Li Zhenshan

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Li Zhenshan (李振山)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hongyun Restaurant
Occupation/Role	Chef; Bone Forging Realm martial artist; Chu Feng's benefactor and eventual master
Status	Deceased — mortally wounded by the Fifth Realm Bat Demon and later dies from his injuries 59 60
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background / History

A native of Qingyan City, Li Zhenshan arrived in Yong'an City about a year before Gao Han's investigation and became a chef at Hongyun Restaurant. He intended to live out his remaining years quietly and had an agreement with Fang Hanshan not to involve himself in the Fang Family's affairs. 17

Despite his unassuming work as a chef, Li is a peak Bone Forging Realm martial artist. When Gao Han threatens the Hongyun Restaurant's old shopkeeper, Li catches Gao's saber barehanded, shatters it, and wounds him with the fragments, forcing the constable to retreat. 17 32

Li initially keeps Chu Feng at arm's length, refusing to teach him and warning him to keep a low profile. Nevertheless, he recognizes the danger caused by Chu's rapid body-tempering progress, explains the limits of Flesh Vajra, and provides a nourishing-soup prescription to restore Chu's depleted Blood Essence. 16 17

Over time, Li becomes one of Chu Feng's most important guides. He gives Chu the incomplete Dragon Transformation Body Tempering Art, later compensates him with the Heavenly Snake Body-Wandering Steps, and broadens his understanding of noble families, demons, Demonic Warriors, and the Demon Suppression Division. 27 32 40 48

After learning of his old friend Shen Jingfeng's death, Li is unable to use the planned connection to place Chu in the Demon Suppression Division. He instead encourages Chu to seek a wider world beyond Yong'an City and promises his support, requesting only that Chu help him with one matter after attaining great martial achievement. 43 44 48

While delivering food to the Blood Gu-infected Chen Shi Tou, Li encounters the Fifth Realm Bat Demon. He refuses the demon's demand to serve it, is critically injured in the ensuing battle, and entrusts Chu Feng with his handwritten cultivation manual and a letter for his daughter, Li Qingxuan. 58 59 60

Appearance

Li Zhenshan generally presents himself as a plump, elderly chef with an ordinary, relaxed bearing that conceals his martial strength.

• Often wears chef's robes and carries an azure celadon teacup. 27 40
• Has deformed and badly injured fingers from a past encounter with a Fifth Realm demon. 17 32
• His hands can be enveloped in profound cyan force when using his claw art, forming an apparent dragon claw. 59
• Possesses a surprisingly immense appetite. 16

Personality

Li is gruff, proud, and easily provoked, particularly when his diminished hand or his lack of a son is mentioned. He enjoys needling Chu Feng and often responds to the younger man's flattery or requests with irritation, though he gradually becomes more cheerful around him. 26 27 32 58

Behind this demeanor, Li is perceptive and protective. He identifies the hidden damage caused by Chu's reckless advancement, provides practical help without demanding payment, protects the Hongyun Restaurant's shopkeeper, and repeatedly advises Chu not to become arrogant. 16 17 40

He values talent but understands that cultivation requires resources, connections, and a broader platform. His encouragement for Chu to leave Yong'an City reflects both his knowledge of the martial world and his wish that Chu's potential not be wasted. 43 44 48

Abilities & Skills

Bone Forging Realm Cultivation

Li is a peak Bone Forging Realm martial artist whose physical strength and Blood Essence far surpass ordinary fighters.

• Shattered Gao Han's drawn saber with his bare hand and used its fragments to wound him. 17
• Could contend against Chu Feng's perfected Muscle Tendon Realm physique despite Chu's True Dragon Tendons. 32
• Claimed he could still easily defeat a mid-stage Bone Forging martial artist despite his injured hand. 32
• Was ultimately outmatched by the Fifth Realm Bat Demon, whose attack shattered his bones and meridians. 59 60

Azure Flood Dragon Sky-Rending Claw

Li's proud ultimate skill is a claw art with broader applications than claw strikes alone.

• Turns his fingers dark cyan and produces sharp claw force capable of intercepting weapons. 17
• Uses profound cyan energy to compensate for his damaged fingers, forming a complete dragon-claw-like strike. 59
• Its true essence can be expressed through fists, palms, sabers, or swords after reaching Great Accomplishment. 60
• Li leaves the complete handwritten art to Chu Feng before his death. 60

Martial Knowledge and Instruction

Li possesses extensive knowledge of body-tempering cultivation, Demonic Beasts, and the political structure surrounding martial artists.

• Explains Flesh Vajra, Kui Niu's Hide, realm limits, and the need for medicinal supplementation. 15 16
• Warns Chu Feng that noble-family heirs may also cultivate one or more body-tempering stages to their limits. 46
• Identifies standard Demon Suppression Division equipment and explains the dangers of Demonic Warriors. 40
• Provides Chu Feng with the Dragon Transformation Body Tempering Art and Heavenly Snake Body-Wandering Steps. 27 32

Equipment / Items

• Dragon Transformation Body Tempering Art — an incomplete beast-skin cultivation manual Li obtained in his youth but never dared to cultivate because it requires severing one's meridians. 27
• Heavenly Snake Body-Wandering Steps — a supreme movement technique given to Chu Feng as compensation for the incomplete Dragon Transformation art. 32
• Nourishing Soup prescription — replenishes bodily depletion and can strengthen one's constitution with sustained use. 16
• Handwritten cultivation manual — contains cultivation methods from Skin Grinding through Bone Forging, along with the Azure Flood Dragon Sky-Rending Claw. 60
• Letter to Li Qingxuan — entrusted to Chu Feng so that his daughter could help arrange Chu's entry into the Demon Suppression Division. 60

Relationships

• Chu Feng — Initially an argumentative acquaintance and neighbor, Li becomes Chu's mentor, provides cultivation methods and guidance, and entrusts his final possessions to him. Chu accepts him as his master after his death. 16 32 44 60
• Chen Shi Tou — Li had once rejected Chen as a prospective disciple, but later worries about him, delivers meals during his Blood Gu infection, and is attacked while checking on him. 9 16 58
• Li Qingxuan — His daughter, married to the eldest son of the Cui family in Seven Star City. Li leaves her a letter requesting that she help Chu Feng enter the Demon Suppression Division. 26 60 70
• Fang Hanshan — Li had an agreement not to conflict with the Fang Family, though he ultimately protects Chu from Fang-affiliated Gao Han. 17
• Gao Han — Gao underestimates Li as a mere chef, then retreats after Li destroys his saber and wounds him. 17
• Bat Demon — A Fifth Realm demon Li previously encountered in Qingyan City, where it caused the injury to his hand. It later mortally wounds him in Yong'an City. 32 58 59

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hongyun Restaurant

Li serves as the restaurant's mysterious head chef and initially clashes with Chu Feng over Chen Shi Tou. His intervention against Gao Han exposes his Bone Forging Realm strength and establishes him as a concealed protector within Yong'an City. 14 17

Chu Feng's Cultivation Guidance

Li gives Chu critical cultivation knowledge, a nourishing-soup prescription, and rare martial arts. Although the Dragon Transformation Body Tempering Art is incomplete, Li accepts responsibility for its risk and provides the Heavenly Snake Body-Wandering Steps in compensation. 16 27 32

Demon and Fox Incidents

Li assists Chu during the fox-demon attack on Chen Shi Tou, resisting Xing'er's charm and holding off the Fourth Realm demon with his claw techniques. He also helps Chu understand the wider threats posed by Demonic Beasts and Demonic Warriors. 40 42 43

Final Battle and Legacy

Li confronts the Bat Demon while delivering food to Chen Shi Tou. Refusing to become the demon's servant, he suffers fatal injuries. Before dying, he bequeaths his martial inheritance to Chu and asks him to deliver a letter to Li Qingxuan, enabling Chu's eventual path into the Demon Suppression Division. 58 59 60 71

Notable Quotes

“Geniuses who die are no longer called geniuses!” 17

“A lone wolf may be free, but martial arts cultivation is extremely resource-intensive. Only by relying on collective strength can one support oneself and achieve unparalleled martial arts!” 44

“Don't rush to avenge me. When you become a Martial Saint in the future, that Demonic Beast will be nothing more than an ant you can crush with a casual flick of your hand.” 60