Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, a skilled mortician, returns to his village to help prepare his cousin's body for the funeral.
• At the funeral, Xiao Ran intervenes when his cousin's wife, Zhang Yu, is pressured by relatives to hand over management of the family's factory.
• Xiao Ran reveals a will left by his cousin, which states that the factory belongs to Zhang Yu and her daughter.
• After the funeral, Xiao Ran advises Zhang Yu to sell the factory and move away, and shares a secret about her cousin-in-law, Xiao Jiahui.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: He is calm, composed, and resourceful, using his skills to help his cousin's family. He also shows kindness and concern for Zhang Yu and her daughter.
• Zhang Yu: She is initially overwhelmed and vulnerable but shows resilience and determination in protecting her family's assets and her daughter's future.
• Xiao Jiahui: He is greedy and manipulative, trying to take advantage of the situation to gain control of the factory.

Significant Themes

• Family and Inheritance: The story explores the dynamics of family relationships, inheritance, and the protection of family assets.
• Greed and Manipulation: The relatives' behavior highlights the theme of greed and how people can manipulate others for their own gain.
• Superstition and Belief: The villagers' belief in the supernatural, such as the cousin manifesting, influences their behavior and decisions.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Zhang Yu: They form an alliance of sorts, with Xiao Ran helping Zhang Yu protect her family's assets and Zhang Yu expressing gratitude towards Xiao Ran.
• Xiao Ran and the Relatives: Xiao Ran's interactions with his relatives are tense, with many of them avoiding or being hostile towards him due to his past actions.
• Zhang Yu and the Relatives: Zhang Yu faces pressure and manipulation from her relatives, who try to take advantage of her vulnerability.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran returns to his old home and finds a bronze plaque, candles, and tools left behind by his grandfather.
• He receives a call from Uncle Li about a job but decides to help search for three missing children in the village first.
• The village head and others search for the children, and Xiao Ran finds an old man who points him towards the woods.
• Xiao Ran enters the woods and encounters a dense, white mist. He hears a watchman's drum and is locked into a Lost City Trial by a deity named Evil God Xing Xie.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran shows his concern for the missing children and his eagerness to take on difficult tasks involving corpses, revealing his obsessive interest in his work.
• The old man shows knowledge about the woods and the trial but chooses not to reveal much, hinting at his wisdom and caution.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between life and death, as Xiao Ran's profession revolves around the deceased, and he finds a sense of accomplishment in restoring their appearances.
• The mystery and danger of the unknown, as the woods and the Lost City Trial pose threats to Xiao Ran.
• The power of knowledge and wisdom, as the old man's understanding of the situation could help Xiao Ran navigate the trial.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with the Village Head and others, showing his willingness to help find the missing children.
• He communicates with the old man, who provides a clue about the woods but remains mysterious.
• Xiao Ran's conversation with Uncle Li reveals his eagerness to take on challenging jobs involving corpses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, a young man, finds himself in an unfamiliar, old-fashioned village after participating in a mysterious training exercise.
• He meets Li Ji, an elderly villager who leads him to an abandoned house with an empty coffin inside.
• Xiao Ran sees a ghostly woman outside the house, who signals that there's a ghost in the coffin.
• Xiao Ran investigates the coffin and finds Li Ji's clothes, a wooden clapper, a gong, and a small wooden figure with Li Ji's name.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Initially shocked and confused, he adapts to the situation, remains calm, and decides to explore and understand his surroundings.
• Li Ji: Revealed to be the ghost in the coffin, suggesting he may have been a villager who died and is now haunting the village.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural: The chapter introduces ghostly elements, suggesting a theme of the supernatural or the afterlife.
• Isolation: Xiao Ran is isolated in an unfamiliar, old-fashioned village with no signal, emphasizing his vulnerability and the need to adapt.
• Discovery: Xiao Ran's exploration of the coffin and the house indicates a theme of discovery and unraveling mysteries.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Li Ji: Their brief interaction shows Li Ji's wariness and Xiao Ran's adaptability and curiosity.
• Xiao Ran and the Ghostly Woman: Their non-verbal interaction hints at a potential alliance or mutual understanding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran arrives at an abandoned tomb and encounters Li Ji, who seems different from ordinary ghosts.
• He takes shelter in an empty house during a storm and is discovered by the villagers of Niujia Village.
• The villagers reveal that their village is cursed by a malevolent ghost, Yang Xuan, and they are trapped, neither truly alive nor dead.
• The Old Woman asks Xiao Ran to help lift the curse, triggering the main quest.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Initially cautious and wary, he becomes more curious and involved in the village's plight.
• The Old Woman: She appears to be the village elder or leader, seeking Xiao Ran's help to lift the curse.
• Li Ji: Though not present, Li Ji's mysterious nature is hinted at, suggesting he might not be an ordinary ghost.

Significant Themes

• Curses and their effects on the living.
• The struggle between good and evil, represented by Yang Xuan's malevolent ghost and the villagers' plight.
• The power of belief and hope, as seen in the villagers' faith in Xiao Ran's ability to help them.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and the Old Woman: They interact with mutual caution initially, but the Old Woman's plea for help creates a bond.
• Xiao Ran and the villagers: Though initially wary, the villagers show curiosity and suppressed joy upon seeing Xiao Ran, hinting at their hopes for his help.
• Xiao Ran and Li Ji: Though they haven't interacted directly, Xiao Ran's curiosity about Li Ji's nature sets the stage for potential future interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, a young man, arrives in a village and is tasked by the village elder to help subdue an evil ghost.
• The villagers believe Xiao Ran's strong yang energy can help them deal with the ghost without fighting it directly.
• Xiao Ran wanders the village, interacting with the villagers, and notices an oppressive death aura but no lingering spirits.
• He encounters a disheveled woman (later revealed to be the ghost) and follows her to a collapsed house, where he discovers a dungeon filled with torture devices.
• Xiao Ran observes a young boy, Niu Wazi, talking to a wooden puppet about his desire to go to school and make new friends. Niu Wazi then decapitates the puppet.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Initially reluctant and displeased with his task, he shows curiosity and caution as he explores the village and its secrets.
• The Villagers: They seem simple, friendly, and eager to learn about the outside world, but there's an underlying tension or fear in their interactions.
• Niu Wazi: A young boy who seems innocent and curious about the outside world but also has a violent side, as shown when he decapitates the wooden puppet.

Significant Themes

• The tension between the simple, idyllic life of the villagers and the dark, hidden secrets of their village.
• The contrast between the villagers' eagerness to learn about the outside world and their apparent fear of leaving the village.
• The duality of human nature, represented by Niu Wazi's innocent and violent actions.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with various villagers, who are curious about the outside world and warmly welcome him.
• Xiao Ran encounters the ghostly woman and follows her to the collapsed house, where he observes Niu Wazi's actions.
• There's a notable lack of interaction between Xiao Ran and the villagers about the village's dark history or the evil ghost, suggesting a taboo or fear of discussing these topics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran discovers Niu Wazi's true nature when he sees him brutally destroying a wooden puppet.
• Niu Wazi is knocked unconscious by Xiao Ran, who then discovers that Niu Wazi's face is made of paper, hiding rotting flesh underneath.
• Xiao Ran finds a diary belonging to Yang Xuan, the woman who was supposedly a vengeful spirit, and learns about her torture and eventual murder at the hands of the villagers.
• Niu Wazi wakes up chained and confesses to his role in Yang Xuan's torture and murder, blaming her for his condition.
• Xiao Ran leaves the cellar, encountering the woman in white who warns him about a "ghost" on him.
• Niu Wazi attempts to escape but is confronted by a figure with a bloodstained axe.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Becomes more suspicious and cautious of the villagers, discovers the truth about Yang Xuan's fate.
• Niu Wazi: Reveals his true nature as a twisted, vengeful individual, blames Yang Xuan for his condition, and attempts to escape.

Significant Themes

• The truth behind Yang Xuan's fate and the villagers' role in it.
• The dual nature of the villagers, appearing friendly but harboring dark secrets.
• The consequences of past actions and the inability to escape them.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Niu Wazi: Xiao Ran uncovers Niu Wazi's true nature and confronts him about his role in Yang Xuan's murder.
• Xiao Ran and the woman in white: She warns Xiao Ran about a "ghost" on him, but they don't communicate further.
• Niu Wazi and the figure with an axe: Niu Wazi attempts to escape but is confronted by an unknown, menacing figure.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran avoids returning directly to the village, pondering the villagers' state and the quest's purpose.
• He encounters a group of villagers who seem different from the morning, led by Niu Tao, who was previously mentioned as bullying Yang Xuan.
• Xiao Ran returns to Zhang Mazi's house, finding her beaten. He suspects the villagers' intentions and decides to stay alert.
• Xiao Ran discovers he can gain a strength buff by making a blood sacrifice to the Evil God Xing Xie.
• The villagers gather at night for a ritual led by the Old Woman, with Xiao Ran as a participant. The Old Woman gives him a bag of gold bars, which immobilizes him.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran becomes more suspicious and wary of the villagers, particularly Niu Tao and the Old Woman.
• He decides to take action against the Old Woman, planning to control her first.
• The Old Woman reveals her power and manipulates Xiao Ran using the gold bars.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Xiao Ran struggles to trust the villagers, while they appear to be hiding their true intentions.
• Power dynamics: The Old Woman's power is evident, and Xiao Ran seeks to gain power through the Evil God Xing Xie.
• Manipulation: The Old Woman manipulates Xiao Ran using the gold bars, showcasing her cunning.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with Niu Tao and the other villagers, growing increasingly wary of their true intentions.
• He feels guilty for Zhang Mazi's misfortune but maintains a distance from her.
• The Old Woman interacts with Xiao Ran, initially appearing kind but later revealing her true power and manipulating him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran is tricked by an Old Woman into accepting seven Gold Bars, which she claims are buying his life. He later discovers that the money has disappeared.
• The Old Woman forces Xiao Ran to help exorcise an "evil spirit" by putting him in a coffin with a severed corpse. He is told that the corpse will possess his body.
• Xiao Ran is thrown into a nightmarish experience, but a mysterious woman's shadow and Li Ji's intervention bring him back to the village.
• Li Ji reveals that the villagers are trapped spirits, unable to leave or die, and the Old Woman wants to use Xiao Ran's body to revive her son.
• Li Ji points out a Golden Toad in the Old Woman's arms, saying, "Kill it, and there will be a way."

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: He becomes more determined and resourceful, facing the supernatural threats with growing resilience.
• The Old Woman: She is revealed to be cunning and manipulative, using dark arts to trap people and revive her son.
• Li Ji: He shows more empathy and knowledge about the village's history and the trapped spirits.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: The Old Woman uses Xiao Ran's greed and desperation to trap him.
• The price of greed: Xiao Ran's desire for wealth leads him into a dangerous situation.
• Trapped spirits: The villagers are trapped in a cycle of life and death, unable to move on.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and the Old Woman: Their interaction is marked by deception and manipulation, with Xiao Ran initially underestimating her.
• Xiao Ran and Li Ji: Li Ji becomes a guide and ally to Xiao Ran, providing crucial information about the village's history and the trapped spirits.
• Xiao Ran and the villagers: Xiao Ran sees the villagers as both people and ghosts, struggling to understand their true nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran is pulled into a coffin by an unknown force after encountering Li Ji.
• Inside the coffin, Xiao Ran finds gold bars and a triggered side quest, "Soul Snatching," with three conditions to prevent Li Shang's corpse from transforming into a zombie.
• Xiao Ran discovers a Curse Mark: Corpse Stitcher and a Cursed Object, Calamity Suppressing Token, which allows him to suppress evil spirits and seize abilities from the deceased.
• Xiao Ran begins repairing Li Shang's corpse, but Li Shang's body starts to transform, and he demands food. Xiao Ran feeds him butter candles to prevent corpse transformation.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran demonstrates his knowledge of corpse repair and resourcefulness in using butter candles to control Li Shang's transformation.
• Li Shang's corpse shows signs of revival and exhibits a desire for food, which Xiao Ran uses to his advantage.

Significant Themes

• The power of curses and their effects on characters.
• The struggle for survival and resourcefulness in dire situations.
• The control and manipulation of others through objects or abilities.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with Li Shang's corpse, repairing it and controlling its transformation using butter candles.
• Xiao Ran's internal struggle with the quest and his options for survival.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, a skilled embroiderer, is forced to suture a corpse, Li Shang, to release his trapped breath.
• Li Shang's head is reconnected to his body, and he decays rapidly.
• Xiao Ran uses the 'Spirit Seizing' privilege to access Li Shang's memories.
• Li Shang's memories reveal his involvement in kidnapping and abusing Yang Xuan, the diary owner.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Demonstrates exceptional skill in suturing and gains access to advanced techniques. He shows determination and resilience in facing Li Shang's memories.
• Li Shang: Revealed as a cruel and abusive individual, involved in human trafficking and violence against Yang Xuan.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions: Li Shang's past actions lead to his gruesome death and the release of his trapped breath.
• The power of determination: Yang Xuan's resolve and determination lead her to take drastic action against Li Shang.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Li Shang: Xiao Ran sutures Li Shang's corpse, leading to Li Shang's decay and the release of his memories.
• Li Shang and Yang Xuan: Li Shang's memories reveal his abuse and eventual murder by Yang Xuan.
• Li Shang and Brother Tao: Li Shang's aggressive and abusive behavior towards Brother Tao is shown in his memories.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran repairs Li Shang's corpse, receiving a D rating and gaining Li Shang's 'Tiger Fist' ability.
• Xiao Ran discovers he has enhanced strength due to the Curse Mark.
• Brother Tao and others reveal they've been trapped by the old woman and plan to capture Xiao Ran (thought to be Li Shang) to bargain for their freedom.
• Xiao Ran is chased through the village, encountering multiple attackers.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran demonstrates adaptability and quick thinking, using Li Shang's memories and abilities to his advantage.
• Brother Tao and the villagers reveal their desperation and resentment, driven to act against Xiao Ran out of fear and frustration.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of the old woman's actions and the villagers' desperation.
• The power dynamics between Xiao Ran, the villagers, and the old woman.
• Xiao Ran's resourcefulness and adaptability in facing adversity.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with Brother Tao and the villagers, initially mimicking Li Shang's demeanor but later clashing with them as they attempt to capture him.
• Xiao Ran's internal struggle and strategic thinking are highlighted as he navigates the dangerous situation.

Plot Points & Events

• Xiao Ran, now possessing Li Shang's memories and body, escapes from the villagers and returns to the Old Woman, who believes him to be her resurrected son.
• The villagers, led by Brother Tao, attempt to attack the Old Woman and Xiao Ran but are incapacitated by the Old Woman's Evil Golden Toad.
• The Old Woman reveals that she gave the villagers a chance to leave the village by accepting a string of coins, but those who stayed and accepted the money are now bound to her will.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Shows increased strength and cunning, acting as Li Shang to deceive the Old Woman and villagers. He also discovers the Evil Golden Toad's power and its connection to Cursed Objects.
• The Old Woman: Reveals her ruthless nature and the extent of her power, using the villagers as pawns and showing no mercy.
• Brother Tao: Shows his cowardice and desperation, leading the villagers in a futile attack against the Old Woman.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: The Old Woman's power over the villagers, and Xiao Ran's attempt to gain control over the Evil Golden Toad.
• Deception and Trust: Xiao Ran's deception of the Old Woman and the villagers' betrayal of their initial agreement with the Old Woman.
• The Price of Greed: The villagers' greed for money led them to accept the Old Woman's offer, resulting in their current predicament.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and the Old Woman: Xiao Ran acts as Li Shang to gain the Old Woman's trust, while the Old Woman believes Xiao Ran to be her resurrected son and treats him affectionately.
• Xiao Ran and Brother Tao: Xiao Ran provokes Brother Tao and the villagers, leading to their failed attack against the Old Woman.
• The Old Woman and the Villagers: The Old Woman reveals her power over the villagers, incapacitating them with the Evil Golden Toad and reminding them of their debt to her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, using Li Shang's Tiger Fist, destroys the Golden Toad, causing the Old Woman to suffer backlash and die a gruesome death at the hands of the enraged villagers.
• The villagers, driven mad by resentment, attack Xiao Ran, believing him to be Li Shang.
• Ghostly apparitions of the villagers' victims appear, tormenting the guilty villagers.
• Li Ji, a mysterious figure, appears and guides Xiao Ran out of the village, giving him an oil lamp as a parting gift.
• Xiao Ran completes the Lost City Trial and receives his settlement score.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Demonstrates courage and determination in facing the villagers and their ghosts. He shows empathy for the victims but maintains a focus on his mission.
• The Old Woman: Meets a violent and gruesome end, suffering the same fate she had inflicted on others.
• Li Ji: Reveals himself as a guide for newcomers to this world, providing assistance and guidance to Xiao Ran.

Significant Themes

• Karma and retribution: The villagers and the Old Woman face the consequences of their actions, with the ghosts of their victims seeking revenge.
• The path of the cursed: Li Ji's warning to Xiao Ran about the difficulties and dangers of the path he has chosen.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and the villagers: Xiao Ran is initially feared and hated by the villagers, who believe him to be Li Shang. However, their interactions ultimately lead to the villagers facing justice for their actions.
• Xiao Ran and Li Ji: Li Ji guides Xiao Ran out of the village and provides him with an oil lamp, symbolizing guidance and protection on his journey.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran completes the Lost City Trial and receives rewards: a title, a contract, a cursed object, and spirit coins.
• He returns to the abandoned Mourning Hall, where he finds three children sleeping.
• He stitches his wound and uses the Black Swan's ability to leave a mark on his stomach.
• He leaves the Mourning Hall with the children, having placed the Old Woman's diary on the Buddha statue.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran gains new abilities and understands the potential of different Curse Marks and Cursed Objects.
• He shows compassion and respect for the Old Woman by bringing her diary to the Mourning Hall.

Significant Themes

• The power of Curse Marks and Cursed Objects, and their potential combinations.
• Xiao Ran's growth and understanding of his abilities.
• Xiao Ran's compassion and respect for the Old Woman.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with the three children, carrying them out of the Mourning Hall.
• He has a silent interaction with the Old Woman's spirit by placing her diary on the Buddha statue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran returns from the woods with the three children, injured but safe.
• The villagers, including the Village Head, are relieved and want to thank Xiao Ran, but he declines, choosing to leave immediately.
• Xiao Jiahui and his gang ambush Xiao Ran at the village entrance, intending to teach him a lesson.
• Xiao Ran, empowered by the Corpse Stitcher Curse Mark and Li Shang's Tiger Fist, easily defeats the gang.
• Xiao Ran warns Xiao Jiahui not to bother Cousin's Wife and her daughter again before leaving for the city.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran demonstrates improved strength, stamina, and martial arts skills, showing growth and confidence.
• Xiao Jiahui reveals his cowardly nature and lack of remorse for his actions, further solidifying his antagonist role.

Significant Themes

• Power and Vulnerability: Xiao Ran's newfound strength allows him to protect the vulnerable, while Xiao Jiahui's weakness is exposed.
• Justice and Retribution: Xiao Ran stands up for Cousin's Wife and her daughter, meting out justice to those who would exploit their misfortune.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and the Villagers: The villagers express gratitude towards Xiao Ran for saving the children, but he maintains his distance.
• Xiao Ran and Xiao Jiahui: Xiao Ran's confrontation with Xiao Jiahui highlights the power dynamic between them, with Xiao Ran emerging as the dominant figure.
• Xiao Ran and the Unknown Boss: The brief exchange between the unknown boss and his subordinate hints at a larger organization aware of Xiao Ran's actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran returns home late at night and finds a request for help from elementary school students to catch an injured stray cat.
• He visits Cuiyun Park, interacts with old ghosts using jianghu customs, and finds the cat.
• He brings the cat home and sleeps late into the next morning.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran demonstrates his knowledge of jianghu customs and his kindness by helping the students find the cat.
• He shows adaptability and resourcefulness in dealing with the old ghosts and the cat situation.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and its coexistence with the mundane world.
• Xiao Ran's willingness to help others, even in minor matters.
• The importance of communication and understanding, as seen in his interaction with the old ghosts.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran interacts with the old ghosts in the pavilion using tea formation customs, showing respect and understanding.
• He helps the elementary school students by finding the injured cat, showing kindness and willingness to assist.
• The cat, though not a human character, interacts with Xiao Ran, showing trust and dependence on him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran encounters Uncle Li, who needs his help with a "Cross Fish" job (a deceased with an unusual cause of death).
• The job involves piecing together and cleaning the body of Guo Lingfei, a fitness coach who died gruesomely.
• Xiao Ran agrees to the job and receives half the payment upfront.
• Xiao Ran also takes in a cat with an injured leg, deciding to nurse it back to health.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Shows empathy towards the cat, indicating a caring side. He also demonstrates professionalism and skill in handling the corpse.
• Uncle Li: Reveals his desperation and willingness to take risks for money. He also shows fear and regret about the job he took.

Significant Themes

• Death and Dying: The chapter explores the funeral home industry, dealing with various types of deceased, and the rituals surrounding death.
• Greed and Desperation: Uncle Li's actions highlight the theme of greed and desperation, as he takes on a risky job for money and tries to involve Xiao Ran despite the dangers.
• Trust and Betrayal: The unspoken rules in the funeral home industry, such as not directly addressing the cause of death, hint at a lack of trust and potential betrayals among its workers.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Uncle Li: Their interaction shows Uncle Li's desperation and Xiao Ran's cautiousness. Xiao Ran agrees to the job but is suspicious of Uncle Li's full disclosure.
• Uncle Li and Old Zhou: Their conversation reveals Uncle Li's dishonesty and Old Zhou's disapproval. It also hints at the dangers and secrets surrounding the job Xiao Ran has taken on.
• Xiao Ran and the Cat: Xiao Ran's decision to nurse the cat back to health shows his compassion, even towards animals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran, a mortician, is working on the body of Guo Lingfei, a fitness coach who died in a blender accident.
• Guo Lingfei's corpse suddenly shows signs of life, speaking to Xiao Ran and then attacking him.
• Xiao Ran uses the Calamity Suppressing Token to subdue Guo Lingfei's spirit and finishes embalming the body.
• Old Zhou and his niece, a young woman with purple hair, interrupt Xiao Ran's work. Xiao Ran asks them to leave.
• Xiao Ran activates the privilege Spirit Seizing to investigate Guo Lingfei's corpse further.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: He demonstrates his professionalism and calmness under pressure when dealing with the suddenly animate corpse. He also shows curiosity and resourcefulness in investigating the cause of Guo Lingfei's strange behavior.
• Guo Lingfei: Initially portrayed as a normal fitness coach, his corpse exhibits unusual behavior, suggesting a deeper mystery surrounding his death.
• Old Zhou: He appears careless in his duties, allowing his niece to enter the morgue without proper explanation of the rules. However, he does apologize to Xiao Ran for the intrusion.
• Purple-haired Niece: She shows a lack of respect for the deceased and the mortician's work, displaying a carefree and indifferent attitude.

Significant Themes

• Death and the Afterlife: The chapter explores the possibility of consciousness or spirits lingering in the deceased, challenging the conventional understanding of death.
• Professionalism and Respect: Xiao Ran's dedication to his work and the rules of his profession contrast with the niece's disrespectful behavior, highlighting the importance of professional conduct and respect for the deceased.
• Curiosity and Investigation: Xiao Ran's curiosity about Guo Lingfei's strange behavior drives him to investigate further, suggesting that curiosity can lead to discovery and understanding.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Guo Lingfei: Xiao Ran tries to engage Guo Lingfei in conversation to distract him from the pain of being embalmed. Guo Lingfei initially responds but later attacks Xiao Ran, leading to Xiao Ran's investigation into the cause.
• Xiao Ran and Old Zhou: Xiao Ran asks Old Zhou to leave the morgue due to the niece's inappropriate behavior, showing his commitment to maintaining the rules and respect for the deceased.
• Old Zhou and his Niece: Their interaction reveals Old Zhou's leniency towards his niece, allowing her to behave inappropriately in a professional setting.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guo Lingfei receives a mysterious call from his ex-lover, who offers to calculate his fortune and give him a birthday gift.
• Guo Lingfei is suddenly compelled to walk towards a construction site, where he is killed by a Cursed Object.
• Xiao Ran, a mortician, repairs Guo Lingfei's corpse and gains his ability, [Master Angler].
• Xiao Ran discusses the job with the bereaved family and learns about the intricacies of the funeral business.

Character Developments

• Guo Lingfei: A wealthy, arrogant man with a mysterious past, killed by a Cursed Object.
• Xiao Ran: A skilled mortician who gains new abilities by repairing corpses. He is also learning about the complex dynamics of the funeral business.
• Uncle Li: A funeral home employee who is proud of Xiao Ran's skills but also involved in shady dealings.
• Old Zhou: A funeral home manager who is aware of Uncle Li's underhanded activities but keeps them quiet for business' sake.
• The Girl: A mysterious woman who seems to be familiar with the funeral business and its slang.

Significant Themes

• Death and the Afterlife: The chapter explores the process of preparing a corpse for burial and the beliefs surrounding the afterlife.
• Power and Corruption: The funeral business is portrayed as a place where power dynamics and corruption thrive, with people taking advantage of others' grief for personal gain.
• Secrets and Hidden Truths: Many characters have secrets, and the truth is often hidden beneath layers of euphemisms and coded language.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Uncle Li: Uncle Li is proud of Xiao Ran's skills but also tries to hide his involvement in shady dealings from him.
• Old Zhou and Uncle Li: Old Zhou is aware of Uncle Li's underhanded activities but keeps quiet to maintain business relations.
• The Girl and Xiao Ran: The girl seems to be familiar with the funeral business and its slang, hinting at a possible past or current involvement in the industry.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran receives the final payment for Guo Lingfei's funeral, understanding Old Zhou's unspoken message about sharing the extra money.
• Xiao Ran meets Zhong Yi, Old Zhou's niece, and they exchange contact information.
• Xiao Ran returns to his shop and sells goods to his competitor, a bald man, who is also Xiao Qi's father.
• Xiao Ran visits his grandfather, seeking advice on hiding his birth details and warding off disasters.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran demonstrates understanding of the unspoken rules in his profession and shows gratitude to Old Zhou for his help.
• Xiao Ran shows kindness and patience towards Xiao Qi, despite not liking her father.
• The old man, Xiao Ran's grandfather, shows knowledge of the past and the history of their family's trade, but is reluctant to help Xiao Ran with his current problem.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding and following the unspoken rules in one's profession.
• The power dynamics and favor exchange between families in the funeral industry.
• The tension between Xiao Ran's desire to protect himself and his grandfather's reluctance to help.

Character Interactions

• Xiao Ran and Old Zhou: Xiao Ran understands Old Zhou's unspoken message and feels grateful to him.
• Xiao Ran and Zhong Yi: They meet and exchange contact information, showing mutual interest in each other's professions.
• Xiao Ran and the bald man (Xiao Qi's father): Despite being competitors, Xiao Ran sells goods to the bald man and shows kindness to Xiao Qi.
• Xiao Ran and his grandfather: Xiao Ran seeks his grandfather's advice, but the old man is reluctant to help, leading to some tension between them.