Director Li

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Director Li (Li Kangming) 19
Alias(es)	Rage; Rage Knight 17
Species/Race	Human cultist; fully evolved Ghoul; later Evil Spirit Marionette/Evil Spirit Knight 4 7 17
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Ghoul Cult (formerly); Su Ziyu's Netherworld forces (after conversion) 5 18
Occupation/Role	Apparent director of Jiangyuan Psychiatric Hospital; Ghoul Cult sacrifice organizer; later commander of Evil Spirit Marionettes 3 5 17
Status	Deceased as a human; spirit and remains remade into the Evil Spirit Knight Rage 6 17
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Fully evolved Ghoul	4	Reveals his ghoul form during the cafeteria ambush; he stands over two meters tall and commands corrupted hospital staff. 4
Evil Spirit Marionette — Awakening Ninth Stage	6–7	Su Ziyu extracts and reshapes Li's hatred-fueled spirit with the remains of four subordinates. The resulting marionette possesses immortality, Netherworld Ghostfire, and growth through devouring flesh and spiritual energy. 6 7
Evil Spirit Knight — Half-Step Morning Star	17	Absorbs cultist flesh, spiritual energy, and undead power while encased in a cocoon. Su Ziyu names the evolved knight Rage and assigns him thirty-six marionettes. 17

Background

Director Li served as the apparent director of Jiangyuan Psychiatric Hospital while secretly operating as a Ghoul Cultist. He had spent three years hiding his true nature and preparing the hospital for the Blood Rite: Two-Track God-Sacrifice Ritual, intended to sacrifice the institution to the Ghoul God. He planned to offer Su Ziyu as an extraordinary sacrifice in exchange for promotion within the cult. 3 5

At Cafeteria Number Two, Li oversaw the distribution of corrupted “Holy Communion” to patients. When Su refused to eat, Li and the hospital staff exposed their monstrous forms and attempted to kill him. 4

Li's assault failed completely. Su Ziyu evaded his attacks, burned him with Netherworld Ghostfire, eliminated his four transformed subordinates, and used the berserk Dread Demon Eye to prevent his escape. Li abandoned his ambition and begged to serve Su, only for Su to use his desperation as the basis for an Evil Spirit Marionette ritual. 5 6

After Li's spirit was extracted and combined with the flesh and spirits of his four subordinates, the resulting marionette became Su's first such creation. It fought the Ghoul Cult during the hospital incident, then evolved into the Evil Spirit Knight Rage after absorbing the remains of the cult's dead. 6 7 17

As Rage, he led Su Ziyu's undead forces against Ghoul Cult strongholds across River City. Although he retained Li Kangming's memories, the Netherworld Contract and Heavenly Dao Laws prevented those memories from restoring his former allegiance. 18 19

Appearance

Director Li initially presented himself as a calm hospital official. His revealed forms became progressively more inhuman after his exposure and conversion.

• Ghoul form — Gaunt, over two meters tall, with sunken cheeks, prominent cheekbones, bloodshot eyes, violent pupils, black claws, and an oversized head. 4
• Evil Spirit Marionette — A gigantic skeletal approximation of Li with exposed red musculature, black flames, multicolored soul-fire in its eye sockets, and blood-and-darkness-covered flesh. 6
• Rage Knight — A towering armored undead warrior clad in iron-black Netherworld Armor, with black flames burning from his eye sockets and across his armor. 17
• Human disguise — Can assume Li Kangming's refined, glasses-wearing human appearance while leading the marionettes. 17 19

Personality

As a Ghoul Cultist, Director Li was ambitious, predatory, and convinced that his long preparation would earn the Ghoul God's favor. He viewed patients as potential offerings and regarded Su Ziyu as an especially valuable sacrifice. 4 5

His confidence collapsed when confronted with Su's superior abilities. He begged for survival, swore service, and then attempted a final attack when given the opportunity. The Dread Demon Eye's hypnosis intensified his hatred until it consumed his sanity, making that hatred the foundation of his marionette form. 5 6

As Rage, his former personality is suppressed by supernatural contracts. He displays unwavering obedience, military discipline, and ruthless battlefield leadership in service to Su Ziyu. 17 18

Abilities & Skills

Ghoul Physiology

As a fully evolved ghoul, Director Li possessed a transformed body suited for close combat.

• Developed blackened, elongated claws capable of raking at Su Ziyu's head. 4
• Could move and leap with hyena-like speed. 5
• Withstood severe injury long enough to tear away flesh afflicted by Netherworld Ghostfire. 5
• Transformed his face into an ear-to-ear maw in a final attempt to bite Su Ziyu. 6

Cult Leadership and Sacrificial Plotting

Li coordinated the hospital-side operation of the Ghoul Cult's sacrifice.

• Spent three years concealing himself while preparing for the Blood Rite. 5
• Directed two ghoul doctors and two tentacled nurse monsters against Su Ziyu. 5
• Used the hospital's corrupted patients and staff as part of the cult's sacrificial operation. 4 5

Evil Spirit Marionette Traits

Following his conversion, Li's remade form became a powerful undead combatant.

• Began at the Awakening Ninth Stage. 7
• Possesses immortality and can summon Netherworld Ghostfire. 7
• Grows by devouring flesh and spiritual energy through combat and slaughter. 7
• Served as Su Ziyu's independent weapon during the conflict across Jiangyuan Psychiatric Hospital. 7

Netherworld Authority

As Rage, he gained greater authority over the Netherworld and commanded Su Ziyu's undead army.

• Wields the Yellow Springs Greatsword, whose Netherworld energy can damage both flesh and spirit. 17 44
• Commands Evil Spirit Marionettes and later Evil Spirit Warriors in coordinated assaults. 17 43
• Can disguise himself and his forces as humans. 17
• Unlocked Eighteen Torments of the Netherworld, which he used to interrogate Su Ziyu's enemy. 28
• Received a spectral armored warhorse after the Primordial Demon God's manifestation empowered his forces. 43

Equipment

• Hellfire Whip — Used by Li's marionette form and Rage to bind, burn, and fight enemies. 7 17
• Yellow Springs Greatsword — Rage's principal weapon as an Evil Spirit Knight. 17 44
• Netherworld Armor — Iron-black armor acquired through his evolution into Rage. 17
• Spectral armored warhorse — Manifested during the factory battle. 43

Relationships

• Su Ziyu — Former target and enemy; later his creator and absolute master after Li is remade as an Evil Spirit Marionette. 5 6 17
• Dread Demon Eye — Restrained Li during his failed ambush and used Crimson Purgatory and Mental Hypnosis to amplify his hatred. 5 6
• Ghoul Cult — Li formerly served the cult and sought advancement through sacrifice; as Rage, he led Su Ziyu's forces in destroying its River City strongholds. 5 19 20
• Four transformed hospital staff — Li commanded two ghoul doctors and two tentacled nurses; their bodies and spirits were incorporated into his marionette's creation. 5 6
• Evil Spirit Marionettes — As Rage, he commanded thirty-six marionettes and later led the evolved Evil Spirit Warriors. 17 43
• Ruan Xiaoqi — Recognizes her elevated position within Su Ziyu's faction, kneeling and addressing her as the “Holy Mother.” 43

Story Role / Major Arcs

Jiangyuan Psychiatric Hospital

Li leads Su Ziyu and other patients to Cafeteria Number Two, where the cult's corrupted meal and hospital staff are exposed. He tries to force Su to consume the offering, then transforms and attacks when Su resists. 3 4

Blood Rite Failure

He reveals the Ghoul Cult's intended sacrifice and attempts to kill Su for promotion. After being defeated, Li falsely submits to Su Ziyu, makes a final desperate attack, and is stripped of his spirit. 5 6

Rise of Rage

Li's hatred, spirit, and the remains of his subordinates produce Su Ziyu's first Evil Spirit Marionette. The marionette later evolves into Rage, a half-step Morning Star Evil Spirit Knight and commander of the Netherworld forces. 6 7 17

River City Purge

Rage leads Su Ziyu's disguised marionettes against the remaining Ghoul Cult strongholds. He destroys a major factory stronghold, then continues commanding Su's forces against rival cult factions. 19 20 43

Notable Quotes

“I'd been hiding here for three years, and I never realized you were only pretending to be insane...” 5

“One day, rotten flesh and blood will descend upon this world! The great Ghoul God will tear you to pieces!” 5