I love the world-building around the "Black and White Impermanence" families. It's a simple explanation but it makes the world feel so much bigger. It's not just two guys; it's two entire families or clans of underworld officials. This immediately suggests a whole social structure, politics, and history just among the soul ferriers. It explains why there are so many minivans and why Xie Jin and Fan Xiaoguo, who seem like junior members, are doing the grunt work. It's a small detail that adds a lot of depth to the society they're hinting at.
This story has all the hallmarks of a classic bragging tale, reminiscent of many Chinese novels where characters continuously boast about their connections. You know the type—where every other character seems to have a cousin or a friend who once crossed paths with a significant figure during an inconsequential encounter, such as buying milk. It creates an atmosphere that feels somewhat exaggerated and inauthentic. The initial phase involving the summoning aspect is intriguing and grabs your attention. However, as the plot progresses, the battles become increasingly repetitive and tedious. The recurring theme of the peanut gallery—those annoying bystanders who incessantly commentate and challenge the main character out of sheer pride—adds to the frustration. This forced dynamic of establishing a pecking order only serves to drag the narrative down, especially when the tables inevitably turn and the protagonist shows them who’s boss. My reading experience remained somewhat enjoyable until approximately chapter 250. At this juncture, the author attempts to inject some freshness into the storyline by withholding certain summoned creatures, including crucial ones equipped with debuff abilities that had previously formed the cornerstone of the protagonist's strategies in dire situations. This sudden limitation thrusts our typically indomitable MC into a tense scenario where he can actually sustain damage, experience fear, and grapple with the overwhelming strength of opponents far beyond his level. Unfortunately, this shift doesn't seem to lead to any meaningful difference in the overarching story. Instead, the author stretches out the fights unnecessarily, recycling descriptions of the same moves and strategies while prioritizing the clashes between the two strongest summons. This consistent repetition becomes grating, ultimately sapping my motivation to continue reading. It boggles the mind that the MC—the very essence of cunning and resourcefulness—doesn't utilize all of his summoned allies when facing such formidable foes, especially given the life-threatening stakes at hand. This kind of selective restriction feels artificial and manipulative, seemingly designed to maintain reader engagement but executing it poorly. Moreover, the author's attempt to pivot the narrative in this manner feels awkward and poorly executed. The logical continuity has faltered, and rather than enhancing the complexity of the plot, it instead generates a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction. Overall, the experience of reading this novel starts strong but gradually devolves into a frustrating cycle of monotony, where the potential of an engaging story is overshadowed by repetitive conflicts and illogical character behavior.
The moment Ye Feng tried to bite the treasure chest and left tooth marks had me in stitches. That’s such a Ye Feng thing to do. And then the system hint telling him he can’t eat it before opening—golden. Foreign viewers laughing at him only made it better. Then he opens it and gets a Desert Eagle, and immediately eats the gun too. What a madman. The passive skill Bronze Skin Iron Bones from eating a pistol is such a creative way to gain defenses. Now ants can’t even break his skin.
The butler disappearing and reappearing is a trope I always enjoy. Adds a bit of whimsy. But I'd like to see more of the household staff. The driver Uncle Zhang seemed loyal. The world-building is sparse but enough for a modern setting. The system’s ability to check bank accounts and transfer information is convenient. I wonder if it can do more than that. It might come in handy later. The bank transfer for the mission was legal, which is nice, no shady dealings. The author seems to want a clean story.
One minor criticism: some of the English translation feels a bit stiff in places. Dialogue like "Manager, don't look at my small stature" sounds slightly off, but it's not a big deal. The humor and energy still come through. I imagine the original Chinese might have more natural flow. Still, I got used to it after a few paragraphs.
Okay, I need to mention the word “daze” or “confused” appearing way too often for Wang Dong. I get he’s disoriented, but it’s starting to feel like padding. A character can be shocked but also process, act, react with complexity. Right now, he has two modes: “this is a dream” and “I’m eating an alien cookie.” Some more nuanced internal reaction—fear, wonder, analysis—would elevate his voice significantly.