Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 218

Chapter 218
Moji and Soji were undoubtedly bigger than typical larvae, yet they were still significantly smaller than the silver cocoon I had recovered from the termite nest.

That silver cocoon from the termite tunnels had been almost twenty-five centimeters across, nearly a full span in length. For a larva to pupate inside a cocoon of that size, it would need to be at least twenty centimeters long, a size Moji and Soji clearly had not achieved.

Naturally, this size difference was to be expected since they were only Third-Stage larvae. They were not fully mature, and a larva’s growth is always influenced by its nutrition and surroundings.

Even so, I felt a persistent sense of unease. The eventual cocoon size is determined by the larval stage. A larva’s ultimate size depends on the quality of its feeding and development, which requires proper maturation—yet neither Moji nor Soji exhibited any indications of progressing to the Fourth Stage, nor were they getting any bigger.

They weren’t very energetic, either. Their constant state of sleep did nothing to ease my worries.

However, when larvae jump directly from the Third to the Fifth Stage, they are guaranteed to exceed twenty centimeters.

Now, Moji and Soji had swelled to well over twenty-five centimeters, as plump and solid as a grown man’s forearm. This was the new form of Moji and Soji, who had evolved straight into Fifth-Stage larvae, completely skipping the Fourth.

What was even more remarkable was that their bodies had taken on a silvery sheen.

Their exoskeletons now glimmered with a golden light.

‘…Incredible… This is the Silver Silk Caterpillar!’

Using the English name for the Silver Cocoon Bug certainly gave it a more majestic feel.

It was similar to how labeling something “Sanha Honey” makes it seem upscale, whereas simply calling it “honey” sounds ordinary.

‘In my past life, I would have mocked this sort of marketing trickery, but now I completely understand it.’

I recalled news stories about products selling better with prestigious names and how I used to ridicule those findings.

Now, I see the exact effectiveness of that strategy.

Silver Silk Caterpillar.

Doesn’t that just sound profoundly refined and noble?

‘If these had been around in my previous life, there would have been waiting lists just to pre-order one.’

I admired their English name and their newly polished look, certain that in my past life, these beings would have been offered through high-end pre-sales.

Meanwhile, the delicate dance of shifting light and shadow that used to play over their forms had now entirely disappeared.

I could tell—their growth and molting were finally over.

I looked toward the window to gauge the time.

Despite the light around them having faded, the area still seemed unusually illuminated.

The first hints of morning were filtering through the window cracks.

“Is it morning already? Haahh.”

A yawn escaped me.

I had been pushing myself to the brink with intense mental exercises lately. Though I had woken up just before dawn, I felt completely spent.

Even seeing my little ones evolve right before my eyes wasn’t enough to cut through the weariness.

Shouldn’t watching a child develop fill a parent with excited energy?

But despite that, I was completely drained. The mental training had clearly worn me down.

Although I was sleeping enough, this exhaustion wasn’t physical—it was mental.

I took a blanket from the bed, laid it on the floor, and settled down directly in front of Moji and Soji.

I was fatigued and wanted to be comfortable while waiting for them to become active.

Larvae don’t require much time to dry after molting, so it wouldn’t be a long wait.

‘Okay, I’ll wait for them to start moving.’

Just as I lay down and fixed my attention on Moji and Soji—

I felt something press against my side, wriggling its rear.

It was Hwayang.

His behavior made it obvious he was seeking more approval.

I reached over and scratched under his chin, giving him the attention he wanted.

This was the first time he had asked for affection instead of food.

“You did a good job today. I’ll give you lots of attention later.”

“Biiiii…”

As I petted him, Hwayang shut his eyes, emitting a contented purr.

Then, there was a soft rustling noise—

Tsrrr… Tsrrrk…

It appeared Bin was rousing from sleep, as the small plant being coiled up next to me.

Soon after, Yeondu and Hongdan came over as well.

On the table, Seol, Bing, and Dong were also awake and observing Moji and Soji with a sense of wonder.

Finally, I felt something land on my back, making me turn to look.

It was Hyang.

He seemed somewhat downcast as he slowly made his way down my back.

‘What’s the matter?’

I briefly considered Hyang’s odd demeanor, but my primary attention remained on Moji and Soji.

When I turned my focus back to them, a dazzling silver flash immediately caught my eye.

I jerked back in surprise just as something soft and sleek attached itself to my face.

Touching it with my hands, I felt a suede-like quality—smooth and rich.

It had to be either Moji or Soji.

That distinct smoothness, characteristic of a silkworm caterpillar, was now against my skin.

‘Wow, this is so soft.’

Most people find squirming larvae off-putting, but silkworm caterpillars have a remarkably agreeable texture.

It was like touching the highest-quality suede cloth.

Hwayang is also soft, but his skin has a hint of moisture.

In contrast, the larva’s body was dry, full, and exceptionally smooth.

“Okay, Moji, Soji. You’re moving now, huh?”

While I was enjoying the soft feeling, I suddenly noticed a repeated pressing on my face.

In my past life, cat owners referred to this as “making biscuits” when their pets pushed their paws against them.

Now, either Moji or Soji was doing the same thing to my face with their small feet.

‘What does this behavior mean?’

It felt nice, but I didn’t understand the reason for it.

As I pondered its significance, my surroundings seemed to grow a bit brighter.

With every press of Moji or Soji’s tiny feet on my face, I experienced a peculiar sensation—a cleansing lightness in my head.

Throughout my meditation practice, it had felt like a heavy weight was bearing down on my mind, but now, with each soft touch, that pressure seemed to dissolve.

Without even realizing it, my eyelids grew heavy, and I softly fell asleep.

***

Hwa-eun awoke at first light. After cleaning up and getting dressed, she went straight to So-ryong’s room.

She was concerned because So-ryong had simply dropped onto his bed and fallen asleep the previous evening.

Lately, he had appeared completely worn out from his mental training—it seemed he had hit a wall.

The day before, he had fallen asleep as soon as he lay down.

Creak.

A slight coolness met her as she opened the door.

The air had likely grown a bit chillier following the rain from days prior.

Just as she moved outside—

Creak.

Almost simultaneously, the door next to hers opened.

And Seol emerged from the room.

“Hm? Hwa-eun?”

“Sister Seol?”

They looked at each other and shared quiet smiles.

It was clear they were both having the same thought.

“Are you also going to see So-ryong?”

“Yes, he just fell straight to sleep yesterday, so I was concerned.”

“Let’s walk together. I was going there early for the same purpose.”

“Alright, sister Seol.”

So Hwa-eun and Seol left their rooms and started toward So-ryong’s residence.

They had only taken a few steps when Seol spoke quietly, her voice full of concern.

“But still… So-ryong seems to be having a very hard time. I’m wondering if we should continue to press him.”

“You feel that too, sister Seol? I also thought he might require a break.”

“We’ll assess his condition when we arrive. If it seems serious, we should suggest he takes a few days off. He isn’t usually this exhausted, but I may have urged him a little harder because he’s working with a spirit beast…”

By the time they reached So-ryong’s quarters, anxiety was clear on their faces.

Then, they saw it.

A assembly of Kunlun disciples had formed a close circle around So-ryong’s residence.

Hwa-eun and Seol looked at one another.

Something significant was occurring.

Their eyes opened wide in surprise.

Why else would this many Kunlun disciples be on guard around So-ryong’s room?

“W-what’s happening?!”

“Why is everyone collected here…?”

They hurried over and quickly asked the disciples outside So-ryong’s room.

What was going on?

At that moment, a senior Kunlun disciple came forward with a concerned look.

“Ah, I see. You must be alarmed to find us encircling his room. So-hyeop is currently overseeing a spirit beast’s rebirth, so we are keeping watch for him.”

“Rebirth?!”

Hwa-eun exclaimed in astonishment, while Seol appeared to comprehend.

“Oh… so one of them has advanced again?”

“Ah…”

It seemed one of the spirit beasts had transformed.

Seol addressed the Kunlun disciple.

“In that case, may we enter?”

“Certainly.”

As they were only there as sentries, there was no cause to bar entry.

With that, sister Seol and Hwa-eun promptly went inside.

As they neared the doorway, they called out to So-ryong.

“So-ryong, we’re here! May we enter?”

“So-ryong, it’s me. Can I come in?”

But there was no answer from So-ryong.

Sharing a look, Hwa-eun and Seol paused before gently opening the door.

He must have been sleeping.

The sight that met them upon entering was astounding.

The rebirth clearly involved Moji and Soji.

The two larvae had grown much larger, their bodies now a gleaming silver. They were coiled around So-ryong’s head, their golden antennae shining brightly.

The room was saturated with pure energy, and the moment the door opened, that invigorating energy washed over them like a soft wind.

“This is…”

“This is precisely what we imagined, right?”

They both knew Moji and Soji could emit pure energy to restore internal strength.

Seeing that energy flowing into So-ryong made it evident the two were caring for him.

It was a truly magical and wondrous scene.

But what drew their attention even more was the person at the center of it all.

Upon entering, they saw So-ryong deep in sleep, entirely encompassed by his spirit creatures.

Scores of wooden dolls were positioned around him like a protective guard.

At the center of this group, So-ryong slept soundly, with his spirit beasts watching over and nurturing him.

The whole view seemed less of this world and more like a glimpse of the mythical Taoist haven, Peach Blossom Spring.

Seol and Hwa-eun were in full agreement.

***

Upon waking, my thoughts were utterly lucid.

The mental exhaustion built up over days of training was gone.

It was an odd feeling, but before I could reflect on it, I heard Hwa-eun’s voice from near the dining table.

Seol’s voice followed right after.

“You’re awake, So-ryong?”

“Did you rest well, So-ryong?”

As I brought my hand to my face to sit up, I felt something wet.

I must have drooled while sleeping on my front.

Sluurp.

I hastily wiped my mouth and sat up—

And right away, Hongdan, Hyang, and Yeondu tumbled off my back.

They must have been resting on me as I slept.

The three creatures, now on the floor, voiced their annoyance with displeased cries.

Tsrurrr!

Shyaaa!

Kiii!

“O-oh, my apologies.”

After saying sorry to them, I got fully upright.

Then, I became aware of how many of my creatures had assembled around me.

Navigating carefully through the gathering of creatures, I went to the dining table and sat down.

A meal was already laid out.

“Sister Seol, did you come to wake me because I slept too long? I’m sorry for the delay.”

I assumed I had overslept, leading Seol to come get me.

But she just smiled and shook her head.

“No, I intended to give you today off. You appear very tired, so let’s pause the training for today.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

Her offer was appealing.

But could I truly rest while Cheongwol was still waiting?

I shook my head and responded,

“No, I can’t. I must complete my training and retrieve Cheongwol as quickly as possible. I can’t remain in Kunlun indefinitely.”

Seol smiled with understanding.

“I knew you would say that. Even so, I believe you shouldn’t overexert yourself. Take today off, just one day.”

“You think so?”

Her argument was reasonable.

As she spoke, she slid a bowl of warm soup and some hot dumplings toward me.

“Then just go visit Cheongwol today.”

Throughout my training, I had been staying near Cheongwol, attempting to build a connection with him.

I was also working to increase my affinity with him.

So she was suggesting that even without training, I should still go see him.

That was a given, so I nodded.

“Of course, sister Seol.”

My mind was sharp today.

I thought to myself that it was the right moment to evaluate my training progress.

‘Yes… it’s time to find out for myself.’