Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 114

Chapter 114
The venom of the Russell’s Viper offers numerous benefits.
To begin with, the potency of this snake’s venom is extraordinary.
Its intravenous LD50, the dose lethal to half of those exposed, is a mere 0.16 milligrams.
This indicates that a fatal amount for a person would be between 40 and 70 milligrams.
An adult snake carries roughly 250 milligrams of venom when dried. Since venom is about 90% water, the liquid volume is close to 2,500 milligrams.
Assuming an average lethal dose of 55 milligrams, the venom from a single Russell’s Viper could kill approximately 45 people.
This is precisely why, in my past life, the Indian cobra, the spiny bush viper, the Russell’s viper, and the umbrella snake were known as the four most venomous snakes of India.
The Russell’s Viper was responsible for 40% of all fatal snakebites in Southeast Asia, cementing its reputation as exceptionally deadly.
This implies that even a tiny quantity of this venom could make the Blood Cult shudder in fear.
Applied to a weapon or delivered through a penetrating wound, it would not only block internal energy but also make survival unlikely, even if the victim escaped.
“It seems I will have to collect more of them in Yunnan,” I remarked.
Grandfather smiled, the memory of his recent harsh scoldings vanished, as he admired the gelatinous substance derived from the snake’s venom.
This was truly superior venom.
A single application would bring us a crisp, clear advantage, while delivering severe, overwhelming agony to our foes. It was an excellent toxin to employ.
“Yes, dispatching warriors to gather more would be ideal. These snakes avoid forests; they favor open plains and areas near homes. We should concentrate our search there.”
“Ah, understood. Expansive grasslands close to villages? I see.”
“Also, we need not catch too many. Their numbers can multiply rapidly.”
“Is that so?”
Another benefit is that these reptiles inhabit open fields rather than wooded areas, making them simpler to find.
Their primary diet consists of rats and lizards, so they flourish in the vicinity of villages where such prey is abundant.
Although they pose a significant threat to people, their preference for living near human habitations makes them convenient to acquire.
But there is more.
A defining trait of these snakes is that they are viviparous.
Unlike egg-laying snakes, Russell’s Vipers bear live young, which is among their most valuable attributes.
A single litter can contain 20 to 40 offspring. In a time without incubators or controlled hatching methods, live birth simplifies population growth.
The young develop within the mother, and after birth, raising them is straightforward.
Once they are born, we can readily nurture them using our facility, which produces a steady supply of Pinkies.
Thus, they are an ideal resource for us of the Tang Clan, a superb source of venom.
However, they are notoriously aggressive, so caution is essential in breeding them.
“Indeed, they bear live young, which facilitates rapid expansion of their numbers.”
“Truly? They give live birth? Splendid. Good. Then, we shall send the warriors who journeyed to Yunnan, along with the Poison Master, back there to capture as many as possible.”
“Understood.”
After days of distress caused by Bini’s absence, Grandfather was finally in noticeably higher spirits.

***

For several days, Hwa-eun, chastised by Grandfather, assembled all the children in the pavilion while So-ryong went to speak with Grandfather and visit the Poison Vault.
It appeared that today she needed to offer the children some direction.
It might sound like lecturing, but she had come to understand that showering Bini with affection alone was not always sufficient, particularly after what had transpired with him.
After much reflection, she wondered if being less permissive when Bini was misbehaving might have prevented him from fleeing.
If she had reprimanded him firmly during his sulking and instructed him not to treat his father that way, this incident might have been avoided.
So, she summoned Yo-hwa to the contact room and, after rousing Cho, who had been sleeping more than usual since becoming the Divine O-Gong, she brought him outside. Naturally, Yendu, the Divine Insect who rested beside Cho, followed.
Yendu only stirred every few days to feed on Hwa-ri’s offspring, so he typically remained coiled near So-ryong’s room.
Before So-ryong departed for the Poison Vault, Hyeong, Seol, and Bini had already assembled, so only Bini, the one who had run off, was absent.
“Everyone is here,” Hwa-eun announced, surveying the gathered children.
Her eyes moved over each one: the magnificent large blue O-Gong, Cho, who had recently joined the family; the aloof Yendu; the adorable Seol and Bini; and the still-small, yellow-and-blue-spotted Hyeong. Lastly, Yo-hwa, who took after Hwa-eun.
As her gaze traveled from one child to the next, she noted their puzzled expressions, their heads cocked in curiosity, especially Seol and Bini, who blinked up at her. Hwa-eun nearly ran to embrace them, almost forgetting her intent to advise them.
Their shining, inquisitive eyes were utterly endearing, and she nearly lost sight of her duty to scold them.
‘Ugh… I must remain firm,’ she told herself.
She controlled her emotions, drew a deep breath, and recalled the purpose of her determination.
Hwa-eun had pondered deeply Grandfather’s words when he reproached her.
“How can parents be so careless?”
That statement had struck a chord. Although she called herself a mother, a part of her still subconsciously felt, “They are not truly my children.”
Her own parents had adored her deeply but had also corrected her when needed. Pampering her children without guidance was not true motherhood.
What had begun as a lighthearted connection with So-ryong had unexpectedly deepened. She had immersed herself in the part of his wife without even noticing.
But now, she could no longer regard the children as if it were all mere play.
She had been so anxious over Bini’s disappearance.
Hwa-eun took another steadying breath and, with resolved firmness, spoke to the six children before her.
“The reason I have called you here is to offer some counsel.”
Koo-koo?
Tsrrr?
Kishi?
The children tilted their heads again, evoking even greater tenderness in her, and she momentarily halted. She bit her lip and continued, her voice serious.
“You must never leave home the way Bini did. Is that clear?”
Koo-koo!
Tsrrr!
Kishi!
Shaaa!
“You saw how Mother and Father were scolded by Grandfather, correct? Father especially received a stern rebuke. If you are unhappy, you should come talk to us. But running away like that…”
Having never needed to discipline the children before, her words tumbled out as they came to her.
Koo!
Abruptly, Seol called out.
Turning, she saw Bini sniffing Seol’s cheek before quickly withdrawing.
It appeared they were merely engaging in play.
“Pay attention.”
It was hard to expect full focus from children who were not adults. She gave them a mild admonishment and tried to proceed.
Koo-koo!
Seol called out again, cutting her off.
At this, the other venomous creatures looked toward Seol, and then Bini softly nipped Seol’s neck.
Hwa-eun swiftly moved to pull Bini away, but what began as a playful nip erupted into a full-scale tussle.
“Bini, stop! Why are you biting your friend?”
Koo-woo!
Kook! Kook! Kook! Kook!
What started as a harmless game intensified into Bini clamping onto Seol’s neck.
Seol, alarmed, broke into a frantic run, attempting to get away.
“Seol! Bini, stop it! I told you not to fight with your friends!”
But despite Hwa-eun’s commands, Bini did not relent.
The two raced through the pavilion and out into the yard, pursuing one another around trees and over rocks, refusing to halt.
Hoo-dah-dah-dah!
Koo-wooo!
Kook! Kook! Kook!
Seol shrieked as he fled, with Bini pursuing him with determined strides.
“Someone, help!” Hwa-eun cried out for assistance, but the other children only blinked, uncertain how to react.
Understanding she was overmatched, Hwa-eun decided she needed to fetch So-ryong.
Seol was genuinely imperiled, and she could not allow this to continue.
“I am going to get your father. All of you stay here,” she instructed the children before hurrying off to the Poison Vault.
She felt a pang of powerlessness, realizing she could not even cease her own children’s squabbling.

***

Just as I completed extracting the Russell’s vipers’ venom and secured it in the extraction jar, Hwa-eun suddenly rushed in.
“So-ryong! We have a serious situation!”
The urgency in her voice gave me a feeling of familiarity.
What was occurring now?
“A serious situation?” I asked, bewildered by the sudden interruption, as Hwa-eun seized my hand and pulled me along.
“Something has happened! Seol and Bini are battling! Seol is shrieking and trying to escape, and Bini will not stop pursuing him! If this goes on, Seol could be badly injured!”
“They are fighting!?”
Gentle Seol and Bini, who had always looked after Seol, had no apparent reason to conflict.
This was a grave matter.
I promptly followed Hwa-eun, alarmed by the news, and headed toward the pavilion. I had finished preparing the venom samples and concluded my discussion with Grandfather, so there was no reason to remain.
“Yes, I had all the children together in the pavilion and was speaking to them when suddenly…”
“And they began to fight?” I inquired, my confusion persisting.
“I am not certain. It seemed like they were only playing, then abruptly Bini bit Seol’s neck…”
“His neck?”
As we hurried to the pavilion, I asked for more details, attempting to grasp the cause of their altercation.
Considering it, the root of their conflict might lie in social order. Seol, weakened from his tail amputation and recent illness, may have lost standing, leading to a potential power struggle.
While humans might disregard such things, animals place great importance on leadership, and this could be a contest for dominance.
“They were making odd noises while Bini had Seol’s neck, like ‘Kook! Kook! Kook!’” Hwa-eun said, mimicking the sounds with an earnest expression.
I stifled a chuckle and nodded.
“‘Kook! Kook! Kook!’?” I repeated, surprised.
“Yes, that was the sound they made while Bini chased Seol, holding his neck.”
“Chasing Seol while gripping his neck…”
I had witnessed geckos combat before, and they often bite the neck or face of their rival, so it seemed a typical fight. But then a realization dawned on me as we entered the yard.
I needed to verify something. I inspected Seol and Bini’s genitalia, but they were so alike that I could not be certain.
Normally, there would be clear distinctions, but they appeared nearly identical. Still, they were probably a pair.
‘If Seol is female and Bini is male… then this could be…’ I thought, comprehending something significant.
We halted before the pavilion, and Hwa-eun urgently asked the children.
“Where are Seol and Bini?”
Yo-hwa gestured toward a nearby thicket.
Kishi!
At Yo-hwa’s indication, Hwa-eun sprinted toward the grass, but I caught her wrist, saying, “Hwa-eun, I believe this may not actually be a fight.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“I… well, it is difficult to explain…”
Before I could finish, Hwa-eun broke away and ran toward the bushes.
“We must see if Seol is all right. Why would Bini bite him in that manner?”
Despite my protests, Hwa-eun pushed into the bushes, and I heard her reproaching Bini.
“Bini, why did you bite Seol and now climb on top of him? Hiiik…”
Hwa-eun sounded shocked, and I heard her gasp in astonishment.
Shortly, she emerged from the bushes, her face ashen, as if affected by a poison. She stared at me with a dazed expression and whispered, “I… I think we are going to be grandparents…”