Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 180: In the Four Heavenly Houses

“It’s more chaotic than I imagined.”

Three days passed, and it seemed that Hwa-yang was starting to stir.

After fasting for three days, he discreetly crawled toward the kitchen, only to be caught by me and Hua Eun passing nearby.

“Where were you going, Hwa-yang?”

Hua Eun placed her hands on her hips, staring at Hwa-yang with a dangerous smile that I hadn’t seen before.

-iip, iip…

With Hwa-yang avoiding our gaze as if it were nothing, our questions followed.

“You were going to the kitchen, weren’t you?”

“Were you sneaking toward the kitchen?”

-iip?

Despite Hwa-yang’s stern look as he vehemently denied it, he had gone three days without food.

The little rascal might be tempted with just one extra piece of cake.

After explaining that color would return with a meal, I asked Geom-bong to feed him Hwa-jeong again. But it seemed Hwa-yang remained without fire for about two days.

It felt like the energy contained in Hwa-jeong was even more concentrated.

In that case, to Hwa-yang, fire might feel like rice, while the energy from Hwa-jeong could be like premium beef, right?

Once eaten, it could surely sustain one for days.

After all, people do feel full enough not to snack when they eat meat.

“Now it’s certain.”

“Hwa-jeong is a gift from Chang-ryong to me… I’ve heard about it, but never thought…”

Geom-bong’s eyes widened as he realized Hwa-jeong was symbolic.

After casually confirming its value through Grandpa, it turned out to be as precious and expensive as an Ice Orb.

The fact that he received such a highly valuable gift as a token of affection seemed unbelievable.

“Thank you, Yang-rang… for such a precious thing…”

“No, Seon-hwa, it’s nothing really…”

“Yang-rang…”

“Seon-hwa…”

As they exchanged sticky glances, unable to hold back, they suddenly clung to each other like two writhing octopuses.

Once again, they expressed their affection so suddenly, provoking envy among the onlookers.

“Hey, come on! Keep it down, will you?”

“I really need to find a lover soon.”

“Even with Ji-ryong and Chang-ryong around, it’s really getting to me.”

The angry voices came from Brother Gyu-seong, including Geom-ryong and Kwon-ryong.

“One of the three is still single, and you guys are saying one of you is?”

As I advised who among Gong-bong should catch a partner first, the three brothers gave me a serious look in return.

As if I was suggesting something terribly inappropriate.

“Do-don’t you dare say such things, kid. You have no idea about Gong-bong.”

“Seriously, just the thought of Gong-bong gives me a headache.”

“So-ryong, if you see me as your brother, don’t ever say that again.”

Last time I saw Gong-bong, he seemed a bit clueless.

He definitely felt unpopular in this era’s Central Plains.

‘So, women prefer intelligent ladies like our Hua Eun? That’s likely why she was chosen as one of the Martial World’s three blossoms.’

It seems that intellectual styles like Hua Eun were in vogue during this time.

Feeling a slight mood of victory, I turned to Chang-ryong, who was still clinging like two writhing octopuses, and asked, “Chang-ryong, could you please let me know where you found Hwa-jeong? I apologize for asking, as it’s a place where treasure was discovered, but if I can get it for Hwa-yang’s meal, I’d like to do so.”

When I pointed to Hwa-yang while speaking, Chang-ryong nodded readily.

Geom-bong, smiling beside him, added, “Of course, we ought to tell you. This was something you surely couldn’t have found without a Junior Hero.”

“After saving our lives and granting us a wise elder, we’d be neglectful not to give this to you.”

I just asked for the location, yet they were suggesting they would gladly offer us Hwa-jeong.

It was indeed a kind offer; however, given that it took three days last time and two days this time, it felt like it wouldn’t be adequate for him if it shrunk in size.

I thought the color would return in a day or two, but as it seemed small, it probably took longer for the energy to rise than it would with a larger one.

The Ice Orbs we were using to feed Seol, Bing, and Dong-i also absorbed energy from the surrounding Yin, and the size made a noticeable difference.

The larger the focus point was, the greater the absorption effect seemed to be.

It felt like it worked quickly for big ones, while smaller ones took a bit longer to get filled.

Thus, I thought the opposite property Hwa-jeong might need to be larger too.

What Geom-bong had was only the size of a thumb, after all.

“Thank you, but it seems this might be a bit too small for him. I think a larger size could be needed.”

“Then let’s do this, Junior Hero So-ryong. The location is rather vague, so I will guide you myself. And if you can’t find a larger one, we can give this one to you.”

I was deeply grateful if he was offering to assist like that.

I nodded at his proposal.

Then, I heard Geom-bong’s voice.

“Hmm? Are we going back to that place, Yang-rang?”

“Yes.”

“I recall that time. You brought me that red stone you found somewhere. It was as red as my lips… for a wedding proposal… Yang-rang…”

“Seon-hwa…”

Suddenly, mid-sentence, they turned into those two clinging octopuses again.

Seriously, what happened to them? Everyone looked at the two with pitying gazes.

‘Enough already. Seriously.’

*

After planning to find some feed for Hwa-yang, I explained our destination to the elders, but upon mentioning we would be going to Yunnan, they expressed concern.

Our initial plan was Sichuan, but this was much farther away.

Though Sichuan felt safe, Yunnan was on the front lines of the war with the Blood Cult.

Moreover, we would be heading to Tengchong near the Yunnan border.

“Yunnan? Isn’t it too dangerous?”

“With the Blood Cult searching, we’ll end up relying only on the Venomous Insect Team. Sending you all alone worries me.”

“Exactly. My Lord, we can get food from another kitchen, so wouldn’t it be better to wait until the Central Plains are more stable?”

I felt their concern for me.

Oddly enough, even my mother-in-law, who usually didn’t care about outside matters, joined in.

It always felt like she thought I was the cutest son-in-law, regardless of what I did.

I felt like everything I did was adorable, yet here she was with such a critique.

‘W-what’s up with her?’

But thanks to Older Sister Seol and the Three Dragons, I managed to get their permission.

The elders nodded since Sister Seol and the Three Dragons knew Yunnan geography well.

Sister Seol was someone influential among the ethnic minorities in Yunnan, being a figure from the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace.

‘Wait, doesn’t that make it my homeland now?’

Even the Three Dragons were recognized for their skills, so it was easier to gain consent.

The reason they were accompanying us was that Brother or Ji-ryong and Geom-bong or Chang-ryong weren’t fully recovered, and they used that as an excuse to go to the hot springs again.

“Though it’s Yunnan, it’s quite far from the Great Yue Kingdom with the Blood Cult. We have Myanmar, Siam, and Nanzhang in between, so the Blood Cult members from the Great Yue Kingdom can’t reach us easily. They’d have to cross two borders, after all.”

“And the tribes nearby have good relations with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, so you need not worry.”

“Yes, elder, and we plan to go to the hot springs to rest our bodies, so worry not.”

“All three of the Three Dragons?”

“Yes, we also wish to rest at the hot springs.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

The father-in-law nodded, exchanging glances with the mother-in-law.

It seemed I had barely secured permission, but then the father-in-law commanded me to stay behind.

“Then I understand; everyone leave, and you stay. I’d like to talk with you.”

“W-what about?”

“Yes, our son-in-law.”

‘W-what’s going on? Did I do something wrong?’

Confused by the command to stay, I remained on edge as my father-in-law and grandfather, along with my mother-in-law, looked at me with worried expressions.

Then, my father-in-law stepped forward and addressed me while exchanging knowing looks.

“Do you know why we asked you to stay?”

“Yes? W-well, I’m not sure?”

How am I supposed to know?

Blinking in shock, my father-in-law sighed heavily.

“Hmm… I’ve heard from Hua Eun that something significant happened at the Yangtze River Three Gorges?”

“W-what? Significant?”

Recalling the incident where Hwa-yang created spiritual essence, it seemed he was referring to that.

I was rolling my eyes and realized this was surely going to lead to a scolding.

I was about to dive into a bonfire upon hearing my actions were crossing the line, after all.

However, I felt let down that Hua Eun had told on me.

After all, I had also been bullied by Older Sister Seol, and this was a bit too much.

‘I mean, just nagging would have been enough, right?’

So I nervously waited for his next words, only for my father-in-law to come closer and pat my shoulder.

Pensively, he spoke with a smile.

It didn’t seem like he was here to scold me but rather to comfort me.

“My boy, I think I get why you did that, but do you intend to make our Hua Eun a widow? With the first night still untouched?”

“F-first night?”

“Right, my boy. Don’t you want to have your first night with Hua Eun?”

The three of them beamed at me with knowing smiles.

‘Am I that transparent?’

Hearing my father-in-law’s words made me realize I really had to be careful now.

‘From now on, I must tread cautiously!’

*

Fortunately, this journey could be accomplished by boat.

We would utilize our ship anchored near the capital in Shuangliu to travel upstream on the Yangtze River.

We would need to get off at a place called Ninglang between Sichuan and Yunnan, though.

However, given that we had to avoid people due to the children and only move at night, this journey was much better than the one through the Central Plains.

In Yunnan’s jungle, we would hardly run into anyone during the day.

“Ahh, Yunnan is so freaking hot.”

Coming back to Yunnan after a long time, the sweltering heat struck me.

“I envy you, So-bro.”

“So true. It’s so enviable.”

People looked at me, pushing through the jungle while expressing jealousy.

Sister Seol and Hua Eun received similar glances.

“I want to help too, but the kids are too sensitive…”

At my words, Seol, Bing, and Dong-i resting on our shoulders made their noises.

As if to refute my point entirely.

-Kookku!

-Kuuu!

-Kyaaa!

People sent those envious glances because placing Seol, Bing, and Dong-i on my shoulders helped me avoid Yunnan’s heat.

Seol, Bing, and Dong-i also seemed to have grown, providing a portable air conditioning effect that wasn’t present during our last visit.

It felt as if my body temperature was cooling while I carried them.

However, it was only limited to those I knew, like Sister Seol.

The others wouldn’t allow them close, making them envy me from afar.

Seeing the people’s jealous gazes, Sister Seol soothed them.

“Don’t worry; we won’t have to wait long. We can sleep in a village tonight since it’s the closest village to Tengchong. Starting tomorrow, we can also enjoy the hot springs.”

“That’s the most welcomed news I’ve heard.”

“That’s the same village we stayed in before, right?”

“Indeed, if you went by father’s introduction, it must be the one.”

With Sister Seol’s words of encouragement, we shattered through the jungle.

A peculiar mountain emerged in front of us.

Clearly, the tropical plants of Yunnan flourished, with white steam rising and flowing from various valleys and ridges.

“That’s Tengchong Volcano, So-ryong.”

“Oooh… Is that the one?”

I thought volcanoes would be something bubbling with magma, but since this one was in a tropical area, it had a unique appearance.

It was a blend of mountains, jungles, and hot springs.

As I admired the distant view of the volcano, we arrived at the village.

As we entered, the villagers suddenly rushed out, cheering and surrounding Sister Seol.

“Oh! The daughter of the princess is here in person! With the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace’s aid, we will be saved!”

“?”

Staring back in confusion at their actions, an elderly man, appearing to be the village chief, stepped forward and asked Sister Seol curiously.

“Did something happen with the beasts disappearing from the village? Is that why you’re here?”

These sounded like an all-too-familiar account.

‘This feels oddly familiar…’