Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group is tested by General Yuwen, who sends a creature to attack them in their lodging.
• They are then brought to Zhennan Houfu (Marquis's mansion) under the pretense of meeting the Marquis.
• Upon arrival, they encounter strange phenomena, such as walls painted with dead people's blood and a door made from a water-submerged coffin.
• General Yuwen warns them not to wander around the mansion due to recent incidents.

Character Developments

• Fatty nearly falls victim to the wall's illusion but is saved by Jiang Cheng.
• General Yuwen's true name is revealed as Yuwen.
• The group remains composed and unyielding despite the eerie atmosphere and threats.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and hidden dangers is reinforced as the group is led into the mansion under false pretenses.
• The use of human lives for supernatural purposes, as seen in the 'cast living beings' and 'driving living piles' techniques, highlights the theme of exploitation and disregard for human life.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng protects Fatty from the wall's illusion, showing a protective side to his character.
• The group shares their observations and knowledge, such as Tang Qisheng's explanation of the wall's blood paint and Li Bai's detailed description of 'cast living beings' and 'driving living piles.'
• General Yuwen's behavior suggests he is aware of the group's true purpose and may be subtly encouraging their investigation.

• The group discovers that the door to the Marquis's mansion is made of coffin wood, meant to ward off ghosts.
• They encounter a maidservant who claims the Marquis's illness has flared up, and later, a group of servants rush in with weapons, suggesting a struggle.
• General Yuwen, the Marquis's right-hand man, meets the group and tries to prevent them from investigating further, suggesting he might be involved in the Marquis's condition.
• Jiang Cheng and Yao Shunyu decide to explore the city to gather information, while the others stay behind in the mansion.
• Zhu Jie, Tang Qisheng, Lu Qin, and Shao Tong remain in the mansion. Shao Tong's behavior hints at a secret relationship with Lu Qin.
• Jiang Cheng plans to investigate the armor fragment secretly, away from the Marquis's household.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng's group tries to extract information from General Yuwen but fails.
• They are escorted out of the Marquis's mansion by Zhao, the squad leader, who reveals that they are tasked with clearing out rebels.
• Jiang Cheng and his group split up to explore the city, with Jiang Cheng and the fatty (Wang Fugui) accompanied by a young guard.
• Jiang Cheng and the fatty enter an antique shop, where Jiang Cheng draws the armor fragments and learns about their origin from the shop's Boss.
• The Boss reveals that the armor belongs to General Guo from the previous dynasty, who was killed by Marquis Zhennan, and that there are remnants of the former dynasty trying to restore it.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his cunning and resourcefulness by using the fatty to create an opportunity to enter the antique shop and extract information.
• The Boss shows fear and reluctance to get involved with the remnants of the former dynasty, but eventually cooperates with Jiang Cheng after seeing his Marquis Zhennan's Estate emblem.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the remnants of the former dynasty and the current regime, represented by Marquis Zhennan.
• The fear and uncertainty caused by the strange occurrences in Luo'an City.
• The power dynamics between the different factions in the city.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and the fatty (Wang Fugui) work together to create a distraction, allowing Jiang Cheng to enter the antique shop.
• Jiang Cheng intimidates the Boss into revealing information about the armor fragments and Spring God Lake.
• The Boss shows fear and reluctance to get involved with the remnants of the former dynasty, but eventually cooperates with Jiang Cheng after seeing his Marquis Zhennan's Estate emblem.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng visits Qianji Antique Shop, suspecting a connection to bandits and General Guo.
• Shopkeeper Qian initially refuses to cooperate but eventually reveals information under threat.
• Shopkeeper Qian recounts a fisherman's experience of being captured by a group claiming to be soldiers from Luo'an City.
• The captured fishermen suspect they're being used for something sinister, with previous captives never returning.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his intelligence and cunning in extracting information from Shopkeeper Qian.
• Shopkeeper Qian shows fear and reluctance to reveal secrets but eventually does so to avoid further trouble.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Jiang Cheng's authority as a representative of the Houfu is used to intimidate Shopkeeper Qian.
• Fear and corruption: Shopkeeper Qian's fear of the Houfu and the mysterious bandits highlights the corruption and power struggles within the city.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Shopkeeper Qian: Jiang Cheng uses his authority and threats to extract information from Shopkeeper Qian, who is initially reluctant but eventually cooperates out of fear.
• Shopkeeper Qian and the captured fishermen: Shopkeeper Qian relays the experiences of the captured fishermen, highlighting their shared fear and uncertainty about their fate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The old fisherman is captured and held in a cave with other villagers.
• One night, they are taken by soldiers led by a scar-faced man, who selects individuals based on a list.
• The old fisherman volunteers to take the place of a young boy named Dog Egg, who is terrified of leaving his blind mother.
• They are blindfolded, taken to the shore of Spring God Lake, and ordered to board a boat and sail into the lake's depths at night.
• The old fisherman and his companions are terrified of sailing on the lake at night due to local legends about the Water Dragon King.

Character Developments

• The old fisherman demonstrates selflessness and courage by volunteering to take Dog Egg's place, showing his compassion and bravery.
• Dog Egg shows his fear and desperation at the prospect of leaving his mother, highlighting his youth and vulnerability.
• The scar-faced man is introduced as the leader of the soldiers, displaying a fierce and menacing appearance but not much dialogue.
• A mysterious man, referred to as the "Heavenly Master," is mentioned, who seems to have authority over the scar-faced man.

Significant Themes

• Sacrifice: The old fisherman's decision to take Dog Egg's place illustrates the theme of self-sacrifice for the well-being of others.
• Fear of the unknown: The villagers' fear of sailing on Spring God Lake at night and their belief in the Water Dragon King legend highlight their fear of the unknown and the power of superstition.
• Power dynamics: The interactions between the villagers, the soldiers, and the mysterious man demonstrate the power dynamics at play, with the villagers being powerless against the soldiers and the mysterious man holding authority over the soldiers.

Character Interactions

• The old fisherman and Dog Egg: The old fisherman's decision to save Dog Egg shows their bond and the old fisherman's protective nature towards the young boy.
• The old fisherman and the other villagers: They support each other in their shared fear and desperation, showing a sense of community and unity.
• The scar-faced man and the mysterious man (Heavenly Master): Their interaction suggests a hierarchical relationship, with the Heavenly Master holding more power and authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of fishermen find themselves lost and adrift on Spring God Lake after being forced onto a boat by mysterious soldiers.
• They realize they've been lured into a trap, as the soldiers never intended for them to return alive.
• The boat has a sealed cabin with the door bolted from the inside, suggesting someone is trapped within.
• The cabin door creaks open slightly, revealing a dark gap.

Character Developments

• The old fisherman: Initially dreadful and silent, he becomes the most rational and brave among the group, trying to communicate with the entity in the cabin.
• The thin man: Panicked and cowardly, he initially disrupts the group's attempt to find a solution but later falls silent in fear.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown and the supernatural.
• The struggle for survival and the will to live.
• The consequences of breaking taboos (sailing at the third watch).

Character Interactions

• The old fisherman and the thin man: The old fisherman slaps the thin man to silence him when he panics, showing a mix of frustration and concern.
• The group dynamics shift from initial confusion and panic to a collective effort to survive, with the old fisherman taking a leadership role.
• The group's fear is amplified by their isolation and the unknown entity in the cabin.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A group of fishermen find a corpse in their boat's cabin, wearing armor from the Former Dynasty.
• The corpse is discovered to be relatively fresh and has been salvaged from Spring God Lake recently.
• A letter left by previous soldiers instructs them to cast a net at the lake's center and flee without looking at their catch, avoiding the moon's direction.

Character Developments

• The Old Fisherman: Initially fearful, he becomes curious and then determined to uncover the truth.
• The White-Haired Old Man: Calm and observant, he notices the armor's origin and deciphers the letter's instructions.
• The Bald Man: Fearful and superstitious, he connects the current situation to the fate of missing fishermen.

Significant Themes

• Fear of the unknown and supernatural.
• The consequences of past actions ( Former Dynasty's legacy).
• The power of curiosity and determination in the face of fear.

Character Interactions

• The Old Fisherman and the White-Haired Old Man work together to examine the corpse and decipher the letter, forming a partnership in understanding and navigating the situation.
• The Bald Man's fear influences the group, highlighting the emotional tension among the fishermen.
• The group dynamic shifts from initial fear and suspicion to collective determination to unravel the mystery and survive.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. The group discovers that the corpse in their boat's cabin is alive, causing panic.
2. They secure the corpse and retreat from the cabin, realizing they're in grave danger.
3. They find a stone with a cinnabar talisman, suggesting supernatural involvement.
4. The boat starts moving on its own, indicating something underwater is pulling it.
5. They throw a sounding stone, which hits an underwater obstacle before the boat is slapped by something from below.
6. Another series of slapping sounds comes from inside the cabin.

Character Developments

• Old Fisherman: Becomes more decisive and proactive in the face of danger.
• Old Man: Maintains composure and tries to keep the group calm and focused.
• Bald Man: Discovers the cinnabar talisman on the stone.
• Thin Man: Shows fear and reluctance to act.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural danger and fear of the unknown.
• Group dynamics and leadership under stress.
• The mysterious and treacherous nature of Spring God Lake.

Character Interactions

• Old Fisherman and Old Man work together to secure the corpse.
• Bald Man shares his discovery of the cinnabar talisman.
• The group reacts with fear and uncertainty to the boat moving on its own and the slapping sounds.
• Old Fisherman takes the initiative to throw the sounding stone.

Key Plot Points

• A corpse in Former Dynasty armor is pounding on the cabin door from inside, causing terror among the survivors.
• Old Fisherman realizes the entity in the water is sentient and evil, and that the corpse in the cabin was once alive.
• They decide to cast a net into the water, hoping to retrieve another corpse and repeat what the previous survivors did to escape.
• When they pull the net, it snags on something solid at the lakebed, and the water begins to churn violently.
• A cool, moon-like light shines down, dispelling the darkness and evil, but Old Fisherman realizes it's not the real moon.

Character Developments

• Old Fisherman demonstrates leadership and quick thinking, formulating a plan to escape their predicament.
• The old man shows expertise in fishing, understanding the lake's currents and the potential danger of the water.
• Bald Man is drawn to the mysterious light, displaying curiosity and excitement.

Significant Themes

• Survival and desperation: The survivors are willing to try anything to escape, even retrieving a corpse from the water.
• The unknown and the supernatural: The entity in the water and the mysterious light challenge their understanding of reality.
• Trust and leadership: Old Fisherman's quick thinking and decisive action earn him the trust of the others.

Character Interactions

• Old Fisherman and the old man work together to formulate a plan and execute it.
• The survivors work together to brace the cabin door and cast the net into the water.
• Bald Man and Old Fisherman react to the mysterious light, with Old Fisherman warning the others not to look.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A strange light envelops the lake, and something immense rises from the lakebed.
• The Old Fisherman returns home, traumatized and afraid of light, claiming to be pursued by entities from the lake.
• His family tries to help, but he becomes violent and delusional, claiming to hear sounds of water and boats outside the door.
• They tie him up and gag him for safety. The next morning, they find their courtyard gate and wall destroyed, and the ground flooded, as if by a recent flood.

Character Developments

• The Old Fisherman: Traumatized by his experience, he becomes afraid of light, delusional, and violent, claiming to be pursued by entities from the lake.
• Manager Qian: Reluctant to share the full story, he reveals it under Jiang Cheng's pressure, showing a mix of fear and superstition.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural Fear: The Old Fisherman's trauma and the destruction of his home suggest a supernatural force at work, instilling fear in both him and his family.
• Ignorance as Protection: Manager Qian believes that some things are better left unknown, suggesting that ignorance can be a form of protection from the unknown and terrifying.

Character Interactions

• The Old Fisherman and his family: The family tries to care for the Old Fisherman, but his violent and delusional behavior terrifies them, leading to a tense and frightening night.
• Jiang Cheng and Manager Qian: Jiang Cheng pressures Manager Qian to reveal the full story, showing determination to uncover the truth despite Manager Qian's reluctance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Old Fisherman disappears from his home, which is found in disarray, with water weeds from Spring God Lake on his bed.
• A group of villagers, led by an old man, arrive and report seeing a boat trail leading from the lake to the house.
• The villagers believe Old Fisherman was taken by ghosts in a boat, as he had predicted.
• Manager Qian reveals he knows the story in detail because he paid a fisherman's nephew for the information.
• Manager Qian hints at a treasure in Spring God Lake, left by General Guo of the Former Dynasty.
• Jiang Cheng learns that General Guo's mansion treasury was empty when the city fell, fueling rumors about a hidden, living tomb in the lake.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Becomes more suspicious of Manager Qian's true intentions and identity.
• Manager Qian: Reveals his knowledge of the treasure and the story, hinting at his connection to the Marquis's mansion.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural elements and ghost stories.
• Greed and its consequences (Manager Qian's greed for information, the villagers' greed for treasure).
• The power of rumors and their impact on society.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Manager Qian: Jiang Cheng pressures Manager Qian for information, eventually learning about the treasure and the old fisherman's story.
• The villagers: They interact, sharing their beliefs about the ghostly boat and Old Fisherman's fate.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng learns from Manager Qian that the final battle between General Guo and Zhennan Hou took place on Spring God Lake, with rumors suggesting Zhennan Hou killed General Guo and his elite guards.
• Jiang Cheng and his group rush to meet at the agreed location, with Li Bai bringing small parcels.
• Upon returning to the Marquis's mansion, they encounter General Yuwen, who arranges for their accommodation in a secluded courtyard with eerie white lanterns.
• Jiang Cheng and his group finally gather in a room with Zhu Jie and Tang Qisheng, who reveal they met Zhennan Hou through a gauze curtain, with the Marquis wearing a mask and appearing extremely thin.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng demonstrates his cunning and manipulative skills in dealing with Manager Qian, threatening him subtly to ensure his silence.
• Tang Qisheng shows concern for the group's safety and is eager to share information about Zhennan Hou.

Significant Themes

• The mysterious and ominous atmosphere surrounding Zhennan Hou and his mansion.
• The group's growing unease and suspicion about Zhennan Hou's true identity and intentions.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Manager Qian: Jiang Cheng manipulates Manager Qian into keeping silent about the information he shared, using subtle threats.
• Jiang Cheng and Tang Qisheng: They exchange information about their respective findings, with Jiang Cheng deflecting Tang Qisheng's question about their clues until he shares his own information about Zhennan Hou.
• The group: They reunite in a tense atmosphere, eager to share their findings and discuss their next course of action.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group shares their findings: Li Bai bought invigorating herbs to stay awake, Shao Tong offers to chant scriptures, Zhang Qizheng heard about Luo'an City's history from an opera, Yao Shunyu found records of General Guo's bravery, and Jiang Cheng reveals the story of the Old Fisherman and the battle at Spring God Lake.
• Everyone learns that Zhennan Hou defeated General Guo in a naval battle at Spring God Lake, leading to the city's fall.

Character Developments

• Li Bai shows concern for the group's safety and well-being by suggesting the use of medicinal herbs to stay awake.
• Shao Tong displays eccentric behavior but offers to help by chanting scriptures.
• Yao Shunyu demonstrates his intelligence and thoroughness in researching historical records.
• Jiang Cheng takes the lead in piecing together the puzzle and sharing his findings.

Significant Themes

• The mysterious nature of Zhennan Hou and his past.
• The power dynamics between the Former Dynasty and the current dynasty.
• The supernatural elements and their impact on the characters.

Character Interactions

• Li Bai and Shao Tong have a brief exchange, with Li Bai showing annoyance at Shao Tong's behavior.
• Yao Shunyu and the fat man have a silent exchange, with Yao Shunyu subtly warning the fat man about Shao Tong.
• Jiang Cheng leads the discussion, asking questions and encouraging others to share their findings.
• Lu Qin shares her observation about the courtyard's layout, adding to the group's unease.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group arrives at a courtyard with white lanterns, reminiscent of funeral decorations.
• They discover the courtyard was built for a woman, likely a beloved concubine, but no one has lived there.
• The path leading to their room is a 'dead-end alley' feng shui formation, designed to channel malevolent energy into the room.
• Shao Tong suggests the courtyard might have 'living person stakes' buried beneath, causing unease.
• Zhu Jie accuses Shao Tong of being with the night watchmen and not being trustworthy.
• Shao Tong admits to being a monk but maintains he doesn't lie.
• Light footsteps are heard outside the door.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng: Shows caution and analytical skills in examining the courtyard and its furniture.
• Tang Qisheng: Recognizes the architectural anomalies and the feng shui formation.
• Shao Tong: Initially makes disturbing remarks, then becomes defensive and evasive when accused by Zhu Jie.
• Zhu Jie: Attempts to sow discord among the group by accusing Shao Tong.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Suspicion: The group's trust in each other is tested due to Shao Tong's remarks and Zhu Jie's accusations.
• Feng Shui and Superstition: The group's knowledge of feng shui is used to understand the courtyard's layout and potential dangers.
• Secrets and Deception: Shao Tong's true background and intentions remain unclear, adding an element of mystery and danger.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Tang Qisheng: Work together to analyze the courtyard's anomalies.
• Zhu Jie and Shao Tong: Engage in a tense exchange, with Zhu Jie accusing Shao Tong and Shao Tong becoming defensive.
• The Group: Experiences a shift in dynamics due to Shao Tong's remarks and Zhu Jie's accusations, leading to increased tension and unease.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group is invited by the Marquis for a chat, but four members (Fatty, Yao Shunyu, Lu Qin, Shao Tong) are selected based on their birth dates and times, suspected to be for a dangerous mission.
• Jiang Cheng secretly follows them, noticing strange occurrences with the paper lanterns.
• Fatty and Yao Shunyu realize they're being led the wrong way, potentially into a trap.
• Lu Qin and Shao Tong disappear simultaneously, causing Fatty and Yao Shunyu to suspect they've been bewitched or led to human stake foundations.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows courage and resourcefulness by following the selected members.
• Fatty and Yao Shunyu demonstrate quick thinking and awareness of their surroundings, noticing the deception.
• Shao Tong's eccentric behavior is mentioned, hinting at potential hidden abilities.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Trust: The group is deceived by the Marquis, highlighting the theme of trust and its fragility in uncertain situations.
• Fear and Uncertainty: The characters face unknown dangers, evoking fear and unease, as they navigate the complex and eerie Houfu.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Li Bai show concern for each other, with Jiang Cheng reassuring Li Bai before following the group.
• Fatty and Yao Shunyu work together to deduce the situation, demonstrating a growing bond and mutual trust.
• The dynamic between the selected members (Fatty, Yao Shunyu, Lu Qin, Shao Tong) shifts as they face an unknown threat together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yao Shunyu and Wang Fugui are led by a suspicious woman towards a covered bridge over a lotus pond.
• Yao Shunyu decides to stay behind to create a distraction while Wang Fugui escapes.
• Wang Fugui reveals he can handle the situation and decides to snatch a lantern from the ghost to find a way out.
• Yao Shunyu escapes but encounters a disturbing sight in the lotus pond.

Character Developments

• Yao Shunyu shows selflessness and trust in Wang Fugui, choosing to stay behind to help him.
• Wang Fugui demonstrates bravery, determination, and hidden strength, revealing he has faced dangerous situations before.
• Yao Shunyu realizes Wang Fugui is a trustworthy and brave companion.

Significant Themes

• Trust and friendship: Yao Shunyu and Wang Fugui trust each other and are willing to risk their lives for one another.
• Courage in the face of danger: Both characters show bravery when facing the supernatural threat.

Character Interactions

• Yao Shunyu and Wang Fugui: They display camaraderie and mutual respect, with Yao Shunyu initially wanting to protect Wang Fugui and Wang Fugui later showing he can handle the situation.
• Yao Shunyu and the suspicious woman: Yao Shunyu suspects the woman is leading them astray, but he doesn't confront her directly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty flees from a maid ghost while carrying a lantern, which he later discovers is a rotting arm.
• The maid ghost, missing an arm, chases Fatty, demanding her arm back.
• Fatty throws the arm into the lake, temporarily stopping the ghost, but making her his enemy.
• Fatty finds Yao Shunyu being attacked by ghostly hands at the end of the bridge.
• The maid ghost, now with an elongated neck, attacks Fatty, but he sprays his virgin blood onto her face, temporarily incapacitating her.
• Fatty escapes with Yao Shunyu, who guides him towards the path back to their companions.

Character Developments

• Fatty demonstrates bravery and resourcefulness in escaping from the maid ghost and saving Yao Shunyu.
• Yao Shunyu shows resilience and selflessness, urging Fatty to leave him behind to save himself.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Both Fatty and Yao Shunyu show determination in their struggle against the ghostly forces.
• Sacrifice: Yao Shunyu is willing to sacrifice himself to save Fatty, highlighting the theme of selflessness.
• The Power of the Pure: Fatty's virgin blood proves to be effective against the ghostly maid, suggesting that purity can ward off evil.

Character Interactions

• Fatty and Yao Shunyu's bond deepens as they face life-threatening situations together, with Yao Shunyu showing trust in Fatty's ability to save him.
• The maid ghost's actions reveal her cunning and manipulative nature, as she sets a trap for Fatty using Yao Shunyu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty and Yao Shunyu go missing while exploring the mansion.
• Jiang Cheng follows them but loses their trail due to the mansion's confusing layout and sinister atmosphere.
• A servant arrives, claiming the Marquis wants to see them, but his behavior is suspicious.
• Jiang Cheng sketches the woman who took Fatty and Yao, and the servant reacts fearfully to the drawing.
• The servant reveals the mansion is a Yin dwelling built for the Marquis's deceased wife, and the woman in the drawing is a dead maid who served the Madam.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng shows his observational skills and quick thinking by noticing the servant's strange behavior and sketching the woman.
• The servant displays fear and reluctance to discuss the mansion's secrets but eventually reveals information under pressure.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural elements and fear of the unknown, as the mansion is revealed to be a Yin dwelling with hauntings and deaths.
• The power dynamics between servants and masters, as the servant is afraid of the consequences of losing the protective artifact.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and the others work together to interrogate the servant, using Jiang Cheng's sketch and Tang Qisheng's threat to smash the protective artifact to extract information.
• The group's collective unease and worry about Fatty and Yao Shunyu's safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Cheng and his group encounter a man who claims to have seen a ghostly maid in the mansion.
• They convince the man to lead them through the mansion to find their missing friends, Fatty and Yao Shunyu.
• Following Fatty's wet footprints, they reach a secluded area leading to the back courtyard.
• They hear strange scraping sounds and discover Fatty walking in circles, carrying the upper half of Gao Yanqing's corpse on his back.

Character Developments

• Jiang Cheng displays leadership and determination in searching for their missing friends.
• The man leading them shows fear and reluctance, revealing his superstitious nature.
• Fatty is found in a trance-like state, seemingly possessed by an unknown force.

Significant Themes

• Superstition and fear of the unknown, as seen in the man's behavior and the group's reactions to the eerie mansion.
• The theme of possession, both literal (Fatty carrying Gao Yanqing's corpse) and metaphorical (Fatty's trance-like state).
• The consequences of curiosity and exploration, as the group delves deeper into the mansion despite the dangers.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng, Li Bai, and Tang Qisheng work together to convince the man to lead them and to search for their friends.
• The group dynamics shift as they face the terrifying discovery of Fatty carrying Gao Yanqing's corpse, with Li Bai expressing shock and disbelief.
• The man leading them shows fear and reluctance, highlighting his cowardice and lack of courage in the face of the unknown.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fatty is found muttering, mistaking a half-corpse (Gao Yanqing) for Yao Shunyu due to a ghost's illusion.
• The group finds a hidden threshold with no visible door.
• Fatty's scream reveals Gao Yanqing's half-corpse, causing him to panic.
• Fatty is brought back, and he recounts an altered memory where he, Yao Shunyu, Lu Qin, and Shao Tong were chosen together, but Lu Qin and Shao Tong disappeared.
• Fatty's memory is revealed to be false; he was alone with Yao Shunyu, and Yao Shunyu's fate is presumed grim.
• Yao Shunyu remains missing, and Fatty is devastated.

Character Developments

• Fatty: Initially confused and disoriented, he becomes agitated and distressed upon learning his memory was altered and Yao Shunyu might be dead.
• Jiang Cheng: Shows leadership and concern for Fatty, helping him recall events and comforting him.
• Lu Qin and Shao Tong: Reveal they were never with Fatty and Yao Shunyu, causing Fatty to realize his memory was false.

Significant Themes

• The blurring of reality and illusion, as seen through Fatty's altered memory.
• The consequences of altered perception and memory, leading to confusion and distress.
• The importance of truth and reality in survival and decision-making.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Cheng and Fatty: Jiang Cheng supports and consoles Fatty, helping him face the truth about his memory and Yao Shunyu's likely fate.
• Fatty and Lu Qin/Shao Tong: Fatty's anger and confusion turn to distress and realization upon learning they were not with him.
• Fatty and the group: The group works together to help Fatty recall events and understand his false memory.