Qinghe City

Biodata

Background

Qinghe City is a major martial-arts hub whose prosperity rests on abundant cultivation resources, established commercial institutions, and a dense population of martial artists. Its opportunities draw practitioners from surrounding towns and distant regions, even though violence and gang conflict are commonplace. 79

The ancient Sun and Yang families have remained Qinghe City's first- and second-ranked powers for over three centuries. Their ancestors reportedly reached the Mortal Transformation Realm, leaving foundations that have kept both clans dominant through changing times. 78 79

Cityscape

Qinghe City is enclosed by ancient walls over six zhang high, built from an unidentified stone and described as imposing and difficult to breach. Its gates are wide enough for sixteen carriages to pass abreast. 80

• The city has four gates and a heavy daily flow of entrants. 80
• Bluestone roads, crowded markets, food stalls, inns, gambling houses, brothels, and martial-arts businesses fill its streets. 79 80 106
• The city center is its most valuable commercial district; most shops there are controlled by the Five Great Top Powers. 133
• The northern district is dominated by gangs and frequent fighting. 108
• The west district is a prosperous entertainment area known for brothels, wine shops, and gambling houses. 106

Governance and Power

Formal government authority is weak compared with the city's major martial organizations. Officials are reluctant or unable to interfere with influential families such as the Huang Family, while the Five Great Top Powers effectively control much of Qinghe City's wealth and order. 77 179

The Medicine King Gang administers the city gates, collecting an entrance fee of fifty copper coins from most entrants. Members of the other four top powers and martial artists at the Energy Refining Realm or above are exempt; the Medicine King Gang keeps 30% of the revenue, with the other 70% divided among the remaining top powers. 80

Five Great Top Powers

Economy

Qinghe City's martial economy supports the rapid circulation of medicinal materials, pills, weapons, cultivation manuals, exotic-beast materials, and rare treasures. 79 132

• Heavenly Treasure Pavilion is the city's largest commercial establishment, selling and purchasing martial manuals, weapons, pills, and rare items. It is known for offering high prices when acquiring treasures. 79
• The pavilion is independent of the Five Great Top Powers and is reportedly backed by Mortal Transformation Realm martial artists; it stays neutral in local disputes and focuses on business. 133
• Exotic Beast remains are highly valued throughout Qinghe City's territory. The Medicine King Gang, the Five Great Top Powers, and Heavenly Treasure Pavilion compete to acquire them. 132
• The Huang Family recruits refugees for mine work under contracts that require a full year of service or a twenty-tael penalty for early departure. 77
• Qunfang Tower, a seven-story brothel owned by the Huang Family, reportedly earns one hundred gold per day and is guarded by two Iron Bone Stage martial artists. 107

Martial Arts Environment

Blood Strengthening Realm martial artists are numerous enough to be encountered frequently in Qinghe City, unlike in Qingyang Town, where they are considered major figures. 31 79

Qinghe City's concentration of resources, teachers, competitors, and combat opportunities allows martial artists to advance faster than in smaller settlements. This same environment produces constant disputes, killings, and competition for status. 79

Notable Locations

Story Role

• Yang Heng leaves Qingyang Town for Qinghe City after the Medicine King Gang opens recruitment following its losses to Black Wind Stronghold. 76 77
• Yang Heng and Lai Er arrive after a three-day journey, pay the gate fee, and split up to pursue recruitment information and business at Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. 80
• Yang Heng joins the Medicine King Gang, where his talent and conflicts with Hall Master Zhao Tie place him within the city's struggle for influence. 85 98 102
• The city becomes the setting for Yang Heng's alchemy training, treasure dealings, identity concealment, and efforts to remove Elder Li's spiritual mark. 151 160 172
• Heavenly Treasure Pavilion's once-every-five-years auction draws wealthy merchants, martial artists, major-family heirs, and outsiders seeking rare cultivation resources. 179 181