Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gu Zixu, the Rat King, is resentful after his believers abandon him due to a grain theft accusation.
• Xu Qing arrives to deal with the rat infestation and proposes a plan to steal grain from villagers to fill the granary, but Gu Zixu refuses.
• Xu Qing offers Gu Zixu a position in the Cat Immortal Hall and promises to help him take revenge on the officials who framed him.
• Xu Qing plans to burn the granary and replace the grain with straw to avoid suspicion.
• Tens of thousands of rats flee the granary, witnessed by the Granary Officer and Guo Dongyang, who see Xu Qing and Xuan Yu on the rooftop.

Character Developments

• Gu Zixu: Initially resentful and desperate, he becomes more cautious and discerning after Xu Qing's actions.
• Xu Qing: Shows his unpredictable and ruthless side, using force to subdue the rats and make demands of Gu Zixu.
• Xuan Yu: Stands by Xu Qing's side, showing loyalty and understanding of his actions.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation: Xu Qing uses his power to coerce Gu Zixu into joining the Cat Immortal Hall.
• Trust and betrayal: Gu Zixu is betrayed by his followers, leading him to question Xu Qing's intentions.
• The consequences of corruption: The Granary Officer and Guo Dongyang benefit from the grain theft, highlighting the corrupt system they operate within.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Gu Zixu: Xu Qing uses threats and promises to persuade Gu Zixu to join the Cat Immortal Hall.
• Gu Zixu and his followers: Gu Zixu is betrayed by his followers, who choose to side with Xu Qing.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu: Xuan Yu remains loyal to Xu Qing, understanding his actions even when they seem harsh.

Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing and his group return to Linhe, with Guo Dongyang questioning them about the multicolored tiger.
• Xu Qing discovers the Jia Ma Talismans' durability has run out, causing the horse to slow down.
• A monk riding a donkey backward passes them, and the horse's speed increases when Xu Qing reapplies the talismans.
• The monk uses a Buddhist talisman to make his donkey faster, pulling away from Xu Qing's carriage.
• Xu Qing sets up an altar for a team-building dinner with Gu Zixu and Gu Qiao'er, accepting twenty thousand strands of incense from Gu Zixu.
• Xu Qing goes to Feng Er Ye's residence to handle a matter for him, learning about the Tianxin Cult's assassination attempt on the Emperor.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: Shows his cunning and resourcefulness in dealing with Guo Dongyang's questions. He also demonstrates his concern for Feng Er Ye's well-being.
• Guo Dongyang: Reveals his insight and cunning, tricking Guan Da Zhuang into revealing information.
• Gu Zixu and Gu Qiao'er: Join the Cat Immortal Hall, contributing incense and becoming familiar with the Immortals of various halls.

Significant Themes

• The power of divine mandate and fate, as seen in the Tianxin Cult's failed assassination attempt.
• The importance of incense and its role in the Cat Immortal Hall's growth.
• The theme of deception and cunning, shown through Guo Dongyang's questioning and Xu Qing's responses.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Guo Dongyang: Guo Dongyang tries to extract information from Xu Qing, but Xu Qing remains evasive.
• Xu Qing and Gu Zixu/Gu Qiao'er: Xu Qing accepts their incense and welcomes them to the Cat Immortal Hall.
• Xu Qing and Feng Er Ye: Xu Qing shows concern for Feng Er Ye's well-being and goes to help him with a matter.
• The Gold Banner Escort and the Guardian Escort: They argue about the value of the rooster Jin Luan, highlighting the rogues' affection for their pets.

Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing and Second Master Feng discuss business, and Xu Qing reveals he has something important to discuss.
• Second Master Feng is attacked by Gu insects hidden in a teacup, which Xu Qing neutralizes using a Myriad Spirit Pill.
• Xu Qing follows the Gu insects' threads to their source, discovering a Gu master in a nearby courtyard.
• The Gu master attacks Xu Qing's paper figures with his Gu insects, but Jin Luan devours them.
• The Gu master attempts to escape but is cornered and killed by the four Ghoul Generals.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his power and knowledge of Gu insects, protecting Second Master Feng and confronting the Gu master.
• Second Master Feng shows his timidity and fear of Gu insects, recalling his family's tragic fate.
• The Gu master reveals his deep-seated hatred towards Second Master Feng's family, indicating a past conflict.

Significant Themes

• The power of Gu insects and their use in malicious activities.
• The consequences of harboring deep-seated hatred and pursuing revenge relentlessly.
• The theme of protection and assistance, as Xu Qing aids Second Master Feng against the Gu master.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Second Master Feng: Xu Qing protects Second Master Feng from Gu insects and confronts the Gu master on his behalf.
• Xu Qing and the Gu master: Xu Qing follows the Gu insects' threads to the Gu master's courtyard and ultimately leads to his demise.
• Jin Luan and the Gu insects: Jin Luan devours the Gu insects, demonstrating its ability to consume Underworld entities.

Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing encounters and defeats a Gu Master, who was controlling insects to harm people.
• Xu Qing discovers that the Gu Master was once swindled by a vendor posing as a Gu Master from Nancuo.
• The vendor, a member of the Ma sect (swindlers), had scammed people using a golden earthworm.
• The Gu Master, Mu Dian, had sought revenge on the Feng family, who had bought the worm and later discarded it.
• Mu Dian's disciple, Li A'cuo, had been seeking revenge on the Feng family for years.
• Xu Qing finds a pair of golden Cicada Molts among the Gu Master's belongings, which can be used for rebirth once.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: Shows his ruthlessness in dealing with the Gu Master and his interest in raising insects for fighting.
• Jin Luan: Gains weight and improves its impression of Xu Qing due to his generosity.
• Mu Dian: Revealed to be a Gu Master seeking revenge, ultimately leading to his death.
• Li A'cuo: Mu Dian's disciple, who continues seeking revenge on the Feng family after Mu Dian's death.

Significant Themes

• The dark side of the Gu Master profession and the consequences of using Gu worms for harm.
• Revenge and its consequences, as seen through Mu Dian and Li A'cuo's actions.
• The power dynamics between the rich and the poor, and how the wealthy can exploit others.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Jin Luan: Xu Qing feeds and cares for Jin Luan, improving their bond.
• Mu Dian and the Ma sect swindler: Mu Dian is swindled by the vendor, leading to his desire for revenge.
• Mu Dian and the Feng family: Mu Dian seeks revenge on the Feng family for discarding the golden earthworm.
• Li A'cuo and the Feng family: Li A'cuo continues Mu Dian's quest for revenge against the Feng family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing obtains a golden cicada molt, a powerful defensive artifact.
• He deals with a Gu Master who had been harassing Second Master Feng.
• Xu Qing learns about the Feng family's history and the swindler who deceived them.
• Hu Baosong reveals the history of the Hu Yang Clan and the importance of forming connections.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu engage in a lighthearted activity, watching insects in a Gu jar fight.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his cunning and resourcefulness in dealing with the Gu Master.
• Hu Baosong shows vulnerability and seeks Xu Qing's help, indicating a change in his attitude.
• Xuan Yu displays curiosity and a competitive spirit in its interaction with Xu Qing.

Significant Themes

• The importance of forming connections and relationships, as emphasized by Hu Baosong.
• The cyclical nature of life and death, reflected in the Thousand Insect Gu Jar and the interactions between Xu Qing and Xuan Yu.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Second Master Feng: Xu Qing helps Feng and receives his gratitude, showing a bond between them.
• Xu Qing and Hu Baosong: Hu Baosong seeks Xu Qing's help, indicating a shift in their relationship.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu: They engage in a playful activity, showcasing their camaraderie and shared interests.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Baosong hires Xu Qing to take his corpse to Hu Yang Tomb via the Yin River Ancient Path.
• Xu Qing prepares paper figurines and cranes for the journey, but decides not to venture deep into the path himself.
• Hu Baosong dies, and Xu Qing dresses him in funeral clothes and places him in a coffin.
• Xu Qing goes into seclusion to perform an exorcism ritual for Hu Baosong.

Character Developments

• Hu Baosong: Dies peacefully, content with his life and ready to face his ancestors. Reveals his mother was a Fox Woman and his lineage's cultivation methods.
• Xu Qing: Reflects on the impermanence of life and decides to focus more on his work than making friends. Enters seclusion to perform an exorcism ritual for Hu Baosong.
• Xuan Yu: Shows concern for Xu Qing's well-being, asking him not to attempt crossing the lightning tribulation while Xu Qing is in seclusion.

Significant Themes

• Impermanence and the cycle of life and death.
• The importance of one's roots and lineage, as shown through Hu Baosong's desire to return to his ancestral tomb.
• The separation and loneliness of cultivators, as Xu Qing reflects on sending off friends and clients.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Hu Baosong: Xu Qing dresses Hu Baosong in funeral clothes and places him in a coffin, showing respect and care for the old man.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu: Xuan Yu expresses concern for Xu Qing's safety during his seclusion, asking him not to attempt crossing the lightning tribulation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing accompanies Hu Baosong's funeral procession to Hu Yang Tomb on the Yin River Ancient Path.
• The funeral procession encounters ghost soldiers and an Eight Banners Marshal pursuing Yin Erosion Dharma King's remnants.
• Xu Qing discovers Hu Yang Tomb and buries Hu Baosong's coffin there.
• He finds a mass grave with the tomb of Deng Shan, an Eight Banners Marshal.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his control over Paper People, using them to navigate the Yin River Ancient Path and find Hu Yang Tomb.
• Hu Baosong's spirit appears briefly, expressing his gratitude to Xu Qing.

Significant Themes

• The impermanence of life and the cycle of birth and death, as seen in the countless graves on the Yin River Ancient Path.
• The power dynamics between humans, demons, and ghosts, with humans having an advantage in cultivation despite their short lifespans.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with the Paper People, using them to communicate and navigate the path.
• There's a brief interaction between Xu Qing and the Eight Banners Marshal, with Xu Qing using the Paper People to communicate his purpose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Daoist Master Yizhen returns to Wulao Temple and finds a jar of aged wine buried by her master, Zi Chen.
• She discovers a letter from Hu Baosong, revealing he's her father and expressing his wishes and regrets before committing suicide.
• Xu Qing returns from the Yin River Ancient Path and attends Hu Baosong's funeral, trying to console Yi Zhen.
• Yi Zhen visits Xu Qing, and they bury the jar of wine together under the peach tree.
• The Autumn Execution begins, and Xu Qing sees an opportunity to promote his funeral services at the execution ground.

Character Developments

• Yi Zhen: Discovers her father's identity and his final wishes, leading to emotional turmoil.
• Xu Qing: Shows compassion towards Yi Zhen and takes advantage of the Autumn Execution to promote his business.

Significant Themes

• Predestination vs. Free Will: The idea that one's fate is predetermined (as seen in Hu Baosong's life and death) versus the ability to make choices and shape one's destiny (as seen in Yi Zhen's determination to follow her father's wishes).
• Family and Legacy: The importance of family bonds and the impact of one's actions on future generations (as seen in Hu Baosong's regret and Yi Zhen's determination to honor his wishes).

Character Interactions

• Yi Zhen and Xu Qing: Yi Zhen seeks comfort and guidance from Xu Qing after learning about her father's death, while Xu Qing tries to support her and promote his business.
• Xu Qing and Zhao Yuan: Xu Qing interacts with Zhao Yuan, the nephew of Zhao Zhonghe, regarding his promotional banner at the execution ground.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with the first day of autumn executions, where a funeral parlor, the Corpse Driver's Shop, is advertising its services nearby, causing a stir among the crowd.
• Xu Qing, the shop's owner, is recording the names of families whose bodies he will collect, offering special discounts for embalming and head-stitching services.
• The executions begin, and the condemned prisoners are beheaded one by one. Xu Qing efficiently collects the bodies, including those of his former acquaintances like the "filial son" from Master Liu's household, Liu Sheng, and even the Empress Sai Yuxian's head.
• Common folk attempt to collect blood from the severed necks for medicinal purposes, but Xu Qing intervenes and chases them away.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his professionalism in body collection, earning praise from Vice Prefect Li and County Lieutenant Dong.
• Xu Qing shows a sense of relief and satisfaction in finally obtaining the bodies of his former acquaintances, hinting at his lingering resentment towards them.

Significant Themes

• The macabre and surreal atmosphere of the executions is juxtaposed with the mundane activities of the crowd, highlighting the desensitization to violence and death.
• The theme of retribution is present, as the condemned prisoners believe their deaths will lead to vengeance against corrupt officials.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with the families of the condemned, offering his services and recording their names.
• Xu Qing confronts the common folk attempting to collect blood, demonstrating his authority and disapproval of their actions.
• County Lieutenant Dong and Vice Prefect Li observe Xu Qing's actions, leading to the former's relief and the latter's praise.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Emperor Jingxing faces chaos in the north, where regional warlords have taken control, and border armies no longer obey the Yong Dynasty's decrees.
• Zhu Huai'an, son of the late King Changting, arrives in the north, hiding his identity and starting as a squadron leader to gain power.
• In the capital, Xu Qing, a Corpse Driver, performs rituals on executed corpses, gaining techniques and knowledge that reflect human nature and societal issues.

Character Developments

• Emperor Jingxing: Calm and composed, prioritizing immediate threats over long-term plans.
• Zhu Huai'an: Patient and strategic, focusing on consolidating power in the north before challenging the emperor.
• Xu Qing: Detached and observant, gaining insights into human nature and societal ills through his work with corpses.

Significant Themes

• Power Struggles: The north's fragmentation and Zhu Huai'an's ambition reflect the theme of power struggles within the empire.
• Human Nature: Xu Qing's interactions with the corpses and the stories they tell highlight the complexities and contradictions of human nature.
• Patience vs. Impulsivity: Both Emperor Jingxing and Zhu Huai'an exhibit patience, contrasting with the impulsive actions of some characters in the past.

Character Interactions

• Zhu Huai'an and Gongsun Jin: Zhu Huai'an shares his long-term plan with Gongsun Jin, revealing his strategic thinking and determination.
• Xu Qing and the Corpses: Xu Qing's detachment and observation of the corpses' stories allow him to gain insights into human nature and societal issues without becoming emotionally involved.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing learns various skills and wealth-generating methods from over a hundred corpses in one night.
• Autumn Execution is in full swing, with Xu Qing claiming hundreds of headless corpses daily.
• Xu Qing encounters an acquaintance, Zheng Deli, who was murdered by river bandits, and later becomes an upside-down corpse.
• Xu Qing frames the ferryman and his assistant, Yuan Hu, for Zheng Deli's murder.
• Months later, Xu Qing transcends the ferryman's corpse and learns about his past as a river bandit and his involvement in the Wu brothers' murder.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: Becomes more skilled and knowledgeable, expands his business, and gains a better understanding of the world's complexities.
• Zheng Deli: Transcended by Xu Qing, his past as a victim of river bandits is revealed.
• Ferryman (Zhang Da) and Yuan Hu: Their past as river bandits and their involvement in the Wu brothers' murder are revealed through the ferryman's transcended corpse.

Significant Themes

• The cycle of karma and retribution.
• The consequences of one's actions and the idea of reaping what one sows.
• The duality of human nature, with the elderly often being respected but also capable of evil deeds.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and the corpses: Xu Qing learns various skills and knowledge from the corpses he transcends.
• Xu Qing and Captain Zhao Zhonghe: Zhao Zhonghe is puzzled by Xu Qing's eagerness to claim headless corpses but admires his respect for the deceased.
• Zheng Deli and the ferryman (Zhang Da): Zheng Deli's past encounter with the ferryman leads to his eventual murder.
• The ferryman (Zhang Da) and Yuan Hu: The ferryman and Yuan Hu become partners in crime, murdering dozens of people together.
• The ferryman (Zhang Da), Yuan Hu, and Constable Zhou: The ferryman and Yuan Hu are hired by Constable Zhou to murder the Wu brothers.

Plot Points and Events

• Ferryman Zhang Da dies peacefully, and Xu Qing obtains an Old Clam Hiding Pearl Pill from his spirit lantern.
• Xu Qing discovers the pill can conceal one's radiance and transform appearance.
• Xu Qing learns about the corruption involving Yang Hong, Zhou Heng, and Bailiff Xue, who silenced the ferryman.
• Daoist Master Yizhen returns to Wulao Temple, leaving Jin Luan with Xu Qing.
• A maid from Lord Yin's household visits the Corpse Driver's Shop, revealing Wu Wencai's background and plans.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu perform a sworn relative ceremony with the peach tree in the Coffin Shop.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing continues to uncover the truth behind the ferryman's death and the corruption in Jinmen.
• Xuan Yu shows curiosity and eagerness to participate in the sworn relative ceremony.
• The peach tree in the Coffin Shop is revealed to have a spirit, which is annoyed by Hu Baosong's actions but accepts Xu Qing and Xuan Yu as sworn relatives.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and destiny is explored through Wu Wencai's situation and Xu Qing's acceptance of the peach tree as a sworn relative.
• The contrast between the corrupt officials and bandits, and the innocent victims like the Wu family, highlights the struggle between good and evil.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with the maid from Lord Yin's household, using his Official Charm to extract information.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu perform the sworn relative ceremony with the peach tree, marking a significant event in their relationship.
• The peach tree spirit interacts with Xu Qing and Xuan Yu, expressing its annoyance at Hu Baosong's actions but ultimately accepting them as sworn relatives.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Linhe Fang is promoted to Linjiang County, with the new County Magistrate arriving.
• Xu Qing celebrates the promotion by offering discounted services at his shops, causing a stir at the city gate.
• Xu Qing secretly transports grain from the Relief Granary to his rat burrow beneath the Corpse Driver's Shop.
• A young refugee girl from Yaozhou tries to sell herself at the brokerage, and Xu Qing secretly helps her.
• Xu Qing visits the brokerage to inquire about undeveloped land west of the city, intending to buy it for future grave plots.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his business acumen and charitable nature, helping the refugee girl and planning to buy land for future grave plots.
• Fourth Master Li and Fifth Master Huang remain cautious and calculating, advising Xu Qing about the land's potential value.
• County Lieutenant Dong and Captain Zhao try to keep Xu Qing from causing trouble at the city gate.

Significant Themes

• Business and wealth: Xu Qing's business strategies and the brokerage merchants' concerns about the new County Magistrate's influence on their businesses.
• Charity and helping others: Xu Qing's secret aid to the refugee girl and his consideration for the less fortunate in his business plans.
• Planning and foresight: Xu Qing's anticipation of future needs, such as grave plots, and his strategic thinking in business.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with various officials and merchants, including County Lieutenant Dong, Captain Zhao, Fourth Master Li, and Fifth Master Huang.
• Xu Qing's encounter with the refugee girl highlights his charitable nature and willingness to help those in need.
• The interactions between Xu Qing and the brokerage merchants showcase their shared business interests and mutual respect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two new county magistrates arrive in Wanshou and Linjiang counties.
• The Jinmen grain storage catches fire, with the Relief Granary and other granaries affected.
• Xu Qing learns that the grain storage fire was falsely reported, with losses exaggerated by ten times.
• Xu Qing decides to recruit more Immortals for Transmit Hall to investigate the refugee situation.
• Xu Qing, disguised as a 'Kind-hearted Man with White Eyebrows,' performs rites for the deceased and buries bodies, receiving rewards like Grain Abstinence Pills and Plague Expelling Talismans.
• Xu Qing meets a blind monk, Monk Yumu, who teaches him the Art of Paper Transformation.
• Monk Yumu is imprisoned and tortured by the abbot of Baishui Temple for the Art of Paper Transformation.
• Monk Yumu escapes Baishui Temple and dies under a large tree in Wanshou County.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: Becomes more involved in the lives of the common people, showing kindness and compassion. He also learns a new spell, the Art of Paper Transformation, from Monk Yumu.
• Gu Zixu: Spreads rumors to attract more refugees to Wanshou Township.
• Monk Yumu: Reveals his past and teaches Xu Qing the Art of Paper Transformation before dying.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and compassion towards the suffering of common people.
• The contrast between appearance and actions, and the impression left on others.
• The consequences of greed and deceit, as shown by the abbot of Baishui Temple.
• The power of a single individual, as demonstrated by Monk Yumu's impact on Xu Qing.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Gu Zixu: They work together to attract refugees to Wanshou Township.
• Xu Qing and Monk Yumu: Xu Qing learns the Art of Paper Transformation from Monk Yumu.
• The abbot of Baishui Temple and Monk Yumu: The abbot imprisons and tortures Monk Yumu for the Art of Paper Transformation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing establishes a 'Mysterious Woman Temple' to distribute relief grain and gather incense offerings from refugees in Wanshou County.
• The temple attracts attention, and officials visit to investigate and eventually destroy it.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu return to Linjiang County, where they continue to gather incense offerings.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing demonstrates his strategic thinking and resourcefulness in setting up the temple and distributing grain to gain incense offerings.
• Xuan Yu remains loyal and devoted to Xu Qing, showing concern for his safety and well-being.

Significant Themes

• The power of faith and incense offerings in the cultivation world.
• The contrast between the benevolent acts of Xu Qing and the corrupt officials who prioritize their own interests over the well-being of the people.
• The theme of disguise and subterfuge, as Xu Qing uses a 'shell company' to gather incense offerings without revealing his true identity or intentions.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu work together to establish the temple and distribute grain, demonstrating their strong bond and mutual trust.
• Xu Qing interacts with the refugees, using the Dream Weaving Technique to guide them and ensure the success of his plan.
• Officials from the Celestial Master's Mansion, Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and Demon Hunters visit the temple, leading to its destruction, but Xu Qing remains unconcerned.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing prepares for the New Year by buying incense and candles, and launching a special event at his shop to welcome the New Year.
• He holds an annual meeting for the Cat Immortal Hall, distributing incense as a year-end bonus to its immortals.
• After the New Year, Xu Qing receives visitors offering New Year greetings, including Guo Dongyang from Jinmen Prefecture.
• Guo Dongyang visits the Corpse Driver's Shop and leaves a comment on the shop's couplet, praising its calligraphy.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing shows concern for his neighbors' businesses and plans to hire a reliable employee to manage the coffin shop.
• He demonstrates his care for the immortals in the Cat Immortal Hall by distributing incense as a year-end bonus.
• Xuan Yu expresses his concern for Xu Qing's safety and willingness to wait for him for a limited time.

Significant Themes

• The theme of transformation and change is highlighted, with Xuan Yu's transformation into human form during the Spring Festival and the insects in the Gu jar fighting for dominance.
• The passage of time and the impermanence of life are emphasized, with the New Year marking a new beginning and the insects in the Gu jar facing the prospect of death.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with Boss Cheng from the incense and candle shop, showing concern for his health.
• He meets with Zhao Zhonghe, Wang Lingyuan, and Guo Dongyang, who come to offer New Year greetings.
• Xu Qing and Xuan Yu discuss the insects in the Gu jar, with Xuan Yu expressing his thoughts on the lazy worm's chances of survival.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing leaves Linjiang County, traveling north by boat.
• He encounters scholars heading to the capital for the imperial examinations and shares his perspective on their struggles.
• Xu Qing reaches the river leading to the Capital City and becomes anxious due to his uncontrollable corpse qi.
• He inquires about the imperial mausoleum's location and rides a horse to Mount Zhaoshi.
• Inside the Fuyong Mausoleum, Xu Qing chooses Empress Duānróng's coffin and replaces her with his Yin Gold Coffin.
• He enters a deep sleep within the coffin, leaving the shop on Jingxia Street unattended.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: He demonstrates empathy for the struggles of poor scholars and shows determination in his cultivation path, accepting the potential long cultivation time required for his chosen path.
• Empress Duānróng: Though not physically present, her character is revealed through her lengthy posthumous title, suggesting a life of privilege and power.

Significant Themes

• Struggle and perseverance: Xu Qing empathizes with the scholars' struggles and accepts his own long cultivation path, reflecting the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity.
• Power and privilege: The contrast between Xu Qing's humble background and the Empress's privileged life highlights the theme of power and privilege.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with scholars on the boat, sharing his perspective on their struggles and offering encouragement

Plot Points and Events

• The Wu brothers, separated after a shipwreck, reunite during the Spring Imperial Examination in the capital.
• They both pass the examination and are selected for the Palace Examination.
• Strange phenomena occur in the imperial mausoleum, and Xu Qing, inside the tomb, faces a lightning tribulation.
• Xu Qing uses his accumulated merit and incense to withstand the Divine Lightning, causing a commotion in the capital.

Character Developments

• Wu Wencai (Yin Wencai) and Wu Zhiyuan (Lin Zhiyuan) reunite and support each other.
• Xu Qing faces his lightning tribulation and demonstrates his power and determination.

Significant Themes

• Reunion and Brotherhood: The Wu brothers' reunion highlights the theme of family bonds and support.
• Power and Responsibility: Xu Qing's tribulation underscores the idea that power brings attention and responsibility.
• Fate and Destiny: The lightning tribulation raises questions about fate, destiny, and the fairness of divine judgment.

Character Interactions

• The Wu brothers' reunion and their interaction with Lord Yin Shan (their adoptive father) show their familial bond and mutual support.
• Xu Qing's interaction with the Divine Lightning highlights his determination and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A lightning tribulation occurs on Zhaoshi Mountain, striking a behemoth in the river and causing commotion in the capital.
• The Great Yong Imperial Tomb is struck by lightning, and an empress's coffin goes missing, causing unrest in the capital.
• Xu Qing leaves Zhaoshi Mountain and heads towards Jinmen, having transformed into a Gold Armored Corpse and a Crouching Corpse.
• Xu Qing discovers strange, fragrant scales in the Baisha River and collects them.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: He successfully transforms into a Gold Armored Corpse and a Crouching Corpse, activating four Perceptions (visual, gustatory, olfactory, and auditory). He also discovers his affinity for water and collects mysterious scales.
• Celestial Master Lu: He is struck by lightning after trying to divine the lightning tribulation, becoming the first casualty among the Seven Stars of Xuanji.
• Jiang Jingchen: He advises against divination due to the inauspicious day but is ignored by Celestial Master Lu.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the righteous and the demonic, as seen in the lightning tribulation and the reactions of the Celestial Master's Mansion.
• The prejudice against zombies and the supernatural, as illustrated by the cultivator's story in the Corpse Sayings.
• The importance of merit and accumulation, as demonstrated by Xu Qing's ability to resist the divine lightning.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing interacts with a boatman, sharing a meal and a conversation about the fish he caught.
• Celestial Master Lu and Jiang Jingchen have a tense interaction, with Celestial Master Lu disregarding Jiang Jingchen's advice.
• The behemoth in the river and the fish demons in the Baisha River interact with Xu Qing, leading to his discovery of the mysterious scales.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Qing returns to Linjiang after his imperial examinations, buying local specialties and encountering a beggar woman.
• A wealthy young man, Shang Shaoyang, intervenes when the beggar woman is harassed by human traffickers, killing them.
• Xu Qing examines the corpses, expressing admiration for Shang Shaoyang's efficiency.
• Shang Shaoyang is arrested by officials, but Xu Qing doesn't intervene.

Character Developments

• Xu Qing: Shows his medical knowledge and business acumen, promoting his Corpse Driver's Shop to onlookers.
• Shang Shaoyang: Demonstrates his martial prowess and disregard for authority, but is later arrested.

Significant Themes

• Power and Corruption: Shang Shaoyang's use of power to bully the wicked, and the human traffickers' abuse of power.
• Morality and Justice: Xu Qing's indifference to the traffickers' fate, contrasting with Shang Shaoyang's immediate action against injustice.

Character Interactions

• Xu Qing and Shang Shaoyang: Xu Qing admires Shang Shaoyang's efficiency in killing the traffickers, but doesn't intervene when he's arrested.
• Xu Qing and the beggar woman: Xu Qing doesn't interact directly with the beggar woman, but he's aware of her situation and the human trafficking issue in Linjiang.