Jiang Shuo

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Jiang Shuo (姜朔)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Chiyun Village; formerly Hundred Flowers Sect; disciple of Gu Han
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; bone-shifting practitioner; investigator
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Chiyun Village martial arts	2 3	Uses hunting-honed agility, brute strength, and a Movement Technique to evade and defeat multiple opponents.
Golden Wheel technique	11	Manifests golden light around his attacks and incapacitates several elite soldiers; its force is shattered by Meng Xiong.
Bone Sealing Technique	29	Identified as a dangerous Chiyun Village technique; Mo Xuanwu warns Jiang not to use it publicly except in mortal peril.
Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill	29 33 35	Learns the Divine Skill from Mo Xuanwu; absorbs opponents' True Qi through palm contact, inadvertently causing Rong Yan's death during its first test.
Combat insight against blade techniques	34	Comprehends Shen Biao's movements under pressure, allowing him to evade the Dragging Knife technique and unsettle his opponent.
Heavenly Origin Heart Method	97	Deciphers a mural's symbols as an internal-energy route, generating a strange power shown as faint golden light.
Heavenly Origin Tower breakthrough	118 119 131	Resists the second-floor mural's suppressive force, emerging with more abundant True Qi; later undergoes a critical, unconscious transformation on the third floor.
Bone Marrow Knowledge	100 135	Studies bone identification under Gu Han and later consolidates this knowledge while training Li Cai.
Advanced palm force	188	Kills Shi Yubao with one palm strike after catching him unguarded, demonstrating major growth in martial ability.
Bone shifting	217 226	Diagnoses the harmful effects of an improper Yang-bone replacement; successfully performs bone shifting for Bai Fengxue.
Coiling Dragon Divine Skill / Coiled Dragon True Qi	226 250	Learns the upper portion of the skill from his father's silk relic. It complements both Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill and the Heavenly Origin Heart Method; intense emotions later cause his True Qi to form an unstable vortex.

Background

Jiang Shuo grew up in the isolated Chiyun Village of Nine Tripod Mountain, where villagers survived among ferocious beasts and learned practical hunting tactics, wound treatment, and Movement Techniques. He left the village after exploring the forbidden forest and confronting its guardian Giant Roc. 2 3 4

Outside the village, Jiang initially knew little of the Great Ming, the Imperial Court, or the martial world's power structure. His refusal to expose Chiyun Village's location brought him into conflict with Xuanming Sect disciples and later with imperial authorities in Yulin. 3 7

His search for information about his father, Jiang Shangwu, led him to Mo Xuanwu and the Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill. Mo Xuanwu also confirmed that Jiang's Bone Sealing Technique could draw deadly attention if used openly. 29 31

Jiang later learned from Jiang Huaiyi that a planned Bone Replacement ceremony in Chiyun Village had allegedly been intended to conceal his bloodline aura rather than harm him. Jiang Huaiyi confirmed Jiang Shangwu's death but withheld the identity of those pursuing Jiang. 220

Jiang Shangwu eventually revealed that he had exchanged Jiang Shuo's identity with the current emperor's at birth, making Jiang Shuo the true Son of Dragon. Though shaken by the revelation and guilt over Chiyun Village's fate, Jiang resolved to continue bearing responsibility for his own choices. 250

Appearance

Jiang Shuo is repeatedly described through the physical presence and movement developed by his upbringing among wild beasts and martial artists.

• Possesses immense natural strength; his punches can severely injure opponents even when they partially evade them. 135
• Moves with exceptional agility, often slipping through attacks or crowds using his Movement Technique. 3 13 25
• In his first arrival at Yulin, he is covered in mud and dust, with tangled hair and a filthy appearance after his journey. 5
• His eyes can take on a beastlike, dangerous intensity when angered. 43

Personality

Jiang Shuo is bold, direct, and unusually fearless in confrontations. He refuses to yield to threats, whether from sect disciples, soldiers, or influential officials, and frequently challenges people who misuse their power. 3 14 113

He is also observant and strategic. Rather than flee Sun Man's hostility, he remains under his tutelage to uncover its cause; he similarly investigates ambushes, suspicious figures, and the wider Bone Replacement conspiracy. 18 95 121 214

His compassion grows over the story. He risks himself to save Yu Yuhan, worries over Su Tianyu's poisoning, rejects the killing of innocents as expediency, and shares food with an elderly refugee despite traveling through famine. 11 60 100 229

Jiang can be impulsive when emotionally overwhelmed. His attempt to disrupt Ji Huaying's wedding ends in defeat by Meng Xiong, and his emotional turmoil later destabilizes his Coiled Dragon True Qi. 194 250

Abilities & Skills

Movement Technique

A maneuvering art learned through Chiyun Village's hunting practices, suited to evasion in confined spaces.

• Weaves through groups of enemies without being struck. 3
• Escapes beneath Zhao Zhi's guard to attack his ribs. 13
• Evades Chen Xian's saber attacks with rapid aerial movement and rolls. 25
• Cannot fully overcome opponents with vastly superior martial skill, such as Meng Xiong. 11

Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill

A Divine Skill that drains an opponent's True Qi through physical contact.

• First used against Rong Yan, whose True Qi is drained and whose death follows accidentally. 33
• Can absorb internal energy from several opponents amid a melee. 35
• Requires close contact and leaves Jiang vulnerable to interruption by surrounding enemies. 35
• Fails to overcome a sufficiently powerful opponent when his palm strike is blocked. 48

Bone Reading and Bone Shifting

Jiang studies bones and the effects of Bone Replacement under Gu Han and through his own investigations.

• Can identify and analyze large quantities of bone fragments. 100
• Recognizes abnormal bones and connects killings across the Iron Cloud Gang and Hundred Flowers Sect to bone theft. 214
• Identifies Sha Jingming's excessive Yang bone and explains how its Li Fire damages his body. 217
• Successfully shifts Bai Fengxue's bones, though her delayed awakening causes Jiang concern. 226

Heavenly Origin Heart Method

A cultivation method comprehended through murals in the Heavenly Origin Tower.

• Deciphers symbolic routes corresponding to internal-energy circulation. 97
• Generates faint golden light and a new strange power. 97
• Endures an internal struggle against the second-floor mural's suppressive force. 118
• Leaves Jiang with abundant True Qi and heightened spirit after the ordeal. 119

Coiling Dragon Divine Skill

An advanced Chiyun Village art contained in Jiang Shangwu's silk relic.

• Described as an upgraded form of the Bone Sealing Technique. 226
• Does not conflict with Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill. 226
• Can complement the Heavenly Origin Heart Method and increase Jiang's strength. 226
• Jiang Huaiyi considers Jiang's progress slow and his talent poor relative to other bone-shifting masters. 226

Medical Knowledge

Practical treatment knowledge acquired through survival in Chiyun Village and later formal study.

• Treats his own wounds using pool water and Bai Shou Wu. 4
• Offers medical treatment as a mission specialty at the Hundred Flowers Sect. 113
• Assists others while prioritizing urgent injuries during combat. 93

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Mysterious disc-like weapon — used to subdue the Giant Roc. 2
• Xuanming Golden Token — given by Chen Zhentian, along with rations and a waterskin. 4
• Hundred Life Bone / Hundred Segment Bone — reacts or glows near certain people or circumstances; connected to Jiang's bloodline and Chiyun Village mysteries. 12 31
• Silk relic of Jiang Shangwu — contains the upper portion of the Coiling Dragon Divine Skill. 226
• Long saber — seized from an enemy leader and thrown at the fleeing Black Robe, wounding his shoulder. 124

Relationships

• Jiang Shangwu — father; Jiang's search for him drives much of his journey. Jiang later learns Jiang Shangwu arranged an identity exchange at birth and is believed to have died. 29 220 250
• Jiang Huaiyi — Great Elder of Chiyun Village; initially distrusted by Jiang, later reveals the intended purpose of Jiang's Bone Replacement and teaches him the Coiling Dragon Divine Skill. 220 226
• Mo Xuanwu — acquaintance of Jiang Shangwu and Jiang's teacher in the Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill; warns him about the danger of Bone Sealing Technique. 29 31
• Feng En — Jiang's former master at Hundred Flowers Sect; supports and protects him, then arranges his transfer to Gu Han in the Capital. 17 18 114
• Gu Han — Jiang's master in the Capital; a stern teacher who trains him in bone-reading skills. 100 113
• Li Zicheng — close companion and fellow Hundred Flowers Sect disciple; repeatedly defends Jiang and supports him against Sun Man's hostility. 7 18 43
• Yu Yuhan — trusted companion from Hundred Flowers Sect; Jiang repeatedly risks himself to save her, and they coordinate effectively in battle. 11 115 151
• Su Tianyu — ally from Vermilion Bird Workshop; Jiang is deeply concerned for her safety and poisoning, while both repeatedly attempt to protect one another. 75 100 148 159
• Chen Zhentian — Xuanming Sect member who aids Jiang from their first encounter onward; later rescues him and provides information when he becomes a martial-world target. 4 238 240
• Zhou Datong — Lingxiao Mountain senior; initially guarded about Bone Replacement secrets, later protects and travels with Jiang. 114 176 188
• Li Cai — training partner who grows to trust Jiang after witnessing his strength; Jiang teaches him Black Tiger Fist techniques. 118 135
• Ji Huaying — Jiang declares his love for her while interrupting her wedding to Li Cai; she subsequently fights to protect and escape with him. 194 195
• Shi Yuhu — Beast Taming Villa lord and recurring enemy; frames Jiang, poisons Su Tianyu, and eventually recognizes Jiang as a worthy opponent. 102 104 156
• Shi Yubao — Beast Taming Villa's second brother; Jiang and Yu Yuhan defeat him together before Jiang later kills him with a palm strike. 151 188
• Zhao Zhi — hostile Hundred Flowers Sect disciple; later encountered as a refugee after his downfall. 13 229
• He Feng — Hundred Flowers Sect adversary who helps frame Jiang; Jiang later defeats him and cripples his martial arts. 102 201

Story Role / Major Arcs

Departure from Chiyun Village

Jiang leaves Chiyun Village after encountering its guardian Giant Roc and enters the outside world, where he protects the village's secrecy against Xuanming Sect outsiders. 2 3

Yulin and Hundred Flowers Sect

After arriving in Yulin, Jiang becomes involved in the smallpox crisis, Yu Yuhan's danger, and conflicts with Chen Zhiqing and imperial authorities. He joins the Hundred Flowers Sect under Feng En but faces internal hostility from Sun Man, Sun Daoming, Zhao Zhi, and later He Feng. 7 11 14 18 43 102

Meridian Swallowing and Mad Saber Sect

His search for Jiang Shangwu's past brings him into the Mad Saber Sect's Forbidden Ground, where Mo Xuanwu teaches him Meridian Swallowing Divine Skill. Jiang tests it against Mad Saber Sect disciples and survives Shen Biao through combat insight and deception. 29 33 34 35

Capital and Bone Replacement Investigation

As Gu Han's disciple, Jiang studies bone-reading, cultivates in the Heavenly Origin Tower, and investigates irregular bones, assassins, and the connection between the Hundred Flowers Sect, Iron Cloud Gang, Imperial Court, and Bone Replacement. 97 113 118 131 214

Beast Taming Villa Conflict

Jiang becomes entangled in Shi Yuhu's schemes against Su Tianyu and confronts the Shi brothers repeatedly. He and Yu Yuhan escape captivity and defeat Shi Yubao; Jiang later kills Shi Yubao, ending the Shi brothers and Beast Taming Villa. 148 151 156 188

Return to Chiyun Village

Jiang is forcibly taken back to Chiyun Village by Jiang Huaiyi, learns more about his concealed bloodline and Bone Replacement, successfully performs bone shifting for Bai Fengxue, and begins learning Coiling Dragon Divine Skill before escaping again. 220 226 229

Public Enemy of the Martial World

After being framed as a member of the Evil Cult Clan who harmed numerous martial-world figures, Jiang becomes a target across the martial world. He suspects Wu Sangui and the Evil Bone Master are responsible and focuses on protecting Chiyun Village. 240

Son of Dragon Revelation

Jiang learns that Jiang Shangwu exchanged his identity with the current emperor at birth. Though the truth burdens him, he accepts that his past choices and responsibilities remain his own. 250

Notable Quotes

“Get lost. I don't want to hurt you.” 3

“The more forceful you are, the more I will resist!” 118

“We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. I’ll be careful.” 135

“Jiang Shuo, a disciple of Gu Han.” 217

Trivia

• Jiang's early combat instincts are based on hunting prey rather than formal martial-world training. 3
• He is skilled enough at treating repeated external injuries that he can identify and use medicinal herbs in the wild. 4
• He has a history of making powerful enemies in the Capital and admits he has grown accustomed to offending people. 135
• Jiang's initial reaction to the Imperial Court is shaped by Li Zicheng's warning that it can “crush” common people with ease. 7