“You’re saying you’ve been put under house arrest?”

“Yes, I’m not allowed to leave for the time being, Elder.”

At my reply, Elder Geolhwang turned wide eyes toward Grandfather Mandok Shingun.

He looked like he was silently asking with his eyes, Is that true?

Meeting that gaze, Grandfather Mandok Shingun gave an awkward nod in confirmation.

“I had intended to keep him from going out for a while.”

“What? Why? Did he break a clan law or something? The boy’s done so much for us—how could you?”

Typically, house arrest only comes into play when someone breaks clan law or causes a serious incident. So Elder Geolhwang seemed to be thinking I must’ve done something drastic.

But even before hearing what exactly I’d done, he added that, considering all the contributions I’d made to the Tang Clan, surely they could’ve let it slide.

To be fair, if we counted all the spirit beasts I’d brought to the clan, they’d owe me even if I sold the Tang Clan itself.

Seriously. I could pawn this clan off two or three times and they’d still owe me.

Grandfather Mandok Shingun gave me a knowing smirk and answered.

“Nothing like that. What rule could So-ryong possibly have broken? As you said, Elder, this is actually meant to be a reward. That’s why we’re keeping him in the clan.”

“A reward? You kept him here as a reward?”

“Yes. I thought we’d arrange for him to marry Hwa-eun a bit earlier. He’s always off somewhere, and... well, you can’t bestow a reward if he’s never around, can you?”

“Ah, I see! Hohoho. That’s quite the reward. Congratulations—to both of you!”

At the mention of a wedding, Elder Geolhwang’s eyes briefly widened in surprise before he broke into a smile.

When I explained that Hwa-eun herself was the biggest reward of all, she flushed with embarrassment and offered a shy thanks.

“Th-thank you, Elder.”

“No need for thanks... truly, congratulations. So then, the preparations for the wedding are already underway?”

“Yes, Elder.”

But his expression turned wistful again.

Because while the wedding was indeed happening, the house arrest part was real—I wasn’t free to leave.

His apologetic voice quickly followed.

“If you’re in the middle of preparing for a wedding, then I must apologize.”

A wedding is one of life’s most sacred affairs.

It’s not something to be delayed or trivialized, so Elder Geolhwang must’ve felt he was being inconsiderate by bringing up a request.

Still, he wasn’t giving up entirely. He’d wait until after the wedding.

“Well then, could you perhaps lend a hand after the wedding? Not many have crossed the border yet. It’s not far either.

You know Meili Snow Mountain, right? It’s around there—where Sichuan, Tibet, and Tianzhu all meet.”

I knew exactly where Meili Snow Mountain was.

A high peak at the junction of the Southern Barbarians, Sichuan, and Tibet.

And if it’s after the wedding, then it shouldn’t be a problem.

But if real locusts were already crossing over, then it wasn’t something we could afford to take lightly.

Elder Geolhwang seemed to think they were just showing up here and there near Tibet and probably disappearing quickly—nothing serious. But once locusts appear, it’s never just a small deal.

Locusts can travel massive distances in a single day, meaning some may have already slipped into the Central Plains.

“If it’s after the wedding, I’ll speak to the clan and we can definitely help. But if locusts really are crossing the border little by little... it might be more urgent than we think.

From what I know, locusts can ride the wind and fly up to 400 li in a single day.”

“What did you say?!”

Elder Geolhwang’s expression snapped into shock.

He clearly hadn’t known locusts could travel that far.

But yes—when they swarm, they don’t just hop around. They take to the skies. And if the wind’s in their favor, they’re known to travel as much as 150 kilometers a day.

“Then this is serious, isn’t it? Countless lives could be at stake. Could you lend your aid?”

At his question, I looked toward Hwa-eun.

Because the decision wasn’t mine to make.

And, of course, our kind-hearted Hwa-eun...

Maybe her good mood from the ring I gave her was still lingering, but she responded gently.

“So-ryong, the wedding preparations are the clan’s job anyway. You can step away for a bit.

If it’s Tibet, it’s not even that far. And if it’s near Meili Snow Mountain, it’s even closer.

If the locusts head toward Sichuan, a lot of people could be hurt.”

“Ah, but I wanted to marry Hwa-eun as soon as possible...”

I spoke with a deliberately hesitant tone, not wanting to seem too eager to jump at her permission. That seemed to be the right move—she reached under the table and gently held my hand.

And in that moment, I remembered something.

Back in my previous life, wasn’t there a “bachelor party”—one last wild night before marriage?

So I decided: this trip would be So-ryong’s final bachelor adventure.

I’ll go out in a blaze of glory!

I swore to myself—I’d have the most unforgettable time.

After all, this would be my first time seeing a full-on locust swarm.

***

To be honest, I’d never seen a locust swarm up close.

I’d seen countless pictures and videos, of course.

But I had all the data I needed, so analyzing their age groups and flight patterns wouldn’t be an issue.

Taking on Elder Geolhwang’s request wouldn’t be difficult. I wasn’t afraid of the task.

Then why is my heart pounding like this?

Right now, as I prepared to head for Meili Snow Mountain, my heart was pounding like crazy.

Not because I was scared of the mission.

No. The reason was something else entirely.

I was on my way to see Ranghu.

...Damn. I’m scared.

Yeah. I had to tell Ranghu—who was already sulking over how often I disappeared—that I’d be leaving again.

While I was packing and getting everything ready earlier, my father-in-law had come to visit.

He stood silently, watching me for a while before finally speaking in a low voice:

“Make sure nothing happens this time. Keep things under control before you go.”

“Keep what under control?”

“Your venomous creatures. The Golden-Furred Wasp Kings.”

“Ah—!”

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head.

I snapped to attention.

And that’s why I was now on my way to see Ranghu.

Because I had to leave tomorrow.

Heart still pounding, I arrived at the inner garden pond, where the sun was starting to set.

Far off in the distance, I could see the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings slowly returning to their hives.

Just as I was stepping through the back garden gate, I heard Bing-i’s voice.

— “Father, where are you going?”

Looking down, I saw Bing-i, lazily trying to step over the threshold.

It would be one thing if we were outside, but inside the Tang Clan compound, children were free to roam wherever they wanted. He was probably out sunbathing alone and was now heading back to my residence.

“Ah, Bing-ah. I’m going to see Ranghu for a bit. Looks like I’ll have to go somewhere nearby tomorrow. You’re coming too, right?”

— “Of course. I must accompany Father.”

“That’s reassuring.”

I told him I was going to visit Ranghu and asked if he’d come along. As always, Bing-i, like a dutiful eldest son, said he’d serve by my side.

I crouched down and patted his head. Just as I was about to continue walking, he tilted his head and asked in a worried tone:

— “But Father, why do you look so down? I can feel that something is troubling you.”

Since Bing-i was registered under Beast Heart Art, he could sense the worry in my heart. Scratching my head, I replied:

“It’s nothing major. It’s just... Ranghu got really upset the last time, and I haven’t made it right yet.”

— “Ah, that’s right. So that’s what’s weighing on your mind?”

“Pretty much. The sun’s setting. I should go before the bees fall asleep. I’ll be off then.”

Just as I was about to resume walking, I felt a gentle weight clinging to my ankle.

Looking down, I saw Bing-i staring up at me with his adorable eyes, holding onto my ankle and climbing up my leg.

He pointed toward the Golden-Furred Wasp Kings’ home.

“Bing-ah, I have to go inside the pavilion.”

— “Father, if you’re that worried, let me come with you.”

“You want to come along?”

Bing-i wanted to accompany me.

As I blinked in surprise, he began explaining why his presence was necessary.

— “You don’t communicate well with her, right? She may understand your words, but to clear up a misunderstanding, she needs to hear you out properly—and for that, a creature like me should relay your message.”

“Well, that’s true... but won’t she get angrier if I bring someone along?”

Bing-i was offering to act as translator. It was a valid point, but showing up to apologize with a companion felt... off.

When I brought that up, Bing-i slipped inside my robe and said:

— “Oh please, Father. If I hide in your robe like this, she won’t even notice me.”

“Well... that’s also true.”

Yeah, Bing-i had grown a bit, but he still fit comfortably inside my robe. He usually traveled hidden inside either my or Hwa-eun’s clothing anyway.

— “And if I come with you, won’t you feel more at ease?”

True enough. It was certainly more comforting than going in alone and getting emotionally shredded.

Smiling, I nodded.

“All right. Let’s go together.”

— “Let’s go!”

We arrived at the pavilion with Bing-i hidden inside my robe.

As I opened the door and stepped inside, the scent of honey was even stronger than last time.

It seemed the honey had increased while I was away—droplets were visibly falling as I climbed the stairs.

When I reached the fourth floor, the wasps noticed me and approached.

— Bzzzz.

“Uh, I’m here to see Ranghu.”

Just like before, they silently pointed me in the right direction.

Some even patted my shoulder gently, as if to say, Hang in there.

You guys know too, huh?

And so, I arrived at the fifth floor.

I had expected to find Ranghu sulking in some dark corner again, but this time she was standing right at the entrance—with her front legs crossed, middle legs on her waist, and hind legs tapping impatiently.

The message was clear: You’re late. I’m mad.

Scratching my head, I greeted her.

“Hey... you’ve been well, Ranghu?”

— Bzzzt!

The wing-flutter that answered me was clearly agitated.

Bing-i’s voice echoed in my mind.

— “She’s saying, ‘Do I look like I’ve been well?’”

“Ah... I guess not?”

— Bzzzt. Bzzzzzz.

I awkwardly answered, and she buzzed again before turning her back on me in a dramatic sulk.

Bing-i quickly translated.

— “She says, ‘I waited so long, and only now you show up...’”

— Bzzzt. Bzzzzz. Buzz buzz.

— “She says, ‘I’m really hurt. Didn’t you promise me you’d bring me somewhere safe where I could live in peace? But every time you go off somewhere and disappear for days, I get worried sick. I can’t feel at ease.’”

Hearing Bing-i’s translation made me feel like the worst person alive.

“S-sorry. I was wrong. I’ll really try to keep my promises better from now on, Ranghu.”

— Bzzzz.

Maybe it was my perfectly-timed apology, but she slowly turned around to look at me.

— “She understood! She looks surprised!”

One of her front legs shot up to her mouth in shock, and then she buzzed straight into my arms.

— BZZZT!

And just like that—

Bing-i popped his head out from my collar and intercepted her midair with a firm thwack from his tail.

— “Hey now. That’s not appropriate.”

— Bzzz!?

Ranghu’s antennae stood straight up, clearly startled by Bing-i’s sudden appearance.

She backed off a bit, and Bing-i moved to my shoulder like a miniature guardian and spoke with the tone of a scolding elder.

— “So, it seems you've developed feelings for Father. But it seems you don’t understand proper customs. Father already has a Mother. You can’t do this.”

...What?!

The sheer shock of it left my jaw hanging.

So Ranghu’s feelings were real?

She actually liked me?

Thinking about it, though, there were examples in my previous life—animals or pets raised long-term sometimes thought of themselves as human, or fell for their owners or other animals.

Like a peacock in a zoo falling in love with a turtle... or animals mistaking their zookeepers for mates.

Ranghu tilted her head at Bing-i’s rebuke.

— Bzzz?

— “You’re asking why not?”

Yeah, she was a wasp with little interaction with humans, so she probably didn’t grasp why it wasn’t allowed.

If I could just explain this well, maybe I could put this situation to rest peacefully.

I asked Bing-i mentally to handle it carefully.

Bing-i, explain it clearly. Please.

Since he’d spent more time around humans than Ranghu, he was more familiar with our customs.

He had already invoked “customs” and “tradition,” after all.

Plus, as a fellow spirit creature, it might hurt less coming from him than from me.

If I said the wrong thing, Ranghu might take it personally or not understand.

But if Bing-i framed it in terms of law and species boundaries, it might be easier for her to accept.

— “Don’t worry, Father. Leave it to me. I’ve got this.”

Y-yeah...

I waited for his words, full of hope.

And then ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) Bing-i spoke, bright and clear:

— “If you want to become Father’s, you’ll need to get permission from Mother. That’s just basic, isn’t it?”

...This little punk.

Told me to trust him, then immediately proved he had no idea how our customs actually work.