Chen Ze

Biodata

Background / History

Chen Ze grew up in the same village as Qin Yuan, and the two attended the same elementary Soul Master academy. Their shared background and Martial Soul made them as close as brothers. 2 3

He served with Qin Yuan in the Golden Saber Squad. During Ning Rongrong's soul-hunting commission, he was assigned to guard the rear. When Zhao San incited the team to rob Ning Rongrong, Chen Ze openly sided with Qin Yuan and helped protect her. He finished the wounded Zhao San with a strike from behind. 2

After the squad effectively dispersed, Chen Ze proposed leaving the dangerous soul-hunting trade and opening a general store. Qin Yuan accepted, allowing Chen Ze to manage the shop while he continued taking commissions. 3

Chen Ze turned the sect-provided storefront into a profitable general store, buying goods cheaply from the outer city and selling them at a markup in Heaven Dou City without rent costs. He also kept Qin Yuan's commission sign displayed and recorded incoming requests while Qin Yuan was away. 9 10

Although he later offered to assist with Qin Yuan's missions, Qin Yuan refused because the work was confidential and Chen Ze had become insufficiently vigilant after two comfortable years running the shop. Qin Yuan instead entrusted him with expanding the business by recruiting reputable soul-hunting teams as affiliates. 13 14

Appearance

Chen Ze is described as a slender young man. 1

Personality

Chen Ze is fiercely loyal to Qin Yuan. He rejected Zhao San's mutiny rather than endanger Qin Yuan or Ning Rongrong, and he did not hesitate to join the fight against the traitors. 2

He is practical and business-minded, preferring the stability of a general store to the constant dangers of soul-hunting commissions. He manages the shop diligently and feels guilty that Qin Yuan continues risking his life on missions while he earns money from the storefront. 3 10 13

His focus on commerce comes at the expense of cultivation and field awareness. Qin Yuan notes that Chen Ze is not enthusiastic about training and has lost necessary vigilance through his comfortable life as a shopkeeper. 11 14

Abilities & Skills

Soul Master Combat

Chen Ze is a high-level Soul Ancestor who possesses the same saber-type Martial Soul as Qin Yuan. 2 12

• Guarded the Golden Saber Squad's rear during Ning Rongrong's soul hunt. 2
• Assisted Qin Yuan against the mutineers and beheaded Zhao San after Qin Yuan injured him. 2
• Is considered unsuitable for Qin Yuan's confidential missions because of his reduced vigilance. 14

Shop Management

Chen Ze operates the Golden Saber Small Shop while Qin Yuan accepts outside commissions. 3 10

• Converted the storefront into a general store selling assorted goods. 9
• Uses the shop's rent-free, high-traffic location to earn substantial profits. 9
• Maintains records of commissions received during Qin Yuan's absence. 10
• Was tasked with seeking out reputable soul-hunting teams for future business affiliation. 14

Relationships

• Qin Yuan — Childhood companion, fellow villager, and closest associate. Chen Ze follows him into danger, manages his shop, and regards him as his boss. 2 3 10
• Ning Rongrong — A major customer of the Golden Saber Shop; Chen Ze informs her that Qin Yuan is away when she comes looking for him. 9
• Zhao San — Former squadmate and mutiny leader whom Chen Ze kills during the attempted robbery of Ning Rongrong. 2

Trivia

• Chen Ze kept Qin Yuan's “Accepting Commissions” sign outside the shop even while operating it as a general store. 9
• He earned several thousand Gold Soul Coins through the shop within its first two months of operation. 10