Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

A damp, fishy breeze swept across the dark river, rustling the reeds.

The cat-faced witch stumbled and rolled down the riverbank, her severed foot landing on the pebbles, leaving a trail of dark red bloodstains.

She had lost sensation on the right side of her body; the skin and flesh around her waist were rolled up like charred rags, and her ribs were exposed, pale white.

The black cat in my arms twitched and let out a faint whimper.

"Sweetie, hang in there a little longer..."

The old hag's withered hand stroked the cat's back, her fingertips touching only scabs and...