Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang

---

Chapter 144: Fabre in the Four Heavenly Houses

“Is there an absolute need to do something?”

As I grasped my flustered head in response to the princess’s insistence, a hypothesis emerged: could this possibly be bureaucratic red tape?

‘Is it truly a bureaucratic method?’

In the world of officials, the term “government” implies you have to present something to those above, leading to plenty of pomp and ceremony.

If a governor is akin to a high-ranking official of this era, it seems they need something to present to their superiors.

However, having the mindset from my previous life, I absolutely despised bureaucratic methods.

Isn’t it just for show?

Back in my previous life, I had struggled immensely when a nonsensical law passed requiring me to build a non-viable breeding facility!

I steadied my mind and asked the princess, considering the needs of the people rather than mere appearances. I cautiously suggested that it might be better to reassure the citizens first since things would likely settle down in a few days.

“It seems you need something for someone to see… What could that be?”

The princess and the governor exchanged wide-eyed glances, clearly unsettled.

It appeared they had just been poked in a sensitive spot.

After a moment, the princess nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting back and forth, as if sending a silent signal.

Soon enough, she answered, her voice tinted with acknowledgment, “At first, I thought of you merely as a junior hero, but you’re quite extraordinary in many ways. You’re right; I do need something to show. How do I explain this… Would the junior hero understand…?”

Just then, I heard the distinct creak of a hinge.

Though the princess had ordered everyone to stay clear until our conversation ended, the door cracked open, allowing a surprising figure – the venomous insect, Chao, and Bin, to peek in.

“Who is it? I specifically told everyone not to come near until our discussion was over!”

The princess directed a sharp shout at the source of the creaking hinge.

I expected an apology to echo back, but it was none other than Chao and Bin, poking their heads through the slightly ajar door and asking, “Daddy, is there more to talk about?” and “Do we have to wait longer? Why is that lady yelling?”

The two little ones wiggled their antennas tenderly through the gap.

Since Chao and Bin were too big to fit inside, I had instructed them to wait at the entrance, but they were clearly unable to hold back.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. It seems the children couldn’t wait.”

“Oh, children?”

I quickly apologized to the princess and dashed toward the door, anxious the kids would get scolded.

“Hey, guys, didn’t Daddy say to wait? It’s almost over; just a little longer, okay?”

“Is it over yet? I’m bored!” Bin whined.

“Okay, Daddy.”

With that, the firstborn, Chao, wrapped her body around Bin and pulled her back outside.

As I turned back, I found the princess and the governor looking utterly astonished.

The princess, unable to process what she just heard, stammered, “Y-you understand them!? And you call them… daughter?”

“Uh…”

Earlier, I only showed them the appearances of Chao and Bin to maintain my professional face, and having instructed them to wait, I never actually expected the kids would understand; the revelation of me calling them ‘daughter’ seemed to take the princess completely by surprise.

‘Should I brag a little since it’s been a while? After all, I’m royal family; let’s make some points here.’

Delighted by their expressions, I swung open the door to invite Chao and Bin inside along with Yo-hwa and the other children waiting outside.

“Bin, Chao, and Yo-hwa.”

They all hurried over to the door upon my call.

Simultaneously, I beckoned the other little ones held in Hua Eun’s arms.

“Yeon-du, Hyang, Seol-i, Bing-i, and baby. This is Mo-ji and So-ji, but I’m late in making introductions. This is my family.”

Suddenly, Seol-i and Bing-i jumped into view with a baby nestled atop their heads, while Mo-ji and So-ji wriggled like attachments on my shoulders.

When Hyang and Yeon-du popped out from the nape of my neck, the governor and princess’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Hyang rubbed her cheek against mine, almost popping their eyes out in shock.

‘Aren’t they amazed? This is VIP treatment in the Venomous Insect Garden you can’t simply book…’

Just as the princess contemplated how grateful she should be for such an astounding display, her voice broke through my thoughts.

“Y-your family?”

“Yes, as you can see, I’m a man obsessed with venomous insects. So yes, this is my family.”

At that moment, with an excited grin, the princess suddenly shot to her feet.

“Obsessed with venomous insects? Is that true?!”

“Uh, well, you could say I am a bit obsessed.”

I was momentarily flustered at her unexpected excitement.

‘W-what’s going on?’

“Were you worried for nothing? Then, it seems our discussions might progress quite smoothly.”

“Excuse me?”

Suddenly, she believed our talks might go smoothly.

She then leaned towards the artisan, “I think it’s fine if we have a private conversation since it seems the junior hero can assist me.”

“Y-Yes!?”

I was left baffled as I couldn’t ascertain what had stirred so much joy in her, but the princess’s face radiated with happiness while requesting a private meeting!

‘Isn’t this feeling slightly ominous?’

A rather unsettling prospect of a private conversation awaited.

*

After dismissing everyone else, only the princess and I remained.

Indeed, my instincts were spot on; the princess leaned in closely, her voice low and serious.

“From now on, you must keep what I say a secret. If this leaks out, your life could be at risk. Understand?”

‘Ugh, why did I feel this unease…’

In the dramas from my previous life, it was essential not to meddle with secrets as it often had dire consequences.

With a weary expression, I cautiously asked, “D-do we have to hear this?”

The princess’s mischievous smile threw me off as she replied with a wink, “We must. Hehe. If I don’t share this, I suspect the junior hero might not help me. Besides, I think it’s necessary for you to understand my situation.”

“I’ll help you regardless. Now, let’s see how I can assist you, Your Highness.”

I declared with determination, though the princess shook her head.

With a haughty expression that barely concealed her amusement, she commanded, “Listen well; this is an imperial decree.”

“…”

Once she threw in “imperial decree,” I had no choice but to listen.

I sighed, shaking my head, preparing to bear her words.

Then, the princess, seeming increasingly excited by my reactions, started her story.

“It all began when I was six years old. The first time I laid my eyes on a sword at the waist of a golden guard, it was a beautiful sword adorned with golden thread. That must have been when my obsession began…”

*

“Whaaaaa!”

Princess Guando, Jiryeon’s early memories of swords were entwined with her tears.

“W-what’s happening here!? Why is the princess crying?!”

In her wails, the Empress’s command rang out, issuing an order.

Wiping her tears, Jiryeon pointed at the golden guard.

As the only legitimate child of the Empress, who was the Emperor’s most favored, though she was a princess, the moment she was born, she, like her mother, had monopolized the Emperor’s affection. Thus, making her cry could mean a death warrant, even though Jiryeon was too young to realize the gravity of that.

Visibly alarmed, the golden guard bowed deeply, exclaiming, “P-please kill me! Your Majesty! Princess-sama asked for a sword, and I feared she might get hurt…”

“A sword, did you say?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is that true, Princess?”

Jiryeon nodded with teary eyes, wanting to hold that glimmering sword with golden threads.

“Swords are too dangerous. You cannot have one, Princess.”

The Empress admonished the notion that swords are too perilous, dousing Jiryeon’s yearning to wield it. But just days later, when she followed the Emperor to watch the training of the golden guards, she was captivated by the splendid swordplay and immediately petitioned the Emperor to teach her how to wield a sword.

“A sword? Sure. If you want to learn, you shall. I will assign you a good teacher.”

At first, the Emperor treated it lightly.

He probably thought it was just a child’s whimsy; he ordered the captain of the guards to teach Jiryeon the sword style of her wanting.

Thus began her first training.

The first session started off tremendously disappointing.

She had thought she would get to wield a bright shining sword and showcase her swordsmanship, but her instructor, the captain of the guards, handed her a wooden sword instead.

A small wooden sword that fit perfectly in her hands.

“A wooden sword… It’s too short!”

“Your Highness, everyone starts with a wooden sword. We mustn’t start with a real sword, or you might get hurt. Once you’re familiar with the wooden sword, I will request the Emperor for you to have a real sword. So, let’s focus on getting you accustomed first.”

“Really!?”

“Of course. Now, let’s start with some strikes…”

The captain of the guards seemed to have an odd idea of instruction, but as soon as Jiryeon held the wooden sword, she closed her eyes and envisioned the splendid sword dance from days before.

Ignoring whatever the captain was saying, she began to unfold what had emerged in her mind.

Initially, she struggled to keep her balance, almost tumbling over, but with repetitions, she started to grasp the movement.

When she finally set down the wooden sword, the astonished look on the captain’s face came into focus.

“Y-you have talent!”

“Talent?”

The news of Jiryeon showcasing outstanding talent was quickly reported to the Emperor, who celebrated with great joy and presented her with a real sword.

“Though you are a girl, you are truly a prodigy.”

Thanks to this, Jiryeon could train freely in the swordplay she desired, yet the more she practiced, a strange feeling began to surface.

The more she extended the sword, the more she felt that the exquisite swordplay of the royal family was not hers.

At twelve, Jiryeon posed a question to the captain of the guards.

“Why do I feel like the royal family’s martial arts are not my own, the more I learn?”

“Your Highness, are you saying it feels like they aren’t yours?”

“Yes.”

The captain of the guards fell deep into thought with a serious expression at her words.

Finally, he spoke cautiously, “Not all swords are the same, and there exists a sword suited for each person. Perhaps your true style lies not within the royal kill techniques but rather within the swords of wonder or enlightenment.”

Given the nature of the royal family’s martial arts, centered around lethal techniques, the general belief was that Jiryeon’s abilities conveyed a sense aligned more with what was essential and enlightened.

With this notion in mind, Jiryeon resolved to explore martial arts aligned with the phenomenal paths of enlightenment.

Thus, she began to research various martial arts rooted in the philosophies of enlightenment, initially approaching several temples throughout the Central Plains, concealing her true aspirations.

The aim of that exploration was the Emei Sect.

However, when she arrived at the Emei Sect, they flatly refused her.

The practice of an elite becoming a nun was a risk to them, fearing to invoke the Wrath of the Royal Family.

When asked if the Emperor had allowed such a title for her, Jiryeon hesitated, and thus, her request was immediately denied.

Eventually, disheartened, Jiryeon could only make her way back to the palace.

It was then fate brought her a master.

During her return journey, she happened upon a secluded temple.

In her frustration, she snuck off at night to swing her sword, dodging the palace maids, and climbed a mountain behind the temple, where she heard a familiar sound.

-Whoosh. Slice.

As soon as she arrived at that location enchanted by the sound of swordplay, she spotted a woman donning nun robes with long hair.

The trails of her sword drew the eye.

It was the very image Jiryeon had longed for in her heart.

With each swing, the sword sliced through the moonlight, scattering the darkness across the razor’s edge.

The leaves that fluttered in the wind spiraled around the woman, softly descending.

While she was captivated by the mesmerizing scene, the woman noticed her and reprimanded her in a stern voice, “You shouldn’t spy on others while they train! Who’s your master that doesn’t teach such things!?”

Startled, Jiryeon hurriedly bowed her head, realizing she had neither learned such etiquette nor heeded her intentions to learn the swordplay of this remarkable sister.

“I… I don’t have a master, so I couldn’t learn. I’m sorry!”

“Hmm? You don’t have a master?”

“I… I just got distracted by the sword and trespassed! Please, teach me!”

Wishing to enter the Emei Sect but having learned the etiquette of martial artists from the captain of the guards, Jiryeon bowed deeply while pleading.

After staring intently at Jiryeon for a moment, the woman smiled and answered, “You don’t even know who I am yet you wish to learn? Alright, draw your sword and come at me! It’ll be good to pass down teachings to a student.”

And the time that followed felt like a dream.

Inside the imperial palace, there had been no one to share swordplay with, and even sparring with the wooden sword felt dull due to the lack of thrusts. As the fabrics of her clothes were shredded, she couldn’t suppress her thrill when the blade brushed her cheek, drawing blood.

Training that had her life on the line—it was indeed one of the things Jiryeon had wished for.

-Clang! Clash!

“Catch this! Now, take this as well! This is the Great Sadness Thousand Hand Sword!”

-Clang!

As the clash reached its peak and the sword gifted by the Emperor shattered, a voice resonated in the aftermath.

Jiryeon trembled, gripping the remaining sword’s hilt when the woman spoke.

“May I see your wrist?”

As she reached out in a daze, the woman grasped her wrist, inspecting it before nodding.

“Just as I thought! You possess incredible talent!? And such pure roots. Though it does show traces of murderous intent, that’s likely due to the sword style you’ve learned. So, was it true you claimed you had no master?”

When Jiryeon, still dazed, nodded in agreement, the woman declared, “Really? Then, would you like to become my disciple? I am Lotus, the Swordmistress of the Nanhai Botam!”

“Y-you’re the Swordmistress!?”

Surely, she had heard of Botam, but she approached the Emei Sect because she had heard things about Botam being more reclusive.

Once, she thought she had given up hope after hearing how becoming a disciple wouldn’t be easy, but a Swordmistress could teach her the swordplay she longed for.

Instantly, she knelt and replied, “T-thank you! Thank you so much!”

“Well then, you must perform a grand bow to your master.”

“Yes, of course! Master, please accept my deepest bow!”

After bowing deeply, it was then that the Swordmistress added, “Alright, at dawn, you must inform your parents that you have become my disciple. Where do your parents reside?”

As Jiryeon’s eyes rolled in confusion, she replied, “The… Imperial Palace.”

“?”

The Swordmistress blinked at the mention of the Imperial Palace.

After regaining her composure, she asked, “W-wait, do your parents work there? What are their positions?”

“Th-the Emperor…”

The Swordmistress’s eyes widened in disbelief.