Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary
Selected Quotes

• “I have no talents. I was only borrowing from your predestined good fortune.”
  - Wu Song "The Pilgrim"

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• Li Kui's Virtues (Chapter 53)

  Dai Zong [the Marvelous Traveler] stayed with him [Luo the sage] for five days, and each day he kowtowed and begged the sage to save Li Kui.

  "Men like that can only be driven away," said Luo. "Don't take him back with you."

  "You don't understand," replied Dai. "Li Kui is stupid, he doesn't know the rites, but he has his good points. First of all he's absolutely straight. He'll rarely ask anyone for anything. Secondly, he doesn't flatter people, but when he's loyal it's to the death. Third, he's not lecherous, greedy, or treacherous, but brave and bold. For these reasons, Song Jiang loves Li Kui. I wouldn't be able to face brother Song if I went back without him."

  Luo laughed. "I've known for some time that he is one of the stars of Heavenly Spirits. Because many people on earth behave too wickedly, as a punishment to them and him, he was sent down to kill them. Would I dare go against the will of Heaven and harm a man like that? I only want to rough him up a little, then you can have him back."

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• “A star can only fly down, it can never fly back.”
  - Wu Yong "The Wizard"

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• “We always put loyalty and righteousness above all, acting in Heaven's behalf and never wronging the emperor,” they said. "But the Imperial court sent us poisoned wine and, though blameless, we died. We're buried in Liao Er Flats outside Chuzhou's South Gate. If you still remember the old days come and visit our graves.
  - Song Jiang "The Timely Rain" and Li Kui "The Black Whirlwind"

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While leading the outlaws in an attack on the Zeng family village, Chao Gai the Heavenly King is shot in the face with an arrow by the Zeng family arms instructor, Shi Wengong. It is a wound from which he will die.