The Hydra family history is surprisingly tragic for something that should be a noble lineage. Grandpa kills his teammates to claim the castle, dad dies to wolves, mom immediately dips with all the servants. The author didn't sugarcoat how brutal this world is. Three generations in twenty years? That's not a family legacy, that's a death sentence waiting to happen.
I really appreciate how the author handles the "lost son" trope. Fu Jiamu is not immediately accepted by everyone. Fu Wenxiu is openly cold to him. Chi An is clearly uncomfortable. The parents are trying too hard. It feels more realistic than the usual "welcome home everyone is happy" narrative. Reintegration is messy and awkward and this captures that.
Seeing other players in trouble, like the one on a leaf or hanging in a tree, shows the varied starting situations. It makes the world feel larger.
The line "We are all guests booked by the Underworld" by Meng Po is chillingly poetic. And Chu Qiu's retort "Don't be sick yourself and prescribe medicine for others" is a classic way to tell someone to mind their own business. His refusal to drink the soup is a statement: he'd rather keep the pain and memories than become numb. That's a strong character moment, showing his courage and his unwillingness to let go of his past, even if it hurts.