Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 128

Chapter 128
“Wh-what are you implying by that?”
“Simply put, if the creature must envelop itself in such a resilient thread, it indicates a specific threat exists—one that necessitates this level of protection. It implies there is something in its environment posing a danger.”
“Furthermore, if we can locate that threat, we may also more easily discover its food source, correct?”
Once I finished, the silk craftsmen nodded, their expressions showing agreement with my logic.
“True. If the Celestial Silkworm’s thread serves as bodily protection, then the young master’s conclusion appears sound.”
“I had only considered it as building a shelter, but your point stands. A house shields people from cold, heat, and predators, does it not?”
“The principle remains the same, even for such insects.”
Shintu was visibly astonished, though his professional nature seemed to make him an inherently cautious individual.
He masked his surprise and pressed further.
“Can you be certain based on a single observation? You haven’t verified this personally, have you?”
‘His caution is a product of his trade. A less careful person might easily find themselves ensnared…’
I hadn’t reached my conclusion from one piece of evidence alone, so I acknowledged his point.
I was also aware that Fabre was a man of great caution.
After all, handling venomous creatures demands prudence.
“Naturally, one fact alone isn’t conclusive. There is another reason for my belief. You spoke of a disciple named Yeong-ryeon, correct?”
“Ah, yes, Yeong-ryeon. Why mention him?”
“If there happen to be any santcho trees, thorn trees, or wild pear trees in the vicinity, could you have him collect a few insects for me? The caterpillar I seek is the color of grass blades.”
A demonstration would be the most effective explanation.
As I requested he send his disciple for the caterpillars, one of the silk craftsmen rose tentatively.
“Pardon me… Young Master?”
“Yes?”
“I think there is a santcho tree out back…”
It was fortunate that a santcho tree was close by.
I proposed we all go to the abandoned Daoist temple’s backyard to search for what I needed.
“Let’s everyone go and see. This is significant.”
Walking toward the backyard, a somewhat unkempt tree came into view. Nearing it, the clean, sharp scent of the santcho tree greeted us.
“Now then… where might they be?”
I began my search at the base of the tree.
Scanning the ground, I soon found small, disc-shaped objects scattered around one side of the trunk.
‘Just as I thought, there they are!’
I had been concerned they might not be present, but fortunately, we were not in an age of widespread pesticides, so the caterpillars’ signs were clear.
I swiftly moved to inspect the newer leaves above and, near some that had been gnawed, found a few green-camouflaged caterpillars curled on the branches.
I also saw one pupa.
It seemed others would soon pupate as well.
‘Thankfully, these are indeed tiger swallowtail caterpillars.’
In their earliest stage, these insects mimic bird droppings for protection, but upon maturing into tiger swallowtail caterpillars, they become the specimens I sought.
I indicated the largest and most robust one.
“Everyone, look here. Do you see it?”
The silk craftsmen nodded as I pointed at the caterpillar.
Being commoners, they had likely encountered such insects before.
“A green caterpillar? I’ve seen these on tangerine trees.”
“I’ve also noticed similar ones on thorn trees.”
“Indeed, they are pests that consume tangerine leaves. Those on thorn trees are certainly the same type.”
As they stated, these caterpillars are pests that feed on the leaves of tangerine and thorn trees.
However, their transformation yields one of the most beautiful butterflies.
The caterpillar I indicated is known in the Central Plains as Pyojeop (tiger swallowtail), or simply the tiger swallowtail butterfly.
“But why did you have us look at this one?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Shintu asked why I had brought them to see this insect.
I grinned and tapped the caterpillar’s body with my finger.
*Thwip.*
Instantly, the caterpillar jerked its head up, and a yellow horn protruded briefly before retracting.
“Oh! What is that?”
“Does it not seem familiar?”
“Ah, yes! I’ve observed something like this on the Celestial Silkworm larvae. This yellow horn—was this your other clue?”
“Precisely. Here, smell this.”
Responding to Shintu’s question, I flicked the tiger swallowtail caterpillar again.
It extended its osmeterium—a horn-like organ—from its head, and I collected some of its secretion on my fingertip.
A sticky texture and a potent odor came from my finger.
When I offered it for inspection, Shintu immediately covered his nose and exclaimed.
“Ugh! What is that awful smell?”
The osmeterium, a feature of tiger swallowtail and related larvae, releases a distinct scent derived from the citrus or santcho toxins the caterpillars ingest.
To humans, it resembles a powerful vinegar, akin to tangerine vinegar, but for other insects or birds, it acts as a potent repellent.
Thus, upon seeing a similar horn on a deceased Celestial Silkworm larva, I suspected its purpose was analogous.
Tiger swallowtail caterpillars only develop this organ at a certain stage, so its presence immediately after birth in the Celestial Silkworm suggested nearby predators.
This formed the second reason for my belief that a danger lurked near the Celestial Silkworms.
“Tiger swallowtail larvae release this foul odor from their horns to defend against predators or pests.”
“The Celestial Silkworm larvae possess a similar feature, alongside their sturdy threads, so surely it’s for protection against something, isn’t it?”
That was my line of reasoning.
After I presented both points, Shintu finally regarded me with a look of respect.
Whether his doubts were now satisfied, Shintu seemed thrilled, his face alight as he exclaimed.
“In all my years of working with Celestial Silkworms, I never considered that. You claimed to have a different viewpoint, and indeed, So-ryong, you think in unique ways!”
“So, what is it you believe they eat?”
However, with my next statement, his respectful look shifted to one of letdown.
“That…?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… we will have to search for it ourselves now.”
“……”
I am not divine; how could I uncover everything at once?
***
Though Shintu’s face fell, it was premature for him to lose heart.
He was unaware, but once a determined Fabre like me becomes involved, discovering their diet would be straightforward.
“It is too soon for disappointment.”
“Who claimed I was disappointed?”
“I assumed you were… Regardless, I will locate it soon.”
“Truly!?”
‘Despite his small, thief-like stature, his body is feather-light. Is that why his movements are so swift?’
Shintu’s expression brightened with hope again at my assurance.
Curious about the secret behind his agility, I inquired.
“Are you aware of where you initially discovered the Celestial Silkworm?”
“The Celestial Silkworm? I cannot say precisely, but I have a general notion…”
“Indeed, the optimal method to identify its food is to examine the collection site. Let us go there first.”
To be frank, Shintu’s predicament was self-inflicted.
Typically, when gathering insects or animals, one would study their ecology carefully to avoid such difficulties.
When I raised Seol and Bini, why do you suppose I journeyed all the way to the Huangshan, where the Namgung clan resides?
It was to confirm their food source and ensure I had it prepared, was it not?
Thus, this entire issue arose because Shintu, captivated by the Celestial Silkworm’s abilities, collected them without properly investigating their habitat.
That is why I recommended we at least visit the general area of the habitat to investigate.
Shintu, however, seemed reluctant and responded with a dismissive expression.
“You likely will find nothing there.”
“Nothing?”
“I visited once myself, hoping to find more eggs, but it was merely a rocky mountain. Barren.”
“A rocky mountain?”
“Yes, a place named Red Rock Mountain, abundant with red stones. I searched extensively but found nothing.”
‘A rocky mountain…’
If his account was accurate, it was peculiar.
I had presumed a predator would be nearby, but a desolate rocky mountain seemed inconsistent.
Yet, as they were ordinary people, they might have overlooked something significant.
From a specialist’s viewpoint, things might differ, so I opted to inquire further.
“Did you discover an adult, or was it an egg?”
First, I needed to know if it was a mature specimen or an egg.
“An adult? A fully grown Celestial Silkworm? I saw none, but I found both eggs and the silkworms themselves.”
“Eggs and silkworms together?”
Finding eggs and silkworms together likely meant he had found eggs and cocoons as well.
When I sought confirmation, Shintu nodded.
“Were the cocoons empty?”
“Yes. The vacant cocoon is what I used to produce the silkworm thread I currently employ.”
From the context, it seemed the adult had emerged from the cocoon, mated, and laid eggs promptly there.
This indicated that some food source must be nearby, a possibility I had not yet explored.
I suggested we investigate regardless.
“Let us still go and see. From a specialist’s perspective, we might perceive something others missed.”
“Specialist’s perspective?”
Shintu did not seem to grasp the concept of a specialist’s viewpoint.
I had explained it previously, but he appeared not to fully understand.
“How to clarify… Ah, I know.”
The most effective way to explain was with a straightforward example.
I pointed to an ornament dangling from my clothing and asked him.
“Do you recognize the value of this?”
The ornament contained a piece of ice jade gifted to me by Namgung Seol.
Shintu glanced at the ice jade ornament, seemingly unimpressed, and answered offhandedly.
“It’s ice jade. Small, yet worth a thousand silver at least. However, it is not a target for a thief such as myself.”
“Really!?”
‘Wait, it is that valuable!?’
I had not considered it particularly precious just because Namgung Seol gave it to me, but it turned out to be extremely costly.
I quickly steadied my surprised heart and elaborated.
“That is what I mean by a specialist’s perspective. Without someone like you, who would instantly identify this as ice jade? Most would mistake it for ordinary jade. Who would promptly discern its worth?”
“Ah, I understand.”
I explained it in terms a thief would grasp, and Shintu appeared to comprehend, nodding.
His face became animated with excitement once more as he declared,
“Very well, let us go and investigate immediately!”
He seemed ready to pull me along.
I slowed him down and asked,
“Incidentally, how distant is it?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I am concerned that if it is too far, you will not permit me to go. You see…”
“Ah…”
I pointed to the two threads fastened around my ankle, and Shintu nodded in understanding.
The restraint Yo-hwa had applied was no trivial matter, and Shintu had seen it before, so he was aware.
‘I swear, she is more intimidating than my wife.’
***
Fortunately, Shintu stated it was only approximately a day’s travel away.
He clarified that he had been attempting to hatch the Celestial Silkworms here because he obtained the eggs from a nearby location.
Shintu looked toward the silk craftsmen and asked,
“What should be done with the craftsmen? If they can assist, I will keep them with us; otherwise, I will send them home.”
It seemed best to conclude their work before seeking permission from Yo-hwa.
There was no benefit to retaining them; they would not aid me.
“Send them all back. I do not believe I will require their help.”
“Mmm. Understood. Then, as they have labored hard, I will distribute some of the gold we brought and send them back to Yeong-ryeon.”
After saying this, Shintu was about to depart when the elder, introduced as the head silk craftsman, approached me and inquired,
“Young Master, might I examine that for a moment?”
“That?”
I thought he perhaps wished to see the ice jade, but his gaze was fixed on my ankle.
The elder was looking at the thread Yo-hwa had tied.
Upon reflection, the elder was a silk craftsman.
This meant he possessed a specialist’s perspective on thread.
‘It would be beneficial to show these individuals my thoughts on weaving fabric with Yo-hwa’s thread…’
I nodded, and the elder promptly knelt and began to inspect my leg.
“Might I touch it?”
“Proceed.”
When I permitted him to touch it, the elder’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“This… This is!”
The elder summoned the other craftsmen, and they hurried over to examine the thread with their hands.
“This… What manner of thread is this?!”
“It is so lightweight and strong, stretching and then rebounding to its shape!”
“It possesses more luster and beauty than silkworm threads!”
“In all my life, I have never encountered a thread like this!”
It appeared that Yo-hwa’s thread was extraordinarily valuable.
Even to me, Yo-hwa’s thread seemed soft, yet robust and remarkably elastic.
‘Might I craft armor for martial artists from this and sell it?’
In the martial world of Zhongyuan, where sword strikes are commonplace.
If I manufactured and sold this, it would undoubtedly be highly sought after. Merely a passing thought.
The illustration of Bi-cheon Shin-sa has been updated.
In the most recent update and episode 111, you can view the section where Bi-cheon Shin-sa acquires the name Smallpox, accompanied by an endearing image of Yeon-du.
For those utilizing the series, please erase the downloaded episode and download it anew to implement the changes.
(Today is a day of rest, but I wished to display Yeon-du’s illustration, hence I am uploading this.)