Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

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Chapter 140: Fabre in the Four Heavenly Houses

“Awww, no way! You’re using my signature line without permission, Geolhwang?”

It seemed like Geolhwang had snatched my unique phrase just when it was most convenient to fit into the conversation. That clearly meant I had achieved a fan-level understanding in my past life!

But who wouldn’t be surprised? Using a catchphrase at just the right moment is no small feat unless you’ve tuned into every episode of the show.

It’s no easy task to capture the essence of a punchline otherwise!

“Geolhwang, does it seem like you have a little crush on me? The way you keep visiting… you must have bookmarked me or something!”

Geolhwang seemed to have a high opinion of me. Sure, an old beggar’s admiration felt a bit awkward, but hey, he was a useful person!

I decided to allow his admiration.

After all, he’d already introduced me to Shin Tu and set me up with our Silver Silkworms, Mo-ji and So-ji.

It was a hassle, but you know, for that kind of work, I could definitely roll with it.

And with the term ‘specialized’ he mentioned, I began to suspect what his visit might be about.

Since I wrapped up the issues regarding Na-ok and perfectly handled the inquiries about Shin Tu, it seemed I had developed quite the reputation as a venom expert.

“Being too competent has its drawbacks, you know?”

So, I narrowed my eyes knowingly and asked, “My specialty? Care to enlighten me?”

When Geolhwang brought up my specialty, it smelled a lot like trouble regarding venom or insects.

Shin Tu nodded in agreement, clearly confirming my guess.

“Yeah, it’s about the bugs you know so well.”

I decided to hear him out for the specifics.

By specifically calling them ‘bugs’ instead of ‘spirit venomous creatures,’ it was likely a matter related to regular insects; yet, since Geolhwang referred to it as a ‘strange occurrence,’ it must be quite peculiar for them to find something strange concerning insects.

“It’s a matter with the Martial Forest Alliance, and there’s a reason why I came personally.”

He nodded and continued explaining, “With the troop movements halted, it’s been tough lately. A few days ago, someone visited the Martial Forest Alliance…”

*

“Have we accurately grasped the royal family’s intentions?”

The Martial Forest Leader Zhu Zhongxue anxiously asked Zhuge Hu as they stepped into the leader’s hall.

Just moments ago, there had been a messenger bringing news from the court, hence Zhu Zhongxue had been anticipating updates about troop movements.

Yet despite his urgent inquiry, Zhuge Hu stood there with a grim expression, finding it hard to reply.

“Well…”

“Why can’t you just spit it out?”

Trying to press the matter further, Zhuge Hu eventually reported, looking gravely worried, “It’s very troublesome. Through our connections in the court, it seems the royal family is adamant about their stance. Ever since the Blood Cult incident, they are determined not to have similar chaos unfold again…”

“What?!”

Thud!

With that bombshell of bad news, Zhu Zhongxue slammed his palm down on the jade stone table, groaning in frustration as he let out a woeful sigh.

“Isn’t sending troops to prevent such things the point?! If the Blood Cult spreads like insects all over the Central Plains, innocent people will suffer terribly! What is the royal family even thinking?!”

With that, both of them exchanged resigned expressions.

The intel provided by Bu Gak-ju Bang Sun, who had risked his life to deliver it, had pinpointed the Blood Cult’s base of operations, and they had been planning a raid. Yet if the royal family refused to budge, they couldn’t mobilize any troops.

In a last-chance effort, they tried to get a grasp on the royal family’s intentions through credible contacts, but the answer they received was disappointing at best.

Sure, they could move troops in secret, but doing so would surely send the royal family’s eyes, embedded within the Martial Forest Alliance, into a frenzied uproar, leading to accusations of treason.

After all, martial artists were the emperor’s subjects.

While they were supposedly untouchable, the moment a secret letter surfaced, they couldn’t act recklessly.

After a pause, the Martial Forest Leader let out a lament.

“Looks like ‘Heaven indeed is indifferent’ is fitting for this kind of situation.”

And who could blame him? The royal family’s intervention was like an unexpected bolt from the blue in their already precarious situation.

Though their troop movements were thwarted by this unforeseen variable, the Martial Forest Alliance wasn’t sitting idly by.

Using their connections, they decided to alert the court about the threat of the Blood Cult. They aimed to inform the emperor about the faction causing turmoil among the common folks, hoping to sway his mind towards allowing military intervention.

They also sent a small team to observe the Blood Cult’s movements along the border of the Great Yue Kingdom.

But the days passed without any significant progress.

After about two weeks, just one afternoon, Military Officer Zhuge Hu rushed into the leader’s hall, his face full of shock.

“Leader! You need to come out right now!”

His urgency meant someone with a high status had arrived, prompting immediate attention.

“What on earth could have warranted such a fuss?”

The Martial Forest Leader Zhu Zhongxue wondered, for there were no guests in the Martial Forest Alliance that he should personally greet.

There was no one higher than one of the Three Emperors of Martial Forest who would come by.

However, Zhuge Hu uttered an unexpected name.

“The Ayang Governor! The, uh, wife of Fabre has arrived!”

“The wife of Ayang Governor Fabre? Fabre was just appointed there recently… Guando!? So, is it Princess Guando!?”

“Yes, that’s correct!”

The mention of Fabre’s wife widened Zhu Zhongxue’s eyes. Fabre had just been appointed to Ayang, and they had been closely monitoring him at the Martial Forest Alliance, especially since he was the son-in-law of the emperor.

So, his wife’s arrival meant that Princess Guando—known as Yu Jiryeon—had arrived.

“Where is she? Let’s go!”

“She just crossed the entrance to the Martial Forest Alliance.”

The wife of Ayang Governor Fabre, Princess Guando Yu Jiryeon had a rather unique status.

Fabre had previously been an inconspicuous student at the National Academy, but his fortunes changed dramatically upon marrying the princess, leading to a rapid rise in status.

At a young age barely over twenty, he had become governor and was already labeled as the luckiest man in the Central Plains.

While he lacked talent, he was recognized as having married well.

It was clear since he had captured the heart of the emperor’s most beloved daughter.

But Princess Guando Yu Jiryeon had her own remarkable background.

Besides being the emperor’s daughter and the most favored lady in the imperial court, she was also a martial artist!

Yu Jiryeon, deeply devoted to Buddhism since childhood, was trained from a young age in various temples across the Central Plains, and after being acknowledged for her talent at the Nanhai Botam, she became a direct disciple of Sword Pavilion.

Once speaking to a sword master, it was mentioned that if she weren’t from the royal family, they would have loved her as an heir.

Thus, Princess Guando Yu Jiryeon could be seen as a martial artist with imperial blood.

As word spread that the princess had entered the Martial Forest Alliance, Zhu Zhongxue hurriedly moved alongside his military officer, Zhuge Hu, towards the Heavenly Martial Pavilion.

When they arrived, they found a young lady surrounded by vague attendants and guards.

Dressed in simple martial attire instead of luxurious silks, the young woman seemed to be slightly over the age of readiness, centrally positioned among her entourage.

Her eyes glinted like a tiger’s.

At that sight, Zhu Zhongxue’s eyes sparkled.

It wasn’t just her looks, but she bore a sword at her waist!

This surely meant she had come not just as an imperial member but as a martial artist!

While one could use simple attire while traveling, bringing guards hinted they had special intentions.

It was clear if she had announced herself as a princess, she would not wear a sword.

As Kwonhwang Zhu Zhongxue attempted to bow in confirmation to his assumptions, a startled voice came from the other side.

“Please hold on for a moment, Great Fist Emperor! I have come here today in the capacity of a sword pavilion disciple!”

With her words invoking a smile, Zhu Zhongxue replied, “It’s rare for a sword pavilion disciple to even meet someone of my standing; are you certain this is alright?”

Intrigued by her unexpected demeanor, he aimed to learn more about her, but Yu Jiryeon responded with a smile of her own.

“Of course, I know. But once you hear what I bring as a gift, you’ll wish to meet with me.”

“A gift?”

Stroking his chin in curiosity, just as he pondered what her ‘gift’ could be, Yu Jiryeon’s resonant voice rang out.

“I hear you can’t deploy your troops right now? I might just be able to assist you with that. If it’s fear and anxiety over the Blood Cult, perhaps the emperor will send reinforcements instead of troops.”

Having heard about her exceptional talent from the sword master at Botam, it was clear Yu Jiryeon was indeed a clever lady.

At her words, Zhu Zhongxue chuckled heartily, nodding his head.

“Ha ha! If it’s that kind of gift, you certainly have the qualification to meet with me.”

Moments later, they arrived at the leader’s hall.

With warm tea presented, their conversation unfolded.

“So, why has this Great Fist Emperor caught your attention today?”

Zhu Zhongxue queried, and Yu Jiryeon politely bowed in response.

“I am here to offer assistance to the Martial Forest Alliance, so I would appreciate any help you could provide in return.”

“In return, you want help from us, the Martial Forest Alliance, Princess?”

Zhu Zhongxue redirected his gaze to his military officers.

After all, members of the Zhuge family sometimes venture into public office, so perhaps they might know more regarding royal affairs.

If she was asking for aid with royal intrigue, that was an absolute no-go.

Then a whisper resounded.

[Recently, I’ve heard nothing on this matter. Princess Guando seems uninterested in royal strife, stating she wouldn’t choose sides among the princes or brothers.]

Following that, Yu Jiryeon continued.

“Since you seem worried, let me assure you, it does not involve the royal family at all. Though I am a direct disciple of the Sword Pavilion, I am also of Botam’s lineage. Knowing the principles behind our non-interference policy, how could I possibly drag the heroes of the Martial Forest into royal disputes? Besides, I’ve already distanced myself from the royal family. I’m just requesting some aid for my mentor.”

“Mentor? You mean the newly appointed Ayang Governor, Fabre?”

Even though they were married, information about Princess Guando was widely known throughout the court.

Considering the contributions she could make to the Martial Forest Alliance, it would typically be prudent to agree with her wishes.

Although she claimed it wasn’t royal affairs, since she was speaking of her husband, the future Prince Consort, Zhu Zhongxue pressed on further.

“I must ask, how can we help the Prince Consort, considering this could still be tied to royal obligations?”

To which she replied with an unexpectedly alarming issue.

“Actually, it’s worse than it sounds. Since the governor’s arrival, strange occurrences have erupted in Ayang, causing unrest among the populace.”

“Strange occurrences? Unrest?”

Zhu Zhongxue tilted his head as Yu Jiryeon produced a small pouch from within her garments.

“Open it, please.”

When Zhu Zhongxue followed her instructions, he discovered something dark within.

Upon shaking it into his hand, he found a pile of already dried insects gathering on his palm.

They were pitch-black bugs.

With wings, they appeared to belong to the flying variety, and there were a lot of them.

Seeing the frightful sight, Yu Jiryeon spoke up.

“This is what’s happening right now!?”

“They have completely engulfed Ayang! Roads, streets, and homes are all covered in them! You can’t even wander outside without wrapping your face in cloth!”

Due to the strange phenomena surrounding the newly appointed governor’s wife, unsettling rumors had begun to circulate.

“I’ve heard from my master that there are many gifted individuals in the Martial Forest who can manage insects. Under the name of the Martial Forest Alliance, may I ask you to help me find someone who can provide support?”

The moment she spoke, both the Martial Forest Leader and Officer Zhuge Hu exchanged glances, arriving at the same conclusion simultaneously.

“This must be Wei So-ryong…”

“This certainly sounds like Wei So-ryong’s area of expertise…”

Both men agreed, as they knew Wei So-ryong was the best at managing insects.