Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan, the protagonist, helps an elderly woman and her granddaughter daily, repaying their kindness and seeking merit.
• After three months, Chen Yan's merit reaches 100 in the Heavenly Book of Merit, granting him the 'Minor Fortune of Great Luck.'
• On his way home, Chen Yan encounters a cult, the Rebirth Cult, worshipping a 'Merciful Old Mother' and attempting to recruit him.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows kindness, persistence, and determination in helping the elderly woman. He discovers the Heavenly Book of Merit and its merit system, leading him to accumulate merit daily.
• The Elderly Woman: Initially skeptical of Chen Yan's help, she comes to trust and rely on him, showing gratitude and affection.
• The Rebirth Cult: Introduced as a mysterious and potentially dangerous cult, they attempt to recruit Chen Yan.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and Repayment: Chen Yan's daily help to the elderly woman emphasizes the theme of kindness and repaying debts.
• Merit and Reward: The Heavenly Book of Merit introduces the concept of merit and its rewards, suggesting that good deeds are rewarded.
• Fear and Suspicion: The encounter with the Rebirth Cult introduces themes of fear, suspicion, and the dangers of blind faith.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and the Elderly Woman: Their interaction is marked by kindness, gratitude, and mutual respect, with the elderly woman often expressing her appreciation for Chen Yan's help.
• Chen Yan and the Rebirth Cult: Their interaction is brief but tense, with Chen Yan showing fear and suspicion towards the cult and its members.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Rebirth Cult, a mysterious organization, appears in the Martial Dynasty, promising rebirth and healing through talisman water.
• Chen Yan, a transmigrant, arrives in Shanxi Town and encounters a massacre, sparking unease among the townsfolk.
• Chen Yan activates a Minor Fortune of Great Luck, receiving a Great Return Pill, which allows him to break through to the Blood Qi Realm.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: He remains skeptical of the Rebirth Cult, avoids it, and successfully breaks through to the Blood Qi Realm using the Great Return Pill.
• Zhao Gang (Uncle Zhao): A constable in Shanxi Town, he warns Chen Yan about the recent massacres and advises him to be cautious.

Significant Themes

• Skepticism vs. Faith: Chen Yan's disbelief in the Rebirth Cult's divine powers contrasts with the commoners' blind faith.
• Fear and Uncertainty: The recent massacres create an atmosphere of panic and unease among the townsfolk.
• Transformation and Growth: Chen Yan's breakthrough to the Blood Qi Realm signifies his journey into the world of martial arts.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Zhao Gang: They exchange a brief conversation, with Zhao Gang warning Chen Yan about the recent events and advising him to be careful.
• Chen Yan and the townsfolk: Chen Yan overhears the townsfolk discussing the recent massacre and expressing their fears.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan discovers he's undergone a blood change, empowering him physically but leaving him without martial arts knowledge.
• He decides to learn martial arts and continues gaining merit by helping the old woman.
• He finds an injured Black Cat with heterochromatic eyes and takes care of it.
• A mysterious, blood-covered, corpse-like man invades Chen Yan's courtyard at night, attacking him viciously.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Transmigrated with the Heavenly Book of Merit, he's now physically stronger but lacks martial arts skills. He's more proactive about doing good deeds and helping others.
• The Black Cat: Initially injured and weak, it shows intelligence and wariness, protecting Chen Yan from the intruder.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Great Return Pill, enabling Chen Yan's blood change in one night.
• The importance of martial arts knowledge, as Chen Yan realizes his physical strength is useless without it.
• The struggle for survival and resources, as Chen Yan worries about his poverty and lack of income.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and the Black Cat: They form a bond as Chen Yan nurses the cat back to health, and the cat reciprocates by warning Chen Yan of the intruder.
• Chen Yan and the intruder: Their encounter highlights the danger of Chen Yan's lack of martial arts skills and the need for him to learn self-defense.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan encounters a Middle-Aged Man who transforms into a beast-like creature with glowing red eyes and attacks him.
• The creature is revealed to be a Skin-Peeling Puppet, a sheet of human skin with no internal organs.
• Chen Yan, with the help of a Black Cat he names Facai, defeats the Skin-Peeling Puppet using his middle-finger blood.
• Chen Yan decides not to claim the reward for killing the Skin-Peeling Puppet due to lack of a plausible explanation.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan demonstrates courage and resourcefulness in facing the Skin-Peeling Puppet.
• Facai shows loyalty and bravery in saving Chen Yan from the Skin-Peeling Puppet.

Significant Themes

• The theme of facing and overcoming adversity is evident in Chen Yan's struggle against the Skin-Peeling Puppet.
• The concept of luck and fortune is introduced with the naming of Facai and the mention of the Minor Fortune of Great Luck.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Facai form a bond, with Chen Yan adopting Facai and naming it.
• Chen Yan's internal monologue reveals his thoughts and plans, providing insight into his character.

Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan kills a Skin-Peeling Puppet, earning him 100 merits.
• He uses these merits to obtain the 'Minor Fortune of Great Luck' and receives the 'Blood Fiend Saber Technique'.
• Chen Yan practices the new technique, demonstrating exceptional skill and precision.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan gains a powerful saber technique, boosting his combat abilities.
• He becomes more confident and eager to face challenges, as seen in his eagerness to practice the new technique.

Significant Themes

• Merit system: The Heavenly Book of Merit rewards Chen Yan with the Blood Fiend Saber Technique based on his merits.
• Power and confidence: Chen Yan's new technique empowers him, increasing his self-assurance.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan interacts with Facai, his cat companion, who shows concern for Chen Yan's well-being during and after his enlightenment with the new technique.
• Chen Yan decides to visit a blacksmith to buy a new woodcutter's saber, indicating his practical approach to his newfound power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan wakes up late after the previous night's battle and the Blood Fiend Saber Technique's aftereffects.
• Lin Quande, the head of Ping An Fang, brings the Temple Master of Bai Yun Guan, Zhang Yuanlin, to Chen Yan's house to perform a rite for the neighborhood's safety.
• Zhang Yuanlin offers to buy Facai for 100 taels of silver, but Chen Yan refuses.
• Zhang Yuanlin performs a rite in Chen Yan's courtyard, driving away insects and vermin, and gives Chen Yan an Amulet of Warding.
• Chen Yan decides not to visit Bai Yun Guan immediately to ask Zhang Yuanlin about cultivation.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows reluctance to part with Facai, indicating his growing affection for the cat. He also expresses shock and awe at Zhang Yuanlin's abilities.
• Zhang Yuanlin: Displays his power and kindness, offering to perform a rite for free and giving Chen Yan an amulet. He shows interest in Facai, hinting at his knowledge of the cat's significance.
• Facai: Shows wariness and hostility toward Zhang Yuanlin, indicating he may sense something unusual about the Temple Master. He also displays his independence and self-sufficiency.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and charity: Zhang Yuanlin's actions reflect his compassion and willingness to help others, even without payment.
• The supernatural: The rite performed by Zhang Yuanlin and Facai's unusual behavior hint at the presence of the supernatural in the story.
• Attachments and reluctance to part with loved ones: Chen Yan's refusal to sell Facai shows his growing attachment to the cat.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Lin Quande: Lin Quande shows concern for Chen Yan's well-being, while Chen Yan respects and listens to Lin Quande's advice.
• Chen Yan and Zhang Yuanlin: Chen Yan is awestruck by Zhang Yuanlin's abilities, while Zhang Yuanlin shows interest in Facai and offers help to Chen Yan.
• Chen Yan and Facai: Chen Yan shows affection for Facai, while Facai displays independence and wariness toward strangers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan leaves the old woman's home after earning another merit point, totaling two.
• He notices Rebirth Cult members recruiting in the shantytown and warns the old woman.
• On his way to the inner city, he encounters a drunken, scruffy old Daoist who asks for a loan.
• The Daoist follows Chen Yan to the blacksmith shop, warning him that ordinary weapons can't harm evil entities.
• Chen Yan suspects the Daoist's involvement in the previous night's events but is assured he's not responsible.
• The Daoist hints at a method to harm evil entities and agrees to share it for a hundred copper coins.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows vigilance and caution when dealing with the Slovenly Daoist, displays killing intent when provoked.
• Slovenly Daoist: Reveals knowledge about evil entities and methods to harm them, appears to have a mysterious background.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between good and evil, represented by Chen Yan and the Rebirth Cult.
• The power of merit and good deeds, as Chen Yan earns merit points daily.
• The danger of evil entities and the need for special weapons or methods to combat them.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and the Slovenly Daoist: Their interaction is tense and guarded, with Chen Yan initially suspicious of the Daoist's intentions.
• Chen Yan and the old woman: Chen Yan warns her about the Rebirth Cult's activities in the shantytown.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan follows an old Daoist, suspecting he's a cultivator.
• They reach a mass grave where the Daoist asks Chen Yan to dig up a grave.
• Chen Yan retrieves an iron case containing a powerful saber, which he names the 'Fish Dragon Saber'.
• Chen Yan shares details about the Skin-Peeling Puppet incident from the previous night.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows curiosity, caution, and excitement upon receiving the Fish Dragon Saber.
• Sloppy Old Daoist: Reveals himself to be a cultivator, shows knowledge of the Skin-Peeling Method, and offers help to Chen Yan.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and its artifacts (Fish Dragon Saber).
• The mystery and danger surrounding the Skin-Peeling Puppet and the Skin-Peeling Method.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and the Sloppy Old Daoist: Chen Yan is initially suspicious and cautious, while the Daoist is casual and dismissive. However, they form a temporary alliance to deal with the Skin-Peeling Puppet threat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan and the Sloppy Old Daoist (Liu Fujing) rush back to Shanxi Town.
• They encounter Magistrate Wu, who seeks Liu Fujing's help in investigating recent family extermination cases.
• Chen Yan learns about the Heavenly Supervision Department and the existence of cultivators from Zhao Gang.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Realizes the importance of increasing his strength and obtaining a cultivation method to protect himself and earn merit.
• Liu Fujing: Revealed to be a Bronze-Rank Flying Fish Guard of the Heavenly Supervision Department, with the authority to execute first and report afterward.

Significant Themes

• Power and authority: Liu Fujing's rank and position grant him immense power, instilling fear and respect in those around him.
• The struggle for strength: Chen Yan understands the necessity of increasing his power to protect himself and achieve his goals.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Liu Fujing: Chen Yan grows suspicious of Liu Fujing's true intentions, while Liu Fujing finds Chen Yan's gaze uncomfortable.
• Chen Yan and Zhao Gang: Zhao Gang shares information about the Heavenly Supervision Department and cultivators with Chen Yan, also warning him to be careful.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan returns home after encountering Rebirth Cult followers in Lin'an Ward.
• He suspects the Rebirth Cult's involvement in the Skin-Peeling Puppet incidents.
• Late at night, two Skin-Peeling Puppets infiltrate Chen Yan's courtyard.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows increased vigilance and suspicion, demonstrating his growing intuition and caution.
• Facai: Reveals exceptional intelligence and hunting skills, further cementing its role as a formidable ally.

Significant Themes

• Cults and Evil Cultivators: The Rebirth Cult's appearance highlights the potential threat of cults and evil cultivators in Shanxi Town.
• Trust and Caution: Chen Yan's growing suspicion of the Rebirth Cult underscores the theme of trust and caution in dealing with unknown entities.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Facai: Their silent communication and shared alertness strengthen their bond, showing they make an effective team.
• Chen Yan and the Gaunt Man: The gaunt man's interest in Chen Yan hints at a potential future conflict or interaction between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two Skin-Peeling Puppets infiltrate Chen Yan's courtyard, targeting his room.
• Chen Yan, anticipating the attack, draws his Fish Dragon Saber and swiftly kills both puppets in two strikes.
• Chen Yan realizes he's grown stronger and that the Fish Dragon Saber is exceptional against evil entities like Skin-Peeling Puppets.
• Chen Yan decides to collect the bounty for killing Skin-Peeling Puppets from the County Yamen.
• A sudden cold surge indicates another attack is imminent.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan demonstrates significant growth in strength and skill, easily defeating two Skin-Peeling Puppets.
• Chen Yan shows strategic thinking and anticipation by preparing for the attack and positioning himself accordingly.
• Facai, the cat, exhibits fear and wariness towards Chen Yan, suggesting he may have some intelligence or understanding of Chen Yan's abilities.

Significant Themes

• Strength and growth: Chen Yan's increased power and skill highlight the theme of personal growth and improvement.
• Adaptability: Chen Yan's ability to adapt to new situations, like the sudden appearance of Skin-Peeling Puppets, is crucial to his survival.
• The power of weapons: The Fish Dragon Saber's exceptional abilities emphasize the importance of weapons in combat.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Facai: Chen Yan attempts to interact with Facai, showing a level of care or companionship, but Facai remains wary.
• Chen Yan and the Skin-Peeling Puppets: Chen Yan's anticipation and swift action against the puppets showcase his combat prowess and strategic thinking.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan encounters a bizarre human face creature, which is much stronger than the previous Skin-Peeling Puppets.
• Facai, Chen Yan's cat, saves him by attacking the creature, but gets severely injured in the process.
• Chen Yan uses Great Return Pills to heal Facai and enhances his own strength by consuming two more pills.
• Chen Yan gains 300 merit points for defeating two Skin-Peeling Puppets and uses them to buy Great Return Pills.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan learns the importance of vigilance and the inadequacy of his current strength, leading him to enhance his power.
• Facai demonstrates his loyalty and bravery by protecting Chen Yan, leading to his injury.

Significant Themes

• The importance of vigilance and preparedness in the face of danger.
• The pursuit of strength and power to overcome challenges.
• The bond between Chen Yan and Facai, with Facai's actions showing his loyalty and Chen Yan's concern for Facai's well-being.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Facai's bond is strengthened as Facai risks his life to protect Chen Yan, and Chen Yan prioritizes healing Facai.
• Chen Yan's interaction with the bizarre human face creature highlights the danger and power of his enemies.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Facai awakens after consuming the Great Return Pill, showing enhanced speed, strength, and size, comparable to a Blood-Changing Martial Artist.
• Chen Yan finds the old woman's home empty and discovers two strangers attempting to administer a talisman water to her granddaughter.
• Chen Yan confronts the strangers, leading to a fight with a giant man. Facai destroys the talisman water.
• The mysterious man from the Rebirth Cult reveals himself and orders the giant to stop.

Character Developments

• Facai's transformation indicates that the Great Return Pill has not only healed him but also enhanced his abilities.
• Chen Yan demonstrates his concern for the old woman's well-being, showing growth in his character and responsibilities.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Great Return Pill, which not only heals but also enhances abilities, raises questions about the nature of the pill and its potential consequences.
• Chen Yan's commitment to helping the old woman highlights the theme of responsibility and compassion.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Facai work together to protect the old woman's granddaughter, showcasing their teamwork and bond.
• The mysterious man from the Rebirth Cult and the giant man interact, revealing a hierarchical relationship and the mysterious man's authority over the giant.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Yan, a representative of the Rebirth Cult, visits Chen Yan, trying to recruit him.
• Chen Yan takes a sick child to the clinic, and Wu Yan watches him.
• Several family extermination murders occur in Tianmen Village, suspected to be the work of the Rebirth Cult.
• Chen Yan delivers human skins to the yamen and reports about the Skin-Peeling Puppets and a bizarre Woman's Face.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan shows concern for the sick child, demonstrating his compassionate side.
• Wu Yan reveals that he is aware of Chen Yan's unusual circumstances (living beyond his expected lifespan and completing blood-changing quickly).
• Old Daoist Liu shows interest in protecting Chen Yan from the Grand Duke of Jupiter's resentment.

Significant Themes

• The Rebirth Cult's influence and danger are hinted at, adding a new layer to the conflict.
• The theme of unexpected longevity and its consequences (Chen Yan's case) is further explored.
• The tension between Chen Yan and the Rebirth Cult builds, foreshadowing future conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Wu Yan's interaction is tense and wary, with Wu Yan trying to recruit Chen Yan and Chen Yan refusing.
• Chen Yan and the old woman (the child's grandmother) show a caring relationship, with Chen Yan prioritizing the child's health.
• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu discuss the Rebirth Cult, human skins, and the Grand Duke of Jupiter's resentment, leading to a protective stance from Old Daoist Liu towards Chen Yan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu investigate the Skin-Peeling Puppet case.
• Old Daoist Liu uses a talisman to sniff for clues on the human skin.
• Chen Yan is hired as a temporary Flying Fish Guard of the Heavenly Supervision Department.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows curiosity about the cultivation system and is eager to learn more.
• Old Daoist Liu: Reveals his cultivation realm (Dao Foundation) and shares knowledge about cultivation systems.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation System: The chapter delves into the cultivation realms of both cultivators and martial artists, highlighting the differences and similarities between the two paths.
• Investigation: The main plot revolves around the investigation of the Skin-Peeling Puppet case, showcasing the characters' problem-solving skills.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu: Their interaction is a mix of banter and learning, with Chen Yan asking questions and Old Daoist Liu providing answers, often with a hint of pride or irritation.
• Chen Yan and Facai: Though not extensively shown, their interaction is briefly mentioned, with Chen Yan stopping Facai from causing more trouble.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu arrive at Tianmen Village to investigate the family massacres.
• They learn that the village head, Tian Gui, concealed the reports, leading to the escalation of murders.
• The latest murder scene is visited, and the strong blood scent indicates the presence of the Skin-Peeling Puppet.
• Old Daoist Liu uses a Dragon Soaring Jade Divine Talisman to track the beast, leading them to a farmhouse.
• Inside the pigsty, they find a Skin-Peeling Puppet disguised as an old sow.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan: Shows determination and quick thinking in dangerous situations. His senses and reflexes have improved due to the Blood Fiend Saber Technique.
• Old Daoist Liu: Demonstrates exceptional speed and skill in tracking the Skin-Peeling Puppet. His daoist arts are powerful and effective against evil entities.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of concealment and corruption (Tian Gui's actions leading to more deaths).
• The power of truth and exposure (Old Daoist Liu's investigation revealing the true culprit).
• The struggle between good and evil (Old Daoist Liu and Chen Yan vs. the Skin-Peeling Puppet).

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu work together, with the old daoist leading the investigation and Chen Yan providing support.
• Facai, Chen Yan's pet, reacts to the Skin-Peeling Puppet's presence, displaying its protective instincts.
• The farming family in the farmhouse courtyard is terrified of Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu, highlighting the villagers' fear and mistrust due to the ongoing murders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu encounter a Skin-Peeling Puppet in a pigsty.
• Old Daoist Liu uses an Evil-Slaying Talisman to destroy half of the puppet, but it's still alive.
• Chen Yan kills the puppet with a single strike of his Fish Dragon Saber, earning 200 merit points.
• The farmer whose pigsty they destroyed begs Old Daoist Liu to save his sister who has gone mad.

Character Developments

• Chen Yan demonstrates his combat prowess and earns merit points, impressing Old Daoist Liu.
• Old Daoist Liu shows kindness by giving the farmer half a tael of silver, despite initially claiming he only had half a tael.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivators (talisman techniques) vs. martial artists (Qi and Blood Martial Artists).
• The importance of merit points for cultivation and growth.
• Kindness and charity, as shown by Old Daoist Liu.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu work together to defeat the Skin-Peeling Puppet, with Chen Yan taking the final blow.
• The farmer and his family show gratitude and desperation, begging Old Daoist Liu to save their daughter.
• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu have a brief moment of banter regarding the old Daoist's wealth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Ying, Wang Wu's younger sister, goes mad after her wedding sedan chair collides with a funeral procession.
• Wang Wu seeks help from Old Daoist Liu and Chen Yan to save Wang Ying.
• Old Daoist Liu reveals that Wang Ying is possessed by a ghost.
• The ghost is successfully expelled from Wang Ying's body by Old Daoist Liu, who then performs a salvation ritual.

Character Developments

• Wang Wu: Desperate to save his sister, he seeks help from cultivators, showing his love and responsibility.
• Old Daoist Liu: Demonstrates his cultivation skills and compassion by saving Wang Ying and the ghost, displaying his role as a cultivator who helps others.
• Chen Yan: Witnesses a ghost for the first time, shows curiosity and respect for Old Daoist Liu's actions.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivators to help and save others.
• The importance of compassion and mercy, even towards ghosts.
• The consequences of actions (Wang Ying's accident leading to her possession).

Character Interactions

• Wang Wu and Old Daoist Liu: Wang Wu begs for help, while Old Daoist Liu agrees to save Wang Ying.
• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu: Chen Yan learns from Old Daoist Liu, showing respect and admiration for his actions.
• Wang Ying and the ghost: Wang Ying is possessed by the ghost, causing her to act erratically.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The novel's recommendation performance is poor, risking loss of support.
• Lotus Root, the author, plans a long novel (over 2 million words) but fears it might not gain traction.

Character Developments

• Lotus Root: Frustrated and pleading with readers to engage with their new novel.

Significant Themes

• Importance of reader engagement and support for a novel's success.
• Fear of failure and loss of motivation for the author.

Character Interactions

• Direct plea from the author (Lotus Root) to the readers, emphasizing the need for their support and engagement to keep the novel alive.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Ying recovers after saving Wang Liu's soul but needs months to fully recuperate.
• Chen Yan asks Old Daoist Liu to take him as a disciple, but Liu refuses due to Chen's bad luck.
• They find villagers gathered at the entrance, as Temple Master Zhang of Bai Yun Guan has arrived to perform rites for free.
• Zhang Yuanlin greets Chen Yan and asks again about purchasing Facai, which Chen Yan declines.
• Old Daoist Liu finds Zhang Yuanlin's facial features strange, suggesting he should be dead but is not.

Character Developments

• Wang Ying: Shows dedication to her craft, willing to risk her health to save a life.
• Chen Yan: Demonstrates determination and humility in seeking to learn cultivation from Old Daoist Liu.
• Old Daoist Liu: Reveals his skill in divination and concern for his own longevity.
• Zhang Yuanlin: Maintains his benevolent image despite Old Daoist Liu's hostility.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is explored through Old Daoist Liu's divination of facial features.
• The contrast between Zhang Yuanlin's and Old Daoist Liu's reputations and appearances highlights the theme of appearances versus reality.

Character Interactions

• Chen Yan and Old Daoist Liu: Their interactions show Chen Yan's determination and Old Daoist Liu's eccentricity and skill.
• Chen Yan and Zhang Yuanlin: Their interactions reveal Zhang Yuanlin's persistence in acquiring Facai and Chen Yan's resolve not to sell him.
• Old Daoist Liu and Zhang Yuanlin: Their interactions hint at a rivalry and Old Daoist Liu's suspicion of Zhang Yuanlin's vitality.