Gao Zhijian

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gao Zhijian (高志坚)
Alias(es)	Daqi Little Emperor; Emperor of Daliang
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Huowang's companions; Oxheart Village; Daliang Imperial Court
Occupation/Role	Military Strategists cultivator; local soldier trainer; Emperor of Daliang
Status	Active 1001
First Appearance	Chapter 184

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Military Strategists' Cultivation Method — killing intent awakened	371	Activates the hidden cultivation text in General's Garden with his blood, then circulates killing intent and manifests a bloody baleful aura strong enough to kill an insect with a glance.
Military Strategists' Cultivation Method — advanced body refinement	451	Demonstrates greatly increased strength and baleful qi by wielding Peng Longteng's Giant Halberd, shattering stone paving with a strike.
Dragon Vein / Emperor of Daliang	572	Absorbs Daliang's Luck during his enthronement and transforms with Dragon Claws, whiskers, and horns.

Background / History

Gao Zhijian initially traveled with Li Huowang and the other former Qingfeng Temple disciples. He was known for his stutter, slow speech, simple manner, and uncertain past; despite being able to read, he struggled to explain where he came from. He was particularly distressed when others suspected him of once being a Village Guardian 184 186.

After Peng Longteng's death, Gao Zhijian secretly kept General's Garden, initially insisting that it was only a military-strategy book. Its concealed text later revealed a Military Strategists' Cultivation Method. He tested the dangerous method on himself before considering whether to share it with the others 214 371.

As fragmented memories resurfaced, Gao Zhijian tried to communicate them through drawings: an imperial dragon, an emperor, wealth, repeated deaths, chaos, and Li Huowang apparently killing him at the age of five. Though he insisted, “I am the Emperor,” even he doubted whether those memories were real. He ultimately chose to value his present identity, his life in Oxheart Village, and the name Gao Zhijian over pursuing the confusing past 490 491.

Li Huowang eventually discovered that Gao Zhijian was the Daqi Little Emperor. When asked to become Daliang's Emperor in order to help avert catastrophe, Gao Zhijian accepted despite the danger, hoping that imperial authority would let him protect Chun Xiao Man and their companions 570 571. He was enthroned in Shang Jing and became Daliang's Dragon Vein through the absorption of the nation's Luck 572.

Appearance

Gao Zhijian is a tall, broad-built man with a square, honest-looking face. His heavy build and physical strength become increasingly pronounced after he begins Military Strategists cultivation.

• Often described as simple and honest in expression before becoming Emperor.
• Originally speaks with a severe stutter; palace treatment later improves it, though it reappears when he is emotional 586 587.
• Trains bare-chested, with steam rising from his body in cold weather 371.
• Wears a Dragon Robe and imperial crown as Daliang's Emperor 572 586.
• His Dragon Vein transformation manifests Dragon Claws, whiskers, horns, and scale-like cracking skin 572.

Personality

Gao Zhijian is sincere, straightforward, and deeply loyal to his fellow disciples. Though frequently dismissed as foolish because of his speech and apparent slowness, he is observant in practical matters and consistently acts to protect others. He shielded Li Sui during Shang Jing's curfew and fought soldiers rather than abandon her 567.

He initially prefers the uncomplicated life of Oxheart Village, where he can train, work, and quietly care for Chun Xiao Man. The Imperial Palace and his recovered memories make him uncomfortable; he regards the palace as cold despite its luxury and misses the freedom of village life 491 666.

As Emperor, Gao Zhijian becomes more deliberate and politically aware. He recognizes the Fa Sect's danger but resists reckless mobilization when Daliang lacks food, money, and internal stability. This caution brings him into conflict with Li Huowang, whose approach is more immediate and forceful 666 788.

Abilities & Skills

Military Strategists' Cultivation Method

Gao Zhijian practices the cultivation method concealed within Peng Longteng's General's Garden. It develops killing intent, baleful qi, and physical strength.

• Produces a bloody, oppressive baleful aura 371.
• Enhances his strength enough to use Peng Longteng's Giant Halberd and crack stone with it 451.
• Gives him exceptional endurance; he continues fighting Ma Wu despite severe bruising and split hands 567.
• His cultivation draws the attention of other Military Strategists, who recognize his baleful qi 567.
• Li Huowang worries that the method could alter Gao Zhijian's personality, as it did with Peng Longteng 452.

Dragon Vein of Daliang

Following his enthronement, Gao Zhijian bears Daliang's national Luck as its Dragon Vein.

• Physically transforms during the enthronement rite 572.
• His death or destruction can endanger the Dragon Vein, limiting Li Huowang's ability to attack him during the crisis involving Dice 575.
• Is vulnerable to outside manipulation: the White Lotus Sect temporarily controls him through a Fragrance God invocation 575.
• Remains concerned that Dice may have left something within him or could still influence him 587 588.

Combat

Gao Zhijian is a formidable frontline fighter whose fighting style relies on overwhelming strength, endurance, and Military Strategists' baleful qi.

• Defends Oxheart Village alone against a large Fa Sect mob, cutting down attackers with his Giant Halberd 492.
• Throws the thousand-pound halberd through a crowd when surrounded 492.
• Protects Li Sui during the daytime curfew and earns Ma Wu's respect after their fight 567.
• Summons the Generals and Ministers Head during the battle in the White Jade Capital, allowing its Chaos-like form to merge with Li Huowang 1005.

Leadership and Governance

Before becoming Emperor, Gao Zhijian trains Oxheart Village's local soldiers using food and rewards to keep them motivated 491. As Emperor, he directs palace guards, hears intelligence reports, distributes responsibilities during crises, and weighs military action against Daliang's economic and political limits 589 666 788.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Giant Halberd — Peng Longteng's enormous weapon, later used by Gao Zhijian after his cultivation strengthens him 371 451.
• Peng Longteng's armor — Heavy armor intended for combat; Gao Zhijian needs alterations and further strength training to wear it effectively 216.
• Stone Slab Heavenly Book — Given to him by Li Huowang as protection; Gao Zhijian uses it to block Li Huowang's sword, but later shatters it 274 451.
• General's Garden — The military-strategy book containing the concealed Military Strategists' Cultivation Method 214 371.
• Dragon Robe and imperial regalia — Worn after his recognition and enthronement as Daliang's Emperor 571 572.

Relationships

• Li Huowang — Senior brother, traveling companion, and trusted ally. Gao Zhijian accepts the throne to help Li Huowang and later works with him against threats to Daliang, though they disagree sharply over policy and military action 571 666 1001.
• Chun Xiao Man — Fellow disciple and the person Gao Zhijian loves. She insists that they remain like siblings and rejects his proposal-related advances; he later accepts that imperial duty requires him to select an Empress instead 491 587.
• Li Sui — Li Huowang's child, whom Gao Zhijian protects during the Shang Jing curfew and attempts to escort safely back to Oxheart Village 567 571.
• Gouwa — Fellow disciple who teases Gao Zhijian about romance and continues treating him informally even after he becomes Emperor 216 586.
• Zhao Wu — Fellow disciple who attempts to interpret Gao Zhijian's fragmented drawings and urges Chun Xiao Man to tell Li Huowang about his unstable memories 490.
• Daliang National Preceptor — A key political adviser who guides imperial matters and stresses the need for Gao Zhijian to focus on governing 572 587.
• Director of the Celestial Surveillance — An imperial adviser who investigates Dice's possible connection to Gao Zhijian and counsels him on national affairs 587 588.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Oxheart Village

Gao Zhijian settles into village life after traveling with Li Huowang. He trains local soldiers, develops the Military Strategists' Cultivation Method, and defends the village against the Fa Sect alongside Chun Xiao Man 371 491 492.

Identity as the Daqi Little Emperor

His scattered memories lead him to believe that he was once an emperor, though he cannot distinguish truth from falsehood. Li Huowang later confirms that he is the Daqi Little Emperor, whose previous life and repeated survival are tied to Daqi's fate 490 570.

Ascension to Daliang's Throne

Gao Zhijian accepts the role of Daliang's Emperor to aid Li Huowang and protect those he cares about. The enthronement turns him into Daliang's Dragon Vein, immediately placing him at the center of conflicts involving Dice, the White Lotus Sect, and the Celestial Surveillance Division 571 572 575.

Reign of Daliang

Gao Zhijian grows from a reluctant figurehead into a ruler responsible for famine, refugees, internal Fa Sect unrest, and foreign threats. He tries to preserve Daliang's stability while continuing to support Li Huowang's increasingly dangerous efforts against the Fa Sect and the calamities surrounding the White Jade Capital 666 776 788 1001.

Notable Quotes

“I... I am the Emperor... Emperor!” 490

“Senior Brother Li! I'm very, very happy to be able to help you!” 571

“The Emperor is also a Mud Plasterer, patching up wherever it leaks.” 666

Trivia

• Gao Zhijian once mistakenly believed that becoming Emperor would make Chun Xiao Man willing to marry him 571.
• He prefers manual labor and military training to palace life, even personally hoeing an imperial field during a spring-plowing ceremony 846.
• His first attempt to approach the Imperial Palace as an unrecognized claimant nearly ends when palace guards threaten him with a halberd 558.