Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Although we had identified the lair of the Bicheon Snake, we could not immediately set out to catch it. As one of the most potent venomous beings, it required significant preparation. Our first priority was to secure a supply of wung-hwang, a protective agent. It had proven effective against powerful toxins like those of the Zimjo, so it was a necessary safeguard. We were using a special blend of seok-wung-hwang combined with medicinal herbs and the Tang Clan’s unique essence. Grandfather took charge of its preparation before our departure.

Bubbling.
Observing the herbal concoction simmering in the cauldron, Grandfather spoke.
“They claim it was excluded from the Top Ten Poisons for lacking sufficient potency, but we must still be vigilant.”
“I agree completely, Grandfather. One can never be too careful.”
Despite my eagerness to capture the creature, I knew Grandfather was right.
I had, after all, died from a snakebite in my previous life.
I never expected to find a snake in a hotel room, but handling venomous serpents is inherently dangerous, regardless of precautions.
Wild animals are unpredictable, and even with standard procedures, the unexpected can happen.

As Grandfather worked on the wung-hwang, my duty was to prepare a suitable capture bag.
“Catching it is one thing, but the greater challenge is where to contain it.”
“Since snakes can escape through the smallest opening, they are typically secured in a pouch.”
“The Tang Clan follows the same practice.”
While the antidote was Grandfather’s domain, the bag presented a real difficulty.
A snake can slither out of the tiniest gap, so the standard practice is to immediately place it into a secure sack upon capture, before transferring it to a permanent cage.
Even experts employ this method for a good reason.
Failing to use a sturdy bag or box can lead to escape, and many handlers have been bitten when carelessly opening a lid.
Seasoned veterans with decades of experience have still suffered poisoning accidents, which is why this technique is universally adopted.
We absolutely required a proper bag, but the material was an issue, especially for a mythical-level creature like the Bicheon Snake.
Common fabric would be useless—it would tear easily.
“Do you think normal cloth will hold?”
“Unlikely. Do you have any better ideas?”
“Me? Am I the specialist here?”
“Isn’t that your area of expertise?”
“…”
I proposed fetching something suitable from the Tang Clan, but Grandfather explained that nothing appropriate for this task remained.
They once possessed such an item, but it was now too aged to be of use.
We needed a material that was durable, tough, and escape-proof. In my previous life, carbon fiber would have sufficed, but this was the Middle Kingdom.
‘I require something stronger than steel, with excellent elasticity and resilience.’

As Grandfather tended to the wung-hwang, I wracked my brain for a solution to the bag dilemma.
By pure chance, the answer revealed itself.
Unexpectedly, the perfect material was close by.
“So-ryong! The Money Plate Spider has vanished!”
A warrior came running to report; the spider had burrowed into the ground without anyone noticing.
I hurried over and discovered the spider had already constructed a home inside a small jar.
It had dug into the container and formed its characteristic silken trap.
Trap-dwelling spiders like the Money Plate Spider excavate vertical tunnels, lining them with webbing to create a sock-like residence.
It was a simple misunderstanding due to inexperience.
I carefully dug into the jar, extracted the web-lined sock the spider had made, and showed the warriors.
“You see? The Money Plate Spider digs into the earth and makes a home from its silk. There’s no need for alarm; it is merely hiding.”
“Ah, now I understand. I was completely deceived.”
The warrior from the Venom Blood Squad exhaled in relief after my clarification.
I made a mental note to perhaps hold a instructional session on venomous creatures for everyone.
“It’s understandable. These creatures have robust appetites, so provide them with locusts or crickets daily. Also, remember to clear any debris they discard from their burrows. And don’t forget a light water spray each morning.”
“Understood, So-ryong!”
After instructing the warrior on the spider’s care, I started back to my quarters, holding the torn, rubber-like webbing. A sudden idea came to me.
‘This type of material would be perfect… Why didn’t I consider it before?’
Inspecting the torn web from the Money Plate Spider, I realized what to do.
I immediately ran to find Yo-hwa.
“Yo-hwa! Yo-hwa!”
Kiss?
Yo-hwa had established her camp atop a rock pillar in the first original field, where the giant army ants had been defeated. Hearing my call, she swiftly descended and approached.
I showed Yo-hwa the torn piece of webbing and asked,
“Yo-hwa, can you produce something like this?”
Kiss?
I elaborated, asking if she could weave a bag from her own silk.
Spider silk is phenomenally strong—twenty times stronger than steel by weight and four times stronger than the specialized fibers in bulletproof vests.
It is also biocompatible and possesses tremendous elasticity, capable of stretching to half again its length.
And since Yo-hwa was a mythical-level entity and one of the Ten Poisons, the strength of her silk was beyond compare.
The fact that the strand I had tied around my waist hadn’t snapped amidst a horde of army ants was proof it was one of the world’s most resilient materials.
‘This could be used to make body armor!’
I gestured to Yo-hwa, sketching a design on the ground to illustrate my need.
“I need you to make a large bag, exactly like this, from your silk.”
Kiss!
“Truly!? Oh, excellent!”
Yo-hwa promptly extended her abdomen and began manipulating the silk with her legs.
The hook-like tips of her legs, designed for climbing and weaving, deftly shaped the silk into the form I had requested.
A moment later.
Kiss?
Yo-hwa inquired if the bag she had produced was acceptable.
The large sack she had woven from her silk was nearly identical to what I had pictured.
Though the craftsmanship was rough, being made by Yo-hwa, it was extraordinarily tough.
When I attempted to trim the uneven edges with my sword, I could not make a mark. The material was incredibly elastic, stretching like spandex.
Just as I had hoped, the strength and flexibility were exceptional.
Furthermore, the bag was semi-transparent, allowing a view of its contents.
“Wow, this is incredible, Yo-hwa!”
At my praise, Yo-hwa nudged my hand onto her head, clearly seeking more affection, so I promptly gave her a good petting.
She had certainly earned it today.
She had created the ideal bag for capturing the Bicheon Snake.
“Well done! Excellent work!”
Kishishi…
“Thanks to you, Yo-hwa, I can relax a little. Now, I will show this to Grandfather and tell him we can leave tomorrow!”
The problem that had occupied my thoughts for days was solved in a moment, all thanks to Yo-hwa.
I sprinted back to Grandfather, who was still occupied with the wung-hwang.
Arriving breathless, I announced.
“Grandfather! It’s finished!”
“Hm? What have you made?”
“The bag! I had Yo-hwa make a bag from her silk. It’s so durable a sword cannot cut it!”
“Yo-hwa’s silk? Let me see…”
Grandfather took the bag from me and inspected it closely, his expression shifting to one of astonishment.
“Ah! This is a treasure! With this, we can depart tomorrow without any further delays!”
“Then I will ready the warriors for our journey!”
With the most significant obstacle resolved, we were prepared to leave at once.
***
Flying snakes were not widely known in my past life, but they did exist.
I had once featured them on my broadcast, and some viewers disbelieved, calling it a hoax and saying it was impossible, but they were real.
There were, in fact, five species.
They belonged to the Chrysopelea genus, inhabitants of tropical jungles. To be precise, they did not truly fly but rather glided, though their name was well-deserved.
The snakes of the Chrysopelea genus, which hunt lizards, frogs, and small birds in the canopy, reside in jungles with immensely tall trees.
To traverse them quickly, they adopted gliding as their primary method of travel.
“Today’s broadcast: An Introduction to the Flying Snake.”
“These creatures glide. Isn’t it fascinating?”
‘Ah, I knew # it.’
‘Fabre is at it again with his exaggerations.’
‘The venomous creature master still trying to amaze us?’
‘Fabre, really? Calling them flying snakes just for views because they glide?’
Those were the comments I received when I posted the title, but I had a reason for calling them flying snakes.
Their gliding ability could not be dismissed as simple.
Why is it ambiguous?
Because one species, the Paradise Tree Snake, can glide for distances up to 250 meters.
Not 2.5 meters. Not 25 meters. 250 meters.
That is the length of two soccer fields placed together. They cover that distance.
It is not a short jump. It is not a 250-meter vertical drop. These snakes glide almost horizontally.
That is why they are called Flying Snakes, not Gliding Snakes.
If one can glide 250 meters horizontally, it is practically flight.
‘Well, 250 meters? That is absolutely flying.’
The Chrysopelea species achieve this through their physical adaptation. To glide, they climb to a tree’s summit, form their bodies into a J-shape, and then launch.
They flatten their bodies by spreading their ribs, forming a concave surface that acts like a wing, generating lift.
They then leap and glide, steering through movements of their head.
So I assumed the Bicheon Snake would be similar.
Everything in the universe must adhere to the laws of physics, correct?
Even though it was named a Bicheon Snake, and given this world’s less advanced understanding, I thought people here must have called it a flying snake after seeing it glide.
Its name and its habitat, the Xie Shui Valley, led me to believe it used the wind currents within the narrow canyon to glide from side to side.
However…
After waiting for two days in the narrow valley where the Bicheon Snake was sometimes seen…
‘Why is it actually flying?’
I watched the Bicheon Snake moving leisurely through the air between the canyon walls, much like a sea snake swims through water.
“Just as the records stated, it is undoubtedly flying.”
I nodded, impressed by the spectacle, when I heard Mandok Shingun’s voice.
I was startled and asked.
“Wait, isn’t this somewhat strange, Grandfather?”
“What do you mean?”
“A snake is flying through the sky?”
“Well, it is a Bicheon Snake.”
“Oh, so it truly is a Bicheon Snake…”
Lately, so many things failed to make sense to me.
Gazing upward, Seol gently stroked the little centipedes and mused,
“Don’t you all wish to grow up and fly through the heavens just as majestically?”
Tshrut!
At that moment, Cho, the largest centipede, let out a sound, as if voicing a loud agreement.