Ch. 1041The Crow Drinks Water
Key Plot Points and Events
- Big Cat observes a human trafficking operation at the harbor, involving 37,983 people transported from the Black Continent.
- Wenren Sheng discovers that the Sole Supremacy Society controls the Mist Wall, allowing the trafficking to occur.
- In Corpse Valley, Wenren Sheng encounters three dying people who are ignored by a flock of crows. He records their situation but decides not to intervene.
- The crows fly to a lake, and Wenren Sheng observes a small crow using stones to drink water from a bottle, reminding him of the folktale "The Crow Drinks Water."
- The crows then dive into the lake and return to their respective locations, including the clock tower in the city.
Character Developments
- Wenren Sheng: Shows concern for the trafficked people but decides not to intervene due to time constraints. He observes the crows' behavior and deduces that they contain human souls.
- The Crows: Revealed to contain human souls, most of which have gone mad from their prolonged state as crows, feeding on rotting corpses. One small crow, however, retains its human intelligence and problem-solving skills.
Significant Themes
- Human trafficking and exploitation: The trafficking operation highlights the dehumanization of the victims, who are seen as mere materials.
- Madness and humanity: The crows' human souls, now mad, reflect the loss of humanity and compassion when subjected to extreme conditions.
- Intelligence and adaptability: The small crow's use of stones to drink water demonstrates its intelligence and ability to adapt, contrasting with the other crows' madness.
Character Interactions
- Wenren Sheng observes the interactions between the crows and the old people at the clock tower, noting that the crows only peck at those giving off a decaying aura.
- The crows discuss their desire to turn their loved ones into crows, reflecting their madness and lack of empathy. The small crow is an exception, showing it still retains some human reasoning.