Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Ling'er attempts to control the Chaos-Taming Rope but fails due to her lack of magical power.
• The Dragon is eventually defeated by Ye Chen using the Hungry Ghost Path.
• At the cave entrance, Ye Chen encounters five powerful enemies: Tongtian Daoist, the Sect Leader of the Xuantian Sect; the Second Grandfather of the Spirit Mediums; Lu Die, an extraordinary woman from the Daoist Sect; and two unknown figures (a fat man and a little girl).

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er gains confidence in using the Chaos-Taming Rope but realizes her limitations without magical power.
• Ye Chen demonstrates his power and willingness to protect Liu Ling'er.
• The enemies reveal their intentions to eliminate Ye Chen, labeling him a demon.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between righteousness and evil, as perceived by the supernatural world.
• The consequences of one's actions and the price of becoming stronger.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and Ye Chen work together against the Dragon, with Ye Chen ultimately saving her.
• Ye Chen faces off against the five enemies, showing no fear and speaking dismissively of their accusations.
• The enemies reveal their desire to eliminate Ye Chen, setting up a potential conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with a confrontation between the protagonist (a Reincarnator with Six Paths Power) and a group led by Tongtian Daoist.
• The group demands an item the protagonist obtained from the Third Prince, and a fight ensues.
• The protagonist uses the Hungry Ghost Path, but Tongtian Daoist counters it with the Six Paths Bell, temporarily sealing the protagonist's Six Paths Power.
• The protagonist is trapped within a Grand Sealing Array and decides to stay and fight.
• Tongtian Daoist tries to persuade Liu Ling'er to join them against the protagonist, but she declines.
• The protagonist attacks with the Chaos God, impressing Tongtian Daoist who expresses desire for the sword.

Character Developments

• The protagonist demonstrates confidence and power even without his Six Paths Power.
• Liu Ling'er shows loyalty to the protagonist, refusing to betray him despite the situation.
• Tongtian Daoist reveals his ambition and greed, wanting the Chaos God for himself.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Six Paths Reincarnation and the struggle for control over it.
• The consequences of losing one's unique power and the need to adapt.
• The temptation of power and the potential corruption it brings.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Tongtian Daoist's interaction is filled with tension and mutual disdain.
• Liu Ling'er's loyalty to the protagonist is tested and proven.
• Tongtian Daoist tries to manipulate Liu Ling'er, showing his manipulative nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Die and the Spirit Medium Disciples attack the protagonist.
• Lu Die uses powerful talismans, and the Spirit Medium invokes the Fox Immortal Family's power.
• The protagonist activates Chaos God, creating a bloody realm that drives everyone into a frenzied slaughter.

Character Developments

• Lu Die: Shows determination to kill the protagonist, using valuable talismans without hesitation.
• Spirit Medium Disciples: Reveal their involvement in worldly disputes, invoking the Five Great Immortal Families' power.
• Protagonist: Demonstrates the might of Chaos God, driving enemies into madness and infighting.

Significant Themes

• Power and its consequences: The Spirit Mediums' use of the Five Great Immortal Families' power leads to their downfall.
• Madness and frenzy: The protagonist's Chaos God sword causes enemies to lose control and attack each other.

Character Interactions

• Lu Die and the protagonist: Engage in a fierce battle, with Lu Die determined to kill the protagonist.
• Protagonist and Liu Ling'er: Argue briefly, with the protagonist showing disregard for Liu Ling'er's safety.
• Tongtian Daoist and the protagonist: Tongtian Daoist becomes a victim of Chaos God's power, turning on his allies.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tongtian Daoist uses a jade pendant to break Chaos God's influence, sobering everyone up.
• The group realizes they were controlled by Chaos God and that one member is missing.
• Tongtian Daoist reveals he has a backup plan and knows about Chaos God's influence.
• Liang Fan deduces that someone is controlling events from the shadows to kill him.
• Lu Die and Tongtian Daoist attempt to kill Liang Fan, using talisman papers and a Giant Spirit Talisman.
• Liang Fan withstands the attacks but is severely injured.

Character Developments

• Tongtian Daoist: Reveals his knowledge of Chaos God and his backup plan. Shows willingness to use powerful talismans to kill Liang Fan.
• Liang Fan: Despite being injured and without the Power of Reincarnation, he maintains his composure and defiance. He deduces that someone is manipulating events against him.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: The manipulation of the group by Chaos God and the unknown mastermind highlights the theme of power and control.
• Defiance of Fate: Liang Fan's refusal to accept fate as predetermined and his belief in his ability to defy it is a central theme.
• Trust and Betrayal: The group's initial trust in each other is shattered as they realize they were controlled and used against one another.

Character Interactions

• Tongtian Daoist vs. Liang Fan: Tongtian Daoist attempts to manipulate and kill Liang Fan, while Liang Fan remains defiant and tries to expose Tongtian Daoist's true intentions.
• Lu Die vs. Liang Fan: Lu Die joins Tongtian Daoist in trying to kill Liang Fan, showing a lack of loyalty to their initial alliance.
• The Group: The group dynamic shifts from cooperation to betrayal as they realize they were controlled and used against each other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tongtian Daoist reveals that his sword can counter Chaos God, as it's an earlier version with the same origin.
• Liang Fan is pierced by countless swords from Tongtian Daoist's Myriad Sword Art, but manages to stand up.
• Liang Fan reveals he was one of the Ten Reverse Dao before becoming a Reincarnator, shocking Tongtian Daoist.
• Liang Fan kills Tongtian Daoist and threatens the remaining three.

Character Developments

• Liang Fan: Shows strategic thinking by testing Tongtian Daoist's allegiance and reveals his true power as one of the Ten Reverse Dao before becoming a Reincarnator.
• Tongtian Daoist: Initially confident, he becomes fearful and desperate when Liang Fan reveals his true identity.
• Lu Die: Panics and tries to bargain for her life, revealing her loyalty to her master and the Daoist Sect.

Significant Themes

• Power and Identity: Liang Fan's true identity as one of the Ten Reverse Dao before becoming a Reincarnator is revealed, highlighting the importance of power and identity in the story.
• Loyalty and Betrayal: Lu Die's loyalty to her master and the Daoist Sect is shown, contrasting with Tongtian Daoist's betrayal.

Character Interactions

• Liang Fan vs. Tongtian Daoist: Their interaction reveals Tongtian Daoist's underestimation of Liang Fan and his true power.
• Liang Fan vs. Lu Die: Lu Die's panic and attempt to bargain for her life show her fear of Liang Fan and her loyalty to her master and the Daoist Sect.
• Tongtian Daoist vs. Fatty: Their interaction shows Fatty's desire to toy with Liu Ling'er, revealing his perverse nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, Liang Fan, defeats Lu Die, a formidable Daoist Sect member, and turns his attention to the remaining two enemies.
• The Fatty, one of the remaining enemies, reveals that they were instigated by mysterious men in black who provided them with Magic Treasures to counter Liang Fan.
• Liang Fan kills the Fatty and decides to find the men in black to settle the score.
• Liang Fan and Liu Ling'er leave the seaside and continue their journey, discussing their next steps.

Character Developments

• Liang Fan demonstrates his power and ruthlessness, eliminating his enemies without mercy.
• Liu Ling'er shows concern for Liang Fan's safety and well-being, displaying a growing bond with him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of revenge is emphasized as Liang Fan vows to find and eliminate the men in black who instigated his enemies.
• The curse on Liang Fan continues to be a significant driving force behind his actions.

Character Interactions

• Liang Fan and Liu Ling'er's dynamic evolves as they face danger together, with Liu Ling'er expressing her concern for Liang Fan and Liang Fan showing a level of trust in her.
• Liang Fan's interactions with his enemies highlight his power and ruthlessness, striking fear into their hearts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist are penniless and desperate for money.
• They attempt to beg for money on the streets, with the protagonist claiming it's an "art form."
• They overhear rumors about a series of gruesome home invasion massacres in the city.
• The protagonist decides to stay in the city and looks for a place to live, settling on a haunted villa where a massacre occurred.

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er expresses frustration with their situation and the protagonist's actions.
• The protagonist remains calm and resourceful, revealing he's working on lifting the curse.

Significant Themes

• Poverty and desperation.
• The protagonist's mysterious past and his secrets.
• The curse that plagues the protagonist and Liu Ling'er.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist rely on each other for survival.
• Liu Ling'er expresses her desire to learn from the protagonist to catch ghosts for money.
• The protagonist reveals Liu Ling'er's hidden abilities to catch ghosts.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er find a haunted villa to live in, showing their acceptance of the supernatural.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces a massacre case in a villa owned by a wealthy merchant. The entire family and the nanny's family were found murdered, but no external killer was found, leading to the suspicion that the mistress of the house, suffering from postpartum depression, committed the murders and then took her own life.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er decide to rent the villa despite its haunted reputation.
• Upon moving in, they sense a faint Spirit Grudge and a lingering scent of blood, indicating the violent deaths that occurred there.

Character Developments

• The protagonist displays knowledge about ghosts and their behavior, suggesting he has experience dealing with supernatural entities.
• Liu Ling'er shows curiosity and a bit of fear regarding the haunted house, but she's determined to face any ghosts that might appear.

Significant Themes

• The lingering effects of violence and trauma on a location.
• The power dynamics between humans and ghosts, with the protagonist suggesting that ghosts are generally weak and afraid of humans, especially in large groups.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er interact as a team, with the protagonist providing information and reassurance, while Liu Ling'er shows determination and curiosity.
• The landlord provides the backstory of the villa's massacre and tries to reassure the protagonist and Liu Ling'er that nothing will happen.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist discuss recent massacre cases in the city, with the protagonist suggesting the killer might not be human.
• The protagonist investigates a recent massacre case, finding no human traces but brutal methods used.
• At night, they encounter a woman's pre-death illusion in their villa, which they watch until the protagonist abruptly ends it.

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er: Shows curiosity and fear when encountering the supernatural, but also determination to face it.
• Protagonist: Demonstrates knowledge about supernatural phenomena, calmness in the face of the uncanny, and a hint of secrecy about his activities.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural occurrences and their explanations in the context of the story's world.
• The impact of obsession and resentment on the afterlife.
• The protagonist's mysterious past and his knowledge about the supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist discuss the recent massacre cases, with the protagonist sharing his findings and theories.
• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist encounter the woman's pre-death illusion, with Liu Ling'er expressing fear and the protagonist explaining the phenomenon.
• The protagonist abruptly ends the illusion, showing a level of control and understanding of these phenomena.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Massacre cases are increasing in the city, with over a hundred incidents involving multiple deaths, no clues, and no trace of perpetrators.
• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist discuss the cases, with the protagonist suggesting that ghosts and gods are behind them.
• The protagonist decides to let Liu Ling'er handle the cases to prevent the ghosts from escaping if he intervenes.
• The protagonist suggests Liu Ling'er pretends to be a housewife to lure the ghosts, and he will assist her.

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er shows concern for the increasing massacre cases and seeks the protagonist's guidance on how to handle them.
• The protagonist remains calm and relaxed despite the chaotic events, demonstrating his confidence and strategic thinking.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against supernatural forces and their influence on the human world.
• The importance of strategic planning and adaptability in facing unexpected challenges.
• The theme of mentorship, as the protagonist guides Liu Ling'er on how to handle the situation.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist discuss the massacre cases, with Liu Ling'er seeking the protagonist's advice on how to deal with them.
• The protagonist guides Liu Ling'er on how to handle the situation, demonstrating his willingness to help and protect her.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er work together to create a plan to eliminate the ghosts behind the massacre cases, showcasing their teamwork and mutual trust.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Ling'er and the protagonist decide to lure the mysterious neighbors out.
• Two young men, appearing to be friendly neighbors, visit Liu Ling'er.
• The protagonist returns home, disguised, and is attacked by the young men.
• The young men propose a cruel game: one of the couple must be 'killed' by them, and the other will live.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er act out a heart-wrenching scene, with the protagonist ultimately 'dying' to protect Liu Ling'er.

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er: Shows courage and concern for her 'husband', playing her role convincingly in the game.
• The Protagonist: Demonstrates selflessness and love for Liu Ling'er, willing to 'die' to protect her.
• The Young Men: Revealed to be sinister and cruel, enjoying the suffering of others.

Significant Themes

• Love and Sacrifice: The protagonist's willingness to 'die' for Liu Ling'er highlights the depth of their love and commitment.
• Cruelty and Manipulation: The young men's game showcases their enjoyment of inflicting emotional pain on others.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and the Protagonist: Their interaction displays a deep, loving bond, with each willing to sacrifice for the other.
• The Protagonist and the Young Men: The protagonist's interaction with the young men reveals their cruelty and the protagonist's resourcefulness in playing along to protect Liu Ling'er.
• Liu Ling'er and the Young Men: Liu Ling'er's interaction with the young men shows her bravery in facing them while trying to protect her 'husband'.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Ling'er is captured by two demonic boys who intend to harm her.
• The boys discuss disposing of Liu Ling'er's body, revealing their sinister nature.
• Liu Ling'er attempts to fight back using her Demon Slaying Sword and Chaos-Taming Rope, but the boys are immune to her attacks.
• Liu Ling'er discovers that one boy can resurrect and heal his injuries, making him nearly invincible.
• The boys reveal their resentment towards humans and their intention to torture and kill Liu Ling'er.

Character Developments

• Liu Ling'er: Shows courage and determination in the face of insurmountable odds, but eventually succumbs to fear and desperation.
• The Twin Demons: Reveal their true nature as sadistic, immortal beings with a grudge against humans.

Significant Themes

• The cruelty and indifference of the supernatural world.
• The futility of human resistance against overwhelming supernatural forces.
• The boys' resentment towards humans, highlighting the theme of inequality and unfairness.

Character Interactions

• Liu Ling'er and the Twin Demons: Liu Ling'er attempts to reason with and fight against the demons, but they remain unmoved and continue to threaten and torment her.
• Liu Ling'er and the unnamed narrator (me): The narrator pretends to be dead, refusing to help Liu Ling'er, which adds to her desperation and fear.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, Liang Fan, reveals his true appearance and identity to the Twin Demons, who were once his pursuers.
• The Twin Demons, despite their fearsome reputation, are not invincible. Liang Fan discovers their weakness: they must be killed simultaneously to prevent resurrection.
• Liang Fan uses the Asura King's phantom image to control one of the Twin Demons, intending to kill both with a single strike.
• In a desperate move, the Twin Demons merge into one, significantly increasing their power.

Character Developments

• Liang Fan: He remains calm and composed, even when facing powerful foes like the Twin Demons. He demonstrates his strategic thinking and resourcefulness.
• Twin Demons: They show their ruthless and cunning nature, willing to merge to gain a power boost when cornered.

Significant Themes

• Power and Weakness: The Twin Demons' immunity to blades and magic makes them formidable, but their simultaneous death requirement is their fatal weakness.
• Hubris: The Twin Demons overestimate their abilities and underestimate Liang Fan, leading to their desperate situation.

Character Interactions

• Liang Fan vs. Twin Demons: Liang Fan maintains a dismissive and disdainful attitude towards the Twin Demons, provoking them and revealing their weaknesses.
• Twin Demons: They communicate and act in unison, demonstrating their synchronization and teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Twin Demons merge to become invincible, immune to all magic and blades.
• Liang Fan tries various paths (Hungry Ghost, Asura, Human) to no avail.
• The Twin Demons pursue Liang Fan, unable to kill him but also unkillable.
• Liang Fan activates the Heavenly Dao path, temporarily stripping the Twin Demons of their invincibility.

Character Developments

• Liang Fan: Realizes the Twin Demons' invincibility and feels helpless, but remains determined to find a solution.
• Twin Demons: Become arrogant and overconfident in their invincibility, underestimating Liang Fan.

Significant Themes

• Invincibility and its limitations.
• The power of the Heavenly Dao and its ability to strip away unnatural invincibility.
• The struggle between overwhelming power and strategic thinking.

Character Interactions

• Liang Fan vs. Twin Demons: Liang Fan's calm determination contrasts with the Twin Demons' arrogance and fear.
• Liang Fan's use of the Heavenly Dao path shows his understanding of the Twin Demons' weakness and his ability to adapt.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, a Reincarnator, defeats the Twin Demons using the Chaos God sword, ending their reign of terror in the city.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er discuss the mysterious 'ghostly place' and the emergence of powerful ghosts and gods of natural disasters.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er decide to stay in the city to guard it from other threats, awaiting their next target.
• The protagonist expresses boredom and a desire for more challenges, hoping someone will seek revenge against him.
• The protagonist learns about recent strange occurrences worldwide, including a school disappearance and zombie sightings.

Character Developments

• The protagonist demonstrates his power and nonchalance in defeating the Twin Demons, showing his growth as a Reincarnator.
• Liu Ling'er shows curiosity and concern about the changes in the world and her desire to stay by the protagonist's side.
• The protagonist expresses a desire for more challenges and excitement, hinting at his growing restlessness.

Significant Themes

• The protagonist's power and growth as a Reincarnator.
• The changing world and the emergence of powerful supernatural entities.
• The protagonist's desire for challenges and excitement.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er work together to defeat the Twin Demons and discuss the changes in the world.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er share a leisurely life in the villa, with Liu Ling'er cooking and the protagonist searching for clues.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er express their thoughts and feelings to each other, showing a growing bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist falls into a deep sleep, unaware of strange events unfolding at an arts school.
• Students at the school are behaving strangely, walking in circles on the sports field, and are believed to be possessed.
• The protagonist continues his Feng Shui business, giving marriage readings and predicting outcomes for a young man with a secret crush.

Character Developments

• The protagonist displays his ability to read marriage fate and see the red thread of destiny.
• Liu Ling'er is skeptical of the protagonist's abilities but becomes convinced after seeing the red threads herself.

Significant Themes

• Fate and destiny: The protagonist discusses the existence of fate and its significance in relationships.
• Materialism: The protagonist suggests that money can influence relationships and even determine whether people recognize each other.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with a young man seeking a marriage reading and predicts three possible outcomes for him.
• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er discuss the existence of fate and the red thread of destiny, leading to a disagreement between them.
• The protagonist takes Liu Ling'er to a coffee shop to show her real-life examples of marriage fate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A couple breaks up; the man is heartbroken, the woman seems indifferent.
• A wealthy, balding man, "the fatty," approaches the woman and they leave together.
• I, the protagonist, reveal to Liu Ling'er that the red threads (symbolizing fate) connect people, but wealth can influence these connections.
• I share my philosophy on fate: it brings people together, but reality can be cruel, and some things cannot be changed.
• A man, encouraged by my earlier reading, confesses to a pregnant woman, and they leave together.

Character Developments

• The heartbroken man: He's devastated by the breakup but remains silent and accepts his fate.
• The indifferent woman: She seems uncaring about the man's feelings, prioritizing her own desires.
• The fatty: He's wealthy and has multiple romantic connections due to his wealth.
• Liu Ling'er: She's initially romantic and believes in fate but becomes disillusioned after learning about the influence of wealth on fate.
• The protagonist (me): I'm calm and pragmatic, understanding the cruel reality of fate and the influence of wealth.

Significant Themes

1. Fate vs. Reality: Fate brings people together, but reality can be cruel and prevent these connections from lasting.
2. Wealth and Influence: Wealth can influence romantic connections and even override fate.
3. Disillusionment: Liu Ling'er's disillusionment with fate after learning about the influence of wealth.

Character Interactions

• The heartbroken man and the indifferent woman: Their interaction shows the harsh reality of their situation, with the woman prioritizing her desires over the man's feelings.
• The fatty and the woman: Their interaction highlights the influence of wealth on romantic connections.
• Me and Liu Ling'er: Our interaction reveals the truth about fate and wealth, causing Liu Ling'er to become disillusioned.
• The man and the pregnant woman: Their interaction shows that even with obstacles like pregnancy, fate can still bring people together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, along with Liu Ling'er, encounters a girl with a ghostly aura at the art school.
• They meet five girls from a dormitory who are terrified and surrounded by a ghostly aura.
• The five girls share their experience with a Ouija Pen Spirit that granted them success but caused a strange illness spreading through the school, with people sleepwalking and becoming aggressive at night.

Character Developments

• The protagonist displays confidence and willingness to help, claiming to be able to exorcise demons.
• The five girls show fear, desperation, and a desire for help.

Significant Themes

• The desire for fame and success, even at a cost.
• The consequences of meddling with the supernatural.
• The fear of the unknown and the loss of control.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist and Liu Ling'er arrive at the school and immediately encounter a distressed girl.
• The protagonist meets the five girls and listens to their story, offering to help.
• The five girls express their fear and desperation to the protagonist.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The five girls express excitement and gratitude for the protagonist's help.
• The protagonist brings up the topic of reward for his services.
• He reveals the true state of the art school, showing the girls a blood-red world where everyone is frozen and students are parasitized by shadowy figures.
• He reveals that the girls are also parasitized, with dormant entities inside them.
• The protagonist offers to save them but demands a high reward, initially set at 100,000 yuan.

Character Developments

• The protagonist demonstrates his powers and knowledge about the supernatural, further establishing his role as a demon exorcist.
• The girls, especially Shen Die and Ju Qing, show fear and desperation, highlighting their vulnerability and dependence on the protagonist.

Significant Themes

• The protagonist's pragmatism and lack of altruism, emphasizing that he acts based on his own interests.
• The girls' naivety and initial disbelief in the supernatural, leading to their fear and desperation when faced with the truth.

Character Interactions

• The protagonist interacts with the five girls, revealing the truth about their situation and demanding a reward for his services.
• The girls react with fear, desperation, and pleading, trying to convince the protagonist to save them despite their initial disbelief.
• Liu Ling'er, who had been silent, speaks up to try and negotiate the reward, showing a more assertive side.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The five girls offer to accompany Liang Fan to pay off their debt, suggesting a form of repayment.
• Liang Fan agrees, and they decide to meet at the art school's girls' dormitory at night.
• Upon arrival, they witness a disturbing scene on the sports field: people seemingly possessed, performing a cult-like ritual.

Character Developments

• Liang Fan: Shows opportunism and lack of scruples in agreeing to the girls' offer, but also displays knowledge and concern about the supernatural threat.
• Liu Ling'er: Expresses disdain for Liang Fan's actions but follows him to the art school, showing curiosity or concern for the situation.
• The Five Girls: Display varying levels of fear, panic, and willingness to cooperate with Liang Fan to solve their problem.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Threat: The presence of ghosts and possession, highlighting the unknown and uncontrollable aspects of the world.
• Exploitation vs. Help: Liang Fan's actions raise questions about his true intentions and the extent to which he is helping the girls out of genuine concern or personal gain.
• Powerlessness: The characters feel helpless against the supernatural forces at play, emphasizing their vulnerability.

Character Interactions

• Liang Fan and Liu Ling'er: Their interactions show a mix of tension (due to Liang Fan's actions) and cooperation (in facing the supernatural threat).
• Liang Fan and the Five Girls: Their interactions are tense, with the girls feeling taken advantage of by Liang Fan, but they still rely on him for help.