Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhuiyuan and Li Sanjiang visit Ding Dalin, who is alive and well, with no signs of being skinned.
• Ding Dalin wants to lease land from Li Sanjiang for 30 years to plant peach trees.
• Li Sanjiang writes his will, leaving his assets to Li Zhuiyuan.
• Secretary Jin gives Li Zhuiyuan a purple compass as a gift.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin have lunch with Ding Dalin and the others.
• After lunch, Ding Dalin shows Li Sanjiang a set of sound equipment.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan: He becomes more resilient and adaptable, managing to maintain his composure despite the bizarre situation.
• Ding Dalin: He seems to be a completely different person, pursuing artistic conceptions and squandering money.
• Secretary Jin: She remains mysterious and unreadable, showing kindness to Li Zhuiyuan but also displaying a hollowness and coldness in her eyes.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: The characters' appearances do not reflect their true nature or intentions, creating a sense of unease and suspicion.
• Trust and Betrayal: The characters' trust in each other is fragile, and betrayal is always a possibility.
• Art and Wealth: Ding Dalin's pursuit of artistic conceptions contrasts with Li Sanjiang's practicality, highlighting the different values of the characters.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhuiyuan and Secretary Jin: Their interactions are tense, with Li Zhuiyuan feeling threatened by Secretary Jin's gaze and actions.
• Li Sanjiang and Ding Dalin: Their friendship is strained due to Ding Dalin's strange behavior and squandering of wealth.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin: They work together to observe their surroundings and maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the bizarre situation.

• Li Zhuiyuan has a strange dream where he sees Ding Dalin's face split open, and he hears a voice accusing Ding Dalin of deceiving him.
• Ding Dalin asks Li Zhuiyuan to help him plant peach trees, and Li Zhuiyuan agrees.
• Ding Dalin's behavior becomes strange, and he seems to be possessed by something.
• Li Zhuiyuan discovers that Ding Dalin has been misappropriated by something else.
• Li Zhuiyuan finds Ding Dalin's skin in the room, and inside his mouth, he finds a large gold ingot.
• Run Sheng finds Li Zhuiyuan and is relieved that he's okay. He asks Li Zhuiyuan what to do with the human skins.
• Li Zhuiyuan tells Run Sheng to burn the human skins in the workshop furnace.
• Li Zhuiyuan finds an ancient book with a black cover in the burlap sack containing the tools. The handwriting in the book is familiar to him.
• Li Zhuiyuan looks down at the fish pond and realizes that the person who lied to him is Wei Zhengdao.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhuiyuan gives Run Sheng his belongings back, including the Corpse Retrieval Tools.
• He takes six book strips and a Gold Ingot to Liu Yumei for appraisal.
• Liu Yumei reveals that the books are from the Ming-Qing era, and the Gold Ingot is Nether Gold used for burials.
• Li Zhuiyuan exchanges the Gold Ingot for money.
• Tan Yunlong visits and scolds Tan Wenbin for smoking.
• Li Zhuiyuan starts learning the Black Book, which teaches a method to control Death Collapses.
• He attempts to practice the method but encounters difficulties.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan: He starts learning the Black Book's method to control Death Collapses, showing determination and initiative.
• A Li: She shows affection towards Li Zhuiyuan, lying down beside him as he practices.
• Liu Yumei: She reveals her expertise in paper and cloth, appraising the book strips and Gold Ingot.
• Tan Yunlong: He visits and scolds Tan Wenbin for smoking, showing his strict parenting style.
• Tan Wenbin: He gets scolded by his father but remains determined to learn about Death Collapses.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Li Zhuiyuan seeks to learn the method to control Death Collapses, aiming to protect himself and others from harm.
• Friendship and Trust: The Black Book is a personal note from Wei Zhengdao to a friend, highlighting the importance of trust and sharing between friends.
• Growth and Learning: Li Zhuiyuan's determination to learn the method shows his desire to grow and improve himself.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhuiyuan and Liu Yumei: They interact as he takes the book strips and Gold Ingot to her for appraisal.
• Li Zhuiyuan and A Li: They lie down together as Li Zhuiyuan practices the method from the Black Book.
• Tan Yunlong and Tan Wenbin: They interact as Tan Yunlong scolds Tan Wenbin for smoking.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin: They discuss university applications, with Tan Wenbin expressing his desire to attend Haihe University with Li Zhuiyuan.

• Li Zhuiyuan visits Cui Cui's birthday party and meets a suspicious boy who is actually a fifty-year-old dwarf disguised as a child.
• Li Zhuiyuan alerts the adults, and they decide not to attend the memorial service for the boy's mother, suspecting foul play.
• Li Zhuiyuan returns home in a good mood, swinging hands with A Li, and declines Tan Wenbin's invitation to go fishing.
• Li Sanjiang informs Run Sheng about a Death Collapse retrieval job in Xiting Town, revealing that Run Sheng's grandfather had been injured and kept it a secret.

Key Points

1. Suspicious Boy: The boy is a fifty-year-old dwarf pretending to be a child to extract information from Cui Cui. His true intentions are unknown but likely malicious.
2. Memorial Service: Liu Jinxia and Li Juxiang decide not to attend the memorial service for the boy's mother due to Li Zhuiyuan's suspicions and Liu Jinxia's concern for her own safety and that of her family.
3. Death Collapse Retrieval: Li Sanjiang informs Run Sheng about a Death Collapse retrieval job in Xiting Town, revealing that Run Sheng's grandfather had been injured and kept it a secret.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan: Shows maturity and intuition in identifying the suspicious boy and alerting the adults. He also displays a good mood upon returning home with A Li.
• Liu Jinxia: Shows wisdom and caution in deciding not to attend the memorial service, prioritizing her family's safety and well-being.
• Run Sheng: Shows loyalty to Li Zhuiyuan by agreeing with his decisions and not going fishing with Tan Wenbin. He also shows concern for his grandfather's injury.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Caution: The suspicious boy's deception highlights the importance of trust and caution in dealing with strangers, especially those who may have malicious intentions.
• Family Safety: Liu Jinxia's decision to prioritize her family's safety over attending the memorial service emphasizes the importance of protecting one's family and loved ones.
• Loyalty and Responsibility: Run Sheng's loyalty to Li Zhuiyuan and his concern for his grandfather's injury demonstrate the importance of loyalty and responsibility in relationships and family.

• Runsheng, Li Zhuiyuan, and Tan Wenbin go to retrieve a Death Collapse but find a Feng Shui Bureau set up by someone using a Corpse Raising formation.
• They discover that the Death Collapse is a person placed in the river to absorb malevolent energy.
• They find the person who set up the formation, Zhou Yong, but his house is locked from the inside. They enter through the window and search the house.
• They find a girl's corpse in the rice jar in the kitchen, with her eyes filled with rice. They also find an adult woman's corpse sandwiched between the cotton batting under the big bed.
• Tan Wenbin is terrified and wants to call his dad, Tan Yunlong, to handle the situation.
• As they leave, they see the Village Chief riding towards them, asking if they found the Death Collapse. He waves and greets someone in the direction of Zhou Yong's house, indicating that Zhou Yong might be home.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. The group discovers a Corpse Raising formation set up by someone using a Death Collapse.
2. They find two corpses in Zhou Yong's house: a girl in the rice jar and a woman under the bed.
3. Tan Wenbin is terrified and wants to call his dad for help.

Character Developments

1. Li Zhuiyuan shows his ability to analyze and deduce the situation, understanding the Corpse Raising formation and finding the corpses.
2. Tan Wenbin shows his timidity and fear when faced with the corpses but also his desire to help and his resourcefulness in locking the door and wiping fingerprints.
3. Runsheng shows his strength and bravery in handling the corpses and his loyalty to Li Zhuiyuan.

Significant Themes

1. The theme of death and the supernatural is prominent, with the group dealing with Death Collapses and Corpse Raising.
2. The theme of fear and courage is explored through Tan Wenbin's reaction to the corpses.
3. The theme of family and loyalty is shown through Runsheng's actions and Tan Wenbin's desire to call his dad.

Character Interactions

1. Li Zhuiyuan, Runsheng, and Tan Wenbin work together to find the Death Collapse and the person responsible.
2. Tan Wenbin shows his fear and dependence on Li Zhuiyuan and Runsheng.
3. The Village Chief interacts with the group, asking about the Death Collapse and greeting someone in the direction of Zhou Yong's house.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhuiyuan, Runsheng, and Tan Wenbin find Zhou Yong's house, where they encounter Zhou Yong's deceased wife and child.
• Zhou Yong leads them to his house, where they are served a disturbing meal.
• Li Zhuiyuan attempts to communicate with Zhou Yong but is unsuccessful.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan shows maturity and understanding in dealing with Zhou Yong.
• Runsheng demonstrates his bravery and loyalty.
• Tan Wenbin faces his fears and shows determination.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between life and death, and the consequences of obsession with the past.
• The importance of communication and understanding in resolving conflicts.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhuiyuan and Runsheng work together to navigate the situation with Zhou Yong.
• Tan Wenbin's fear and determination are tested as he faces the disturbing meal and Zhou Yong's demands.
• Zhou Yong's actions reveal his deep attachment to his deceased family and his desire for them to be together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhuiyuan enters a dream-like state induced by Zhou Yong, witnessing scenes from Zhou Yong's past.
• He discovers that Zhou Yong's wife and daughter were killed, and Zhou Yong is being manipulated by an unknown person.
• Li Zhuiyuan realizes he's been targeted by a trap set by the unknown person.
• Zhou Yong attacks Li Zhuiyuan, Tan Wenbin, and Run Sheng, but Run Sheng manages to subdue him temporarily.
• Li Zhuiyuan uses the Black Canvas to control Zhou Yong and his family, then decides not to kill Zhou Yong.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan demonstrates his ability to control the dead and his strategic thinking.
• Run Sheng shows his strength and loyalty to Li Zhuiyuan.
• Tan Wenbin sacrifices himself to buy time for Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng.
• Zhou Yong is revealed to be a pawn in someone else's scheme.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Li Zhuiyuan is manipulated by the unknown person, and Zhou Yong is manipulated by the mastermind behind the scheme.
• The power of words and communication: Li Zhuiyuan uses his words to control Zhou Yong and his family.
• Sacrifice: Tan Wenbin sacrifices himself to help Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhuiyuan and Run Sheng work together to subdue Zhou Yong.
• Li Zhuiyuan shows concern for Run Sheng's well-being.
• Li Zhuiyuan decides to spare Zhou Yong, showing mercy despite Zhou Yong's actions.

The river was filled with the stench of blood and the sound of corpses floating to the surface. Run Sheng, standing on the riverbank, was at a loss for what to do.
He wanted to help, but he didn't know how. He could only watch as the corpses on the river surface slowly dispersed, leaving only the mother and daughter pair floating together.
"Little Yuan, what should I do now?" Run Sheng asked, turning to look at the boy behind him.
Li Zhuiyuan, with his eyes still bandaged, said, "Brother Run Sheng, you should go back to Grandpa Shan's house first. I'll stay here for a while."
"Okay, Little Yuan. Be careful."
Run Sheng left. Li Zhuiyuan sat down on the riverbank, listening to the sound of water lapping against the shore.
The river was calm, and the corpses had all dispersed. The mother and daughter pair were still floating together, but they were no longer moving.
Li Zhuiyuan stood up, walked to the riverbank, and reached out to touch the water. He scooped up a handful and poured it over his face.
The water was cold and refreshing, washing away the fatigue from his body.
He sat down again, his eyes closed, and began to listen to the sounds around him.
The sounds of the river, the sounds of the wind, the sounds of the insects, the sounds of the birds, the sounds of the trees, the sounds of the grass, the sounds of the earth, the sounds of the sky...
The sounds of the world.
He didn't know how long he had been sitting there, but he felt his body gradually relax and his mind gradually clear.
The world was so big, and he was so small.
He was just a small boy, but he had already experienced so many things.
He had seen the world, seen people, seen life, seen death, seen evil, seen kindness, seen everything.
But now, he was tired.
He wanted to rest.
He wanted to be a child again.
He wanted to be a child who could laugh, who could cry, who could play, who could run, who could jump, who could shout, who could sing, who could dance, who could be happy, who could be sad, who could be angry, who could be afraid, who could be lonely, who could be joyful, who could be free...
He wanted to be a child again.
He wanted to be a child who could be a child.
He wanted to be a child who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child...
He wanted to be a child who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be a child, who could be

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Zhuiyuan goes blind after overusing his Yin Walking ability and travels to Shanghai with Li Sanjiang for medical treatment.
• They meet an old professor who diagnoses Li Zhuiyuan's condition and predicts his eyes will gradually recover.
• Upon returning home, Li Zhuiyuan continues his daily life, playing chess with A Li and learning about the resolution of the Zhou Yong case from Tan Wenbin.
• Li Sanjiang worries about Li Zhuiyuan's future and plans to visit Liu Jinxia to secure a job for him.

Character Developments

• Li Zhuiyuan: Accepts his temporary blindness and adapts to his new life, focusing on his studies and helping Tan Wenbin prepare for his exams.
• Li Sanjiang: Becomes increasingly worried about Li Zhuiyuan's future, particularly his ability to find a wife and support himself.
• A Li: Shows increased affection towards Li Zhuiyuan, helping him with daily tasks and playing chess with him.
• Tan Wenbin: Continues to learn from Li Zhuiyuan, eager to master the skills needed to confront Death Collapses.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation and resilience: Li Zhuiyuan's acceptance of his temporary blindness and his continued pursuit of his goals despite his disability.
• Family and responsibility: Li Sanjiang's concern for Li Zhuiyuan's future and his desire to secure a stable job for him.
• Friendship and camaraderie: The bond between Li Zhuiyuan, Tan Wenbin, and Run Sheng, as they continue to learn and grow together.

Character Interactions

• Li Zhuiyuan and A Li: Their relationship deepens as A Li helps Li Zhuiyuan with daily tasks and they continue to play chess together.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Li Sanjiang: Li Sanjiang's worry for Li Zhuiyuan's future leads him to visit Liu Jinxia to secure a job for him.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin: Li Zhuiyuan teaches Tan Wenbin math problems to help him prepare for his exams and learn the skills needed to confront Death Collapses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Sanjiang and Li Zhuiyuan spend a day together, with Li Sanjiang sharing stories about the Middle East and local history.
• A Li and her family go on a trip, leaving Li Zhuiyuan, Run Sheng, and Tan Wenbin behind.
• Li Zhuiyuan meets a storyteller, Yu Shu, who he suspects is a colleague of Liu Yumei.
• Tan Yunlong and his team investigate Big Beard's house, with Li Sanjiang assisting them.
• Tan Yunlong discovers Tan Wenbin studying in the dark and encourages him.

Character Developments

• Li Sanjiang: Shows concern for Li Zhuiyuan's well-being and shares stories from his past.
• Li Zhuiyuan: Realizes the importance of protecting his eyes and continues practicing Feng Shui arts.
• Tan Wenbin: Shows dedication to his studies, even working in the dark to avoid detection.

Significant Themes

• The importance of family and family history.
• The power of storytelling and oral traditions.
• The value of hard work and dedication, especially in the face of adversity.

Character Interactions

• Li Sanjiang and Li Zhuiyuan: Share a moment of connection as Li Sanjiang shares stories from his past.
• Li Zhuiyuan and Yu Shu: Li Zhuiyuan suspects Yu Shu is a colleague of Liu Yumei, but keeps this information to himself.
• Tan Yunlong and Tan Wenbin: Tan Yunlong discovers Tan Wenbin studying in the dark and encourages him, showing a softer side to his son.