Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Xiaoyuan thanks the River God for saving him and promises to offer him elaborate meals every day in exchange for a blessing for his ailing grandfather.
• He explains that his wealthy family has long cared about the Qinglan River. His father planned to invest heavily in restoring it, but died before he could act.
• Qi reveals that both of his parents were killed two years earlier by falling stones while on their way to discuss the river restoration project with an Environmental Protection Bureau official.
• He Qinglan questions why the river remains polluted if Qi’s father truly intended to restore it, showing his distrust of empty promises.
• He Qinglan compares the suspicious deaths to Qi’s recent car accident, implying that neither incident was coincidental.
• Qi realizes that his parents’ deaths, the attempted car crash, and possibly his grandfather’s condition may all be connected. Overcome with anger, he tries to seize He Qinglan.
• Shui Wuyuan intervenes with an extremely forceful downpour, knocking Qi back and reprimanding him for touching He Qinglan.
• After being drenched and jolted back to his senses, Qi apologizes. Shui Wuyuan stops the rain, though he continues mocking He Qinglan for wasting his limited spiritual power to help others.

Character Developments

• Qi Xiaoyuan: Moves from desperate supplication to shock and fury after recognizing the possibility that his family has been deliberately targeted. Despite his emotional outburst, he quickly regains control and apologizes, showing respect and dependence on He Qinglan.
• He Qinglan: Remains wary of Qi’s promises and concerned with genuine action rather than wealth or grand intentions. He demonstrates compassion by calming Qi and protecting him from being overwhelmed by grief, while also revealing his limited spiritual strength.
• Shui Wuyuan: Displays intense, possessive loyalty toward He Qinglan. He treats Qi with contempt and reacts aggressively when Qi attempts to touch the River God, suggesting that he sees himself as He Qinglan’s protector or superior guardian.

Significant Themes

• Desperation and faith: Qi is willing to believe in and bargain with an unknown supernatural being because he has no other hope of saving his grandfather.
• Action versus empty promises: He Qinglan challenges Qi’s family’s claims about restoring the river, emphasizing that intentions mean little without results.
• Fate versus deliberate wrongdoing: The suspiciously precise circumstances of the family deaths and car accident raise the possibility that what appears to be fate is actually a planned conspiracy.
• Grief and trauma: Qi’s unresolved pain over his parents’ deaths continues to shape his behavior and judgment.
• Protection and loyalty: Shui Wuyuan’s intervention highlights his fierce allegiance to He Qinglan, though his protectiveness is expressed through arrogance and violence.

Character Interactions

• Qi Xiaoyuan pleads with He Qinglan for his grandfather’s blessing and offers food and family connections as repayment.
• He Qinglan interrogates Qi about his father’s environmental promises, then uses the recent car accident to lead him toward recognizing a larger threat.
• Qi nearly attacks He Qinglan in anger, but Shui Wuyuan stops him with a punishing rainstorm and verbally denounces him.
• He Qinglan silently criticizes Shui Wuyuan’s excessive response, while Shui Wuyuan mocks He Qinglan for helping others despite his own lack of spiritual power.

Chapter 13 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The River God, He Qinglan, explains that Qi Xiaoyuan’s severe Corrupting Miasma was not caused by an ordinary accident. It is man-made and has followed him for at least two years, nearly contaminating his body.
• He Qinglan cannot remove the miasma completely, but promises to protect Qi at set times each day. Qi must remain near the Qinglan River, whose current condition appears connected to his safety and the River God’s power.
• Qi eagerly agrees to help clean the river every night and promises to care for it. He also asks He Qinglan to examine his unconscious grandfather, and He Qinglan agrees to visit him that evening.
• Qi begins offering He Qinglan food, clothing, and other support, but his efforts are immediately overshadowed by Shui Wuyuan, Huazhou’s richest man.
• Shui arrives in an extravagant convoy with attendants carrying custom clothing, lavish food, luxury furnishings, and other supplies for He Qinglan. His display turns the polluted riverside into a public spectacle.
• The chapter shifts to the perspective of surrounding commuters and onlookers, who film Shui and recognize him as a famous, powerful, and flamboyant public figure.

Character Developments

• Qi Xiaoyuan: Moves from despair and confusion to hope and determination. Learning that his misfortune was deliberately caused gives him a serious mystery to investigate, while He Qinglan’s protection provides him with a chance to survive. He becomes deeply devoted to the River God and is eager to repay him through river-cleaning and practical support.
• He Qinglan: Demonstrates compassion and responsibility by protecting Qi and agreeing to help his grandfather. However, he is also irritated and embarrassed by Shui Wuyuan’s excessive, attention-grabbing generosity.
• Shui Wuyuan: Reveals his possessive, competitive, and extravagant personality. He appears determined to outdo Qi’s modest offers and monopolize He Qinglan’s attention. His public image combines arrogance and wealth with a reputation for decisive, heroic, and charitable behavior.

Significant Themes

• Hidden malice and conspiracy: Qi’s miasma was deliberately placed on him, suggesting that his parents’ deaths, his accident, and his grandfather’s condition may be connected to a larger plot.
• Protection and loyalty: Qi’s promise to care for the river reflects his gratitude and growing loyalty toward He Qinglan.
• Pollution and spiritual corruption: The Qinglan River’s physical pollution parallels the supernatural Corrupting Miasma infecting Qi and weakening the River God.
• Wealth versus sincerity: Qi offers humble, heartfelt service, while Shui offers overwhelming material luxury. Their contrasting forms of devotion create both comedy and rivalry.
• Public image and spectacle: Shui’s arrival attracts crowds and online attention, highlighting his celebrity status and the way extraordinary wealth turns private interactions into public entertainment.

Character Interactions

• He Qinglan gives Qi a serious warning about the miasma and establishes the conditions of his protection.
• Qi responds with enthusiastic gratitude, promising to clean the river and asking for help with his grandfather.
• Before Qi can continue offering support, Shui interrupts with a lavish display intended to impress He Qinglan and outspend his rival.
• Shui’s teasing invitation to He Qinglan, contrasted with He Qinglan’s silent annoyance, establishes the chapter’s central comedic dynamic: Shui aggressively seeks attention while He Qinglan resists his advances.

Chapter Summary

• Public perception of Shui Wuyuan: After five years of observing him, netizens have accepted that Shui Wuyuan’s arrogance, trash-talking, extravagant spending, and dramatic behavior are genuine rather than an act. Instead of trying to change him, they now enjoy watching him create chaos and verbally “roast” others.
• The confrontation begins: Shui Wuyuan faces his former childhood sweetheart, He Qinglan—the “Immortal Pretty Boy” and River God whom he once fought with as a child. Spectators assume Shui may be trying to humiliate He Qinglan through an overwhelming display of wealth, offering him food, clothing, and other luxuries.
• He Qinglan attacks without warning: Rather than react with embarrassment or hurt, He Qinglan smiles warmly and beautifully before suddenly punching Shui. The blow nearly hits Shui’s nose and overturns his expensive CEO chair. The onlookers and Shui’s attendants are stunned by the River God’s speed and fighting ability.
• Their hostile banter: Shui angrily demands to know why He Qinglan attacked him, insisting that he had deliberately refrained from fighting because He Qinglan was physically weak. He Qinglan coolly replies that Shui looked as though he needed a beating. He even tells Shui to attack him while he is weakened, claiming the other gods are asleep and will not find out.
• Shui refuses to exploit He Qinglan’s weakness: Although furious, Shui declares that he is not the kind of person who takes advantage of someone in poor condition. He promises to wait until He Qinglan fully recovers before defeating him. He Qinglan teasingly accepts the challenge, saying he will wait for Shui to make him beg for mercy. Unable to retaliate, Shui’s anger triggers another rainstorm.
• Shui follows He Qinglan: After dismissing his attendants and convoy, Shui stubbornly leaves his luxurious chair, desk, and a table of food behind, apparently intending to remain nearby while He Qinglan collects trash. He Qinglan and Qi Xiaoyuan continue toward the Qi family villa, with Shui following them.
• A quiet act of consideration: He Qinglan becomes disappointed when the soup dumplings he is eating grow cold and unattractive, since he values beautiful things and is particular about food. Shui notices this without directly acknowledging it. He returns with a freshly made, visually appealing flatbread filled with vegetables, fish, shrimp, egg, and tomato.
• Character development and relationship: Shui’s outward behavior remains boastful, irritable, and combative, but his actions reveal attentiveness and concern for He Qinglan’s preferences. He Qinglan continues to respond with calm provocation, showing that he is not intimidated by Shui’s wealth or temper. Their aggressive banter masks a familiar, possibly affectionate relationship rooted in their childhood history.
• Themes: The chapter emphasizes the contrast between appearance and genuine personality, the playful tension between wealth and pride, and the way care can be expressed through conflict and practical gestures. It also highlights the spectators’ enjoyment of the pair’s dramatic interactions and the unresolved emotional history between the former childhood companions.

Chapter 14 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shui Wuyuan playfully boasts about his wealth, power, and appearance while forcing He Qinglan to eat a pastry. He Qinglan quietly recognizes how much the former “Little Rain God” has matured.
• Qi Xiaoyuan leads He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan to the Qi family’s villa in Qinghe Garden, located near the relatively clean upper reaches of the Qinglan River.
• Qi Xiaoyuan reflects on his grandfather’s worsening health, his second uncle’s suspicious refusal to seek better medical treatment, and his recent attempts to prevent Qi from visiting. Hints from his cousins about inheritance deepen his suspicions.
• No one responds when Qi Xiaoyuan repeatedly rings the doorbell. He Qinglan tells him to stop and suggests entering directly.
• Shui Wuyuan forcefully opens the courtyard gate and detects an extremely dense concentration of “Corrupting Miasma,” warning that it could have killed someone many times over.
• Realizing his grandfather may be in danger, Qi Xiaoyuan rushes to the dark villa. At the front door, he encounters a layer of foul aura that clings to him and begins contaminating him again.
• Shui Wuyuan sarcastically predicts that Qi Xiaoyuan could suffer another accident if he continues touching the door, but refuses to help immediately.
• He Qinglan understands the situation and prepares to break through the barrier himself.

Character Developments

• He Qinglan: Shows affection and nostalgia toward Shui Wuyuan, recognizing his growth from an arrogant, troublesome child into a powerful god. He remains observant and compassionate, especially toward Qi Xiaoyuan, and takes responsibility for dealing with the dangerous miasma.
• Shui Wuyuan: Displays a flamboyant, boastful personality while interacting with He Qinglan, but becomes intimidating and ruthless when confronting the Qi family’s situation. His contempt for humans and reluctance to help them are emphasized.
• Qi Xiaoyuan: Moves from uneasy suspicion to urgent alarm as evidence suggests his grandfather may have been deliberately endangered. His determination to rescue him overrides his fear, though he is vulnerable to the corrupting aura.
• Qi Xiaoyuan’s Family: Though mostly offstage, the second uncle’s obstruction, the cousins’ inheritance-related hints, and the sealed, dark villa strongly suggest a conspiracy involving the grandfather’s illness.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and change: He Qinglan reflects on how people—and gods—change over the years, questioning how many old friends remain as they once were.
• Power and status: Shui Wuyuan’s exaggerated boasting contrasts with his genuine supernatural power and wealth, turning his showmanship into a display of dominance.
• Corruption hidden beneath prosperity: The wealthy, well-maintained neighborhood conceals a deadly spiritual contamination inside the Qi family home.
• Family betrayal and greed: Suspicion surrounding the grandfather’s illness and the inheritance hints at exploitation within the family.
• Divine indifference versus human compassion: Shui Wuyuan treats human suffering with disdain, while He Qinglan remains willing to intervene and protect Qi Xiaoyuan.

Character Interactions

• Shui Wuyuan teases and pressures He Qinglan to praise him, while He Qinglan responds with restrained amusement and affection.
• Qi Xiaoyuan notices the closeness between them, observing that they seem to shut out the rest of the world when together.
• He Qinglan quietly guides Qi Xiaoyuan and protects him from rushing blindly into danger.
• Shui Wuyuan exposes his intimidating side when opening the gate and diagnosing the miasma, contrasting sharply with his earlier childish behavior.

Chapter 25 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Xiaoyuan arrives at his family’s villa with He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan, which is surrounded by Corrupting Miasma.
• His second aunt opens the doors and pretends that Qi Xiaoyuan’s grandfather, Qi Dahai, is dying and wishes to see him. Her eerie behavior and the darkness inside reveal that something is deeply wrong.
• Hearing a crash upstairs, Qi Xiaoyuan rushes inside despite the danger. He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan follow, protected from the Miasma.
• He Qinglan recognizes that Second Aunt Qi has been almost completely corrupted by the Miasma. Its murderous resentment suggests that she may have been involved in the deaths of Qi Xiaoyuan’s parents. He also suspects she has used evil methods to prolong her life and intends to sacrifice Qi Xiaoyuan.
• Upstairs, Qi Xiaoyuan finds his grandfather awake but gravely weakened. His second uncle is pressing down on Qi Dahai’s head, apparently draining or killing him.
• Qi Dahai warns Qi Xiaoyuan to run, but Qi Xiaoyuan attacks his second uncle instead.
• Second Uncle Qi overpowers him and begins draining Qi Xiaoyuan’s life force through his head. Rather than surrendering, Qi Xiaoyuan invokes the River God and fights back.
• His faith appears to activate the River God’s protection: the pain lessens, and a faint blue, water-like radiance surrounds his fists. He manages to hold Second Uncle Qi in a stalemate just as He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan arrive.

Character Developments

• Qi Xiaoyuan: Shows courage, loyalty, and fierce devotion to his grandfather. Though frightened, he overcomes his fear by relying on his companions and his faith in the River God. His repeated prayers unexpectedly manifest as tangible divine power.
• He Qinglan: Remains observant and composed, quickly identifying Second Aunt Qi’s corruption and likely role in the family tragedy. He is disgusted by her evil nature and confident in his ability to deal with threats.
• Shui Wuyuan: Protectively disperses the Miasma around himself and He Qinglan. He mocks Qi Xiaoyuan’s enthusiastic appeals to the River God, though his actions show he is actively safeguarding him.
• Second Aunt Qi: Is revealed as a deeply corrupted and murderous figure. Her false concern for Qi Xiaoyuan masks an attempt to lure him to his death.
• Second Uncle Qi: Has become unnaturally gaunt and demonic, apparently using an evil technique to drain Qi Dahai’s and Qi Xiaoyuan’s life force.
• Old Master Qi: Awakens briefly and tries to protect Qi Xiaoyuan by warning him to flee, despite his own helpless condition.

Significant Themes

• Faith producing power: Qi Xiaoyuan’s sincere belief in the River God grants him real protection and strength.
• Corruption and moral decay: The Corrupting Miasma physically reflects the Qi relatives’ accumulated resentment, violence, and wrongdoing.
• Family betrayal: The people inside the villa, who should be protecting the family, are instead responsible for its destruction.
• Courage through companionship: Qi Xiaoyuan’s fear diminishes when he remembers that He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan are behind him.
• Justice and divine punishment: Qi Xiaoyuan’s childish-sounding denunciations of cruelty and wrongdoing become a genuine invocation of supernatural justice.

Character Interactions

• Second Aunt Qi attempts to manipulate Qi Xiaoyuan by pretending to care about his grandfather, then becomes hostile toward He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan.
• He Qinglan intimidates Second Aunt Qi merely through his gaze and refuses to dignify her corruption with direct attention.
• Qi Xiaoyuan confronts Second Uncle Qi physically after seeing him attack Qi Dahai.
• Qi Dahai urges Qi Xiaoyuan to escape, but Qi Xiaoyuan refuses to abandon him.
• Qi Xiaoyuan’s prayers and fighting spirit oppose Second Uncle Qi’s life-draining technique, creating a supernatural stalemate witnessed by He Qinglan, Shui Wuyuan, and Qi Dahai.

Chapter 15 Summary

Key plot points and events

Shui Wuyuan and He Qinglan arrive at the Qi family home, where Second Uncle Qi is fighting Qi Xiaoyuan. Upon seeing the pearl He Qinglan carries, Second Uncle Qi becomes violently obsessed and attacks him. He Qinglan effortlessly defeats him with a single slap, then retrieves a black branch hidden in his clothing. Shui Wuyuan identifies it as a Life Essence Spirit Branch corrupted by dark, miasmatic power. He Qinglan lacks enough Spiritual Power to contain it, so Shui Wuyuan seals it in water. He Qinglan places the sphere in the fish tank, instructing the Black Carp to purify it by absorbing the corruption.
He Qinglan cleanses some of Old Master Qi’s corruption and confirms that Second Uncle Qi was responsible for tampering with the family and causing Qi Xiaoyuan’s parents’ deaths, likely through the influence of an evil demon. He assures the family that the danger has passed and examines Second Uncle Qi’s memories to uncover the truth. Later, Second Uncle Qi confesses that he turned to a mysterious “master” and received a treasure capable of granting wishes in exchange for sacrifices. He used it to eliminate his brother, harm rivals, and destroy anyone who stood in his way.

Character developments

• He Qinglan demonstrates overwhelming physical strength and a calm, almost otherworldly temperament, while also showing concern for the Qi family by purifying Old Master Qi and resolving the supernatural threat. His limited Spiritual Power becomes evident when he attempts to contain the corrupted branch.
• Shui Wuyuan acts as the more knowledgeable and powerful partner, recognizing the spirit branch and supplying the Sourcewater Power needed to restrain it. His playful rivalry with He Qinglan remains intact.
• Qi Xiaoyuan is forced to confront the reality of gods, demons, and supernatural powers. His trust in He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan grows, though the revelations leave him shocked and unable to sleep.
• Second Uncle Qi is exposed as greedy, resentful, and morally corrupt. His jealousy over the family inheritance drove him to accept demonic power and commit murder.
• The Black Carp gains a more active role, using its ability to absorb and purify Corrupting Power.

Significant themes

• Greed and resentment: Second Uncle Qi’s dissatisfaction with receiving only part of the family wealth escalates into betrayal, murder, and dependence on supernatural forces.
• The corruption of power: The Life Essence Spirit Branch, once a symbol of life, has been polluted by dark energy, mirroring how the uncle’s desire for wealth has twisted him.
• The collision of ordinary and supernatural worlds: Qi Xiaoyuan’s worldview collapses as he witnesses divine abilities, evil demons, magical treasures, and memory examination firsthand.
• Justice and protection: He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan intervene to protect the Qi family and expose the crimes hidden behind years of apparent misfortune.

Character interactions

He Qinglan sharply reprimands Shui Wuyuan for disrespecting Old Master Qi, then confronts and defeats Second Uncle Qi. Shui Wuyuan and He Qinglan cooperate closely to identify and contain the corrupted branch, with their familiar teasing dynamic continuing even during the crisis. Qi Xiaoyuan reacts with fear and awe toward He Qinglan, while He Qinglan reassures him that his family is safe. During the interrogation, Second Uncle Qi’s confession reveals his deep hostility toward his brother and his belief that his crimes were justified by his desire for wealth and recognition.

Chapter 27 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Shanyong confesses that he considered himself the “child of destiny” and had been using sacrifices to fulfill his wishes under the orders of a mysterious master.
• He blames Qi Xiaoyuan for repeatedly surviving and disrupting his plans, especially by refusing to drop out of the arts academy and instead selling pancakes there.
• Qi Shanyong reveals that he still needs He Qinglan’s Source Spring Spirit Pearl and fears dying because the sacrifices were insufficient and the backlash from using the Corrupting Miasma has begun.
• He suddenly suffers the backlash, collapses, and rapidly withers into a corpse. He lacks the power to transform into a demon, making death his only outcome.
• Outside, Qi Shanyong’s wife screams in terror and begs the Wood God for protection, suggesting she has also been punished or confronted by supernatural forces.
• He Qinglan realizes that the Life Essence Spirit Branches and the stolen spirit pearl are connected to the mysterious “master.” He suspects his lost pearl may have become a weapon used by evil forces.
• He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan prepare to leave the Qi residence. Qi Xiaoyuan considers reporting the incident to the police, though his understanding of reality has been completely overturned.
• He Qinglan offers to make Qi Xiaoyuan believe everything was only a dream, but Qi Xiaoyuan refuses, choosing painful truth over comforting ignorance.
• Qi Xiaoyuan reaffirms his devotion and promises to continue making daily offerings. He Qinglan accepts this, joking that he expects three meals a day.

Character Developments

• Qi Shanyong is exposed as selfish, delusional, and desperate. His belief that he is destined for greatness collapses under the consequences of his corruption, and his greed ultimately causes his death.
• Qi Xiaoyuan matures emotionally. Though shocked by the supernatural truth, he chooses to face reality rather than escape into confusion. His faith in He Qinglan also becomes more deliberate and resolute.
• He Qinglan remains calm and compassionate, showing concern for Qi Xiaoyuan despite his own weakened condition. He continues investigating the mysterious master and the fate of his missing spirit pearl.
• Shui Wuyuan, the Rain God, maintains his pride and competitive personality, boasting about his strength and mocking the other gods. His rivalry with He Qinglan and resentment toward the absent Wind, Thunder, and Fire Gods remain evident.
• Qi Shanyong’s wife appears to be overwhelmed by guilt and fear, possibly facing supernatural retribution for her role in the family’s wrongdoing.

Significant Themes

• Consequences of corruption: Qi Shanyong’s use of forbidden power and human sacrifices leads directly to his downfall.
• Truth versus comforting ignorance: Qi Xiaoyuan deliberately chooses to remain aware of the supernatural world, valuing reality even when it is painful.
• Faith and devotion: Qi Xiaoyuan’s continued offerings demonstrate that sincere belief can persist even after his worldview is shattered.
• Divine justice: The gods, particularly the Wood God, are associated with punishing corrupted souls rather than blessing them.
• The mystery of the missing spirit pearl: He Qinglan’s lost artifact may be empowering the very forces threatening the gods and the human world.

Character Interactions

• Qi Shanyong confronts Qi Xiaoyuan and He Qinglan, blaming them for his failures before dying from supernatural backlash.
• He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan discuss the Wood God and the condition of the ancient deities, revealing their differing attitudes and long-standing rivalries.
• He Qinglan comforts Qi Xiaoyuan by offering to erase his memories, but Qi Xiaoyuan rejects the offer and reaffirms his commitment.
• Their final exchange establishes a humorous yet meaningful bond: Qi Xiaoyuan promises devotion and offerings, while He Qinglan jokingly requests three meals a day.

Chapter 16 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Qinglan reassures Qi Xiaoyuan that gods, demons, and spirits can be understood as powerful forms of energy beyond current scientific knowledge. Qi points out that this makes the supernatural essentially scientific.
• Before leaving, He Qinglan asks why Qi sold pancakes outside Bicheng College of Arts. Qi explains that his grandfather, before falling unconscious, told him to remain near the school. Whenever Qi traveled too far away, he felt intense panic, but the feeling disappeared after he began selling pancakes outside.
• Qi realizes that his unease may not have been connected to the school itself, but to the nearby Clear Ripple River, which had once protected him but had since become polluted and weakened.
• He Qinglan silently accompanies Qi, releasing soothing water vapor and causing rain to fall, washing away some of the area’s polluted energy.
• Qi recalls a childhood memory in which his grandfather taught him to offer a red apple to the River God for protection. The memory reveals that Qi had unknowingly been connected to and protected by the river deity since childhood.
• He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan return to the most severely damaged section of the river. Though He Qinglan is weakened from awakening, repairing the river’s severed flow, and cleansing pollution, he still uses his remaining power to move quickly.
• Shui Wuyuan spends the journey teasing He Qinglan about his weakness and past habit of sleeping for long periods. He offers to restore He Qinglan’s water source if He Qinglan begs him, clearly hoping to make the proud River God submit.
• When He Qinglan raises a hand, Shui Wuyuan immediately retreats, remembering that He Qinglan has always been physically dangerous despite his elegant appearance. He Qinglan mocks his fear.
• Shui Wuyuan reassures himself that he is currently stronger and decides not to provoke He Qinglan, since he hopes to win him over and gain him as an ally or “little brother.”

Character Developments

• Qi Xiaoyuan: Begins to understand that his lifelong anxiety when leaving the area was actually a protective instinct tied to Clear Ripple River. His childhood memories also reveal his family’s traditional belief in the River God and suggest that the deity has watched over him for years.
• He Qinglan: Shows compassion toward Qi and actively cleanses the polluted environment. Although weakened, he remains confident, intimidating, and playful, maintaining his sharp personality while gradually revealing a protective side.
• Shui Wuyuan: Continues acting mischievously and arrogantly, but his fear of He Qinglan exposes their complicated history. Beneath his teasing, he is genuinely pleased by the possibility of gaining He Qinglan’s loyalty and companionship.

Significant Themes

• Science and the supernatural: The chapter humorously blurs the boundary between scientific phenomena and divine or spiritual existence.
• Faith and protection: Qi’s grandfather’s belief that everything in nature possesses a spirit contrasts with Qi’s father’s skepticism, while the events suggest that the grandfather’s faith was justified.
• Human–nature connection: The river is portrayed as a living, protective presence whose decline mirrors environmental pollution and spiritual damage.
• Memory and destiny: Qi’s childhood offering foreshadows his connection to the River God and explains why the river has remained central to his life.
• Pride and companionship: Shui Wuyuan’s teasing reflects an old rivalry, but his desire to recruit He Qinglan reveals affection and a wish for renewed companionship.

Character Interactions

• He Qinglan and Qi Xiaoyuan share a quieter, more sincere exchange in which He Qinglan learns about Qi’s connection to the river.
• He Qinglan’s rain and cleansing power provide Qi with indirect reassurance and protection.
• Shui Wuyuan constantly provokes He Qinglan, while He Qinglan responds with understated threats and mockery.
• Their interaction reveals a long-standing relationship built on rivalry, fear, familiarity, and mutual interest, with Shui Wuyuan hoping to bring He Qinglan onto his side.

Chapter 29 Summary

Plot and events

He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan return to the riverbank at night and discover that the garbage He Qinglan cleaned up earlier has been dumped there again. The river is blocked, and Shui Wuyuan’s reclining chair and desk have been deliberately destroyed. Furious, Shui Wuyuan summons a violent thunderstorm and uses rainwater to capture seven young thugs responsible for the dumping. He is prepared to kill them, but He Qinglan stops him, warning that killing humans would expose him to Corrupting Miasma and potentially lead him toward ruin.
Shui Wuyuan releases the men but remains defiant, claiming their lives are insignificant. The gang leader, Liu Dalong, explains that they were paid by Gao Feng to dump the garbage and cause trouble for He Qinglan. Terrified by the supernatural situation, Liu promises that he and his men will clean everything up.

Character developments

• He Qinglan demonstrates a firm moral code and concern for human life, even when the humans have deliberately harmed his river and damaged property. His warning about Corrupting Miasma shows his knowledge of the dangers ancient deities face when they indulge in violence. He remains calm and authoritative, relying on intimidation rather than revenge.
• Shui Wuyuan reveals a darker, more dangerous side beneath his usual eccentricity. His anger over the destruction of his belongings triggers a near-lethal response, showing how easily his temper and divine power can become destructive. Nevertheless, he ultimately restrains himself, partly because of He Qinglan’s intervention.
• Liu Dalong shifts quickly from a threatening thug to a terrified and submissive witness. He realizes that he and his companions have provoked beings far beyond their understanding and eagerly confesses the truth to save themselves.

Significant themes

• Power and restraint: The chapter contrasts Shui Wuyuan’s overwhelming divine power with He Qinglan’s self-control and ethical boundaries.
• The danger of corruption: Corrupting Miasma represents the spiritual consequences of acting recklessly, emphasizing that even gods are not free from the consequences of their choices.
• Human insignificance versus moral responsibility: Shui Wuyuan views the thugs as disposable “insects,” while He Qinglan insists that being human still grants them value and should prevent casual killing.
• Environmental harm and justice: The repeated dumping of garbage into the river is both a practical threat and a deliberate provocation, linking human greed and pollution with supernatural punishment.

Character interactions

He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan clash directly over whether the captured men should die. He Qinglan physically restrains Shui Wuyuan and commands both the thugs and Shui Wuyuan to leave the river, while Shui Wuyuan resists to preserve his pride. Their exchange highlights their contrasting personalities: He Qinglan is principled and controlled, whereas Shui Wuyuan is proud, volatile, and provocative. Liu Dalong’s confession also reveals that Gao Feng orchestrated the attack, establishing a human antagonist behind the river’s repeated pollution.

Chapter 17 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Seven men, led by Liu Dalong, beg for forgiveness after helping Zhang Feng harass He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan. They offer to make amends by cleaning the garbage clogging the river and selling the recyclable material.
• He Qinglan senses that although the men carry corrupt energy, they have not committed murder and do not possess murderous karma. He decides to spare them and reform them through forced labor.
• The men begin clearing the river under Shui Wuyuan’s furious control. Ice pellets rain down on them, punishing them while they work.
• He Qinglan repairs the desk and chair the men destroyed by touching them and using divine power.
• Shui Wuyuan remains angry, but He Qinglan calms him with a gentle touch to the forehead and a reminder not to lose his temper. Shui Wuyuan’s anger quickly fades, though he pretends to remain offended.
• After two hours of labor, the exhausted men are allowed a two-hour rest. Most collapse immediately, while Liu Dalong remains standing because he feels responsible for his group.
• Liu Dalong respectfully asks permission to retrieve their vehicles so the injured men can rest somewhere dry and take medicine. Shui Wuyuan ominously points out that the vehicles have already appeared beside the river, despite having been left several kilometers away.
• Liu Dalong realizes that the supernatural beings have somehow transported the vehicles, terrifying him further.

Character Developments

• He Qinglan demonstrates mercy and practicality. Rather than killing the men, he chooses rehabilitation through labor, showing both moral restraint and concern for their physical well-being.
• Shui Wuyuan is revealed to be powerful but emotionally reactive. His anger is fierce, yet He Qinglan can easily soothe him, highlighting their intimate relationship and Shui Wuyuan’s dependence on him.
• Liu Dalong shifts from an intimidating gang leader into a frightened, responsible figure. Despite his fear, he remains concerned for his injured companions and accepts responsibility for their welfare.
• The seven men begin their punishment and involuntary reform. Their suffering teaches them a lasting lesson about littering, authority, and the consequences of following corrupt leaders.

Significant Themes

• Justice tempered by mercy: He Qinglan punishes wrongdoing without resorting to unnecessary violence, allowing the men a chance to reform.
• Environmental responsibility: Cleaning the polluted river becomes both literal punishment and moral correction.
• Power and fear: The men are completely helpless before the gods, whose supernatural abilities make ordinary human resistance impossible.
• Compassion beneath authority: Although He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan appear frightening, He Qinglan permits rest and worries that the laborers might become seriously ill.
• Intimacy and emotional balance: He Qinglan’s gentle intervention immediately calms Shui Wuyuan, emphasizing the trust and affection between them.

Character Interactions

• The repentant men plead with He Qinglan and attempt to flatter him into sparing them.
• Shui Wuyuan punishes the men through the icy rain while He Qinglan decides their fate.
• He Qinglan repairs the damaged furniture and gently touches Shui Wuyuan’s forehead, successfully defusing his anger.
• Liu Dalong approaches He Qinglan with extreme caution to request the vehicles, while Shui Wuyuan frightens him by revealing that the vehicles have mysteriously been transported to the riverbank.

Summary

Key plot points and events

• Liu Dalong and his six henchmen spend the night picking up garbage under the control of the terrifying Shui Wuyuan, who appears in the rain and ominously calls himself the “Rain God.”
• Liu recognizes Shui as Huazhou’s wealthy seafood and real-estate tycoon, increasing his fear and leading him to wonder whether Shui is actually a supernatural demon.
• After sleeping briefly in their car, Liu and his men wake up surprisingly healthy and energetic despite their exhausting, frightening night. Liu privately attributes this to Shui’s supernatural “blessing,” while the others assume it is simply youthful vitality.
• Liu concludes that continuing to pick up garbage may become their new routine, and he decides not to tell his men how afraid he is.
• Zhang Feng returns with streamers Meng Tiantian and Niu Zhuang to film another garbage-picking livestream. Their previous videos became popular because of the “Immortal Pretty Boy” and Shui Wuyuan.
• Zhang reveals that he deliberately hired Liu’s group to dump trash again, hoping to provoke Xiaobai and create dramatic footage for his livestream. He intends to exploit Xiaobai’s popularity to advance his own career.
• Instead of finding frightened or angry victims, Zhang is confronted by Liu and his six men, who surround him with threatening, mocking expressions. Zhang tries to maintain his composure and casually claim that his livestream inspired them, but Liu sarcastically rejects the idea.

Character developments

• Liu Dalong becomes increasingly terrified and submissive toward Shui Wuyuan, recognizing that he is far beyond an ordinary rich man. Although still a gang leader, Liu begins prioritizing survival and protecting his men over pride or authority.
• Liu also develops a grudgingly favorable impression of Xiaobai, viewing him as relatively kind and unlikely to harm them without reason.
• Shui Wuyuan is portrayed as powerful, cruelly amused, and possibly supernatural. His rain and cryptic blessing demonstrate his control over the situation.
• Zhang Feng is shown as ambitious, manipulative, and opportunistic. He sees Xiaobai merely as a tool for gaining fame and believes anyone who cannot exploit publicity will become his stepping stone.
• Liu’s six underlings remain comic and naïve, interpreting their supernatural recovery as ordinary physical vigor rather than recognizing the danger they are in.
• Xiaobai does not directly act in this excerpt, but his reputation continues to influence everyone’s behavior.

Significant themes

• Power and intimidation: Shui’s wealth, supernatural abilities, and presence completely overwhelm Liu’s gang, reversing the usual power relationship between gang leader and victim.
• Exploitation and publicity: Zhang treats real danger and other people’s suffering as material for livestream content, revealing the darker side of fame-seeking.
• Appearance versus reality: Zhang assumes he can control the narrative through filming, but the situation turns against him. Likewise, the men’s apparent health hides the fact that they have been subjected to Shui’s supernatural power.
• Comic horror and absurdity: Liu’s terrified speculation that Shui is a world-conquering demon contrasts with the mundane idea that garbage picking may become a daily job.
• Redemption through forced labor: The gang’s punishment may gradually redirect them from criminal activity toward useful, if humiliating, work.

Character interactions

• Shui Wuyuan mocks and frightens Liu, promising that the rain will “bless” the seven men while implying that their continued strength is under his control.
• Liu silently evaluates both Shui and Xiaobai, fearing Shui but trusting that Xiaobai is comparatively merciful.
• Zhang arrives intending to manipulate Xiaobai’s image, but Liu’s group turns the intended spectacle against him.
• Zhang attempts to claim credit for inspiring the garbage-picking effort, while Liu responds contemptuously, setting up a confrontation between Zhang’s manufactured public persona and the gang’s genuine resentment.

Chapter 18 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Feng’s scheme is exposed when the Liu brothers confront him during a livestream. Liu Dalong reveals that Zhang hired them to dump two truckloads of garbage on the area He Qinglan had cleaned.
• Liu Dalong publicly slaps Zhang while accusing him of faking his environmentally friendly image, sabotaging He Qinglan, and caring only about popularity and camera time.
• At first, viewers doubt the accusations and defend Zhang, but Liu Dalong produces their chat history and plays Zhang’s incriminating voice messages. The recordings prove Zhang deliberately wanted to embarrass He Qinglan and make him suffer.
• Zhang’s reputation collapses instantly. Even his supporters struggle to defend him, with one fan attempting to redirect attention toward the Liu brothers’ violence.
• Instead of allowing the argument to shift, Liu Dalong and his brothers publicly declare that He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan persuaded them to abandon their criminal lifestyle. They announce themselves as the “Liu Family Environmental Protection Seven” under He Qinglan’s command.
• The seven brothers dramatically bow and kneel before He Qinglan, stunning everyone present, including Qi Xiaoyuan, He Qinglan, and Shui Wuyuan.
• The incident becomes a major trending topic, intensifying the online legend surrounding “Immortal Pretty Boy.” Viewers are amazed that the thugs supposedly changed overnight and speculate about what He Qinglan did to reform them.

Character Developments

• Zhang Feng: His false public persona is destroyed. He is exposed as manipulative, jealous, and willing to harm the environment to sabotage a rival. His fear and helplessness replace his earlier confidence.
• Liu Dalong and the Liu brothers: They shift from threatening thugs to enthusiastic environmental activists. Their exaggerated loyalty to He Qinglan is both comedic and sincere, though Liu Dalong also appears to be using the public confession to protect himself and his brothers.
• He Qinglan: His reputation as an almost miraculous reformer grows, despite his largely silent role in the confrontation. Others interpret his influence as powerful enough to transform hardened criminals overnight.
• Shui Wuyuan: Remains skeptical and amused by the brothers’ shameless behavior, especially their dramatic attempt to attach themselves to He Qinglan.
• The viewers: Their perception of Zhang changes from admiration and doubt to shock and condemnation, while their fascination with He Qinglan increases.

Significant Themes

• Exposure of hypocrisy: Zhang’s carefully constructed environmental image is revealed as a commercial performance rather than genuine concern.
• Public image and livestream culture: Evidence, audience reaction, and online reputation determine the outcome of the confrontation. A single recording destroys Zhang’s carefully cultivated persona.
• Redemption and transformation: The Liu brothers’ sudden declaration of reform humorously presents the possibility of criminals being redirected toward a constructive purpose.
• Justice through public truth: Zhang is punished socially when his own words and messages are made public.
• Satire and absurdity: The brothers’ dramatic bows, titles, and simultaneous kowtowing exaggerate the situation, reinforcing the chapter’s comedic tone.

Important Character Interactions

• Liu Dalong and Zhang Feng: Liu Dalong physically confronts Zhang and verbally condemns his sabotage, using Zhang’s own messages as evidence.
• Liu Dalong and the livestream audience: He directly addresses Zhang’s fans, challenging them to examine the proof rather than blindly defend their idol.
• Liu brothers and He Qinglan: The brothers publicly credit He Qinglan with reforming them and pledge to follow his example.
• Shui Wuyuan and the Liu brothers: Shui reacts with cold amusement and skepticism to their blatant flattery and dramatic submission.
• The online audience and Zhang Feng: Viewers rapidly turn against Zhang once the recordings confirm his guilt, making the scandal a trending event.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Public opinion about He Qinglan, the “Immortal Pretty Boy,” shifts. Although many initially suspect his riverbank trash-picking is a publicity stunt, people begin recognizing its positive influence on the Qinglan River’s pollution problem.
• Local students organize a project to clean the river and study its drying and sewage issues, while ordinary residents begin picking up litter themselves.
• Shui Wuyuan observes the changing online sentiment with disdain but aggressively defends He Qinglan on Weibo. He mocks commenters who accuse He Qinglan of hypocrisy or claim he is motivated solely by money, even offering to pay him a thousand yuan for every piece of trash collected.
• After provoking online critics, Shui Wuyuan joins He Qinglan at the riverbank. He boasts that he will never blindly protect He Qinglan, but offers to “look after” him if He Qinglan calls him “boss.”
• He Qinglan responds with silent mockery: he approaches Shui Wuyuan closely only to pick up trash behind him, then leaves with a sarcastic “heh.” Shui Wuyuan is left irritated and convinced that everyone else is blind to his obvious lack of favoritism.
• The trash-picking site becomes more orderly. Qi Xiaoyuan, the Liu brothers, and other organizers suppress disruptive livestreamers and attention-seekers, forcing some to work properly or driving them away.
• The River God’s followers and Rain God’s laborers coexist peacefully, united by their awe of the two supernatural beings’ power.
• Meng Tiantian’s livestream collapses after Zhang Feng’s humiliating defeat, and its future becomes uncertain.
• Qi Xiaoyuan and Liu Dalong privately realize that both He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan are not human, confirming their suspicions after seeing supernatural events.

Character Developments

• He Qinglan / the River God: Remains dedicated to cleaning the river despite public skepticism. His influence begins inspiring genuine environmental action. He also shows increasing confidence in teasing and resisting Shui Wuyuan.
• Shui Wuyuan / the Rain God: Publicly protects He Qinglan while denying that he is doing so. His sharp online attacks reveal possessiveness and concern, while his offer to “look after” He Qinglan exposes a desire for a closer relationship. He becomes comically frustrated by He Qinglan’s indifference.
• Qi Xiaoyuan and the Liu brothers: Develop greater loyalty and respect for the River God. They effectively restore order at the cleanup site and become increasingly certain of the gods’ identities.
• Meng Tiantian and Zhang Feng: Suffer the consequences of the earlier confrontation; Zhang Feng’s public humiliation damages their livestreaming efforts.
• The online public: Gradually moves from suspicion and mockery toward partial support for He Qinglan’s environmental work.

Significant Themes

• Actions versus intentions: Even if He Qinglan’s motives remain uncertain, his actions produce real environmental benefits.
• Public influence and social responsibility: His example encourages students and residents to participate in cleaning the river.
• Authenticity versus performance: The chapter questions whether an action loses value if it is partly performed for attention or another purpose.
• Power and loyalty: The followers’ respect comes from witnessing supernatural strength, while Shui Wuyuan’s defense of He Qinglan suggests a more personal attachment.
• Comedic rivalry and romantic tension: Shui Wuyuan and He Qinglan constantly provoke one another, creating a relationship marked by mutual irritation, fascination, and reluctant concern.

Character Interactions

• Shui Wuyuan verbally attacks He Qinglan’s online critics, then uses the exchange to draw attention to He Qinglan’s efforts.
• At the riverbank, Shui Wuyuan tries to establish authority by asking He Qinglan to call him “boss,” but He Qinglan rejects the offer through exaggerated sarcasm and mockery.
• Their antagonistic exchange creates a noticeable atmosphere of “thunder and fire,” contrasting with the friendly cooperation between their respective followers.
• Qi Xiaoyuan and Liu Dalong discreetly compare observations and confirm that both central figures are supernatural beings.

Chapter 19 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qi Xiaoyuan enthusiastically declares his faith in the River God and plans to help his grandfather restart the Qinglan River Management Plan. Liu Dalong, hoping to find a shared ally, is confused because he believes Shui Wuyuan is connected to the Rain God. The two groups realize they serve different deities.
• Liu Dalong prays to the River God for protection, especially after he and his brothers were beaten by rain and cursed with the Rain God’s “negative blessing.” He unknowingly causes He Qinglan some exasperation.
• Liu Dalong’s group removes and transports the garbage collected from the riverbank. He Qinglan lets them keep any money earned from recycling, recognizing that they still need to support themselves.
• Although the riverbank looks cleaner, the Qinglan River remains polluted, foul-smelling, and nearly dried up. He Qinglan is frustrated because his spiritual power is recovering too slowly to match the energy he expends repairing the river.
• Shui Wuyuan tempts He Qinglan to use his Origin Power to drown humanity, arguing that humans are ungrateful and destructive. He Qinglan nearly gives in while watching someone casually throw a soda can into the river.
• A group of teenagers arrives to clean the river. A girl picks up the can, reminding He Qinglan that humanity is not entirely destructive. He Qinglan rejects Shui Wuyuan’s one-sided view and decides that he needs another believer—one who can offer him a phone so he can gain influence in the modern information age.
• Later, He Qinglan searches the streets for a suitable second believer but finds no one who meets his exact standards. He eventually asks Qi Xiaoyuan and Liu Dalong’s group why finding one is so difficult.
• Liu Dalong and his brothers had hoped to become He Qinglan’s believers, especially because they see him as a possible protector against Shui Wuyuan. However, He Qinglan’s demanding standards leave them horrified, setting up the continuation of his judgment of potential believers.

Character Developments

• He Qinglan remains committed to restoring the river but struggles with impatience, exhaustion, and the slow recovery of his powers. He is briefly drawn toward destructive anger but ultimately chooses compassion and a more balanced view of humanity.
• Shui Wuyuan continues to encourage He Qinglan’s darker impulses. His possessive, protective attitude is evident in his desire to shield He Qinglan and his willingness to harm people he dislikes. His reflection in the water suggests he sees himself as morally ambiguous—“neither black nor white.”
• Qi Xiaoyuan grows more devoted to the River God and takes practical steps toward helping restore the river. He also becomes a potential source of modern assistance for He Qinglan.
• Liu Dalong and his brothers remain frightened and confused by the rivalry between the two supernatural beings. They hope to gain protection by becoming He Qinglan’s believers, but their expectations clash with his high standards.

Significant Themes

• Humanity’s dual nature: Pollution and careless behavior suggest human destructiveness, while the teenagers’ cleanup efforts show that people are also capable of responsibility and kindness.
• Faith and belief: The chapter contrasts Qi Xiaoyuan’s sincere devotion, Liu Dalong’s fear-driven prayers, and He Qinglan’s selective standards for believers.
• Nature versus modernization: The damaged river stands against the distant cityscape, while He Qinglan’s desire for a phone shows that even an ancient river deity must adapt to the modern world.
• Moral ambiguity: Shui Wuyuan’s temptation and his “neither black nor white” reflection emphasize the blurred line between protection, vengeance, and cruelty.
• Power and dependence: He Qinglan needs believers and offerings to regain influence, while Liu Dalong’s group seeks supernatural protection and security.

Character Interactions

• Qi Xiaoyuan and Liu Dalong argue humorously over whether they should worship the River God or Rain God.
• He Qinglan silently observes the river and is tempted by Shui Wuyuan, who offers to drown humanity for him.
• The teenagers’ cleanup efforts indirectly challenge Shui Wuyuan’s pessimistic view and influence He Qinglan’s decision.
• He Qinglan discusses the difficulty of finding a believer with Qi Xiaoyuan and Liu Dalong’s group, while Liu Dalong and his brothers privately react with disbelief to his supposedly “low” standards.
• The chapter closes with He Qinglan seeking a new believer and Shui Wuyuan remaining emotionally devoted to protecting him, even if that protection involves violence.

Chapter 35 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Qinglan announces that he wants to choose believers who are attractive, sincere, articulate, and pure of soul, prompting the Liu brothers to realize that his “believer selection” sounds more like choosing consorts.
• The fourth Liu brother tries to promote himself as the most handsome and sexually capable candidate, but Shui Wuyuan causes him to trip and injure his face. The brothers hurriedly carry him away.
• Shui Wuyuan proudly defends his actions, claiming the man was an eyesore. He then suggests that He Qinglan lower his standards because humans are inherently flawed.
• Qi Xiaoyuan also points out that He Qinglan’s requirements are nearly impossible to satisfy. He Qinglan concedes that he failed to account for humanity’s natural limitations, though he insults Qi by comparing him to a potato selected from sweet potatoes.
• Shui Wuyuan boasts that he fulfills all of He Qinglan’s standards, but He Qinglan compares him to a “super gourd” with a “fifty-pound base,” humiliating him. Qi Xiaoyuan struggles not to laugh.
• Angered, Shui Wuyuan returns home, intending to film his luxurious life and show He Qinglan the difference between their circumstances.
• He Qinglan remains beside the Qinglan River overnight, refusing Qi Xiaoyuan’s offer of shelter. His apparent simplicity and detachment inspire Qi to admire him and reconsider his own extravagant habits.
• Later that night, a distraught man named Xia Youyu arrives, cursing his fate and planning to drown himself in the Qinglan River as an indictment of the world that has ruined both him and the river.

Character Developments

• He Qinglan: Reveals an unusually high standard for believers, emphasizing beauty, conviction, eloquence, and purity. Although aloof and harshly judgmental, he shows some awareness that humans cannot easily meet divine expectations. His ability to remain outdoors also reinforces his detachment from worldly comforts.
• Shui Wuyuan: Displays possessiveness, arrogance, and a sharp sense of humor. He protects He Qinglan from the Liu brothers while pretending his motive is disgust. His pride is wounded when He Qinglan mocks his appearance, leading him to retreat and devise a petty revenge through displays of wealth.
• Qi Xiaoyuan: Becomes more willing to defend ordinary humans and acts as a mediator between He Qinglan’s divine standards and human limitations. He is deeply impressed by He Qinglan’s apparent asceticism, though he also recognizes and enjoys the River God’s biting remarks.
• The Liu brothers: Abandon their attempt to become believers after realizing He Qinglan’s standards are impossibly demanding. The fourth brother’s shameless self-promotion and subsequent injury provide comic relief.
• Xia Youyu: Is introduced as emotionally broken and overwhelmed by misfortune. His decision to commit suicide connects his personal despair to the Qinglan River’s decline.

Significant Themes

• Divine ideals versus human imperfection: He Qinglan expects extraordinary qualities from ordinary people, while Qi Xiaoyuan reminds him that humans cannot control every aspect of their appearance or character.
• Beauty, worth, and superficial judgment: The chapter satirizes the idea of selecting believers based on appearance, treating divine devotion like romantic or physical desirability.
• Pride and humiliation: Shui Wuyuan’s confidence collapses when He Qinglan mocks him, revealing how much his self-image depends on being admired.
• Simplicity versus extravagance: He Qinglan’s indifference to comfort contrasts with Shui Wuyuan’s wealthy lifestyle, influencing Qi Xiaoyuan’s thoughts about material excess.
• Human suffering and divine detachment: He Qinglan initially claims that human emotions do not concern him, yet Xia Youyu’s impending suicide suggests that the River God may be forced to confront the consequences of human despair and environmental decline.

Character Interactions

• The Liu brothers’ encounter with He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan turns believer selection into a comedic contest of attractiveness, ending with the brothers’ retreat.
• Qi Xiaoyuan challenges He Qinglan’s unrealistic expectations and receives both reluctant acknowledgment and an insult in response.
• Shui Wuyuan attempts to assert superiority over He Qinglan but is instead ridiculed, intensifying their playful rivalry.
• Qi Xiaoyuan admires He Qinglan’s apparent holiness while privately laughing at Shui Wuyuan’s humiliation.
• The chapter ends by shifting from comedy to impending tragedy as Xia Youyu approaches the river to end his life.

Chapter 20 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Youyu attempts to drown himself in the Qinglan River, dramatically declaring that the filthy water should carry his “pure self” away from the corrupted human world.
• The river is too shallow for him to drown, and, inexplicably, he becomes stuck leaning at a forty-five-degree angle. Despite struggling, he cannot fall over.
• He angrily blames the heavens for preventing his death, only to hear an unseen voice complain that he should not dirty the river.
• The speaker is revealed to be He Qinglan, the River God, who has been observing Xia Youyu.
• He Qinglan evaluates Xia Youyu as a potential follower: despite being surrounded by Corrupting Miasma, Xia’s Divine Soul remains exceptionally pure and steadfast. His appearance and physique also meet most of the River God’s requirements.
• He Qinglan believes Xia’s poor speech and lack of tact can be corrected through discipline—or, humorously, “a few more beatings.”
• Xia refuses to be comforted or persuaded, insisting that he wants to die because the world is too corrupt for his noble, pure heart.
• He Qinglan agrees that the world is filthy and polluted by evil, but clarifies that he objects only to Xia dying in the river because he considers anything improperly thrown into it to be trash.
• Xia interprets this as being called trash and becomes offended. He then realizes that He Qinglan may be an extreme environmentalist who regards the river as his personal property.
• Although Xia still wants to die in the river for symbolic reasons, he refuses to give up his chosen method.

Character Developments

• Xia Youyu is introduced as deeply despairing, melodramatic, stubborn, and convinced of his own moral purity. Even while attempting suicide, he remains argumentative and highly concerned with preserving the symbolic meaning of his death.
• His Divine Soul is revealed to be exceptionally pure and resilient despite the Corrupting Miasma surrounding him, suggesting strong inner integrity and steadfastness.
• He Qinglan, the River God, is shown to be detached, blunt, possessive of his river, and lacking conventional compassion. However, he is also observant and willing to offer Xia time and hope rather than immediately abandoning him.
• He Qinglan quickly develops an interest in Xia as a possible follower, viewing him as a promising candidate despite his poor communication skills and questionable intelligence.

Significant Themes

• Purity amid corruption: Xia’s inner purity survives despite the polluted world and the Corrupting Miasma around him.
• Death versus attachment to life: Xia claims to want death, yet his insistence on choosing the exact river and preserving the symbolic significance of his suicide shows that he still remains emotionally engaged with the world.
• Environmental protection and ownership: The River God’s strongest concern is keeping the river clean, creating comic tension between Xia’s personal despair and He Qinglan’s ecological priorities.
• Absurdity and dark humor: Xia’s failed suicide attempt, his unnatural forty-five-degree posture, and the River God’s practical complaints undercut the scene’s tragedy.
• Potential for transformation: He Qinglan hopes to restore Xia’s love of life and turn him into a follower, implying that Xia’s despair may eventually lead to a new relationship or purpose.

Character Interactions

• Xia and He Qinglan immediately clash. Xia demands to be left alone, while He Qinglan calmly objects to his choice of river.
• Xia sees He Qinglan as a possible kindred spirit when the River God agrees that the world is corrupt, but this connection collapses when He Qinglan reveals that his main concern is preventing the river from being polluted.
• Their exchange establishes a comedic dynamic: Xia is emotional, dramatic, and easily offended, while He Qinglan is sincere, literal, and primarily concerned with the river’s cleanliness.

Chapter 37 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Youyu remains determined to die, comparing himself to the polluted, half-dead tree beside the Qinglan River. He believes both the river and the tree were meant to thrive but were ruined by human greed and selfishness.
• He Qinglan threatens to hang Xia Youyu, then uses his River God powers to lift him into the tree and strangle him with a ribbon of water.
• Facing genuine death, Xia Youyu’s survival instinct awakens. He desperately begs to be saved, declaring that he will accept any power or allegiance if it gives him a chance to punish the people responsible for the corruption around him.
• His intense hatred and desperation begin to attract the Corrupting Miasma, threatening to drive him into demonic madness.
• He Qinglan intervenes, dispersing the miasma with Sourcewater Power and releasing Xia Youyu. He offers him divine power in exchange for Xia Youyu’s faith.
• Xia Youyu accepts, effectively choosing He Qinglan as his god.
• Afterward, Xia Youyu regains his composure and explains the tragedy that led him to this point: his wealthy family declined, but his mother remained kind and idealistic.
• Three years earlier, Xia’s mother owned the land at Linhe Village and intended to develop a resort. After villagers persuaded her to build a paper mill instead, the factory brought them wealth but severely polluted the Qinglan River.
• When Xia’s mother later tried to demolish the mill and reclaim the land, the villagers refused. During another confrontation, an elderly woman accidentally killed her.
• The chapter ends as Xia begins recounting the personal injustice that fueled his despair and desire for revenge.

Character Developments

• Xia Youyu: Transforms from suicidal hopelessness into a focused, determined, and composed person after witnessing He Qinglan’s power. His desperation reveals that he does not truly seek death; he wants the strength to punish those responsible for his mother’s death and the river’s destruction. His acceptance of He Qinglan’s power marks a major shift in allegiance and purpose, though his anger still risks corrupting him.
• He Qinglan: Demonstrates both intimidation and restraint. Although he tests Xia Youyu harshly, he saves him when the Corrupting Miasma begins to consume his mind. He recognizes Xia’s potential and offers him power, beginning the process of recruiting him as a follower.

Significant Themes

• Despair versus hope: Xia’s apparent wish to die masks a deeper desire to find a way to act. He Qinglan’s power restores hope by giving him a possible means of achieving justice.
• Faith and power: Xia accepts He Qinglan as a god because divine power offers what ordinary human systems cannot. The chapter explores how faith can arise from desperation and the need for protection or retribution.
• Environmental destruction: The dying tree and polluted river symbolize how human greed can ruin things that should be healthy and beautiful.
• Justice, vengeance, and corruption: Xia wants justice for his mother and the river, but his willingness to use any power—even evil—brings him close to demonic corruption.
• The cost of kindness: Xia’s mother’s belief in protecting life and treating the world as beautiful ultimately leaves her vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

Character Interactions

• Xia and He Qinglan move from confrontation to a provisional alliance. He Qinglan challenges Xia’s suicidal resolve, then saves him from both death and spiritual corruption.
• Xia’s relationship with his mother is presented through his memories: she shaped his kindness and morality, but her ideals were destroyed by the selfishness of others.
• The villagers’ interactions with Xia’s mother shift from pleading dependence to greed and hostility, illustrating how their prosperity leads them to reject responsibility for the pollution and her death.

Chapter 21 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Youyu explains the source of his despair. His mother’s death was ruled negligent homicide, and although he inherited her land-use rights, the village refused to recognize them and collectively resisted outside intervention.
• When he attempted to reclaim the land and demolish the village’s illegally operating paper mill, the villagers’ dogs attacked and seriously injured him.
• For the past year, he has also been tormented by a supernatural “Monster Bird” that first followed and harassed him, then began pecking at his heart. The wound is now covered in powerful Corrupting Miasma, and Xia believes he would soon have died even without attempting suicide.
• While Xia is revealing his wounds and distress to He Qinglan, Shui Wuyuan returns and mistakenly interprets the scene as Xia seducing the River God.
• Shui Wuyuan angrily summons lightning, nearly killing Xia, but He Qinglan intercepts it. Shui then uses rain to punish Xia instead, until He Qinglan points out that the Corrupting Miasma may kill him.
• Xia quickly flatters both gods, presenting Shui’s intervention as an act of friendship. Shui is pleased but denies being He Qinglan’s friend, declaring that they are instead rivals competing to determine who is superior.

Character Developments

• Xia Youyu is revealed to be driven by prolonged injustice, physical abuse, supernatural persecution, and helplessness rather than simple weakness. Despite his suffering, he remains observant and socially clever, immediately recognizing the gods’ power and using tactful flattery to secure their help.
• He Qinglan shows compassion beneath his usually detached and judgmental attitude. He protects Xia from Shui’s lightning and recognizes the danger of the Corrupting Miasma. He also becomes mildly impressed by Xia’s ability to manipulate the conversation.
• Shui Wuyuan remains proud, jealous, and easily provoked. His initial anger stems from seeing He Qinglan with another human in an intimate-looking situation, and he disguises concern or possessiveness as mockery and punishment. He continues to insist that he and He Qinglan are rivals, not friends.
• The relationship between He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan is clarified as a competitive but increasingly familiar partnership, with their arguments revealing mutual attention and emotional investment.

Significant Themes

• Injustice and powerlessness: Xia’s struggle against the village reflects how collective resistance and institutional indifference can prevent justice even when someone has a legitimate claim.
• Despair and survival: His attempted suicide results from accumulated trauma, humiliation, and supernatural torment, but his instinct to seek powerful allies suggests that he has not entirely abandoned hope.
• Appearance versus reality: Shui mistakes Xia’s exposed wounds for seduction, while the apparent hostility between the gods conceals concern and attachment.
• Flattery and social intelligence: Xia survives the gods’ volatile interaction by quickly understanding their personalities and framing Shui’s actions in a flattering way.
• Rivalry masking intimacy: He Qinglan and Shui Wuyuan repeatedly deny closeness while behaving like familiar companions whose arguments reveal growing attachment.

Character Interactions

• Xia confides in He Qinglan about his persecution and wounds, presenting himself as someone who has exhausted every ordinary means of obtaining justice.
• Shui interrupts with jealousy and violence, while He Qinglan rebukes him for recklessly attacking a dying human.
• Xia mediates between them through flattering language, earning Shui’s approval and temporarily calming the confrontation.
• Shui ends the chapter by emphasizing that he and He Qinglan are opponents, setting up their ongoing competitive relationship while implicitly acknowledging how closely connected they are.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Youyu explains his situation to Shui Wuyuan, realizing that the wealthy businessman has no intention of helping him directly and is present only because of his devotion to He Qinglan.
• He Qinglan agrees to help Xia Youyu investigate the Monster Bird and the disasters afflicting Linhe Village. He reveals that he and Shui Wuyuan are effectively “spokespeople” for natural forces: He Qinglan speaks for the Qinglan River, while Shui Wuyuan represents the rain.
• He Qinglan’s identity is strongly confirmed when Xia Youyu recognizes him as the legendary Qinglan River God from an ancient poem, Rhapsody of the Clear Ripples River God.
• Relieved and excited, Xia Youyu accepts He Qinglan as his deity and becomes an enthusiastic believer. He offers his homes, money, clothing, and other comforts to improve the god’s living conditions.
• Shui Wuyuan rejects these material offerings, explaining that He Qinglan’s shabby appearance reflects the river’s pollution and suffering. He insists that humans must focus on atoning for the damage they have caused.
• He Qinglan tells Xia Youyu to remain with him, purchase a tent, and help investigate the Monster Bird. His first requested offering is a phone so he can use the internet to learn about the modern world.
• Xia Youyu eagerly agrees, but just as he offers his supposedly waterproof phone, the chapter ends with a hint that something may have gone wrong.

Character Developments

• Xia Youyu shifts from cautious desperation to complete trust once he realizes He Qinglan is genuinely the River God. He becomes devoted, overenthusiastic, and eager to serve, immediately offering his possessions and calling himself a believer.
• He Qinglan establishes himself as powerful but restrained and practical. Although he accepts Xia Youyu’s help, he cares little for luxury and remains focused on restoring the river and confronting the Monster Bird.
• Shui Wuyuan is shown to be stern, mocking, and protective of He Qinglan. He rejects Xia Youyu’s materialistic ideas and emphasizes human responsibility for the river’s condition.
• He Qinglan’s weakness or diminished state is implied through his dependence on the river’s recovery and his shabby ritual clothing.

Significant Themes

• Faith and recognition: Xia Youyu’s belief becomes genuine once he understands that the ancient River God is real.
• Environmental damage and atonement: The Qinglan River’s pollution has directly harmed He Qinglan, making ecological destruction a spiritual and personal offense.
• Modernity versus the divine past: He Qinglan is an ancient deity encountering phones, the internet, tents, and modern consumer culture.
• Material wealth versus meaningful devotion: Xia Youyu initially thinks money and comfort are the best offerings, while Shui Wuyuan insists that true atonement requires addressing the river’s underlying problems.
• Humor through misunderstanding: The conversation about being “on top” and “on the bottom,” Xia Youyu’s extravagant offerings, and the gods’ unfamiliarity with modern technology create comic tension.

Character Interactions

• He Qinglan and Xia Youyu establish a cooperative relationship: Xia Youyu will stay with him, provide practical assistance, and help investigate the Monster Bird.
• Xia Youyu’s reverence contrasts with Shui Wuyuan’s sarcasm and suspicion, especially when Xia Youyu offers money and housing.
• Shui Wuyuan acts as a corrective voice, explaining He Qinglan’s condition and warning Xia Youyu to focus on repairing the river rather than indulging in superficial concerns.
• He Qinglan remains gentler toward Xia Youyu, accepting his devotion while setting clear expectations for his role as a helper and believer.

Chapter 22 Summary

Plot and events

• Xia Youyu’s supposedly waterproof phone malfunctions after being exposed to water, humiliating him in front of Shui Wuyuan.
• Shui Wuyuan flaunts his expensive custom phone, theatrically sits beside He Qinglan, and offers him access to the “Krypton Treasure” shopping app, telling him to spend without restraint.
• He Qinglan, initially searching only for a phone, becomes distracted by the app’s endless recommendations, which range from accessories to luxury jewelry, sports cars, and books insulting humanity.
• Xia Youyu realizes that the recommendations reflect Shui Wuyuan’s personal tastes rather than sophisticated customer analysis. The luxury goods and books about mocking people reveal Shui Wuyuan’s wealth, arrogance, and contemptuous view of humans.
• He Qinglan orders a new phone with same-city delivery. Despite Shui Wuyuan’s offer to pay, Xia Youyu uses his own money to make the purchase as an offering to the River God.
• Shui Wuyuan mocks Xia Youyu’s poverty, short lifespan, bad luck, and survival-related shopping recommendations, even claiming that the Rain God will bless him. He Qinglan stops the teasing by sending a drop of water into Xia Youyu’s forehead.
• The water dispels some of the Corrupting Miasma surrounding Xia Youyu, giving him an unfamiliar sense of physical relief. As a result, He Qinglan immediately receives Xia Youyu’s steadfast Faith Power.
• The chapter closes with He Qinglan reflecting on the limitations of faith-based divine power and recognizing that, given humanity’s current prosperity, he cannot afford to reject this source of strength.

Character development

• Shui Wuyuan is shown as flamboyant, vain, wealthy, shamelessly flirtatious, and cruelly witty. His personal preferences—luxury, extravagant goods, and books mocking humans—are exposed through the shopping app.
• He Qinglan remains calm and restrained but becomes more assertive by intervening when Shui Wuyuan goes too far. His ability to ease Xia Youyu’s corruption demonstrates both growing power and compassion.
• Xia Youyu is portrayed as long-suffering and financially strained, yet deeply loyal to He Qinglan. Paying for the phone himself reflects his stubborn devotion as a believer, even while he internally criticizes Shui Wuyuan.
• He Qinglan also begins accepting Faith Power despite previously viewing it as unreliable, showing his pragmatic adaptation to the modern human world.

Significant themes

• Faith versus intrinsic power: The chapter contrasts Origin Power, which belongs to a god’s own nature, with Faith Power, which depends on living believers and can disappear when faith dies.
• Divine adaptation to humanity: Although He Qinglan once dismissed faith as unstable, humanity’s flourishing makes it a valuable resource for a fallen or disadvantaged god.
• Wealth and social inequality: Shui Wuyuan’s effortless extravagance is contrasted with Xia Youyu’s poverty and limited means.
• Comedy through divine-human misunderstandings: Modern technology, shopping algorithms, and consumer culture are interpreted through the characters’ supernatural worldview.
• Rivalry and ambiguous intimacy: Shui Wuyuan’s provocative behavior toward He Qinglan resembles flirtation more than genuine hostility, prompting Xia Youyu to question their supposed rivalry.

Character interactions

• Shui Wuyuan repeatedly provokes both Xia Youyu and He Qinglan by flaunting his phone, invading Xia Youyu’s space, and making suggestive remarks to He Qinglan.
• He Qinglan responds with skepticism to Shui Wuyuan’s shamelessness but still accepts his help in buying a phone.
• Xia Youyu silently recognizes Shui Wuyuan’s hypocrisy and personal eccentricities, while remaining too intimidated to challenge him openly.
• When Shui Wuyuan’s mockery becomes excessive, He Qinglan protects Xia Youyu, accidentally—or perhaps deliberately—strengthening their bond through the transfer of Faith Power.