Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Is that true?”
“You actually know where it could be?”

The stunned reactions and disbelieving expressions on the two men’s faces were something I would never have witnessed in my previous life. It was a stark reminder of how far I had fallen since being reborn as the disreputable Spicy Fabre.

In my past life, I was known as a living encyclopedia on snakes, venomous insects, and poisonous beings.

Sigh… I never had to deal with this kind of doubt before. But then again, it wasn’t just my reputation that ended—I actually died. Damn it…

The truth was, my fame hadn’t just faded; I had literally died.

Pushing aside the dark thoughts, I turned back to the two men and answered, “Yes. If it’s a large centipede, I believe I know where it might be.”

“Where do you think it is?”
“Please, tell us!”

Their urgent expressions showed they were eager for an immediate answer. Still, I chose to first ask about the areas they had already covered.

I had to make sure they hadn’t missed the spot I was thinking of. Centipedes vary widely by species, each with distinct behaviors and preferred habitats.

“Can you tell me which places you’ve already searched, and when?”

The older man looked at the younger one, then nodded.

“We’ve covered the northern and eastern areas over the last few days, mostly in daylight. The north was mainly along the riverbanks…”

If the north was near the river and the east was jungle terrain, it was no surprise they hadn’t found anything after days of searching.

A giant centipede would never choose those kinds of places.

What’s more, centipedes are rarely active during the day. Catching sight of one would be highly unlikely.

“In that case, it’s only natural you haven’t found it,” I said.

“Natural? What do you mean? Is there a reason for that?”

I could have listed dozens of reasons, but I kept it simple. There was no need to get overly technical.

“People often assume centipedes prefer dark, damp places or thick vegetation, but not all species thrive in those conditions.”

Centipedes are truly fascinating.

They belong to the arthropod family, class Chilopoda, and are part of the myriapod group.

As cold-blooded creatures, centipedes have specific habits. They establish territories and need adequate shelter.

Here’s something interesting: many insects have smooth, water-repellent exoskeletons that allow moisture to roll right off.

Centipedes, however, have weaker water resistance and small breathing pores in their exoskeletons, which means they avoid overly wet areas.

While they require humidity, too much moisture is harmful. Conversely, they also struggle in extremely dry environments.

This makes them particular about where they live, and large centipedes would steer clear of riverbanks or dense jungles that lack proper hiding spots.

“So, centipedes don’t prefer rotten wood or similar places?”

The older man’s tone indicated he was having trouble accepting this.

Since he seemed to have some basic knowledge, I decided to elaborate.

“Smaller centipedes might be found there, but you said you’re looking for a large one, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Centipedes do need moisture, but excessive dampness is bad for them. Larger centipedes also need places where they can conceal themselves. Thick jungles with fallen logs or small river rocks don’t offer enough cover.”

It’s a common mistake to think centipedes prefer soggy ground just because they’re sometimes found there. But that’s only true in well-ventilated conditions.

In fact, when keeping centipedes in captivity, too much humidity can lead to fungal infections that prove fatal.

“I understand. So where do you think it might be? If we find the Blue-Spotted Centipede based on your advice, I’ll see to it you’re rewarded handsomely!”

Their eager faces showed they now trusted my explanation.

I pointed toward the west and said with confidence, “You should search the rocky mountain to the west.”

Centipedes often hide under sun-warmed rocks during the day and come out at night. That’s where they’d most likely be.

***
The crimson sunset burned fiercely, mirroring the anxiety consuming Tang Cheolsan, head of the Sichuan Tang Clan and known as the Heavenly Poison Scholar.

Another day was ending with no success.

“Clan Leader, is it possible the young man was mistaken?”

The cautious question came from the leader of the Venom Blood Squad. Tang Cheolsan glanced at him quietly.

It had been twenty days since they arrived on Hainan Island, and four since they left the young man’s dilapidated temple.

Since departing the crumbling temple, Tang Cheolsan had barely rested, searching tirelessly alongside the Tang Clan warriors. By day, they scoured the rocky mountain; by night, they combed the area where the mountain met the river.

All of this was because they had placed their last hope in the strange young man’s advice.

“If it’s a large centipede, it will need plenty of water. At night, it should be near the border between the mountain and the river. During the day, look under the large rocks on the mountain. Centipedes bask under sun-heated rocks by day and use that stored warmth to move at night.”

‘Was the young man wrong?’

Behind the squad leader stood the weary warriors of the Tang Clan.

Their faces were tired, their bodies smeared with dirt and sweat, and their eyes pleaded for rest.

Despite their exhaustion, not one of them complained. Tang Cheolsan knew this was because they understood his desperation.

Seeing that his warriors could not continue any longer, Tang Cheolsan decided to let them rest.

“Let’s stop for today. Have dinner and send a signal to my father’s group.”

“Understood, Clan Leader.”

– Whistle!

At his command, a signal arrow shot into the sky, and the warriors began to settle their tired bodies on the mountainside.

“Ah, I’m completely exhausted.”
“Finally, rest. I hope that young man was right. Why can’t we find that damned centipede?”
“I know. But the young man did seem sharp.”

The reason Tang Cheolsan had brought not only the Venom Blood Squad, the Tang Clan’s elite warriors, but also his father, the Heavenly Poison Deity Tang Mu-seong, all the way from Sichuan to this remote island was simple: it was for his beloved daughter.

His daughter, Tang Hwa-eun, was considered one of the most gifted talents in the Tang Clan’s history.

By just eighteen, she had become a first-rate martial artist. However, her relentless pursuit of mastery in poison arts led her into Qi Deviation.

In the Tang Clan, Qi Deviation in poison arts was like poisoning oneself—a deadly condition.

Even Tang Mu-seong, revered as the Heavenly Poison Deity, could not detoxify his granddaughter. Back in Sichuan, her life hung by a thread as the poison slowly consumed her marrow.

The clan elders and even his wife had used their internal energy to block her energy channels and slow the poison’s spread, but it was only a temporary measure—a delay of the inevitable.

To save his daughter, the only solution was to elevate her martial arts to a level where she could overpower the poison.

For that, they needed the Neidan of a powerful venomous creature, one capable of neutralizing the poison within her while boosting her internal energy.

This was why the Sichuan Tang Clan had sought help from the Beggars’ Sect and Hao Moon, buying information about venomous creatures from across the Central Plains.

Their warriors had scoured the jungles of Yunnan for the Twin-Headed Snake and the forests of Guangxi for the Human-Faced Spider, but all efforts failed.

Finally, their last hope brought them to Hainan Island.

Years earlier, a herbalist claimed to have seen a large centipede with blue spots in the Hainan jungles. This matched the description of the Blue-Spotted Centipede recorded in the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures.

After verifying the herbalist’s story, they began their search near the abandoned temple, guided by the young man’s unusual advice.

For three days and nights, they had found nothing, and Tang Cheolsan’s heart weighed heavily with despair.

‘Has heaven truly abandoned my Hwa-eun, the greatest talent our clan has ever known?’

After the signal was confirmed, the rest of the warriors and Tang Mu-seong joined Tang Cheolsan’s group.

“Nothing again today?” Tang Mu-seong asked, his expression pained.

“No, Father… Did you find anything on your end?”
“…No.”

Though their faces said everything, father and son exchanged these hollow questions, clinging to any shred of hope.

Tang Hwa-eun had at best three months left. accounting for travel time, they only had ten days to find the centipede, deepening their desperation.

“Father, what if we search the southern area tomorrow? Since we’ve found nothing so far, maybe we should change locations…”

Tang Cheolsan hesitantly suggested moving their search to the south, which they hadn’t yet explored.

“Nothing… No traces at all…”

But just as Tang Mu-seong shook his head, his voice suddenly sharpened with excitement.

“Wait! Nothing? Could it be…!”

Tang Mu-seong’s voice trembled with realization.

“What is it, Father? Did you sense something?”
“No, I didn’t sense or find anything.”

Tang Cheolsan frowned at the confusing response, but Tang Mu-seong continued with growing fervor.

“That’s just it! Think—what have we found in this mountain over the past three days?”
“Nothing… No traces, no droppings, not even bird feathers… Wait!”

A realization struck Tang Cheolsan like lightning.

“Exactly! How can such a large rocky mountain show no signs of life? Not even traces of mice or deer?”

As if to confirm their epiphany, the ground suddenly shuddered.

– Thud! Rumble!

The flat rock the warriors had used for a fire shifted violently and was thrown aside, revealing a dark hole beneath.

– Crash! Boom!

From the opening came a sound that chilled their blood.

– Sssss…

Under the faint moonlight, something slowly emerged from the hole.

A massive body with countless legs.

Its back shimmered under the moonlight, adorned with vivid blue spots.

“There it is!”

It was the Blue-Spotted Centipede from the Secret Compendium of Venomous Creatures.

– Drip. Drip.

Venom dripped from its sharp claws, causing the grass below to wither and blacken.

Tang Cheolsan immediately shouted to his warriors, “Everyone, on guard! It’s the Blue-Spotted Centipede!”

Just as the young man had said, the creature had been hiding under the rocks.

「“So, it really was on the rocky mountain?”
“I told you I’m an expert in this field. Trust me.”
“An expert?”」

The young man’s seemingly absurd claims echoed in Tang Cheolsan’s mind.