Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

After the morning meal, I assembled Captain Gu Pae and the members of the Venom Squad for a necessary lesson on proper conduct.
I discovered that the warriors had mistreated the hamsters because, in the Tang Clan, creatures that carry venom were viewed exclusively as instruments—sources of poison while living, and potential food once deceased.
Snakes were boiled into broths or cooked over fire, their venom considered just another substance to be collected. Consequently, these animals held no inherent worth beyond their usefulness, and even the quality of their feed was deemed unimportant.
Captain Gu Pae, to his credit, recognized my own regard for such creatures, which was why he had the guilty warriors present their apologies. However, it was evident the issue extended beyond individual behavior—it was ingrained in the clan’s culture.
The Tang Clan had no tradition of viewing animals as partners. Even dogs were merely a form of livestock, given leftover food and sometimes consumed as a special dish.
Furthermore, the practice of utilizing living venom as a resource remained a niche concept inside the clan. The Tang Clan valued their own manufactured poisons and a handful of specific natural toxins. Venomous beings were considered easily replaceable; if their population decreased, the solution was to go out and capture more.
I had also stated the previous day that it would require a minimum of one or two months to set up a reliable source of Chinese hamsters. In the interim, I had proposed sustaining the tiger-striped pit vipers with frogs and small toads. This probably played a role in the warriors’ careless mindset, which resulted in the event.

“Effective immediately, you are forbidden from injuring or making contact with any living being inside the Venomous Creatures’ Garden. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Sir So-ryong!”
With that, the instructional meeting concluded, and I departed from the garden.
“Sir So-ryong, my most sincere apologies. I will see to it that the warriors who acted improperly receive strict penalties,” Captain Gu Pae stated, offering a bow.
“Punishment isn’t the complete solution, Captain. Discipline by itself won’t fix this problem. I have a concept in mind, so let us be patient.”
“You have a concept, Sir?”
“I do,” I answered with assurance.

My first destination was the Clan Leader’s Pavilion.
“Grandfather, it is So-ryong. May I enter?”
“Ah, So-ryong, please come in!”
Inside the pavilion, I found Grandfather in the midst of consulting with the clan elders. Although occupied with receiving visitors and overseeing the consequences of the Blood Cult assault, he welcomed me with a kind expression.
“Ah, our grandson-in-law has arrived!”
“So-ryong, how are you recovering?”
“Look who has come—our distinguished Tang Clan relative, So-ryong! Haha!”
The mood was genial, probably affected by my recent accomplishments against the Blood Cult.
I addressed the elders courteously and moved further into the room.
“Please excuse my interruption during such a busy council.”
“There is no need for excuses. We were nearly ready to pause. Now, what is the purpose of your visit, So-ryong? But first, please take a seat. Can I offer you tea?”
“Tea is not required, but I will accept the seat.”
I sat down as invited and notified them that the arrangements for obtaining the tiger-striped pit vipers were finished.
Then, I introduced the primary reason for my coming.
“Grandfather, there is a concerning matter I wish to talk about.”
“Please continue.”
I detailed how venomous creatures were not accorded proper respect inside the clan and recounted the event with the hamsters.
“Is that true?” Grandfather said, his expression darkening with clear dissatisfaction.
The elders paid close attention as I described the increasing significance of venomous creatures to the clan and the necessity of changing their point of view.
“You are correct, So-ryong. If the situation persists like this, we will undoubtedly face difficulties,” Grandfather conceded, nodding in agreement.
“Eldest Patriarch, should we penalize a number of the culprits to set an example?” one of the elders proposed.
“That may be required. So-ryong, what is your opinion on what we should do?”
Grandfather looked to me for my viewpoint, and I took the chance to present my idea.
“I am convinced we require more than simple penalties. We ought to institute a culture of companionate venomous creatures within the Tang Clan.”
The room went quiet, the elders trading confused glances.
“A culture of companionate venomous creatures?” Grandfather repeated, lifting an eyebrow.
“Yes. We must formulate a code of rules that guarantees every member of the clan comprehends the worth of venomous creatures—not merely as instruments but as partners worthy of respect. For instance…”
I started to outline my proposition.

***

Zhuge Hu, the strategist for the Martial Alliance posted in Wuhan, was en route to the Tang Clan in Sichuan. Commanding the Fierce Tiger Division, one of the Martial Alliance’s premier units, he was joined by contingents from his personal Zhuge family and the Wudang Sect.
“We will be at the Tang Clan soon, Strategist,” announced one of the elders from the Wudang Sect who was riding at the front.
“Good. That implies we will finally be done sleeping outdoors,” Zhuge Hu responded.
“It does appear that way.”
As they approached the bridge that crosses the Tang River, which serves as the entrance to the Tang Clan, Zhuge Hu wore a troubled look. While the idea of proper lodging was welcome, his mind was burdened with the orders given to him by the leader of the Martial Alliance.
When reports of the Blood Cult’s return and their strike on the Tang Clan had gotten to the Martial Alliance, no one had responded more intensely than the current leader, Zhou Jung-hak. Three decades earlier, during the Blood Cult Rebellion, Zhou’s entire family and his wife were massacred by the cult, leaving him as the only one left alive. His animosity toward the cult was famous, known to the most junior disciples in the Martial Alliance.
Zhou had sworn a famous oath upon ascending to leadership:
“Until I tear out the heart of the last Blood Cultist, I will not rest.”
Upon hearing the news, Zhou had exploded in anger and planned to personally command the Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan.
“I will lead the Azure Dragon Division to Sichuan myself! How dare those Blood Cult vermin!” Zhou had proclaimed.
Zhuge Hu, however, had stepped in.
“Leader, you must not abandon your position. If the Blood Cult has genuinely reappeared, there could be slaughter occurring throughout the Central Plains. Your presence here is critical for maintaining order.”
After extensive convincing, Zhou yielded.
“Very well. Strategist, I place my trust in you. Go as my representative and bring me favorable news—find their tracks and locate their base if it is possible.”
And so, Zhuge Hu had found himself on this assignment, now standing at the doorstep of the Tang Clan.
As the gates of the Tang Clan became visible, a guard moved forward to speak to them.
“Identify yourselves.”
“I am Zhuge Hu, strategist of the Martial Alliance,” Zhuge Hu answered.
The guard bowed with respect. “Welcome to the Tang Clan, Strategist. Please wait briefly; the Elder, Mandok Shingun, will come to receive you personally.”
As the guard rushed off toward the clan’s main complex, another Tang warrior approached Zhuge Hu with a wary expression. Bowing, the warrior said,
“Before you enter, Strategist, I must inform you of one regulation observed within the Tang Clan.”
“A regulation?” Zhuge Hu inquired, tilting his head.
The elder of the Wudang Sect, Silver Star of Heaven, also raised an eyebrow.
“Must we surrender our weapons? Do you have a Sword Releasing Pool?”
In Wudang, guests were obliged to leave their weapons at a designated spot called the Sword Releasing Pool. Silver Star of Heaven presumed the Tang Clan might have adopted a comparable measure, considering the recent Blood Cult attack.
The Tang warrior scratched his head, appearing somewhat awkward.
“No, it is not that. The regulation is… no injury must befall even the tiniest insect within the Tang Clan’s gates.”
The group gazed at the warrior, completely perplexed.
“No injury to insects?” Zhuge Hu said again, disbelieving.
“Has the Tang Clan adopted Buddhism?” Silver Star of Heaven asked, his voice filled with doubt.
The warrior flinched. “It will become clear once you are inside, but please observe this rule seriously.”
Before they could interrogate him further, two figures emerged from the Tang Clan compound, advancing quickly with graceful, light steps. One was a young woman, the other a boy.
The woman was Tang Hwa-eun, a name Zhuge Hu knew immediately. Famous as one of the “Three Beauties of the Martial World,” she was the treasured daughter of the Tang Clan.
“Ah, Lady Hwa-eun. It has been a while,” Zhuge Hu greeted her with warmth.
“It has been precisely one year since our last meeting, Strategist,” she replied with a courteous smile.
“And where is Mandok Shingun?”
“My grandfather is examining the location of the Blood Cult attack with the clan’s warriors. I apologize for his absence and hope you will accept our welcome in his place.”
“There is no need for apologies. It is a privilege to be received by Lady Hwa-eun herself,” Zhuge Hu answered graciously.
As the group started to pass through the Tang Clan’s gates, Zhuge Hu’s attention fell on the boy accompanying Tang Hwa-eun. His polished features and calm attitude drew Zhuge Hu’s notice.
“And who is this young gentleman?” Zhuge Hu asked.
The boy stepped forward and introduced himself.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Strategist. My name is Wei Su Long.”
“Wei?” Zhuge Hu repeated, confused by the surname. He turned to Tang Hwa-eun for an explanation.
Her face reddened slightly as she faltered,
“H-he is my fiancé.”
“Your fiancé?”
“Her fiancé?!” Zhuge Hu’s companions broke into hushed exclamations, particularly among the younger warriors who held a secret admiration for Tang Hwa-eun.
Tang Hwa-eun was renowned not only for her beauty but also for her keen intellect and martial skill. The news that she was betrothed to this apparently youthful boy was a shock to many of her admirers.
As Zhuge Hu considered how this news might cause unrest among his men, an odd noise permeated the air.
Bzzz… Bzzzz…
Alarmed, Zhuge Hu glanced around, attempting to find the origin.
“What is that sound?”
“Above! Look up!” a voice yelled.
Zhuge Hu lifted his head to see a cloud of enormous bees swooping down in their direction.
“Golden Hornet Kings! Everyone, be ready!” a warrior from the Fierce Tiger Division shouted, unsheathing his sword.
Before confusion could break out, Wei Su Long moved forward, raising his arms to halt them.
“Stop! Put your weapons away now!”
“Are you insane? Those are lethal creatures!” one of the warriors objected.
Wei Su Long shook his head firmly.
“They belong to me. Stand down.”
The warriors gaped at him in astonishment.
One of the hornets alighted softly on Wei Su Long’s extended arm. He addressed it in a soothing, nearly tender tone.
“Did you come to find me? I know I have been absent for a time, but do not sting the visitors, all right?”
The swarm of hornets buzzed around him innocuously, as if understanding his words.
Zhuge Hu, along with everyone present, stood motionless in wonder. The antagonistic stares from the warriors who had reacted defensively toward Wei Su Long moments before faded away, replaced by an awed silence.