Chapter 49: The Peng Family of Hebei (6)
Translator: bjgoofy
The group insect collection began at dusk.
Entering the room where Yingying had stayed, I lit a lantern and examined the interior.
Inside, the clothes and candied fruits that had been confiscated from Yingying and handed over to the Peng family members were still placed on the dining table. Since there were no signs of people, ants had gathered on the table and were eagerly feasting on the candied fruits.
Seeing this, Nunim let out a sigh.
"Ha... We should have the servants clean this up. The ma-ui have gathered. It seems the servants were too preoccupied with attending to guests to notice."
Ma-ui is the Central Plains term for ants.
I quickly approached to examine the cluster of ants.
After all, the ones I was searching for were likely among them.
‘Let's see, where is this little rascal hiding?’
As I was scrutinizing the ants, Nunim’s voice came from beside me.
"Soryong, don't tell me you're looking for ants? Are they related to bees?"
Unlike Nunim’s pseudo-taxonomy, which suggested that centipedes could turn into dragons, the scholars from my past life had classified ants according to established scientific standards.
Ants belonged to the order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae, making them a close relative of bees.
So, it was not entirely incorrect to describe ants as a branch of bees.
However, what I was searching for was not just any ordinary ant.
I asked Nunim to shine the lantern in a specific direction.
"Ants are indeed related to bees, but that's not what I'm looking for. Could you bring the lantern a little closer this way?"
"Alright."
With a curious expression, Nunim brought the lantern closer to the table.
As I carefully observed the tabletop, I spotted something unusual amidst the swarm of black ants, a peculiar ant, agilely hunting the other ants.
‘So, you were here after all!’
Quickly extending my fingers, I gently grasped the creature’s body.
At once, it struggled, vigorously flicking the stinger on its rear.
I held up the captured ant and presented it to Nunim and the Peng Family Head.
"This is the one!"
"This is a relative of bee? Oh!? It really has a stinger on its rear!"
"Huh? Ants have stingers?"
The sharp stinger protruding from the ant’s rear surprised everyone.
To be fair, when would an ordinary person ever have the chance to closely observe an ant?
If they saw one crawling nearby, they would usually just swat it away.
Nodding at their reactions, I began explaining.
"This is the cousin of bees that took down Yingying. It is called the King Stinger Ant. This is what stung her and caused her collapse."
"King Stinger Ant!"
"King Stinger Ant... That name suits the Tang family quite well."
"This thing!?"
The ant in my hand was undoubtedly an ant, but it possessed a stinger like that of a wasp or honeybee.
A distinctive feature of this species was the sharply protruding stinger on its rear, earning it the Korean name King Stinger Ant (TL: Pachycondyla chinensis).
Though rare in Korea, this species was quite common in China, and if an ant sting ever caused anaphylaxis, this one was usually the culprit.
"Yingying collapsed because of a sting from this ant?"
"Yes, I am quite certain."
"So, this is really a relative of bees?"
There was a reason why these ants triggered anaphylaxis.
It was because they were related to some of the most venomous creatures.
"Yes, to be precise, it is a branch of the Hwangbong."
"Hwangbong?"
In the Central Plains, Hwangbong referred to wasps.
Indeed, ants with stingers were relatives of wasps.
"Ah! Because they are related to wasps, you realized that these ants were responsible when Yingying collapsed after being stung by a Sehwang Hobong (TL: Vespula flaviceps)?"
"That is correct, Young Miss Hwa-eun."
A woman fit to be someone’s wife, Nunim was quick to grasp the implications from a single hint.
As she deduced, seeing Yingying suffer anaphylaxis from a ground wasp sting led me to suspect these ants as the culprits.
The King Stinger Ant belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae, and subfamily Ponerinae.
It might seem strange for an ant to have a stinger, but the reason these creatures possess one is that they diverged from a common ancestor with wasps. They still retain many of the characteristics of their wasp lineage.
From a taxonomic perspective, wasps and ants belong to the same superfamily, Vespoidea, before splitting into the families Vespidae (wasps) and Formicidae (ants).
Beyond mere classification, most scientists agree that around 100 million years ago, during the mid-Cretaceous period, ants and wasps evolved from a common ancestor. Recent genetic analyses have confirmed that ants and wasps are each other's closest relatives.
This connection was further supported by research on the venom of King Stinger Ant and wasps. Studies have shown that patients who experience anaphylaxis from ant stings also exhibit similar reactions to wasp venom.
Being careful not to get stung, I explained,
"These Ants have a peculiar trait, they prey on other ants. This one likely came to feast on the ants attracted to the candied fruits and ended up stinging Yingying.
The sting left red spots on her body, making it difficult to identify the cause at the time. By the time she woke up a few days later, the spots remained, but no one suspected an insect sting."
"Oh! Is that really true!?"
"Yes, Elder."
Hearing my explanation while I presented the culprit responsible for harming Yingying, the Peng Family Head shouted with joy.
Grasping my hand firmly, he asked,
"To think such a tiny creature caused all this! Thank you! Now that we know the cause, can we make an antidote?"
The Tang Family Head turned to my father-in-law, seeking an answer about the antidote.
However, my father-in-law shook his head.
"There is an antidote for wasp venom, but in cases of severe allergic reactions like Young Mistress Yingying’s, an antidote is not very effective."
"Damn...! Then does this mean my daughter must live in constant fear of such insignificant creatures!? How can this be!?"
The Peng Family Head spoke in a voice filled with despair.
It was understandable, he had likely assumed there would be an antidote. However, it was impossible for Yingying to be cured with an antidote.
Anaphylaxis is a hypersensitive immune response to an allergen.
The venom itself is not the issue; rather, it is the overreaction of antibodies such as Immunoglobulin E (IgE) or Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the body that causes the condition.
In other words, it is not the venom attacking Yingying’s body, but her own immune system overreacting to a foreign substance, mistaking it for a severe threat.
"Still, isn't it a relief that we discovered the cause? At least now she won’t suddenly collapse without knowing why."
"Hmm... You’re right. I didn’t even properly thank you. Thank you, Young Hero."
Even though we had identified the cause of Yingying's condition, the lack of a treatment left the Peng Family Head disheartened.
But I would never stand by idly.
In a careful voice, I spoke to the Peng Family Head.
"There is one way to treat Yingying..."
At my words, the Peng Family Head's eyes widened as he grabbed both of my arms.
He shook me vigorously, his immense strength making my body sway as he demanded,
"W-What exactly is it!?"
"It is a process called Talgamjak..." (TL: Desensitization)
"Talgamjak!?"
"脱 (tal) means 'remove,' 感 (gam) means 'sensitivity,' and 作 (jak) means 'to create'-"
"Are you saying you need to strip her again!?"
"No, that’s not what I meant...."
The Peng Family Head immediately jumped to conclusions, asking if we needed to strip Yingying again.
With a startled expression, I hurriedly explained.
Desensitization is a form of immunotherapy commonly used for patients like Yingying who suffer from anaphylaxis.
For anaphylaxis to occur, a specific allergen must surpass a certain threshold concentration in the body.
Thus, desensitization treatment gradually introduces small amounts of the allergen, increasing the dose over time to reduce sensitivity.
The goal is to lower Yingying’s sensitivity so that even if she is stung by an ant, she will not experience a severe allergic reaction.
By administering minuscule doses of wasp venom, the very substance she is allergic to, we can train her immune system to stop overreacting.
"At first, she would receive an injection once every seven days. After a certain period, the frequency would be reduced to once a month, allowing her body to gradually adapt to the venom."
"Well, the treatment takes about three to five years, but it's not as if there's no solution at all."
"Hmm, making her body less sensitive to venom? That certainly sounds feasible. Even in the Tang Sect, we use a method of gradually introducing small amounts of poison into the body to build resistance."
Although it would be a long treatment process, as long as she received enough therapy to prevent a severe reaction from King Stinger Ant stings, she could live without constant worry.
When even my father-in-law acknowledged the credibility of my explanation, the Peng Family Head rejoiced.
"Thank you! Thank you! You've saved my daughter!"
He clutched both of my hands, overwhelmed with emotion, and then suddenly made an offer.
"Having received such great help, I cannot simply let it go unacknowledged! Tell me, is there anything you desire? Whatever it is, I will grant it!"
Is it normal in this place for people to hand out blank checks whenever they receive help? The Peng Family Head was no exception, offering me anything I wished.
Smiling, I responded to his generous offer.
"Yingying is now like my younger sister. How could I possibly expect a reward for helping family?"
"No, no! That won't do. You must ask for something! In the Peng Family, there is no room for excessive humility!"
I had refused out of courtesy, but the Peng Family Head was adamant.
Placing my hand over his, I smiled.
"Then, since you've come all the way to Sichuan, why not take this opportunity to visit one of its famous mountains with me?"
"A famous mountain?"
"Yes, Gongga Mountain. It is known for its stunning scenery and is said to be home to the most beautiful seokcheok (lizards)."
Isn't it customary to visit famous landmarks when traveling?
***
With the Peng Family Head and the Peng family's warriors accompanying us, getting permission was a given.
Since the Peng Family was exceptionally strong, there was little danger in such a journey, so both my father-in-law and grandfather readily approved.
"Still, you must be careful. That place was said to have spiritual creatures strong enough to drive back an army."
"Understood, Grandfather."
Yingying had to stay behind in the Tang Family to undergo desensitization treatment, while Nunim, the Peng Family Head, the Peng Family’s warriors, the Venomous Creature Squad, and I set out.
After five days, we arrived beneath a waterfall where Gongga Mountain was visible in the distance.
-KWAHAAAA!
The water stream plunged down, spraying white foam and water mist.
The Peng Family Head pointed across the river and shouted.
"Is it over there!?"
"Yes, Elder!"
"Alright, come here!"
Standing by the water's edge, the Peng Family Head motioned for me to come closer.
Swallowing hard, I approached him, and he lifted both of my feet onto his massive hands.
"You said you don't know how to use the art of Stepping on Waves like Flying Swallow, so I'll just throw you across. Now, off you go!"
And with that, he hurled me straight toward the opposite cliff.
‘I swear, I experience all sorts of things...!’
"Kyaaaaah!"
I had never been afraid of roller coasters in my past life, but having a sheer cliff face rushing toward me made me scream instinctively.
I quickly regained my composure, twisted my body, and managed to land vertically against the cliff wall.
‘I survived.’
Turning around, I secured my footing on a rock.
Just then, the massive figure of the Peng Family Head floated effortlessly beside me, landing as lightly as if he were a feather.
"Kuhaha! You're quite agile!"
"T-Thank you..."
Next, Nunim crossed the river with a graceful leap, her crimson robes billowing like fluttering flower petals against the backdrop of the waterfall.
From the opposite bank, the Peng Family warriors stood in stunned silence, their mouths agape.
After Nunim made it across, a few members of the Venomous Creature Squad who were skilled in Qinggong followed.
With our group successfully across, we resumed our journey up the cliffside.
After climbing for a while, we finally reached a small cave atop a fist-shaped rock, the very place the Murim Alliance soldier had described.
"This must be it."
Crawling into the cave as the soldier had instructed, we soon entered a large cavern.
So far, his directions had been accurate.
However, what lay before us was completely different from what he had described.
"This is strange. There's no way they were lying, but..."
"Indeed."
Nunim’s expression mirrored my own confusion.
*****
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