Tong Baixiong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Tong Baixiong (童百熊)
Alias(es)	Elder Tong; Hall Master Tong
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Sun Moon Divine Cult; Wind Thunder Hall
Occupation/Role	Hall Master of Wind Thunder Hall; Elder of the Sun Moon Divine Cult; head of the Tong family
Status	Active 33
First Appearance	Chapter 14: Wind Thunder Hall's Tong Baixiong 14

Background / History

Before Dongfang Bubai became Cult Master, Dongfang served as an Incense Master under Tong Baixiong. Tong once saved Dongfang’s life during the battle against the Seven Tigers of Ludong in the Taihang Mountains. When Ren Woxing vanished and Dongfang assumed leadership, Tong decisively supported him and killed Elder Luo of Vermilion Bird Hall for speaking against the new Cult Master. This loyalty established Tong as one of Dongfang’s most trusted veteran supporters. 14

Tong’s martial strength was damaged in the battle with the Seven Tigers of Ludong, leaving his Dantian impaired and causing a gradual decline from his prime. Despite this, he retains Pseudo-Xiantian Realm strength and remains a major figure in Pingding City and the Divine Cult. 15

He was once an Incense Master alongside Wu Lianjiang of Cloud Water Hall. During an operation against the Hengshan Sect, the two secretly abandoned their scouting duty to spend a day and night at Hengshan City’s Qunyu Courtyard. Wu’s death at Damaoling later leaves Tong openly grief-stricken and receptive to Zhang Yu’s request for aid. 14

Appearance

Tong Baixiong is an elderly but imposing martial artist, with a forceful presence that reflects his veteran status within the Divine Cult. 14

• White hair and beard. 14
• Bulging temples, indicating substantial internal energy. 14
• Often wears black brocade robes patterned with clouds. 14
• Wore a red brocade birthday robe embroidered with the “hundred sons celebrating longevity” motif at his sixtieth-birthday banquet. 30
• His voice is aged but powerful. 14

Personality

Tong is proud, fiery-tempered, and intensely loyal to Dongfang Bubai. He views his long association with Dongfang as more meaningful than Yang Lianting’s later influence, dismissing Yang as a flatterer who has temporarily deceived the Cult Master. 14 20

His confidence can become recklessness. At Chengde Hall, he insults the Golden Gourd warriors and disregards the danger of antagonizing Blackwood Cliff’s guards. Nevertheless, he is not merely impulsive: his attempt to expose Yang Lianting is carefully prepared around the captured messenger Hou Jian. 18 20

Tong values filial loyalty and talent. He favors Qi Zhaogu as a son, appreciates Zhang Yu’s literary ability and apparent devotion, and gives Zhang a major regional appointment after the birthday banquet. His relationship with his third son, Tong Yukang, is strained by Yukang’s admiration for Yang Lianting’s policies. 15 17 30 32

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts and Internal Energy

Tong retains formidable internal energy despite the decline caused by his damaged Dantian. He identifies Zhang Yu’s Dan Energy cultivation at a glance and considers Qi Zhaogu’s Qi Hai Realm expertise significant. 15 17

• Possesses the strength of the Pseudo-Xiantian Realm despite no longer being at his peak. 15
• Repelled four purple-robed guards with a single two-handed palm strike in Chengde Hall. 20
• Remains capable of personally leading a group of Wind Thunder Hall elites to Blackwood Cliff. 17
• His damaged Dantian has steadily weakened his cultivation over the years. 15

Leadership and Influence

As Wind Thunder Hall’s master and the Tong family patriarch, Tong commands extensive personnel, wealth, and political influence in Pingding City. 14 30

• Maintains trusted subordinates including Qi Zhaogu and Iron Lion. 15 17
• Controls a large estate in eastern Pingding City, described as the city’s largest and most luxurious residence. 14
• Wind Thunder Hall possesses businesses including gambling houses, pleasure houses, mines, and manors. 21
• His sixtieth birthday attracts Divine Cult affiliates, martial artists, Imperial Guard officers, and foreign guests. 30
• Dongfang Bubai formally recognizes his diligence and contributions with a jar of fine wine. 32

Calligraphy

Tong is an accomplished calligrapher. His writing of “A fierce tiger descends the mountain, and all beasts tremble” is praised by Tong Yukang for its powerful brushwork. 15

Relationships

• Dongfang Bubai — Former subordinate and longtime sworn associate. Tong saved Dongfang from the Seven Tigers of Ludong, backed his succession, and remains fiercely devoted to him despite Yang Lianting’s influence. 14 20 32
• Yang Lianting — Political rival. Tong believes Yang leaked intelligence behind the Damaoling disaster and attempts to denounce him at Chengde Hall. 14 19 20
• Wu Lianjiang — Former fellow Incense Master and old companion. Tong mourns Wu’s death and helps Zhang Yu pursue the suspected betrayal behind Cloud Water Hall’s destruction. 14
• Zhang Yu — Wu Lianjiang’s direct disciple and Tong’s “world nephew.” Tong supports Zhang’s accusation against Yang, promises him advancement, and appoints him Incense Master of Guanzhong. 17 32
• Qi Zhaogu — Disciple and later adopted fourth son. Tong particularly favors him for his composure and accepts his blood-written Immeasurable Life Sutra as a birthday gift. 17 30
• Tong Yukang — Third biological son. Their relationship deteriorates over Yukang’s defense of Yang Lianting and his public challenge to Zhang Yu’s birthday gift. 15 31 32
• Tong Yuhai — Eldest son and an Incense Master stationed in Shuntian Prefecture. 33
• Tong Yuzhong — Son involved in the private salt trade and financial supporter of Tong Yuhai. 33
• Iron Lion — Trusted black-robed subordinate entrusted with guarding Tong’s Secret Prison and accompanying him to Chengde Hall. 15 18 20

Story Role / Major Arcs

Accusation Against Yang Lianting

After Zhang Yu reports Wu Lianjiang’s suspicions, Tong decides to bring a formal accusation against Yang Lianting at Blackwood Cliff. He reveals that he has captured Hou Jian, a messenger allegedly sent by Yang to Zuo Lengchan. 14

Tong leads Qi Zhaogu, Zhang Yu, and Wind Thunder Hall elites through Gorilla Beach to Chengde Hall. He expects the evidence to remove Yang and openly promises rewards for those who assist the mission. 17

The accusation collapses when Hou Jian claims that Tong—not Yang—ordered the message delivered to the Mount Song Sect. Purple-robed guards then attack Tong in Chengde Hall, forcing him to resist openly while demanding Dongfang Bubai personally judge his loyalty. 20

Aftermath at Blackwood Cliff

The failed attempt to remove Yang leaves Tong’s veteran faction weakened. Following the Chengde Hall conflict, he loses interest in celebrating his sixty-first birthday and spends his time drinking at Thousand Red Pavilion. 21

Although Cloud Water Hall becomes effectively defunct, Tong’s Wind Thunder Hall absorbs its remaining personnel connections, including Zhang Yu. 21

Sixtieth Birthday Banquet

Tong’s sixtieth birthday demonstrates his continued influence, drawing representatives from the Sun Moon Divine Cult, Imperial Guards, subordinate sects, and outside forces. 30

He adopts Qi Zhaogu as his fourth son after receiving Qi’s blood-transcribed Immeasurable Life Sutra. 30

Zhang Yu’s Blue Scale Carp scales are authenticated as freshly detached by Sima Da and Huang Boliu, embarrassing Tong Yukang after his public accusation of fraud. Tong responds by appointing Zhang Yu as Incense Master charged with rebuilding Cloud Water Hall’s influence in Guanzhong. 31 32

Notable Quotes

“When I was friends with Brother Dongfang, you weren't even out of your mother's womb.” 20

“Brother Dongfang, do you really believe that I, Tong, would betray you? If you also think so, with just a word from you, I will take my own life right here.” 20

“Yang Lianting, you demon! You first bewitched Brother Dongfang, and now you've bewitched Sanlang. I am your sworn enemy!” 15