Lai Er

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Lai Er (赖二)
Alias(es)	Man in Black
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yang Heng's subordinate; formerly affiliated with Black Wind Stronghold 57 161
Occupation/Role	Servant, courier, and information gatherer for Yang Heng 76 115 160
Status	Alive; continues serving Yang Heng 171 176
First Appearance	Chapter 56

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Levitation Technique — Minor Accomplishment	56	Achieved after diligent training at Black Wind Stronghold; could leap over five zhang in one bound, but Yang Heng's Martial Artist's Pressure stopped his escape. 56
Blood Strengthening Stage	167	Had reached the Blood Strengthening Stage by the time of the Black Clothes Alley incident. 167

Background / History

Lai Er previously served Black Wind Stronghold and carried out missions in black clothing. During one such assignment, he encountered Yang Heng at an inn. Confident in his newly advanced Levitation Technique, Lai Er tried to flee through a window, but Yang Heng's Blood Strengthening Realm pressure forced him to the ground. Faced with certain death, he chose to submit. 56

To prove his usefulness, Lai Er offered Yang Heng a previously discovered Beginner Divine Contract. He signed it with blood, allowing Yang Heng to inflict unbearable pain through the contract and making Lai Er genuinely fearful of betrayal. Yang Heng then ordered him to kill Zhang Qiang and recover the items he carried. 57

Lai Er completed the assignment and handed Zhang Qiang's unopened belongings to Yang Heng. Seeing Yang Heng's rapid advancement in the Levitation Technique, he concluded that serving him was the best decision of his life. 65

After accompanying Yang Heng to Qinghe City, Lai Er became his primary source of local intelligence. He explained the city's major powers, the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and the Medicine King Gang's recruitment rules. 77 78 79 84

While gathering auction intelligence in Qinghe City's black market, Lai Er was recognized and captured by his former superior, Chen Tong. Chen Tong accused him of betraying Black Wind Stronghold and being involved in Tang Ying's death. Lai Er endured severe torture but refused to reveal Yang Heng's name. 161

Yang Heng rescued him, killed Chen Tong and the Wang brothers, and helped Lai Er escape. Lai Er's injuries were treated with a Rejuvenation Pill, though Tang Ba Tian later injured him again during their escape from Black Clothes Alley. 162 164 167 168

Personality

Lai Er is pragmatic and strongly motivated by survival. When Yang Heng's strength made escape impossible, he immediately abandoned resistance and offered his allegiance, presenting himself as useful rather than relying on empty pleas alone. 56 57

Though his initial submission was self-serving, the Divine Contract and Yang Heng's repeated displays of strength turned his fear into genuine loyalty. He becomes increasingly devoted as Yang Heng provides protection, resources, and opportunities for his advancement. 57 65 95

He is observant, cautious, and understands subordinate etiquette. Lai Er does not question assignments he considers outside his place, refuses to share a table with Yang Heng because of their hierarchy, and quietly withdraws rather than interrupting Yang Heng's cultivation. 57 94 176

Abilities & Skills

Levitation Technique

Lai Er's principal martial skill is the Levitation Technique, a movement art developed to facilitate escape.

• Reached Minor Accomplishment before his submission to Yang Heng. 56
• Can leap over five zhang in a single bound. 56
• Believed it gave him a meaningful chance to escape a Blood Strengthening Realm martial artist if he could leave their pressure range. 56
• Is severely hindered within a Blood Strengthening Realm martial artist's pressure; Shopkeeper Chen's pressure reduced his strength and movement speed substantially. 59

Information Gathering

Lai Er is familiar with Qinghe City, its black market, and the local power structure.

• Informed Yang Heng about the Huang family's mine recruitment and the gap between the Huang family and Qinghe City's officials. 77
• Explained Qinghe City's five top powers and the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. 78 79
• Gathered the Medicine King Gang's recruitment conditions and assessment procedures. 83 84
• Was entrusted with investigating the Origin Stone and auction offerings. 115 160
• Confirmed that the Great Sun Observation Heart Sutra would be sold at auction. 171

Endurance

Lai Er withstood extreme torture from Chen Tong without disclosing Yang Heng's identity.

• Remained silent despite being bound, cut, beaten, and threatened with a needle to the eye. 161 162
• Survived the Black Clothes Alley conflict with severe wounds and broken ribs. 164 168

Equipment / Items

• Beginner Divine Contract — A rare beast-hide contract Lai Er found in a cave and offered to Yang Heng as proof of allegiance. It can control up to three Body Tempering Realm martial artists; Lai Er signed it with his blood. 57
• Blood essence-marked animal skin — Yang Heng possesses a skin marked with Lai Er's blood essence and aura, allowing him to locate Lai Er within a fifty-mile radius. 161

Relationships

• Yang Heng — Master. Lai Er submitted after Yang Heng defeated his escape attempt; their relationship develops from coercive control under the Divine Contract into mutual reliance, with Lai Er handling intelligence and Yang Heng repeatedly protecting him. 56 57 76 161 167
• Chen Tong — Former immediate superior at Black Wind Stronghold. Chen Tong captured and tortured Lai Er over accusations of betrayal and involvement in Tang Ying's death; Yang Heng later killed Chen Tong. 161 162 164
• Zhang Qiang — Target of Lai Er's first assignment under Yang Heng. Lai Er was ordered to kill him and deliver his possessions. 57 65
• Wang Wu and Wang Hao — Chen Tong's allies, both peak Blood Strengthening Realm saber users. They participated in Lai Er's captivity before Yang Heng killed them. 162 164
• Wang Fei — Medicine King Gang contact introduced to Lai Er by Yang Heng when investigating the Origin Stone. 115

Story Role / Major Arcs

Submission and Zhang Qiang Mission

• Attempts to escape Yang Heng using the Levitation Technique but is subdued by Martial Artist's Pressure. 56
• Offers the Divine Contract, signs it in blood, and becomes Yang Heng's bound subordinate. 57
• Carries out Yang Heng's order concerning Zhang Qiang and returns the target's belongings unopened. 65

Qinghe City Informant

• Travels with Yang Heng from Qingyang Town to Qinghe City. 77 80
• Supplies intelligence on Qinghe City's factions, the Medicine King Gang, and its disciple assessment. 77 78 79 83 84
• Manages meals, errands, and logistical work during Yang Heng's cultivation. 94 95

Black Clothes Alley Incident

• Goes to the black market to investigate auction information and is recognized by former Black Wind Stronghold members. 161
• Is tortured by Chen Tong but refuses to expose Yang Heng. 161 162
• Is rescued by Yang Heng, treated with a Rejuvenation Pill, and escapes Black Clothes Alley after further injury. 164 167 168

Trivia

• Lai Er considers Yang Heng's exceptional cultivation speed a personal opportunity, believing that his master's advancement will also improve his own prospects. 65 95
• He has visited Qinghe City multiple times during previous missions and is notably more familiar with its underworld than Yang Heng. 77 80 161
• His former Black Wind Stronghold associates mistakenly connected him to the deaths of Tang Ying and Great Leader Tang. 161