Zhang Yu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Zhang Yu (张玉) 1
Alias(es)	Zhang Liyu, used while concealing his identity in Pingyang City 10 11 43
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Sun Moon Divine Cult; formerly Cloud Water Hall; later transferred to Wind Thunder Hall 1 21
Occupation/Role	Deputy Flag Master; appointed Incense Master for Guanzhong; Flag Master of Pingyang City; Divine Cult Envoy 1 32 34 38
Status	Active 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Silver Furnace Dantian / Dan Energy Realm	7	Enters Samadhi with the Green Jade Thumb Ring and successfully opens a middle-grade Silver Furnace Dantian, gaining Internal Energy. 7
Mid-stage Dan Energy	26	Breaks through after intensive training in the reeds, but immediately suffers qi deviation from overwhelming distracting thoughts. 26
Late-stage Dan Energy	28	Opens his Right Lesser Yin Heart Meridian after drinking Lan Hao's Hundred-Year Golden Monkey Wine. 28

Background / History

Zhang Yu was originally a Chinese Language and Literature university graduate who delivered takeout and read wuxia novels. After collapsing unexpectedly, he transmigrated into the world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, retaining knowledge of major future events and hidden martial-arts legacies. 1

His new body belonged to a poor youth from Meixi Village. The original Zhang Yu lost both parents when a snowstorm collapsed their home during his childhood. He and Wang Liyu later attempted to seek admission to Mount Hua, but were rejected as too old and unsuitable; both ultimately joined the Sun Moon Divine Cult. 11 22 24

By the time Cloud Water Hall was annihilated at Mount Heng, Zhang Yu had spent six months in the new world as its Deputy Flag Master. He survived the ambush by feigning death and evading Yue Buqun, then resolved to return to Blackwood Cliff rather than remain a fugitive. 1

Appearance

Zhang Yu is tall and slender, with phoenix eyes, crescent-shaped eyebrows, and a notably handsome face. His originally darker complexion becomes smooth and jade-like after his cold-pond training. 2 21

• Often wears black robes, a silver-buckled belt, and deerskin boots. 16
• Carries himself with a mixture of refined elegance and martial confidence. 6 16
• His appearance repeatedly draws attention in public, including during the Pingyang tournament. 10

Personality

Zhang Yu is pragmatic, ambitious, and highly adaptable. Having entered the Jianghu with little power or backing, he prioritizes survival, concealment, cultivation, and acquiring influence. He readily uses false identities, flattery, intimidation, and calculated retreats when direct confrontation would be disadvantageous. 1 2 11 14

He is also driven by a desire to escape powerlessness and leave a mark on the world. His pursuit of strength is intense enough to risk dangerous training methods, culminating in a qi deviation after pushing his cultivation too far. 7 16 26

Despite his ruthlessness toward enemies, Zhang Yu retains a personal moral line. He saves Yue Lingshan from Mount Song disciples despite initially deciding it was none of his business, frees women imprisoned by Huang Wencai, and spares uninvolved tenant farmers during his operation against Black Wind Stockade. 5 25 50

Abilities & Skills

Internal Energy Cultivation

Zhang Yu possesses a Silver Furnace Dantian and reaches the late stage of the Dan Energy Realm within a short period of beginning formal Internal Energy cultivation. 7 28

• Uses freezing water at Gorilla Beach to temper his Internal Energy and endurance. 21
• Can remain in the cold pond for approximately three minutes at his then-current level. 21
• His senses, speed, and reactions—when enhanced by the Green Jade Thumb Ring—are assessed as comparable to an ordinary mid-stage Armor-Breaking martial artist. 40
• His rapid growth is tempered by a tendency toward distracting thoughts and qi deviation. 26 27

Flying Cloud Divine Skill

Wu Lianjiang entrusts Zhang Yu with the Flying Cloud Divine Skill before his death. Zhang Yu memorizes its 5,800-character upper volume within two days and later practices its lower-volume movement techniques. 3 6

• Flowing Clouds and Water — A footwork technique emphasizing full-body agility, swift reactions, and fluid changes in direction. 21 26
• Can travel thirty li per hour after attaining practical proficiency. 22
• Can reach fifty li per hour at full speed after further improvement. 26
• Uses the technique to evade Fan Zhutian’s brute-force attacks and to contend with Peng Canghu despite inferior sword technique. 10 43

Swordsmanship

Zhang Yu is an effective but unconventional swordsman who relies on timing, mobility, and opportunistic attacks rather than a refined orthodox sword style. 10 40 43

• Defeats Fan Zhutian by exhausting him through footwork, then deliberately avoids a crippling strike. 10
• Wins three consecutive tournament matches in Pingyang City while disguised as Zhang Liyu. 11
• Uses the basic Sun Chasing Saber Technique with a sword, publicly calling it the “Wood Chopping Sword Technique.” 11
• Acknowledges the need to obtain a superior sword technique, particularly against direct disciples of major sects. 40
• Suffers severe injury while fighting Peng Canghu and retreats once Dragon Scale Society reinforcements arrive. 43

Pure Heart and Benevolent Mantra

After suffering qi deviation, Zhang Yu learns Qu Yang’s musical method for calming the mind. 27

• Performs the mantra on the xiao. 27
• Helps suppress distracting thoughts and accumulated violent intent. 27
• Learned over ten days at Bamboo Smoke Courtyard. 27

Memory, Deception, and Observation

Zhang Yu combines a university education, modern knowledge, and enhanced senses to learn quickly and navigate cult politics. 1 6

• Recites all 666 articles and over 54,000 characters of the Cult Master’s Precepts to defend himself and Wu Lianjiang before Dongfang Bubai’s court. 19
• Feigns death and slows his breathing enough to evade Yue Buqun’s search. 1
• Infiltrates Black Wind Stockade to investigate its leadership and hidden dealings. 49
• Uses staged words and actions to mislead opponents, including Peng Canghu and the Dragon Scale Society. 43

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Green Jade Thumb Ring — Zhang Yu’s sole possession brought from his previous life. It slows his breathing, sharpens his senses, accelerates Internal Energy circulation threefold, and improves his training insight. Prolonged use causes pain, scarring, and an increasingly dangerous attachment to his flesh. 1 8 21 26
• Flying Cloud Divine Skill manual — Wu Lianjiang’s final inheritance to Zhang Yu. 3
• Black sword — Taken from an assassin; coated in black lacquer to conceal its glint and suited for night attacks. 17
• Hanyuan short sword — Gifted by Lan Hao after they share food and wine. 29
• Azure Water Sword — Used during his early travels, then given to Yue Lingshan along with the antidote to the Three Corpses Brain God Pill. 6 12

Relationships

• Wu Lianjiang — Master and former Hall Master of Cloud Water Hall. Wu entrusts Zhang Yu with the Flying Cloud Divine Skill and asks him to protect his granddaughter, Wu Hanyu. 3 21
• Yue Lingshan — Initially his captive and intended offering to Dongfang Bubai. Their hostile journey develops into a complicated bond after Zhang Yu saves her, teaches her the Flying Cloud Divine Skill, and eventually releases her. 2 5 6 12
• Qi Zhaogu — Friend and ally within Wind Thunder Hall. Qi provides Zhang Yu with information, the Cult Master’s Precepts, financial help, and news of his promotions. 16 22 34
• Tong Baixiong — Wind Thunder Hall Master and patron. Tong supports Zhang Yu’s claim as Wu Lianjiang’s disciple, promotes him, and assigns him to positions outside Blackwood Cliff. 17 32 34
• Ren Yingying — Saint Aunt of the Sun Moon Divine Cult. She promises to look after Cloud Water Hall’s surviving old members and expresses sympathy for Wu Lianjiang’s fate. 18
• Qu Yang — Right Envoy of Light and musical mentor. He saves Zhang Yu from qi deviation and teaches him the Pure Heart and Benevolent Mantra. 27
• Qu Feiyan — Friend who helps connect Zhang Yu with Qu Yang; Zhang Yu agrees to write The Adventures of the Little Carp for her. 27 34
• Lan Hao — A brief but significant acquaintance who helps Zhang Yu open a meridian, shares wine and food with him, and gifts him the Hanyuan short sword. 28 29
• Wang Liyu — Childhood companion from Meixi Village and fellow former Cult member. Zhang Yu returns home after Wang Liyu’s death and destroys the Huang family in part to avenge him. 11 24 25
• Zhao Xia — Wild Wolf Gang leader and battlefield ally. Zhang Yu aids her fight against the Dragon Scale Society, counsels her against being ruled by vengeance, and works with her to restore the gang. 38 40 43 49

Story Role / Major Arcs

Cloud Water Hall Remnant

Following the destruction of Cloud Water Hall at Mount Heng, Zhang Yu survives by feigning death. He captures Yue Lingshan while fleeing, but later protects her from Mount Song disciples and begins cultivating the Flying Cloud Divine Skill inherited from Wu Lianjiang. 1 3 5 7

Return to Blackwood Cliff

Zhang Yu returns to Pingding Prefecture to investigate the circumstances surrounding Cloud Water Hall’s destruction. With Qi Zhaogu and Tong Baixiong’s support, he accuses Yang Lianting of betrayal before the Cult Master, using the Cult Master’s Precepts to defend Wu Lianjiang’s loyalty. 13 14 18 19

Cold-Pond Training and Meixi Retribution

After Cloud Water Hall effectively ceases to exist, Zhang Yu trains at Gorilla Beach and seeks a transfer away from Blackwood Cliff’s internal conflicts. He returns to Meixi Village, kills Huang Wencai, burns the Huang manor, and frees its imprisoned women. 21 24 25

Promotion and Pingyang Assignment

Zhang Yu gains Tong Baixiong’s favor through his Blue Scale Carp gift and is appointed Incense Master for Guanzhong. He is subsequently ordered to serve as Flag Master in Pingyang City, gather the remnants of the Wild Wolf Gang, and eliminate the Dragon Scale Society. 32 34

Wild Wolf Gang Campaign

As a Divine Cult Envoy, Zhang Yu investigates the Wild Wolf Gang’s internal betrayal, supports Zhao Xia and Liu Dachui, and leads operations against the Dragon Scale Society. After being injured in battle with Peng Canghu, he begins investigating and planning to seize Black Wind Stockade. 38 41 43 49

Notable Quotes

“I am no one, I am myself.” 7

“People like you not existing is very important to me!” 25

Trivia

• Zhang Yu has read The Smiling, Proud Wanderer twice in his previous life and knows several major future developments before they occur. 1
• He initially claims that his tournament sword style is the “Wood Chopping Sword Technique,” though it is actually the basic Sun Chasing Saber Technique adapted for use with a sword. 11
• Zhang Yu’s cultivation accelerated dramatically after he began using the Green Jade Thumb Ring, but the ring’s harmful side effects become increasingly severe. 8 26