This Damned Thirst for Survival

When Jiang Luo opened his eyes, there were people who were mourning in front of him.

They were all dressed in black, and their backs facing Jiang Luo. Jiang Luo paused, he turned his head and looked around the strange atmosphere. However, as soon as he moved, the crowd who were mourning in front abruptly stopped and looked back at Jiang Luo. Dark eyes stared at him as if the eyes of fish1 and full of dissatisfaction: "Why aren't you crying?"

Jiang Luo felt that his dream was quite interesting. He smiled, squeezed a tear, and showed them with his fingers, "I'm crying."

The people who were staring at Jiang Luo retracted their gazes and turned around. They continued to mourn "wuwuwu", and the sound of their crying was very rhythmic.

It should be raining outside, the wind and rain covered the sunlight. The moisture poured into the window and the white mist was faint.

Someone beside him said, "Jiang Luo, Chi You ge2 is dead. You're happy, aren't you?"

Jiang Luo looked towards the voice. However, before he could see the person, he was attracted by the hair that slid off his shoulder.

The dark and shiny hair which is shoulder-length is as soft as silk fabric. Jiang Luo stretched his hand to lift his hair and saw a small red mole on the back of his left hand.

The fierce sound of voice in his ears continued: "Jiang Luo, you don't have anything to say?"

Jiang Luo raised his head and finally saw the person's appearance.

The person who was talking was a handsome young man who was full of vitality. He was wearing a famous brand of outfit and his sneakers were five-digits in price. He was looking at Jiang Luo with fire in his eyes, as if he was about to devour Jiang Luo alive. He snorted coldly and said in a gloomy voice, "I know you must have killed Chi You ge. When Chi You ge returns to his soul in the first seven days3, I'll see how you can still defend yourself."

Jiang Luo felt that the name Chi You sounds familiar.

A few days ago, he just learned about a novel that was removed from the shelves because of its viciousness. The name of the novel was 《Devil》. Because Jiang Luo was curious about how bloody the novel could be, he worked hard to find the source. The protagonist in the book was called Chi You.

《Devil》 tells the story of Chi You, the protagonist shou, who was killed by the cannon fodder and cultivated for revenge with the help of Feng Li, the protagonist gong.

The cannon fodder that killed Chi You coincidentally had the same name as Jiang Luo. After Chi You died, he would turn into an evil spirit and tortured the cannon fodder with various cruel methods. On his death, the cannon fodder was divided into five parts and there was not an inch of good flesh on his body.

Jiang Luo's eyebrows twitched a little. He suddenly took a step forward and leaned over. The distance between him and the young man who was full of vitality was the size of a fist.

A familiar and strange face reflected in the pupil of the young man who was full of vitality.

With shoulder-length long hair, haughty appearance, and beautiful facial features, he was both heroic and attractive. Such a face is like a vermilion and azurite in ink painting, with thick and heavy colors4. There's no place that doesn't conceal the sharpness and it seemed as if he was an aggressive beauty.

This face is almost exactly the same as Jiang Luo's own face, but Jiang Luo's own appearance is more gentle and languid, rather than as glamorous as a rose peony as it is now.

He doesn't have such long hair, no flirtatious red mole on the back of his left hand, and let alone killed a man named Chi You.

Jiang Luo pinched himself heavily and was in pain.

It took him a while to realize that he was not dreaming but rather transmigrated.

He transmigrated into the novel that was removed from the shelves because of its brutality.

Jiang Luo felt cold.

"What are you doing?" The man who was treated as a mirror by him blushed unconsciously. He took a step back aggressively, "Jiang Luo, don't stall for time with me. If it's true that you didn't kill Chi You, then do you dare to give Chi You an incense?"

This is a mourning hall with a wide space. White chrysanthemums and white lilies are piled on both sides of the coffin. These vibrant and dewy flowers decorate the funeral scene as romantic and beautiful as a wedding. Near the coffin, the family members of the dead person were still crying, holding handkerchiefs and wiping tears from their eyes, but the sadness on their faces was broken with a false poke.

The funeral music floats up to the ceiling, like a mountain that weighs people down.

The young man who was full of vitality provocatively said, "Go ahead, Jiang Luo."

Jiang Luo remembered the name of this person. The young man who was full of vitality was his classmate Lu Youyi. He tentatively asked, "Lu Youyi, why do you think I killed Chi You?"

Lu Youyi sneered twice, and whispered, "Others don't know, I don't know yet? Jiang Luo, you had a conflict with Chi You ge some time ago. When Chi You ge died, you were the only one on the scene. Chi You ge was in good health, but he died suddenly for no reason. Do you fucking think it's normal? Don't play tricks on me just because you're good looking, it won't work on me."

Chi You was gentle and kind before he died, and most of the people who came to the funeral were people who had a good impression of Chi You. Although Lu Youyi spoke fiercely, he deliberately lowered his voice, undoubtedly for Jiang Luo's own good. It can be seen that he is a good person who is easy to be soft hearted.

However, a person who's soft hearted can be easily deceived.

Jiang Luo said in a sincere tone, "It really wasn't me who killed Chi You."

He was as sincere as his eyes, however, the original owner was usually unflattering. Lu Youyi smirked and raised his hand to push him towards the coffin.

Jiang Luo reluctantly walked to the coffin.

The coffin was not completely closed, and the young man lying inside had a peaceful face, as if he had not died, but had just fallen asleep.

Chi You has a pair of thick eyebrows that are almost into his temples and his eyes are closed underneath. His long curled eyelashes are like a dark forest. The bridge of his nose is high and the roots are full, such a face is undoubtedly handsome and unrivaled. His lips are pale and his face is lifeless, which gives a peculiar sense of sickly beauty.

However, the longer you watched, the more the sense of uneasiness became stronger. Slyness and world-weary appeared from his face. The gentle smile at the corner of his lips became extremely false, and a full sense of isolation, giving the corpse a madman-like and distorted aura.

As described in the novel, it was hypocritical and terrifying. Chi You deserves to be Jiang Luo's favorite character in the book.

Jiang Luo unconsciously looked at the corpse of Chi You.

He remembered that when he read the book a few days ago, because he liked Chi You a lot, he made time to write a 3,000 character long comment and posted it on the forum. He praised Chi You for how cruel and hypocritical he was.

However, as soon as the long comment was posted, he was scolded by the readers of Chi You.

[I'm laughing to death. Original poster, have you finished reading the book? You say Chi You is hypocrite, what bullshit are you talking about.]

[Primary school students have this free time again. Isn't it good to do your homework obediently after writing these 3,000 words?]

[Wuwuwu, I feel sorry for my eldest son. Why is my treasured son suffering so much? After his death, his personality did become ruthless, but it was because he was killed. The huge change in his character was all the fault of those bad guys, how can Chi You be blamed?]

[I think the original poster himself was hypocritical and treacherous. It's up to the person, what kind of world they see. In the eyes of the original poster, Chi You is different.]

Jiang Luo felt it was quite odd at that time. Obviously Chi You's hypocrisy is superficial, he could tell it at a glance. The people in the book were deceived by Chi You, how can people outside the novel not see through it?

How could Chi You be kind and gentle?

What a joke, this thing made Jiang Luo laugh when he thought about it.

However, he didn't laugh, because he was facing the dead Chi You in front, and behind him was the crowd who watched Jiang Luo tenaciously.

Also, there's a crisis ahead of him——Chi You will turn into an evil spirit and kill him.

He transmigrated at a bad time, if he were a little early, he might have avoided Chi You's death.

However, the matter was already settled. Jiang Luo didn't have much time to think, he could only try his best to figure out a way to avoid the same ending of the cannon fodder.

He didn't know if it was his illusion, Jiang Luo felt that it was getting colder and colder around the coffin.

Perhaps, just his thoughts.

Maybe Chi You has turned into an evil spirit, and he is in this mourning hall.

Probably, because he was scaring himself, the atmosphere in his surroundings became eerie and treacherous.

Jiang Luo actually liked the character of Chi You, but the premise was that he wasn't the one who would experience Chi You's revenge.

He didn't want to die.

Jiang Luo is a landscape architect. He was working on a municipal project before transmigrating. Because he was too busy, he didn't finish the book 《Devil》, but Jiang Luo knew Chi You's real nature very well.

Chi You is a lunatic. When facing such an uninteresting existence, his methods are cruel and merciless. To survive from Chi You's hand, he has to get his interest.

No, he can't pull all his hope on Chi You, that crazy person. Jiang Luo still has to whitewash5 himself. He is unable to defend himself right now, so he can only use others to get protection.

He has to get the living people to stand on his side. Even if Chi You tried to kill him, everyone will choose to deal with Chi You and protect him. This is the safest way.

In the original book, Chi You needed the help of the protagonist going to take revenge. It's evident that the dead cannot fight from the living after all.

It just takes time to win over the living, and what Jiang Luo lacks is time.

The more dangerous it was, the calmer Jiang Luo's mind became. Yet suddenly, Jiang Luo couldn't help but shiver.

The cold atmosphere pierced from his flesh into his bones, and the sense of crisis hooted, reminding Jiang Luo that something was wrong.

It was as if something was approaching Jiang Luo and it was not far away from him.

When the desire for survival reached the critical point, Jiang Luo quivered and knelt on the ground with a puff.

The huge impact instantly made his eyes become red, and the tears were running across his beautiful face as if broken beads.

Jiang Luo's voice choked slightly, "Chi You, why did you leave me?"

In the midst of many cries, Jiang Luo's actions did not attract much attention.

"Chi You..." Jiang Luo lowered his head and covered his face, his voice gradually became fuzzy, "Don't you die, please..."

Lu Youyi, who was watching the excitement, frowned. Why did Jiang Luo also mourn?

Jiang Luo's voice was very low, and he couldn't hear him clearly. Lu Youyi couldn't help but wonder. A beautiful youth who was holding a rabbit doll came from behind him. The beautiful youth asked, "Lu Youyi, why is Jiang Luo crying?"

This person is their classmate, Ye Xun, a beautiful young man with a cold expression. He looks as if he's not interested in anything but only loves gossip.

Lu Youyi put up his finger and made a "hush" sound, "Let's keep our voice down and eavesdrop."

Jiang Luo noticed their approach.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Luo choked and said, "Didn't you say you like me? Why are you leaving me now? I regret rejecting your confession, Chi You. I just realized that I love you."

Jiang Luo's cry was touching and sincere.

The surrounding cold air stagnated slightly.

Lu Youyi and Ye Xun were stunned in their place.

"Please don't leave me," Jiang Luo was in tears, "I don't believe you're dead, I will definitely find your murderer and save you... I must let you come back to my side."

He spoke in a muffled voice. Lu Youyi and Ye Xun only vaguely heard the first few sentences. Seeing that Jiang Luo had finished crying, the two of them hurriedly retreated.

Jiang Luo stood up slowly and looked down at Chi You in the coffin.

In 《Devil》 the process of the cannon fodder killing Chi You was mysterious. After Chi You turns into a spirit, he is different from other ordinary malicious spirits. Other malicious spirits had a complete soul, and their limbs are intact. However, Chi You's soul has been cut into several pieces.

His soul is incomplete, like a human being without limbs and head, ears, tongue and nose.

Incomplete souls cannot be summoned, and cannot express what they want or resent. Because of this, Chi You's resentment soared into the sky, and his malicious spirit aura attracted Feng Li, the celestial master in the book. With the help of Feng Li, Chi You was able to cultivate and retaliate against the original body.

Although Jiang Luo transmigrated at a bad time, fortunately, there's still time before the plot of revenge.

Now he's relying on the dead who's unable to speak, and he cannot be summoned to tell that the murderer is him. Because of this, he can whitewash himself.

If it's just to arouse the interest of Chi You, this lunatic, he can guarantee that a person who has a crush on Chi You will not necessarily make Chi You interested. However, if the person says that Chi You has a crush on him, it will definitely make the evil spirit find it interesting.

More importantly, Chi You has a secret crush on him. As long as the living believe this reason, even if Chi You comes to kill him, it's not hatred in the eyes of others, but because Chi You loves Jiang Luo so much that he wants to kill him.

The living people will therefore protect Jiang Luo, an innocent person. Jiang Luo has at least won a time difference to survive and become stronger.

Lu Youyi and Ye Xun were completely confused.

The two of them looked at each other. Lu Youyi murmured in disbelief, "Ye Xun, do you think he is playing tricks on us?"

Ye Xun said faintly "What's the point of fooling us? We weren't even seen."

After thinking about it, Ye Xun added, "Jiang Luo is stupid and bad. It's okay if he doesn't laugh at the funeral. Do you think he will cry so badly on purpose?"

Lu Youyi suddenly wiped his face, "But do you think it's possible? Chi You ge confessed to Jiang Luo?" He stretched out his hand and pointed to Jiang Luo. He said in disbelief, "Do you think Chi You ge would like such a person..."

Looking at Jiang Luo's face that looked more beautiful after crying, Lu Youyi choked on his throat and silently put down his fingers, "... When did they do it?"

Ye Xun: "He just said that he had rejected Chi You's confession. Lu Youyi, when was the time when Jiang Luo and Chi You had a conflict?"

"More than a month ago," Lu Youyi was carried away and believed Jiang Luo's words. He took the initiative to fill in the details. "No wonder, in the past month, Jiang Luo secretly scolded Chi You ge many times in private. He wanted to curse Chi You ge, maybe because Chi You ge confessed to Jiang Luo and Jiang Luo became very angry. Now that Chi You ge is dead, he regrets it and realizes that he actually likes Chi You... What a fucking dog blood6."

Talking about the dog blood, Lu Youyi had tears in his eyes. He skillfully sniffed and wiped away his tears, "Ye Xun... this is too cruel."

Lu Youyi is a person who cries when watching cringey idol dramas. Ye Xun is not surprised by his behavior. On the contrary, he is very interested in the gossip between Jiang Luo and Chi You, "He said a while ago that he wants to find the murderer and let Chi You come back to him."

Lu Youyi was horrified, "He also wants to summon the soul?"

While they were talking, Jiang Luo had already passed through the crowd and walked in front of Lu Youyi and Ye Xun.

Lu Youyi and Ye Xun looked at him in a complicated manner. Never thinking about the possibility that Jiang Luo might be acting.

Acting for what? What was the point?

It's something you can know if Chi You ge was summoned to learn about the matter. No one thinks Jiang Luo will lie about this kind of thing.

Lu Youyi couldn't help asking, "Jiang Luo, do you also want to summon the soul?"

Jiang Luo slowly nodded, "I want to summon the soul."

Lu Youyi and Ye Xun glanced at each other.

Daring to summon the soul proved that he was not guilty and what he said was not a lie.

Lu Youyi is actually not familiar with Chi You, or rather, everyone who attended the funeral here is not familiar with Chi You.

Chi You is undoubtedly kind and amiable, but he has never been too close to anyone. Lu Youyi mostly respects and admires Chi You. After understanding that Jiang Luo was not the murderer who killed Chi You, but might have been someone Chi You liked, his attitude towards Jiang Luo suddenly eased.

It's just that he treated Jiang Luo rudely a while ago, which will inevitably be a bit awkward. Lu Youyi said sullenly, "It turns out that the murderer is really not you. I'm sorry, I misunderstood you before. Don't worry, when Chi You ge arrives on the first seven days, we will know who the murderer is."

Jiang Luo thanked him tearfully.

Jiang Luo thought to himself. I'm really sorry, you can't summon the soul of your Chi You ge on the first seven days.

Jiang Luo looked back at the coffin one last time and said, "Aren't we going to solve the Hotel 129's request? Let's go now."

The three of them are all students in Class 01. Majoring in Natural Sciences and Social Studies at Baihua University.

This major is only for metaphysicians, and ordinary people do not know the existence of this major. There is only one class in the major, and there are eight students in the class.

This time, they were able to leave the school because they had to solve the task to earn credits, and purposely took the time to pay their respects to Chi You.

Jiang Luo couldn't wait to see the unnatural events in the new world. A certain sense of urgency also hurried him and made him want to become strong as soon as possible, "Before, I wasn't aware how to do better and was already satisfied when I made a little progress. Now that I want to avenge Chi You, I realized that it's useless..."

By the way, he made an excuse for his personality change, "I want to become stronger and avenge Chi You. Starting from Hotel 129, I want to say goodbye to my former self."

Lu Youyi admired such a courageous person. He suddenly became passionate and patted Jiang Luo on the shoulder: "That's good brother, that's the way to do it!"

Ye Xun grabbed the rabbit ears and stared at Jiang Luo with the look of the return of a prodigal son7. "It's not too late for you to change."

Jiang Luo smiled reluctantly, "No, it's too late."

The three of them were in the same place for a while, and walked out of the crowd in a low-key manner.

When going out, an old man with a big belly at the door suddenly stretched out his hand and touched Jiang Luo. Lu Youyi cautiously hid Jiang Luo behind him. He said in suspicion, "What are you doing?"

The old man with a big belly was short and skinny, dull and gloomy, with a sick appearance and throughout him was the look of lust. His eyes flickered, "I didn't do anything."

Jiang Luo was behind Lu Youyi and squinted.

Ye Xun hugged the rabbit doll. He suddenly lowered his head and approached the rabbit's mouth, "What, you said that this person has no bones, veins, and no flesh. He has the appearance of a 'ghost manic', and he will be killed soon?"

The big-bellied old man stiffened, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

He still wanted to yell, but after he met Ye Xun's eyes, he didn't dare to say anything else. Ye Xun's eyes were so black that he couldn't see any light on it, and made the old man scared all over for a moment. He had an intuition that what this person said was true, and he would really be killed.

Lu Youyi cursed and pushed Jiang Luo away, Ye Xun unhurriedly followed, and said slowly, "Oh, little fan, you made a mistake. This person is just surrounded by black mist at the base of the mountain. There will be disasters and bad luck."

The old man breathed a sigh of relief, and when he recovered, he realized that his legs were soft.

After leaving the door, Jiang Luo said, "Ye Xun, I didn't expect you to defend me like this."

Ye Xun said sluggishly, "You don't have to thank me, but if you're willing to tell the story between you and Chi You, I'll be happy to listen."

Lu Youyi's eyes lit up, and he turned to stare at Jiang Luo.

Jiang Luo pondered for a while, and put his fingers around his black hair. He quickly spliced the plots of various idol dramas and novels, and was looking forward to trying it.

He looked up at the gloomy sky and sighed, his eyes full of lingering complexity, "It's a long story."

"Chi You... actually has a deep affection for me."

Footnotes:

1. an unfriendly or suspicious look ⬅

2. 哥 - elder brother ⬅

3. 头七 - the 7th day after a person's death / the first 7-day period after a person's death ⬅

4. detailed ⬅

5. "洗" means to "wash", and "白" means "white". Similar to the English word "whitewash", this term is often used by Chinese netizens to refer to the situation where a character originally believed to be evil in an animation, movie, TV show or novel turns out to be on the good side. It’s also used as a verb to mean "having one’s bad reputation absolved". ⬅

6. 狗血 - melodramatic ⬅

7. 浪子回头 - abandon the evil and do good, and know the return when lost. ⬅

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