After the little black cat had finished its tirade, it jumped from Yu Renwan’s arms to stand atop her head. Yu Renwan whispered in defense, “The vengeful spirit isn’t really human anymore.” “So really, it’s its heart that’s twisted—not humanity’s.” The little black cat shot Jiang Yan a glance. “I was talking about her.” “To… Continue reading Tricked 084: A Short Poem

There was a reason Jiang Yan had asked Shen Huanhuan to answer that question. —As the less favored of a pair of twins, she could empathize more deeply; her judgment would more closely align with the intentions of the vengeful spirit. Jiang Yan had noticed this long ago. After all, several past missions had involved… Continue reading Tricked 083: Main Building Living Rules

At three thirty in the morning, Lan Lin and Zhang Du woke up. Jiang Yan explained to them about the venomous snakes and poisonous insects. Zhang Du irritably raked his fingers through his hair. "This damned place, seriously." "It really leaves no way out for ordinary people. Even for us—" Jiang Yan interjected, "This should… Continue reading Tricked 082: The Evil Deity

One hour earlier. When the broadcast sounded at two in the morning, Zhang Ming had not yet gone to sleep. Although he already sensed his impending fate, he still rose dutifully at the announcement, and, as instructed, carefully fed the bran from his sack to the ewe. He continued until both handfuls of bran had… Continue reading Tricked 081: The Plan

Seeing Uncle Wang’s condition, Jiang Yan thought it best not to press further. After bidding farewell to Granny Zhuang and Uncle Wang, she made her way to the hay sheds on the right. Most of the sheds were utterly uninhabitable—either reeking unbearably or with thick, congealed bloodstains on the walls and beds. Still, Jiang Yan… Continue reading Tricked 080: Mother Sheep

This set of rules was wrong. Jiang Yan frowned. If the energy field didn’t contain inevitable death conditions, then the very existence of these rules pointed to a problem. The rules were posted up high; seeing them necessarily meant you would have to look up. Yet you couldn’t follow any rule before first finding it—only… Continue reading Tricked 079: Creak

The two younglings in Jiang Yan’s arms didn’t dare move an inch. As the scent of their own kind’s flesh filled the room, they stretched their necks as if to retch, but Jiang Yan held their jaws firmly shut, not letting them even open their mouths. They gazed up at Jiang Yan, unable to put… Continue reading Tricked 078: Feeding Code

Jiang Yan kept her voice low; Mrs. Wang didn’t hear her. Once she finished handing out the Cow-Raising Class Code of Conduct, she glanced around, savoring the various expressions on everyone’s faces. The large, stout woman pulled down the hem of her shirt, revealing teeth stained yellow with tartar. “The Cow-Raising class is now complete.… Continue reading Tricked 077: Lighting the Fire

Shen Xiaoxiao’s expression was as if she had eaten something rotten. Staring at the young calf’s pale, blank, polished face, she couldn’t tell which frightened her more: the cow’s current face, those previous seven or eight eyes, or the fact that it could even speak at all. She took half a step back, hiding behind… Continue reading Tricked 076: Believers

Hearing Jiang Yan’s gentle voice, Yu Renwan, following not far behind her, involuntarily shuddered. She much preferred Jiang Yan’s usual cold and disdainful tone—it felt far friendlier. Jiang Yan didn’t notice Yu Renwan’s reaction. All her attention was focused on the chick and the lamb. Now, hearing they were to eat their own kind’s corpses,… Continue reading Tricked 075: Cow Spirit