Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 184

Chapter 184
“It’s raising a brood!?”

The village chief cried out in disbelief after I had climbed from the well and relayed the events below. His panic was palpable, clearly envisioning a swarm of newborn earwigs devouring every last one of the village’s pigs.

To soothe his fears, I detailed the natural sequence of events and presented our strategy. This was, ultimately, the task he had hired me for. And in carrying it out, I stood to acquire a new poisonous specimen for my collection.

“There’s no further threat to your livestock. An earwig ceases to feed after laying its eggs. Once the young hatch, the mother will sacrifice her own body to serve as their first meal, and then perish.”

“She dies? That’s… a relief, I suppose, but the hatchlings… what becomes of them?”

He was reluctant to state it directly, but his desire for me to exterminate them all was plain.

Before I could respond, Seol shook her head and answered for me. As a disciple of the Beast Palace, such a needless and brutal massacre was unthinkable to her.

“You are aware of the jungle’s code here in Yunnan. Even a dangerous creature should never be slain alongside its young. To forcibly part a mother from her children is a profound transgression.”

“Y-Yes, naturally, I am aware…”

“The nest links to a sizable cavern. Tomorrow, we will survey the tunnel on the far side. After the mother passes, we will inspect the volcanic chamber she is currently guarding. Following that, we will permanently seal the passage connecting to the village, so you have nothing to fear. Should we judge the hatchlings to be a potential nuisance, we will collect them and release them in a different location.”

As Seol outlined the plan, the village chief winced but ultimately gave a nod of agreement. The surrounding villagers also showed visible signs of relief. For them, this was likely the most favorable outcome possible.

This was far from my first engagement of this nature. I was merely executing the same broadcast plan I had perfected through repeated use. As the Spicy Fabre, I have mediated countless disputes between humans and wild creatures, and this method remains the most effective resolution.

I adhere to a core set of principles when managing dangerous fauna near human settlements:
First, identify the species.
Then, study its behavior and environment.
Determine the underlying reason for the conflict.
Seek a path for humans and the species to cohabit peacefully.
If coexistence proves unfeasible, relocate the species.

This entire framework was born almost by accident during one of my live streams.

**The Origin of the Broadcast Plan**

It began with a single donation message.
“Alright, time for some viewer Q&A. If you have a question, just type it in the chat—”

[‘I Hate Snakes’ has donated 1,000 won.]
“Fabre, my parents just moved to a house in the country, but they’re seeing an overwhelming number of snakes in the yard. Got any tips?”

“A donation! Thank you, ‘I Hate Snakes!’ But wait… their yard has that many snakes?”

[‘I Hate Snakes’ has donated 1,000 won.]
“Yes, they claim to see multiple every single day.”

The instant I read that, I knew it was perfect material for a broadcast.
“That many snakes? Hmm… If it’s not too distant, I’ll go take a look myself. It’s difficult to give proper advice without a firsthand assessment. To understand why they’re gathering, an on-site investigation is essential.”

[‘I Hate Snakes’ has donated 1,000 won.]
“Really!? Thank you! My mother is too frightened to even walk into the yard.”

“Alright then, email me the address. And since I’ll be filming for the stream, is that acceptable?”

[‘I Hate Snakes’ has donated 1,000 won.]
“Absolutely! It would be our privilege. I’ll send the details immediately.”

**Chat Reactions:**
Supreme Hornet: “Fabre’s talent for spinning anything into content is unmatched.”
Little Tortoise: “Next up on the stream: Fabre the Snake Wrangler?”
Mighty Bullfrog: “Now that’s a dedicated streamer.”

And so, I found myself at the countryside home of the viewer’s parents.
The problem was apparent the moment I arrived.
The backyard abutted a steep, rocky hillside.
A close examination revealed numerous snake dens concealed within the crevices of the rock. Snakes often hibernate communally in such rocky fissures, and this location was teeming with them.
Compounding the issue, a stream ran directly past the front of the property.
When spring came and the snakes awoke from hibernation, their natural instinct was to glide down toward the water—
—and the house was situated directly in their path.
The land had been developed by grading into the hillside, creating a smooth slope.
It was an ideal runway for snakes to descend.
Since peaceful coexistence wasn’t viable here, I installed an extended snake fence to prevent them from crossing onto the property.
I then personally gathered all the snakes that had already arrived and transported them to a new habitat.

The outcome?
A flawlessly executed snake relocation mission.
The viewer’s family was ecstatic and showered me with thanks.
Today, I heard identical gratitude from the village chief.

“If you are prepared to do all that, we can truly be at peace. Thank you, young miss.”
“It’s no trouble. We all share this Yunnan jungle, do we not?”
“Thank you, young master.”

**The Next Day**

The plan was established, and the following day, I assembled the Five Dragons (Oryong Sambong) and proceeded to investigate the opposite end of the cave.
We did not get far before our progress was halted.
A thundering underground river cut across our route.
-Crashhhhhh!
“The way forward is sealed. That suggests there is another entrance on the opposite bank.”
“It would appear so.”

Given that the giant earwig had chosen a lava tube for its nest, it was very probable a large entrance existed on the far side.
Unable to explore further for now, we resolved to wait for the eggs to hatch.
Besides, newborn earwigs are every bit as endearing as baby centipedes.
“Hehehe… come on now, hatch quickly, little ones. Your big brother will give you all the care you need.”

***

**Inside the Hall of Five Venoms**

Within an opulent hall decorated with motifs of five poisonous creatures, dense white smoke curled from a massive censer, coiling through the air like fog.
A warrior, clad in robes marked with a centipede, knelt and delivered his report.
“The operation at the Janggang Three Alliances has been fully uncovered by the Martial Alliance. The Centipede Squad’s leader and deputy leader, in addition to half of its forces—”
-Bang!
“What!? The leader and the deputy as well!?”
The cheonggak stone table shuddered under a powerful blow, a crack splintering its surface.
A woman in black robes, seated next to the furious man, looked toward the kneeling warrior and inquired,
“Is this report accurate?”
“Yes. Routine communications ended, so our scouts conducted a search. They found the whole mountain range charred black, and the Blood-Sucking Insects seem to have been utterly destroyed.”
A short, heavy silence filled the hall after his words.
Then, the woman spoke again, cutting through the tension,
“Wait… you said the entire mountain was burned? Not merely the base?”
“Yes. Not just our hideout, but every adjacent peak was reduced to cinders.”
Hearing this, the woman’s brow furrowed in contemplation.
Something was amiss.
The total incineration of the range indicated the attackers comprehended the full peril of the Blood-Sucking Insects.
But how?
The Martial Alliance typically had no cause for such drastic action.
Even if they had seen the insects draining blood or assaulting people, burning entire mountains was an excessive measure, unless their intent was total annihilation.
A peculiar disquiet touched the woman’s expression as she questioned the warrior once more.
“How was it verified that the Martial Alliance was responsible for uncovering our operation?”
The warrior paused before answering.
“We… apprehended a river pirate from a nearby water stronghold and extracted information from him.
He overheard that a man called Ji-ryong of the Zhuge Clan was commanding the assault.”
“Ji-ryong? Of the Zhuge Clan…?”
She repeated the name quietly, her frown intensifying.
The Zhuge Clan was renowned for its mastery of astrology and geography, but this was peculiar.
“I see… You are dismissed.”
The woman released the warrior, but he lingered, visibly anxious.
Noting his hesitation, she tilted her head.
“There is more?”
“Well… It’s just… it appears this event is linked to a specific person.”
“A person?”
The woman and the man beside her exchanged a look.
The woman in black narrowed her eyes and pressed the warrior,
“To whom are you referring?”
The warrior swallowed and dipped his head as he replied.
“So-ryong… from the Beast Palace.”
Silence engulfed the hall.
Then, the man seated at the room’s head turned to the black-robed woman and laughed.
“Hahaha… Cheongyu, it seems your intended is meddling in our affairs a great deal.”
His laughter, though light in tone, cast a coldness through the entire hall.
At these words, the woman—Oh Cheongyu—went pale and offered a deep bow.
“I-I apologize, Father.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
His voice was steady, but his next words held a threatening edge.
“When I first learned of him, I was only mildly interested.
But with each subsequent report, my fascination grows.
I initially believed this to be the work of the Zhuge Clan…
Yet for someone to torch a whole mountain to eliminate the Blood-Sucking Insects? That implies he knew precisely how dangerous they are.”
He gave a low chuckle, darkly amused.
“Not long ago, he also revealed not only Ho-ban Yusa’s vulnerability to poison, but also that Yellow Wasps’ venom is lethal to the Blood Cult.
Just as you stated, Cheongyu… he is ideally matched for our Five Venoms Sect. Hahahaha…”
After a long laugh, the man waved his hand dismissively.
“I am satisfied. You may go.”
“Yes! Master of the Five Venoms Sect!”
The warrior scrambled out, and the leader turned his attention back to Cheongyu.
“Now, let us conclude our prior discussion.
Is the Gu poison production finished?”
“Yes, without question. We have synthesized a sufficient quantity to administer to the Blood Cult’s entire leadership.”
“And the venom?”
“The Centipede King’s toxin has been diluted for use as a burning incense.”
“Excellent. Then relay my command to the Elders and Squad Leaders.
When the Blood Cult’s leaders convene at the next assembly, we will subdue them all and bring them to heel.”
“Understood, Father!”
Cheongyu made to depart immediately, but her father stopped her.
“Cheongyu.”
“Yes?”
“This duty will be assigned to the Grand Elder.”
“What? But why—?”
“You have a different, more critical assignment.”
“What is it?”
She was initially confused.
Subduing the Blood Cult was a paramount mission; what could be more pressing?
Her father smiled thinly.
“We can no longer allow your future husband to roam free.
You will go and retrieve him for us.”
“…I understand, Father.”
A malicious smile stretched across Cheongyu’s face.
She had already proclaimed that So-ryong was her destined partner.
Previously, her father had been apathetic to the notion.
Now, however, he appeared to be acknowledging So-ryong’s value.
“According to our intelligence from the Central Plains, he possesses a powerful obsession with venomous beings.
Dispatch a Blood Cult operative near the Beast Palace to leak a specific piece of information.”
“What information?”
“The incident in Qinghai Province.”
“Ah! Qinghai… Yes, if word of that reaches him, he will undoubtedly be compelled to investigate.”
“Take the Scorpion Squad and secure him.”
“Yes, Father!”
Cheongyu, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) radiant with excitement, hurried from the hall.
The moment she was gone, her father addressed a shadow lurking within the room.
“Follow her.
Make certain the Five Venoms Explosive Subjugation Technique is prepared for use on him.
Once he is in our grasp, we will shape him into our instrument.
This puppet drama is destined to become significantly more amusing.”
As his final word faded, the shadow wavered and disappeared, following the path Cheongyu had taken.