Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang and Qing He meet again; Qing He offers to help Bai Yang.
• Bai Yang decides to leave Hong Yi and the other kids behind due to the potential danger from the Blood Lotus Sect.
• Bai Yang and Qing He walk to her courtyard together, drawing attention due to their contrasting appearances.
• Bai Yang gives Qing He a lollipop, and she enjoys it, thanking him.
• The Little Knife Gang members are seen walking around the city with boards, spreading Bai Yang's message.
• Dan Qiulin is shown drinking heavily in his courtyard, while Hua Sanniang and Lin Qing'er are imprisoned there. Lin Bing'er is seen in pain.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: Shows kindness and concern for the children, but also prioritizes their safety. He's casual and shameless, yet also considerate and respectful towards Qing He.
• Qing He: Remains composed and elegant, offering help to Bai Yang. She's curious and open-minded, appreciating the lollipop Bai Yang gives her.
• Dan Qiulin: Struggles with guilt and despair, drinking heavily and refusing to let Hua Sanniang and Lin Qing'er leave, despite knowing the danger they're in.
• Hua Sanniang and Lin Qing'er: Frustrated with Dan Qiulin's stubbornness and the danger they're in. Lin Bing'er's condition worsens.

Significant Themes

• Kindness and responsibility: Bai Yang's actions towards the children and Qing He show his kindness, but he also understands the importance of responsibility and prioritizing safety.
• Guilt and despair: Dan Qiulin's actions and state of mind reflect his struggle with guilt and despair over the consequences of his actions.
• Danger and consequences: The characters face potential danger due to their actions, highlighting the theme of consequences.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Qing He: They have a good rapport, with casual and comfortable conversation, despite their contrasting appearances and backgrounds. Bai Yang shows respect and consideration towards Qing He.
• Dan Qiulin and Hua Sanniang/Lin Qing'er: Dan Qiulin's stubbornness and refusal to let them leave cause frustration for Hua Sanniang and Lin Qing'er, who are worried about their safety.
• Bai Yang and the children: Though not present in this chapter, their interaction earlier shows Bai Yang's kindness and concern for the children's well-being.

Key Plot Points

• Lin Bing'er is found poisoned by Blood Dissolving Powder.
• Hua Sanniang administers the antidote, saving Lin Bing'er.
• The sisters suspect Bai Yang unknowingly poisoned Lin Bing'er.
• Hua Sanniang warns the sisters about Bai Yang's cunning nature.

Character Developments

• Lin Bing'er's resilience and vulnerability are highlighted.
• Hua Sanniang's concern and frustration with Bai Yang grow.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie Quadruplets grapple with their loyalty to Bai Yang and their identity as Blood Lotus Sect members.

Significant Themes

• The complexities of loyalty and identity.
• The consequences of Bai Yang's actions on those around him.
• The sisters' changing perceptions of Bai Yang.

Character Interactions

• The sisters' bond is strengthened as they care for Lin Bing'er.
• Hua Sanniang's stern guidance contrasts with the sisters' naive views on marriage and loyalty.
• Dan Qiulin's bitterness and confusion are revealed as he overhears the conversation.

Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang, after washing up and changing into clean clothes, decides to find Old Shan and make money.
• He learns about the White Stone Tower and the Thunder Secret Tome, one of the Top Ten Miraculous Techniques of the Era, from a local.
• He heads to the White Stone Tower to witness the training event, which is about to begin as a thunderstorm approaches.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang shows his resourcefulness and adaptability, washing up and changing clothes without help.
• He displays his determination to make money and find Old Shan, showing his responsibility towards his subordinates.
• Qing He shows kindness and concern for Bai Yang's well-being, offering him money when he's short on funds.

Significant Themes

• The Top Ten Miraculous Techniques of the Era is introduced as a significant theme, hinting at the power and rarity of these techniques.
• The struggle to make money and find Old Shan highlights Bai Yang's responsibilities and the challenges he faces in this world.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with Qing He, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Cui, showing his playful and teasing nature.
• He meets an old man and a burly man with a blade, learning about the Thunder Secret Tome from the latter.
• Bai Yang's interactions with others show his curiosity and eagerness to learn about this world's martial culture.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A crowd gathers around White Stone Tower to watch individuals attempt to cultivate the Thunder Secret Tome by standing atop the tower during a thunderstorm, risking death by lightning strike.
• Bai Yang, the protagonist, arrives at the scene and witnesses several people die in this manner.
• Despite the dangers and deaths, more people continue to climb the tower, with the crowd watching and waiting.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang shows curiosity, bewilderment, and disapproval at the suicidal behavior of the climbers and the crowd's indifference.
• The crowd is revealed to be indifferent to the deaths, viewing them as a spectacle and a chance to witness potential mastery of the Thunder Secret Tome.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and ambition, even at the cost of one's life.
• The devaluation of life and the spectacle of death in society.
• The allure and danger of forbidden or incomplete cultivation techniques.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with a middle-aged man and an old man, learning about the crowd's motivations and the nature of the Thunder Secret Tome.
• The crowd collectively watches the climbers' attempts, displaying indifference to their deaths.
• The climbers, driven by ambition, risk their lives to cultivate the Thunder Secret Tome.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang meets an old man who explains the Thunder Secret Tome, a legendary cultivation manual that no one has successfully cultivated.
• The Thunder Secret Tome is known for its extraordinary power, allowing cultivators to crush enemies within or across realms, but it's nearly impossible to master.
• People often attempt to cultivate it by seeking lightning strikes, leading to numerous deaths, including at White Stone Tower where Bai Yang witnesses many trying and failing.
• The old man gives Bai Yang a copy of the Thunder Secret Tome after Bai Yang expresses interest in studying it.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: Initially skeptical, he becomes intrigued by the Thunder Secret Tome and considers trying to cultivate it, seeing a spark of hope for his martial cultivation journey.
• The Old Man: Revealed to be knowledgeable about the Thunder Secret Tome and its history, he shows a mix of wisdom and detachment, having seen many people die attempting to cultivate it.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and the willingness to take risks for it.
• The fine line between hope and foolishness in the face of impossible odds.
• The cyclical nature of knowledge and its spread, even when it leads to harm.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and the Old Man: They engage in a conversation about the Thunder Secret Tome, with the old man sharing his knowledge and Bai Yang expressing his interest in studying it. Their interaction is marked by a mix of curiosity, detachment, and mutual respect.

• Key Plot Points and Events: Bai Yang encounters a mysterious old man who vanishes after a brief conversation. He then uses a megaphone to call out Dan Qiulin in public, drawing attention and curiosity from the locals. He also meets Xue Wannian, the richest man in Qingmu County, who expresses interest in buying the megaphone.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: He becomes more determined to find Dan Qiulin and return to Gourd Valley. He also shows a growing acceptance of the strange occurrences in this world.
• Xue Wannian: He demonstrates his wealth and influence by openly approaching Bai Yang to buy the megaphone.
• Significant Themes: The theme of strange occurrences and the supernatural is further emphasized with the appearance of the old man ghost. The theme of wealth and power is also highlighted through Xue Wannian's character.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and the Old Man: Their brief interaction leaves Bai Yang unsettled and curious.
• Bai Yang and Xue Wannian: They have a tense exchange, with Xue Wannian trying to buy the megaphone from Bai Yang, who is reluctant to sell.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang teases Xue Wannian about selling the Electric Horn, but ultimately refuses.
• Xue Wannian hints that he will eventually obtain the horn.
• Bai Yang encounters Dan Qiulin, who is drunk and despondent.
• Bai Yang uses the Electric Horn to provoke Dan Qiulin into talking.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: Shows his playful and mischievous side, but also demonstrates concern for Dan Qiulin's well-being.
• Dan Qiulin: Struggles with personal issues, leading to his drunken state. He remains closed-off but eventually opens up to Bai Yang.
• Xue Wannian: Reveals his determination and patience in pursuing the Electric Horn.

Significant Themes

• Friendship: Bai Yang's persistence in helping Dan Qiulin, despite his initial reluctance to share his problems.
• Patience and Persistence: Xue Wannian's refusal to give up on obtaining the Electric Horn, and Bai Yang's determination to help Dan Qiulin.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Xue Wannian: Engage in a playful exchange, with Bai Yang refusing to sell the Electric Horn, and Xue Wannian hinting at his eventual acquisition.
• Bai Yang and Dan Qiulin: Bai Yang uses the Electric Horn and his persistence to coax Dan Qiulin into opening up about his problems.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dan Qiulin confesses his love for his Junior Sister but can't bear to hurt her by using the upper, middle, and lower strategies.
• He decides to let go of his feelings but can't, so he blinds himself to freeze that feeling forever.
• He then disperses his cultivation, feeling a sense of lightness and liberation.

Character Developments

• Dan Qiulin: Struggles with his feelings for his Junior Sister, ultimately choosing to let go in a dramatic and extreme way.
• Bai Yang: Offers advice and support to Dan Qiulin, trying to help him cope with his unrequited love.

Significant Themes

• Love and letting go: Dan Qiulin's struggle with his feelings and his decision to let go, even if it means hurting himself.
• The beauty of nature vs. human beauty: Dan Qiulin's belief that nothing in the world can compare to his Junior Sister's beauty.
• The burden of cultivation: Dan Qiulin's realization that his cultivation, which he once valued so much, is now useless to him.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Dan Qiulin: Bai Yang tries to help Dan Qiulin cope with his feelings, offering advice and support. Dan Qiulin, in turn, fulfills his promise to Bai Yang by helping him with a task (off-screen).

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dan Qiulin, a top expert, cripples his own cultivation out of love for Hua Sanniang.
• Bai Yang, initially shocked, shows little sympathy and even considers using Dan Qiulin for begging.
• Dan Qiulin, despite his condition, remains calm and accepts Bai Yang's attitude.
• Bai Yang allows Hua Sanniang to leave but keeps Bing Qing Yu Jie and her sisters with him.

Character Developments

• Dan Qiulin: Shows courage and acceptance of his new reality, hinting at personal growth.
• Bai Yang: Demonstrates a pragmatic and unsentimental approach to life and friendship.
• Hua Sanniang: Struggles with her feelings and the consequences of her actions.
• Bing Qing Yu Jie: Decides to stay with Bai Yang, valuing his treatment of them as human beings.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions and choices.
• The value of human connection and respect.
• Pragmatism versus sentimentality.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Dan Qiulin: Show a unique, unsentimental friendship, with Bai Yang pushing Dan Qiulin to accept his new reality.
• Hua Sanniang and Bing Qing Yu Jie: Struggle with their loyalty and the value they place on their relationship.
• Bai Yang and Hua Sanniang: Have a tense interaction, with Bai Yang allowing her to leave but warning her not to return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang gets drunk and shares his thoughts about Dan Qiulin, comparing him to a peerless expert.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie quadruplets declare their loyalty to Bai Yang.
• Bai Yang hires a carriage and returns to Qing He's place with Dan Qiulin and the quadruplets.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: Shows his understanding of Dan Qiulin's character and expresses his love for his Little Cat.
• Dan Qiulin: Though not present, his story influences Bai Yang's thoughts and actions.
• Bing Qing Yu Jie Quadruplets: They decide to follow Bai Yang, showing loyalty and dedication.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Dedication: The quadruplets' decision to follow Bai Yang highlights their loyalty, while Bai Yang's acceptance of them shows his dedication to those who choose to stand by him.
• Peerless Expert: Bai Yang's comparison of Dan Qiulin to a peerless expert emphasizes the theme of exceptional individuals and their lonely paths.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and the Bing Qing Yu Jie Quadruplets: Bai Yang accepts their loyalty, and they show their dedication by serving him, with Lin Bing'er, Lin Qing'er, and Lin Yu'er attending to him, while Lin Jie'er hires a carriage.
• Bai Yang and Qing He: Qing He is surprised by Bai Yang's return with so many people, but she welcomes them into her courtyard.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang leaves Dan Qiulin with Qing He, who is shocked to learn Dan Qiulin's past status.
• Bai Yang takes the Bing Qing Yu Jie sisters on a carriage ride, planning to seize the Xue family's wealth without war or spending money.
• Bai Yang sees an old man on the verge of death at the top of White Stone Tower, but no one else can see him. He believes it's a ghost and decides to confront it.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang shows his ambition and resourcefulness, planning to take over the Xue family's wealth.
• Qing He shows concern for Bai Yang's actions and is confused about his relationship with Dan Qiulin.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie sisters show loyalty to Bai Yang, following him without question.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and power: Bai Yang's desire to take over the Xue family's wealth shows his ambition and willingness to take risks.
• The supernatural: The appearance of the old man on White Stone Tower introduces the theme of the supernatural, suggesting that there are forces beyond human understanding in this world.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with Qing He, leaving Dan Qiulin in her care and showing his disregard for Dan Qiulin's well-being.
• Bai Yang interacts with the Bing Qing Yu Jie sisters, planning his scheme to take over the Xue family's wealth and showing his playful side with the bet.
• Qing He interacts with Xiao Cui, expressing her feelings about Bai Yang and her concern for her well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang discovers an old man in the White Stone Tower who is invisible to others.
• He decides to find out more about the old man and creates ten thousand identical portraits, offering a reward of one million coins for information.
• He spreads the portraits across Qingmu County with the help of a group of beggar children.
• Many people come to Bai Yang's courtyard, claiming to know about the old man, but they are all frauds seeking the reward.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang shows determination in uncovering the old man's identity and is resourceful in his approach.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie Quadruplets display their combat skills and protectiveness towards Bai Yang.

Significant Themes

• Greed and its corrupting influence, as seen in the behavior of those seeking the reward.
• Bai Yang's resourcefulness and determination in pursuing his goals.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with the beggar children, showing kindness and trust in them.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie Quadruplets demonstrate their loyalty and protectiveness towards Bai Yang.
• Bai Yang encounters various frauds seeking the reward, leading to tense interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang spends the day distributing portraits of the mysterious old man but finds no useful information.
• A young painter, interested in the identical portraits, visits Bai Yang, leading to a prank.
• Bai Yang decides to return to the kids' courtyard after overhearing their conversation.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang: Shows curiosity and determination in finding the old man, displays a playful side with the kids.
• Lin Bing'er and Lin Jie'er: Remain devoted to Bai Yang, with Lin Jie'er showing a desire to prove her worth.
• The Kids (Hong Yi, Hong San, etc.): Display attachment to Bai Yang, secretly keeping portraits of him, showing their affection and loyalty.

Significant Themes

• The search for truth and identity (Bai Yang's pursuit of the old man's existence).
• The power of kindness and its impact on the vulnerable (Bai Yang's influence on the kids).

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Lin Bing'er/Lin Jie'er: Show a comfortable, familiar dynamic, with Bai Yang displaying affection towards Lin Jie'er.
• Bai Yang and the Kids: Display a caring, playful relationship, with the kids showing deep affection for Bai Yang.
• Bai Yang and the Young Painter: Interact briefly, with Bai Yang playing a prank on the painter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang and his group reach an abandoned courtyard in the north of Qingmu County, guided by Hong Yi.
• They find a portrait of the old man Bai Yang encountered earlier and some faded characters on a wall.
• The wall collapses as they leave, and they hear strange sounds near a tree.
• They discover a couple having an affair behind the tree, who turn out to be Old Wang and his mistress.

Character Developments

• Hong Yi shows bravery and loyalty by leading Bai Yang to the abandoned courtyard.
• Lin Yu'er displays a shy side when she's not fighting.
• Lin Bing'er shows protective instincts towards Bai Yang.
• Old Wang and his mistress are revealed to be adulterers, fearing exposure.

Significant Themes

• The theme of secrets and their potential exposure is highlighted through Old Wang's affair.
• The abandoned courtyard represents decay and the passage of time.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Hong Yi: Hong Yi leads Bai Yang to the courtyard, showing trust and loyalty.
• Bai Yang and Lin Bing'er: Lin Bing'er shields Bai Yang and is ready to fight to protect him.
• Old Wang and his mistress: They are caught in a compromising position and fear exposure, showing their desperation to keep their affair a secret.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang encounters a couple, Wang Erji and Cuihua, who reveal they live near the abandoned estate and that Cuihua is a concubine of Xue Bancheng.
• Wang Erji reveals that the estate was once owned by the Gu family, who died out mysteriously, and the place is rumored to be cursed.
• Bai Yang learns that the Xue family's rise to power began around three hundred years ago, coinciding with the Gu family's decline.
• Bai Yang decides to use Wang Erji and Cuihua to plot against the Xue family.

Character Developments

• Wang Erji: Initially timid and honest, he becomes more ambitious after Bai Yang's proposal.
• Cuihua: Shows intelligence and cunning, proving to be more astute than Wang Erji.
• Bai Yang: Demonstrates his strategic thinking and ability to adapt plans on the fly.

Significant Themes

• Ambition vs. Contentment: Wang Erji's transformation highlights the difference between those with ambition (like Bai Yang and Cuihua) and those without (like Wang Erji initially).
• Power Dynamics: The shift in power from the Gu family to the Xue family, and now potentially to Wang Erji, underscores the theme of power dynamics and the struggle for control.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with Wang Erji and Cuihua, using his charm and persuasiveness to convince them to join his plot against the Xue family.
• Wang Erji and Cuihua's relationship is strained due to their affair and the potential risks involved in Bai Yang's plan.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang meets Wang Erji and Cuihua, two members of the Xue family, and initiates a plan to bring down the Xue family.
• Bai Yang returns to Qing He's residence for dinner and meets Dan Qiulin, who has lost his sight.
• Bai Yang slips back to Earth's side, prepares a warehouse, and creates counterfeit money using a copier.

Character Developments

• Bai Yang continues to demonstrate his cunning and resourcefulness in his plans.
• Dan Qiulin, now blind, finds beauty in the night sky, showing a newfound appreciation for life's simple pleasures.
• Wang Erji and Cuihua, driven by desperation and ambition, decide to invest in Bai Yang's plan.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and desperation can lead people to take risks.
• The loss of one sense can heighten appreciation for others.
• Bai Yang's mysterious abilities continue to intrigue those around him.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with Wang Erji and Cuihua, manipulating them into his plan.
• Bai Yang shares a meal with Qing He and Dan Qiulin, showing concern for Dan Qiulin's well-being.
• The Bing Qing Yu Jie sisters struggle with their feelings for Bai Yang, feeling both anticipation and unease.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang sells shares in a grand project to Wang Erji and Cuihua, using a combination of vague promises, intricate drawings, and Amway-style tactics.
• Wang Erji buys five shares for 50,000 money, and Cuihua buys 205 shares for 2,050,000 money.
• Bai Yang encourages them to act as agents, selling shares to their friends and relatives for a commission.

Character Developments

• Wang Erji: Initially hesitant, he becomes eager to sell shares after seeing the potential profits.
• Cuihua: Recognizes the potential of the project and buys more shares, also agreeing to act as an agent.
• Bai Yang: Demonstrates cunning and persuasiveness in selling shares and recruiting agents.

Significant Themes

• Greed and the desire for wealth drive the characters' actions.
• The allure of future prospects and the promise of easy money entice Wang Erji and Cuihua.
• Bai Yang's manipulation and deception are central to the chapter.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang interacts with Wang Erji and Cuihua, using persuasion and deception to sell shares and recruit agents.
• Wang Erji and Cuihua interact with each other, sharing their experiences and plans to sell more shares.
• Bai Yang's interactions with Lin Qing'er and the other women are brief, with them watching the transactions in awe.

Plot Points and Events

• Wang Erji, an honest but not eloquent steward, returns to the Xue family compound and wants to develop subordinates but doesn't know how.
• He shares a secret investment opportunity with a trusted subordinate, who buys shares from him.
• The recruitment spreads rapidly within the Xue family, with people buying and selling shares, believing they will make a profit.
• Bai Yang, the mastermind behind the scheme, collects vast amounts of money from the recruits.
• The recruitment begins to spread beyond the Xue family, posing a risk to Bai Yang's control over the situation.

Character Developments

• Wang Erji: Initially hesitant and not skilled in communication, he becomes more confident and assertive as he profits from the recruitment.
• The young subordinate: Greedily buys shares, becomes an active recruiter, and profits from the scheme.
• Bai Yang: Maintains control over the situation, shifts the focus of the plan, and prepares to minimize losses for the recruits while seizing control of the Xue family's businesses.

Significant Themes

• Greed: The primary driving force behind the recruitment, leading people to ignore potential risks and focus solely on profits.
• Trust: Wang Erji's honest nature and the trust he builds with his subordinates enable the recruitment to spread rapidly.
• Control: Bai Yang's ability to maintain control over the situation and shift the focus of the plan is crucial to his success.

Character Interactions

• Wang Erji and the young subordinate: Their initial interaction leads to the start of the recruitment, with Wang Erji acting as the upline and the young subordinate becoming an active recruiter.
• Bai Yang and Wang Erji: Bai Yang coaches Wang Erji on what to say and do, enabling him to successfully recruit others and collect money.
• Wang Erji and the Xue family: As Wang Erji profits from the recruitment, his status within the Xue family increases, with other stewards and martial artists treating him with courtesy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bai Yang proposes a 'buyback' scheme for the share certificates, reassuring Wang Erji that he can still receive dividends with the certificates.
• Bai Yang sends mischievous kids to gather information about the Little Knife Gang and Dan Qiulin's master.
• Bai Yang visits the Little Knife Gang's headquarters and recruits their leader, Shen Dong, to rent shops for him in exchange for a tenfold increase in wealth.
• Bai Yang arrives at Mo Yuan Chi's martial arts school, where Dan Qiulin's master resides.

Character Developments

• Wang Erji: Initially skeptical, he becomes greedy and reluctant to let go of the 'opportunity' Bai Yang offers.
• Shen Dong: Recognizes Bai Yang's influence and agrees to help him, driven by the promise of wealth.
• Bai Yang: Demonstrates his ability to manipulate and persuade people, using their greed and fear to his advantage.

Significant Themes

• Greed: Wang Erji and Shen Dong are driven by their desire for wealth, making them susceptible to Bai Yang's schemes.
• Influence and Power: Bai Yang's connections and reputation allow him to recruit people like Shen Dong to do his bidding.
• Manipulation: Bai Yang uses his understanding of people's desires and fears to control and influence their actions.

Character Interactions

• Bai Yang and Wang Erji: Wang Erji is deceived by Bai Yang's scheme, initially reassured but later greedy.
• Bai Yang and Shen Dong: Bai Yang recruits Shen Dong by offering him wealth in exchange for his help, playing on his greed.
• Bai Yang and the Bing Qing Yu Jie sisters: The sisters accompany Bai Yang, following his orders without question.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Xue family in Qingmu County is suddenly abuzz with everyone asking for money to invest in a new, profitable business.
• Xue Wannian, the family patriarch, suspects something unusual and starts investigating.
• Qi Strengthening Pills, a product of the Amway-like scheme, become unexpectedly popular, selling out within a day.

Character Developments

• Xue Wannian: Initially oblivious to the scheme, he becomes suspicious and starts investigating, showing his business acumen and caution.
• Xue Bancheng (Xue Wannian's son): Shows ambition and business sense, but his father is unsure about his sudden interest in making money.
• Dong'er (Xue Wannian's concubine): Represents the allure of easy money, as she's eager to invest in the scheme.

Significant Themes

• Greed and the allure of easy money.
• The complexity and deception of multi-level marketing schemes.
• The struggle between caution and greed in business.

Character Interactions

• Xue Wannian and Xue Bancheng: Father and son interact, with Xue Wannian giving his son money despite his doubts.
• Xue Wannian and Dong'er: They interact, with Dong'er asking for money to invest in the scheme, and Xue Wannian questioning her about it later.
• Xue Wannian and the butler: They discuss the sudden money-making business and the unexpected popularity of Qi Strengthening Pills.