Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 289

Chapter 289
‘Hold on…’
The abrupt change in Yakseon’s demeanor—the sudden gleam in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on the children—
The instant I noticed it, a horrifying possibility dawned on me.
Yakseon—he was a man of medicine. And to someone like him, what sort of value would our children represent?
I sprang in front of the kids, putting myself between them and his view.
‘This is unthinkable!’
When I first encountered my father-in-law and the Heavenly Poison Deity, they had journeyed all the way to Hainan Island to capture the children’s mother—Fabre’s mate—to acquire her Neidan for Hwa-eun’s cure.
Strictly speaking, only the Neidan was necessary, but I had learned they intended to utilize the entire body. The shell was to be fashioned into instruments, and the flesh dried and refined into medicinal components.
However, after Cho, Hyang, and Bini arrived at the Tang Clan and were embraced as family, no one had the heart to desecrate their mother’s remains. Instead, her body was placed within the Hall of Ten Thousand Poisons and sealed away.
Even burying her was not a simple option. As the body of a spirit beast is considered an invaluable asset, there was fear it would be plundered. Thus, it was secured within a stone coffin inside the hall.
Naturally, any use of her body was prohibited.
The Tang Clan might be a premier family in the art of creating poisons by steeping subjects in venom, but they were not so cruel as to transform the mother of these children into drugs or equipment.
In fact, they even erected a shrine before the sealed chamber, conducting regular ceremonies to honor her and give thanks for saving Hwa-eun’s life.
Within the Tang Clan, the study of poison is always accompanied by knowledge of the medicinal potential held by venoms and poisonous creatures.
Where I focused on their behaviors and natural habitats, the Tang Clan concentrated on their properties and applications—specifically, their toxic effects on humans and their potential medicinal uses.
Nothing exceedingly complex—just foundational knowledge, such as which organs a substance might affect, or how it could be beneficial.
From the bits I had learned, I recalled that centipedes were reputed to ease convulsions and possessed antitetanus and pain-relieving qualities. They were apparently quite commonly employed.
A frequent story was that if a child suffered from seizures—what they referred to as gyeonggan—applying powdered centipede to the foam at their lips would bring recovery.
Considering all this, it was evident that in this day and age, the body of an O-gong, particularly a spirit beast O-gong, would be viewed as an exceptionally rare and potent medical resource.
So that glitter in Yakseon’s eyes unmistakably resembled someone discovering a hoard of priceless medicinal ingredients.
‘If he utters a single word out of line, I don’t care about his ties to Hwa-eun—I’ll put a stop to it!’
If he even entertained the idea of using my children for medicine, then his relationship to Hwa-eun would offer him no protection.
With my resolve clear in my gaze, I stood guard over the kids. Hwa-eun looked at me, her head tilted in confusion.
“So-ryong, what is it?”
Then Yakseon finally spoke.
“No, I believe there’s a slight misconception here…”
“I won’t allow it!”
I sharply interrupted him before he could finish.
The children jumped, startled by my sudden outburst.
—Tsrut? 『Papa, what’s the matter?』
—Tsruruu? 『Papa?』
Yakseon’s voice came again.
“It appears you’ve misinterpreted my meaning. But it is not at all what you believe.”
“It’s not?”
“No. Perhaps we should sit and discuss this calmly? You mentioned we are standing atop a giant turtle, correct? If my assumption is accurate… I may be able to heal him.”
“You can heal him?”
It was true the Immortal of Medicine had claimed his disciple could manage it—but when Yakseon first saw Elder Geumdo, his expression was far from assured.
I had initially thought he was merely taken aback by the turtle’s immense size, but now it appeared there was another reason.
Now that he had seen the children, he was claiming he could treat him. That was reason enough to listen.
“Yes. To be frank, before I saw your children, I thought the task might be beyond even my capabilities. But with these little ones present, it may be achievable. Rest assured, it is not what you fear.
Hwa-eun regards them as her own daughters, which makes them like granddaughters to me, does it not?”
“…Alright. I understand.”
His eyes still made me uneasy, but if he truly possessed a means to cure Elder Geumdo, I had to hear him out. I settled onto the bamboo mat.
Once I was seated, Hyang scrambled onto my head, while Cho and Bini perched on my shoulders, all keeping a watchful eye on Yakseon.
Meanwhile, the Immortal of Medicine, Hwa-eun, and Sister Seol all wore expressions of complete bewilderment.
As Hwa-eun prepared tea, Yakseon offered an uncomfortable smile and inquired:
“You reacted that way because you assumed I viewed those children as ingredients for medicine, correct?”
“Well… yes.”
—Tsrut!?
—Chu!?
The children let out shocked cries, alarmed by Yakseon’s direct words.
Hyang emitted a threatening chirp and glared at him.
—Tsruruuu! 『Father, may I give him a tiny bite?!』
It was the kind of chirp that clearly meant ‘provoke me and I’ll sink my fangs in’. Yakseon smiled gently and raised a hand in a placating gesture.
“I had heard they comprehend human speech, and now I see it is true. Do not be concerned. I absolutely intend nothing of the sort.
If Hwa-eun sees them as her daughters, then they are my granddaughters.
I am not such a wicked old man, you know.”
Yakseon spoke with a kindly smile, but… his eyes—that bright, intense gleam—had a distinct air of madness about them.
Naturally, neither I nor the children lowered our defenses.
He then lightly tapped the bamboo floor and said:
“To dispel this misunderstanding, I should first explain the predicament with this turtle.
You stated the giant turtle’s ailment began on its back, with the infection and pus eventually reaching its lungs and leading to pneumonia, is that accurate?”
“That’s correct.”
“Yes, precisely.”
At our confirmation, Yakseon nodded and went on.
“My brother here appears to believe I can cure it with medicine, but there is a complication.”
“A complication?”
“Indeed. My brother specializes in acupuncture and moxibustion, so he is unaware—but the administration of medicine requires extreme prudence.
Even with humans, the same remedy can be toxic depending on one’s constitution. Dosage varies based on weight and gender as well.
So if it is challenging for humans, imagine the difficulty for a turtle? A giant turtle, no less? Before we administer any new medicine to people, we trial it on animals—and we have learned that substances harmless to animals can still be poisonous to humans.
Therefore, the opposite is certainly possible.”
‘I see…’
Yakseon was no mere street-side charlatan.
He understood concepts like allergic reactions and interspecies toxicity—knowledge that implied a sophisticated grasp of medicine.
These were ideas prevalent only in the medical science of my previous life. Yet, he had somehow grasped them intuitively.
“I actually am aware of some substances that are toxic to turtles,” I said.
I could at least alleviate one of his worries.
Turtles are especially sensitive to oxalates and persin.
Oxalates are present in foods like spinach and beets, and persin is found in plants such as avocados.
Simply avoiding those two would render most treatments safe.
But Yakseon waggled a finger and said:
“Oh? Is that so? That is fascinating. However, let us postpone that discussion. It is not the primary concern.
The most significant issue here is the turtle’s colossal size. To treat a being of this magnitude, we would require a vast quantity of medicinal ingredients—and preparing them would be exceedingly arduous.
Just consider. To create a pill potent enough to impact this turtle, how enormous would that pill need to be?
Furthermore, since human medicine may not even be effective on a turtle, we cannot be certain. I have never before treated a patient of this nature.”
This was the expert speaking—and his points were all valid.
Medicine requires precise application.
Even in my past life, dosage was calculated by body weight, and timing was meticulously regulated.
“But earlier, you suggested you might be able to cure him?”
I pressed once more, and Yakseon nodded.
“Tell me, what is your knowledge regarding O-gong venom?”
“O-gong venom?”
“Yes. You understand, poison and medicine are frequently the very same substance. Everything depends on the manner and purpose of its use.
I have dedicated the last ten years to researching the medicinal application of O-gong venom. And I have found that it can possess healing properties.”
In my previous life as well, centipede venom was a promising field of research.
The venom generally contains tyrosine, cholesterin, leucine, formic acid, and peptides akin to those in bee venom.
Certain components, upon entering the human body, engage with specific sodium ion channels—particularly those that inhibit pain—producing a potent analgesic effect.
It was more powerful than morphine, without the addictive drawbacks.
That was the potential of centipede venom.
Some studies had even indicated it could induce apoptosis in cancer cells and had strong antimicrobial properties—potent enough to eliminate tuberculosis bacteria.
Although I was aware of this, I had never attempted to isolate these compounds myself—I lacked the means to extract them.
But now, listening to Yakseon, a flicker of hope ignited within me.
‘Is it possible…?’
I stared at him with widened eyes, and he continued.
“I found that centipede venom is highly effective against inflammation and pus—particularly in cases of pulmonary consumption. It also provides rapid pain relief.”
“Pulmonary consumption?”
“A wasting cough where the sufferer eventually coughs blood and succumbs.”
‘Incredible! He identified its antibacterial properties?!’
I had read about this in medical journals in my past life. The fact that he discovered it—independently—in such a medically primitive environment?
Had he lived in my previous life, Yakseon would have been a candidate for a Nobel Prize.
While I was still marveling at his discovery, he looked at the children and said:
“However, the centipedes I utilized did not yield sufficient venom—or their medicinal potency was too weak. I would have required thousands to extract an adequate amount.
That is why I was on the verge of abandoning the use of centipede venom entirely. But with your children, I believe I could obtain enough.
Would you be amenable to donating some venom?
If it is analogous to ordinary centipede venom, I am confident it could aid the turtle.”
Naturally, if it was only venom—and not their bodies—I had no objection.
“For that purpose, certainly. But… I am uncertain if their venom will be suitable. It is not identical to typical O-gong venom.”
“It is different, you say?”
“Yes. This one is Cho, this is Hyang, and this is Bini…”
Cho’s venom is intensely acidic, nearly like hydrochloric acid—it breaks down proteins. Hyang’s venom, as you are aware, is a fiery type that causes blood to combust.
‘And Bini…’
I glanced at Bini as I spoke.
Her venom manifests as a mist, similar to tear gas, and she possesses fangs to deliver it—but the venom itself does not seem exceptionally potent.
Even so, if any of them had venom resembling a standard centipede’s, it was most likely hers.
“Now that I consider it, Bini’s venom might be the most suitable…”
“Suitable?”
“Yes, Elder. As I mentioned, Cho’s venom dissolves tissue, Hyang’s ignites blood… but Bini’s venom does not appear to have severe effects. It is more potent than a common centipede’s, undoubtedly, but its composition might be the most comparable.”
“Ooh! Truly?”
Yakseon’s face brightened with delight.
He then turned to Bini and said, his excitement palpable:
“Would you be so kind as to spit for this elderly gentleman?”
—Tsrut?
‘Elder… I believe you mean venom, not spit. Also, could you phrase that differently?’
Bini clearly detected the fanatical light in Yakseon’s eyes. She shivered and hastily hid behind me.
—Tsruruu… 『Papa… that old man is frightening…』
Our Bini is not timid—she has spirit. But this time, she was genuinely scared.