Zhang Meng

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhang Meng (张猛)
Alias(es)	Brother Meng; Mengzi
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Heavenly Prison; formerly Zone D guard, later Block C Disciplinary Team and squad leader 10 86 230
Occupation/Role	Jailer; Xu Qian's bodyguard, assistant, and trusted subordinate 87
Status	Alive 300
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Houtian Late Stage	86	Broke through a two-year Houtian Mid Stage bottleneck after taking a Qi Replenishing Pill refined by Xu Qian. His Raging Bull Strength initially went berserk, but Xu Qian stabilized it with Longevity True Qi and Ice Heart Art essence.

Background / History

Zhang Meng came from a poor farming family outside the Imperial Capital. He entered the Heavenly Prison through connections to earn money, originally hoping to save enough to return home and marry. He had arrived a few months before Xu Qian and possessed basic farming skills 10.

He first assisted Xu Qian when Xu was assigned the degrading task of clearing a waterlogged, garbage-filled secondary passage in Zone D. Zhang Meng volunteered without hesitation, helping complete the work and sharing practical advice for surviving in the prison 10. His size, frank temperament, and willingness to stand up for Xu Qian discouraged senior guards from burdening Xu with extra work 11.

Appearance

Zhang Meng is a tall, broad, powerfully built young jailer with an open and uncomplicated bearing.

• Dark complexion 10
• Thick eyebrows and large eyes 10
• A sturdy build described as far larger than Xu Qian's 10
• A guileless smile and prominent white teeth 10

Personality

Zhang Meng is straightforward, warm-hearted, and talkative. He readily revealed his own circumstances to Xu Qian and treated the newcomer as someone facing the same hardships rather than as a rival 10. His vigorous blood energy was notably pure and lacked malice or cunning when viewed through Xu Qian's Qi Gazing Technique 10.

He is also highly impressionable. After witnessing Xu Qian's confrontations, problem-solving, survival of an apparent assassination attempt, and “Cleaning Swordplay,” Zhang Meng concluded that Xu was a hidden master tempering himself in the mortal world 35. His admiration became unwavering loyalty, though it sometimes manifested as excessive protectiveness toward Xu Qian 35 87.

In battle, Zhang Meng is bold and excitable rather than subtle. During the Blood Moon Cult assault, he fought despite his injuries, personally defeated an early Xiantian cultist, and enthusiastically recounted his achievements afterward 190.

Abilities & Skills

Raging Bull Strength

Zhang Meng cultivates a family-inherited external martial art characterized by direct, overbearing True Qi.

• Its forceful nature contributed to his breakthrough crisis when the Qi Replenishing Pill caused his True Qi to run wild 86.
• After reaching Houtian Late Stage, his True Qi was at least twice as strong as before 86.
• His cultivation later approached the threshold of the Xiantian Realm following repeated life-or-death battles 197.

Guard Combat

Under Xu Qian's training, Zhang Meng became the strongest fighter in the Disciplinary Team apart from Xu himself.

• Learned practical combat techniques from Xu Qian 87.
• Learned a simplified version of Fleeting Light Shadow 87.
• Served as Xu Qian's personal protection during patrols, meal deliveries, and formation work 87 195.
• Held a critical passage during the Blood Moon Cult attack, fought enemies who greatly outnumbered him, and coordinated with reinforcements 208.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Protective jade talisman — Given by Xu Qian before the Blood Moon Cult assault; its Sword Intent helped severely injure a Xiantian Peak enemy and protected Zhang Meng from serious internal injury 184 190.
• Healing and strengthening pills — Used during the assault to treat injuries and temporarily enhance Qi and Blood and physical strength 190.
• Qi Replenishing Pill — The catalyst for his Houtian Late Stage breakthrough 86.
• Ice Heart Qi Replenishing Pills — Provided by Xu Qian for self-defense after his breakthrough 87.

Relationships

• Xu Qian — Friend, benefactor, bodyguard target, and later acknowledged master. Zhang Meng first helped Xu with prison labor, became convinced Xu was a hidden master, and devoted himself to following and protecting him. Xu repaid that loyalty with cultivation assistance, training, equipment, a higher salary, and continued support 10 35 86 87 93.
• Physician Liu — Wife. Zhang Meng fell for her after she treated an injury he received during reconstruction work. His initially clumsy pursuit gradually became familiar to her, and their marriage was settled by the following winter 233 235.
• Zhang Chengzhi — Son. Zhang Meng became a proud father five years after the post-war reconstruction period 251.
• Zhou Kang — Senior officer and captain. Zhang Meng served under Zhou and publicly credited his own “guidance” for Xu Qian's early growth 12.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early partnership with Xu Qian

Zhang Meng becomes Xu Qian's first sincere ally in the Heavenly Prison by helping him complete humiliating cleaning work. His physical presence shields Xu from harassment, while his farming-style techniques provide Xu with a plausible basis for improving his apparent strength 10 11.

“Hidden Master” follower

After repeatedly misinterpreting Xu Qian's accomplishments as evidence of secret mastery, Zhang Meng becomes Xu's most devoted follower. His loyalty gives Xu practical protection and social cover in Zone D 35.

Disciplinary Team bodyguard

Xu Qian strengthens Zhang Meng with a personally refined Qi Replenishing Pill, then stabilizes his breakthrough to Houtian Late Stage. In return, Zhang Meng becomes Xu's dedicated bodyguard and assistant; Xu further rewards him with a salary increase, defensive pills, martial instruction, and simplified movement techniques 86 87.

Blood Moon Cult assault

Before the Blood Moon Cult attacked, Zhang Meng accepted Xu Qian's emergency supplies and instructions. He guarded key positions with other trusted guards, fought through the prison-wide chaos, and remained loyal even when escape routes were blocked 184 185 192. His wartime conduct earned him recognition for bravery and promotion to deputy squad leader of the third supervision area 208.

Later service and family

Zhang Meng later becomes a capable Block C squad leader who continues seeking Xu Qian's advice on prison and political dangers 230. He marries Physician Liu, becomes more settled, and eventually fathers Zhang Chengzhi 247 251. Xu Qian later considers him a reliable frontman for routine dealings and simple material transfers within the Heavenly Prison 299.

Notable Quotes

“Brother Qian, my life is yours from now on! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west!” 86

“Look, my brother! Scholars have sharp minds! No matter how many Blood Moon Cult scum come, we'll kill them all!” 197

Trivia

• Zhang Meng mistook a passage secretly cleaned by Xu Qian's talismans for the work of a mythical “Snail Girl” 52.
• He once attempted to imitate Xu Qian's walking posture because he believed it contained hidden martial principles, nearly tripping over himself in the process 35.
• He was the first person to notice the subtle change in Xu Qian's bearing after Xu secretly entered the Xiantian Realm 93.