Old Niu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Old Niu (老牛)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Vanguard Camp; Black Tiger Camp; Northern Expeditionary Army; Northern Army 10 26 41 49
Occupation/Role	Veteran soldier; Squad Leader; core general under Chen Qing 10 24 35
Status	Active; holds important military authority in the Northern Army 49
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Peak Skin Refining Realm	10	A seasoned Vanguard Camp veteran; he and Sun Quezi were considered capable of challenging an ordinary early Bone Forging Realm cultivator together.
Early Meridian Condensing Realm	37	Stabilized his cultivation through continued combat and resource allocation alongside Sun Quezi.

Background / History

Old Niu was a peak Skin Refining Realm veteran in the Vanguard Camp when Chen Qing was assigned as his new section leader. Resenting being commanded by someone so young, he openly requested a challenge and joined Sun Quezi in attacking Chen Qing. Chen Qing incapacitated both men in a single exchange; Old Niu then formally submitted and became one of Chen Qing's most dependable soldiers 10.

He quickly placed his trust in Chen Qing's leadership. Before the raid on Wolf Fang Stronghold, he publicly pledged to follow Chen Qing's orders, and he helped eliminate Northern Barbarian outposts during the squad's approach to the stronghold 11 12. Following the raid, he remained with Chen Qing to hunt retreating enemies despite suffering superficial wounds 13.

Personality

Old Niu is blunt, combative, and initially proud of his veteran status. His first reaction to Chen Qing's appointment was direct defiance rather than quiet resentment; after being decisively defeated, he accepted the result without excuse and submitted openly 10.

He is fiercely loyal once convinced of a leader's strength. He regularly voices concerns about high-risk operations, but ultimately commits himself fully when Chen Qing makes a decision, even treating death in battle as an honor 15 32. His straightforward approach contrasts with Sun Quezi's more calculating nature during strategic discussions 42.

Abilities & Skills

Veteran Battlefield Experience

Old Niu's experience as a Vanguard Camp veteran made him useful in reconnaissance, infiltration, and combat operations.

• Helped Chen Qing's squad silently clear three Northern Barbarian outposts during the approach to Wolf Fang Stronghold 12.
• Identified Black Wind Gorge as terrain highly vulnerable to ambush and later led two soldiers on advance reconnaissance there 15.
• Participated in setting fires behind the Northern Mang vanguard, contributing to the confusion that forced a Meridian Condensing Realm commander to retreat 20.

Command and Assault Leadership

After gaining Chen Qing's trust, Old Niu was repeatedly assigned independent battlefield commands.

• Led ten men in a flanking operation with fire oil and poison smoke bombs against the Northern Mang vanguard 19.
• Was promoted by Chen Qing to Squad Leader after the campaign that routed the Northern Mang vanguard 24.
• Assisted with Black Tiger Camp recruitment and trained the expanded force alongside Sun Quezi and other officers 26 34 35.
• Commanded the vanguard assault on Wolf Fang Fortress's South Gate and later redirected his troops into the enemy's disordered personal guards 35 36.
• Helped defend the Northern Expeditionary Army against the Wolf God Guards and worked to stabilize the army during the Wolf Ancestor Dharma Aspect's destructive aftermath 43 47.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy siege hammer — Used to strike the iron-clad South Gate of Wolf Fang Fortress during the Black Tiger Camp's assault 36.
• Wolf-tooth club — Carried while reporting to Chen Qing as the Wolf God Guards approached 43.

Relationships

• Chen Qing — Formerly challenged Chen Qing's authority, then became an unwavering subordinate, battlefield commander, and trusted military aide. He helped catch Chen Qing after the Wolf Ancestor Dharma Aspect battle and was later assigned responsibility for training and consolidating forces in the Northern Frontier 10 47 48.
• Sun Quezi / Cripple Sun — Fellow veteran and frequent co-commander. The two challenged Chen Qing together, coordinated fires during the Northern Mang vanguard operation, and jointly led Black Tiger Camp soldiers in later campaigns 10 20 28.
• Zhao Tie — Served in the same Vanguard Camp section when Chen Qing assumed command; Zhao Tie initially doubted Chen Qing's decision to face Old Niu and Sun Quezi simultaneously 10.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wolf Fang Stronghold Raid

Old Niu took part in Chen Qing's first Vanguard Camp operation. He assisted in the stealthy removal of outposts, created diversions inside Wolf Fang Stronghold, burned grain supplies, and joined the pursuit of the collapsing Northern Barbarian defenders 12 13.

Black Wind Gorge Ambush

When Chen Qing's unit received the suspiciously dangerous reconnaissance assignment to Black Wind Gorge, Old Niu immediately recognized the gorge as a likely killing ground. Chen Qing placed him in charge of advance scouting with two soldiers, ordering him to warn the unit and withdraw if he found danger 15.

Black Tiger Camp Officer

As Chen Qing's influence expanded, Old Niu became a Squad Leader in the Black Tiger Camp. He undertook recruitment, training, patrol support, and command duties while the camp grew from five hundred soldiers to several thousand 24 26 34 35.

Northern Expedition

Old Niu continued serving as one of Chen Qing's core generals during the Northern Expedition. He participated in strategic councils, defended the army against the Wolf God Guards, and remained beside Chen Qing during the destruction of the Northern Mang Royal Court 42 43 47.

Northern Frontier Consolidation

After the Northern Mang Royal Court fell, Chen Qing assigned Old Niu responsibility for military training and force consolidation around Town North City. As the Northern Army expanded with screened Northern Mang surrenderers, Old Niu was among the loyal generals entrusted with significant military power 48 49.

Notable Quotes

“If the General dares to go, I, Old Niu, will be no man if I flinch!” 32