Chapter Eight: The Nest of Venomous Insects

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Tong stepped out of the cave dwelling and slid down the gently sloping stone steps along the cliff to the valley floor. Due to the earlier heavy rain, a roaring stream now surged through a ravine at the lowest part of the valley. Tong kept as far from the water’s edge as possible to avoid slipping in, which would have been a terrible and unjust death.

After trudging less than half a mile through the mud, the rain gradually eased. Along the way, an unexpected event occurred: a mudslide mixed with large rocks tumbled down a hillside from the heavy rain. If Tong had not passed by just moments earlier, he might have been buried beneath it.

Suddenly, a faint shadow flickered nearby. Tong immediately stopped and hid behind a large boulder.

It was a young deer that had just taken shelter from the rain. Although small, the deer was very alert. After cautiously surveying the surroundings and finding no movement, it carefully stepped through the mud toward Tong.

If Tong’s strength were still intact, he would have easily charged out to capture the deer. But unfortunately, though not completely powerless, he was helpless against such a nimble creature now.

Helpless, Tong reached into his pocket and pulled out the wooden box, curiously prying it open slightly. A sharp whizzing sound shot out from the box. Before Tong could see clearly, a fluttering noise rose in the distance.

Tong hurriedly looked up. The deer, which had been cautiously advancing, was suddenly lying on its side in the mud, struggling as if its neck had been fiercely bitten by a venomous snake.

“Hmm?” Tong was curious but dared not approach rashly. The flying shadow returned swiftly to the wooden box with a “whizz,” startling him. Only then did he see it clearly: a strange insect somewhat like a mosquito, but significantly larger and covered in colorful scales, with a rather repulsive appearance.

The odd mosquito-like insect quickly darted back into the wooden box. Tong promptly closed the lid, double-checked to ensure it was secure, and tucked it back into his bosom with relief.

Cautiously, Tong approached the deer, which had now completely stopped struggling. Whether it was dead or alive was unclear. Near the deer, Tong found no signs of movement and pondered silently, “Could it be that the mosquito I caught just now was the one that killed this deer?” Cold sweat broke out on him as he suddenly felt the urge to reinforce the wooden box with several more layers. If this insect escaped and bit him, wouldn’t he suffer the same fate as the deer?

Then he laughed at his own needless worry. Since the ghost doctor had instructed him to apply the ointment on himself, this strange mosquito probably wouldn’t bite him. At this moment, Tong regretted not applying the ointment more thoroughly before setting out.

He found a broken branch, fashioned it into a wooden stick, untied the hemp cord used to fasten his rain gear around his waist, and tied the deer's four legs to one end of the stick. He then hoisted the stick onto his shoulder, lifting the deer, and retraced his steps back.

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Though the deer was small, Tong struggled to carry it back to the cave dwelling, and by then, the sky had darkened.

Tong and the ghost doctor roughly skinned, roasted, and ate the deer. Both leaned back on stone chairs patting their stomachs. Only then did Tong reluctantly take out the wooden box and hand it to the ghost doctor. “Old ghost, if this deer was killed by the venomous mosquito, why didn’t you detoxify it before eating?”

The ghost doctor casually picked up a piece of firewood, scraped his teeth with the pointed end, and nonchalantly asked, “Who said this deer was killed by poison?”

Tong was taken aback and belched, “If not poison, could that tiny mosquito really kill the deer by biting it?”

The ghost doctor rolled his eyes. “You clearly lack experience. If the deer had died instantly back then, you wouldn’t have found it bleeding so much when you came back to kill it.” He then toyed with the wooden box in his hands. “That insect is called the Five-Color Mosquito, also known as the Immortal Sleep. It did bite the deer, yes, but it didn’t poison it to death. It only knocked the deer unconscious.”

Tong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I dragged it all the way here, resting and inspecting several times, yet never realized the deer was still alive!”

“Hmph, if even a child like you can’t tell, then the Immortal Sleep truly lives up to its name.” The ghost doctor grinned with pride. “The neurotoxic venom it injects induces a state of suspended animation. Unless you’re an expert, it’s impossible to detect.”

Tong nodded silently. “Then why isn’t the Five-Color Mosquito mentioned in the ‘Secret Methods of Insect Breeding’?”

The ghost doctor glanced at him disdainfully. “Do you really think any random insect can make it into that secret manual? It only records the most terrifying exotic insects that strike fear into people. The Five-Color Mosquito is just an ordinary poisonous bug I keep around for amusement.”

This earned Tong’s utmost respect. Even a mere pastime insect could be so formidable. Most frightening was its speed—masters at the Qi transformation stage might not even realize they’ve been bitten before losing consciousness.

Tong grew more curious about the Corpse-Sinking Poison Ant. Ranking ninth among exotic insects, it must be terrifying beyond measure. The book only briefly mentioned the top ten insects, perhaps because even the author lacked many opportunities to encounter them.

Tong began imagining the Corpse-Sinking Poison Ant: “It must be huge, at least the size of this deer, with sharp teeth and fangs, exuding a bloody aura. Oh, and its tail must be like a poisonous scorpion’s, with a green venomous stinger…”

The ghost doctor watched Tong’s daydreaming expression and chuckled, knowing exactly what was on his mind. Rising and straightening his clothes, he said, “Come on, kid, I’ll take you to see my treasures.”

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