old man

Biodata

Background / History

The Old Man lived with Lu Jun in Huang Family Village, where Lu Jun believed their household consisted of only the two of them. Before Lu Jun's first demon kill, the Old Man was the source of the demon stories Lu Jun had heard. 1 2

A blind beggar detected demonic energy on Lu Jun and concluded that the other person in his household was not human, prompting Lu Jun to test the Old Man with black dog blood mixed into rice wine. The Old Man drank it without an immediate reaction, believing Lu Jun had prepared an aphrodisiac for him. 2 3

That night, Lu Jun discovered the Old Man's demonic transformation. Though Lu Jun initially resolved to kill him, he stopped when the Old Man had returned to his frail human appearance by morning; Lu Jun chose to wait for undeniable proof before acting. 3 4

The Old Man later showed Lu Jun the hidden face of the Huang Pi Dao Master statue. Its weasel-human appearance matched the Old Man's and Huang Ni'er's demon forms. He also took Lu Jun into villagers' homes, where iron chains and shackles surrounded the sleeping areas, and revealed that his own room was similarly restrained. 6 7

During the village procession, he referred to Lu Jun as his grandson and proudly accepted praise for Lu Jun's literacy, filial nature, and good behavior. 9

Appearance

In human guise, the Old Man appears frail and elderly, with wrinkled features, withered hands, and shifty eyes. 3 4 6

• His demon form has orange fur, a weasel-like face, and a large tail. 3
• His demon likeness resembles the Huang Pi Dao Master statue: triangular ears, an oval head, protruding snout, exposed fangs, and a humanoid body. 6

Personality

The Old Man is crude, teasing, and openly suspicious. When Lu Jun offered him the blood-mixed wine, he immediately accused him of trying to poison him for his chickens, roosters, house, and access to Old Widow Huang. 3

Despite Lu Jun's fear of his true nature, the Old Man displays familiarity and pride toward him. He calls Lu Jun his grandson, boasts about him to fellow villagers, and keeps savings hidden beneath his bed. 7 9

His nightly preparation of medicine for Lu Jun is ambiguous: Lu Jun initially interprets it as an attempt to drug him after discovering the Old Man's demon form. 4

Abilities & Skills

Demonic Transformation

The Old Man can shift between a frail elderly human guise and a large, weasel-like demonic form. 3 4

• His transformation occurs at night. 3
• His room contains chains and shackles, suggesting measures were taken to restrain his nighttime state. 7

Relationships

• Lu Jun — Elderly guardian who calls him his grandson; their relationship is complicated by the Old Man's concealed demon identity. 2 4 9
• Huang Ni'er — Shares the same weasel-human demonic characteristics represented by the Huang Pi Dao Master statue. 6
• Old Widow Huang — The Old Man is accused by Lu Jun of visiting her late at night. 3
• Huang Family Village residents — Fellow villagers whose homes, like his own, contain restraints around their sleeping places. 7

Trivia

• The Old Man keeps several silver ingots in a wooden box hidden beneath his bed. 7
• He owns twenty hens and five roosters. 3