Qingcheng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Qingcheng (青城)
Type	County city
Location	Jizhou Prefecture, Great Zhou 3
Affiliation	Great Zhou
Government	Qingcheng County Office (yamen), administered by a county magistrate 3 40
Current Magistrate	Du Ziteng 40 41
Former Acting Magistrate	Wei Qing 15 17 41
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background & History

Qingcheng was governed for fifteen years by Magistrate Fang Youting, a former Vice Minister of Revenue exiled after blunt remonstrance against Emperor Jin Kang. During his tenure, Fang organized wasteland reclamation and irrigation works that revived the remote town; he also declined two later promotion edicts to remain in Qingcheng. 3

The city became the center of the Smiling Death case after unexplained deaths began in nearby Dragon Cave Village of Fuyun Town. Victims died with serene smiles and no visible injuries, while eighteen bodies disappeared from the funeral hall under yamen guard. 3

Wei Qing arrived as a Heavenly Realm Division Intern Warden to investigate the demonic activity. His investigation uncovered Fang Xiang's collusion with demons and his use of Qingcheng residents as bargaining chips. Fang Manor was sealed pending Imperial Court judgment, while Fang Xiang was executed. 9 10 12

Further investigation revealed that the Yan Family and the Ghost Corpse Sect had allegedly turned Qingcheng into a Corpse Raising Ground, collecting Pure Yang people to refine into Yang Kui corpse puppets. The City God Temple in western Qingcheng became the site of an operation against the conspirators, where captives were rescued from Ghost Corpse Sect forces. 14 20 21 24

After the Fang family's downfall left the magistrate position vacant, Wei Qing was appointed acting magistrate. He later transferred authority peacefully to Du Ziteng after returning from the Black Mist Wasteland. 15 17 41

Governance

Fang Youting's Administration

Fang Youting was widely respected by Qingcheng's residents for personally assisting with public works and remaining in the city despite repeated demon-related crises. When Fang Xiang's crimes were exposed, commoners initially gathered at Fang Manor to defend Fang Youting's reputation. 3 4 10

Fang Youting was ultimately implicated by his son's demon collusion. The Imperial Court's verdict ended the Fang family's position in Qingcheng. 15 19 26

Wei Qing's Acting Term

As acting magistrate, Wei Qing directed the yamen, guarded Fang Manor, investigated local collaborators, and ordered the sale of the Fang family's assets into the county treasury. 10 11 19

Following the City God Temple battle, he arranged compensation for injured bailiffs and for the families of those killed in service. 24

When sect disciples gathered over the Black Mist Wasteland's rumored treasure, Wei Qing publicly warned that any disturbances within Qingcheng would be met with force. His actions against demons and collaborating families had already earned him considerable public prestige. 26

Du Ziteng's Arrival

Du Ziteng arrived after Qingcheng's demon crisis, expecting severe disorder but finding the city comparatively stable. His stated priority was to restore order and protect the common people. 40

Wei Qing relinquished the acting magistrate position immediately upon Du Ziteng's arrival, explaining that his original purpose in Qingcheng had been his Heavenly Realm Division promotion mission. 41

Notable Locations

• Qingcheng County Office — The city yamen and administrative center, first overseen by Fang Youting and later used by Wei Qing and Du Ziteng. 3 17 41
• Fang Manor — Residence of the Fang family; sealed after Fang Xiang's demonic collusion was exposed. 9 10
• Star Cloud Inn — Qingcheng's finest inn, where Zhu Huan arranged Wei Qing's stay during the Smiling Death investigation. 4
• City God Temple — Temple in western Qingcheng used by Yan Qingshan, Ghost Corpse Sect members, and their allies to hold captives as “Blood Food.” 15 20 21
• Dragon Cave Village — Village in Fuyun Town, approximately twenty li east of Qingcheng; the starting point of the Smiling Death investigation. 4
• Execution Ground East of the City — Site connected to the Fang family's punishment and the subsequent influx of sect forces. 25 26
• Xingyun Tower — Gathering place for Wei Qing and the sect disciples after their return from the Black Mist Wasteland. 40 41

Major Factions

• Qingcheng Yamen — The county administration, whose bailiffs and patrolmen supported investigations and later fought in the City God Temple operation. 3 20 24
• Heavenly Realm Division — Wei Qing entered Qingcheng under its authority to eliminate demonic threats; the organization later stationed support in the city and recognized his assessment success. 3 13
• Night Owl Guard — Qingcheng's intelligence network, led by Zhang Zhidong. Its incomplete reports on demon activity prompted Wei Qing to demand a full investigation into local collaborators. 11 14
• Fang Family — The magistrate's household. Fang Xiang's demon collusion led to the family's collapse and Imperial Court punishment. 9 15 26
• Yan Family — One of Qingcheng's three great clans and the foremost among them; suspected of cooperating with the Ghost Corpse Sect and collecting Pure Yang people. 14
• Ghost Corpse Sect — An evil sect specializing in corpse puppets. Its Qingcheng operation involved refining captives into Yang Kui. 14 21
• Visiting sect forces — Numerous Jizhou sects gathered in Qingcheng after reports of an Exotic Treasure in the Black Mist Wasteland. 26 27

Black Mist Wasteland Incident

A crimson pillar of light near the Black Mist Wasteland drew disciples from at least nine sect forces to Qingcheng. The city became the staging point for their expedition, while Wei Qing maintained that the Heavenly Realm Division would not compete for the treasure. 26 27

When the wasteland's entrance sealed after the expedition entered, Qingcheng became the center of outside inquiries. Sect leaders, including Qingshan Sect Master Zhao Santong and Third-Rank expert Feng Wuyai, were unable to breach the barrier. 28 31

After Wei Qing and the surviving disciples escaped, Qingcheng remained intact despite the preceding demon chaos. The sect disciples later gathered in the city to celebrate their survival and new alliances. 39 40