Li Zhuiyuan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Li Zhuiyuan (李追远) 1
Alias(es)	Little Yuanhou 1
Gender	Male
Age	10 12
Species/Race	Human
Occupation/Role	Student; aspiring practitioner of corpse-retrieval and occult arts
Status	Alive; temporarily blinded after overusing Yin Walking, with recovery expected 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Li Zhuiyuan spent part of his childhood in the capital. His mother, Li Lan, frequently took him to psychologists; while trying to please her, he once actively induced a personality split. This history later fuels recurring episodes of alienation from his own reflection and fear that he is losing his sense of self. He grounds himself by reciting his name, age, and family connections. 12 19 33

After returning to the countryside, Li Zhuiyuan falls into a river and is rescued by family members, remaining unconscious until Liu Jinxia and Li Juxiang perform a ritual. The incident leaves him fearful of water and of Little Yellow Oriole, the woman who dragged him beneath the boat. 2

He later stays at the home of his great-grandfather, Li Sanjiang, where he gains access to a basement full of occult texts. His studies begin with Records of Strange Tales from the Jianghu, then expand into physiognomy, destiny calculation, feng shui, corpse-retrieval methods, and the Qin and Liu families' inherited arts. 6 8 17 34 35

Appearance

Li Zhuiyuan is a fair, tender-looking ten-year-old boy with a small physique. Adults and villagers often notice that he is well dressed, while his habitual shy smile makes him appear harmless despite his unusual knowledge and experiences. 9 33

• Fair and tender in appearance 33
• Small build and limited physical strength compared with adults such as Uncle Qin 9 14
• Often wears neat, stylish clothing 33
• Maintains a deliberately childlike expression when trying to reassure others or conceal his perceptions 12 33

Personality

Li Zhuiyuan is observant, cautious, and unusually mature for his age. He studies people’s expressions, behavior, and hidden motives closely, which allows him to identify dangers such as disguised supernatural entities and an adult dwarf impersonating a child. 41 44

He is compassionate but pragmatic. He repeatedly chooses to help those in danger—including Qin Li, Xue Liangliang, Li Sanjiang, and even hostile dead floats—yet he does not believe every supernatural being must be destroyed. He favors coexistence when an entity has not harmed others. 9 24 32 46

His greatest internal struggle is his unstable self-perception. Li Zhuiyuan fears the cold, detached side of himself that emerges around mirrors, dreams, and supernatural rituals, but he deliberately anchors himself through his relationships with A Li and Li Sanjiang. 12 19 33 43

Abilities & Skills

Occult Scholarship

Li Zhuiyuan rapidly absorbs and cross-references texts on strange tales, physiognomy, destiny deduction, feng shui, and corpse retrieval.

• Identified a method from Records of Strange Tales from the Jianghu to break a Corpse Demon’s miasma, directing Run Sheng to awaken Liu Jinxia and Grandpa Shan. 14
• Learns through repeated reading, calculation, note-taking, and comparison between different schools of practice. 17 34 35
• Recognizes that physiognomy and fortune-telling offer only one perspective rather than an absolute judgment. 22 25
• Detects inconsistencies in ancient texts and eventually suspects Wei Zhengdao’s role behind the books and methods he has inherited. 42 43

Physiognomy and Destiny Deduction

Li Zhuiyuan studies Yin Yang Physiognomy Explained and Destiny Deduction Theory, building an internal “database” of facial features and destinies.

• Initially struggles with calculations and receives incorrect results when practicing on Li Sanjiang. 17
• Progresses from memorizing individual features to mentally combining them into complete faces. 18 19
• Correctly foresees Zhao Hequan’s future marital misfortune after initially doubting his own reading. 18 25
• Uses physiognomic observation to expose the supposed child at Cui Cui’s birthday as an adult dwarf in disguise. 44
• Avoids casually reading the destinies of people close to him, viewing destiny as deeply private. 31

Dreamwalking and Yin Walking

Li Zhuiyuan can enter, recognize, and navigate dreamlike supernatural spaces. His experiences allow him to distinguish ordinary dreams from hostile or shared dream environments.

• First becomes involved in the Cat-faced Old Woman’s dream banquet and attempts to protect Qin Li while escaping. 9 11
• Successfully enters a dream to reconcile with A Li. 36
• Uses Yin Walking extensively during later confrontations, but overuse leaves him temporarily blind. 49
• Experiences uncertainty about reality after repeated Yin Walking, especially upon waking. 33

Qi Gazing and Feng Shui Observation

Through the Liu Clan’s Qi Gazing Art and Qin Clan’s Flood Dragon Observation Method, Li Zhuiyuan learns to perceive environmental patterns and select locations for occult work.

• Discovers a hidden tomb and identifies the fish pond’s feng shui implications while under pressure from Little Yellow Oriole. 37
• Understands how to choose locations and arrange altars to induce the appearance of a Death Collapse. 45
• Alters Li Sanjiang’s luck-transferring formation to prevent his great-grandfather’s fortune from being fully transferred to him. 32

Corpse Retrieval and Anti-Entity Methods

Li Zhuiyuan designs, tests, and deploys tools based on The Righteous Path to Subdue Demons.

• Tests self-drawn talismans; they can react to supernatural influence by turning black, but prove ineffective against Brother Leopard and Zhao Xing. 31 32
• Uses the Seven Star Hook in a horse stance to trip and restrain a thug. 32
• Uses the Black Canvas to force dead-float remnants out of possessed targets. 32
• Summons Little Yellow Oriole from the fish pond and later returns her to the hidden tomb. 36 37
• Treats preparation and tool testing as essential before confronting unknown entities. 28 32

Death Collapse Control

After obtaining the Black Book, Li Zhuiyuan begins learning a method to control Death Collapses.

• Learns that the method is meant to confront Death Collapses, not safely domesticate them. 43 48
• Uses the Black Canvas and verbal control to restrain Zhou Yong and his deceased family. 47
• Chooses to spare Zhou Yong rather than kill him. 47
• Understands that prolonged control can corrupt the practitioner, as shown by the Black Book’s previous user. 42 48

Martial Training

Uncle Qin teaches Li Zhuiyuan horse stance and basic bodily control.

• Practices horse stance daily alongside his reading routine. 17
• Learns proper breathing, posture, and force distribution through Uncle Qin’s corrections. 25
• Notices increased strength and, more importantly, improved control over his body. 34
• Cannot yet match the physical strength needed to fully exploit corpse-retrieval equipment. 31

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Peachwood Sword — Carried during investigations and trips with Uncle Qin. 14
• Luosheng Umbrella — A black umbrella designed to isolate miasma when opened. 29
• Yellow River Shovel — A multi-function implement intended for underwater and muddy shoreline environments. 29
• Seven Star Hook — Segmented hook used to restrain targets; Li Zhuiyuan coats it with red ink before use. 31 32
• Black Canvas — Cloth layered with A Li’s carved Wood Flower Rolls; effective at expelling dead-float influence. 32
• Talisman Papers — Personally drawn talismans that react to supernatural targets but initially lack decisive power. 29 31 32
• Black Book — A text in handwriting identical to Wei Zhengdao’s, containing a method to control Death Collapses. 42 43
• Purple Compass — Gift from Secretary Jin. 41
• Jade Thumb Ring — Gift from Liu Yumei. 7

Relationships

• Li Sanjiang — Great-grandfather, guardian, and major influence on Li Zhuiyuan’s corpse-retrieval path. Li Zhuiyuan worries about his safety and secretly prevents him from transferring too much fortune. 6 29 32 41
• Li Weihan — Grandfather. He includes Li Zhuiyuan in family activities and encourages his reading while cautioning him not to strain his eyes. 1 18
• Cui Guiying — Grandmother. She comforts and protects Li Zhuiyuan after his near-drowning. 2
• Li Lan — Mother. Their relationship is deeply strained; her behavior and emotional coldness contribute to Li Zhuiyuan’s identity crisis. 19 34 43
• A Li / Qin Li — Closest companion. Li Zhuiyuan reads with her, protects her in dreams, relies on her craftsmanship, and works to maintain their bond. 9 14 27 36 37
• Liu Yumei — A Li’s grandmother and an important adviser. She gives Li Zhuiyuan a jade thumb ring, appraises his books, and warns him about the costs of interfering with Li Sanjiang’s fortune. 7 29 43
• Uncle Qin — Martial mentor and supernatural ally. He teaches Li Zhuiyuan horse stance, assists in emergencies, and works alongside him to save Xue Liangliang. 17 24 25
• Run Sheng — Loyal friend and physical partner in confrontations. Li Zhuiyuan provides plans and tools, while Run Sheng supplies the strength to carry them out. 14 31 32
• Xue Liangliang — Older friend and fellow survivor of the Bai Family Empress incident. Li Zhuiyuan supports him through illness and his forced marriage to the Bai Family Empress. 19 21 24 25
• Tan Wenbin — Friend and prospective classmate. He assists Li Zhuiyuan’s investigations and studies occult methods under his influence. 37 43 47 49
• Tan Yunlong — Police chief who recognizes Li Zhuiyuan’s intelligence and helps arrange his enrollment in high school. 29 36 37

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cat-faced Old Woman Incident

Li Zhuiyuan’s encounters with A Li lead him into the Cat-faced Old Woman’s dream world and birthday banquet. Though physically weak and inexperienced, he adapts quickly, attempts to protect Qin Li, and begins applying the knowledge he gains from occult texts. 8 9 11 14

Study and First Investigations

After gaining access to Li Sanjiang’s books, Li Zhuiyuan devotes himself to reading, physiognomy, destiny deduction, and martial training. His book knowledge becomes practical when he identifies how to break the Corpse Demon’s miasma at the Niu family funeral. 14 17 18

Bai Family Empress Affair

Li Zhuiyuan assists Xue Liangliang after the latter becomes entangled with the Bai Family Empress. He helps sever their connection, rushes to the hospital when Xue Liangliang nearly dies, and offers emotional support after learning of Xue Liangliang’s supernatural marriage. 21 23 24 25

Corpse-Retrieval Tool Development

Determined not to remain powerless, Li Zhuiyuan studies The Righteous Path to Subdue Demons, designs occult equipment, and tests it with A Li and Run Sheng. The experiments reveal that his Black Canvas is effective, while his self-drawn talismans remain unreliable. 25 28 29 31 32

Luck-Transfer Consequences

Li Sanjiang attempts to transfer his powerful fortune to Li Zhuiyuan. Li Zhuiyuan alters the formation out of fear that the full transfer would harm him, but still suffers memory loss and a streak of abnormal gambling luck afterward. 32 33 34

Wei Zhengdao and the Black Book

After discovering Ding Dalin’s stolen skin and a Black Book written in Wei Zhengdao’s hand, Li Zhuiyuan realizes that the teachings he inherited may conceal a dangerous agenda. He nevertheless chooses to learn the Death Collapse-control method, believing he needs a means to face threats directly. 42 43

Zhou Yong Case and Blindness

Li Zhuiyuan investigates Zhou Yong with Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin, choosing containment and understanding over immediate extermination. He controls Zhou Yong and his family but later loses his sight after overusing Yin Walking; he adapts to temporary blindness while continuing to study and teach Tan Wenbin. 46 47 49

Notable Quotes

“This road isn't easy to travel.”
“Yeah, if it were easy, it wouldn't be any fun.” 32

“Essentially, we can coexist peacefully with him.” 46

Trivia

• Li Zhuiyuan wants to become a police officer when he grows up. 29
• He is academically advanced enough that Tan Yunlong arranges for him to enter the third year of high school. 36 37
• After his unexplained memory loss, he changes the credited author of The Righteous Path to Subdue Demons from “Wei Zhengdao” to “Pseudo Zhengdao.” 33
• He prefers staying home to read over accompanying Aunt Liu to the temple. 18