Zhou Kang

Biodata

Name	Zhou Kang (周康)
Alias(es)	Old Zhou
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Heavenly Prison
Occupation/Role	Former Head Guard and Prison Head of Block C; later Deputy Director of the Heavenly Prison
Status	Retired 245
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Zhou Kang spent twenty years in the Heavenly Prison, rising from an ordinary guard to Prison Head of Block C. Before joining the prison, he served in the military under General Yue Qingcang. He lost an arm and was poisoned in battle; Yue Qingcang later arranged his position at the Heavenly Prison. 71 234

When Xu Qian first arrives as a new guard, Zhou Kang supervises Zone D roll call and warns new recruits that the prison's inmates are exceptionally dangerous. He personally takes Xu Qian through the prison, explains the temperaments of individual prisoners, and cautions him against provoking or even staring at dangerous inmates. 1 3

As Xu Qian repeatedly proves useful in maintaining order, Zhou Kang rewards his diligence, grants him limited freedom of movement while on duty, and promotes him to Deputy Prison Head of Block C. Though he becomes suspicious of Xu Qian's concealed abilities, he ultimately chooses cooperation over confrontation. 19 20 78 80

Following the Blood Moon Cult crisis and Liu Sandao's death, Zhou Kang becomes supervisor of District D and is promoted to Deputy Director of the Heavenly Prison. He organizes preparations against the cult's planned assault on the sixth level. 182

By the time Prison Head Cui Wenyuan arrives in the West Layer, Zhou Kang has retired. 245

Appearance

Zhou Kang is an older, weathered jailer whose unassuming appearance contrasts with his authority and cultivation.

• Often wears an old Block C jailer uniform. 125
• Has an unshaven beard and sharp, half-lidded eyes. 125
• His eyes are described as bloodshot and worldly-wise. 12
• Commonly carries and smokes a pipe. 104 125
• Lost an arm in military service and suffered poisoning in battle. 234

Personality

Zhou Kang initially appears hot-tempered, profit-seeking, and blunt; he threatens Xu Qian with docked pay for missing roll call. Despite this gruff manner, he consistently looks after subordinates under his authority. 1

He is pragmatic and deeply experienced in prison politics. Rather than demanding complete loyalty or probing every secret, Zhou Kang values “proportion”: a capable subordinate should solve problems without overstepping boundaries or drawing dangerous attention. 80

His loyalty is strongest toward people he considers his own. He is willing to confront powerful outsiders, conceal inconvenient truths, and risk his own position to protect Xu Qian and the prison's interests. 98 104 125

Abilities & Skills

Xiantian Late-Stage Cultivation

Zhou Kang is an established Xiantian late-stage martial artist, strong enough to force three Xiantian experts—including another late-stage cultivator—to withdraw. 98

• Releases a stronger aura than a visiting Xiantian late-stage expert. 98
• Uses Internal Force in combat; his slash cleanly handles a berserk half-human, half-demon prisoner. 3
• Is regarded by Xu Qian as stronger than Houtian-level guards early in the story. 44

Prison Administration

Zhou Kang possesses detailed knowledge of prisoner behavior, prison procedures, and the dangers of each detention area.

• Knows inmates’ crimes, temperaments, and the practical risks they pose to guards. 2
• Tightens inspections, reduces recreation time, and increases meal-delivery oversight after Luo Heng’s network is uncovered. 70
• Uses Wen Xiu as bait to expose Black Tiger and investigate his accomplices. 71
• Detects patterns among Block C disturbances and orders an investigation into Xu Qian’s background. 78

Political Judgment and Investigation

Zhou Kang recognizes when official procedure is being bypassed and uses institutional rules to protect his people.

• Suspects anonymous intelligence reports may be linked to Xu Qian, but does not act without proof. 71 78
• Recognizes Xu Qian’s Xiantian breakthrough from the signs surrounding the Lightning Tribulation and helps conceal it. 104
• Challenges Lord Zhang of the Ministry of Punishment for attempting to remove Xu Qian without formal documentation. 125
• Uses the Heavenly Prison Chief Supervisor’s token to search Sun Wu’s quarters and uncover evidence of poisoning. 135

Relationships

• Xu Qian — Superior, mentor, and later cooperative ally. Zhou Kang trains him in prison survival, rewards his work, recognizes his hidden competence, and repeatedly protects him from outside threats. 2 20 80 98 104 125
• Yue Qingcang — Former military superior. Yue arranged Zhou Kang’s Heavenly Prison position after Zhou was maimed and poisoned in battle. 234
• Yue Lingyun — Zhou Kang is protective of Yue Qingcang’s son due to his loyalty to the general. 234
• Zhang Meng — Subordinate and trusted member of Zhou Kang’s Block C guard contingent. 71 87
• Sun Wu — Hostile fellow prison official. Zhou Kang exposes Sun Wu’s involvement in the poisoning plot against Yue Qingcang. 125 135
• Lord Zhang — Political adversary during the Ministry of Punishment’s attempt to seize Xu Qian without proper authorization. 125

Story Role / Major Arcs

Xu Qian’s Induction into the Heavenly Prison

Zhou Kang serves as Xu Qian’s first direct superior. He conducts roll call, assigns prison duties, and gives Xu Qian a firsthand lesson in the deadly realities of Blocks C and B. 1 3

Block C Stabilization

As repeated prisoner conspiracies destabilize Block C, Zhou Kang imposes stricter security, investigates anonymous warnings, and gradually accepts Xu Qian as a valuable—if secretive—partner in preserving order. 70 80

Xu Qian’s Rise

Zhou Kang promotes Xu Qian, negotiates a working arrangement that permits him latitude within clear limits, and protects the secrecy of Xu Qian’s breakthrough to Xiantian. 80 104 105

Yue Qingcang Case

Zhou Kang blocks the Ministry of Punishment’s undocumented attempt to take Xu Qian away, then leads the search that exposes Sun Wu’s poison. His intervention helps preserve the evidence chain surrounding Yue Qingcang’s case. 125 135 138

Blood Moon Cult Crisis

As Deputy Director, Zhou Kang warns trusted personnel of the Blood Moon Cult’s objective: the remnant soul of an ancient evil cultivator sealed on the sixth level of the Heavenly Prison. 182

Notable Quotes

“Curiosity can kill people.” 89

“You have skills, but you never show off. Every time you act, it's just right, solving the problem without revealing too much.” 80

“No documents... get lost.” 125

Trivia

• Zhou Kang’s career at the Heavenly Prison spans at least twenty years before his later retirement. 71 245
• He initially assumes Xu Qian’s unusual competence may simply be luck, a judgment he later revises. 31 80
• His defining principle is maintaining proper limits: being useful without becoming dangerously conspicuous. 80