Professor Chen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Professor Chen (陈教授)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Archaeological expedition seeking Jingjue Ancient City
Occupation/Role	Archaeologist; professor; expedition member
First Appearance	20

Background / History

Professor Chen previously knew Hu Ming as a celebrated archaeology student at Capital University. He had once attempted to recruit Hu Ming through Hao Aiguo, but Hu Ming refused after Hao approached him arrogantly. Professor Chen later acknowledges Hu Ming’s academic ability and recognizes him as Hu Bayi’s cousin only when Big Gold Tooth recommends the pair for the Jingjue expedition. 20

Seeking the submerged ancient tomb and Jingjue Ancient City, Professor Chen visits Big Gold Tooth with Shirley Yang to find people proficient in feng shui. Despite his standing as an archaeological authority, he politely lowers his stance to ask for assistance. 20

Appearance

Professor Chen is an elderly, frail scholar whose age and physical condition become increasingly apparent during the expedition.

• He has slightly cloudy eyes that brighten when he examines Fatty’s jade pendant. 27
• He requires support while climbing Kunlun Ice Mountain and uses supplemental oxygen after becoming exhausted. 31 32
• Hu Ming carries him during the retreat from the Nine-story Demon Tower due to his limited stamina. 41 42

Personality

Professor Chen is courteous and diplomatic. He immediately rebukes Hao Aiguo’s rudeness toward Hu Ming’s group, welcomes them into his home, and apologizes for his student’s poor social skills. 23 When Hu Ming, Hu Bayi, and Fatty nearly withdraw from the expedition after Yang Xueli’s initial arrogance, Professor Chen helps preserve the partnership. 24

He possesses intense devotion to archaeology, placing discovery above personal danger. He is exhilarated by the Nine-story Demon Tower and refuses Hu Bayi’s request to leave, stating that archaeologists can sacrifice their lives for research. 37 38 He similarly encourages Ye Yixin to pursue worthwhile work without fearing danger. 46

Abilities & Skills

Archaeology and Historical Research

Professor Chen is an established archaeologist with expertise in ancient artifacts and Western Regions research.

• Recognizes the significance of Fatty’s seven-sided jade pendant and suspects it is connected to Jingjue Ancient City. 27
• Possesses research materials concerning Jingjue Ancient City, the Jingjue Queen, and the Ghost Eye Curse through his connection to Yang Xueli’s father. 24
• Studies and records the Ghost Cave Script translated by Hu Ming. 36
• Identifies the exceptional preservation and archaeological value of the Nine-story Demon Tower. 38

Expedition Determination

Despite his age and frailty, Professor Chen persists through extreme terrain to continue the expedition.

• Endures the ascent toward Kunlun Ice Mountain in severe wind, snow, and thin air. 31 32
• Recovers after resting with oxygen and continues climbing. 32
• Continues toward Jingjue Ancient City despite An Liman’s warnings and the desert’s hazards. 46

Relationships

• Shirley Yang — Expedition funder and close associate; she calls him “Uncle Chen” and repeatedly tends to him when he is exhausted. 20 31 32
• Hu Ming — Formerly known to Professor Chen as a gifted archaeology student; Professor Chen values his knowledge of Western Regions history, ancient scripts, and feng shui. 20 25 36
• Hu Bayi — Recruited for his Dragon Seeking Finger Pointing and Celestial Star Feng Shui expertise; Professor Chen regards him as essential to locating sites hidden in the desert. 20 25
• Hao Aiguo — His student; Professor Chen repeatedly corrects Hao’s rude and dismissive behavior toward Hu Ming’s group. 23 36
• Wang Fatty — Initially underestimated, but later accepted after Professor Chen recognizes the importance of Fatty’s jade pendant to entering Jingjue Ancient City. 27
• Ye Yixin — A younger expedition member whom Professor Chen encourages when she becomes frightened by the desert journey. 46

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruiting the Feng Shui Specialists

Professor Chen and Shirley Yang approach Big Gold Tooth to recruit capable guides for an expedition to Jingjue Ancient City. After hearing Big Gold Tooth’s account of Hu Bayi’s feng shui inheritance and Hu Ming’s academic reputation, Professor Chen seeks to bring both cousins into the team. 20

When Hu Ming, Hu Bayi, and Fatty arrive at his residence, Professor Chen welcomes them and attempts to smooth over Hao Aiguo’s hostility. He later helps negotiate their continued participation after the group objects to Yang Xueli’s attitude and the expedition’s risks. 23 24

Kunlun Ice Mountain Expedition

Professor Chen travels with the team to Kunlun Ice Mountain to recover information connected to Jingjue Ancient City. The altitude and weather exhaust him, but he refuses to abandon the journey, insisting that he has limited time left to complete meaningful work. 31 32

During the exploration of the Nine-story Demon Tower, his excitement over the archaeological discovery causes him to disregard Hu Bayi’s repeated warnings about the Fire Ladybugs. He ultimately escapes when the insects awaken, supported by the group. 37 38 40

Desert March

Professor Chen continues with the expedition into the Taklamakan Desert, relying on the party for care due to his frailty. He encourages Ye Yixin to face danger in pursuit of archaeology, reinforcing the expedition’s academic resolve. 45 46

During a sandstorm, he falls from his camel and is dragged back by Hu Ming, allowing the group to recover him without mounting a separate search in the lethal conditions. 49

Notable Quotes

“Comrade Xiao Hu, I don't have much time left. I want to complete this meaningful journey.” 32

“Little Hu, we can sacrifice our lives for archaeological research. We've just arrived, how can we leave?” 38

“If what we want to do is right, we should do it without fear of danger. That is the spirit of archaeology.” 46