Lin Fangzheng

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Lin Fangzheng (林方正)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yulin City branch of the Lin Family; connected to the Lushan Lin Family main line
Occupation/Role	Patriarch of the Yulin Lin Family; Innate Grandmaster
Status	Alive as of 64
First Appearance	1

Background / History

Lin Fangzheng was the patriarch of the Lin Family’s mortal branch in Yulin City, a respected figure capable in both literary and martial pursuits. Though he had fathered more than a dozen daughters, he had no son to inherit the family business; he therefore requested an adopted heir from the Lushan Lin Family main line. He received Lin Chan, a child discarded by the main line for lacking a Spiritual Root. 1

He raised Lin Chan as his own son from infancy, hiring two wet nurses and ensuring that the child lacked nothing. Lin Chan later reflected that Fangzheng treated him even better than a biological child. 1 6

Fangzheng supported Lin Chan’s education and martial training, granting him access to his valuable study, finding him a teacher, and arranging for Li Xingxiao to accept him into private school. 2 3 As Lin Chan’s ability and maturity became clear, Fangzheng formally named him the Lin Family’s young master, securing his succession against the ambitions of Third Mistress and her son, Lin Hu. 6

When Lin Chan was nearly ten, Fangzheng revealed the truth of his adoption: Lin Chan had been removed from the Lushan main line’s genealogy because he had no Spiritual Root. Though Fangzheng encouraged him to consider returning to the main family as a possible route to cultivation, he accepted Lin Chan’s refusal and supported his plan to seek Shu Mountain instead. 12

Before Lin Chan departed for Shu Mountain, Fangzheng spent a month collecting and annotating maps to prepare the safest route. He also entrusted Lin Chan with First-Grade Spirit Pivot Talisman Coins—the savings of the household—as travel funds. 16 17

Fourteen years later, Fangzheng reunited with Lin Chan in Yulin City. Though aged, he remained robust and was deeply proud of his adopted son’s cultivation achievements. He later agreed to Lin Chan’s plan for the household to relocate near Shu Mountain rather than return to the Lushan main line. 63 64 65

Appearance

Lin Fangzheng is described as rugged-looking, with strong arms capable of lifting Lin Chan high as a child. In later years, he has visibly aged, though he remains physically robust. 1 63

• Rugged appearance and powerful build. 1
• Strong enough to be recognized as one of Yulin City’s three Innate Grandmasters. 3
• Had grown older by Lin Chan’s return after fourteen years away. 63

Personality

Lin Fangzheng is deeply paternal, practical, and protective. He considers Lin Chan his son regardless of blood, invests heavily in his upbringing, and takes pride in his achievements. 1 6 12

He is also politically decisive. By declaring Lin Chan young master, he directly intervenes in the household’s succession struggle and protects Madam Zhang’s position against Third Mistress’s faction. 6

Although cautious about supernatural threats and the power of cultivators, Fangzheng does not abandon his responsibilities. He responds to the crisis at the City Lord’s residence despite recognizing that evil spirits are beyond ordinary martial arts. 13 14

Abilities & Skills

Innate Martial Arts

Lin Fangzheng is an Innate Grandmaster, one of only three such martial artists in Yulin City alongside City Lord Luo Jingxing and Xiao Ming. 3

• Possesses Inner Qi, which can harm evil entities through direct contact, though with limited effectiveness. 16
• Fought alongside Xiao Ming during the Cat Ghost incident, wielding a blade in the rescue attempt. 15
• Was eventually surpassed by Lin Chan, whose blade qi had grown beyond the level of Yulin City’s Innate masters. 17

Household Leadership

As patriarch, Fangzheng manages the Yulin Lin Family’s succession, external ties, and security.

• Named Lin Chan the family’s young master and intended him to inherit the household. 6
• Maintained contact with the Lushan Lin Family main line through periodic visits and gifts. 11
• Responded to crises affecting allied families, including City Lord Luo’s possession by the Cat Ghost. 13 14
• Prepared Lin Chan’s journey to Shu Mountain with detailed maps and travel resources. 16 17

Relationships

• Lin Chan — Adopted son and designated heir. Fangzheng raised him from infancy, supported his education and cultivation journey, and remained his father in Lin Chan’s eyes despite their lack of blood relation. 1 6 12 63
• Madam Zhang — Wife and matriarch of the Yulin Lin Family. Fangzheng supported her position during the succession conflict involving Third Mistress. 6
• Lin Hu — Biological son. Fangzheng loves him but disciplines him firmly, particularly regarding his education. 13
• Lin Yuemian — Daughter. Fangzheng arranged for her education in City Lord Luo’s household when Li Xingxiao would not accept female students. 3
• Liu Zi (Uncle Liu) — Household guard captain and trusted retainer. Fangzheng relied on him to teach, escort, and protect Lin Chan. 2 3
• Li Xingxiao — Lin Chan’s teacher. Fangzheng personally arranged Lin Chan’s enrollment at Li’s private school. 3
• Luo Jingxing — City Lord of Yulin City and fellow Innate Grandmaster. Fangzheng aided the Luo household during the Cat Ghost crisis. 13 14
• Lin Qingsong — Representative of the Lushan Lin Family who sought to reconcile the main line with Lin Chan. Fangzheng initially wished to preserve relations with the main family but ultimately accepted Lin Chan’s decision to relocate toward Shu Mountain. 63 64

Story Role / Major Arcs

Adoption and Succession

Fangzheng adopts Lin Chan from the Lushan main line and raises him as his heir. His decision to publicly designate Lin Chan as young master establishes the central succession conflict within the Yulin Lin Family. 1 6

Supporting Lin Chan’s Path to Shu Mountain

After revealing Lin Chan’s origins, Fangzheng supports his adopted son’s determination to pursue immortality outside the Lushan main line. He prepares Lin Chan for travel and gives him the family’s accumulated talisman coins. 12 16 17

Cat Ghost Incident

Fangzheng joins Yulin City’s defense when the Cat Ghost attacks the Luo household. Though aware that martial artists are poorly suited to fighting evil spirits, he fulfills his obligations to his allied families. 14 15 16

Reunion and Relocation

When Lin Chan returns after fourteen years, Fangzheng recognizes him immediately and accepts medicinal pills, health remedies, and protective talismans from him. After the Lushan main line attempts to reclaim influence over the family, Fangzheng agrees to move his household toward Shu Mountain for safety. 63 64 65

Notable Quotes

“I hereby declare that Chan'er is the young master of our Lin family. When I grow old in a few years, you must all wholeheartedly support him.” 6

“Chan'er has truly grown up.” 64