Chu Chen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chu Chen (楚琛)
Alias(es)	Achen / A'Chen; Xiao Chen; Chu Xiaoleng; Jade King
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Old Liu's disciple; owner of Ciyizhai; curator of the Zhenghua Museum
Occupation/Role	Antique appraiser, collector, jade trader and stone gambler, museum curator, acupuncturist
Status	Active 1134

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Spirit-energy absorption	3	Discovers that his left hand can absorb energy from genuine antiques; confirms the effect with a Kangxi Tongbao coin.
Minor Heavenly Cycle	7	Breaks through while practicing his family's ancient Tai Chi, which he suspects was influenced by his special ability.
Treasure Sense	25	Gains the ability to sense genuine antiques from up to half a meter away; initially works only on Republic of China-era items.
First supernatural upgrade	34	Raises daily spirit-energy absorptions from three to five, improves physical fitness, unlocks the Spirit Treasure Eye, and manifests a six-segment upgrade progress bar.
Major Heavenly Cycle	262	Drinks spirit liquid from the Luminous Everfull Cup, undergoes a cleansing transformation, senses qi within his meridians, and reaches the Major Heavenly Cycle. His supernatural ability also advances another level.
Grandmaster	396	Reveals that he has opened all seven meridians and eight extraordinary vessels, confirming his status as a martial-arts Grandmaster.
Further supernatural upgrade	717 720	Completing visits to Beijing museum collections advances his ability; shortly afterward, he discovers that it can see through inanimate objects.
Innate Realm	1008	Experiences enlightenment while retrieving the Imperial Seal, achieving the Innate Realm through a simultaneous breakthrough of body and mind.

Background

Chu Chen was abducted by human traffickers at the age of five and taken to the mountains of Shunde, Yan Province. He escaped when the traffickers' attempted sale fell apart, but wandered alone for four or five days before Liu Guomin found him. After recovering from a severe illness, Chu Chen lost his memories; police efforts produced no results, and Liu Guomin adopted him. His name came from a small mutton-fat jade lock pendant bearing the characters “Chu Chen,” which became his only clue to his origins. 3

Liu Guomin, a history lecturer from Capital University, raised Chu Chen in a mountain village and taught him antique appraisal, ancient-style Tai Chi, and personal dignity. Chu Chen became notably intelligent and quick-witted after his amnesia, learning an estimated forty to fifty percent of Liu Guomin's appraisal knowledge. Liu Guomin died when Chu Chen was fifteen, leaving him money, letters of introduction, and instructions to seek his family in Beijing. 3

At sixteen, Chu Chen travelled to Beijing. He could not locate Liu Guomin's estranged sister, but Wu Ziping—Liu Guomin's lifelong friend—took him in as family, trained him in appraisal, and supported his decision to work independently as an antique peddler. 3

While struggling to pay rent, Chu Chen discovered his ability to absorb spirit energy from authentic antiques. He began using it carefully to support himself, locate genuine pieces, and develop his ambition of becoming a serious collector with his own antique shop. 3 4 38

Years later, Chu Chen reconnects with his biological family, including Chu Yongning and Zhao Yunlin. He initially struggles with the circumstances of his abduction and his parents' past choices, but gradually chooses to face the relationship rather than reject it outright. 165 167 173

Appearance

Chu Chen is a tall, fit young man with a notably refined yet sunny bearing. Years of Tai Chi practice leave him lean and muscular rather than bulky, while later breakthroughs further sharpen his features and complexion. 8 262

• Stands approximately 1.83 meters tall. 8
• Has thick eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, and an imposing but approachable presence. 8
• Keeps his clothing simple but neat, following Liu Guomin's teaching that poverty should not mean a loss of spirit. 37
• After the Everfull Cup transformation, develops smoother, fairer skin, deeper eyes, sharper hearing and eyesight, and a more ethereal temperament. 262
• Often appears composed and scholarly after refining his wardrobe and etiquette. 196

Personality

Chu Chen is humble, observant, and careful with both people and valuables. He is conscious that his supernatural ability could invite suspicion, so he deliberately avoids appearing impossibly accurate and keeps a low profile around valuable finds. 25 121 283

His early abandonment and amnesia made him inwardly reserved and slow to accept affection. Liu Guomin's guidance and years of working in Beijing gradually teach him to be more open, sociable, and attentive to the importance of mutual effort in relationships. 37 439

He places great value on honesty in appraisal and business. When tempted to keep a genuine jade pendant for profit, he instead reveals its authenticity to Elder Chen; he also refuses to give definitive appraisals when the evidence is insufficient. 25 1020

Chu Chen is deeply grateful to those who helped him. He supports Uncle Wu's family, assists friends in financial difficulty, funds his former school and village, and names Ciyizhai after Uncle Wu's former shop as thanks for years of care and mentorship. 36 537 551

Abilities & Skills

Spirit-Energy Perception

Chu Chen's left hand absorbs spirit energy from genuine antiques, jade, and jewelry. The energy strengthens his body, improves his memory, and fuels later upgrades to his perception abilities. 3 13

• Initially limited to three absorptions per day; the limit rises to five after his first upgrade. 4 34
• Can distinguish genuine pieces from fakes by whether they contain spirit energy. 3 11
• His upgrade progress increases normally from items he owns, at a reduced rate from items owned by others, and not at all from deliberately handling stock in antique or jewelry shops. 34
• Later gains Treasure Sense, allowing him to detect authentic items without touching them at close range. 25
• Eventually develops the ability to see through inanimate objects. 720

Antique Appraisal

Chu Chen is a highly accomplished appraiser whose knowledge originates with Liu Guomin and is refined through Wu Ziping, Old Liu, field experience, and his own intensive study. His expertise earns recognition from senior collectors and television audiences despite his youth. 3 323 566

• Specializes in ceramics and porcelain, but also appraises jade, bronze ware, coins, calligraphy, paintings, furniture, seals, and ritual objects. 275 315 325 951
• Identifies sophisticated forgeries, including high imitations, “new color on an old body” restorations, and modern fakes. 275 567 973
• Uses physical details, craftsmanship, material, patina, inscriptions, scent, and historical context rather than relying openly on his supernatural sense. 316 329 630
• Gains national recognition after appearing as an expert at treasure-appraisal events and on television. 566 609

Jade Gambling and Carving

Chu Chen is an exceptional judge of jade rough and becomes known as the Jade King for his repeated success in stone gambling. 613 670 885

• Uses close observation and supernatural perception to select valuable rough stones while concealing how precise his judgments are. 283 719
• Wins the “A Thousand Gold Cut” competition and earns more than 300 million yuan from it. 356 613
• Can recognize quality, fraud, and dangerous alterations in jade rough, including betel nut water used to ruin a stone's appearance. 386
• Learns jade carving at an extraordinary pace, advancing from amateur cuts to impressive finished work within days. 473 489

Ancient-Style Tai Chi

Chu Chen practices a combat-oriented family Tai Chi inherited through Liu Guomin. The art emphasizes health preservation, practical fighting, and gradual cultivation through the Minor Heavenly Cycle, Major Heavenly Cycle, and Innate Realm. 7 45 262 1008

• Defeats trained fighters such as A Chao and Zhao Lei while deliberately holding back. 188 396
• Incorporates techniques and principles from other martial arts, including Wing Chun, Cuojiao, and Internal Family Boxing. 396 397
• Defeats the Grandmaster Wen Xu after rapidly adapting to his fighting methods during their spar. 397
• Uses heightened perception to anticipate opponents' movements. 395
• Can employ secret sound transmission after researching the use of internal energy. 1045

Acupuncture and Medicine

After attaining the Major Heavenly Cycle, Chu Chen learns the acupuncture techniques passed down with his family's martial art. His qi is used primarily for healing and physical enhancement rather than ranged combat. 263

• Treats illnesses through acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, pulse diagnosis, and health guidance. 535 598
• Stabilizes Grandpa Chen during a heart attack and later treats his high blood pressure. 1028 1029
• Is formally recognized as a doctor during a specialist consultation. 634
• Uses his medical ability to treat relatives, friends, and selected patients, including his grandfather and severely ill children. 601 634

Learning and Memory

Chu Chen possesses photographic memory and exceptional learning speed, both enhanced by spirit energy and cultivation breakthroughs. 194 535

• Learns computer operation within days. 7
• Rapidly masters unfamiliar firearms after only several shots. 397
• Scores exceptionally well on the adult college entrance examination. 325
• Quickly absorbs combat methods, appraisal knowledge, medical material, and jade-carving techniques. 397 473 489

Equipment / Notable Items

• Luminous Everfull Cup — A glowing cup that produces spirit liquid. Drinking its accumulated liquid triggers Chu Chen's Major Heavenly Cycle breakthrough and a further supernatural upgrade. 262 280
• Mutton-fat jade lock pendant — The childhood pendant engraved with “Chu Chen,” preserving the clue that later connects him to his birth identity. 3
• Zhang Huo Ni's treasure map and records — A series of concealed clues that leads Chu Chen through multiple hidden artifacts and ultimately to the Imperial Seal. 736 1008
• Imperial Seal — Recovered from an Eight Phase Mechanism Box in a hidden cave; later displayed at the Zhenghua Museum. 1008 1080
• Internal Family Boxing notes — Two books gifted by Wen Xu, containing martial-arts insights from past masters and potentially useful guidance toward the Innate Realm. 397
• Ding ware platter — A valuable gift from Old Liu upon formally accepting Chu Chen as his disciple. 195

Relationships

• Liu Guomin — Adoptive father, first appraisal teacher, and source of Chu Chen's ancient-style Tai Chi. Liu Guomin's death sends Chu Chen to Beijing. 3
• Wu Ziping / Uncle Wu — Liu Guomin's lifelong friend and Chu Chen's guardian in Beijing. He teaches Chu Chen appraisal, treats him as a son, and becomes the namesake of Ciyizhai. 3 537
• Wu Ke — Childhood friend, romantic partner, fiancée, and later wife. Their relationship develops from playful familiarity into mutual commitment. 37 38 544 1077
• Old Liu — Revered antique expert, mentor, and eventually Chu Chen's master. He accepts Chu Chen as his final disciple and supports his professional growth. 172 191 195
• Chu Yongning — Biological father. Their first reunion is awkward, but both express a desire to build a father-son relationship. 167
• Zhao Yunlin — Biological mother. Chu Chen becomes increasingly protective of her health and teaches her his fist technique. 280
• Chu Yulan — Younger sister. Their relationship begins with uncertainty around Chu Chen's identity but develops into a close sibling bond. 150 951
• Zhao Qirui — Maternal uncle, businessman, adviser, and consistent supporter of Chu Chen's antique and jade ventures. 275 538
• Yi Hongguo and Yu Renpeng — Old Liu's senior disciples and Chu Chen's senior brothers; both support his advancement in the antique world. 194 195
• Liu Sizhe — Childhood friend and frequent companion in antique, jade, and social ventures. 195 212
• Zhou Wenping and Li Guodong — Close friends whom Chu Chen assists in business, housing, and family matters. 39 124 296
• Hu Yong and Zuo Shan — Trusted aides who assist with security, travel, investigations, and treasure retrieval. 707 1007 1011

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early Antique Career

After discovering spirit-energy absorption, Chu Chen begins using his ability to identify genuine antiques while building a reputation through careful appraisal and small-scale trading. His first major goal is to become a collector and open an antique shop rather than merely make money. 3 25 38

Old Liu's Disciple

Chu Chen's appraisal skill and character attract Old Liu's attention. After observing his knowledge, conduct, and potential, Old Liu accepts him as his final disciple, giving Chu Chen access to elite mentorship and a respected place in the antique community. 78 172 195

Jade King

Chu Chen expands into jade gambling, repeatedly uncovering high-value jadeite and winning major competitions. His success earns him the title “Jade King,” though it also brings scrutiny, envy, and increasing difficulty in finding overlooked rough stones. 356 613 670

Ciyizhai and Zhenghua Museum

Chu Chen establishes Ciyizhai with Zhou Wenping and Old Wu, taking responsibility for overall management and jade-related business. He later opens the Zhenghua Museum, where the Imperial Seal becomes its defining exhibit and draws visitors from across Beijing and beyond. 307 537 1080

Public Appraiser

His performances at appraisal events and television programs make him nationally known as a young authority in antiques. The fame strengthens his professional influence but also reduces his ability to move anonymously through antique markets. 566 569 609

Zhang Huo Ni's Legacy and the Imperial Seal

Chu Chen follows hidden clues left by Zhang Huo Ni across artifacts, maps, boxes, and coded records. The search culminates in the recovery of the Imperial Seal and a Yuan Dynasty glazed-red jar from a hidden cave, where Chu Chen also attains the Innate Realm. 736 1006 1008

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

As a collector and curator, Chu Chen increasingly prioritizes preservation over private profit. He transfers a damaged Shang Dynasty liuding to a museum for professional care, supports research into traditional crafts, and receives further clues to lost national and folk treasures at the conclusion of the Zhong Zhili conflict. 538 633 1134

Notable Quotes

“My family is my family, and I am me. Would I suddenly grow three heads and six arms just because of my background?” 307

“A gentleman helps others achieve their desires. It's my honor to be of assistance.” 296

“This world respects strength. As long as our country becomes powerful, these things will eventually return. As for us, we just need to do our best and contribute a little to the country.” 1043