Chapter 321: Subduing the Locust Plague

The old locusts had been swept away by the Daoist’s gust of wind, but new swarms continued to arrive. The farmer in the field was so exhausted that he could barely catch his breath. Forced to rest for the time being, he resolved to follow the government’s advice later in the evening: to light fires in the fields to ward off the locusts once night fell.

These cursed bugs were truly tormenting.

Could it be that the locust deity had somehow been resurrected?

The old man, clutching his aching back, emerged from the fields and looked up at the sky full of locusts, letting out a deep sigh.

At that moment, he suddenly heard a commotion in the distance.

Raising his head, he saw what appeared to be a dense, inky blot spreading across the dim sky. This blot seemed to dissolve into countless black shadows, scattering in all directions. Some of the shadows flew overhead, accompanied by the whooshing sound of the wind and a chorus of bird calls. The noise, though individually faint, gathered into a rushing torrent, leaving the old man stunned.

Some of the birds lowered their altitude and flew down toward the ground.

Steadying himself and summoning his courage, the old man moved closer for a better look. Only then did he realize that the birds were swallows. They had black and white feathers, and were lively and graceful in appearance.

Looking back up at the sky, he saw it teeming with countless black silhouettes, chirping incessantly.

Could they all really be swallows?

***

In many regions, locust plagues were considered acts of divine punishment or the result of some supernatural force, such as the locust deity or demonic spirits. Otherwise, why would ordinarily docile locusts suddenly become frenzied and aggressive, even altering their appearance?

Moreover, the word locust,

huáng

, sounded similar to emperor,

huángdi

, which evoked reverence and fear.

Thus, even when suffering under the devastation of locust swarms, many people dared not actively exterminate them.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Fortunately, the former prefect of this region was bold and decisive. Not only did he lead efforts to combat the locusts, but he also dispelled the superstitious awe surrounding locust plagues. Although subsequent officials lacked his charisma, they maintained his proactive approach and continued striving to eliminate the pests.

Ahead, a group of government workers and soldiers could be seen tackling the densest swarm of locusts. Drawing on the knowledge of ancient texts like

The Essentials of Locust Control

,

Studies on Locust Control

, and

Collection of Techniques of Locust Control

, they employed methods such as the fish-trap method[1], net capture, and bagging to capture the locusts. Once captured, the locusts were burned or buried on the spot.

It was a battle between humans, gods, and nature.

To claim that they had completely subdued the locust plague would be unrealistic. But to say their efforts were futile would also be unfair. Locust plagues were fearsome, historically daunting adversaries, and these people were doing their utmost to curtail the swarms and slow their spread. Their goal was simple: to save as much of the harvest as possible for the regions further back.

Whether they could fully withstand the disaster or not, one thing was certain—no one here had given in.

At this moment, even the local governor had personally come to the front lines, leaving no room for negligence.

The air was filled with the constant droning hum of locusts, accompanied by the shouts of people echoing all around, chaotic and overlapping.

Suddenly, amidst this cacophony, another sound emerged—a distinct gust of wind.

“Boom...”

It was like shouting loudly in a silent forest during autumn or winter, startling countless birds into the air. Or like a flock of pigeons flying en masse across the city skies. Yet this sound was far louder, heavier, and more resonant than any rural bird flock or urban pigeon flight.

Looking up—

A dark cloud surged across the sky from the distance. Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a cloud at all but a massive flock of birds, densely packed and overwhelming.

It was like a torrent in the heavens.

As the torrent surged forward, birds continuously broke away from it, lowering their altitude. Some danced nimbly through the air, darting in all directions, while others landed on the ground, actively preying on locusts.

The local officials were stunned. The workers and soldiers froze as well.

They were all birds?

Where had so many birds come from?

And why? These mutated locusts had driven away even the usual birds, which refused to eat them. Why had this flock come here?

Swish!

A bird swooped down, landing right in front of them. It lowered its head, pecking a locust to death. Yet it didn’t eat the locust—instead, it walked a few steps to the side and began pecking at another.

Only then did the crowd realize—it was a swallow.

“This...”

“Don’t move!”

“Don’t touch them!”

The crowd shouted in unison, their voices filled with astonishment.

Looking up at the sky, their eyes widened in disbelief. This was nothing short of miraculous.

Only the local official furrowed his brow, feeling as though he had vaguely heard a story like this before—

Something about a drought years ago, when countless people were starving. In Xuzhou, swallows filled the sky. Blocking out the sun, they carried grains to relieve the famine. There was also talk from a few years back about a swallow traveling overseas to bring back high-yield crops to save the people, earning them the title of

Swallow Immortal

.

Could this event be related to those tales?

Regardless, it was undoubtedly extraordinary.

***

After forming swarms, locusts not only change their appearance but also develop toxins, which is why most birds are reluctant to eat them. However, these swallows were not ordinary birds—they were manifestations and did not consume the locusts, only exterminated them.

It was said that a single swallow transformed from the Anqing Swallow Immortal could carry away all the grain from an official granary in one trip. So, how long would it take to rid this area of locusts?

Song You didn’t know.

But as he looked up at the sky, which was gradually clearing as the swallows passed, he realized that the end of the locust plague was certain.

Time passed. Eventually, the swallow returned from the sky, landing on the horse’s back, visibly exhausted.

“Anqing swallows are truly remarkable,” the Daoist said, lowering his gaze and smiling at the bird.

His acquaintance with the old Swallow Immortal dated back five or six years. He had always known the immortal’s cultivation was profound and its abilities unparalleled, but it wasn’t until now that he truly witnessed the grandeur of this thousand-year-old Swallow Immortal’s legacy.

“I’ve set their flight paths. They will continue clearing the locusts here until their spiritual resonance is depleted, at which point they will vanish. Even if the number of locusts were several times greater, they would still be eradicated,” the swallow said.

“To eliminate this plague and save countless people—your merit is immeasurable,” the Daoist replied.

“I wouldn’t dare claim any credit. We Anqing swallows owe our existence to the people of the world, so I’ve simply learned from you, sir, to do what little I can for the common folk,” the swallow said weakly.

“That’s admirable,” the Daoist said with a slight smile. He turned his head to look around, and fixed his gaze on a distant mountain.

At the foot of the mountain stood a massive boulder.

“Still, this is your achievement, and it also reflects the prowess of the old Swallow Immortal. Such deeds of saving the world and helping the people should be remembered. Whether it’s you or the Swallow Immortal, both deserve recognition.”

The Daoist paused, then continued, “Even if you wish to remain anonymous, the old Swallow Immortal was recently officially enshrined as a deity. Human offerings and faith are essential for him now. Without his ability, this disaster could not have been averted. No matter what, his name should be preserved.”

The swallow opened its beak as if to speak but said nothing in the end.

“Let’s go...”

After a moment, the Daoist moved on from the area.

Yet somehow, the large boulder that had once been at the foot of the distant mountain was now placed by the roadside. Carved into its surface were simple words, “Anqing swallows cleared the plague here.”

It did not specify which swallow or mention the Swallow Immortal by name.

The Daoist had already turned away, leading the jujube-red horse, walking unhurriedly as he left the scene.

Along the way, he continued to see people combating the locusts or suffering over fields stripped bare by the infestation. But most had their heads tilted upward, watching the swallows battling the locusts in the skies above.

Much of the crops had ultimately been consumed by the locusts, and there would inevitably be people displaced from their homes. These were problems that only government disaster relief could address.

The Daoist left the boulder as a marker for several reasons: first, to remind people of who had helped to alleviate the disaster; second, to offer some fortune to the newly enshrined Swallow Immortal, helping him solidify his divine status. Perhaps there would be matters in the future that would require his assistance.

And third, to show that a divine immortal had intervened here. With this acknowledgment, perhaps the government would feel more compelled to provide relief, knowing even immortals had taken note of the plight.

His purpose in coming here was both to combat the disaster and to see if he could meet an old friend. Now that the locust plague had been subdued, it was time to continue searching for that friend.

The old farmer in the field had mentioned a swordsman who had come to slay demons. It might have been the swordsman he knew, or it might not have been. If it was, the swordsman had likely realized this was no demonic work or that such a locust plague was beyond his capabilities. He might have left to exterminate the tiger demon in Jinhe County or gone elsewhere in search of a solution.

The Daoist decided to head to Jinhe County to take a look.

Behind him, the sound of the horse bell jingled incessantly.

The swallow, exhausted, remained perched on the horse’s back. For once, it stayed close to the cat in the saddlebag, not maintaining its usual distance or vigilance.

The cat, on the other hand, seemed utterly oblivious to or uninterested in the local people’s suffering. It was much like when she had learned of the rat infestation in Lanmo County. Back then, her concern had been the sheer abundance of rats she could never finish catching or eating. As for the devastation the rats caused to the people, she neither understood it nor cared.

Now, she remained nestled in the pouch, her head poking out as she spoke to the swallow, “Do you like it here, Mr. Swallow?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Why would I like it?”

“There are enough bugs here for you to eat for a lifetime.”

“I can only eat a few at a time,” the swallow replied, dragging its tired spirit as it answered.

“That’s simple,” the cat said with a serious and earnest expression. “You can use salt to make dried locust jerky. Then you can keep them in your pouch and eat them for a long time.”

“This...”

“Have you never done it?”

“No...”

“Do you know how to make it?”

“No.”

“Then you’re not very smart.”

“...”

The cat, unacquainted with human struggles, naturally did not understand their suffering.

But then again, she was a cat. She only needed to understand the struggles of her own kind. Why should she concern herself with human troubles? As a cat who had lived through and grown accustomed to the hardships of feline life, she was open-hearted and carefree.

Why burden herself with the sorrows of human existence? Such simplicity and purity were rare and precious. Why complicate it with unnecessary worries?

As they continued walking, the cat began earnestly teaching the swallow the secret techniques for making dried locust jerky.

The swallow listened, stunned and speechless, unsure how to respond.

Meanwhile, the Daoist walked ahead, overhearing their conversation. His heart, heavy with the suffering he had witnessed along the way, began to lighten.

And so it was—

It wasn’t that the Daoist was impervious to the sorrows of the world, untouched by its miseries, or able to maintain a detached, serene demeanor in the face of widespread suffering. It was simply that he had this cat by his side—a perfect remedy for the burdens of the heart.

The splendor of the world was worth witnessing, but one should not linger or lose oneself in it. Likewise, the suffering of the world was an undeniable reality, yet it was not necessary to be consumed by it.

Those with firm resolve remained neither enticed nor trapped by external forces. Life’s busyness spanned only a hundred years or so, and no matter how long a Daoist of Hidden Dragon Temple walked among mortals or how much he changed the world, in the end, he would always return to the Yin-Yang Mountain to be his true self.

If asked how he felt at this moment, the Daoist would say he simply wished to encounter the swordsman he knew further along the road.

1. The fish-trap method is a fishing technique that uses bamboo to create enclosures in shallow sea trenches. Bamboo strips are woven into barriers and set up in the water, secured with wooden stakes. The heart of the trap is positioned at the trench's bottom, while the mouth of the trap extends along the trench toward the shallows near the shore, resembling a funnel. ☜