Chen Jinhai

Biodata

Background / History

Chen Jinhai became Area 8's new steward after Lin Chuan's tenure. Immediately after arriving, he imposed false demands of 30 Spirit Crystals on the area's supervisors; Wang Feng lost his supervisor position after refusing to pay. Chen then reduced the number of supervisors, ordered a redraw of task assignments, and cut disciples' resource allocations. 48

When the cuts provoked outrage, Chen publicly blamed Steward Han's supposed orders, promised an investigation and possible compensation, and redirected the disciples' anger while preserving his own position. 49 Under his administration, Yang Chen was forced to pay more than 20 Spirit Crystals to remain assigned to the spirit fields, while Huang An extracted additional payments; disciples with influential backgrounds received more favorable treatment. 55

Chen later organized Area 8's participation in the competition among the ten districts. He presented the event as an opportunity for the disciples, but intended to retain much of the prize money. After Wei Xiao and the team challenged his terms, he accepted a conditional arrangement: he would take the 2,000-Spirit-Crystal principal plus one additional Spirit Crystal if they placed in the top three; otherwise, the 2,001 Spirit Crystals would be divided equally. 77 79

Personality

Chen Jinhai is greedy, calculating, and politically opportunistic. He uses his office to extract Spirit Crystals, manipulate public sentiment, and shift responsibility for unpopular measures onto others. 48 49 55

He is also pragmatic rather than blindly confrontational. Though he initially treated Yang Chen with suspicion, Yang Chen's rapid growth and the danger posed by Pei Yunfei's connections led Chen to adopt a neutral stance in their conflict. 100 101 He is willing to intervene forcefully when his authority or Area 8's interests are involved, but seeks settlements that protect or enrich himself. 72 73 109 110

Abilities & Skills

Stewardship and Sect Authority

As Area 8's steward, Chen controls local task assignments, supervisor appointments, resource distribution, and disciplinary proceedings.

• Removed Wang Feng from his supervisor role after Wang refused his unlawful payment demand. 48
• Reduced supervisors and reassigned tasks by drawing lots. 48
• Convened Area 8 disciples for the inter-district competition and negotiated terms for its prize money. 77 79
• Summoned Yang Chen to the training ground at Pei Yunfei's request. 105
• Oversaw the investigation into Zhou Han's ambush and used a Recording Stone to establish the attempted murder. 108

Negotiation and Political Maneuvering

Chen manages disputes through pressure, compromise, and calculations of personal advantage.

• Pacified outrage over resource cuts by attributing them to Steward Han and promising to investigate. 49
• Tried to halt Yang Chen and Lei Xiong's life-and-death match because of its implications for Area 8's standing in the small competition. 72
• Proposed a restricted arena fight between Yang Chen and Lei Xiong, requiring both to stop before the conflict became fatal. 73
• Negotiated directly with Pei Yunfei's Transcendent Realm sister, securing 3,000 Spirit Crystals in return for confining Pei Yunfei to the training ground for one year. 109

Relationships

• Lin Chuan — His predecessor as Area 8 steward; Chen arrived and met with Lin upon assuming the post. 48
• Huang An — Collaborator in presenting the resource-cut announcement and managing Area 8 affairs. 48
• Wang Feng — Former Area 8 supervisor removed after refusing Chen's demand for 30 Spirit Crystals. 48
• Yang Chen — A subordinate Chen initially exploited through Area 8's policies, then later protected or appeased when Yang's talent and conflicts became politically significant. 55 72 100 110
• Wei Xiao — Challenged Chen's attempt to claim a larger share of the competition prize and negotiated a conditional compromise. 79
• Lei Xiong — Chen mediated his dispute with Yang Chen by arranging a limited life-and-death arena match. 72 73
• Pei Yunfei — Initially able to persuade Chen to summon Yang Chen, but later confronted and punished by Chen after Zhou Han's confession. 105 107 109 110
• Pei Yunfei's sister — A Transcendent Realm cultivator with whom Chen negotiated Pei Yunfei's punishment and compensation. 109

Story Role / Major Arcs

Area 8 Reorganization

Chen takes control of Area 8, extorts supervisors, reduces resources, reshuffles work assignments, and establishes himself as a corrupt local authority. 48 49

Ten-District Competition

He selects Area 8's promising disciples for the competition, pressures them to protect the area's reputation, and attempts to secure the bulk of the potential rewards for himself. 77 79 He later leads his disciples to the gathering before the Demon Suppressing Tower assessment, displaying little interest in cordiality with rival stewards. 86

Yang Chen–Lei Xiong Dispute

Chen intervenes when Yang Chen and Lei Xiong prepare for a life-and-death battle, seeking to prevent damage to Area 8's competitive prospects. He brokers an arena compromise, though his precise motives remain unclear. 72 73

Pei Yunfei and Zhou Han Affair

After Yang Chen reports an assassination attempt, Chen remains skeptical but considers the information and ultimately chooses neutrality. 100 101 When Zhou Han's failed ambush exposes Pei Yunfei's involvement, Chen confronts Pei, obtains Zhou Han's confession, and negotiates Pei's one-year confinement for 3,000 Spirit Crystals. 107 108 109 He gives Yang Chen 1,000 Spirit Crystals as compensation while retaining the larger benefit of the settlement. 110

Trivia

• Chen Jinhai is referred to as “Old Chen” by Wei Xiao's group. 77
• His greed is sufficiently notorious that Yang Chen considers the possibility of enemies bribing Chen to restrict his movements. 100