We had just returned to the winding waterway the water bandits had led us through earlier—when suddenly, I heard an unexpected noise from Geumdo.

Brrrgrrr...

For someone as unflappable and slow-moving as Geumdo, panic was almost unheard of. So hearing it in his voice made me instantly wary.

I turned to Hyang, curled around me for translation, and asked, “What’s Geumdo saying, Hyang?”

She responded with perfect innocence.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, Geumdo says... he doesn’t know the way.』

“What!?”

Oh, crap.

The complex water route from the Yangtze River to Dongting Lake—only the water bandits knew it.

I looked to Do Sagong for help, but his face contorted with embarrassment.

“I-I apologize, So-ryong-nim. It was night when we came through... I don’t recall the route well.”

For a man who had spent his whole life navigating rivers, that was rare. But apparently, being guided through pitch darkness had thrown even him off.

I turned back toward southern Dongting Lake.

I thought of the water bandits we had left behind. We ditched them for convenience—but maybe we should’ve brought one along after all.

“Maybe I should’ve brought one of the water bandits... Should I go back now and get one?”

It was becoming clear: parting ways with them at Dongting had been a mistake.

I was considering going back to fetch one of their boats, when a familiar voice chimed in from Geumdo’s head.

Zzzeeeeee.

Popping her head above the water, Heukjeom looked back at us.

She flicked her tail toward the front—clearly signaling us to follow. A moment later, Hyang confirmed.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she says she knows the way.』

“She does? You know the route?”

Zzee. Zzeeeee.

Zrrrrrrrr. 『Yep. She says just follow the current in reverse.』

“This place is known for its weird, slow currents. You sure she can handle it?”

Zzeeeee.

Zrrrrt. 『Of course. She says the surface current and the underwater current are different—but she can sense both and knows exactly which one to follow.』

It made sense. Even Do Sagong, a professional boatman, could read currents to a degree—but this place’s flow was ridiculously tricky. Even Geumdo, a giant aquatic turtle, couldn’t grasp it fully.

But Heukjeom wasn’t just any aquatic creature—she was a fish. Which meant she could instinctively feel and trace even the subtlest currents.

I gave her the go-ahead.

“Alright then, we’re counting on you.”

Zzeeeee!

With a confident cry, she surged forward.

It looked like she was using some kind of current-bending ability; as she moved, the water split sharply around her path.

SHHHAAA!

Like a shark slicing through the water, she used her tail to create a clear channel as she glided ahead.

We followed, zigzagging along the twists of the waterway.

Three or four hours later, the current suddenly picked up—and the entrance to the Yangtze River came into view.

“Oh! So-ryong-nim, it’s the Yangtze!”

Thanks to her, we beat even the water bandits to the river’s mouth.

As Geumdo surged ahead with renewed strength, I heard a small voice from behind.

Zzeee...

There was a touch of shyness in her tone.

I glanced at Hyang, who giggled softly.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she’s asking why you haven’t praised her yet.』

“Praise? Oh! Of course!”

It was pretty clear she was asking for a head pat.

Without hesitation, I tore off my shirt and socks and dove into the water.

There’s no better way to bond than through skinship, right?

SPLASH!

I was instantly hit by the river’s powerful current.

I started drifting fast—but Heukjeom swam over and let me hop on her back.

Her skin was smooth, firm, and strangely comforting.

I pressed my cheek to her back, and a wave of pure joy washed over me.

Where else could I experience something like this?

Riding a stingray upstream on the Yangtze? Spicy Fabre was really living his best reincarnated life.

You couldn’t dream of this stuff back in the real world.

Maybe... the black mamba that killed me in that African hotel wasn’t just a snake. Maybe it was the isekai truck of venomous creatures...

That resort had been built in one of the few forested areas in Africa, with single-floor bungalows. Lizards and bugs could get in easily.

Doors were practically bug expressways.

Waking up to a few lizards on the ceiling was normal. But a black mamba? That was nuts.

So maybe... that snake wasn’t a freak accident.

Maybe it was cosmic intervention—a venomous beast spirit guide.

That would mean my death wasn’t in vain.

Still... I remembered something.

Wait a sec... Those bastards! They must’ve left my hotel room wide open during cleaning while I was out snake hunting!

Hotels usually cleaned when guests were away—probably left the door open for ventilation, and the mamba slithered in from the nearby forest.

I’d even left a generous $5 tip for the cleaners...

What a ridiculous way to die.

Suddenly, a shy cry broke my thoughts.

Zzeee?

I couldn’t understand the words without Hyang on board, but something told me she was asking—

“So... when’s the head pat coming?”

She’d just earned it—and she was blushing from asking.

I immediately reached out and stroked her head gently.

Her eyes fluttered shut, and she relaxed into my hand.

Suddenly—she lost control.

She swerved hard to the side, nearly smashing into a cliff.

Was it... that good!?

The other kids liked being pet too, but this was on another level—she looked like she’d gone cross-eyed from bliss.

As I was feeling proud of my divine petting skills, a rock face suddenly loomed ahead.

“Whoa, whoa—hey! Careful!”

I stopped petting just in time, and she pulled herself together and steered away.

Zzeee...

Still blushing.

I kept petting her lightly—more gently this time—so she wouldn’t lose herself again.

“It’s okay. That happens.”

Zzee...

Still clearly embarrassed.

Time to change the subject.

I’d picked out a name for her earlier—but hadn’t had the chance to share it yet.

“Anyway... about your name.”

Zzee?

“Yeah. Name. I mean, I can’t just keep calling you ‘hey, you,’ right? You know what a name is, don’t you?”

Zzeeee.

“It’s a special word that someone can call you by. And the one I’ve chosen for you is... Heukjeom.”

Zzee.

“Your white body’s covered in little black spots—so I went with ‘Heukjeom,’ which means ‘Black Spot.’ What do you think? Like it?”

She paused... then nodded her head.

“Yeah? That’s great. I’m glad. Let’s get along, Heukjeom.”

Zzeeeee...

Clearly pleased, she leaned into my touch again.

Her eyes closed... and—WHAM!—she swerved again, aiming straight for another cliff.

I yanked my hand away just in time.

ZZEEE!

Her angry cry rang out.

Just then, Cho zipped over and translated with a laugh.

Zrrrrt. 『Dad, she says don’t pet her whenever you want. Her eyes close on their own and her body goes all floppy.』

Ah. That explained the sassy squeal.

She loved it—but didn’t want to crash again.

Guess I’ll have to pet her in moderation.

"I should probably tone down the affection a little."

***

After emerging into the Yangtze, we headed straight for Lee Tae’s base.

Back when we left it a few days ago, I had promised Geumdo we’d return and let him bask in the sun for a full week—and I intended to keep that promise.

Long sunbaths were essential for Geumdo’s health.

The rot on his shell had been caused by a lack of regular sunlight. Now was the perfect time to replenish his vitamin stores—until the Tang Clan found a proper hiding place for him.

And so, we reached Lee Tae’s base and settled in for a few days of rest.

It was around the third day.

I was lounging on the sandbar near the base, watching Geumdo shimmer as he basked in the sun, while Cho and Heukjeom splashed in the water nearby.

Then, a sharp voice broke the peace—Hwa-eun’s.

“Lee Tae? What’s that look in your eyes supposed to mean?”

“...My eyes?”

I turned to see her glaring daggers at Lee Tae, who now looked like a small animal caught in a trap.

Hwa-eun was staring at him like he was some filthy pest—or worse, a beast with fur and fleas.

“You were eyeing the kids just now. What’s with that perverted stare?”

“M-Me? You mean me!?”

“What’s going on, Hwa-eun?”

The commotion drew attention. Soon, Sister Seol and the rest of the Dragon Fangs gathered around, expressions tightening at Hwa-eun’s next words.

“He was watching Cho, Heukjeom, and even Geumdo—and licking his lips.”

“Wait—what!? This bug—no, this beast—no, wait. Did you say... licking his lips?”

Licking his lips?

If Cho and Heukjeom had been human women, I could’ve assumed some perverted intent behind that look.

But they weren’t. Well... technically, yes—they were female spirit beasts. But even that wouldn’t justify the kind of pervy thoughts Hwa-eun was suggesting.

Even I couldn’t bring myself to suspect something that bizarre.

And to top it off—Geumdo was male.

Everyone looked confused and awkward, except Hwa-eun, who still looked like she was staring at a mangy dog.

What even is this situation? Wait... no way... could it be?

As my brain churned through possible explanations, a very specific, very unsettling one surfaced:

Could Lee Tae have been... thinking of them as ingredients for some kind of tonic?

Central Plains folk really do eat just about anything.

Salamanders, bugs, fried scorpions—you name it.

So I started eyeing Lee Tae suspiciously—and sure enough, he waved both hands wildly, his expression turning pale.

“No! So-ryong-nim! It’s not what you think!”

“Oh? What exactly do you think I’m thinking?”

“You’re wondering if I had my eyes on your daughter or something—”

“Are you insane? Of course not!”

“Then what?”

I didn’t even say it aloud, but the glare I shot him was enough.

Lee Tae shook his head vigorously, adamant.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but it’s definitely not that! I was just looking at those three and thinking... wow, wouldn’t they be amazing to lead a river bandit crew with.”

“...River bandits?”

“...River bandits!?”

We all stared at him, baffled.

But he kept going.

“Yes! Imagine riding Geumdo with those two spirit beasts beside you. Who would dare stand against you on the water?”

Okay, I mean—he wasn’t wrong. That would be some top-tier river gang power.

But still... what a dumb thought to have while looking at them like that.

Truly, people only see what they want to see.

To think someone could look at those adorable creatures and immediately picture a bandit crew... how utterly pathetic.

I sighed and gave him a withering look.

“That’s what all this was about? Honestly, that’s just sad. Hwa-eun, I think it was a misunderstanding. Nothing to worry about.”

“I still don’t like the ‘bandit crew’ part, but fine—I’ll let it go this time. But try not to do anything so misleading again.”

“Yes, understood, my lady.”

Hwa-eun turned and walked off toward the boat with Sister Seol.

Lee Tae stood there looking miserable, so I decided to redirect the conversation.

“Well, whatever. You did good this time. Anything new you’ve heard?”

“There’ve been a few rumors... but nothing that screams ‘spirit beast activity.’”

“I see.”

Makes sense. If we got a new spirit beast lead every day, we’d have gathered all the Ten Great Venomous Beasts and the Twenty-Four Venoms by now.

Still, I couldn’t hide my disappointment as I nodded.

“Oh, but now that I think about it—there’s talk of a locust swarm in Xizang. Probably not important though, right?”

Locust swarm—as in, Hwangchung.

Yeah. Probably not important.

...Probably.