Chen Sanli

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Sanli (陈三利)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Shangyang Family 42
Occupation/Role	Martial Artist; assists Martial Masters in managing and guarding medicinal fields outside the city 42
Status	Active 48
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Formal Martial Artist	23	Broke through alongside Xiao Sheng and joined the training courtyard as an official Martial Artist.
Thunderclap Fist — basic proficiency	36	States that his inner force can manifest externally and that he has grasped the basics of his fist technique.

Background / History

Chen Sanli first approached Xu Yuan during the laborers' early martial training, proposing that they practice together. Xu Yuan declined, believing he had not yet understood Master Feng's instruction well enough. Chen Sanli accepted the rejection without losing his smile, treating the attempt as a chance worth taking. 4

He later tried to join Xu Yuan, Li Shan, and Sun Rong's stance-practice group. Rejected again, he remained outwardly friendly and offered information he had gathered to build goodwill. After an unspecified breakthrough, however, he distanced himself from the group and stopped sharing news, apparently believing them no longer worth associating with. He resumed friendly contact once their prospects improved. 8 10 14

Chen Sanli became an official Martial Artist by the time Xu Yuan arrived at the training courtyard. Their relationship immediately soured when Chen Sanli opened Xu Yuan's jar of homemade bean paste without permission, dismissed the objection as stinginess, and continued trying to take advantage of Li Shan's generosity. 23 24 25

His disregard for others' belongings caused another major conflict when he drank from Gao Yuan's water flask without permission. Gao Yuan smashed the flask rather than keep it, and Chen Sanli left the dormitory angrily after the ensuing argument. 30 31

As Xu Yuan's strength and potential became increasingly clear, Chen Sanli began openly favoring him. He offered to treat the group after Xu Yuan achieved entry-level Thunderclap Fist, then struck Wang Huan for insulting Xu Yuan. Although he was beaten in the resulting fight, Chen Sanli considered the gesture worthwhile because it improved his standing with Xu Yuan and could bring him cultivation guidance. 32 34

After the assessment, Chen Sanli accepted a medicinal-field assignment outside the city. He became markedly deferential to Xu Yuan, offering gossip and contacts in exchange for a closer relationship. 42 47

Appearance

Chen Sanli is described as a thin laborer with the shrewd air of a market vendor. He is older than most of the laborers and slightly shorter than Xu Yuan. 4 17 42

• Thin build. 4
• Slightly shorter than Xu Yuan. 42
• Often wears a persistent, ingratiating smile. 4 24
• His mannerisms are repeatedly described as shrewd and socially calculating. 4 17

Personality

Chen Sanli is opportunistic, socially experienced, and highly sensitive to other people's value or potential. He initially seeks out promising training partners, shares information to foster goodwill, and later judges how far he can push others based on their temperament and status. He readily exploits easygoing people such as Li Shan and Qin Yang, while acting more cautiously around those he considers difficult or useful. 4 8 24 33

He is notably thick-skinned. Even after being reprimanded for opening Xu Yuan's food or inconveniencing Li Shan, he quickly returns to calling everyone “brother” and behaving as though no conflict occurred. 23 24 25

Despite this self-interest, Chen Sanli can be useful to allies. He maintains a broad network of contacts, brings information from outside the Shangyang Family grounds, and actively supports Xu Yuan once he chooses him as the more advantageous ally. 34 42 47

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Chen Sanli successfully became a formal Martial Artist despite earlier being viewed as unprominent and of only average aptitude. 23

• Has cultivated internal force to the point that it can manifest outside his body. 36
• Was still behind stronger First Meridian Martial Artists such as Wang Huan in direct combat; Wang Huan's superior Blood Essence allowed him to overpower Chen Sanli during their fight. 34
• Chose to prioritize martial skills over cultivation because his family could not afford substantial medicinal expenses. 27

Thunderclap Fist

Chen Sanli focused on Thunderclap Fist for the Martial Artist assessment and later claimed to have grasped its basics. 27 36

• His progress in the technique helped him avoid being grouped solely with the dormitory's lagging trainees. 36
• He hoped that becoming closer to Xu Yuan would let him receive useful guidance in fist techniques. 34

Networking and Information Gathering

Chen Sanli regularly gathers and distributes rumors, employment news, and information about other Martial Artists. 8 29 42 47

• Used social connections to learn of entertainment venues and introduce Qin Yang to them. 29
• Promised to relay useful gossip from the medicinal fields to Xu Yuan. 42
• Obtained information about former dormmates' assignments, injuries, cultivation progress, and relationships through his contacts. 47 48

Relationships

• Xu Yuan — Initially rejected as a training partner, then alienated after taking Xu Yuan's bean paste without permission. Chen Sanli later chose Xu Yuan's side against Wang Huan and became an eager subordinate and informant after recognizing Xu Yuan's potential. 4 23 34 42 47
• Li Shan — Frequently benefits from Li Shan's generosity, including his offer to buy bean paste and access to his supplies. Chen Sanli privately regards him as easy to take advantage of. 24 25
• Wang Huan — Previously flattered Wang Huan as a favored senior, but abandoned him after deciding Xu Yuan was the more valuable ally. Chen Sanli slapped Wang Huan and was beaten in the resulting altercation. 34
• Tian Yang — Later joined Tian Yang in visiting Xu Yuan with food and wine; the three discussed work assignments and old dormmates. 47
• Qin Yang — Became Qin Yang's companion in entertainment outings and encouraged his indulgence. Qin Yang defended him during the dispute with Gao Yuan. 29 30
• Gao Yuan — Their relationship deteriorated after Chen Sanli drank from Gao Yuan's water flask without permission, prompting Gao Yuan to smash it. 30 31

Trivia

• Chen Sanli's proposal to treat everyone after Xu Yuan's Thunderclap Fist breakthrough shocked the dormitory because he was known for taking small advantages from others. 32
• He repeatedly calls others “brother,” including people younger than himself, to create familiarity and soften conflicts. 24
• His medicinal-field post pays one tael of silver per month and can occasionally provide Precious Meat as an additional benefit. 42