Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 131

Chapter 131
“Is it… truly here…?”

The question came from the enigmatic Swift Walker, his fingers lightly brushing the red peak.

In response to his query, I gave a nod.
“Indeed. Isn’t it what the previous Swift Walker stated? That both the eggs and the cocoons were discovered in this very place?”
“Was it?”
“From my understanding, I suspect the previous Swift Walker likely came across the cocoon and eggs together after a section of the white ant nest gave way. The cocoon would have been washed out during the collapse, and the mature insect probably laid its eggs close to the damaged nest,” I reasoned.

Considering the former Swift Walker’s lack of expertise in entomology, I concluded this was a chance discovery. If we contemplate how both eggs and cocoons could be found in one location, this seemed the most plausible explanation. The cocoon would be located deep within the white ant mound, whereas the eggs would be placed near the entrance, on the mound’s exterior.

It appeared to be the only logical conclusion. It was possible that an event caused a portion of the ant mound to fail, spilling the cocoon out while the adult insect deposited its eggs nearby. The double tail butterfly from my previous life laid its eggs at the entrance of the Matsumura ant mound, so this series of events could account for everything.

After I finished my explanation, Swift Walker nodded slowly, deep in thought.
“Hmm… I understand,” he murmured, contemplative.

Just then, a distressed cry arose from behind us.
Tsurru! Tsrrut!
It was unmistakably the sound of the creature I had perched on my shoulder. I spun around to see it near the ant mound, emitting odd noises.

The little thing had been rolling in the soil, rubbing its head with its feet, and was now wriggling about uncomfortably.
“Hyangi, what’s the matter? Are you injured?”
I had cautioned it about the risks, but it had already ended up in a scuffle with the ants.

If it had disobeyed me and gotten too close to the ants, it would certainly be due for a reprimand, but my first priority was to rush over and examine Hyangi.
I was afraid it might have been attacked by the soldier ants and badly hurt.
“Where does it hurt? Keep still, Hyangi.”
“Did Hyangi get bitten? So-ryong?”

I attempted to soothe it, but Hyangi appeared to be overstating its pain, acting as if it were in agony.
Tsrrut. Tsurrut…
Yet, a comprehensive inspection revealed no visible wounds.
“No injuries whatsoever?”
Churu. Churu…
“You’re certain you’re not hurt?”
Even without any apparent physical damage, Hyangi continued to fret and fuss.

I resolved to look again, questioning if I had overlooked something.
That was when I observed its antennae were fused together in an odd form.
Fortunately, they weren’t fractured or crooked, but Hyangi’s antennae were distinctly matted together, which was unusual.

Hyangi, who was perpetually active, sniffing the breeze and following trails, had gotten its name from its constantly quivering antennae. But now, for some reason, they had become stuck.
“Why are your antennae like this, Hyangi? Does it hurt here?”
Tsurru.
After calming Hyangi once more, I lightly brushed the antennae and felt a viscous fluid.
“Ah, you’ve gotten some sticky liquid on you, haven’t you?”

Hyangi must have stumbled into some mischief, and in its frantic movements, was sprayed with the sticky fluid of a white ant.
Certain soldier ants can eject sticky liquids when combating foes or even rupture their bodies to discharge the substance. Worker ants employ it to blend soil and construct their nests. Hyangi must have inadvertently agitated the white ants and been splashed with this fluid, causing its antennae to adhere.

I cleaned its antennae with my sleeve, and shortly after, its complaints ceased.
“Hyangi, I told you not to approach the ants, didn’t I? Now, listen to your father and keep your distance from danger, okay?”
Tsrrut…
I admonished Hyangi firmly, and it lowered its antennae like a chastised pup, evidently remorseful.

As much as it pained me to see it so dejected, I couldn’t allow it to be harmed again. Swift Walker shook his head, amused, and remarked,
“That little fellow is certainly a handful. Speaking of which, how do we proceed with this?”

Once the disturbance caused by Hyangi subsided, Swift Walker returned to the dilemma of how to market the ant mound.
Then Hua-eun and Seol voiced their apprehensions.
“But So-ryong, do you believe we can actually sell this? I think we’ll need to hire some masons to break it apart.”
“That’s correct, So-ryong. I don’t know how the white ants constructed this, but it appears as solid as stone. Can we truly sell it?”

They had a point. The mound did look remarkably sturdy. I remembered the white ants from my previous life, which erected durable mounds famed for their resilience. These ants were far larger, hundreds of times the size of those I knew.

The sticky secretion from these ants was also extraordinary, and if they used it to amalgamate soil and erect their mound, it must possess considerable toughness. If Swift Walker and the others deemed it rock-solid, it wouldn’t be shocking if it were as hard as concrete.

But Swift Walker was a top-tier martial artist, one of the Five Lords of the Three Sovereigns. I had heard the Three Sovereigns were renowned for their supreme martial arts. Given Swift Walker’s powerful build, I thought it possible he could fracture it using his combat skills.

I looked at Swift Walker with anticipation and inquired,
“We’re probably searching for the core of this pillar. It should be right beneath the surface, and the interior will be more malleable. If we crack the outer layer, the inside should be more accessible. Do you believe your martial arts could manage it?”
“It shouldn’t be an issue. Perhaps I’ll make an attempt,” Swift Walker replied with a confident smile.
“Truly!”
“The Master’s power! This is my first opportunity to witness it!”
“Are we about to see Swift Walker’s skill demonstrated?”

I asked as Swift Walker pushed up his sleeves and moved forward.
Although his disciple, Yeong-ryeon, looked somewhat apprehensive about witnessing her first martial technique, Swift Walker appeared unconcerned. With a calm demeanor, he concentrated his energy before the enormous red ant mound.
Fwoosh.
The energy surrounding him intensified, his garments stirring from the power he was summoning.

Swift Walker’s hand lashed out with a velocity impossible to follow with the naked eye.
Bang!
A loud collision echoed.
The sound was less thunderous than anticipated, yet Swift Walker’s potent blow carried a profound, resonant force.

I waited expectantly, hoping to see the ant mound fracture. But despite his strike, the mound remained intact.
At first, I considered if the surface was unharmed but the internal layers were compromised, similar to certain martial arts that penetrate and destroy from within.
However, as moments passed, the ant mound stood firm and unaltered.
“What’s happening?”
I, Hua-eun, and Seol traded looks, perplexed. Swift Walker cleared his throat and mumbled,
“Well, I excel in lightness techniques, mystic arts, and pressure point strikes, but… this type of brute force martial art isn’t my strong suit. Hmm… this is remarkably sturdy.”
“Then why did you put on such a display earlier?”
I thought, confused by the old man’s theatrics.

***
“Now that we’ve located it, I’ll determine how to manage it. We can either seek help from a proficient martial artist or, as you mentioned before, bring in stonemasons to break it open,” Swift Walker stated.

He, along with Hua-eun, Seol, and his disciple Yeong-ryeon, had attempted various martial arts attacks on the immovable ant mound, but it hadn’t shifted. It was evident that breaching it would demand an alternative strategy. The mound’s robust construction was resisting their efforts.
“It appears we must devise another method,” Swift Walker concluded.
The mound was simply too resilient for their present capabilities.

“I could summon some masons, as Seol proposed, or maybe call upon a master martial artist for aid,” Swift Walker suggested.
He briefly entertained the notion of involving the Tang Clan warriors but promptly rejected it, aware that the influence of the Poison Sect and the Blood Sect would complicate matters.
“Understood. We will reconvene once you are prepared,” I answered.
“Very well, but it seems we will be spending the night here,” Swift Walker said, looking towards the ridge. The sun was already dipping below the horizon, painting the sky with a crimson hue.
“It appears so,” I replied.
“Do you believe the ants will assault us during the night?” Swift Walker asked, though I assured him it was unnecessary to fear.
“White ants seldom venture from their nests. And when they do, it’s typically near the borders of their domain,” I clarified. “They collect sustenance such as leaves or timber around the periphery of their dwelling, so they won’t approach this area. There’s no cause for concern about them.”
“Excellent, then I shall go hunting. I might bag a wild boar or something similar,” Swift Walker said with a broad grin.
“You intend to hunt? But sufficient food is already available,” I noted. “I am certain you could collect some branches if needed, however…”
“Hm? Food? What do you mean? Did you bring provisions from the Tang Clan?” Swift Walker asked.
I grinned and responded, “White ants are actually quite palatable.”
“What!? You’re going to eat white ants?” Swift Walker and Yeong-ryeon cried out, astonished.
Hua-eun and Seol, in contrast, were unperturbed.
“I suppose consuming them is feasible,” Hua-eun stated offhandedly.
“Where I’m from, in Yunnan, we consume bamboo worms, locusts, and cicadas. So white ants aren’t particularly unusual,” Seol added with a nonchalant lift of her shoulders.
“They must be delicious, correct?” Seol asked, with a hint of eagerness.
I thought to myself, I’ve never sampled them before, but now seems an ideal opportunity.
In Uganda, people sauté, grill, or even deep-fry white ants, so this will be a novel experience. Furthermore, I suspected it might increase my Spicy Fabre experience points.

***
Despite their initial reluctance, Swift Walker and Yeong-ryeon finally collected some branches, while Hyang and Yo-hwa captured the white ants.
Due to their size, Hyang and Yo-hwa were unbothered by the soldier ants, and with a single sweep of their large paws, they deftly impaled the ants. They created an impressive ant skewer, though they steered clear of soldier ants as their shells were too rigid to consume.
Crackle.
They roasted the ants over the flames, and savory drips fell from the skewers, emitting a mouthwatering aroma.
“That smells wonderful,” I observed.
“It truly does,” Hua-eun concurred.
As the ants cooked on the skewers, their legs and antennae charred and fell away, leaving a chewy, grilled morsel that smelled incredibly appetizing.
“Sir, please, try some,” I offered, presenting the first skewer to Swift Walker.
He recoiled slightly, then offered an uneasy smile.
“Well, you should have the first taste. You’ve exerted the most effort,” he said.
“Are you certain? There are customs in martial circles about this,” I pressed.
“Oh, it’s perfectly acceptable,” he responded, brushing it aside.
I proffered the skewer once more, but this time, Swift Walker gestured refusal, still hesitant. Ultimately, I took the initial bite to demonstrate.
“In that case, I’ll sample it first. Thank you.”
Crunch.
I sank my teeth into one of the roasted ants, and a burst of rich, savory flavor filled my mouth. It was unexpectedly delicious.
I consumed the entire ant, smiling at the others. “This is truly good. You should all try some…”
At that moment, a wave of dizziness washed over me. The voices of Hua-eun and Seol seemed to reverberate in my ears.
“So-ryong… So-ryong…”
“Ryong!? What is going on…?”
Poison…
I had examined the ants for venom before cooking, and there seemed to be none. Why was I feeling this sensation? It felt oddly recognizable, as if I had encountered it previously.
My sight grew fuzzy and everything faded to black.