Li San

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Li San (李三)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Wang Wu; covert plot targeting Ye Yun
Occupation/Role	Martial artist and infiltrator of the Sunset Mountains expedition
Status	Deceased; killed by Ye Yun 19
First Appearance	Chapter 10

Background / History

Li San entered the expedition to the Sunset Mountains alongside Wang Wu after Zhao Si introduced them as trustworthy experts from the prefectural capital. Their stated purpose was to search for Crimson Star Grass, while agreeing to divide other mountain spoils equally with the group. Ye Yun immediately recognized Li San as a peak Ninth Rank martial artist concealing his true cultivation. 10

Throughout the expedition, Li San remained watchful rather than openly protective, assessing the other travelers and fighting Shadowless Leopards with minimal but exceptionally efficient movements. His calm façade began to crack when the group encountered a Second-Order Giant Snake; after Yan Xiao Liu was gravely wounded, Li San eagerly volunteered to test the beast while Wang Wu covered his rear. 11 12 16

Li San revealed formidable saber skill against the Giant Snake, repeatedly targeting its eyes, nostrils, and gaps between its scales. The snake eventually struck him with its tail, shattering his defense, breaking several ribs, and bending his saber. He nevertheless resumed the fight with Wang Wu, and together they fatally wounded the beast. 16 17

Once the snake fell, Li San and Wang Wu abandoned any pretense of comradeship. Li San murdered Zhao Si, then disclosed that Ye Yun's surname was the reason for their ambush before attempting to kill both Ye Yun and the wounded Yan Xiao Liu. 18

Ye Yun effortlessly blocked Li San's initial strike, prompting Li San to launch a furious series of saber attacks. After being unable to overcome Ye Yun's defense, Li San used his ultimate move, Cleaving Mount Hua. Ye Yun countered with the first stance of the Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique, Rip the Silk, cutting Li San cleanly in two. 19

Appearance

Li San was a tall, thin man whose predatory bearing contrasted with his initial pose as a helpful traveling companion. 10

• Scarred face and yellow teeth. 13
• Sharp, falcon- or eagle-like eyes. 10 13 16
• Hoarse voice. 13
• Wielded a heavy-bladed, thick-backed saber. 16 18

Personality

Li San was calculating and observant while maintaining his cover, paying particular attention to Ye Yun and Yan Xiao Liu during the expedition. He favored restrained displays of strength until circumstances forced him to reveal himself. 11 12

Beneath that restraint, he was cruel, contemptuous, and eager for violent confrontation. He dismissed the terrified Zhao Si as “trash,” showed excitement rather than fear against the Giant Snake, and killed Zhao Si without hesitation once the pair’s objective was complete. 16 18

His confidence turned to rage when Ye Yun exposed the gap between their abilities. Feeling humiliated by Ye Yun’s calm defense, Li San committed all his strength to a final attack rather than retreating or reassessing the fight. 19

Abilities & Skills

Peak Ninth Rank Cultivation

Ye Yun assessed Li San as a peak Ninth Rank martial artist when he first joined the expedition. His concealed aura, steady breathing, and sharp perception distinguished him from the ordinary constables. 10

• Could defend against Shadowless Leopards with small, efficient movements. 12
• Possessed enough strength and speed to briefly engage a Second-Order Giant Snake head-on. 16
• His internal force could be shattered by the Giant Snake’s tail strike, leaving him with broken ribs and disordered qi. 17
• Ye Yun judged his saber style fierce but comparatively crude, with imperfect energy circulation and limited adaptability. 19

Saber Mastery

Li San fought with a heavy-bladed saber and used an aggressive, precision-focused style against both beasts and humans. 16 19

• Targeted vulnerable areas such as eyes, nostrils, and gaps in a demon beast’s scales. 16
• Produced rapid saber strikes that appeared as afterimages while circling the Giant Snake. 16
• Pressured Ye Yun with a dense barrage of strikes aimed at vital points. 19
• His weapon was bent by the Giant Snake’s tail and later failed to overcome Ye Yun’s superior technique. 17 19

Cleaving Mount Hua

Li San’s ultimate saber technique concentrated his Essence Qi into a descending, mountain-splitting strike. 19

• Used effectively enough against the Giant Snake to leave a visible mark on its scales, though it did not penetrate deeply. 16
• Served as his final attack against Ye Yun. 19
• Was defeated by Ye Yun’s Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique: Rip the Silk. 19

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Heavy-bladed saber — his primary weapon; bent during the battle with the Giant Snake. 16 17
• Banknotes — several hundred taels’ worth were recovered from his body. 22
• Medicinal pills — carried high-quality pills for healing and restoring true qi. 22

Relationships

• Wang Wu — Combat partner addressed as “Fifth Brother.” Wang Wu covered Li San during the Giant Snake battle, aided his recovery after the snake’s tail strike, and joined him in the plot against Ye Yun. 16 17 18
• Zhao Si — Introduced Li San and Wang Wu to the expedition as trusted acquaintances; Li San later killed him to remove a witness. 10 18
• Ye Yun — Primary target of Li San’s covert operation due to Ye Yun’s surname; Ye Yun killed him in their saber duel. 18 19
• Yan Xiao Liu — Fellow expedition member whom Li San deceived and later attempted to murder after Yan was severely injured. 16 18

Trivia

• Li San and Wang Wu are associated with the title “Blood Blade Twin Terrors.” 21
• Li San should not be confused with “Ghost Hand” Liu San, the Black Wind Ridge bandit killed by Ye Yun earlier in the story. 4 5