The second beating of Wen Zhiqing is such a satisfying bit of karma. The sack coming down from nowhere, him all swollen like a pig’s head—it’s so cartoonish but also cathartic. And we get hints that it might be Sheng Ze Xi who did it, which adds a possessive, protective edge to his character. He’s not just going to wait around for the blind date; he’s already messing with the competition. It shows he’s proactive and maybe a little unhinged in his own way. I love that energy.
The writing has a lot of exclamation marks and heightened emotion. “I’m so innocent!” “How dare you!” “Yes! Yes!” It gives the story an anime-like intensity. Some readers love this style; for me, it can get tiring after a while. But it does convey the drama effectively. I suspect the intended audience is young adults or teens who enjoy over-the-top revenge stories with a family twist.
One thing I'd like to see is more worldbuilding about daily life in this world, not just the supernatural stuff. We got a glimpse of the farm village, but what do people eat, what's the technology level, what's the government like? The mention of a "Wei Kingdom" suggests a monarchy, but we haven't seen any officials. Maybe the story will expand later. For now, the focus is on survival and escape, which is fine, but I hope the world doesn't feel empty.
I actually felt kind of bad for the old man. Imagine being seventy-something and discovering your wife's been cheating with the tutor, and half your kids are bastards. That's a special kind of heartbreak. His tears at the end of the first chapter humanized him, but then he goes and drowns people in pig cages. Yikes. Moral of the story: don't cheat on an old man with a sword. He's got nothing to lose.
I noticed a few minor things: the text says "thirty li" and "seven shi of grain" which are specific Chinese units, but the context makes them clear. The translation kept these terms, which adds authenticity.
Overall, the novel’s strengths are an engaging protagonist with an emotional background, a well-crafted system that shows constant progress, suspenseful atmosphere, and community aspects that broaden the world. The balance of action, horror, and introspection is good, and the writing style is accessible. I’m invested in Bai Yi’s story and curious about the future chapters. The author has built a solid foundation for a long-term survival story.
Let’s talk about potential inconsistencies. Lu An is six years old physically, but he has the strength to smash a vase half his height? He uses “all his strength” and “his small body launched like a cannonball.” That seems a bit unrealistic for a typical six-year-old, but maybe his adult soul gives him more coordination? Also, the father throws a punch that “sent a gust of wind” toward him. Is he using martial arts? The description is vague. The chase scene where Lu An perfectly dodges every attack from a trained general—okay, maybe the father isn’t trying to kill him, but the staff was described as “heavy” and he aimed at his head. That would at least injure him badly. The author probably wanted a funny chase, but the physics are questionable. Still, it’s a story, and the comedy outweighs realism. I only notice because I’m a pedantic reader. The call for “Grandmother” is a classic cliché, but I’m excited to see her anyway.