Life has its ups and downs. That’s normal.

But experiencing a lifetime’s worth of ups and downs in a single day is a tremendous test of one’s fortitude.

The past 24 hours, not even over yet, were undoubtedly the most thrilling and dangerous of Ma Wei’s life. All the thrills and dangers of his previous life combined wouldn't match this.

Drinking with his brother;

In a blink of an eye, his brother was dead;

Then, the agonizing cries of grief;

Followed by the methodical disposal of his brother’s body;

Then, the sudden promotion; he was now the boss.

His heart rate had stayed at 180, spiking to 200 at the end. His head was buzzing.

“You are Zhong Tong’s most trusted underling. He risked his life to save you. His position is now yours. Do well, don't disappoint the gang,” Ma Ban’s words echoed in his head.

Ma Wei returned to the apartment building in a daze. The bloodstains on the floor hadn't been cleaned yet. His mind was as blurry as the neon lights in the massage parlor—unreal.

The cold laughter on his phone brought him back to reality.

“I’m glad to hear you’re alive, but I’m not happy to hear that they’re looking for a ‘lame woman’,” Ivy’s message said.

Ma Wei’s heart pounded, fear turning to alertness. He quickly explained, “Boss, I couldn’t lie about that. If I lied, Brother Ban would know.”

Ivy had tried to conceal her actions last night, but Ma Wei’s worry was understandable. The limp was too obvious, and lying would have been easily detected.

The key was that Ivy wasn't actually lame.

Ivy hesitated before saying, “Just this once.”

Ma Wei’s back was drenched in sweat. He said quickly, “Boss, don’t worry. I won’t say anything about you to anyone.”

Before Ivy could respond, Ma Wei added, “Boss, I’ve completed the task you gave me. My position in the gang has improved. I can better serve you in the future.”

Ivy’s eyes gleamed, pleased with Ma Wei’s usefulness. “Congratulations on your promotion,” she said.

Ma Wei swallowed. “It’s all thanks to you, Boss.”

Ivy nodded. “Tell me, what did you find out?”

Ma Wei organized his thoughts, avoiding unnecessary details and stating the conclusions directly. “Brother Ban’s reasoning starts with the ritual. The ritual took place in the school storeroom, which makes it likely that the perpetrator wasn't an outsider.”

“It’s unlikely a teacher would commit a crime in their own workplace, so it must be a student.”

“This kind of dangerous ritual wouldn't be performed by a high-achieving student, or a low-achieving student from a wealthy family. After all, finding a more discreet location would be safer than the school storeroom.”

“Therefore, it’s likely a poor, low-achieving student who somehow learned about the ritual, using it as a last resort.”

“Brother Ban compiled the list based on this reasoning.”

“Furthermore, Brother Ban believes the perpetrator didn’t specifically target Zheng Hang. Wang Wei and Zheng Hang just happened to be in the storeroom and were both dealt with.”

“Wang Wei’s body was left behind, while Zheng Hang disappeared. This suggests Zheng Hang was a more suitable sacrifice.”

Ivy listened silently. She had considered many possibilities but hadn’t expected Ma Ban’s reasoning to be so simple.

The underlying message was filled with malice towards the lower class.

Poverty and weakness were considered sins. The most ironic part was that he was right. It was like a bunch of arrows shot at a target, one hitting the bullseye.

“In this era, even revenge is about exploiting the weak and fearing the strong,” Ivy sighed sadly.

Suddenly, her expression changed. She raised her voice, “You said initially. So, his thinking has changed?”

Ma Wei: “Yes.”

Ivy was confused. “Why?”

After a three-second pause, Ma Wei replied, “Because Zhang Tong is dead.”

Ivy’s mind was filled with question marks. She couldn’t understand the connection. “What do you mean?”

Ma Wei’s expression was strange. He blurted out, “Because Zhang Tong killed Wang Wei’s mother at the hospital last night, and then last night…”

Ivy was startled, then understood.

Wang Wei’s death, Zheng Hang’s sacrifice, Wang Wei’s mother’s death, Zhang Tong’s murder… If Ma Ban connected these deaths, he’d realize that the person who sacrificed Zheng Hang and killed Zhang Tong was the same person—someone avenging Wang Wei.

Ma Wei’s voice continued, “So, Brother Ban now believes the murderer targeted Zheng Hang from the beginning. The ritual was a desperate act of revenge, and the murderer likely had a close relationship with Wang Wei.”

By chance, Ivy had avenged both Wang Wei and her mother. Ivy felt a strange sense of unease. If there was an afterlife, Wang Wei should repay her with gratitude.

Ivy said coldly, “Why didn’t you tell me about this yesterday?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ma Wei’s cheek muscles twitched. His voice, choked with tears and resentment, said, “I thought you were targeting Brother Tong yesterday.”

Ma Wei’s heart ached, but he dared not speak, only screaming silently, So you killed Brother Tong and me randomly.

Ivy realized she’d been unfair to Ma Wei. Her tone softened. “Zhang Tong is dead. How do you explain it to the gang?”

Ivy didn’t really care how Ma Wei lied, wanting results, not the process. But she had to ask.

Ma Wei said, “I said the killer ambushed Brother Tong in the hallway, targeting his vital points. I tried to help and was stabbed. Brother Tong fought the killer, allowing me to escape and call for help. When I returned, he was lying in a pool of blood, his throat slit.”

Ivy praised him sincerely, “You’re quite skilled at lying. You’re resourceful. What about the list?”

Ma Wei couldn’t tell if Ivy was praising or mocking him. He replied, “The list was under a bowl. When I returned, I found it scattered on Brother Tong’s body.”

Ivy silently gave Ma Wei a mental thumbs-up.

Ivy knew Ma Wei was acting to save his life, deceiving the gang. He wasn't trying to clear his name, but the result would undoubtedly alter Ma Ban’s suspicions.

If Ma Ban was even slightly intelligent, he would reassess his investigation, identifying new suspects.

My original plan might be useless. Am I just trying to get away with it?

A smile played on Ivy’s lips. If she could get away with it, she could focus on her training.

Ivy asked, “As you said, shouldn’t the original list be useless now?”

The line went silent. As Ivy was about to ask again, a strange sound came through her earpiece.

Ma Wei said, “No, Brother Ban said to continue investigating using the same list.”

Ivy’s smile froze. “Ma Ban realized something was wrong but didn’t change course? Is the Qinglang Gang’s second-in-command a bit slow?”

Ma Wei hesitated. “I don’t understand Brother Ban’s thinking either, but everyone in the gang knows he’s the smartest among us.”

Ivy remained silent. It wasn’t foolish, but it was a mistake. But why?

A chill ran down Ivy’s spine. She whispered, “Did Ma Ban say anything else?”

Ma Wei replied honestly, “Brother Ban told me to keep quiet about Brother Tong’s death, promised me Zhang Tong’s position, and then confirmed—the murderer is on that list!”

Ivy picked up on something. She said darkly, “Offering you a promotion is a bribe to keep your mouth shut.”

Ma Wei finally understood, his voice trembling, “Boss, what does Brother Ban want? He’s not going to kill me to silence me, is he?”

Ivy wasn’t omniscient; she couldn’t guess Ma Ban’s motives, but she smelled a conspiracy. The situation was becoming increasingly treacherous.

Even the perpetrator herself disregarded the truth, it was truly sinister.

Ivy pondered for a moment before reassuring Ma Wei, “He’s bribed you to keep quiet. Just follow his instructions. Remember to report to me every night.”

Hearing Ivy’s cold voice, Ma Wei felt slightly calmer.

Ma Wei: “Yes, I’ll be careful.”

Ivy didn't care about Ma Wei's life or death, but she hoped he'd live until the case was over.

Her voice was seductive, “You and Ma Ban share a secret. For your own sake, you’d better become his confidante and keep an eye on him for me.”

“You’re right, Boss. You’ve hit the nail on the head,” Ma Wei thought, a chill running down his spine.

Ivy added casually, “Be my eyes and ears around Ma Ban. And try not to die.”

Beep beep beep…

The call ended.

Hearing the busy tone, Ma Wei looked down at the message on his phone. A warmth spread through his chest.

“I’m actually moved by the concern of the person who threatened my life. I must be crazy,” Ma Wei realized, gritting his teeth and deleting the message.

How could he keep the Boss’s number on his phone? Every digit had to be memorized.

After ending the call, Ivy closed her eyes and rested for a while.

“Things are getting complicated. The Qinglang Gang is investigating, but it’s not a typical investigation. I seem to be caught in some kind of conspiracy,” she thought.

“A gang is more difficult to deal with than the precinct. Can’t they just leave me alone so I can train?”

“The situation has changed. Whether I can get away with it is no longer important. The key is what Ma Ban is planning.”

Ivy suddenly sat up, swallowed an iron bead, and began her physical training.

It’s better to train than speculate. Focus on upgrading my abilities. I’ll crush any evil plots and schemes when the time comes, she thought.

[Absorption rate ↑↑]

[Absorption rate ↑↑]

The upward arrows were pure and unadulterated, unaffected by external factors. Even if the world crumbled, as long as Ivy continued training, the results would always be there.

3/26, 4:00 AM. Daily Summary:

[Iron Eater: Rank 1]

[Consumable Iron Types: 1]

[Absorbable Metal Properties: 1]

[Currently detected iron type—Common cast iron, absorption rate 52.7%.]

[Absorbed properties: Plastic Embryo (White)]

...

That morning, no evil corpses or regular bodies arrived.

The atmosphere was heavier than usual, neither speaking much.

Wang Jian looked troubled, as if wanting to confide something but hesitating.

Ivy, perceptive, said, “You have a secret you don’t want others to know, right? Wait until the next corpse arrives. You can tell it to the corpse, and I’ll keep watch, ensuring no one overhears.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Talking to a corpse sounds terrifying,” Wang Jian said, pulling Ivy to sit beside him, offering a cigarette.

Ivy declined, putting it behind her ear. “Tell me. What’s wrong?”

Wang Jian took several deep drags, his voice hoarse. “Have you been in contact with La Tap recently?”

So it's La Tap, Ivy thought, feigning surprise. “No, what happened to him?”

Wang Jian gritted his teeth, determined to reveal his secret. He stared at Ivy intently. Seeing Ivy’s calm expression, he relaxed slightly. “A few days ago, the Qinglang Gang stopped me and questioned me. I panicked and, without thinking, I…”

Wang Jian couldn’t continue, his face flushed with shame.

“Fresh out of school, still naive, your conscience still intact,” Ivy said, putting a hand on Wang Jian’s shoulder. “La Tap’s behavior after dropping out was unusual. It’s understandable that you panicked and told the Qinglang Gang.”

“What if… what if they captured him? I can’t reach him,” Wang Jian said shamefully, consumed by remorse.

Ivy remained calm, her gaze unwavering. Her voice carried a calming strength.

“La Tap might simply be on a mission with the outpost into the unexplored zones. It’s not unusual to be out of contact.”

Wang Jian: “But what if…”

Ivy interrupted Wang Jian, a lighter flickering in the dim light, illuminating her face.

“Wang Jian, you’re a good person. La Tap is a good person. And I am a good person. Do you know what good people have in common?” Ivy asked, seemingly unrelated to their conversation.

Without waiting for an answer, Ivy continued, “Weakness!”

Wang Jian was taken aback. He had been about to mention kindness, honesty, politeness.

Ivy exhaled a smoke ring, her eyes unreadable. “The essence of this world is survival of the fittest, it's cannibalistic. Bad people are ruthless, so they survive. Good people are weak, so they are consumed.”

“But is weakness a sin? No. Weakness is kindness, it’s non-confrontational, it’s following the rules, it’s humanity.”

“So, if good people like you, me, and La Tap are forced to do something against their conscience, to harm others for survival, are they still wrong?”

Wang Jian was lost in Ivy’s words. He felt a strange power in her voice, guiding him to consider things he’d never considered before.

Wang Jian replied uncertainly, “No. Good people are forced. Good people aren’t bad.”

“Correct. It's not the good people who are wrong, but the bad people who force them, the world that lacks rules.”

Wang Jian’s guilt lessened considerably. He hadn’t expected his classmate to have such profound insights.

“Thank you, Ivy. I feel much better,” Wang Jian said gratefully.

Ivy showed her teeth in a bright smile. “Remember what I just said?”

Wang Jian nodded firmly, convinced. “Yes, I remember. We are good people. Good people are not wrong.”

Ivy smiled, her gaze drifting to Wang Jian, then to the approaching evil corpse-carrying cart. She thought coldly, What's wrong is the world!