Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points

• Lin Shou pulls ten corpses in a row from the Record of Selling Corpses, receiving various rewards.
• He receives two Dark-grade rewards: Ma Liang's Brush and a bowl of Yellow Millet.
• Lin Shou dreams after eating the Yellow Millet, gaining new abilities.
• He plans to test his new abilities on members of the Canal Gang at Shallow Water Pier.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou continues to explore his powers and their limits.
• He shows empathy for the scholar who died from overworking and the pressure of expectations.

Significant Themes

• The pressure of societal expectations and the consequences of unfulfilled dreams.
• The power of talent and its limitations.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the corpses through the Record of Selling Corpses, learning their stories.
• He plans to interact with members of the Canal Gang to test his new abilities.

Plot Points and Events

• The story is set in the capital city's Shallow Water Pier, controlled by the Canal Gang.
• The Late Emperor Yong valued agriculture and initiated waterborne grain transport, leading to the formation of the Canal Gang.
• Weng Deyan, the local boss, is involved in smuggling Fortune-Longevity Paste with the help of the Western Affairs Party.
• Xue Ning, an officer from the Divine Constable Hall, confronts Weng Deyan, leading to a standoff.
• Zhuifeng arrives and informs Xue Ning about a Canal Gang Grandmaster entering the city, causing them to retreat.
• Weng Deyan's men are beaten by an unknown expert, and he learns that all two hundred Canal Gang brothers were taken down.

Character Developments

• Weng Deyan: Displayed his arrogance, power, and connections, but also showed fear when faced with an unknown expert.
• Xue Ning: Demonstrated her peak expert status and cold demeanor, but held back when ordered to retreat.
• Zhuifeng: Showed concern for his fellow constables and determination to bring Weng Deyan to justice.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and corruption: The Canal Gang's control over the pier and their involvement in smuggling reflect the theme of power abuse and corruption.
• The struggle against corruption: The Six Fan School's efforts to investigate and confront the Canal Gang highlight their role in fighting corruption.

Character Interactions

• Xue Ning and Weng Deyan: Their standoff showcased the power imbalance between the Canal Gang and the Six Fan School, with Weng Deyan relying on his connections and Xue Ning relying on her martial prowess.
• Zhuifeng and Weng Deyan: Zhuifeng's determination to bring Weng Deyan to justice was met with Weng Deyan's arrogance and defiance, highlighting the tension between the two parties.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou, using his Yellow Millet Dream skill, beats up the entire Shallow Water Pier Canal Gang, leaving them with no memory of his appearance or actions.
• The incident sparks rumors of a "Yellow Millet Immortal" punishing the gang, causing fear and unease among them and the public.
• Lin Shou returns to the Corpse-Stitching Shop and plans to use his new identity strategically in the future.
• At the Examination Hall, Lin Shou helps reattach the head of a damaged statue of Master, triggering the Record of Selling Corpses to appear with a Heaven-Grade Rank Five corpse price.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou: Shows restraint in using his newfound power, understanding the importance of self-control and not crossing his own bottom line.
• Weng Deyan: Frustrated and humiliated, he suspects the Six Fan School is behind the attack on his gang and becomes paranoid.

Significant Themes

• The power of identity and disguise, as seen through Lin Shou's use of the Yellow Millet Dream.
• The consequences of one's actions and the fear they instill in others, as demonstrated by the Canal Gang's reaction to the "Yellow Millet Immortal."

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the clerks from the Bureau of Corpse Management, showing kindness and camaraderie by bringing them food and helping with the statue.
• Weng Deyan and the Canal Gang interact with the public, who spread rumors about the "Yellow Millet Immortal," further damaging their reputation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou returns to the Corpse-Stitching Shop and finds five corpses delivered from the Examination Hall.
• He triggered the Record of Selling Corpses while repairing a statue, receiving a Heaven-Grade Rank Five reward: the Classic of Haoran Qi.
• Lin Shou uses the Classic to cultivate his talent qi, building a Temple of Literature in his chest.
• He studies Confucian classics, increasing his talent qi and enhancing his literary and debating skills.
• Lin Shou stiches the five corpses, receiving Yellow-Grade rewards: two Confucian classics, an Elixir of the Unbroken Tongue, a Spear of Lips and Sword of Tongue technique, and a Ruler of Preaching and Teaching.
• He tests the Ruler on a big black dog at Qingcheng Teahouse.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou learns to cultivate his talent qi using the Classic of Haoran Qi, enhancing his wisdom, literary grace, and debating skills.
• He becomes more confident in his abilities and gains a new tool for verbal sparring (Spear of Lips and Sword of Tongue technique) and teaching (Ruler of Preaching and Teaching).

Significant Themes

• Cultivation of both physical abilities (Vitality of All Things) and mental/spiritual wisdom (Humanistic Talent Qi).
• The power of words and knowledge: Lin Shou's new skills allow him to influence others verbally and teach them.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the big black dog at Qingcheng Teahouse, using the Ruler of Preaching and Teaching to impart skills to it.
• Although not present in this chapter, Lin Shou's interactions with other characters (like Ziyu) are implied, as he recalls their conversations and teachings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liu Huanzhi and He Yinde, sons of political rivals, meet on Caishikou Street to witness a renowned beauty, the "Tofu Beauty."
• They find a poetic line written in water on the street, admiring its brilliance.
• They witness a black dog peeing out poetic lines, matching the earlier ones, and invite it to join them at a nearby teahouse.

Character Developments

• Liu Huanzhi: A literary-minded scholar who appreciates poetry and calligraphy, he is initially disdainful of He Yinde's lack of literary talent but tolerates him for his wealth.
• He Yinde: Despite his illiteracy, he is proud of his poetry and generous with his wealth, which earns him a place in Liu Huanzhi's poetry society.
• Lin Shou: A tofu shop owner and martial artist, he is practical and indifferent to the literary pursuits of the scholars around him.
• Ning Luowei: A martial artist who has caught a cold, she is dramatic and seeks Lin Shou's company and care.

Significant Themes

• The clash between literary talent and wealth, as represented by Liu Huanzhi and He Yinde.
• The unexpected and miraculous, symbolized by the dog peeing out poetic lines.
• The contrast between the martial world and the literary world, shown through Lin Shou and the scholars.

Character Interactions

• Liu Huanzhi and He Yinde: Despite their fathers' rivalry, they maintain a friendly relationship, with Liu Huanzhi tolerating He Yinde's lack of literary talent for his wealth.
• Lin Shou and Ning Luowei: Lin Shou is indifferent to Ning Luowei's dramatic displays of illness, prioritizing his own tasks over her company.
• Liu Huanzhi and the Black Dog: Liu Huanzhi is amazed and intrigued by the dog's poetic ability, inviting it to join them at the teahouse.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou returns to the Corpse-Stitching Shop after the Ruler of Preaching and Teaching's effects on the big black dog.
• He continues soloing the Autumn Examination dungeon, improving his literary talent, and obtaining literary qi-powered trinkets.
• He observes a mysterious figure in the Examination Hall at night, leaving comments on examinees' papers and causing some to go mad or commit suicide.
• No corpse-stitchers die during the Autumn Examination, leading to speculation about Lin Shou's righteous qi or fate as a Heavenly Sha Lone Star.
• Lin Shou fails to identify the mysterious figure from the Lanterns of Life, deciding to investigate further in three years.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou's literary talent in the Temple of Literature increases to 15 wen.
• He obtains new literary qi-powered trinkets and calligraphy techniques.
• Lin Shou's reputation grows among the other corpse-stitchers for taking on all the dangerous work.

Significant Themes

• The power of literary talent and its limitations.
• The strangeness of the Examination Hall and the possibility of ghosts.
• The impact of the imperial examinations on people's lives.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with other corpse-stitchers, who express concern for his safety.
• He deals with the family of a deceased snake-catcher, discovering a strange and gruesome cause of death.
• Lin Shou's relationship with the big black dog improves after teaching it Tang and Song poetry.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou examines a corpse and finds unusual teeth marks, indicating it was eaten from the inside out by some creature.
• The deceased is revealed to be a Mountain Traveler, a person who makes a living by finding and selling mountain treasures.
• Lin Shou learns about the Mountain Traveler's last day, where he encountered something terrifying in a graveyard on An Mountain.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou shows curiosity and concern about the mysterious creature on An Mountain.
• The Mountain Traveler's life story is revealed, showing his determination to make a living despite his lack of skill.

Significant Themes

• The dangers and allure of mountain treasures.
• The contrast between real and fake Mountain Travelers.
• The fear and mystery surrounding the supernatural.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the old woman who came to collect her son's corpse.
• Lin Shou's thoughts about his koi fish and the upcoming winter imply his consideration for his own well-being and the state of his business.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou visits the Bird Market, where he encounters a starving, unwanted mutt.
• He feeds the mutt a Virility Mushroom from the Record of Selling Corpses.
• Master Dog, a prominent figure in the dog-trading business, owns two undefeated Western mastiffs for breeding and fighting.
• The mutt Lin Shou fed sneaks into Master Dog's kennel, killing all the male dogs and impregnating the female ones.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou shows compassion towards the mutt, feeding it despite his own meager resources.
• Master Dog is revealed to be ruthless and greedy, exploiting dogs for profit and status.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the wealthy, idle dandies and the struggling common folk.
• The exploitation and mistreatment of animals for profit and entertainment.
• The consequences of greed and disregard for life.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the mutt, showing kindness and understanding.
• Master Dog interacts with his man, displaying anger and disregard for the lives of his dogs.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou visits the Bird Market to buy koi and encounters a dying myna with a broken wing.
• He buys the myna for ten coppers and uses the Yunnan White Ointment to heal its wing.
• The myna recovers and starts flying around the Corpse-Stitching Shop. Lin Shou names it "Word Bird" and begins training it to speak.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou demonstrates his kindness and willingness to help even the smallest of creatures. He also shows his patience and determination in training the myna.
• The myna, now named Word Bird, shows intelligence and understanding, cooperating with Lin Shou and learning to speak.

Significant Themes

• The value of life and the importance of giving creatures a chance to live, even if they seem insignificant or worthless to others.
• The power of patience and determination in nurturing growth and understanding.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with the bird seller at the market, showing empathy for the dying myna.
• Lin Shou communicates with the myna using his "Tireless Teaching" ability, establishing a bond and beginning its training.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Shou continues to cultivate and train his myna, which he names 'Little Red'.
• He receives a corpse from Chen father and son, the shopkeeper who killed a rogue at Young Master Chen's wedding. The corpse shows signs of being eaten by the same 'demon' from An Mountain.
• Lin Shou discovers coal ash on the corpse's shoes, suggesting a connection to An Mountain.
• After stitching the corpse, Lin Shou gains the martial arts technique 'Thousand-Mile Lone Rider'.

Character Developments

• Lin Shou's relationship with Little Red deepens as he cares for and trains the bird.
• Lin Shou's skills in carpentry improve, allowing him to build a nest for Little Red at the Azure Dragon position.
• Lin Shou's cultivation progress accelerates due to his daily activities with Little Red and the Classic of Burial.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between humans and animals, explored through Lin Shou's bond with Little Red.
• The consequences of past actions, shown through the shopkeeper's death and its connection to his past life as a bodyguard.
• The power of momentum, illustrated by the Thousand-Mile Lone Rider technique.

Character Interactions

• Lin Shou interacts with Chen father and son, who bring him the shopkeeper's corpse.
• Lin Shou visits the Bird Market and interacts with a marten vendor, learning about Yellow Weasels.