A Damnable World

Mother Zhou looked at Zhou Yan, her eyes full of affection and concern.

Though she didn't know exactly what Zhou Yan had gone through, she knew from how rarely he'd come home over the past few months—and how he'd spent most of his time away—that things couldn't have been easy for him.

Mother Zhou wasn't particularly wise, but she understood that every gain came at a cost.

Back when the family struggled just to put food on the table, Zhou Yan had been out pulling carts in all kinds of weather. The sun and rain had taken their toll, and he'd shed several layers of skin.

Now that things were so much better, Zhou Yan could only have had to work even harder.

So Mother Zhou asked nothing. She only looked at her son with heartache.

"Second Brother, eat some more." Zhou Li kept putting food on Zhou Yan's plate.

She knew a little more than Mother Zhou did.

But that only made her feel even more sorry for him. There was nothing she could do, though.

This was how it was for the poor at the bottom of society: they had to seize any chance to change their lot, then risk their lives fighting for it.

Even if ninety-nine out of a hundred attempts ended in failure, a single success would draw countless others to gamble on that one slim chance...

Zhou Yan smiled. He didn't feel particularly tired.

Of course, he had to risk his life, but he cultivated not only for his family, but even more for himself.

He had already died once, though he hadn't felt much of anything.

But since he had a chance to transcend life and death, however slim that hope might be, he wanted to do everything he could to seize it.

Zhou Chuan and Zhou Jing were still young and couldn't sense the tension. They were simply happy to see their older brother home.

And, of course, they were so tempted by the table full of chicken, duck, and fish that they were both digging in with gusto.

Though Zhou Yan's cultivation had improved the family's circumstances, Mother Zhou had always been frugal. And since Zhou Yan had risked his life to earn the money, she was even more reluctant to spend it.

They had enough to eat and stay warm, but a good meal was practically out of the question.

After a few drinks with Ma Yan, Zhou Yan turned to Zhou Chuan and Zhou Jing and suddenly said, "Mother, I want Third Brother and Little Sister to go to school."

Mother Zhou and Zhou Li were both a little surprised.

"Go to school..."

Mother Zhou glanced at Zhou Chuan hesitantly. "Can we afford that? Maybe we should let Third Brother learn a trade from Carpenter Ma instead. Then he'd at least have a way to make a living in the future."

"No. Third Brother and Little Sister are going to school. I can cover the expenses." Zhou Yan shook his head, his expression serious.

Mother Zhou had never been one to make decisions, so when she saw that Zhou Yan had made up his mind, she said nothing more. The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes eased a little.

As a mother, she naturally wanted all her children to do well.

But she couldn't bring herself to squeeze one child for the sake of another.

Now that Zhou Yan had made his decision, all she could do was support him without reservation.

"Brother-in-law, please help look into it. Find a school with good teachers and a strict approach." Zhou Yan turned to Ma Yan.

Ma Yan nodded. "That's easy."

He agreed with Zhou Yan's decision.

It wasn't until you entered society that you realized class differences began at conception, and the next dividing line was the education you received as a child.

"Mm."

Suddenly, Zhou Yan's expression shifted and turned serious.

The next moment, his Corpse Controlling zombie appeared outside the door.

Ma Yan noticed the change in Zhou Yan's expression and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

Zhou Yan shook his head slightly. "Nothing. I'm a little dizzy. Mother, keep eating. My brother-in-law and I will go for a walk and clear our heads."

Mother Zhou didn't notice anything amiss and immediately said, "All right. You haven't had much to drink before. Should I make you a bowl of hangover soup?"

"No need. I'm just a little dizzy. A walk will do." Zhou Yan declined.

He gave Ma Yan a meaningful look, and the two of them walked out of the room.

When Ma Yan saw the zombie standing outside, he knew something had happened.

"Person or ghost?" he asked gravely.

As he spoke, his hand had already moved to the Mauser pistol at his waist.

It was brand-new, and the grease on it hadn't even dried completely. It wasn't one of those secondhand guns with rifling that was nearly worn smooth.

Ma Yan had spent a full ten silver dollars greasing the right palms to get it.

It had been expensive, but he'd also gotten two hundred extra rounds.

"A ghost."

Zhou Yan's expression remained calm. "The ghostly aura isn't strong. It's not a vengeful spirit. Most likely, it's just a wandering soul or two."

Only then did Ma Yan relax.

He knew a little about these things now. Most wandering ghosts weren't very dangerous. In fact, some of the weaker ones could be hurt by the yang fire on a person's body if they got too close.

They were even afraid of poultry like chickens and ducks.

White Zombies, for instance, moved slowly and feared light, fire, water, livestock, and people.

If Zhou Yan hadn't been worried about Mother Zhou, he wouldn't have come out at all.

In this world, too many people died violent deaths. As a result, there were more wandering souls and ghosts than anyone could count.

Following the aura, Zhou Yan soon reached a house. His expression turned somber.

If he remembered correctly, this should be San Kuazi's home.

Ma Yan had thought of that too. He frowned slightly. "Did one of Old Qi and his wife die, or was it San Kuazi...?"

"We'll know once we go in."

Zhou Yan seemed to already have an answer. He pushed the door open and went straight inside.

San Kuazi was unconscious on the floor. Two people lay on the bed: Old Qi and his wife.

Their bodies had already gone cold.

Ma Yan went over and checked them. "Old Qi and his wife have been dead for several days. San Kuazi's lucky to still be hanging on. But it looks like he's been poisoned, and he's been starving for days. He could lose his last breath at any moment."

Then he took a deep breath. "It was suicide."

"Old Qi's backbone was broken. His wife..."

Zhou Yan's expression was calm, but a ripple still stirred in his heart.

After three years, he'd thought he could view this world with cold reason. Yet the things he saw kept testing his understanding and pushing at the limits of what he could accept.

"Brother-in-law, take San Kuazi to the clinic. Whether he lives or dies is up to fate," Zhou Yan said.

Ma Yan nodded slightly and quickly carried San Kuazi away.

He hadn't forgotten Zhou Yan's earlier warning that there was ghostly aura here.

After Ma Yan left, Zhou Yan went to stand before Old Qi and his wife's bodies. He turned his palm over, and three incense sticks appeared in his hand.

He lit the incense, bowed to the couple's bodies, and planted the sticks beside the bed.

"Since you've already passed on, you should leave this painful world as soon as you can..."

"You don't need to worry about San Kuazi. If he's lucky, he'll soon follow you. If he's unlucky and has to stay in this world, I'll look after him. At least I won't let him starve before he comes of age..."

"..."