I Became an Evolving Lizard in a Martial Arts Novel-Chapter 254

Arthropleura, known as the Violet General, was a powerful entity.

The reason he was called a general was simple.

Not only did he possess an impenetrable armor and jaws capable of tearing through anything, but he was also extraordinarily cunning.

When he was still young, he once encountered a legion of fire ants.

He joined their large-scale operation to hunt Microraptors, and his remarkable strategy stood out.

It was after that battle that he earned the honorable title of Violet General.

The title was bestowed upon him by the fire ant general, known as Sharp Jaw, who had led the vanguard.

For Sharp Jaw, who was said to be the strongest and most intelligent in his prime, to recognize Arthropleura’s talent meant that his abilities were exceptional among centipedes.

Eventually, Arthropleura grew to possess the size and power to crush most mammals and birds and became an unrivaled ruler in the Eternal Golden Poison Cave.

But even such a Violet General found himself flustered.

Watching the situation unfold underground, he had been confident that his opponent was insignificant and had burst out into the open.

Yet, what was this?

The cute lizard that had been making those strange chirping noises was nowhere to be found, replaced by a ferocious lizard letting out an intimidating roar.

Of course, its size was still unimpressive.

Smaller than a centipede, it was the perfect size to fit into the Violet General’s mouth.

Of course, consuming the lizard was not an option, as harming others in the Eternal Golden Poison Cave was taboo.

Still, the Violet General had thought about intimidating the lizard into submission and taking it as a subordinate, but he quickly realized how arrogant that thought had been.

The lizard radiated an inner strength far greater than anything he had ever encountered.

And the fact that it stood on two legs was inherently suspicious.

If he had stepped forward even a little further, he was certain he would have been slammed into the ground instantly.

What an unfathomable difference.

"Kiieeek!"

But the Violet General was still a general.

As the leader of this place, retreating wasn’t an option.

He steadied his resolve and charged forward at lightning speed.

*

"The Violet General is submitting!"

A black mantis flapped its wings, clearly shocked.

So, this guy’s name is Violet General?

"Kerrrk..."

The centipede curled up its body, acting as if it was trying to show affection.

"Kerrk... Kirrrk...!"

Although shorter in length than Shishishi, the enormous centipede was much broader.

Honestly, its appearance alone made it look quite impressive.

At a glance, it could be mistaken for a snake with armor.

Of course, a closer look at its face would deliver the mental shock of staring into an abyss.

Unlike Centipede, this one still had the typical face of an insect.

Seeing it trying to look as cute as possible gave me a strange feeling.

"Kerrr..."

It seemed to be more perceptive than I had anticipated.

Perhaps that’s why it earned the title of general.

"This is... an unprecedented event..."

The mantis looked utterly dumbfounded.

Judging by its reaction, this centipede must be especially strong even in this cave.

Well, considering it was twenty levels higher than the same species I encountered in the Silver Dragon’s Den, that made sense.

If I had faced it back then, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Of course, the difference between the me of that time and now is like the gap between Soyeong and the Snake Queen’s energy reserves.

"You’re amazing, kid...!"

Centipede used its thirteenth to thirty-second legs to prod me all over.

It was a strange sensation, leaving me with mixed feelings.

I’d been pampered like this before, but this time felt different.

When Master did it, it was slightly painful. When the Snake Queen did it, it was a bit... sticky.

But Centipede’s touch was ticklish and oddly comforting.

Was this what maternal love felt like?

Come to think of it, what happened to my biological mother?

If I’m truly a descendant of Gomodo, does that mean my mother was a gecko lizard and my father was the previous Gomodo?

...Gomodo, you’re more dangerous than I thought.

Is that even biologically possible?

Maybe if you learned a technique to shrink in size... but wouldn’t that be ethically questionable?

Why a gecko, of all things?

Sure, its slender legs are kind of cute, but just because it’s cute doesn’t mean you should—no, let’s not go there.

"Kid?"

Centipede, who had been showering me with affection, called out to me.

It must’ve noticed I was lost in thought.

Alright, time to get back to the main issue.

"Kirrk..."

Standing behind the centipede were a group of creatures.

These must be the insects Centipede mentioned would serve as my initiation.

They seemed startled and whispered amongst themselves as the centipede fawned over me, some even preparing to flee.

"Kekek."

I wiggled my soft hand.

"Ke... Kerrrk?"

I know you can speak, so don’t pretend otherwise. Come here.

"Th-that..."

Buzz.

Thwack.

I slowly swished my tail.

"Eek!"

These must be the long-standing inhabitants of this place.

While I could get information from Centipede, it wouldn’t hurt to cross-check with these bugs.

It’s not that I don’t trust Centipede.

It’s just that these creatures might know things even Centipede doesn’t.

"Gekgekgek."

When I let out a lizard cry, the insects froze in place, snapping to attention.

Luckily, they seemed to have a decent sense of self-preservation.

I’d considered using one as an example, but if they’re this cooperative, I can let it slide.

Let’s start with some questions.

"T-this place... is called the Eternal Golden Poison Cave."

A trembling white insect at the front spoke up.

The Eternal Golden Poison Cave!

That self-proclaimed senior, the mantis, mentioned this place.

For such a grand name, the scale feels small.

"As the name implies, this is a place where poisonous creatures gather... but why would a lizard like you come here... eek!"

A place where poisonous insects gather.

Wasn’t there a similar place in the Silver Dragon’s Den?

Is this like a giant hive for venomous creatures?

But that doesn’t seem right. They don’t appear to be mindlessly fighting each other.

"Insects with strong venom or those capable of forming neidan gather here. At regular intervals, humans come to take them away."

Not a hive, then. It feels more like a temporary shelter for insects destined to become elixirs.

Humans take them away.

Is this a storage area for insects to be offered to the True Dragon?

But that doesn’t quite add up.

That centipede is strong, sure, but it doesn’t seem to possess the qualities of an exceptional elixir.

Would insects like these really be enough for the True Dragon?

Something feels off.

Could it be that others besides the True Dragon are using this place as a storage for elixirs?

That would make more sense.

After all, these insects can at least form low-grade neidan.

But still, how did they establish such a place in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains without Master noticing?

"Geek."

"I... I don’t know any more... Ah, but dried crickets are served as meals..."

“That information isn’t necessary.”

Something strange was going on, more than just one or two oddities.

If I had recklessly destroyed this place, it could’ve backfired badly.

I should commend Docheol for the strategy when I see him.

...Still, they could’ve given me a bit more to go on. It’s all a little vague.

“Child, are you looking for something in particular?”

Centipede noticed my wandering eyes and asked in a soft voice.

“Someone like you wouldn’t be captured by humans... so there must be a reason you’ve come here, right?”

It seemed Centipede had figured out that I hadn’t been brought here like the others but had entered with a purpose.

“...I’m similar to you in a way,” Centipede said with a sad look.

Was she here searching for a lost child?

“Of course, unlike you, I’m not strong enough to leave. But it seems you’re different.”

Chirrrr.

Centipede’s body brushed against my tail.

“Still, I’ve wandered around this place a lot. I know far more than those bugs over there. Should I share what I know with you?”

Of course, it’s Centipede to the rescue.

No matter what happens, I’ll make sure to take her with me when I leave.

“There’s a place nearby where elixirs are stored.”

That was precisely the information I needed.

The location and types of elixirs.

“It’s a place we can enter, but it’s actually a trap.”

And the method to approach it.

“...Earlier, I mentioned that humans occasionally come here to take insects, right?”

Centipede glanced at the bug that had said that.

“To be precise, they take insects that have consumed elixirs.”

They take insects that have consumed elixirs?

...Now I get it.

Why bother gathering all these insects here.

And why I, someone who should be considered valuable, ended up here.

This place is likely a core hub for storing elixirs.

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Or, more accurately, a hidden area connected to where the elixirs are stored.

Seeing a pile of elixirs would naturally incite greed.

But touching the elixirs meant for the True Dragon or other powerful beings would be impossible.

However, what if an unrelated insect consumed an elixir?

That would effectively remove an elixir from existence.

Of course, since it’s inside the insect, it could be reclaimed by eating the insect. But such a tainted elixir couldn’t be offered to the True Dragon.

In other words, they’re intentionally leading insects to consume elixirs, deeming them “defective” due to a loss in quality, and discarding the insects.

Anything offered to the True Dragon must be of the highest quality.

And the discarded insect (elixir) conveniently ends up in someone’s pocket.

The Eternal Golden Poison Cave itself is essentially a massive pocket for corruption.

No wonder they trembled in fear before Docheol—they were up to something this shady.

If I’d known it was this corrupt, I might’ve considered leaving it alone. But now that I’m here, that’s no longer an option.

At the very least, I can’t just stand by while they steal what belongs to others.

It’s time for a righteous lizard to deliver judgment.

*

I stuffed elixirs and neidan into my mouth as quickly as I could reach them.

They didn’t seem particularly great, but it was still better than nothing.

“Child, are you sure this is alright?”

Centipede’s mouth was dripping green saliva.

How inconsiderate of me.

Here, Centipede, have a bite.

“Oh, can I really eat this? Still... I should eat enough to regain strength so I can help you...”

Centipede cautiously picked a low-grade neidan and nibbled on it.

“Kwiiirik! Kwisik!”

The black mantis, who had joined us at some point, was also tearing into a neidan with gusto.

Insects that steal and consume elixirs usually face certain death.

But what happens to a lizard that does the same?

“How dare you steal these precious elixirs...!”

A few humans emerged.

As planned, Centipede and the mantis had already hidden themselves, leaving me to continue eating unabashedly.

Chomp.

Mmm, this fo-ti root isn’t bad.

“You insolent lizard! Have you devoured all of it?!”

Yes, I did.

“Gekgekgek.”

I bobbed my head as I chewed on the root of a ginseng plant.

Oh, this one’s pretty good too.

“Y-you...!”

The bald human was seething with anger, but there wasn’t much he could do.

Leaving the elixirs poorly guarded, as if to invite theft, and trying to pocket them for themselves doesn’t work on me.

Why? Because I’m a lizard personally handed down by Docheol.

Moreover, I’m a precious offering meant for the True Dragon.

I scratched my belly and put on the most arrogant expression I could muster.

“Gekgek!”

Annoyed? Too bad!

No one can judge me, the one destined to be offered to the True Dragon!

That’s the limit of this storage vault!