NOVEL NEXT Chapter 184
Chapter 184: Maternal Feelings
“Wait, are you saying there are chicks hatching!?”
As I crawled out of the well, I explained what had occurred to the village chief, who stared wide-eyed and yelled in shock.
He seemed quite worried that if the chicks woke up, there would be no pigs left in the village, so I reassured him with my plans for what would happen next. After all, this was his request.
I would be getting some new venomous insects in the process, though.
“From now on, you don’t need to worry about the pigs disappearing. The earwigs won’t eat until their eggs hatch, and once the chicks are out, they’ll sacrifice themselves for them.”
“They die, huh? Well, that’s somewhat relieving. But what if the chicks wake up… that…”
It felt like he wanted me to just kill them all or something, but instead, Older Sister Seol shook her head and responded in my stead.
Given that she was from the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, such ruthless behavior was unacceptable to her.
“You know the law of the jungle in the jungles of Yunnan, right? You never capture both a mother and her chicks, and you can’t separate them from each other.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“The earwig’s burrow connects to a large cave; we plan to check the other side tomorrow. As for the volcano on the earwig’s side, we’ll check that once the mother earwig dies.
After that, we’ll seal off the hole that leads to the village, so you don’t have to worry. If it seems like they might harm the village, I’ll catch them and move them elsewhere.”
As Older Sister said, we were set to investigate how far the cave extended tomorrow, and it was already discussed that if the earwigs caused trouble after hatching, we’d move them to a place further away.
After I explained this, the village head seemed to flinch but then nodded in understanding. The other villagers around him appeared somewhat relieved.
Well, there’s no way to handle this more perfectly than this.
This was just following the broadcasting plan I had established in my previous life.
‘As the Spicy Fabre, I’ve used this broadcasting plan quite a few times, so I can confidently say there’s no better way to resolve issues with wild venomous insects.’
When problems arise between wild venomous insects and humans, here are a few principles I set forth as Fabre.
First. Identify what kind of creature it is.
Second. Observe its habits and the terrain.
Third. Investigate the reasons for this occurring from multiple perspectives.
Fourth. Once confirmed, explore ways for humans and the creature to coexist.
Fifth. If coexistence turns out to be impossible, relocate the problematic creature.
This broadcasting system found its inception from a trivial incident.
On a regular broadcasting day, a support message popped up.
“Alright, then, let’s take some questions! If anyone has something they’re curious about, feel free to send it through the chat…”
【Snakes Suck donated 1,000 won.】 Fabre, my parents have moved to a country house but are worried because there are too many snakes in the yard. Is there any way to deal with it?
“Wow! Thank you for the donation, Snakes Suck! But really, snakes in a country house?”
【Snakes Suck donated 1,000 won.】 Yes, they appear several times a day!
At that moment, I had a hunch.
This was broadcasting material!
“How many snakes exactly? Hmm… If it’s not too far, I can come check it out myself. Talking about it has its limits.
To understand why the snakes are appearing, I have to check the scene myself.”
【Snakes Suck donated 1,000 won.】 Really!? I really appreciate it. My mom is too scared to even step out into the yard.
“Please send me the address to my email. By the way, is it okay to broadcast while I do this?”
【Snakes Suck donated 1,000 won.】 That would be an honor! I’ll send you the email right away.
—————————
The Supreme Hornet: Haha, Fabre manages to find broadcasting material even in such absurd situations?
Little Turtle: Is the next broadcast going to feature Landlord Spicy Fabre?
Muscular Toad: I recognize a professional broadcaster.」
—————————
Thus, I went to the country house of the viewer’s parents.
The moment I arrived, I understood what the issue was.
The small hill behind the country house resembled a rocky mountain, and upon inspection, I found many snake dens.
The snakes would squeeze into holes formed between the rocks and huddle together for winter, and there were plenty of such holes, alongside several snakes emerging from them.
Moreover, a creek flowed in front of the country house, so with spring arriving, the snakes waking from hibernation were making their way to find water right through the yard.
They had cut through the hillside and built the house on a slope, making it a convenient path not just for humans or wildlife, but especially for snakes.
In this country housing area, coexisting with people seemed impossible.
I set up long snake nets to prevent the snakes from coming down from the hill and had to make several trips to catch them all and relocate them elsewhere.
I received sincere thanks from the viewers for the flawless plan.
The village chief also expressed his gratitude.
“If you could go that far, I can rest easy. Thank you, young lady.”
“Oh no, don’t mention it. We’re all like family living in the jungles of Yunnan, aren’t we?”
“Thank you, Confucian gentleman.”
With plans for the future decided, the next day came.
Once again, accompanied by the Oryong Sam Bong, we checked the other side of the cave, but soon found a dead end.
A strong underground current greeted us.
– Whoosh!
“It seems the path is blocked, then there must be a passage on the other side.”
“Indeed, that seems to be the case.”
With a large earwig settled in the lava cave, it surely felt like there would be a huge entrance somewhere on the other side.
However, for now, we couldn’t confirm anything, so we decided to wait for the little ones to hatch.
Little earwig offspring were just as adorable as the centipedes, after all.
‘Hehe, hurry up and be born! This big brother will treat you well!’
*
Inside a large separate chamber adorned with five poisons.
Thick white smoke billowed up from the large incense burner in the center of the chamber, and a warrior clad in a garment with centipedes etched on his chest knelt in front, reporting.
“Well, all the activities from the Zhang River Triad have been discovered by the Martial Forest Alliance, including the Deputy Commander and Sub Commander from the Centipede Division…”
– Bang!
“What!? The Deputy Commander and Sub Commander too!?”
The warrior’s report caused the table made of hearing stones to shake.
A woman in black sitting beside the man turned to the warrior and asked.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, contact has been cut off, and when our people checked, the mountain was on fire, and it seems all the insect types were also burned away.”
A brief silence followed the warrior’s report.
The woman broke the silence and inquired further.
“Wait a moment, are you saying the mountain was burned? Not just a mountain house?”
“Yes, not just the house on the mountain but the entire surrounding area was scorched black.”
The woman thought for a moment at the warrior’s report.
Something felt off.
That not only the mountain but also the neighboring areas were burned confirmed that the inflated insect types were known to be dangerous, which was puzzling considering that the Martial Forest Alliance likely didn’t have a clear understanding of insects.
Even if they had witnessed an insect sucking blood or attacking a person, the fact that they burned down not only the house on the mountain but the entire vicinity could only mean they were willing to eradicate everything.
Hence, the woman felt a slight unease and asked the warrior.
“By the way, how did you find out that the Martial Forest Alliance was aware of this?”
“Yes, that was because we kidnapped a person from the Water Bandit’s hideout nearby and confirmed the information ourselves. It seems a person named Earth Dragon from the Jiegal Clan was in charge.”
“Earth Dragon? So the Jiegal Clan is knowledgeable about astronomy or geography; that’s strange… I understand. You may leave.”
It was already a known fact that the Jiegal Clan was skilled in astronomy and geography.
She considered it somewhat new that someone was sufficiently knowledgeable about insects.
Just as she was about to dismiss the warrior, she noticed he was hesitating after having received an order.
With a tilted head, she asked.
“Is there something else you wish to say?”
“Um, that is…”
“Oh, is it about the Centipede Division?”
Hearing the woman, a man sitting in the power seat spoke towards the warrior.
“For now, the Deputy Commander will take charge, and we can supplement the numbers later.”
“Th-Thank you. However, that’s not really the issue. It’s just that I believe that this matter seems to involve that person…”
“That person?”
The warrior’s words caused the woman and the man to exchange glances.
The woman in black asked the warrior.
“Who are you referring to?”
At this, the warrior hesitated and lowered his head.
“That would be Older Sister Seol, or rather, the Earth Dragon from the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace…”
Once again, silence fell over the separate chamber at the warrior’s report.
The man sitting at the head glanced at the woman in black and laughed.
“Hahaha, Cheong Yu, your fiancé is meddling in our affairs too much.”
Though it seemed like an ordinary laugh, it had an eerie undertone that sent chills through everyone in the chamber.
The once-pale Cheong Yu bowed her head towards the man.
“I’m so sorry, Father.”
“Don’t mention it. What could you possibly have to apologize for?
Anyway, when I first heard your words, I was simply curious, but as more news arrives, it seems I am growing more and more tempted, just like you.
I wondered if this was rubbish the Jiegal Clan had created, but to hear they burned the mountains means they were acutely aware of how dangerous the insect types were.
Just the other day, you informed me that not only the Hornet’s poison but also the Yellow Wasp’s venom is deadly to the Blood Cult, and as you said, isn’t this precisely the right fit for our Five Poisons Sect? Hahaha…”
After laughing for quite a while, the man issued a command to the warrior.
“Understood, you may leave now.”
“Yes! Owner of the Five Poisons Sect!”
Then, he turned to confirm the conversation he had earlier with Cheong Yu before the warrior entered.
“First, we should wrap up the discussion we were having earlier. Has the production of the poison types been completed?”
“Yes, of course. It’s prepared enough to feed all the Blood Cult leaders.”
“And the poison?”
“It’s ready to be diluted to be burned as incense.”
“Well done. Then tell the Elders and all the Deputy Commanders. After we take down the leaders of the Blood Cult who come to this meeting, we will bring the Blood Cult under our control.”
“Understood, Father!”
Just as Cheong Yu was about to rush out after receiving her orders, her father called her back.
“Cheong Yu, you will leave this matter to the Grand Elder.”
“Yes?”
“You have something far more urgent to attend to.”
“What is it?”
Cheong Yu tilted her head, surprised that there was something more pressing than taking down the leaders of the Blood Cult.
Her father, the owner of the Five Poisons Sect, smiled and spoke.
“It seems we can’t leave your fiancé hanging; you need to go see him.”
“Oh, alright, Father.”
At her father’s request to capture the Earth Dragon, Cheong Yu felt a surge of excitement.
After all, she did mention having a suitable partner, and for her father to have shown a lukewarm response previously, it seemed he was finally recognizing the value of the man.
“According to the information gathered from the Central Plains, it seems your fiancé likes venomous insects. So, let’s send a Blood Cult operative close to the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace to leak some intel.”
“Which one?”
“The one regarding the Cheonghae Castle matter.”
“Oh! The Cheonghae Castle! If he gets that information, he will surely move immediately.”
“Go with the Scorpion Squad and capture your fiancé.”
“Yes! Father!”
Cheong Yu dashed out with a joyful face, and inside the separate chamber, after she left…
The owner of the Five Poisons Sect spoke to someone in the shadows.
“Make sure to keep a close watch on her while she follows that child. And when you catch him, prepare everything so we can cast the Five Poisons Explosive Covert Technique on him right away.
This puppet show is going to get more fun.”
As the owner of the Five Poisons Sect finished speaking, a shadow began to swiftly move toward the direction where Cheong Yu had disappeared.