Definition
A physical restraint device used in psychiatric hospitals; in this novel, its application is a literal and symbolic act of binding the protagonist to his suffering.
straitjacket
A physical restraint device used in psychiatric hospitals; in this novel, its application is a literal and symbolic act of binding the protagonist to his suffering.
Story context
Alright, buckle up, friends. This chapter isn’t here to make you feel good. It’s here to punch you in the gut and leave you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. We pick up with Li Huowang in the modern hospital, scarfing down fast food like a normal person—and for a moment, you almost believe it. The illusion of peace is cruel and brief. When Yi Donglai casually drops the name Zhuge Yuan, the entire chapter detonates into a raw, screaming breakdown. This isn’t a thoughtful debate about reality versus delusion. This is Li Huowang finally breaking, right there in the white-tiled room, and the sound is horrible.
Why it matters
This is one of the purest emotional gut-punches in the novel so far. Read it in one sitting—the power is in the pacing. Notice how the author builds a small, warm bubble at the start (mother, fries, ketchup) just to shatter it with a single sentence. The destruction of the game console is not random; it is the destruction of the last coping mechanism. After that, Li Huowang fights with his bare hands and his forehead.
Quick facts
Source novel
Dao Gui Yi Xian
First appearance
Dead
Chapter references
1
Type hints
li huowang breakdown, yi donglai confrontation, zhuge yuan death
Guide tags
emotional devastation, psychological horror, doctor vs patient
Appears in chapters
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Related terms
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