Cao Feng

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Cao Feng (曹峰)
Alias(es)	Cao Shi; Master Cao; Instructor Cao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Seven Star Gang
Occupation/Role	Co-founder of the Seven Star Gang; martial arts instructor; later de facto leader of the Qingyang Ancient City branch
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Cao Feng and the Old Gang Leader built the Seven Star Gang together. In his prime, he was its undisputed strongest member and led the gang against the Blood Saber Sect and Ironclad Sect. A plot involving the Blood Saber Sect left him with damaged legs and crippled cultivation, forcing him into seclusion while the gang deteriorated under shortsighted leadership. 7 13 115 136

Despite his injuries and disillusionment, he continued teaching at the Qingyang branch. He selected Chu Fan among eight recruits after noticing the latter's unusual understanding of saber technique, then intervened to transfer him from shoveling horse dung to chopping firewood. 5

Cao Feng recognized both Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing's potential early. He provided them Blood Nourishing Medicinal Soup, a secluded courtyard, exotic-beast meat soup, and personal instruction; he later began teaching them the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber. 14 17 29

He covertly protected Chu Fan after the latter's killings, sending Cao Yan as backup and preparing money to bribe Magistrate Zhang Yunpeng should events go wrong. 29

After learning of the Seven Star Gang higher-ups' use of children in demonic cultivation, Cao Feng regretted failing to seize control sooner. He joined Chu Fan and Li Qingxue in eliminating the corrupt hall masters and took control of the branch with the support of the Cao and Li clans. 113 114

Appearance

Cao Feng is an older martial artist whose injuries and years of frustration sometimes make him appear weary, though his bearing changes sharply when he teaches or fights. 7 8

• Wears a faded blue cloth gown; his cuffs were once stained with osmanthus petals. 113
• Has an old injury that impaired both his legs and cultivation. 115 136
• Can stand upright “like a pine” after demonstrating the Twelve Forms Boxing, with a ruddy complexion and steady breathing. 8
• His aura can become forceful and intimidating when he commits to battle. 113

Personality

Cao Feng is stern, perceptive, and deeply pragmatic. His lessons prioritize fundamentals, disciplined correction, and understanding over rote repetition. He physically corrects improper forms and insists that students master one form at a time. 8

He distrusts the Jianghu's promises and teaches his disciples to conceal their strength, avoid complacency, and reserve absolute trust for no one outside their parents. 30

Though he presents himself as blunt and occasionally irritable, Cao Feng is fiercely protective of Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing. He quietly arranges resources, safeguards, and contingencies for them, treating them as family. 14 17 29 114

His attachment to the Seven Star Gang once made him hesitant to act against its leadership. The discovery of its atrocities removes that restraint, turning his regret into decisive action. 7 113

Abilities & Skills

Twelve Forms Boxing

Cao Feng is a master instructor of the Seven Star Gang's foundational martial art and can demonstrate the entire set without visible fatigue. 8

• Teaches its use in strengthening Qi and Blood and tempering muscles and bones. 8
• Explains each animal form as an integrated application rather than a separate boxing technique. 8
• Emphasizes stance, breathing, force accumulation, and the principle of “one step, one matter, one fist, one meaning.” 8
• Can judge disciples' progress from observation, including noticing Chu Fan's concealed mastery across all Twelve Forms. 13 30

Saber Arts

Cao Feng is associated with the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber, an Inferior Third Stage martial art that he teaches to Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing. 29 30

• Explains the comparative grades and dangers of the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber, Blood Soul Nine Swords, and Seven Stars Bead Cut. 30 31
• Personally tests Chu Fan's saber ability by kicking a log toward him for a live cutting test. 16
• Is shocked when Chu Fan reaches Perfection in the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber. 111

Cultivation Knowledge

Cao Feng possesses extensive knowledge of the Martial Path and its progression.

• Teaches the method of Tempering Blood. 45
• Provides resources and instruction for Tempering Tendons. 88
• Explains that Heaven-and-Earth Spiritual Energy transforms into Yuan Qi after Transforming into Quality. 72
• Is stated to be at the fifth heaven of the Opening Spirit Realm. 131

Strategic Planning

Cao Feng plans for unfavorable outcomes rather than relying on confidence alone. 29

• Assigned Cao Yan to protect Chu Fan during a dangerous period. 29
• Prepared bribes for the magistrate in case Cao Yan failed to contain the consequences of Chu Fan's actions. 29
• Identified surveillance around his residence before moving against the gang's corrupt leadership. 113
• Chose to strike the hall masters immediately while their forces were divided and unprepared. 113

Medical Treatment

Cao Feng is capable of treating injuries, as shown when he tended to Fatty after an arrow wound. 71

Equipment / Items

• Ninefold Thunderclap Saber manual — provided to Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing for memorization and training. 30
• Wine gourd — carried when departing to confront Hurricane Hall. 113
• Cultivation resources — includes Blood Nourishing Medicinal Soup, Tempering Tendons materials, rare fruits, and great-medicine pheasant. 14 71 88 111

Relationships

• Chu Fan — Disciple. Cao Feng recognizes his extraordinary talent, funds his cultivation, protects him behind the scenes, and supports his decisions against enemies. 14 29 65 88
• Zhao Tianxing — Disciple. Cao Feng guides his boxing and archery development, while also tempering his confidence against comparisons with Chu Fan. 13 30 31
• Cao Yan — Nephew and trusted protector of Cao Feng's disciples; one of the Seven Star Gang's Transforming into Quality experts. 29 119
• Li Qingxue — Niece and close ally. They cooperate to stabilize the Seven Star Gang branch after the internal purge. 7 114
• Chen Xuan — Old friend and friendly rival from Moon Arrow Martial Arts School; they retain effective combat coordination from their youth. 108 119 136
• Wang Kaishan — Old friend and owner of the Kaishan Boxing Gym, who offers fighters to help defend the Seven Star Gang. 119
• Cao Shi — The name by which Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing address Cao Feng in later events. 113

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment and Instruction

Cao Feng recruits Chu Fan into the Seven Star Gang, places him in a more suitable work assignment, and introduces the new disciples to the Twelve Forms Boxing. His strict instruction establishes the foundation of Chu Fan's early martial development. 5 8

Nurturing the Disciples

He identifies Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing as exceptional prospects, gives them resources and private training conditions, and begins teaching them the Ninefold Thunderclap Saber. 14 17 29

Protector and Mentor

Cao Feng safeguards Chu Fan from the consequences of his conflicts, advises him to remember both favors and grudges, and approves of settling accounts once strong enough. 29 65 105

Reclaiming the Seven Star Gang

After hearing of the gang's crimes against children and Chu Fan's contamination by a resentful spirit, Cao Feng abandons his lingering attachment to the old order. He leads the immediate campaign against Hurricane Hall and the Hall of Elders, enabling the Cao and Li clans to seize the branch. 113 114

Defense Against the Moon Worshipping Sect

As the Seven Star Gang faces threats from Seven Star Fort and the Moon Worshipping Sect, Cao Feng coordinates with Chen Xuan, Wang Kaishan, Li Qingxue, Cao Yan, and allied forces. 119 122 136

Notable Quotes

“This Seven Star Gang, it's the foundation that I and the Old Gang Leader built with our own hands.” 7

“In the past, I told you all that in the future, you must remember to hide your cultivation and strength, and not to trust anyone easily... not even me.” 30

“Our past affections have long been worn away by their despicable deeds. These beasts have plunged the Seven Star Gang into disgrace, and they all deserve to die!” 113

Trivia

• Cao Feng initially underestimated Chu Fan because of his weak physique, then noticed his dramatic improvement in the Twelve Forms Boxing in less than a day. 13
• He was once regarded as the Seven Star Gang's number one figure. 13
• The Blood Saber Sect previously failed to kill him despite using a group of experts to trap him. 115
• Lu Tao attributes Chu Fan's growth to Cao Feng's training, while Chen Xuan insists it comes from Chu Fan's own talent and hard work. 136