A maddening itch flared up on my left hand. I rolled up my sleeve to find a brown, stone-like hard lump embedded in the flesh on the inside of my left arm. It looked just like a rock. I grimaced in frustration; soon the skin around it turned red, but the itching only grew worse.
"This really is a nuisance."
I muttered, feeling uncomfortable. Every time I used the power of the Corpse State, my arm would start itching unbearably. Tan Tian had given me a piece of his Corpse Flesh so I could use the Corpse Shroud. At first, I was reluctant—who would want a chunk of zombie flesh implanted in their own body? But Tan Tian kept persuading me until I finally agreed.
This Corpse Flesh embedded in my left arm doesn't affect me at all—most days, I barely notice it's there. Only when I want to tap into its power does my body instinctively connect with the flesh, and then the itching starts, so intense it's hard to bear. Tan Tian told me to get used to the Corpse State first; once I can control it, I’ll be able to use the Corpse Shroud. But it’s been almost two months, and I’m still not used to it.
Right now, this power feels more like a burden than anything else. I have no idea how to properly use the strength of the corpse. The only thing this Corpse Flesh does is make me stronger physically. I looked at my left hand—things I used to struggle to lift, now I could pick up easily just by activating the power. I’d even tried lifting a car before, and it was surprisingly easy. My jumping ability had increased too.
It was already past nine at night, and I still couldn’t access any other abilities. I just couldn’t grasp the Corpse State at all—only a cold sensation, and the Corpse Flesh in my arm was ice-cold. What’s strangest is that none of my strength seems to affect the Corpse Flesh itself.
Tan Tian was still upstairs entertaining business partners. I could hardly imagine how someone so stern could handle socializing with them.
A chill crept up behind me. I turned around—Tan Tian had come downstairs, his expression cold as he stared at me.
"Well? Did you feel anything?"
I shook my head.
"Aside from boosting my physical abilities and sensitivity, this thing just feels like dead weight."
Tan Tian drifted over slowly.
"Keep trying. Once you understand the essence of this power, you'll be able to wield the Corpse State—and that power could save your life."
I let my sleeve fall, deciding to give up for now. After hours of trying, I still hadn’t felt a thing.
Tan Tian watched me quietly, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
"If you don’t keep going..."
"Enough, I get it. If I don’t master this power, I’ll die—you’ve said it a hundred times. That’s enough. I’m going to get a drink and then go to bed."
I didn’t wait for Tan Tian to say anything else. I left, grabbed some booze and food from the second floor, and returned to my bedroom on the third. Sitting by the window, I lit a cigarette and stared out at the unchanging night sky—a round moon, a scattering of stars. I was sick of nights like this.
The novelty was gone, and everyone here felt fake. Everything seemed perfect, but after Lillian Chen came back and everything changed, I lost all affection for this place. I just wanted to get across the Severance Barrier. Once I crossed, Tan Tian’s zombies should have found something by now. All I’d have to do is use my power to destroy a few things, then I’d go home. I just wanted to return to the real world.
Just then, I heard noises downstairs. Confused, I opened the door to look. People in blue uniforms had surrounded our house. I had no idea what was happening, but the door was forced open.
"Is there a problem, officers?"
Tan Tian asked. The leader replied with a stern face.
"Come with us."
Just as I was about to make a move, I felt a strange sensation in my arm. I hurriedly rolled up my sleeve—Tan Tian’s face appeared on my arm.
"Don’t do anything."
I glared, clenching my teeth. Without a word of explanation, they took Tan Tian away. The room fell silent. But I thought I understood why—Tan Tian’s way of making money was too unusual. He always seemed to know exactly what people needed, and then he’d find it for them and profit.
"Abnormal behavior."
I muttered. I was starting to understand why the Yinfolk here kept getting taken away. Any Yinfolk who showed abnormal behavior would disrupt the harmony—just like Lillian Chen. If things kept going this way, she’d eventually cross the line and fall into the arms of that boss. I didn’t know where Tan Tian would be taken, but I was sure he’d find a way out of it.
I went straight upstairs and went to bed. Nights were always quiet here—the noise would last until midnight, then everything would calm down. I soon fell asleep.
At dawn, I was startled awake by another commotion. To my shock, the Corpse Flesh in my arm was gone—and I could still hear noises downstairs.
I rushed downstairs—Tan Tian was in the kitchen, cooking.
"Weren’t you taken away by them?"
I asked. Tan Tian turned to look at me.
"I just shifted part of my consciousness into the Corpse Flesh I gave you."
I blinked, staring at Tan Tian in disbelief. He was still focused on cooking, not slacking off at all.
"What exactly happened?"
Tan Tian stayed silent, making breakfast for me. This morning’s meal was seafood noodle soup—delicious, aromatic, and beautiful. After I finished eating, Tan Tian looked ready to turn back into Corpse Flesh and return to my arm. I stopped him immediately.
"Tell me where you were taken first."
I asked. Tan Tian shook his head.
"You don’t need to know. You just need to..."
"What do I need? I need nothing."
I finally lost my patience and glared at Tan Tian. After a while, he explained—he’d been taken underground, just as I suspected. They threw him into a huge pool and dissolved him, apparently for not living according to the prescribed behavior. It reminded me of the tactics used by those people at the Dark Banquet—same methods, same creators.
I hated this way of doing things. These people had consciousness and feelings—disposing of them and making new Yinfolk was just bullshit to me.
"So where are you now?"
I asked. Tan Tian shook his head.
"I’ll be back tonight. I’ll wait for you in the Nether Syndicate below. They’ll probably send back that Yinfolk who’s supposed to be a good father, and I’ll just swap places with him."
I grunted. Tan Tian vanished, and I felt a strange sensation in my arm—the Corpse Flesh was back. I sighed and decided to go shopping. With nothing else to do, it was my only pleasure. The busy street wasn’t far from where I lived. I dressed casually and headed out. Everything on the street looked cheerful and lively, and that made me feel even more sick.
This place disgusted me more than the darkness. In the dark, the people created there at least acted on their own desires, but here, no one had any selfishness at all—everyone was perfectly selfless.
"Miss Lin, you’re here!"
I walked into a clothing store I’d shopped at many times. A girl named Wu Qian greeted me. I’d bought a lot of clothes from her, and over time, we’d gotten to know each other a bit. She was about to get married—her parents had arranged it, and both families liked each other, so she was marrying a man she’d only known for a few months.
But for some reason, Wu Qian seemed distracted today.
"When you get married, I’ll give you a big red envelope."
I joked, and Wu Qian just nodded.
"Is something wrong?"
Wu Qian quickly smiled, saying nothing, and continued showing me clothes. Just then, I noticed a man looking lost and desperate rushing in. He hurried over to Wu Qian.
"Wu, can we talk?"
"There’s nothing to talk about. I’m getting married."
Watching them, I sensed something was off. The man left, and Wu Qian looked miserable. Just then, chaos erupted outside—a man was shouting. I hurried out.
It was the same man from before. He was about to be taken away by those men in blue. Behind me, Wu Qian started crying. In an instant, Phantom Sage’s men noticed something. I glanced back at Wu Qian, and a few of them came over to grab her, planning to take her away.
With a slap, I grabbed one of their hands. I couldn’t stand it anymore—especially when it came to this. These two had shown abnormal behavior because they liked each other, so they were to be taken away, destroyed, and remade.
"What are you doing?"
I demanded, glaring at them. They seemed to sense my abnormality. As a few tried to detain me, Belle in my hand swept across Phantom Sage’s men, turning them to ash. Instantly, sirens wailed throughout the city. I patted Wu Qian on the shoulder—she ran to the man and they embraced.
"You two, run. Go as far as you can."
I said. Suddenly, the air filled with the sound of weapons—Phantom Sage’s men flew toward me. I raised Belle, spreading my crimson wings. I couldn’t stand it any longer—this wasn’t me.