Little Stone

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Little Stone (小石头)
Alias(es)	Brother Stone
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Lower Yan Village
Occupation/Role	Village child; Zi Bofeng's younger brother in all but blood; pupil in Zi Bofeng's classes
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background

Little Stone's father, formerly Lower Yan Village's best hunter, died after being gravely injured during a hunt. His mother, Yan Wu Shi, was driven from her late husband's family while pregnant and raised Little Stone alone in a damaged house beside the Zi residence. Zi Jian and Zi Bofeng helped repair the home, and the two households became mutually dependent. 7

Before Zi Bofeng's change in demeanor, Little Stone feared him because his brother constantly forced him to read and write. Even so, he waited with Zi Jian outside the examination hall with steamed buns for him, then cried in fear when Zi Bofeng collapsed. 2

Appearance

Little Stone is a thin young boy, often dirty from roaming the mountains and waterways.

• Shaved scalp, described as bluish after shaving. 2
• Large head, thin neck, spindly limbs, and large, quick-moving eyes. 3
• Frequently likened to a “mud monkey” or tabby cat because of his perpetually grimy appearance. 24 49
• Gains some weight and becomes less dark-skinned as Lower Yan Village's conditions improve. 49

Personality

Little Stone is fearless, energetic, and difficult to keep still. He steals wolf cubs, catches fish, climbs walls, follows his brother on errands, and readily chases after animals or adventure. 2 23 34

He is also affectionate and loyal. Although initially intimidated by Zi Bofeng, he grows increasingly attached to him, protects him during the confrontation with Si Gou, and looks up to him as both brother and teacher. 14 26 27

His curiosity often overrides caution. He is fascinated by supernatural objects such as Zi Bofeng's abacus, but can be frightened by the idea of monsters when Zi Jian's warnings make the danger feel real. 6 19

Skills & Traits

Agility and daring

• Climbs the Mengcheng Prefecture wall to meet Qiu'er. 23
• Pursues an escaped white fox without hesitation. 34
• Sneaks away from lessons and other supervision when bored. 26

Courage and loyalty

• Bites Si Gou while defending Zi Bofeng. 14
• Faces city guards while helping care for Zhuzi's mother; Feijianzi intervenes before he is struck. 33
• Helps Zhuzi and finds the Three-Clawed Eagle egg that ultimately saves Zhuzi's mother. 35

Learning

• Initially resisted Zi Bofeng's lessons out of fear of being lectured. 2
• Begins to enjoy studying after Zi Bofeng changes to a more encouraging teaching style. 26
• Is among the children prepared by Zi Bofeng for academy entrance examinations. 27

Possessions

• Wooden doll — A lifelike carving of Little Stone made by Zi Bofeng; Qiu'er keeps it paired with her own doll. 3 4
• Two puppies — Little Stone claims the two fastest-growing puppies from Xitui's litter and insists on sleeping with them. 30 50
• Carrier pigeons — Carries a cage containing Yan Lao Wu's last two surviving pigeons during a journey. 20

Relationships

• Zi Bofeng — Older-brother figure, guardian, teacher, and frequent partner in mischief. Their relationship shifts from fear to trust and admiration. 2 14 26
• Yan Wu Shi — Mother; raised him alone after his father's death. 7
• Zi Jian — Close family elder and neighbor who helped support Little Stone and his mother. 7
• Qiu'er — Prefect's daughter and Little Stone's playmate. Zi Bofeng jokingly treats their paired wooden dolls as a future match; Little Stone repeatedly visits Meng City to see her. 4 23 24 32
• Zhuzi — Village elder who warns Little Stone away from mountain traps and later shares a closer bond with him. 27 35
• Feijianzi — Immortal who saves Little Stone from a guard at the city gate; Little Stone feels that Feijianzi resembles Zi Bofeng and calls him “brother.” 33
• Xitui's puppies — Little Stone's treasured pets, accelerated in growth by Zi Bofeng's Monster Raising Art. 30 50

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return from Meng City

Little Stone welcomes Zi Bofeng after the examination, offers him buns, and witnesses his collapse. He later returns to Lower Yan Village with Zi Bofeng and Zi Jian, where his wish to ride the Galloping Horse Stone provides the final impulse for its transformation. 2 6

Discovering the Big Blue Rock

He accompanies Zi Bofeng to the Big Blue Rock, mistakes his brother's examination of it for madness, and listens enthusiastically to Zi Bofeng's explanation of echoes as “science.” The rock's spiritual energy also quietly nourishes him while he plays in the cold stream. 12

Defender of Zi Bofeng

When Si Gou threatens Zi Bofeng, Little Stone defends his brother by biting the drunkard. His loyalty helps demonstrate that Zi Bofeng is not facing the village's hostility alone. 14

Education and village life

Little Stone attends Zi Bofeng's open-air classes, repeatedly attempts to slip away, and responds positively when praised for his quick learning. 25 26

Meng City and the white fox

He secretly visits Qiu'er in Mengcheng Prefecture, later encounters the captured white fox, frees it from its cage, and chases it when it escapes. 23 34

Raising the puppies

Little Stone becomes attached to Xitui's litter, especially the two puppies that open their eyes early and grow faster after receiving the effects of the Monster Raising Art. 30 50

Trivia

• Little Stone is afraid of Zi Bofeng's stern gaze despite being described as afraid of little else. 2
• He believes anything he cannot understand, including Zi Bofeng's calligraphy, must be good. 6
• He mistakes an exhausted magical abacus for a dead one. 19
• He hides snacks from Qiu'er to bring back for Zi Jian and Zi Bofeng. 23