Mealworms are typically considered pests, commonly found in grain storage facilities. However, their role as staple feed for reptiles and other insects is due to their ease of cultivation and cost-effectiveness.
Raising mealworms is relatively simple compared to other insects. Their primary food source, wheat bran, is a byproduct left over from milling wheat. By simply sprinkling an appropriate amount of wheat bran into their containers, mealworms will thrive with minimal effort. Additionally, even though they have wings, mealworms don’t fly as long as they have enough food. This makes it easy to raise them in simple containers lined with wheat bran.
Even after they mature into adult beetles, their care remains straightforward. Beyond occasionally providing fresh vegetable leaves, there’s little increase in complexity. This ease makes mealworms indispensable for people like me, who raise venomous creatures or reptiles.
With this in mind, I prepared ceramic jars, lined them with wheat bran, and began raising the mealworm beetles Yeong-yeong had caught. Since her catch wasn’t sufficient, I also scoured the Tang Clan’s grain storage to gather enough specimens to establish a proper breeding stock.
Alongside the mealworms, I decided to start raising crickets. Crickets, like mealworms, can be fed wheat bran and are relatively easy to breed. While mealworms are a reliable staple, crickets are particularly effective in stimulating feeding responses in insectivorous reptiles and venomous creatures due to their quick movements.
As I delved into the task of raising these two essential feeder insects in the Venom Yard, I also focused on my martial arts training. There was much to learn: the Five Venoms Arts, the Tang Clan’s unique martial arts like Iron Chest Technique, and even the skill of identifying the scent of various poisons.
Being a young martial artist in the Tang Clan felt like an overwhelming burden at times.
‘Joining this family is tougher than I expected.’
“Poisonous Serpent’s Covetous Spring!”
In the Tang Clan’s training grounds, I shouted a battle cry as my sweat-soaked hand coiled smoothly around the wooden training dummy’s arm.
Among the five techniques of the Five Venoms Arts—Centipede’s Venomous Fang Claw, Poisonous Serpent’s Covetous Hand, Scorpion’s Swift Tail Kick, Lizard’s Gecko Walk, and Toad’s Explosive Palm — I focused first on mastering Poisonous Serpent’s Covetous Hand.
Grandfather explained that Poisonous Serpent’s Covetous Hand served as the foundation for integrating hand techniques into other forms, such as the palm technique Toad’s Explosive Palm or the claw technique Centipede’s Venomous Fang Claw.
This technique involved coiling one’s arm like a snake to block or attack, aiming for the opponent’s vital points.
“Well done. Just like that. Next!”
Grandfather nodded approvingly as I transitioned to the next motion.
“Poisonous Serpent’s Covetous Peach!”
This move followed the first, releasing the coiled arm to strike the opponent’s exposed center. As my arm unwound with precision, it targeted the training dummy’s chest, causing the wooden frame to shift slightly.
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Grandfather offered his explanation.
“Just as a serpent seeks water or fruit, you must seek out your opponent’s vital points. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
We repeated the practice several times. By the time sweat was streaming down my face and soaking my clothes, Grandfather finally called for a break.
“That will be all for today.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Grandfather.”
“Well done today, So-ryong.”
Having started the day with energy circulation training at dawn, followed by breakfast and martial arts practice, it was already noon. Wiping the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve, I noticed a towel being handed to me.
“Here, So-ryong. You worked hard today.”
I turned to see my fiancée, Hwa-eun, smiling as she held out the towel.
“Thank you, Hwa-eun.”
Gratefully, I accepted the towel and wiped my face. It was moments like these that gave me the motivation to persevere through the grueling training.
‘This is why I keep going.’
Her support was invaluable—whether helping me understand the martial arts texts I struggled with or preparing things like towels and medicine after training. She even managed my schedule like a secretary.
“Once you’ve washed up, we’ll head to the Venom Yard. Commander Gu specifically requested your presence. It seems there’s a problem he needs help with. Afterward, we’ll continue your poison studies,” she said, balancing both care and command in her tone.
Nodding, I replied, “Understood. I’ll wash up quickly and meet you in the pavilion.”
After freshening up, I joined her at the pavilion, where the children were waiting with her. On her right shoulder perched a centipede, and on her left, a lizard.
The creatures greeted me enthusiastically, crawling onto my shoulders and pressing their faces against mine, their cold, rough textures tickling my cheeks.
“Alright, alright, I get it. Calm down,” I said, trying to soothe them before they wore out my patience.
As we made our way to the Venom Yard, I asked, “Did Commander Gu mention what the issue was?”
“Something about the crickets. It seems their numbers aren’t increasing as expected, and they’ve started cannibalizing each other,” Hwa-eun explained.
“Ah, so that’s it,” I muttered.
Crickets are notorious for their aggressive behavior. Cannibalism isn’t uncommon, especially when they’re stressed or lack proper care. I’d dealt with the same issue back on Hainan Island.
When we arrived at the Venom Yard, Commander Gu greeted us with an apologetic expression.
“I’m sorry, So-ryong. I haven’t been able to manage this properly.”
His solemn demeanor was almost comical. Smiling, I reassured him, “Don’t be so grim. This isn’t anyone’s fault. Let’s take a look.”
Inspecting the cricket enclosures, I found them set up in large, halved clay jars filled with wheat bran as food and plenty of leaves for shelter. At first glance, the setup seemed fine—it was the same method I used on Hainan Island.
However, scattered cricket legs littering the jars told a different story. Cannibalism was rampant.
“I encountered this issue back on Hainan as well...” I trailed off, deep in thought.
The problem was clear, but I lacked the expertise to solve it. While I excelled in raising venomous creatures and reptiles, crickets weren’t my specialty.
I wasn’t just Fabre—I was Spicy Fabre, after all. My expertise lay in venomous creatures.
As I mulled over possible solutions—changing their food, enlarging the enclosures—a hesitant voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Um...”
Turning, I saw one of Commander Gu’s subordinates awkwardly raising his hand.
“Do you have something to say?” I asked.
He hesitated before replying, “I might know someone who can help with crickets...”
“Someone knowledgeable about crickets?”
Nodding, he scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. “I’ve... uh, dabbled in cricket fighting... You know, as a hobby. Just for fun—nothing serious!”
“Cricket fighting?” I asked, intrigued.
Hwa-eun explained, “It’s a gambling activity where crickets are made to fight, and bets are placed on the outcome.”
“Ah,” I said, recalling a vague memory from my previous life. Cricket fighting had been a popular pastime in ancient China, originating as a courtly diversion among palace maidens and eventually becoming a widespread cultural phenomenon. Winning crickets could fetch astronomical prices.
It seemed we might be onto something. Perhaps hiring a cricket expert wasn’t such a bad idea. With that in mind, I decided to clear my schedule and head to Chengdu to investigate. After all, this seemed like a golden opportunity to recruit some much-needed expertise.
***
The distance wasn’t far, so I initially thought we would use qinggong, but instead, we opted for a carriage.
The reason was a suggestion that, since we were heading to a gambling den, it would be better to dress up and arrive by carriage to blend in.
Thus, Hwa-eun, Commander Gu, myself, and our guide, Hwang-geon, dressed in silk garments and headed toward Chengdu. A few expert martial artists accompanied us on horseback for protection, given the recent incident with the Blood Sect.
“This is the place, Master So-ryong,” Hwang-geon announced.
The location was a street lined with tall, grand buildings. According to Hwang-geon, this was the heart of Chengdu’s cricket-fighting scene.
As soon as we alighted from the carriage, provocatively dressed women on the street began trying to lure passersby.
“Come inside for a moment.”
“Over here, young master. This way.”
The street was lined with gambling dens and brothels, giving it an atmosphere reminiscent of Gangnam in my previous life. I tried not to look, but my head automatically turned despite myself. At that moment, I felt something grip my left arm.
When I turned my head, I saw Hwa-eun clinging to my arm with a gentle yet somehow chilling smile. Her meaning was clear enough without words.
I quickly nodded my head, signaling that I understood: keep my eyes focused on her.
‘Yes, eyes forward!’
Fixing my gaze on her, we approached the entrance of a three-story building. Two large guards stood in our way, momentarily dazed by the sight of Hwa-eun, before they moved to block us.
Hwang-geon stepped forward, his face stern. “Excuse me, but without a sponsor—”
“These are Lady Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan and her betrothed, Master So-ryong. Step aside immediately!”
“W-what?! Lady Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan? One of the Three Blossoms of Wulin?!”
“S-sorry! Our apologies, Sir Hwang!”
The guards stepped aside in a panic, and we entered the gambling den. The interior was lavishly decorated, with women in sheer garments serving drinks, while various gambling games took place at large tables. However, the moment we stepped inside, the noisy den fell silent.
As Hwa-eun walked further in, the women in sheer garments seemed to shrink back in fear. If they were fireflies, then she was practically a flashbang grenade.
‘No, she might as well be the sun.’
“W-welcome! It’s an honor to have you visit our humble Golden Phoenix Gambling Den!”
A man with a mouse-like face, presumably the owner, scurried over to greet us. Hwang-geon stepped forward to address him.
“This is Lady Hwa-eun of the Tang Clan and her betrothed, Master So-ryong. They are here to see a cricket fight. Lead the way.”
“It’s such an honor! By coincidence, today is the General Cricket Championship match. Please, follow me to the third floor.”
The owner’s face lit up as he assumed we had come to spend a fortune. Following his lead, we climbed to the third floor, where the cricket fights were taking place.
The setup was surprisingly entertaining, even including a commentator. According to Hwang-geon, the General Cricket Championship was a monthly tournament where the champion cricket was decided. In other words, it was the title match.
A man, presumably the dealer, placed a cricket into each side of a round dish with a wooden divider in the middle. Using a brush made from cat whiskers, he agitated the crickets until they were riled up. Then, he removed the wooden divider, and the enraged crickets immediately began tearing into each other.
The two crickets viciously attacked, biting and grappling. Eventually, one of them backed down, exposing its back in fear. The victorious cricket let out a triumphant chirp.
“The General Cricket has been decided!”
Cheers and groans filled the air as bets were settled. Some people smiled with satisfaction, while others drowned their sorrows in alcohol. The victorious cricket was even auctioned off on the spot, fetching an astonishing price of thirty silver coins.
‘I could make a fortune selling crickets later.’
The idea of raising and selling crickets as a revenue source for the Venom Yard crossed my mind. I turned to the owner, who was still hovering nearby, and asked, “Do you have a cricket handler I can speak to?”
“A cricket handler? Well, we occasionally have people ask, but we don’t have much to show. We don’t really care which cricket wins. We just feed them and clean up their droppings...”
The owner seemed hesitant, his words trailing off. Sensing his reluctance, Hwang-geon interjected sharply, “Master So-ryong, let’s head to the Yellow Dragon Gambling Den. I’m embarrassed to have brought you here.”
“Oh no, no! Please, allow me to show you. It’s not that I didn’t want to show you, but, uh, our cricket handler isn’t particularly impressive. Just someone who feeds the crickets and cleans up after them...”
Reluctantly, the owner led us to a damp underground room filled with the sound of crickets chirping.
In a dark corner, a woman in her late twenties or early thirties sat slumped against a pile of straw. Her disheveled appearance and gloomy atmosphere made her seem like a ghostly presence.
“What are you doing?! These are esteemed guests from the Tang Clan! Show some respect!” the owner barked.
At the mention of the Tang Clan, the woman’s pupils dilated briefly before her gaze returned to its dull, lifeless state. She lowered her head silently.
I slipped a few silver coins to the owner and asked, “I occasionally raise crickets for fun. Would it be alright if I asked her a few questions?”
“Of course, young master! Please, ask away,” the owner replied enthusiastically, his mood lifted by the sight of silver.
Turning to the woman, who continued to stare at the ground, I asked, “I’m raising several crickets in one place, but they keep eating each other. Do you know why?”
“Meat? Ah!”
Her response sparked a realization. Crickets are omnivorous insects. The cannibalism was likely due to a lack of protein in their diet.
‘Is this woman a cricket expert?!’
Her answer was enough to convince me of her value. Following the plan we had discussed earlier, I glanced at Hwa-eun and nodded. She immediately produced a gold ingot from her sleeve.
Holding it up, she asked the owner, “Can we buy this woman?”
“Of course—uh, I mean, yes, absolutely...”
The owner didn’t even hesitate, already nodding eagerly. It seemed his assessment of her as a mere caretaker who fed and cleaned up after crickets was accurate.
But before the deal could be finalized, the woman suddenly shouted, “No! You can’t!”