Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 398

Chapter 398
“It’s true! The green locusts have become swarming locusts!”
“But… nothing occurred! How is it possible for green locusts to suddenly turn into swarming locusts!?”
“What manner of # Nоvеlight # sorcery is this? We must check the others inside—huuuaaagh!”

Mandok Shingun cried out in shock after looking into the mosquito-net enclosure Yo-hwa had constructed. Elder Geolhwang and Hwa-eun also stooped to see and drew back with expressions of pure astonishment.
After all, we had only put green locusts inside the day before.
“You didn’t… perform some hidden technique during the night, did you?”
“No, I did nothing at all. I merely left them undisturbed.”
“Wait, could it be that powder you scattered on the grass yesterday?”
“Yes! That powder!”
They even recalled the fine powder I had sprinkled the previous day.
But that powder only hastened their change. It wasn’t the cause.
“That powder simply reduced the time required for their transformation. It didn’t make them become swarming locusts.”
I answered with a smile. Hwa-eun tilted her head, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
“So-ryong, how exactly did the green locusts become swarming locusts?”

Seeing we had reached this point, I resolved to give a full explanation. I couldn’t afford any more misunderstandings—I needed to preserve that trust. I had just mended the last issue with the ring, and managing affection was a fragile matter.
Romance sometimes felt like playing a game in that sense.
You offer presents, speak kindly, and increase affection points as if in a dating simulation. And once you’ve raised those points, you must nurture them with care.
‘A single misstep and it all plummets. Then I’m the one who ends up hurting.’

“Well… the reality is, swarming locusts are…”
Until the early 2000s, research on locust swarms was severely limited.
For a long time, it was believed that swarming locusts were simply a rare type of grasshopper—like cicadas that appear in great numbers every 9 years.
A special kind of insect that showed up abruptly, in massive groups.
But studies in the early 21st century uncovered a startling truth:
There is no distinct species known as the “swarming locust.”
What does that imply?
It means a “swarming locust” species does not actually exist.
But how can that be, when they undeniably exist—ravaging entire continents?
And yet… they are not a separate species.
Which brings us to the crucial question:
What are swarming locusts, then?
The answer is straightforward. And this experiment demonstrates it perfectly:
They are common grasshoppers that have undergone a metamorphosis.
The insects that torment humankind are not a different species. They are green locusts—grasshoppers in their solitary phase—that experience a profound shift.
Hue, form, conduct—everything alters as if they have become completely new creatures.
That is why even experts misclassified them as a separate species until the 2000s.
“Their appearance was so altered that it was only logical to believe they were distinct.”
So, how does a green locust become a swarming locust?
This is the process behind locust swarming.
There are around 10,000 recognized grasshopper species globally. But only approximately 20 species can undergo this change.
These are part of the Acrididae family—short-horned grasshoppers—which include:
Desert locusts
Australian plague locusts
Migratory locusts (such as the ones we captured)
But they do not change without cause. They need particular environmental triggers to become swarming locusts.
First: a climatic catalyst. Intense, unexpected rains might lead to rampant plant growth. Or, flooding could leave only isolated dry areas, crowding the insects together. Or, extended dry spells might push all locusts into one remaining green area.
These situations result in high population densities. When over 20 locusts crowd into one square meter, the second requirement is met:
Bodily contact.
In tight quarters, continual physical touch becomes unavoidable.
While this would be insignificant for other insects, for these grasshoppers, it serves as a potent biological trigger.
Each species has a particular body part that initiates the change when stimulated repeatedly.
For instance:
Desert locusts: hind legs
Australian locusts: antennae
Once this contact occurs sufficiently, their serotonin levels surge—increasing many times over.
And that is when it occurs.
The green, solitary locust vanishes… and the swarming locust appears.
This shift can take place in as little as 5 to 6 hours under lab conditions.
Once the change starts, the grasshopper’s body modifies: Its color deepens into yellows and blacks. Its wings extend, while its hind legs become shorter.
Everything is optimized for flight, migration, and collective behavior.
Scientists term this phenotypic plasticity—where the genetic code remains unchanged, but the organism’s physique and actions are profoundly modified by its surroundings.
Once a locust has transitioned into this new state, its brain becomes streamlined:
Only two instincts persist—“consume” and “follow.”
The outcome is a walking disaster: an unthinking horde that eats everything in its course.
They lose all rationality. They abandon survival strategies. They eat, travel, eat again—destroying all living things in their path.
“…And that is how they become what you see now.”
“After that, it is just as Hwa-eun described: they consume everything, deposit eggs, and reproduce. Then the cycle continues.”
“Then… what was that powder you used yesterday?”
“Ah. That was a powder made from safflower and white beans.”
“You mean safflower seeds? The kind used for lamp oil?”
“Correct. I crushed the seeds into a powder—before extracting the oil—and spread it on the grass the locusts were feeding on. The powder from safflower seeds has elements that speed up the change of green locusts into swarming locusts. The same is true for white bean powder.”
Safflower seeds, also known as Honghwa seeds, contain unique active constituents:
Three kinds of lignans, two kinds of flavonoids, and four serotonin derivatives.
Not all of them transform directly into serotonin, but once ingested, they generate effects similar to serotonin. Beans and nuts also hold tryptophan, a compound that enhances serotonin production in the intestines.
Thus, blending the two powders and giving them to the grasshoppers helped quicken their change into swarming locusts.

When I concluded my explanation, I looked toward Hwa-eun. Her eyes shone with admiration.
“A-amazing, So-ryong. You know such things as well? You are truly, truly remarkable. How did you ever learn something like that?”
“I… I’m not entirely certain. I believe I must have known it before my memory faded.”
“Perhaps So-ryong was an immortal sage who lost his memories…”
“Hahaha, let’s not exaggerate.”
I felt slightly nervous about the question regarding the source of my knowledge, but I deflected it ambiguously.
Her admiration appeared sincere—not just due to the ring from yesterday.
The way she gazed at me with genuine esteem… it made my heart skip.
Being respected by the woman you adore—that was indeed something extraordinary.
“Spicy Fabre, you are a marvel. I ought to bow to that Black Mamba a hundred times.”
Just as I was feeling thankful again to the poisonous snake that brought me here, the compliments continued.
“Astounding. So now we understand how swarming locusts originate. Truly awe-inspiring.”
“To imagine green locusts change into that… You have shared something incredible with us today.”
I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride.
Then Elder Geolhwang, who had been nodding quietly, posed a question with a hopeful look in his eyes.
“Tell me, So-ryong… if you can change green locusts into swarming locusts, do you also know how to reverse the process?”
“Reverse it?”
“Indeed. Since you initiated the transformation… is there a method to change them back?”
He likely assumed that if I knew how to start the change, I might also know how to stop it. But sadly, that was not possible.
Once a locust becomes a swarming locust, it cannot revert.
Even in my previous life, the sole solution was large-scale eradication—typically with pesticides.
“No. Once a green locust changes into a swarming locust, it is irreversible.”
“…I understand.”
He gave a quiet nod. His reply was measured, but it carried a deep emotional weight.
I inquired cautiously.
“Is there… a history behind that, Elder? You seem…”
“Ah… it is nothing. I have stepped back now, but I still care for my people.”
“By your people, you mean… the Beggars’ Guild?”
“Indeed. That is correct.”
He was concerned about locusts because of the Beggars’ Guild?
Beggars do not work the land. Was that not somewhat exaggerated?
It brought to mind that ancient tale from the Spring and Autumn period—“The man of Qi who feared the sky would fall.” Worrying over something entirely out of one’s hands.
Similar to an unemployed person in today’s world fretting over celebrity gossip.
I suppose my expression revealed my thoughts, because Elder Geolhwang gave a light laugh and spoke with an understanding smile.
“You are thinking, ‘What concern are locusts and farming to beggars?’ Are you not?”
“N-no, absolutely not! Even the Beggars’ Guild can care about the nation… or locusts… I mean, why not?”
Was Elder Geolhwang secretly able to read minds? Did achieving his level of martial skill grant him foresight?
I waved my hands and attempted to act composed, but he laughed warmly and said:
**”Hahaha, your thoughts are plain to see. But it is not illogical to think that way. However, there is a sound reason why we beggars are concerned about swarming locusts. When famine or locust infestations strike, those who perish first and in the greatest numbers… are members of the Beggars’ Guild. Charity is only possible when people have surplus. And when they lack food for themselves, who do you suppose will give to beggars? That is why we worry.”**
Once he stated it, it became completely clear.
People can only give when they have something to offer. No one will feed a beggar if they cannot feed their own household.
So when drought or locusts come… naturally, the beggars are the first to die.
It is much like in my former life—when the economy faltered, people first eliminated pastimes and extras. The scarcer the food, the fewer willing to share.
“Ah… yes, that is very logical.”
I nodded, acknowledging his words.
Then, Elder Geolhwang softened his voice slightly and asked me in a hushed tone:
“So… since you have such a clear grasp of swarming locusts, can you estimate how quickly they will reproduce? Or where they might travel?”
“Hmm… I cannot provide flawless forecasts, but I can offer reasonable estimates.”
If I examined factors like the ratio of adults to young in a swarm, wind patterns, and population density, I could generally monitor their movements.
I nodded, and the Elder inquired again in a cautious manner:
“Then… would you consider accepting a task for me?”
“A task?”
**”Yes. As I mentioned, the greatest dread of the Beggars’ Guild is drought and locusts. That is why we constantly watch for any indication of either.
Recently, news has arrived that swarming locusts have been moving in and out of Tianzhu, coming from the west, near the Tibet region.
I was hoping you might investigate—determine if they are truly heading toward the Central Plains, and if so, which way they are going.”**
It was a significant mission, and I did wish to assist.
But… there was an obstacle.
“I would be glad to help, but… I am somewhat restricted by my clan at the moment.”
Due to the approaching wedding, I was still partly confined to the Tang estate.
As I explained this, Hwa-eun offered a slight smile—evidently content with my response.