Qingyang County

Biodata

Background / History

Qingyang County contains a Demon Suppression Division that recruits and trains cultivators to combat demonic creatures. Its Technique Pavilion holds cultivation methods, while recruits who demonstrate talent receive techniques and Blood Qi Pills as resources. In nearly fifty years, the division produced only two renowned figures: Commander Zuo and Commander Xiao Qiaofeng. 1

The county developed around its Blood Copper Mine, but its remote terrain made it vulnerable to isolation. Blackwater Ravine lies to the east, the Crimson Flame Desert to the south, the Mountain Lord Mountain Range to the west, and the Thorn Swamp to the north; only the western route is comparatively passable. 49

Before the open collapse, demonic creatures emptied villages and towns within four hundred li of the county, forcing refugees toward the county city. With no room inside the walls, many refugees lived in crude shelters outside the gates. 16 18

An Evil entity secretly controlled Qingyang County for nearly a year through the County Magistrate. It used the county’s isolation, controlled merchant caravans, captured residents, and fostered despair to strengthen itself; its underground demon lair lay beneath the county yamen. 26 35 36 48

Geography

Governance and Organizations

• Demon Suppression Division — The county’s principal anti-demon force. Most of its guards are below Body Refinement Fourth Layer, while Minor Banner Officers and General Banner Officers are comparatively scarce. 9
• County Magistrate / hidden Evil — The magistrate was revealed to be the Evil controlling the county, using the office and its authority to conceal demonic activity. 33 35
• County Governor — A powerful and elusive figure associated with the county’s administration and Black Market; he had made only two public appearances in ten years. 7 32
• Sun Family — A prominent cultivating family with extensive local influence. Sun Wude’s branch allied with the Venerable One and planned to capture commoners for rewards. 6 34
• Black Tiger Gang — A long-established gang with five halls and more than two thousand members. It operated primarily in the county and extorted residents through its influence over the west of the city. 13 16
• Iron Hand Gang — A southern-city gang led by Tie Wuqing; it frequently hunted demonic creatures and cooperated with the Demon Suppression Division. 17 18

Black Market

The Qingyang County Black Market operates from Four Seas Manor in the east of the city. Although outwardly managed by the Four Seas Gang, it is controlled by the County Governor. 7

• It trades cultivation techniques, medicinal pills, weapons, and other goods; mid-grade cultivation techniques occasionally appear. 6
• Its goods are described as genuine and safe within the market itself. 6
• Robbery and murder are common after visitors leave, making disguises and concealment essential. 6
• Sihai Pavilion is one of its shops and is managed by Qian Panghai. 7 32

Demonic Crisis

Encirclement

The county’s four exits were guarded by powerful demonic creatures: the Western White Tiger, Eastern Black Water Python, Southern Blood Crow, and Northern Thorn Crocodile Turtle. Each was stated to be no weaker than Xiao Qiaofeng. 33

The Mountain Lord Mountain Range, once a resource-rich destination for local cultivators, became a demon-infested region marked by human remains and dense deathly miasma. 22

Collapse of Qingyang City

After Ye Xiaofan escaped, the County Magistrate publicly framed him and Xiao Qiaofeng as demonic spies. Demonic creatures then attacked the western city at night, slaughtering civilians and driving widespread fear, despair, and distrust of the Demon Suppression Division. 36

By the time Jinyang City’s reinforcements arrived, Qingyang City’s streets were in ruins, with demonic corpses, smoke, fire, and a pervasive stench throughout the central districts. 49

Counteroffensive

Commander Zuo and Jinyang City Lord Jiang Jingxing arrived ahead of the main force. Commander Zuo fought the Evil directly, while Jiang Jingxing engaged a massive white tiger demon. 49

Liu Qingyun subsequently led over a hundred Demon Suppressing Guards into the county yamen, where they began searching the underground demon lair for survivors and eliminating those who could not be saved. 49

Notable Locations

• Demon Suppression Division — Recruitment, training, archives, logistics, and the Technique Pavilion are based here. 1 13 27
• Technique Pavilion — Holds low-, mid-, and high-grade techniques; the county division possesses no top-grade cultivation techniques. 1 27
• Blood Copper Mine — A resource site threatened by demonic creatures, prompting the planned evacuation of refined Blood Copper. 21
• Blackwater Ravine — The narrow eastern route through which reinforcements later entered Qingyang County. 49
• Underground Purgatory Demon Den — A vast subterranean hall beneath the county yamen, filled with bones, stone caves, captives, and demonic creatures. 36
• Ten Mile Peach Blossom Forest — A forest on the route toward the Blood Copper Mine, where Ye Xiaofan’s party encountered demonic creatures. 18 19

Trivia

• Qingyang County’s Demon Suppression Division distributes cultivation resources according to how quickly recruits master the Basic Breathing Technique. 1
• The county’s black market is safe only while one remains inside it. 6
• The county’s difficult terrain was a major reason the Evil could isolate it from outside aid. 49