Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Poisonous Pets (1)
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Recently, the pet market in the Central Plains had been growing significantly.
Dogs and cats, our familiar companions since ancient times, were a given, but wild animals were the latest craze.
The rich and powerful would take wild tigers or leopards as pets to flaunt their uniqueness, and some even brought back giant animals called elephants from the southern lands.
Within this pet market, there was a field that seemed utterly uninteresting, yet was consistently loved by a small minority: the poisonous pet market.
After all, a poisonous creature was the epitome of uniqueness.
It was a realm Ha Yuseong couldn't comprehend at all.
From an objective standpoint, wasn't it enough to raise a cute dog or cat?
He could even tolerate tigers and leopards to some extent.
Because they were cool.
But reptiles and insects were a bit…
"Agong!"
…That's what he had thought until yesterday. Now, he felt he could understand a little.
Look at that glossy skin!
Next to Agong was the Black-Scaled Blood Python he had seen yesterday.
Agong approached the python and said something.
"Sssha!"
The Black-Scaled Blood Python replied with something. Of course, Ha Yuseong couldn't understand what the two were saying.
After conversing with Agong, the python suddenly burrowed into the ground.
Had the negotiations broken down?
Just as he thought that, the python re-emerged from the earth.
Ha Yuseong's eyes widened in surprise.
The Black-Scaled Blood Python was not alone.
What the python brought out from underground were two baby pythons.
"Shushu!"
"Shushu!"
Two baby snakes.
One resembled its mother, its entire body black, while the other was the complete opposite, a pure white.
The baby snakes, showing no aversion to humans, approached Ha Yuseong. The mother python hissed a warning, "Shasha!" When Agong said something to the mother, it fell silent again.
Ha Yuseong now understood why the Black-Scaled Blood Python had been so reluctant to leave this land.
‘It was because of its young.’
The python considered this place the most suitable for raising its babies.
Indeed, from a poisonous creature's perspective, there was no land with better conditions. The surroundings were protected by other poisonous creatures, blocking anyone from approaching, and the land itself held an abundance that could last for a hundred years and more.
The baby snakes rubbed their cheeks against Ha Yuseong's hand.
"Even snakes are cute when they're babies."
The baby snakes treated Ha Yuseong's body like a tree, playfully climbing up and down.
The mother python, initially wary, had now completely let down its guard and was lying on the ground with its eyes closed.
So, what now?
The mission Ha Yuseong had received was to drive the Black-Scaled Blood Python out of this place.
But he couldn't just recklessly chase it away, not with the babies to consider.
Ha Yuseong approached the mother python.
The python's closed eyelids fluttered open.
Its vertically slit pupils turned towards Ha Yuseong.
Ha Yuseong slowly reached out his hand.
"Shasha!"
The python hissed warily.
Slither.
As Ha Yuseong's hand made contact, the python's eyelids slowly closed again.
That was it. He had a thought that perhaps he could communicate with it, even if it couldn't speak.
Ha Yuseong returned the cute baby snakes to their mother.
The python took its young and disappeared back into the ground.
After bidding farewell to Agong, Ha Yuseong headed for the family head's hall.
An idea he wanted to try had come to mind.
***
At Ha Yuseong's word, the two highest-ranking members of the Tang Family of Sichuan were suddenly gathered in one place.
The head of the Tang Family, Dang Yu, spoke first.
"So you're saying we should grow the poisonous pet market?"
"Yes."
"There is already a demand for poisonous pets. But that's a story that only applies to a small minority with peculiar tastes."
After all, poisonous creatures inherently evoke a sense of revulsion.
"That is precisely why their uniqueness will shine even brighter."
"Are you asking me to gather the key figures of Sichuan?"
"Yes. I know it's shameless of me to ask."
"Hmm."
Dang Yu's reaction was lukewarm.
The Grand Patriarch of the Tang Family, Dang Mandok, spoke up.
"I'll do it, but what happens after is up to you."
Ha Yuseong smiled brightly and replied.
"Yes! Thank you!"
Ha Yuseong had never given up on a path to survival, no matter the situation.
That hadn't changed just because his species had.
People saving people. That was a given.
And people saving lives. That, too, was a given.
Dang Yu continued to stroke his chin.
Dang Mandok had left the decision to Dang Yu.
Although Dang Mandok was the most senior member present, Dang Yu was the highest authority in the Tang Family of Sichuan.
"I'll trust you this once."
This was the very beginning of the Great Poisonous Pet Era.
***
Could this really work?
Dang Mandok had lived with poison for nearly eighty years.
He thought there was nothing left about poison that could surprise him.
But he was wrong.
"W-well, it's a pleasure."
"Shaaa!"
Before Dang Mandok was a giant snake.
Indeed. It was the Black-Scaled Blood Python, the very same one that, until recently, would have been on the verge of a fight, radiating killing intent at the mere sight of him.
Dang Mandok slowly extended his hand.
Honestly, even though he was called the Poison King, he was a little scared.
Because while he was confident he wouldn't die from a direct injection of the python's venom, he wasn't confident he could detoxify it without any harm.
‘I'd lose at least a fingertip.’
Gulp.
Dang Mandok glanced to the side.
He saw a young brat, oblivious to his master's feelings, playing with the baby snakes.
Chomp!
The baby snakes were playfully gnawing on the brat's hand. Each time, his hand would turn purple before returning to its normal color.
"Oof! My cute little Blackie and Whitie!"
Even if they were babies, they were still the young of a Black-Scaled Blood Python. Their venom was no joke.
Then what kind of brat was this kid?
An ungrateful bastard's kid?
Oops! Dang Mandok quickly came to his senses. He couldn't curse the benefactor who had brought a storm of excitement into his tedious life.
Still, this level of emotional turbulence wasn't exactly what he had hoped for.
Finally, Dang Mandok's hand cautiously touched the scales of the Black-Scaled Blood Python.
"Huh?"
Smooth.
"Huh?"
Cool.
"Huh?"
Soft.
"Huh?"
Incredible!
Since he was young, Dang Mandok had been fascinated by poisonous creatures. But while he had a talent for handling poison, he had no skill in handling living things.
Before he knew it, Dang Mandok was pressing himself against the python's body, rubbing his face against it.
The python didn't seem to mind, remaining still.
"Hoho! This is heaven!"
Dang Mandok.
Age eighty.
His dream came true in his later years.
After eighty years, he had taken the Black-Scaled Blood Python as his first poisonous pet.
***
The Sichuan Restaurant, the largest establishment in the region, was always bustling with people.
But today, not a single customer could be seen inside.
Because for this one day.
Someone had booked the entire restaurant.
Just because there were no customers didn't mean the Sichuan Restaurant was quiet.
The owner of the Sichuan Restaurant, Gu Myeongcheol, was pointing at one spot, shouting himself hoarse.
"Who's in charge here!"
A waiter quickly ran over.
"That would be me!"
Gu Myeongcheol ran his fingertip along a window frame, then held it up. A single speck of dust was on it.
"Do you see this? Or not?"
"I see it, but?"
"You know what day it is, and you clean like this?"
"That amount of dust settles naturally, sir. No matter how thoroughly you clean."
The waiter felt it was unfair. But through his long years of service, he knew all too well that an insurmountable gap existed between an employer and an employee.
"Do it again."
If you don't like it, quit.
For the waiter, the Sichuan Restaurant was the best job he could ask for.
If the boss said to do it, he had to do it.
"Yes! Right away."
After giving his unreasonable order, Gu Myeongcheol paced back and forth, fidgeting nervously.
It was understandable, as today was the most important day of the year for the Sichuan Restaurant.
Today's revenue alone would account for half of the entire year's sales, so no further explanation was needed.
The Great Landlords' Banquet.
Held once a year, this banquet brought together all the great landowners of Sichuan to check on one another and discuss plans for the region's future development.
Naturally, the selection process for the venue of this grand assembly was incredibly strict.
The Sichuan Restaurant had won the honor for five consecutive years.
And it was five years ago that the Sichuan Restaurant had risen to become the number one establishment in Sichuan.
"How are the preparations in the rear garden?"
"All finished, sir!"
It was then.
"The great landowner of the west, Lady Cheong-ran, is arriving!"
At the waiter's booming announcement, Gu Myeongcheol shouted.
"Everyone to your positions! There will be no mistakes!"
The waiters replied in unison.
"Sir!"
They had their own reasons for being so diligent.
If they performed well today, they would receive a bonus equivalent to half their annual salary.
The restaurant's rear gate opened.
Creeak.
The rear gate, built large enough for supply carts to pass through, was now completely filled.
A woman in luxurious clothes was leading in a white tiger three times her size.
"Hoho. I'm in your care again this year, Restaurateur."
Gu Myeongcheol bowed deeply to the head of the great merchant guild that controlled the west of Sichuan.
"Of course! We will serve you with our utmost effort!"
As he spoke, Gu Myeongcheol glanced at the white tiger next to Cheong-ran.
Today was not only a gathering for the sake of Sichuan's unity but also an arena to show off their wealth.
The most effective way to do that was with the recently popular pets.
Ranked 10th in pet popularity, the White Tiger!
A quasi-spirit beast said to be unobtainable even with money.
‘As expected of the great tycoon of the west, Lady Cheong-ran.’
Cheong-ran stroked the massive white tiger, which would make an ordinary person wet themselves at the mere sight of it, and went to take her seat.
Just then, another figure appeared.
A family that had ruled the east of Sichuan since ancient times.
Having produced provincial governors for generations and maintained the symbiotic relationship between Sichuan and the government, the eldest son of the Jeok family, Jeok-bi, was entering.
Beside him was a giant bear boasting red fur.
"There, there. Our dear Jeok-ung is excited to see the little white kitty."
Jeok-bi sneered at Cheong-ran the moment he entered. The white tiger, which had been sitting demurely beside Cheong-ran, let out a low growl.
Not to be outdone, Jeok-ung extended its claws.
But a clash between the two would never happen.
Jeok-ung was also a quasi-spirit beast, ranking 11th in popular pets in the martial world.
Both animals knew very well what their masters wanted.
After a brief staredown, Jeok-bi took his seat.
A moment later, another person appeared.
A boy, somewhat younger than Cheong-ran and Jeok-bi, too young to be called a man.
The boy entered and respectfully greeted the two.
"Hye-ul offers his greetings to Lady Cheong-ran and Lord Jeok-bi."
This boy was not to be underestimated because of his age. He was the sole legitimate heir of the largest landowner in all of Sichuan.
Beside him was a small fox.
In that instant, the white tiger tucked its tail, and the bear retracted its claws.
If the white tiger and the bear were quasi-spirit beasts, the white fox here was an undisputed spirit beast.
Moreover, it was ranked 8th in pet popularity!
Sway!
The fox entered with its tail swaying and its head held high.
The fox's tail was peculiar; there were two of them.
It wasn't the legendary nine-tailed fox, but it was a two-tailed fox, said to be its equivalent!
According to legend, a fox grows an additional tail every hundred years.
This meant the fox had lived for 200 years.
The boy smirked as he watched the other two gaze at his two-tailed fox with envy.
‘It was worth spending a whole 1,000 gold nyang to buy it from the distant lands of Haedong.’
Just then, the final person for the meeting arrived.
"Heh heh. I'm late."
The host of this meeting and the undisputed master of Sichuan.
Dang Mandok entered leisurely, all by himself.
The three immediately rose from their seats and showed their respects.
"Cheong-ran greets the Master of Sichuan."
"Jeok-bi greets the Master of Sichuan."
"Hye-ul greets the Master of Sichuan."
"What's with the formalities between us? Come now, take your seats."
Dang Mandok sat at the head of the table.
The three also returned to their seats.
At that moment, Dang Mandok spoke.
"Mukrin. Come on in."
It was the moment that would open the prelude to the era of great poisonous pets, an era that would later sweep not just Sichuan, but the entire Central Plains.