Song Qinghong

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Song Qinghong (宋青洪)
Alias(es)	Spirit Serpent Vajra; Hall Master Song; Uncle Song; Teacher Song
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, Mount Wei City
Occupation/Role	Hall Master; martial-arts instructor
Cultivation	Seventh Rank Penetrating Force realm 1
Status	Active 50
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Song Qinghong came from afar to settle in Mount Wei City. Qi Changshun helped him establish himself there; the two became sworn brothers and arranged the childhood engagement of their children, Song Xue and Qi Yu. 1

He became the master of the outer city's Spirit Serpent Martial Hall, where his Seventh Rank cultivation made the hall a force few dared provoke. His former Seventh Rank disciple disappeared after an incident and never returned, leaving the hall without a successor capable of sustaining its standing. 1 3

Although initially skeptical of Qi Yu's sudden desire to train, Song tested his resolve and chose to teach him without a formal disciple-acceptance ceremony. He began with posture and blood-nourishing training, emphasizing gradual progress and warning against injuries caused by overexertion. 1 3

Song later accepted Chu Xiao as a direct disciple, recognizing his exceptional talent. He waived Chu's tuition and arranged work for Chu's sister so that the siblings could live more securely. 8 After Chu's public loss to Han Yan, Song personally promised him special training for the Provincial Examination. 24

During the examination, Song was surprised by Qi Yu's rapid advance but suspected that the Qi Family might be forcing his growth with secret medicine at the expense of his future foundation. 37 Chu Xiao's fatal defeat after attempting a sneak attack severely damaged the martial hall's reputation, leaving Song humiliated and despondent. 39

After Qi Yu won first place, Song entrusted him with the original manuscript containing the hall's Fundamental Killing Technique Diagram and Penetrating Force comprehension method, citing both Qi Changshun's past assistance and Qi Yu's help to the hall. 42 He later gave Qi Yu a three-section connected spear originally prepared for Chu Xiao and had Song Xue teach him its use. 48

Appearance

Song Qinghong is a once-robust martial artist who commonly wears dark robes. Following Chu Xiao's defeat, his formerly imposing bearing is described as stooped and burdened by grief. 8 39

• Dark-robed instructor who often stands with his hands behind his back while observing disciples. 8 11
• Possesses the physical presence expected of a Seventh Rank martial artist. 1 39

Personality

Song is stern, methodical, and protective as a teacher. He repeatedly stops Qi Yu from training past exhaustion, explaining that martial arts without regard for physical limits can cause lifelong injury or disability. 3 5 Even when Qi struggles to understand the Spirit Serpent Fist and Spirit Serpent Skill, Song breaks down each movement patiently rather than dismissing him. 8 12

He values the reputation and future of his martial hall, investing heavily in talented disciples such as Chu Xiao and feeling deep shame when Chu's conduct disgraces the hall in public. 8 24 39 His concern is personal as well as institutional: he does not want Song Xue to spend her life bearing the hall's burden amid violence and danger. 3

Song is also loyal and grateful. He accepts Qi Yu as a student because of his sworn-brother bond with Qi Changshun, then later repays the Qi family by giving Qi Yu a treasured lineage manuscript. 1 3 42

Abilities & Skills

Seventh Rank Penetrating Force

Song is a Seventh Rank Penetrating Force martial artist, a level with few peers in Mount Wei City. His displayed combat power is 55–110. 1

• His cultivation is sufficient to make the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall a respected and difficult-to-provoke presence in the outer city. 1
• He considers Seventh Rank the minimum level at which a disciple can truly serve as a martial hall's successor. 3
• He remains confident that an unfriendly challenge from the Black Bear Martial Hall does not require Qi Yu or Song Xue's intervention. 50

Spirit Serpent Martial Arts

Song is the principal instructor of the Spirit Serpent Martial Hall's lineage, teaching its foundational nurturing methods, combat forms, movement techniques, and skin-tempering practices. 3 8 12

• Spirit Serpent Posture — teaches blood activation and nourishment before combat training; warns students not to consume blood essence faster than they can replenish it. 3
• Spirit Serpent Fist — teaches the defensive Serpent Coiling Body and offensive Serpent's Tongue Flick forms. 8
• Spirit Serpent Pathfinding Step — a twenty-six-step footwork system across four routines for advance, retreat, offense, and defense. 12
• Spirit Serpent Hand — thirty-one movements in six forms modeled after serpentine motions. 12
• Breathing and skin-tempering methods — coordinates breath for endurance and explosive strikes, while tempering key areas of the hands rather than hardening the entire body. 12

Mentorship

Song adapts his instruction to each disciple's condition and potential.

• Personally corrects Qi Yu's posture and ends sessions when Qi approaches physical harm. 3 5
• Patiently teaches Qi Yu the Spirit Serpent Fist and Skill step by step, correcting even minor errors. 8 12
• Identifies Chu Xiao as a prodigy, waives his tuition, supports his family, and later conducts special training after Chu's loss. 8 24
• Entrusts Song Xue with teaching Qi Yu spear combat, judging her spear ability no less effective than his own instruction. 48

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Fundamental Killing Technique Diagram and Penetrating Force comprehension manuscript — the original lineage manuscript Song obtained from his former Sect; he later entrusted it to Qi Yu. 42
• Three-section connected spear — a weapon Song had forged and originally prepared for Chu Xiao. Its exotic-metal shaft divides into three linked sections and extends into a ten-foot spear with a red tassel; Song gave it to Qi Yu. 48
• Deep Sea Brew — a rare cold-aura liquor kept by Song and usually opened only for celebrations or special occasions. 49 50

Relationships

• Qi Changshun — sworn brother; Changshun helped Song settle in Mount Wei City, and their bond led to the arranged engagement between their children. 1
• Song Xue — daughter. Song wants to protect her from the burden of maintaining the martial hall, though he recognizes her talent and relies on her as a senior instructor. 3 48
• Qi Yu — student and future son-in-law by arrangement. Song initially teaches him out of loyalty to Qi Changshun, later acknowledges his accomplishments and grants him the hall's original manuscript and a powerful spear. 3 42 48
• Chu Xiao — direct disciple once regarded as the hall's greatest hope. Song supported Chu's family, trained him personally, and was devastated when Chu's conduct and defeat damaged the hall's name. 8 24 39
• Ghost Hand Seven — proud disciple and one of the hall's strongest members. 29 37
• Black Bear — old acquaintance associated with the Black Bear Martial Hall; Song dismisses the threat posed by his challenge. 50

Notable Quotes

“Practicing martial arts is like brewing medicine; if the heat is insufficient, it only adds bitterness.” 3

“The martial world is dangerous, a gentleman cherishes his life. The affairs of the martial world are for those in the martial world.” 5