sleeve.

*Creeeak.*

“This is the type of venomous creature we work with,” I said, presenting the Cho.

“O-Gong!?” she exclaimed, blinking in surprise at the large insect.

I spoke to the Cho, which nodded as if greeting her.

“Ah, our Cho is quite polite, isn’t it?”

As we prepared to exit, I heard Na-ok’s cautious voice behind me.

“Um, So-ryong… do you… perhaps have someone you wish to take revenge on?”

“Huh?”

I halted, taken aback by her unexpected question. It seemed that in her eyes, I might appear as someone driven by vengeance, much like herself.