Chapter Six: Wang Mazi

Liu Ji closed the book with a long exhale and rubbed his aching eyes. After extensive research, he now had some understanding and no longer wandered blindly as before. This world was called the Land of Calamity; the books explained that at night, vengeful ghosts roamed here, disasters upon humanity, thus earning its name.

There were martial artists in this world, whose powerful vitality could repel evil and ward off ghosts, as well as rare Spirit Armors who could summon armored spirits to battle. He discovered that throughout the empire's history, Spirit Armors held dominance compared to martial artists, but over time and through warfare, their numbers had dwindled dramatically. Even now, Spirit Armors existed but remained scarce.

He had also gleaned a general understanding of the Southern Prince’s mansion from historical records, but something about the relationship between the prince’s household and the royal family struck him as subtle, even delicate. Whatever the case, he was now the heir apparent, yet that status alone was insufficient to shield him from harm—just as the original owner of this body had been...

Who, indeed, had killed him?

Though he had already died once, it did not mean he wished to die again, especially not by betrayal—stabbed in the back, torn apart in agony. He needed to strengthen himself as much as possible.

He returned the book to its place, stretched lazily, and was about to leave when he saw a figure standing quietly at the entrance. Startled, he looked closer and saw it was his father, Liu Heng. After a moment’s thought, he walked up to Liu Heng and tried to sound natural:

“Father, were you looking for me?”

“Yes,” Liu Heng nodded. “The servants said you were in the library, so I came to see you.”

“It’s nothing special,” Liu Ji smiled. “I just felt my body was a bit frail. Rather than trouble you, I thought I’d consult some books to improve my health.”

Liu Heng paused for a moment, then nodded. “Exercising to enhance your constitution is no bad thing. Should I find someone to teach you?”

Liu Ji shook his head. “Not for now.”

Liu Heng nodded, then left Liu Ji and walked further inside.

Liu Ji exited the library. Night had fallen, the sky sprinkled with stars, a crescent moon hanging high and casting its cold, pale light across the land.

He returned to his room, lay on the bed with his hands behind his head, and murmured, “Now that I’ve mostly figured out what this world is like, the next step is to strengthen myself.”

He dared not rely on his title as the Southern Prince’s heir to protect him forever. In this uncanny world, personal strength was the only true defense.

“Suppose I can extract attributes from corpses, then my first goal is to find a corpse,” Liu Ji frowned. “But as the dignified heir, suddenly searching for corpses would surely attract attention!”

He racked his brains to find a way to access corpses without arousing suspicion; he could not recklessly seek them out. Of course, they need not be human corpses. Animals would suffice as well.

He tossed and turned for a long time without finding a good solution. At last, he gave up and thought, if need be, he could become a butcher of small animals—though admittedly cruel.

But...

Amitabha, I mean no harm.

……

The sound of a rooster crowed.

The door opened, and a maid of about fourteen or fifteen entered, dressed in red with twin ponytails. She stood respectfully at the doorway and said,

“Master, it’s time for breakfast.”

“Alright,” Liu Ji nodded. This was his personal maid, a pretty girl named Xiao Ya. With her help, he washed, dressed, and groomed himself carefully.

Standing before the mirror, he gazed at the reflection: a handsome face with distinct features, yet dull eyes and a bloodless complexion.

“Xiao Ya, do you think I’m handsome?”

“Handsome,” Xiao Ya replied.

“I think so, too.” It was the truth; Liu Ji truly felt this appearance was handsome—back in his previous life, it would have made him a bonafide pretty boy.

Just too frail...

Soon after, Liu Ji arrived at the dining hall.

“Good morning, Second Brother!”

Liu Yuqing greeted Liu Ji warmly, smiling as if she had completely forgotten yesterday’s incident when Liu Ji ate her rabbit.

Liu Ji nodded.

Beside Liu Yuqing sat a young man with a crew cut, about eighteen or nineteen. When Liu Ji arrived, he nodded and continued eating heartily.

Liu Ji knew this was Liu Ming, the eldest son of his deceased second uncle and Liu Yuqing’s own brother. Liu Ming was far superior to him in many ways. Despite his youth, he was already a squad leader in the Southern Tiger Cavalry, commanding ten men, and reputed to be a Spirit Armor himself, with considerable battle prowess.

After breakfast, Liu Ji grew bored in the mansion and took Xiao Ya and three or four royal guards out for a stroll along the spacious streets.

“Prince Liu.”

“Good morning, Young Master Liu.”

“Prince Liu, greetings.”

“Prince Liu, come visit! We at Ruan Gui Tower have just received a new batch of top-quality goods—all from the northern barbarians, fresh and tender, practically oozing water!”

“Young Master Liu, we’ve got new arrivals, and every one is a master—whether it’s the Goddess Seat, Tongue Spear, Horseback Technique—masters of every skill!”

……

As he walked, many people greeted Liu Ji.

Hands clasped behind his back, Liu Ji merely nodded slightly to those who hailed him, inwardly enjoying the flattering attention—it was a pleasant feeling.

He paused at a roadside stall, crouched, and gently stroked a green-eyed black cat. He asked casually, “Xiao Ya, has anyone died recently in Southern Prince City?”

Xiao Ya looked puzzled. “Master, why do you ask?”

Liu Ji replied, “Oh, just curious.”

Xiao Ya shook her head. “I spend all my time in the mansion, so I really don’t know if anyone in the city has died.”

Suddenly, the shopkeeper spoke up, “Prince Liu, now that you mention it, I do recall something. Wang Ma Zi’s concubine died a few days ago.”

He thought for a moment and continued, “They say she went mad in the night, her strength astonishing—injured many, and even bit off Wang Ma Zi’s... well, you know. In the end, he beat her to death in a rage! It was a gruesome scene!”

Liu Ji’s expression turned odd. Bitten off? That was brutal!

He asked, “Who is Wang Ma Zi?”

“Master, I know!” Xiao Ya said. “Wang Ma Zi is a small, wealthy merchant in our city—greedy and harsh, fond of skimming wages, and covered in pockmarks, so everyone calls him Wang Ma Zi!”

“Wang Ma Zi...” Liu Ji murmured. He stood up, pointed at the green-eyed black cat, and said to the shopkeeper, “You’re not honest, selling a dead cat.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Speed +1...”

A line of text floated before his eyes, while the shopkeeper scratched his head in confusion. “Strange, it was lively before. How did it die?”

Xiao Ya asked, “Master, where are we going now?”

“To Wang Ma Zi’s house.”

“What for?” Xiao Ya wondered. “Master, aren’t you going to Spring Night Tower?”

“Oh, later,” Liu Ji replied. “Wang Ma Zi has been cheating workers out of their pay. He needs to be dealt with. Such people aren’t welcome in Southern Prince City!”

……

Xiao Ya and the four guards exchanged glances, wondering what had gotten into him—since when did he care about such matters? Had he suddenly grown enlightened?

They quickly followed after Liu Ji.

……

……

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