Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 116

Chapter 116
On the outskirts of Chengdu, Sichuan, stood a derelict Taoist temple, long forsaken by the local populace and lately the subject of whispers claiming it was haunted.

Though the temple had been deserted for many years, it was now crowded with people and thick with the pungent aroma of medicinal herbs. Those packed inside were the masters and artisans of silkworm farming (Zam-sa) from throughout the Central Plains.

A peculiar, strained atmosphere hung over the gathering of these masters and craftsmen.
“We cannot fail again. The number of remaining eggs is dangerously low,” one man stated, his tone laden with grave urgency.

The silkworm artisans, all abducted from their homes across the Central Plains, bowed their heads in a collective apology at Xintu Galjihong’s words. They knew success was imperative now.
“Forgive us, Elder,” one artisan uttered.
“We beg your pardon,” whispered another.

Among them, the eldest man present gave a respectful bow.
“Can you doubt us, Elder Xintu? On this attempt, I have assembled nearly every known herb and leaf. It will work. I, Baekga, have spared no effort.”
“Furthermore, I have provided a selection from trees, shrubs, and even their stems. I give you my word we will not fail this time,” the old man continued.

As Baek, the head artisan, spoke, the vast bamboo sieve before him overflowed with a diverse assortment of foliage and plants.
“Yes. We also wish to succeed and finally go home,” said one of the craftsmen.
“Victory is assured this time,” added another.

Despite having been taken by force, it was common knowledge that aiding Xintu came with rewards far exceeding any normal payment. These artisans, each with decades devoted to their craft, clenched their fists in resolve, swearing to themselves they would prevail this time.

For them, it had become a personal test of skill.
Their initial reaction had been one of shock. Xintu had seized them abruptly and commanded them to cultivate a new, unknown type of silkworm. Yet, after repeated disappointments, a long-dormant competitive spirit from their youth was rekindled, driving them to unlock the secret of raising this silkworm and harvesting its silk.

It was not because of the heap of gold Xintu had dumped in a corner of the crumbling temple. They were artisans, not mercenaries motivated by coin—though the gold did gleam enticingly…
“Then, we will commence,” declared Xintu Galjihong.
“Yes, Elder,” the artisans replied.

Imbued with the group’s determined will, Xintu Galjihong took a final assessing look at the assembled leaves and herbs before drawing a small medicine jar from within his robe.

*Clink.*

The opened jar revealed four large white beads. It was nearly empty from previous attempts. Xintu selected one bead, placed it on his palm, and channeled his inner energy into it.

After a moment, the bead started to deepen into a shade of dark blue. As it absorbed his energy, its surface began to swell and distend.

*Hiss.*

A brief tearing sound followed, and two sharp fangs pierced through the bead’s surface. The shell split apart, and a thumb-sized caterpillar crawled out.
“It has awakened,” Xintu announced.

The creature was snow-white and oddly formed, with two yellow horns sprouting from its head. Its first action was to lick the fluid from its own body. Once it was clean and dry, Xintu swiftly transferred it onto the sieve.

Just like its predecessors, the caterpillar lifted its head and began to inspect its environment, seeming to search for something.

*Swallow.*

The only sound in the tense quiet was the nervous gulping of the watching artisans.

Then, the caterpillar began to slither forward. It moved across the sieve and fastened itself onto a leaf.
“Oh! Could it be… success!?”
“Silence!” Old man Baek commanded sharply.

Though the artisans had cheered at this new reaction, they fell immediately silent under his stern order. This was a new behavior, but the caterpillar had not yet eaten. Without sustenance, it would shrivel and perish like all the others before it.
“What leaf is that?” an artisan wondered.
“The white one. It appears to be silver vine,” another answered.

The caterpillar clung to the white silver vine leaf. The artisans watched, holding their breath, their minds screaming, *‘Eat! Please, eat!’*

However, just as hope bloomed, the caterpillar merely touched the leaf before burying its head into it, as it had always done.
“Elder! A different sieve!” Baek yelled urgently.

This was the instruction for Xintu to move the caterpillar to another sieve holding different leaves. Only someone who could infuse inner energy could handle the delicate creature, so Xintu had to do it himself. The first sieve’s leaves had failed.
“Understood,” Xintu responded, lifting the caterpillar to another sieve.

Again, the caterpillar raised its head, surveyed the new options, and then buried its head into the leaves.
“This… Next sieve!” Baek shouted.
“Next!”
“This is the final one…” muttered an artisan in despair.

After being moved through every prepared sieve, the caterpillar still rejected all the leaves. The response was identical to all the past failures. Xintu Galjihong’s expression darkened.
“Another failure… Only three eggs remain. This is dire.”

Frantically, the anxious artisans gathered flowers and other offerings, but the caterpillar refused to move. Within two days, it withered and died, just like all the others.

Another failure.

***

Geolhwang dug through the large pouch at his waist and tossed a young yellow-spotted centipede larva into his mouth.

*Crunch.*

The savory flavor of the yellow-spotted centipede blossomed on his tongue. It truly possessed a unique taste, somewhat reminiscent of dried shrimp, but once consumed, it left a rich, distinctive, and savory aftertaste from the centipede’s oils that lingered pleasantly. This was why he found them impossible to resist.

Initially, he had planned to only eat what he was given. It would be undignified for someone of his status to seek out more from the Tang Clan’s apothecary. Even as the “Emperor of Beggars,” directly begging from major powers like the Gu Daemun Sect or the Seven Great Families was beyond the pale.

Yet, as if they had read his mind, he lingered nearby, and sure enough, a Tang Clan warrior hurried into view.
“Honored Geolhwang, one of the Three Emperors, we pay our respects!” the warrior called.
“Quiet! Keep your voice down! What is it?” Geolhwang quickly motioned for silence, wary of drawing unwanted attention.

The warrior presented a large pouch.
“Please give this to So-ryong and Lady Hwa-eun upon their return…” the warrior said.
“Huh? What’s this?” Geolhwang asked, accepting the pouch.
“Dried yellow-spotted centipedes. Should you require more, simply inform us, and we will deliver them,” the warrior explained.
“Hmph… Heh. The younger generation certainly understands how to respect their elders in the martial world,” Geolhwang muttered, admittedly impressed.

Remembering that moment, he reached into the pouch, feeling the familiar shapes of the insects near the bottom. He’d need to visit the apothecary again soon, he thought with irritation.
“Hyung, heh…”
“Oh, so this rascal is back.”

It was his brother-in-law, Xintu Galjihong, paying another visit. Geolhwang had already provided him with lists of renowned silkworm masters multiple times, yet here he was again.

Annoyed, Geolhwang tossed a yellow-spotted centipede into his mouth and grumbled a question. Knowing Galjihong had been kidnapping people from those lists to force them to produce Heavenly Silk (Cheon-jam), Geolhwang was not pleased to see him.
“Back again? Didn’t you abduct enough people to stuff into your airways?” Geolhwang asked sharply.

Galjihong waved his hands in an exaggerated, defensive gesture.
“Me? Kidnap? Hyung! Anyone hearing you would think I’m a slaver!” he protested.
“You brat—what you’re doing is slavery by another name!” Geolhwang retorted.
“No, Hyung, you understand my circumstances. This is for the silk, and I am compensating them handsomely,” Galjihong argued.
“Ha… You remain a thief at heart,” Geolhwang muttered, though his tone softened slightly.
“Ah, enough scolding. Have a drink and unwind with me, Hyung,” Galjihong said with a grin, settling down beside him and producing a wine bottle.

Geolhwang sighed but reluctantly moved to sit. Galjihong likely had another favor to ask, but after eating the rich, oily centipedes, a cool drink seemed perfect. The centipedes were surprisingly greasy and paired excellently with a refreshing wine.

*Clink.*

Galjihong poured the drink into a bamboo cup. Geolhwang took a deep inhale; it was the scent of Juyeopcheong, his favorite. Savoring the aroma, Geolhwang asked, “So, what’s the problem? Is your project not progressing?”

Galjihong scratched his head awkwardly. “I believe I have made an error in judgment.”
“An error?” Geolhwang inquired, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, Hyung. I assembled the finest silkworm artisans to hatch the Heavenly Silkworms and produce the silk. But I have only just realized my true need is for experts in insects overall—not merely silkworms,” Galjihong confessed sheepishly.

*Swallow.*
“Hm… An improvement, I suppose,” Geolhwang murmured, washing the centipedes’ oiliness down with the wine.
“So now you seek experts on insects?” Geolhwang clarified.
“Heh… precisely. But, uh… every time I come, what is that you’re eating?” Galjihong asked, eyeing the centipedes.

Geolhwang gave a low chuckle. “Heh, try one for yourself. It is one of the world’s finest delicacies.”
“You must be joking?” Galjihong stared at the centipede with disbelief.
After a moment’s hesitation, he closed his eyes and popped it into his mouth.

*Crunch.*

Galjihong’s face initially twisted, but then his expression shifted to one of shock and wonder.
“Why… is this so delicious?” Galjihong muttered, astonished.

As Galjihong began eagerly devouring the centipedes, Geolhwang warned him, “Hey, not so fast! You must savor them—these are difficult to acquire!”
“Heh, Hyung, who bothers to hoard a mere bug?” Galjihong laughed.
“You have no idea the trouble required to find these!” Geolhwang grumbled, shaking his head.
“Speaking of which, how did you get these? Tell me where to find them. They’re incredible!” Galjihong pressed eagerly.
“Ah, not you as well!” Geolhwang snapped.

As Galjihong jested about pilfering some, Geolhwang’s thoughts turned. He recalled the face of the person who had first introduced him to the delicious centipedes—an eccentric individual who traveled with a great beast, the Qingban O-Gong. These centipedes were not only tasty but also lethally venomous, a fact only a true expert would know.

“Wait a moment…” Geolhwang thought, his mind racing. Perhaps the person who knew the most about insects was the very one he should recommend to Galjihong.

He looked over at Galjihong, who was already digging into his pouch for more centipedes.
“No!” Geolhwang shouted, kicking Galjihong’s hand away from his property.
“You little thief! Keep your hands out of my pouch!” Geolhwang yelled.
“Heh… Let’s share, Hyung,” Galjihong replied with a mischievous grin.
“Ahh, you…” Geolhwang sighed in exasperation.

Amid their squabbling, Galjihong asked, “Hey! Who is the greatest expert on insects?”
Geolhwang smirked and nodded. “I believe I know the right individual.”

As he spoke, he grabbed another handful of centipedes.
“Let’s begin by securing two roasted ducks, shall we?”

And so, a new bargain was struck between a beggar and a thief.