Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 395

Chapter 395
As soon as Ranghyang stepped into the water, she recoiled and glanced toward me. It must have been chilly.
“Is it too cold?”
—Kyukiie…
I dipped my own hand into the water and looked at her with worry. Ranghyang shook her head.
It wasn’t a denial of the cold, but rather an indication that she could withstand it.
Hyang’s interpretation, coming from nearby, affirmed this.
—Tssrrrr 『She says it’s alright. She can handle it, Father.』
“Are you absolutely sure?”
Rather than replying, Ranghyang continued to sink deeper into the tub.
Soon, she was fully immersed, with only her head remaining above the surface.
Ranghyang… always so patient.
I watched the water intently, thinking that in her mind, she likely imagined herself as some fragile, melancholic figure.
The water was pure and distilled.
We had acquired a huge tub and filled it with cooled, distilled water.
I had instructed Ranghyang to sit in it with her head kept out.
This entire procedure was meant to allow Ranghyang’s poison—cyanide, also known as hydrogen cyanide—to infuse into the distilled water.
Warm water couldn’t be used for this.
If she was comfortable, we could proceed to dissolve the cyanide straight into the water.
I carefully explained the process to her.
“Ranghyang, just let your poison out into the water. Do it slowly, bit by bit. If you start to feel like you can’t breathe or anything is wrong, stop immediately and get out, understood?”
—Kykit!
Ranghyang’s venom emerged from the spiracles on her sides—similar to human nostrils. As she breathed out, her poison was released in a mist-like form.
I had urged her to do it softly and steadily so it would blend into the water more thoroughly.
After all, cyanide dissolves readily in water.
—Bubble. Bubble.
Almost the moment I finished talking, tiny bubbles started to rise to the surface.
I swiftly turned my back to the wind.
When cyanide dissolves, it releases hydrogen cyanide gas—a highly volatile compound. Breathing it in could result in cyanide poisoning and a fatal outcome.
That’s precisely why warm water was unsuitable.
It can evaporate at room temperature, and heat would only make it worse.
Phew… Handling poison always keeps you on high alert.
Even with my back to the breeze, I held my breath for extra caution and kept my eyes on the water surrounding Ranghyang.
Gradually, the water began to take on a reddish tint.
Cyanide itself is clear, scentless, and solid.
The red color likely came from some of Ranghyang’s proteins blending with the poison. Undoubtedly, there were some impurities.
This meant I couldn’t be certain the electroplating would work flawlessly—but I chose to proceed with Ranghyang’s poison regardless.
The Tang Clan did have cyanide obtained from fruit seeds, but this wasn’t solely about chemistry—it was also about presentation.
A declaration that even Ranghyang’s poison was not merely a toxin, but a potent and intentional substance.
And if it failed, I could always rely on the clan’s reserves.
—Bubbling. Bubbling.
As the bubbling grew more active, the red color intensified.
When the water reached a deep blood-red, Sister Seol—observing from a short distance—exhaled in amazement.
“That shade is… stunning.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Yes. It makes me wish to use it as a lip color.”
It was a deeper red than any lipstick—which likely accounted for its appeal to her. But if she were to actually apply it, her lips wouldn’t redden—they would turn purple.
She would be dead.
“Please don’t say things like that, even in jest. It’s perilous, Sister Seol.”
“I understand, I understand. I wasn’t serious. But it does resemble the hue of yuejie petals… Oh, that makes me think of something…”
Just as I was cautioning her against lighthearted comments, she appeared to have a sudden thought.
Then, with a look of mild concern, she inquired,
“But So-ryong, aren’t you going to make amends with Hwa-eun? And Ranghu as well?”
She must have associated Hwa-eun with the mention of yuejie—roses.
I released a heavy sigh.
“Yes… I will need to.”
Hwa-eun was upset because I hadn’t shared the electroplating technique with her—even though she believed I would at least reveal the secret.
Ranghu had been in a sulk ever since her encounter with Big Sis Jeokwol, her grievances still lingering.
I hadn’t yet found the opportunity to resolve things, largely due to my hectic schedule.
I now understand the strain that boyfriends in my previous life must have felt when their partners were displeased. But honestly—Hwa-eun is one matter, why must I feel the same anxiety with Ranghu too?
Just as I began to sink into a slight existential crisis, Sister Seol spoke up again.
“Do you have a strategy?”
“Somewhat. I have a notion. Hwa-eun ought to forgive me swiftly, I believe. It’s Ranghu who presents the greater challenge.”
“Yes, Hwa-eun cherishes you deeply. She’ll soften the instant you speak to her.”
I already had a concept in mind for Hwa-eun.
Ranghu? It may have seemed like I was neglecting her—but that wasn’t the case.
She had withdrawn, closed herself off, and I hadn’t managed to reach her.
But for the present, I was occupied. After the electroplating presentation tomorrow, I would visit her.
I still needed to return to the forge later today—there simply wasn’t time.
Ugh… My destiny. Why does it feel like I’m balancing multiple women when I’m only involved with one? If this was to be my lot, I should have allowed myself to be taken by the monks at Shaolin in Haenam.
This wasn’t a major catastrophe, but it was draining mentally. Perhaps the monastic life truly was the superior choice.
—Kyuki.
At that moment, I heard a faint cry from Ranghyang.
“What is it, Ranghyang?”
I turned to see her pulling herself out of the basin, struggling for air.
The water she had been in had become a deeper red than blood.
Initially, I had been skeptical that this would work—cyanide is colorless, after all. But that crimson tint actually made it simpler to gauge the solution’s concentration.
The richer the color, the greater the cyanide content in the water.
Ideal.
I commended Ranghyang and used a ladle to cleanse her in a tub of pure water I had ready.
“You did wonderfully, Ranghyang.”
—Kyukii.
As I washed her with clean water, I directed the nearby warriors to securely contain the finished cyanide solution in jars.
To avoid any leakage of hydrogen cyanide gas.
“Seal these jars tightly. And ensure you do not breathe in any fumes while managing them.”
“Understood, Lord So-ryong.”
***
Yesterday, after creating a substantial amount of cyanide-infused distilled water and placing a final order for parts with the forge, I had sunk into a profound sleep.
The only remaining items were the silver nitrate produced by the poison craftsmen and the metal components from the forge.
Today was the day for assembly. The moment I awoke, my thoughts were already ahead of me. And just as I rose from bed, news came.
“So-ryong-nim, are you awake? A communication has arrived from the Poison Processing Hall—your requested items are prepared.”
“Oh? Truly?”
“Yes, they mentioned you should visit after your morning meal.”
“Inform them I will come.”
“Yes, sir.”
It was Mirang, who had come to rouse me but instead brought the update.
I hurriedly cleansed myself and went for breakfast.
Meals were typically taken with the entire family, after all.
En route to the dining hall, Mirang came dashing up once more with additional news: the forge had also completed their task.
“So-ryong-nim! The forge has also finished all the items you asked for!”
“Understood. Then we will commence immediately after breakfast.”
With all components ready, the demonstration could start right after we ate.
When I entered the dining hall, the family was already arranging the meal.
“Did you rest well, Grandfather?”
“Indeed, and you?”
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, did you have a peaceful night?”
“We did. And you, son-in-law? Please, sit here.”
They greeted me with warmth—but Hwa-eun, seated next to my place, averted her gaze sharply upon seeing me.
“Did you sleep well, Hwa-eun?”
“Yes.”
A brief, disgruntled reply. She made no effort to conceal her feelings.
Stifling a smile, I addressed the family and invited them to observe today’s proceedings.
“Grandfather, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, all the materials I requested from the Poison Processing Hall and the forge are now prepared. I intend to demonstrate the process of creating imitation silver. Would you care to observe after breakfast?”
“Oh? It is already complete?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Well, we cannot pass up such a spectacle. Where will you be conducting it?”
“I will be using the clearing by the pond in the rear garden—close to Ranghu’s residence.”
“Very well. Then let us eat and proceed together.”
Eager to witness the silver plating, the family finished the meal promptly and moved to the rear garden. My first action upon arrival was to summon the materials from the forge and the Poison Processing Hall.
“So-ryong-nim, where would you like this placed?”
Soon, the materials started to arrive.
I questioned the artisan from the Poison Processing Hall, “Is this the completed product?”
“Yes, So-ryong-nim.”
“Is this the entire quantity?”
He and several assistants had carried in black ceramic jars. Based on their size, I questioned if the volume was somewhat insufficient.
He shook his head and clarified, “No, there is much more at the hall. We produced around ten jars of this size.”
That would be ample.
The jars were sizable, so the amount appeared sufficient.
“We maintain a significant store of Seokdamjeong within the clan.”
—Srrrng.
The artisan responded while raising the detox cloth from his face and unsealed one of the jars.
Inside, a clear liquid shimmered gently.
I didn’t inquire why the Tang Clan required such large quantities of sulfuric acid—I assumed it was wiser not to.
He passed me another detox cloth, wordlessly inviting me to inspect the solution.
“Is this what you intended?”
It was difficult to verify with a mere look, so I donned the cloth and gazed into the jar, creating the impression of assessment. Just then, he posed a more cautious question:
“We have been referring to the blend of Seokdamjeong and saltpeter as ‘Saltpeter Stone Essence (초석담정),’ and when silver is included, we term it ‘Silver Saltpeter Stone Essence (은초석담정).’ But would you prefer to assign a formal name, So-ryong-nim?
In the Tang Clan, it is customary for the originator to name the poison.”
So they had devised provisional names like Saltpeter Stone Essence and Silver Saltpeter Stone Essence—certainly too lengthy.
In my former life, we simply termed the mixture of sulfuric acid and saltpeter as nitric acid.
“Those names are somewhat cumbersome. Let us name the sulfuric mixture Chosan (硝酸)—Nitric Acid. It signifies ‘the fiery energy derived from dissolved saltpeter.’”
“An excellent name.”
“And the one containing silver? We will call that Chosan-eun—Silver Nitric Acid.”
“Understood, So-ryong-nim.”
It wasn’t as though I created it myself, but I provided the name regardless. Just then, another jar arrived—the water in which Ranghyang had soaked.
“Place it here.”
“Yes, sir.”
I set a ceramic bowl in place and arranged both jars—the one with Ranghyang’s bathwater and the one with silver nitrate.
And finally, the materials from the forge arrived.
Copper rods, leather gloves, and the counterfeit Dragon Silver ingots I had ordered.
“So-ryong-nim, here is the final delivery.”
“My thanks.”
I slipped the pouch the forge master gave me into my robe and prepared for the demonstration.
“Alright, let us begin. Everyone, please step back a little.”
“Of course.”
I first put on the gloves and scooped some silver nitrate into the ceramic bowl.
Then I blended in Ranghyang’s bathwater in a one-to-two ratio.
Caution is essential here.
Mixing cyanide and silver nitrate is the most hazardous stage of the silver plating operation.
In my previous life, individuals had perished from cyanide exposure during transportation alone.
This was the most precarious step.
—Chaaak.
With everything combined, the preparation was finished.
I curved two slender copper rods and attached them to the edges of the ceramic bowl, then linked them to a longer rod that extended toward the pond.
They had been fashioned to connect without a gap.
Once I submerged the rod in the water, Seomi and Byeoki swam over, cocking their heads.
—Wae?
—Wae-aee?
Inquisitive little beings. I requested they wait a moment.
“I will clarify shortly.”
One end of the copper was placed directly into the bowl.
The other end made contact with the Dragon Silver ingot.
“Could you hold this against the ingot while wearing gloves?”
“Yes, So-ryong-nim.”
After directing the poison artisan to press the rod to the ingot, I went back to the pond.
It was time to ask the Hoyes for assistance.
“Hey, could one of you come here and generate a small electric current?”
—Wae!?
—Wae-ae-ae!?
They both appeared astonished.
They likely recalled the occasion they electrocuted me and were reprimanded by the others.
“Not the kind you used on me! Use the other one—the one you employ to locate objects in the water. I just need that, gentle and steady.”
Among electrically capable creatures, the most famous is the electric eel.
They can produce both AC and DC currents.
AC for assault—it involves rapid muscle contractions and relaxations, frequently lethal.
DC for guidance—they emit a current and detect the return signal through their tails to perceive other organisms.
Byeoki emitted a wary sound.
—Wae?
She must have already begun generating current. I asked her to position her tail and current-emitting organ against the rod.
“Place your tail and the electric organ right here, alright?”
—Wae!
Byeoki pressed her form against the copper rod in the pond and produced a soft murmur.
—Wae-aee.
I hurried back to the poison artisan. There, in the bowl of liquid resembling pomegranate juice, the copper rod was immersed.
“Is anything occurring?”
Grandfather Mandok Shingun asked, as nothing appeared to be happening initially.
But when I raised the ladle and extracted the ingot—
The copper Dragon Silver had transformed into a brilliant, shimmering silver.
Still a thin layer—required more plating—but the elders were visibly brimming with anticipation.
I cleansed the ingot and presented it to the family.
Exclamations ensued.
“Ooooh! It is genuine silver! And of such purity! To create this using poison—it is the work of a celestial immortal.”
“The copper truly became silver! Astounding, son-in-law! How did you accomplish this?”
Their eyes were nearly gleaming.
As if they had developed an infatuation with me at that very moment.
The Tang Clan had transmuted poison into silver—and I was now the object of radiant admiration.
Encountering those stares sent a tremor through me.
Good heavens. I never anticipated seeing such a gaze… from men.
The fervent masculine looks were sufficient to make me reconsider my earlier monastic daydream.
No, I would prefer the chaos of Hwa-eun and the spirit beasts over this any day.
At least Hwa-eun and Ranghu are endearing.
These men? This was becoming unsettling.