Hanging By a Thread

[Amulet: Steel Heart]

[Properties: A pair of rings made of carbon-silver steel and corundum.]

[Amulet Type: Spirit-class / Rings]

[Versatility: In a spirit disaster environment, the amulet can drive away spirits for passengers. Most spirit disasters can affect a person's brainwaves and optic nerve signals, causing hallucinations. The gleam of the corundum can reveal the true environment, guiding passengers on the correct path.]

[Instructions: Corundum is extremely hard but has very poor shock resistance. Handle this sharp and fragile stone with care—when you are in a spirit disaster environment, it will naturally help you avoid disaster.]

[Manufacturer: Nine Realms Station Ironworks · Old Spirit.]

[Remarks: The paired rings are treasures for both passengers and attendants. Passengers are always traveling between stations, and attendants will follow closely when they hear the summons bell.]

Jiang Xueming noted the information from the manual in his passenger log, then tore the isolated page to shreds, ensuring no one else would see it.

Next, he took out another piece of paper from the small cloth bag next to his lunchbox—it was the manual for the "Magic Wand".

[Mingde's Inferior Work: Magic Wand]

[Properties: A large, sword-shaped club cast from a clay mold using fine steel.]

[Weapon Type: Blunt / Catalyst]

[Versatility: This club can clear paths and break down doors for passengers. Its structure is simple and durable, yet the manufacturer still considers it a shoddy piece. As a "Magic Wand", it can only perform the most basic light-emitting magic.]

[Instructions: In dark environments, it can illuminate your path. When it emits light, strike both living and dead beings.]

[Manufacturer: Nine Realms Station Ironworks · Ao Hen]

[Remarks: Disdained by its creator, this crudely made sword-shaped iron bar has remained in the treasury of a terrifying beast, unclaimed, waiting for the passenger destined to bond with it. It emits a dazzling light to clear obstacles for its friend.]

Like the previous manual, Jiang Xueming recorded the information and tore the paper into pieces smaller than rice grains for safekeeping.

Bu Liuxing, who had been sticking close to Jiang Xueming and reading the manuals along with him, couldn't help but ask, seeing Jiang Xueming's shredding efficiency surpassing that of a paper shredder: "Brother Ming, aren't you being a bit too cautious?"

Jiang Xueming didn't explain. It was always best to be careful when traveling.

He took out his lunchbox and began to eat—everything Xiao Qi made for him was fitness food, portioned out into the small compartments of the lunchbox.

A Xing, bored by the sight, couldn't stay still for a moment and wanted to explore other carriages.

Jiang Xueming called out to A Xing: "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to look around the other carriages," Bu Liuxing explained. "Our tickets don't have anything written on them, and BOSS didn't say how far or how long this train will travel. I figured, why not ask other passengers? Maybe there's someone who rides this train often and would be willing to tell us more about the destination?"

"Makes sense, but..." Jiang Xueming had other concerns. The train was a very unstable environment. If they both left, they couldn't take their heavy luggage and run around the train—he absolutely wouldn't feel at ease if A Xing interacted with strangers alone.

After all, the last time, A Xing had told a stranger he'd just met everything in the restroom, showing no caution whatsoever.

So, Xue Ming gathered his belongings, consolidating them: "I'll go call the attendant to help watch our luggage, and then we can go sit in the other carriages together."

Just then— A Xing also wanted to help, happily reaching for Brother Ming's bags.

He touched the brocade box of the [Magic Wand], and then another brocade box, both unfamiliar and familiar.

"What's this?" Bu Liuxing brought the brocade box to the table. He couldn't remember who this item belonged to.

Jiang Xueming recognized it immediately: "It's a gift from Brother Ye Bei. Brother is my benefactor. He gave me this collectible to protect myself, so I could sell it when I was out of money."

Bu Liuxing then picked up his own cane's brocade box and placed both boxes on the table.

This time, Jiang Xueming was also stunned.

Because Brother Ye Bei's gift box and the club brocade box that BOSS of the station gave to each passenger looked exactly the same.

The luminescent moss outside the train window cast a faint blue light onto the two brocade boxes.

Their embroidered patterns, dark red background, and the patterns themselves were identical: a creature with a human head and a tiger's body, no limbs, accompanied by cloud motifs, like ancient artistic paintings.

It was just that Brother Ye Bei's gift box for Jiang Xueming was covered in dust and had bite marks from termites, looking aged, like something from a long, long time ago.

Jiang Xueming immediately untied the red silk ribbon on the box, pushed the beast-jaw clasp, and opened the lid, revealing the yellow brocade lining.

Bu Liuxing also opened his cane's brocade box, comparing them again. Indeed, they were identical.

It was just that A Xing's cane had no protective packaging, lying in the groove of the brocade lining.

Looking at Ye Bei's gift, it was wrapped tightly in a dust cover. Jiang Xueming struggled to even pry it out of the box.

The two of them worked together to get the ancient artifact of mysterious origin into their hands—

—after removing the cloth bag, there was still a layer of anti-oxidation oiled paper.

—after removing the oiled paper, there was still a layer of fire-resistant gold foil.

It was clear that this gift was very valuable, otherwise Brother Ye Bei wouldn't have taken so many protective measures.

From the layers of packaging, a section of a club handle emerged.

Jiang Xueming pulled hard and finally extracted it completely.

Both "Brainless" and "Grumpy" were dumbfounded—

—because for a moment, they couldn't tell what it was.

Its grip resembled a thick steel handrail but was made into an inconvenient polygonal shape. The edges and prisms had grooves, revealing a metallic sheen. The whole thing had a scent of sewing machine oil, used as a rust-preventative liquid for metal.

Looking down its shaft, it became increasingly slender and streamlined. It was a little over three feet long, slightly shorter than Xue Ming's Magic Wand. It would also be awkward to use as a walking cane.

The two carefully examined the gaps and openings on the club, noting the absence of any seams from material splicing. It was a single, solid piece.

At the tail of the club, a leather sheath was tightly wrapped around the tip, much like the non-slip cap on a cane.

Bu Liuxing asked, his face full of confusion, "What the heck is this thing?"

"Maybe it's a walking stick," Jiang Xueming replied, equally clueless.

Bu Liuxing spotted the handle of the walking stick. "The owner of this cane must have had iron hands."

Jiang Xueming, unhurried, dialed Brother Ye Bei's number to get some answers.

"Hello, Brother Ye?"

"Oh! What's up?"

"That stick you gave me, what exactly is it?"

"I don't know either."

"How did you get this stick?"

"When you're at home, you rely on your parents; when you're out, you rely on your friends! I've helped a lot of people, and since they didn't have any cash to repay me, I ended up receiving a lot of strange gifts. This stick was one of them. I don't even remember who gave it to me. I figured it must be valuable, so I gave it to you for protection."

"I see."

"I've got to go, my wife is calling me to cook. We'll talk more when we have time."

"Okay."

He hung up the phone--

--Jiang Xueming re-wrapped the club exactly as he had found it.

Apart from the peculiar club, there was nothing else in the brocade box, not even an instruction manual.

Xue Ming pondered. This stick must have been a gift from the BOSS to accompany passengers throughout their lives. Judging by the degree of decay of the brocade box, it was something from a very, very long time ago. Brother Ye was only in his thirties this year, so he couldn't have been the original owner of this club.

It had likely changed hands countless times, ending up in the antique market, passing through many people's hands before finally reaching Brother Ye's shop.

Regardless, if he didn't know how to use this thing, Xue Ming would never attempt to use it.

To him, these strange spiritual items were like Mr. Bern's AR-15 rifle; if he hadn't used it, he didn't know how to use it.

If he could return to the station safely, he would take it to ask the BOSS. Perhaps this ancient club could be exchanged for other useful items.

While Jiang Xueming was re-packaging the stick--

--Bu Liuxing couldn't stand still for a moment--

--He first went to the train's pantry and asked the attendant to keep an eye on their luggage. Then, he took out playing cards and the game of "Battle of the Beasts" from his large backpack, along with two packs of cigarettes and some gum, preparing to make friends with these items.

A Xing felt it wasn't enough, so he added two rolls of newspapers. These were publications exclusive to the underground world, called "The Sun Times."

Most of the content in the newspapers was difficult to discern as true or false, featuring underworld news. There were accounts of passengers exploring unknown territories, serialized novels, and numerous small advertisements.

Bu Liuxing saw that the newspaper's issue number was from the previous month and anxiously asked the attendant for the latest issue.

Since all this information was outdated, it would be too embarrassing to chat with new friends using old conversation topics.

However, he soon escaped this anxiety of social awkwardness--

--The train stopped at a trading transfer station near Zone 31.

This place was called Golden Township and had a massive underground non-ferrous metal mine. The station was bustling with people, and the supporting facilities were very complete.

A Xing wanted to get off the train to buy the latest newspapers. This lively station would surely have the scoop he was looking for.

But just as he was about to speak--

"Ming Ge, I want to get off the train to buy something, I'll be quick."

"No, you can't get off," Jiang Xueming said, his brow furrowed as he stared at the chaotic, surging crowd outside the window. Many vendors were pushing carts, offering goods through the car windows.

He also glimpsed many suspicious individuals, holding pairs of chopsticks, slipping things into the pockets of passengers boarding and alighting.

This was the modus operandi of habitual offenders. Like Xiao Qi's club, which was a pair of silver chopsticks, perhaps she had also made a living this way.

Armed security personnel at the station blew their whistles, driving away the crowd harboring criminals.

Bu Liuxing pouted, looking dejected, like a child being disciplined by his parents, stopped from going to the arcade.

But fate offered him a second chance.

A dark, monstrous creature flew out from the platform's passage.

Jiang Xueming's heart skipped a beat. He had never seen these subterranean creatures before and immediately tensed up.

Bu Liuxing, on the other hand, widened his eyes and clearly saw the appearance of the monsters.

They were Wool Sheep--

--Giant insects from the underground world.

They were dressed in clothes, with neat fabric covering the terrifying fuzz and sharp exoskeletons on their walking limbs.

To appear more approachable, their large, swollen abdomens were wrapped in dark blue employee uniforms.

Their wings vibrated violently, emitting a high-frequency noise. To drown out this grating, maddening sound, many Wool Sheep had attached large tape recorders, playing cheerful jazz music on repeat.

Giant dragonflies, carrying cargo baskets, circled nimbly on both sides of the train, stopping at every window to hawk their wares.

A Wool Sheep approached them.

"Butter toast, White Lady milk tea, and nine-millimeter Grul rounds, there's always something you'll like. The latest issue of The Sun Times has a new novel by Teacher Victor. What can I get for you two handsome gentlemen?"

Within its pair of bright red eyes, composed of countless facets, the Wool Sheep's mouthparts produced human speech, a remarkably sweet female voice, like that of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

The monster's wingspan was over two meters, and its body length was about 120 centimeters, almost completely blocking the window, exuding an imposing presence.

Bu Liuxing immediately called out, "I want a newspaper! The latest one!"

"The newspaper is free." Miss Wool Sheep, shaking her head, used her thick, sturdy limbs to hook the publication and toss it into the window. "Anything else? You don't look like people who are short on cash."

"How do I contact you?! Miss, can I have your phone number?" Bu Liuxing hadn't finished asking.

-- Jiang Xueming covered A Xing's mouth and pulled the window shut.

Despite this, the giant insect outside seemed to ponder, scratching its head in confusion. It then dipped its mouthparts into a snack jar, retrieved some egg-coated food, and wrote a phone number on the train window.

"Hooray!" Bu Liuxing, happily noting down his new friend's number, was overjoyed.

"A Xing," Jiang Xueming emphasized, "when you interact with these things..."

"Got it, got it! Brother Ming!" Bu Liuxing nodded vigorously. "Caution is paramount, and I'll keep my wits about me!"

The train slowly began to move--

--departing the bustling Golden Township and heading towards the next station.

Having gathered what he needed, Bu Liuxing pulled Jiang Xueming along, heading for other carriages to greet their new friends.

Xue Ming followed silently behind A Xing, without much thought.

Until the two pushed open the redwood door of another carriage.

The passengers first glanced at Bu Liuxing, their expressions normal.

Then they looked at Xue Ming, and as if seeing a harbinger of death, a living Yama, they immediately retreated deeper into the train.

Within seconds, the passengers in the carriage had vanished. They didn't even wait for A Xing's cheerful energy to fully manifest before he found himself facing an empty room.

The other passengers' senses were screaming alarms, urging them to stay away from Jiang Xueming.

"Looks like there's no way around it!~" Bu Liuxing said with a smile. "Brother Ming, you won't stop me this time, will you? I'll go alone and try to gauge their reactions?"

"No drinking," Jiang Xueming warned solemnly. "No sleeping with strange people, regardless of gender, or even species--I'll give you one hour. Keep your phone on, and if anything happens, call me immediately. I'll come find you."

Bu Liuxing, clutching his social prop, gave Xue Ming a thumbs-up. "You say that like you're my mommy, caring about me!~"

"Don't celebrate too early," Jiang Xueming turned back, preparing to return to his seat to rest. "If you can successfully get some useful information, I'll be very happy. If you cause any more ridiculous trouble and get yourself into a mess, even if it scares away your new friends, I'll have to stick to you like a Siamese twin."

"Got it! Everyone else might be afraid of you, but I'm not!~" Bu Liuxing took his things and ventured further into the carriages.

As A Xing walked, he browsed the latest issue of The Sun Times, looking for a trendy topic to open up strangers' hearts.

"Let me see what's popular in the underground world lately--Teacher Victor's serialized novel, wow! It's a romance theme, interesting."

Unconsciously, he passed row after row of seats, as if caught by some inexplicable magic. A fun-seeker never missed out on anything fresh and exciting.

"A couple separated for many years have been communicating through letters. In a desolate town in Vienna, on a cold and bleak morning, the male protagonist suddenly receives a mysterious package. Inside, hidden within the mail, is his lover's severed hand."

A Xing's pupils contracted, his eyes trembling violently.

"What kind of bizarre horror trope is this?! Isn't it a romance novel?"

He commented on the newspaper article, completely forgetting what he was supposed to be doing.

"Oh, oh, oh! This severed hand can write?! So it's alive?! And it carries the soul of his lover?"

"She wants the male protagonist to find the other parts of her body."

A Xing's expression was one of disbelief. He continued forward with his bag, unable to tear his eyes away from the newspaper.

--Unable to shift his gaze from the article.

He seemed to be under a spell, muttering silently.

"That night, holding this severed hand, I fell asleep with unease and happiness. It was a complex emotion, tinged with both fear and warmth.

For seven full years, she and I had not seen each other. Who would have thought that when we reunited, we would be separated by life and death--I could feel the warmth of life from the hand's five fingers, and from the tightly clasped palm, I experienced the sweet fragrance of love and the chilling horror of death.

Is this a hallucination? This must be my hallucination. I miss her so much that I'm having this hallucination."

A Xing's eyes suddenly swept across the end of the novel's page--

"--But this severed palm seemed a bit off. In the early morning, before dawn, while I was completely unprepared.

--She crawled out of bed and secretly crept into the kitchen. Like a zombie unaware of pain, she climbed from the shelf onto the kitchen counter, falling to the floor again and again, blood splattering everywhere. Good heavens, what kind of evil spirit is this? What is she trying to do? My lover--what has happened to her?"

A Xing cried out in surprise, following the plot of the story, but he instantly fell silent.

"This severed hand was holding a knife, although not very skillfully--

--Even with only one hand, she couldn't distinguish the ingredients and had to feel each one carefully to confirm.

--She couldn't tell which side of the knife was sharp. Even with only one hand, she had to use her fingers to test the sharp edge.

--She wanted to make the Austrian pastry that I learned with her on our first meeting in cooking class seven years ago, to make a plate of apple strudel."

A Xing stared pitifully at the newspaper, tears welling in his eyes. He was utterly captivated by Teacher Victor's writing, unable to break free.

"Margaret. My dearest Margaret."

He murmured the name of the story's heroine.

"Who hurt you to make you this way? Who hurt you until you only had one hand left?!"

"How will you knead dough? How will you mash apples?"

"How much did you suffer to return to your lover?"

"You have no mouth or eyes, you cannot speak, you cannot see me. How much do you want to tell me? I am so clumsy, I can't discern your gestures—I am so dull, I can't imagine how much longing and suffering is hidden in the lines you write."

"I will find you. I will find you! My most precious treasure."

"It's gone?! It's all gone?!"

A Xing was lost in thought, and before he knew it, he had stopped in front of the door to the VIP carriage.

"Why is there no more? Why did the story just end like this?"

He wiped away his tears and carefully examined the last paragraph on the final page.

The story ended in the kitchen, with the final scene of the male protagonist holding the mutilated, severed hand and weeping uncontrollably.

"My dear Margaret—

—I thought you were dead, a long, long time ago.

We argued for various reasons, and we decided to break off our relationship, living apart.

At that time, I felt we were already dead, just that the funeral hadn't been held yet.

When I saw the shattered ceramic bowls, the scattered flour, the raw, bloody wounds that tore through flesh and skin, the blood that seemed even brighter against the peach-colored apples, and smelled that intense, unforgettable stench.

I saw clearly that you had touched the mask and used the ear loops of the mask to tie a bow knot on your ring finger. I recognized that knot; it was the way we tied our aprons for each other.

At that moment, I finally awoke from the terrifying night. I foolishly recognized the reality—you were not a zombie manipulated by evil magic, not a sweet yet terrifying illusion in my mind.

In this bland and desolate town, just like the first time I saw you—you were the sun rising over the Alps, sweeping away all the gloom in my life.

Please forgive me, I still need you to wait a little longer.

—Just a little while.

I will, I will, I will, I will definitely bring you back from hell!"

—It all ended with the male protagonist's deafening roar, like a gunshot.

Those few instances of "I will" were like bullets, piercing Bu Liuxing's heart.

There was a "[To Be Continued]" tag at the end, along with Teacher Victor's full name.

Original Author: Devil·Victor

The chapter's name was placed at the end—

[Hanging By a Thread]

A Xing looked up—

—and saw the name of the owner written on the door of the VIP room.

It was David Victor.

"The author is right in front of me! Author is right in front of me?! Teacher Victor, are you on this train too? Yay!! I'm so lucky!"

Bu Liuxing's face was flushed, and he panted like an ox, feeling as if ants were crawling on him.

"This bizarre and strange story, like a magician's staff—what evil spell did it cast on me?! My heart was left with only one thought: to turn the next page. I really want to know, I really want to know the next part of the story, I want to know immediately!"

He had completely forgotten what he was supposed to do, knocking on the unfamiliar door, lost before the VIP carriage of this train.

On his amulet, the bright red gem of the golden lock shone like a flame.

As if constantly warning its owner to leave this place quickly.