Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 178: Fabre in Four Heavenly Houses

As I laid out a poorly drawn map of the Central Plains, worse than a rough sketch I could have kicked with my foot, I found myself deep in thought.

Hua Eun pointed to a spot on the map and said, “Wei So-ryong, if you want to go, this is where we should head first.”

The place Hua Eun indicated was near the border of Qinghai City in Sichuan Province. It was marked as a small village, one of the locations pointed out by information I received for the price of queen bee royal jelly from our guests.

“This place?”

She nodded in response to my question and elaborated. “Yes, the Lord of Sichuan said he would assist in finding information about the Tiger Salamander, but it’s likely to take considerable time to find someone who knows about it from ten years ago. Plus, Qinghai City is quite distant. However, since we know the location and it’s also on the way to Qinghai City, it seems wise to check this place first. I doubt we’ll be able to visit them all in one go as you wish.”

Hua Eun carefully laid out where we needed to go with sound reasoning. I couldn’t help but nod along, as I was thinking similarly.

The lake of Qinghai City was far from here, and since we couldn’t travel by boat, it was bound to be a lengthy trip. With such a long journey, it seemed we would need to take a carriage, but I questioned whether we could even fit Chao and Bin in it.

Also, while the Lord of Sichuan agreed to help me gather information about the Tiger Salamander due to my lack of Spirit Medicine, it was still uncertain as to the exact location, and it would naturally take time to clarify it.

The Artisan was especially keen on hearing about nearby venomous creatures rumored to be deadly, but tracking down where the Tiger Salamander was seen ten years ago wouldn’t be an easy task either.

Since Sichuan isn’t particularly small, it would take a considerable amount of time even for inquiries.

So, we were left with the place that the Lord of Sichuan informed us about—a mountain village near Shijiao, presumed to be the location of the giant insect.

Since the location was already specified, we merely needed to conduct a search once we arrived.

“That certainly makes sense.”

“Yes, and they would permit us to go even if it were just the two of us.”

I nodded to Hua Eun’s words. Indeed, if we went to that place, it seemed much easier to obtain permission to go out than before.

Due to the Blood Cult and Five Poisons Sect, it had been difficult to venture out without my grandfather or the Artisan. Those guys were bent on revenge, and if we got caught wandering around, it would be quite the disaster.

However, the mountain village we were planning to visit this time was located in the northwestern part of Sichuan, making it relatively safe.

Sichuan is primarily managed by three major factions: our Tang Clan controls the eastern part around the capital, the Qingcheng Sect governs the northwestern part, and the Emei Sect holds sway in the southwestern area.

Thus, the mountain village we were planning to visit was under the jurisdiction of the Qingcheng Sect, making it relatively safe, especially since I had been treated to queen bee royal jelly not long ago in the domain of the chief of the Qingcheng Sect.

Moreover, given the ongoing searches for the Blood Cult throughout the Central Plains, the current security situation could be considered quite good, so it should be easier to ask for permission to go now compared to before.

“Well then, let’s start there. It’d be hard to check everything at once.”

“Right you are, Wei So-ryong.”

Just when I decided with Hua Eun that we should first check the mountain village near Shijiao, a servant girl rushed over near Hua Eun’s quarters.

I shifted my gaze back to the map, and when I turned my head, I found the servant girl looking at me with a sad expression.

“W-Wéi Sōu-lóng…”

“Again?”

“Yes…”

“Haa…”

Hua Eun sighed, pressing her temple in frustration at the servant girl’s response. I let out a resigned sigh as well.

It seemed that yet another headache was brewing for both Hua Eun and me.

“Fine then. At once, let’s go.”

“I’m so sorry, Wei So-ryong.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing.”

Though the servant girl offered her apologies, we were the ones who were really sorry. It was already the third time.

Thus, we headed to the kitchen where Hwa-yang had been terrorizing lately.

The kitchen was where meals were prepared for the direct descendants of the Tang Clan.

Since that first incident, three days hadn’t passed without trouble caused by her.

Whenever it was about time to be scolded, she would pretend not to hear and act innocent until the next time she acted up.

‘What should I do with that rascal?’

When we arrived in the kitchen, which was supposed to be steaming hot from cooking, a chilling aura surrounded the place. It seemed dinner would likely be served late again, or we’d end up having to eat in the soldiers’ dining area as usual.

“Hwa-yang! Be reasonable and get out!”

– Peeep!?

Startled by my call, Hwa-yang let out a cry from one of the stoves.

A moment later, a cloud of ash billowed from that stove, and as white soot covered her, she began to crawl toward the kitchen entrance.

It was as if she had resolved to avoid my gaze altogether, closing her eyes tight and simply feeling her way forward.

– Thud.

As Hwa-yang crawled slowly and bumped her head against the door sill, she rolled on the floor making a show as though she was in great pain.

– Peep-peep. Peep…

A huge potato rolled around the kitchen in a comical manner.

Each time it rolled, her cute belly wobbled like a wave.

“Huh?”

Hua Eun looked taken aback at the sight.

That rascal, being a Spirit Venomous Creature, couldn’t be harmed even by a blade.

Her belly felt soft enough that when placing a hand on it, it felt cozy; however, when tested, it was just as tough as Yo-hwa or Bin.

Therefore, there was no way the rascal would actually be hurt by bumping her head against the stone doorstep.

Moreover, she hadn’t even run; she crawled at her usual speed, so how could she possibly have been hurt?

If her skin wasn’t tough and were more like pudding, she couldn’t have received significant damage with her speed.

“Oh, look at this rascal?”

“Hwa-yang! Are you going to keep this up!?”

Hua Eun’s shout was like a stinger from the Tang Clan’s poison dart, obviously upset by her antics.

Startled by her voice, the rascal hurriedly crawled over and stuck to my leg, tugging at my pants with her short legs to demand that I lift her up.

– Peeep…

After all the times I had rescued her, it seemed she was counting on me to help again, likely out of fear for Hua Eun’s scolding.

But today, that was not happening.

Once or twice she could get away with it, but three times was simply unacceptable.

“No, go back. I’m not helping today.”

“Hwa-yang, your sister clearly said it! Even Wei So-ryong won’t help today!”

As I crossed my arms, intending to let her suffer while I gave her a cold stare, the alarm from the Tang Clan sounded.

– Peeep. Peeep. Peeep.

At this sound, Hua Eun shot a look of relief toward Hwa-yang.

It seemed like a guest had arrived, and since we had to go out, I figured my plan to scold Hwa-yang would come to an end here.

“Looks like luck is on your side, rascal.”

“Haa… Hwa-yang, this isn’t over. I’ll deal with you later.”

Just when I figured we should hurry toward the Nine Entrance Gate, a dust rag was handed to the servant girl.

“Here, Wei So-ryong…”

It seemed that after doing this three times, they were now prepared with a dust rag.

The last time, it had taken me quite a while to clean that rascal off.

“Ah, thank you.”

I pulled Hwa-yang, who was still dusted with ash, out and began to dust her off.

– Tap-tap-tap.

– Peeep!

As I deliberately dusted off her face and head, she made a disgusted face.

But since I had to place her on my head, I couldn’t just let her off easily.

Having dusted her off and put her atop my head, I began to deftly use my Lightness Skill toward the Nine Entrance Gate with Hua Eun leading the way.

“Who could it be? Could information about the Tiger Salamander have arrived already?”

“That would be great.”

Considering the ongoing search for the Blood Cult throughout the Central Plains, there weren’t many guests coming to the Tang Clan, so if someone did come, it was likely more for bad news than good.

However, when we reached the entrance of the Nine Entrance Gate, some familiar faces were waiting for us.

“Brother Gyu-seong!”

“Junior Hero Wei!”

“Hua Eun!”

Brother Gyu-seong, Spear Dragon, and Sword Phoenix stood in good spirits in front of the Nine Entrance Gate.

As they were planning to visit to see Young Young once he was fully recovered, it seemed they had finally arrived.

“Brother Gyu-seong!”

“Seon-hwa! Are you alright?”

It was only natural to be glad to see comrades who had fought alongside me.

Moreover, since Spear Dragon and Sword Phoenix were arranged by me as a couple, it was delightful to see them together too.

Hua Eun, who usually had no friends, must have felt comfortable to call Seon-hwa by name since they had crossed swords together as comrades.

I dashed over and clasped their hands, with Brother Gyu-seong pulling me into a tight embrace.

He patted my back and remarked, “I’m glad to see you healthy.”

“No, that’s what I should say to you!”

“Haha, is that so?”

“I’m glad you’ve arrived. You’re fully healed, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

I asked about Brother Gyu-seong’s condition since he had sustained serious injuries from the crazed woman when he escaped from the clutches of the Blood Cult and the Five Poisons Sect, and I was relieved to hear that he was completely healed as he smiled.

I could hear Hua Eun and Sword Phoenix talking nearby.

“Though the scars are quite significant, they’ve all healed now.”

“Oh dear. The Tang Clan has excellent ointments; I’ll gift you some.”

“I keep receiving help. I hear Wei So-ryong has become our matchmaker with Yang-rang.”

“Ah, Yang-rang!? Matchmaker!?”

Yang-rang seemed to be an affectionate nickname for Spear Dragon, and “matchmaker” meant they had promised to marry.

With me not even having undergone my coming-of-age ceremony, how could I be called a matchmaker?

Looking at Spear Dragon, he scratched his head with an awkward expression.

“Hahaha…”

I grinned at Spear Dragon, thinking it amusing that I had inadvertently arranged even their marriage approval.

“It seems I have much to discuss with all of you. By the way, Earth Dragon and the other Four Dragon Siblings are also visiting our Tang Clan, so let’s head inside.”

“Ah, Earth Dragon and the other Four Dragon Siblings? That’s great! Let’s hurry inside.”

Hearing that the other Four Dragon Siblings were also there made the trio cheer with joy.

Hua Eun and I led the way into the Tang Clan, with Brother Gyu-seong, Spear Dragon, and Sword Phoenix following closely behind.

However, just a few steps in, I heard Brother Gyu-seong’s disapproving sound from behind.

“Seriously… Can’t you all behave a little? Are you really going to act like this even at the Tang Clan?”

Hua Eun and I exchanged glances, blinking in confusion, then turned to see Sword Phoenix practically clinging to Spear Dragon as she walked.

In the Central Plains, a woman holding onto a man’s sleeve was quite daring enough, but considering how close they were, it looked almost like they had gone into a different dimension altogether.

‘If we leave them be, it looks like they’ll just settle down and lie on the ground.’

It seemed that delayed catches for love were just as scary as autumn leaves falling late in the season.

*

Once inside, Brother Gyu-seong’s group was welcomed by the other Four Dragon Siblings.

Gathered under the pavilion, we sipped tea and shared stories of our recent experiences.

“…Thus, we were afforded great kindness by the Beast Duke when returning.”

“You too owe a great debt to Junior Hero Wei. I owe him my life.”

“Is that so for you too?”

“Yes, indeed. So, this is…”

The men discussed their harrowing tales of life and death while the women were preoccupied with gossiping about Sword Phoenix’s love life.

“That idiot surely wouldn’t have noticed it first. How on earth did he succeed?”

“Eun-bong, please don’t speak ill of our Yang-rang.”

“Huh?”

Eun-bong looked on in disbelief at the sight of her making excuses for her man.

As she surveyed the other women, both Hua Eun and Older Sister Seol wore expressions of incredulity as well.

When the talk turned to how they had even promised marriage…

-Clatter.

Sword Phoenix set down something on the pavilion floor as she exclaimed.

“Actually, to recover faster, I stopped by the hot springs near Tengchong Volcano in Yunnan, and Yang-rang found this and gave it to me…”

Since the men’s stories of their blood and sweat were less engaging, I leaned in closer to listen when suddenly I heard a sound from above.

-Peeep!

Hwa-yang, scampering with her short legs, jumped from my head into the midst of the women and swiftly grabbed the red object that Sword Phoenix had set down.

‘Hey, what is that rascal doing?!’

That scoundrel was eyeing someone else’s engagement gift!