Fabre in Sacheon's Tang-Chapter 252: At the Princess’s Request (2)

I decided to go meet my father-in-law right away with the princess’s letter in hand.

“Let’s go now! Let’s try to convince him with this!”

“Alright, So-ryong.”

He had clearly said he would think about it, but kept dodging a firm answer until the letter arrived. So the goal now was to use the letter to convince him.

‘If it’s a letter from the princess, maybe he’ll finally believe it’s worth considering?’

I could more or less guess what my father-in-law and the other elders were worried about.

It was probably the fact that the bastards from the Five Venoms Sect were after me—it made them uneasy about sending me abroad.

But honestly, it was a pointless worry.

If I were going alone, that would be one thing, but who in their right mind would try to mess with me when I’m traveling with my kids?

These kids are strong. The same ones who wiped out an entire squad of Venom-Blood warriors without breaking a sweat. Add to that the fact that Cheongyu, one of the Four Sovereigns, is coming too, and Yeondu’s attack power has been amped up to match even the adult tiers?

Sure, the combat power was at its peak when we were in the Tang Clan with the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings included, but even if I just bring the mobile ones, most enemies wouldn’t stand a сhance.

“The princess said she would stop by?”

“Yes, Father-in-law.”

“Hmph...”

As expected, even though he knew the princess was going to stop by, he still hadn’t made up his mind.

So I brought it up to remind him.

“I understand that you’re worried, but I really don’t think you need to be, Father-in-law.”

“How could I not be worried when those vicious bastards have their eyes on you these days?”

“I’m not going alone, am I?”

“My good man, have you never heard of the saying Even ten men can’t stop a single thief? Elders worry for a reason!”

My father-in-law was usually surprisingly modern for his age, but why was he suddenly pulling out these ancient-old-man proverbs...?

I was momentarily caught off guard, then smiled and nodded obediently.

This kind of “back in my day” or “elders say” line—if you talk back, you’ll immediately get a lecture.

In moments like this, pretending to agree is the best move.

“You’re absolutely right, Father-in-law. It’s certainly not easy for ten people to stop one thief.”

“Yes, now you’re finally listening to your elders...”

As expected, he smiled proudly the moment I agreed with him.

But this was just me crouching like a frog ready to leap.

Just as he was about to nod and launch into a full-length sermon, I grinned slyly and asked:

“But what if the ones guarding aren’t people?”

“Huh?”

My father-in-law blinked, not following what I meant.

With a mischievous smile, I explained:

“Of course, it’d be hard for ten people to stop a thief. But what if ten venoms were guarding instead of ten men?

Even without bringing a single martial artist from the clan, we have Cho, Hyang, Bini, Hwayang, Yeondu, Cheongyu, Cheongwol, Yo-hwa, Seol, Bing, Dong, and Hongdan.

What’s there to worry about?

Didn’t you see what happened to the Blood Cult bastards?”

You saw how they thought they were hot stuff and then ended up as strawberry jam, right? Father-in-law, if anyone messes with me now, the Bremen Musicians—no, the Sichuan Venomous Creature Corps—isn’t going to just stand by and watch!”

My father-in-law flinched as if the memory of that horrific scene suddenly resurfaced, and he awkwardly replied,

“Ah, well, yes... that’s true...”

With the princess handling the travel arrangements and my current level of safety essentially bulletproof, there was nothing left for him to argue about.

He walked over toward the open window, gazed outside, and finally said,

“...I guess there’s no other way.”

The kind of reply that sounded like he had no choice but to give permission.

But, of course, there was a condition.

“Be careful out there. However...”

“However?”

“I hear you... ahem... recently sealed the pact with the flower. Is that true?”

“Uh? Oh, um... yes. I did.”

“As your father-in-law, let me give you a word of advice. You see, when a man and woman cross that threshold, especially in the context of martial sect succession, it’s time to think about future generations.

I asked your cousin, and she said the look on that flower girl’s face when she died is something she’ll never forget...

That’s not something the Tang Clan can just ignore, you understand?”

“R-right...”

“So, go on this trip, yes... but also... ahem... think a little about our worries as elders too. Got it?”

I needed permission for the trip, and somehow I got permission that had a second, very specific implication.

***

Screech. Thunk.

Late at night, a strangely shaped ship docked along the riverbank near the Tang Clan.

Under the moonlight, the ship’s silhouette revealed an unusual form with an extended deck.

In addition to the mast, a wide canopy was spread out, making it look like nothing anyone from the main household had ever seen before.

“The ship looks... different?”

“I had some modifications done.”

It was a curious-looking ship, but it was ours.

I shouted toward the man standing on deck with a lantern in the darkness.

“Long time no see, Do Sagong!”

“Young Master, welcome aboard! One moment, I’ll lower the gangplank!”

The gangplank came down, and Do Sagong jumped off the ship.

We started chatting as he pointed at the now-lit vessel.

“You did get everything repaired as I asked, right?”

Yes, of course! Since it’s for the young ladies, I followed your ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) instructions to the letter.

We expanded the deck and installed shade panels to block the sun, just like you said. Is this alright?”

The reason the ship ended up looking like this was because, during our return from Cheonghae, Cheongwol looked absolutely miserable.

She couldn’t move, and no one could get around her on deck either.

So we expanded the deck and added a shade to shield her from the sun.

It also helped with the rain.

That’s why the ship looked so weird now.

“Let’s see... This folds down, right?”

“Of course, Young Master.”

I climbed aboard to check, and everything was perfectly prepared.

Just as I had described last time, the repairs were flawless.

From the deck, I leaned down and called out,

“Alright, kids—let’s get on board!”

Chorrr!

Krrrk.

Shyaaah!

At my call, the kids responded with excited cries and started boarding the ship.

They were clearly hyped to be going on a trip again.

Just like dogs wagging their tails when going for a walk in my past life, these venomous and spiritual creatures seemed to love outings too.

‘...Should I be walking them regularly?’

One of the perks of raising reptiles and amphibians is that you don’t have to walk them... but maybe that was something I had to rethink.

Hwayang and Hongdan, riding on top of Cho’s head, were the first to board.

Next came Yeondu, the graceful Bi-cheon Shin-sa, who carried the Four Sovereign Cheongyu onto the ship.

Following them, Yo-hwa and Bini arrived with Seol, Bing, and Dong in tow. Then Hwa-eun, Sister Seol, and the Three Dragon Fangs leapt up onto the deck.

“Welcome aboard, ladies. Lady Cho, long time no see. Lady Bini, welcome back as well. Please don’t chew the deck again this time—I nearly died repairing it, haha!”

Chorrr.

Chorrr! Chorrr! Chorrr!

“Lady Yo-hwa, I’ll be counting on you to handle the ropes again this time.”

-Kishit.

It was just as Cheongwol approached the side of the ship.

Having grown more accustomed to the children, Do Sagong had been watching them board with a pleased expression, greeting them warmly.

But when Cheongwol drew near, Do Sagong flinched and shouted,

“P-please wait just a moment! Lady Cheongwol, tie down the ropes more securely and lower the gangplank further!”

“Yes, Do Sagong.”

“Understood!”

At his shout, a few crewmen scrambled to reinforce the ropes and lower the gangplank again, creating a minor commotion.

Moments later—

Once all was ready, Do Sagong called out to Cheongwol.

“You may board now, Lady Cheongwol!”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Was it because of her sheer size? Perhaps feeling a certain pressure, Do Sagong even used honorifics when speaking to her.

With a creaking sound, Cheongwol’s pincer leg landed on the deck.

-Creeaak.

The moment her pincer leg touched the ship, it tilted slightly—just like last time.

But maybe thanks to the earlier preparations, the tilt wasn’t as severe.

Her legs began to settle one by one on the deck.

Then, as the final leg lifted off her body—

-Screeeeeak.

I had expected the ship to lurch like before, but instead, it leaned slowly and settled in place.

Wondering why it was so stable, I looked up at Cheongwol—and saw she was extending her long, heavy tail to shift her center of gravity slowly and carefully.

‘Damn... she thought it through.’

Was this what being a spiritual beast meant?

Using her tail like a counterweight to stabilize herself as she boarded.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one impressed—awed murmurs spread among the crew.

“Oooooh!”

“Incredible!”

Perhaps embarrassed by the praise, Cheongwol settled into her position and made a soft sound.

-Krrk. “It’s... it’s not that big a deal, stop fussing.”

Once everyone was aboard, the crew cleared the gangplank and began hauling up the anchor ropes.

With their work done, Do Sagong turned to ask:

“So-ryong, shall we head to Mount Botan in the Zhoushan Archipelago of Zhejiang Province?”

That was the destination, yes—but there was somewhere I had to visit first.

“No. Let’s stop by the Three Gorges first. I need to pay a visit to Blood-Wind Boatman Lee Tae.”

“Understood. Then we’ll head to the Three Gorges immediately. Set sail!”

At his command, the crew began rushing about, adjusting the sails.

While everyone bustled around, Sister Seol and Hwa-eun approached me.

“So-ryong, why there?”

“So-ryong, what’s with Lee Tae?”

I hadn’t told them in advance, so I explained.

“Oh, I asked him to send word if any info on venomous or spiritual creatures came in, but I haven’t heard anything lately.

I figured I’d stop by and straighten him out a little.”

“Ahh.”

“Yeah, sounds like it’s time to tighten the leash a bit.”

The ship sliced quickly through the waters toward the Three Gorges.

Worried that the Five Venoms Sect or Blood Cult scum might be lurking nearby, I sent out qi waves occasionally just to be safe—

And sure enough, the moment we entered the Three Gorges, Lee Tae’s lackeys came right up to the ship.

Their expressions said they were about to raid us and have a blast—

Until they saw me and the kids and turned pale.

“G-gah! S-So-ryong!”

“Now you get why I came? Bring me Lee Tae, would you?”

“P-please wait just a moment!”

A moment later, Lee Tae appeared.

Probably knowing he was about to get chewed out, he started making excuses the second he stepped onto the deck.

“S-So-ryong, I have a reason I haven’t been in touch!”

“Oh really? Let’s hear it.”

-Chorrr! “Yeah, let’s hear it.”

-Kishit.

Cho and Yo-hwa echoed my irritation in perfect sync.

Lee Tae swallowed hard, then blurted it out.

“T-the truth is... the one who knew how to write... died...”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

So the reason he hadn’t sent word... was because the only literate guy died shortly after we left?

Of course, I knew the literacy rate in the Central Plains was relatively high compared to others—even in my past life.

Still, it wasn’t something to get angry over anymore. Might as well just send someone from the Tang Clan to collect intel directly from now on.

“I guess we’ll have to send someone from our side regularly, then.

So? Do you have any intel at all?”

“Yes, So-ryong!”

Tch. I was annoyed, but he was lucky he had something.

“Go ahead.”

“Yes, sir! First—

There’s word that in a small village in You County, Hebei, the entire population is suffering from anemia.

And near the Yellow River by Mount Tai, some say rocks have started rising out of the water now and then!”

“Hm...”

I considered it briefly.

If an entire village is dealing with anemia, it might be some kind of parasitic outbreak.

And rising rocks? Could be a water level illusion.

I had asked him to gather any information that might involve venomous or spiritual creatures, but it looked like he just pulled together trash data.

Anyway, I told Lee Tae we’d start collecting intel ourselves from now on and continued the journey.

The princess wasn’t in Mount Botanam after all—she was in Hangzhou.

When we met, she looked at me with a bright, hopeful expression and asked,

“It’s not a huge request, but... we’re having some issues with pirates.

Could I ask for help from your venomous creatures?

Merchants are suffering serious losses, but their ships are so fast we haven’t been able to catch them.”

So that’s what this was about—pirate hunting.

“Ah, so what you’re saying is, you need us to catch some pirates?”

“Yes. They operate from Iju as a base, so if you’re traveling with us, it’ll work perfectly.”

“In that case, of course we’ll help.

Though I think pirates will be known by a new name from now on.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

The princess tilted her head, puzzled.

But it was true—they would have to be called something else now.

We call them pirates while they’re on ships,

But once they lose their ship at sea, we call them fish food.

In response to her question, I glanced over at Yeondu and Cho—both of whom were now full adults—and smiled.

‘Now then... should we go with the anti-ship missile, or the torpedo?’