The undead are human corpses that have reanimated due to resentful energy. Several distinct types exist in the Novel.
Description[]
Reanimated corpses are described as having blueish-tinted skin.[1] They are still able to feel pain, as Wei Wuxian noticed during his extraction of nails from Wen Ning's skull.[2]
Though most corpses are not sentient, they are capable of recognizing friends and foes via the scent of their blood. Moreover, fresh blood seems to unleash previously sealed resentful energy.[3][4] It is also implied that the sooner the corpse transforms after its death, the stronger the corpse is.[5]
Corpses are controllable via Demonic Cultivation and the Yin Tiger Tally.[5] Once under control of the Yin Tiger Tally, other methods of demonic cultivation are no longer able to control the corpses.[6]
Occurence[]
During the Sunshot Campaign, Wei Wuxian digs up the graves of many members of the Qishan Wen Clan to transform them into fierce corpses. He additionally controls every Wen he killed, ordering them to kill their friends and family.[7]
Shortly after his resurrection, Wei Wuxian transforms the recently deceased corpses of the Mo family: Mo Ziyuan, Madam Mo, her husband, and A-Tong. He orders the corpses to attack the Demonic Left Arm that caused their deaths, but they are quickly defeated.[5]
After the main events of the novel, Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Lan Sizhui encounter a young master haunted by the fierce corpse of his grandmother's former servant. In the end, it is revealed that the servant only wants to return the piece of jade he was accused of stealing, leading Wei Wuxian to declare that he had rarely seen a fierce corpse "so reasonable."[8][9]
Walking Corpses[]
Walking corpses (走尸, Zǒu shī) are considered the most low-level and common variants of undead. They are characterized by their lifeless gazes and slow movements. Although they are not terribly harmful, they emit a nauseating odor and are feared by non-cultivators. According to Wei Wuxian, they are also the easiest to control via Demonic Cultivation.[10]
Fierce Corpses[]
Fierce corpses (凶尸, Xiōng shī) are similar to walking corpses, but stronger and more dangerous to commoners and cultivators alike. Female fierce corpses are known to be especially vicious.[5]
Sentience[]
The first sentient fierce corpse is Wen Ning, created by Wei Wuxian after his premature death. While the exact details are unclear, it seems both the Yin Tiger Tally and the body's soul are necessary for a corpse to become sentient.[11][12]
After his revival, Wen Ning is fiercely loyal to Wei Wuxian. Despite the Lanling Jin Clan driving nails into his skull to render him more controllable after Wei Wuxian's demise, Wen Ning still recognizes the resurrected Wei Wuxian's commands after thirteen years.[2][13]
Later, Xue Yang creates a second sentient fierce corpse, Song Lan.[11] Despite being controlled by a nail in his skull, Song Lan is still able to answer questions truthfully through Inquiry.[14]
Xue Yang attempts to transform Xiao Xingchen into a sentient fierce corpse, but his efforts are in vain because Xiao Xingchen's soul has shattered.[11]
Nie Mingjue[]
The most powerful Fierce Corpse during the events of the story is the corpse of Nie Mingjue. Although his goal is revenge against his killer Jin Guangyao, his resentful energy is strong enough to heavily injure the elders of Gusu Lan Clan, decimate the Mo family, and lead him to attempt an attack on children.[5][3]
At the Guanyin Temple, Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen find it difficult to subdue Nie Mingjue with their traditional cultivation. Wei Wuxian's unorthodox methods prove more successful; he uses a cheerful whistle to nearly persuade Nie Mingjue to climb inside in a coffin.[3]
As Nie Mingjue's fierce corpse can only sense blood, he mistakes Jin Guangyao's nephew Jin Ling for Jin Guangyao himself, which nearly results in Jin Ling's death. In the end, Wei Wuxian only manages to trap Nie Mingjue in the coffin by duetting Chenqing with Wangji,[3] and it takes a seal that lasts for a hundred years to subdue the fierce corpse of Nie Mingjue inside.[15]
Hopping Corpses[]
Hopping corpses (僵尸, Jiāng shī, lit. "stiff corpse") have a long history in Chinese folklore, and move by hopping due to their stiff limbs. According to Wei Wuxian, those who succumb to Corpse Poisoning become hopping corpses.[16]
Living Corpses[]
Living corpses (活尸, Huó shī) are a variant of undead created by an imitator of Wei Wuxian's. To avoid the cons of deceased corpses, who have rigid muscles and slow movement, this imitator created living corpses – transforming living people into corpse puppets before they had died. These living corpses possess the same lack of fear towards pain and controllability as fierce corpses, but they are faster and more agile. Their bodies still breathe even after death. Moreover, some corpses do not even realize they are dead and continue to live as though they are not.[17]
Web Series Divergence[]
As the live-action Web Series could not depict the undead, "fierce corpses" became puppets (傀儡, kuǐlěi). These puppets are living bodies who lose their souls, typically via use of the Yin Metal.[18] Even after their consciousness returns, as in the cases of Wen Ning and Song Lan, they remain in a "puppet-like" state, which renders them susceptible to control from Demonic Cultivation.[19][20]
Gallery[]
.JPG "Fierce Corpse Concept Draft (Donghua).JPG (1.78 MB)")
References[]
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