Gu Dahai

Biodata

Name	Gu Dahai (顾大海)
Alias(es)	Boss Gu; Local Tyrant
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Associate and informant of Ye Yun
Occupation/Role	Heyang City local bully; guide and caretaker
Status	Active; last seen safeguarding Ye Yun's Meteorite Copper in Heyang City 40
First Appearance	Chapter 34

Background

A native of Heyang City, Gu Dahai acquired the martial-arts manual Thick Earth Art in his youth. Unable to read it, he practiced its illustrated movements out of curiosity and gained enough skill to scale walls and leap across eaves. He used this ability and his reputation as “Boss Gu” to intimidate locals and extort money. 34 36

His family owned an elegant two-story home in the city, though his parents moved to a manor outside Heyang City because they could not endure the disgrace associated with his conduct. Gu Dahai retained their courtyard, including its pond, lotus flowers, and fruit trees, as a memento. 36

Appearance

Gu Dahai is a large, imposing man who carries a long saber and relies on a menacing presence to cow his targets. 34 35

• Known for his fierce gaze and intimidating manner. 34
• His face is left badly swollen after Ye Yun disciplines him at the inn. 35
• Carries a steel saber while assisting Ye Yun at Boss Chen's hideout. 38

Personality

Gu Dahai initially behaves as a predatory, calculating bully. He tries to seize Ye Yun's Bear Paw through false claims, threats, and armed extortion, then feigns terror and remorse as soon as he realizes Ye Yun is stronger. The inn patrons recognize this as a familiar tactic. 34 35

After his defeat, he becomes cautious, deferential, and eager to make himself useful. His knowledge of Heyang City's criminal underworld proves valuable to Ye Yun, and he assists with protecting rescued trafficking victims and arranging shelter for them. 36 37 39

He fears ghosts and supernatural phenomena despite his former swagger. 36

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts

Gu Dahai developed limited martial ability by practicing the diagrams in the Thick Earth Art manual.

• Can scale walls and leap over eaves, though he cannot perform the feats associated with true cultivators. 34
• Uses a long saber in combat and has a reputation for its speed. 34
• Is effortlessly disarmed and defeated by Ye Yun, revealing the limits of his strength. 35
• Is considered too old to properly cultivate Thick Earth Art. 40

Local Intelligence and Street Knowledge

Gu Dahai possesses extensive knowledge of Heyang City's rumors, gangs, properties, and illicit activities.

• Identifies Old Master Liu's supposedly haunted residence and Boss Chen's possession of Meteorite Copper. 36
• Knows how Boss Chen acquired the Meteorite Copper and leads Ye Yun to the gang leader's heavily guarded base. 37
• Explains the conditions in the city's unregistered refugee district and Boss Chen's human-trafficking operation. 37
• Provides a courtyard property as temporary shelter for the women rescued from Boss Chen. 39

Equipment / Items

• Steel saber — His usual weapon; later used while guarding the rescued women. 35 38
• Thick Earth Art — An Earth-attribute cultivation manual that can reach the eighth layer of Jade Purity; Gu Dahai surrenders it to Ye Yun as compensation. 36
• Meteorite Copper — Entrusted to Gu Dahai by Ye Yun for safekeeping when Ye Yun leaves Heyang City. 39 40
• Three Little Yellow Pills and Clear Spirit Powder — Given by Ye Yun as compensation for his assistance; the powder can improve cultivation. 40

Relationships

• Ye Yun — Initially attempts to extort him at an inn, but is defeated and forced into a subordinate role. He later serves as Ye Yun's guide, informant, and helper during the campaign against Heyang City's gangs. 34 40
• Zhang Zifeng — A scholar who unsuccessfully tries to mediate between Gu Dahai and Ye Yun at the inn. 34 35
• Boss Chen — A fellow Heyang City criminal whose Meteorite Copper and trafficking operation Gu Dahai exposes to Ye Yun. 36 37
• Rescued women — Guards them after their liberation from Boss Chen's lair and helps settle them in a courtyard. 37 40

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict at the Inn

Gu Dahai approaches Ye Yun while he is waiting for a Bear Paw dish, attempts to claim the food, and escalates to demanding Ye Yun's money at saberpoint. Ye Yun catches his saber between two fingers, defeats his accomplices, and exposes Gu Dahai's cowardly habit of bullying the weak while fearing stronger opponents. 34 35

Becoming Ye Yun's Informant

Forced to compensate Ye Yun, Gu Dahai gives him the Thick Earth Art manual. He then shares information on supernatural rumors and rare materials in Heyang City, revealing Boss Chen's Meteorite Copper. 36

Raid on Boss Chen's Lair

Gu Dahai leads Ye Yun through the city’s impoverished district to Boss Chen's compound and helps locate a concealed entry route. Once Ye Yun discovers imprisoned trafficking victims, Gu Dahai fetches clothing, guards the women, and assists with their evacuation. 37 39

Aftermath in Heyang City

Gu Dahai offers his courtyard as a temporary refuge for the rescued women and helps Ye Yun organize their return home. Before departing the city, Ye Yun rewards Gu Dahai with cultivation supplies and leaves the Meteorite Copper in his custody. 39 40

Trivia

• Despite being illiterate, Gu Dahai gained his martial abilities by copying the illustrated movements in Thick Earth Art. 34 36
• His family home is far more refined than his public image as a local thug suggests. 36
• Gu Dahai views Ye Yun as an immortal after witnessing his abilities firsthand. 39