Chapter 9, Murder

Zheyan held a roll of grass leaves, among which were also mixed some strips of cloth, and set these items on fire together

In the tribe, the wealthy reside in stone houses, which are covered with large tarpaulins or animal skins, and equipped with heavy door curtains, referred to as "tents," such as those of the chief's family

At last, the adults in the tribe lost their patience. An adult orc effortlessly lifted Chang'an by the nape of his neck, as if he were picking up a newly born animal. Then, with three fingers, he pinched the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.

Whoever approaches, he looks at them with fierce eyes, as if he is about to pounce and bite them.

Perhaps he was choked by the smoke, and Zheyan suddenly began to cough loudly. He collapsed onto the ground, resembling a gaunt ghost, with his slightly withered hair hanging down to obscure his face, appearing particularly pitiful in the dusk

Chang'an does not understand why others are willing for their fathers to die, while he himself is not willing to do so

Chang'an did not dare to move; he suddenly came up with an idea on his own—could it be that the philosopher is about to die?

The common people would casually construct a thatched shelter to shield themselves from the wind and rain, much like in Ah Yan's home

Chang'an moved like a small cat, making not a sound from head to toe. He picked up the brush and lifted the bucket of tree glue, applying it to all the gaps in the carpenter's windows and doors, sealing the crevices with strips of thin wood scraps. He worked with remarkable patience, applying one layer, then another, thoroughly brushing it seven or eight times, using up the entire large bucket of tree glue before finally sitting down to rest for a while

However, the carpenter still did not teach him anything, and even after Zheyan's death, he intensified his neglect towards him

The carpenter let out a heavy sigh and lowered his voice, saying: "Don't mention that wretched woman anymore; I truly want to find an opportunity to kill her. The way she looks at people gives me goosebumps. However, after going out a few times for leisure, she has been holding a grudge and making things difficult for me. Guess what? The other day, I saw that Zheyan coughing up blood, and it was all purple blood, just like the way that wretched woman's brother died... Sigh, I really don't know how she managed to poison him... Sigh, I really don't know how she managed to poison him..."

Ayan hurriedly took Chang'an's small hand with both of hers, and Zheyan glanced at her as if he had completed the last task of his life, tilting his head and passing away

Chang'an discovered the tree resin used by carpenters in their daily work—reportedly derived from a special type of "fat tree." If it sticks to a person's finger, one must peel off a layer of skin to separate them.

Chang'an, adhering to the absurd wishes of the philosopher, still went to the carpenter's place every morning. For a period, he felt as though he had nearly given up on the distant dream of learning the art of swordsmanship. It was only when the carpenter went away on a long trip that he had the opportunity to take a break and go to the woods to watch the warriors train

When Chang'an woke up again, Zheyan was gone; they had arranged for him to be with Ayang. Ayang is a good woman who has always hoped that Chang'an would be her child, but she cannot replace Zheyan; no one can replace another person.

Ayan let out a sob, but Zheyan exerted all his strength to lift his eyes to look at him, opened his mouth, and emitted a hoarse single syllable: "You ... ... "

The carpenter's relative jokingly said to the carpenter: "Look, your apprentice is a mute."

He completed all of this without the slightest bit of panic, nor did he flee; instead, he climbed back up the large tree and sat there waiting to watch.

Chang'an still hasn't grown much taller, and the person is hidden behind a large stone by the river, well concealed, making it difficult for others to notice him. For some reason, he paused his steps and did not move. He stood there, watching Zheyan's face, which looked ghastly, pale to the point of being greenish, only turning a foreboding crimson when he coughed.

However, during this summer, when Chang'an had just turned seven years old, he was seen by a distant relative of the carpenter, who happened to visit, carrying a huge water bucket, taller than himself, to fetch bathwater for the carpenter's wife.

By the time he finished dealing with his little hands, it was already getting late. Only then did Chang'an stand up and prepare to go home, only to discover Zheyan sneaking out from the back door of the house.

Chang'an thought that since Zheyan had raised him, it was only natural for him to take revenge on Zheyan... The child felt no guilt whatsoever; he even believed he had done a splendid job. The only thing that troubled him was... he had nowhere left to learn woodworking

He climbed up a large tree not far from the carpenter's house, hiding in the dense canopy, and waited until dark, watching as the lights in the carpenter's house went out and no voices could be heard. Only then did he climb down from the tree, sneak through the crack in the door, and squeeze into the carpenter's yard

Like a ravenous hunger

On that night, after finishing his work, Chang'an did not return to Ayane's home after the carpenter waved him off.

Only then did Chang'an seem to feel relieved, sliding down from the tree and walking towards home without anyone noticing.

The pervasive sadness was like a dam that had burst, instantly enveloping Chang'an indiscriminately in its grasp, and he vaguely understood what it meant to experience the separation of life and death

In Zheyan's view, the carpenter is perhaps the most noble person in the world. Chang'an always feels that every time Zheyan sees him off in the morning, his eyes are filled with reverence, as if he is not going to learn carpentry, but to attain immortality!

Although the carpenter taught him nothing, Chang'an was not in a hurry; he had never been particularly interested in woodworking—would saws and chisels allow him to live well and steadily?

Then he turned a corner, secretly standing behind the wall, intentionally eavesdropping on their conversation

The carpenter said nonchalantly: "The man looks quite good, but he is not necessarily captivating; everything has been loosened up by others. However... when he cries out, there is indeed a certain charm to it"

Only the carpenter stands out, considering himself extraordinary, having built this house entirely of solid wood, which appears remarkably unique

That day, Ayan was beside him, watching him with concern. Chang'an squatted by Zheyan's bedside, looking at Zheyan lying on the straw mat, barely alive. There was a heavy feeling in his heart, both sour and bewildered. He had lived in this world for less than seven years, and it seemed that his entire life had been spent with Zheyan. Chang'an could not imagine what to do in the future without Zheyan.

After he finished speaking, he pondered for a long time, then sighed and made a judgment about Chang'an, saying: "This is a good child!"

Chang'an inquired: "Zheyan, will you not die?"

Only then did Chang'an realize that it was indeed dead and could no longer live

When they mention the term "patricide," they do so with both fear and disdain. However, from the perspective of a naive child from Chang'an, killing one's own father with a knife is not much different from being neglected in old age, sent out to hunt, and then being bitten to death by wolves.

Zheyan nodded, finally feeling at ease. Holding Chang'an's wrist, he made a gesture as if to pass something to Ayang, saying, "Ah..."

You must ... ... be a good carpenter

In the end, even the leader was stirred. The leader finally sighed and said to others: "Look at that child picked up by Zheyan. Although he doesn't know how to cry, he is quite sentimental."

That night, Chang'an did not dare to return home immediately, fearing that Zheyan would be startled by his hand. He secretly made his way to the small river behind the wooden house, where he plucked a stem of thistle grass—this material, when dried, is commonly used for repairing roofs and is very tough. It has barbs on the side, and if one is not careful, it can easily cut a person.

The carpenter treated Zheyan poorly, showing no kindness, and behind his back spoke ill of Zheyan, ultimately leading to Zheyan's demise

The carpenter had just made Chang'an chop firewood for an entire afternoon, under the pretense of teaching him how to use a saw. However, chopping firewood is done with an axe; what does an axe have to do with a saw? Even Chang'an, no matter how foolish, understood that the carpenter was exploiting him for free labor. He said nothing, chopped all the firewood the carpenter had him do, and ended up with blisters all over his hands.

The child sat by the river, quietly cleaning the grass stems, and silently used a thorn to puncture each of the blisters on his hand.

In any case, the outcome is the same, which is that father has passed away

Chang'an paused for a moment, lowering its head, with a small face buried in its own shadow, making it difficult to discern its expression. After a brief pause, it immediately continued to walk forward, as if it had heard nothing.

The doors and windows of the carpenter's house were all sealed shut. Apart from the women, the only one left in the carpenter's family was the young beast, who lacked the strength to kick down the wooden walls and doors. That night, the wailing echoed for two miles, piercingly enough to alarm the entire tribe. However, by the time people arrived, the fire had already broken out, becoming uncontrollable, and it was too late to save anything.

There is not a single good part on Chang'an, except for his gaze, which is sharp; he clearly sees the bloodstains between the blades of grass and the strips of cloth

Although reluctant, he had promised Zheyan to become a good carpenter

This single word nearly cost him his life, he gasped with his mouth wide open, his eyes were already unfocused, yet he had not finished delivering his last words. Even in death, Zheyan could not close his eyes. Miraculously, his vacant gaze refocused, settling upon Chang'an's face.

They could only watch helplessly as the carpenter and others were burned alive inside shortly after

The carpenter's relative let out a meaningful "oh" and chuckled in a lowered voice, saying: "It must be quite a taste, leaving you completely disoriented."

Yet Chang'an ultimately could not bring himself to utter these words. He felt that if he were to say so, Zheyan would surely remain wide-eyed and unwilling to close them, much like that deceased old hunter. How pitiful it would be

He howled like this, with a strange light flashing in his eyes, and with an unknown source of strength, he tightly grasped the thin wrist of the child

Pain is indeed present, but Chang'an is accustomed to the three disasters and nine ailments, and he has also grown used to it; he feels that it is bearable

After picking at the blisters, Chang'an submerged his hand in the cold river water for a while, and the burning sensation diminished significantly, with the swelling effect being immediate.

Upon hearing this, Chang'an finally picked up the wooden bucket again and left quietly, without anyone noticing. He coldly thought to himself: So it was the carpenter and his wife who caused Zheyan's death.

After completing this task, he was completely soaked in sweat, both inside and out

But I want to learn the sword. "Chang'an thought to himself, feeling that he had only two wishes in his life: one was for Zheyan not to die, but Zheyan did not agree to this; the other was to learn the sword, yet it seemed to be... increasingly distant from him.

He was thus inexplicably gripped by an obstinate fear of death, particularly as Chang'an still clearly remembered how, when he was young, those people would say that he would not live long.

The person glanced at him and, with a hint of curiosity, waved his hand dismissively, saying: "Child, come here and let me have a look at you"

In the small heart of Chang'an, the pain is almost unbearable.

The carpenter's relative laughed and said, "If you ask me, you should have divorced that cross-eyed wife of yours long ago and married someone new. Otherwise, how could you have gone out and found such a lowly beast of a man?"

No one had taught him what "death" meant, but an old hunter from the tribe had once gone hunting and had his leg bitten off by a wolf. He was too old, and his sons had long considered him a burden, so no one took care of him, and he soon died

Thus, with a glimmer of hope, he made a request to his adoptive father for the first time in his life

Chang'an instinctively sensed that he had no good intentions, so he merely looked up at the person, remaining silent.

In all of this, Chang'an concealed the truth from Zheyan using deceptive methods—Ayan was even more prone to overreacting than Zheyan. When she saw him with a nosebleed, she would be at a loss for what to do, and when she noticed wounds on his body, she would weep endlessly.

It is unwise to offend Chang'an, so he moved over slowly. The carpenter's relative glanced at him twice and lazily asked, "Are you Lu Ke's apprentice? What is your name?"

However, it was generally believed that Chang'an did not understand. Before he had gone far, the carpenter disdainfully said to his relative: "This is a little nuisance that someone insisted on shoving onto me, I don't know how it happened, in a moment of impulse I actually agreed to it, bringing myself such a small burden, and it's a sickly little thing, can't be exposed to the sun or the cold, it seems it has come to me to be a young master, sigh!"

The carpenter has a very bad temper, but there is a brief moment when he returns from Zheyan that his attitude towards Chang'an softens a little. The carpenter also has a cross-eyed woman as his wife; perhaps it is due to her naturally slanted eyes that Chang'an always feels that her gaze towards him is strange. Several times, he has seen the carpenter's wife sneering at him from behind.

The carpenter impatiently waved his hand at Chang'an and said, "Go do your work, get lost."

After a long while, Chang'an finally got up from the ground, panting. Calmly, he stole a flint from the kitchen and arranged the wooden scraps around the carpenter's spacious house, then lit them in piles.

Chang'an watched as he was carried out of the tent, his face covered with strange spots, his hair significantly fallen out, his eyes wide open yet terrifyingly murky, maggots crawling over his body, and a foul stench emanating from him

That winter was particularly cold, as if no matter how many fires were lit, the chill could still freeze a person's blood. Outside, people were anxious, all talking about a major incident in the snow wolf tribe across the mountain. The chief's son, a sub-beast, suddenly turned against his own kin; somehow, he ended up killing his father, mother, and several brothers, becoming the new leader of the snow wolves. It was truly a ruthless act, a figure both despised and admired.

The child's feet were firmly planted on the ground, as if they had taken root, resembling a stubborn little beast guarding its territory. No matter how much Ah Yan persuaded, the child remained unmoved, refusing to allow anyone to carry Zhe Yan away

Chang'an was not mistaken; Zheyan is indeed on the verge of death. He ultimately could not survive the winter of that year.

Finally, Chang'an managed to stay with the carpenter for another six months, albeit reluctantly. The carpenter did not teach him anything, so he secretly learned on his own. Whenever the carpenter was not paying attention, he would stealthily touch those tools and practice with the discarded items the carpenter had thrown away. He had an innate sensitivity to people's movements, and he memorized every action of the carpenter.

Every time he thinks of this, Chang'an always feels troubled. He has tried several times to express his thoughts to Zheyan, but when he actually sees Zheyan, he finds it hard to speak up.

When he coughed, thin streams of blood flowed down through his fingers. Zheyan coughed until his face turned red and his neck thickened, even tears streamed down his face. He stared blankly at the slowly rising flames, his face seemingly bearing a trace of ominous death, his expression a mix of anger and unwillingness.

Ayan pressed down on Chang'an's head, urging him in a low and hurried voice: "Nod, child, just nod."

Of course, once it catches fire, it becomes even more distinctive