Cheng Yishi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Cheng Yishi (程忆诗)
Alias(es)	Miss Cheng
Species/Race	Half-human, half-ghost; formerly human
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Cheng Manor
Occupation/Role	Manager of Cheng Manor; Lin Tianlu's axe-technique student
Status	Alive; part of her spirit, mind, and soul is condensed into a white lotus within Lin Tianlu's Taiyi Immortal Mountain 28 29
First Appearance	22

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Yin-corrupted human	23 27	Long exposed to yin energy, she possesses a cold aura and can imitate ghostly sounds; during an emotional collapse, she begins transforming into a living ghost.
Cleansed, soul anchored in Taiyi Mountain	28 29	Lin Tianlu purges her malicious yin energy and extracts part of her spirit, mind, and soul into a white lotus on Taiyi Mountain, preventing her from becoming a malevolent spirit.
Half-human, half-ghost physique confirmed	35	Lin Tianlu explains that prolonged yin erosion is irreversible. She can safely handle a yin-tainted jade hairpin that frightens ordinary people.
Axe-technique trainee	49	Her yin-infused body grants abnormal physical strength; after initially struggling, she rapidly performs the basic axe forms under Lin Tianlu's instruction.

Background / History

Cheng Yishi is the daughter of Cheng Yanghua and his legal wife, and the elder sister of Cheng Xinyin. Her mother was neglected after Cheng Yanghua took concubines and lived extravagantly; she died of illness after giving birth to Xinyin. Cheng Yishi grew up blaming both her father and sister for her mother's death. 27

She later learned that Xinyin had died at birth and survived as a ghost by consuming human blood. Cheng Yanghua enabled Xinyin's murders while using yin energy in pursuit of longevity. After witnessing her father kill a beggar, Cheng Yishi concluded that neither deserved to live. 27

Rather than report them to authorities unable to confront a ghost, Cheng Yishi cultivated yin energy and engineered the Cheng Manor haunting. She spread the rumors, imitated Xinyin's voice, arranged for her father and sister to hide in the cellar, and lured Lin Tianlu to investigate. 27

During the confrontation, Cheng Yishi killed Xinyin with the iron axe after Lin Tianlu destroyed the ghost's defenses. She then admitted her role in the plot and asked Lin Tianlu to execute her. 26 27

Lin Tianlu instead cleansed her and gave her a second chance at life, urging her to live for herself rather than for vengeance. Following Cheng Yanghua's death, Cheng Yishi assumed management of the Cheng family's manor and businesses. 28 34

She later became a reliable source of information for Lin Tianlu, compiling reports on Fuyang Commandery and inviting him to a Mid-Autumn gathering. She also sought martial instruction so that she could defend herself with her strengthened body. 36 44 49

Appearance

Cheng Yishi is a beautiful, elegant young woman whose composed bearing initially conceals the yin energy within her. After her near-transformation into a living ghost, her hair becomes snow-white and her complexion remains notably pale. 23 27 34

• Watery, expressive eyes and a gentle, often alluring smile. 22 35
• Initially presents herself as frail, claiming to suffer from dizziness and weakness. 23
• Has an ice-cold body temperature because of her yin-infused condition. 23 44
• Her dark hair turns white as she loses control of her yin energy. 27
• Can manifest crimson eyes, ghostly patterns, and a more seductive, sinister demeanor when yin energy affects her mind. 27 36 49

Personality

Cheng Yishi is intelligent, patient, and highly calculating. For years, she concealed her resentment while quietly preparing a plan to expose and destroy Cheng Yanghua and Cheng Xinyin. She accepts responsibility for endangering Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya, and does not deny the severity of her actions. 27

After Lin Tianlu saves her, she becomes more reflective and determined to live independently. She takes practical control of Cheng Manor's affairs, gathers intelligence carefully, and pursues martial training rather than remaining helpless. 34 36 44 49

Her gratitude toward Lin Tianlu develops into direct romantic affection. While sincere in her devotion, her possessiveness and seductive behavior are repeatedly intensified by unstable yin energy, especially when she feels jealous of Hua Shuya and Mao Ruoyu. 35 36 50

Abilities & Skills

Yin-Energy Manipulation

Cheng Yishi developed abilities through long-term exposure to yin energy and association with Cheng Xinyin.

• Secretly spread Cheng Manor's haunting rumors by using yin energy to imitate Xinyin's voice and produce ghostly sounds. 27
• Her yin energy can surge during emotional instability, altering her appearance and behavior. 27 36
• Is not harmed by the yin-tainted jade hairpin recovered from Cheng Yanghua's belongings. 35
• Her malicious yin energy was cleansed by Lin Tianlu, but her half-ghost constitution remains. 28 35
• Lin Tianlu retains a means to destroy the soul portion anchored within Taiyi Mountain should she use yin power to harm others. 28

Enhanced Physique

Her half-human, half-ghost body possesses strength beyond that of an ordinary person.

• Casually drags a sack estimated at two to three hundred catties before realizing that she has exposed her strength. 49
• Does not appear vulnerable to ordinary illness in the same way as a normal human. 49
• Her strength and heightened emotions can become difficult to regulate when her yin energy flares. 36 49

Axe Technique

Cheng Yishi chooses an iron axe as her preferred weapon, partly because she used one to kill Cheng Xinyin. 26 49

• Receives basic instruction from Lin Tianlu. 49
• Initially cannot understand his demonstration of nine axe forms. 49
• Soon performs the forms smoothly and produces a cold gust with a powerful upward swing. 49
• Her sudden improvement coincides with a surge of yin energy and emotional agitation. 49 50

Household Management and Intelligence Work

Cheng Yishi had assisted with the Cheng family's businesses before inheriting responsibility for them.

• Oversees accounting, personnel, procurement, and other Cheng Manor affairs after her father's death. 34
• Retrieves and presents suspicious items connected to Cheng Yanghua's Ghost Arts activities. 35
• Personally compiles reports on rumors and notable events in Fuyang Commandery for Lin Tianlu. 36 44

Equipment / Items

• Heavy iron axe — Used to kill Cheng Xinyin and later chosen for self-defense training. 26 49
• Crossed-skull metal token — A supposedly indestructible token recovered from her father's possessions; Lin Tianlu accidentally breaks it while examining it. 35
• Yin-tainted jade hairpin — A strange hairpin found in a hidden compartment beneath Cheng Yanghua's bed; Cheng Yishi can hold it without fear. 35
• Fuyang Commandery intelligence scroll — A detailed report she personally prepares for Lin Tianlu. 44

Relationships

• Lin Tianlu — Her savior, benefactor, martial instructor, and the object of her romantic devotion. He cleanses her yin energy, gives her a second chance at life, and later teaches her axe techniques. 28 35 49 50
• Cheng Yanghua — Her father. She despises him for neglecting her mother, enabling Xinyin's murders, and participating in Ghost Arts; she orchestrates the events leading to his death. 25 27
• Cheng Xinyin — Her younger sister, a blood-consuming ghost. Cheng Yishi views her as bound to their mother's death and kills her with an axe. 24 26 27
• Hua Shuya — Lin Tianlu's companion and a witness to the Cheng Manor incident. Hua initially distrusts Cheng Yishi, later pities her, while Cheng Yishi regards Hua as a rival for Lin Tianlu's affection. 23 28 44 50
• Mao Ruoyu — Another woman close to Lin Tianlu. Cheng Yishi recognizes Mao's unusual nature and becomes jealous of her closeness with him. 36 50

Notable Quotes

“I just want to kill those two.” 27

“It is myself.” 35

“Why can't I take you by force?” 50