Chen Yong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Chen Yong (陈勇)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Divine Sword Sect; formerly a menial disciple, later an inner disciple
Occupation/Role	Former Night Fragrance Room and Gengluo Room menial disciple; combat-ranking participant
Status	Deceased 186
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Sword Piercing Fist — Proficient	31	Sought Li Gan’s help after a sparring defeat exposed a weakness in his internal-force circulation.
Combat Ranking List — listed last	35	Entered the menial-disciples’ ranking list after sustained training and Li Gan’s guidance.
Du Meridian opened	39	Reached the du meridian through diligent cultivation despite limited resources.
Ranked martial artist; Sword Piercing Fist — Great Accomplishment	43	Opened his ren meridian, cultivated internal qi, and attained the level required to enter the ranks.
Combat Ranking List — first place	43	Defeated successive opponents to top the Chore Hall ranking list.
Inner disciple	44	Earned eligibility after maintaining first place for three consecutive years.
Postnatal Realm — nearly sixth layer	108	Returned from a long garrison assignment with substantially improved cultivation and a more seasoned demeanor.

Background

Chen Yong entered the Divine Sword Sect as a menial disciple assigned to the Night Fragrance Room. A sturdy and quiet youth, he trained by carrying a wooden crossbeam while running; despite the harsh routine, he considered being allowed to cultivate in the sect a source of contentment. His initial ambition was modest: become a ranked martial artist before leaving the sect so he could support his impoverished family. 7 31

He became one of Li Gan’s few friends in the sect. Although initially reticent, he gradually opened up through their frequent conversations and helped Li Gan with errands, intelligence gathering, and visits to the menial-disciples’ black market. He later transferred from the Night Fragrance Room to the somewhat better Gengluo Room. 7 12 20

Chen Yong repeatedly joined the Chore Hall’s Combat Ranking List to test himself. After initially losing in a single move and later placing last, he received extensive instruction from Li Gan and Zhou Buping, medicinal meals, and three Blood Vitality Pills. He opened the ren meridian, became a ranked martial artist, and ultimately held first place on the list for three consecutive years, earning promotion to the inner sect. 8 35 41 42 43 44

As an ordinary inner disciple without a master or influential backing, Chen Yong relied on missions and contribution points for cultivation resources. He accepted a long-term garrison assignment, remained away for more than six years amid wartime conditions, and returned having reached nearly the sixth layer of the Postnatal Realm. 44 63 108

Twelve years before his later reunion with Li Gan, Chen Yong left the Divine Sword Sect with a female inner disciple. By the time he returned, he had five children and brought his son Chen Bingbing to attempt the sect’s recruitment assessment. 145

Chen Yong later died in his hometown of Hua County, Changping Prefecture, Jian Prefecture. Chen Bingbing informed Li Gan of the death, after which Li Gan visited the grave and offered wine in memory of his old friend. 186

Appearance

Chen Yong is first described as a sturdy youth with an honest face. By age fifty, his Postnatal-Realm cultivation had not prevented him from becoming visibly weathered, in contrast to Li Gan’s preserved appearance. 7 145

• Commonly trained while carrying a wooden crossbeam. 7
• Had a plain, honest, and simple-looking bearing. 7 145
• His temples bulged after opening the du meridian, a sign of strengthened internal-force cultivation. 39

Personality

Chen Yong is hardworking, humble, and practical. He never initially pursued the nearly impossible goal of becoming an official disciple; his priority was gaining enough strength to provide for his family. Even after receiving assistance, he attributed his accomplishments to fortune and remained conscious of the gap between himself and better-connected disciples. 7 31 43

He is notably reliable and grateful. He readily helped Li Gan investigate Song Yingying’s circumstances and accompanied him to the black market. Later, he openly credited Li Gan’s support for his advancement and promised to repay him if needed. 12 63

His experiences as an inner disciple and garrison-mission participant made him more sharp, mature, and steady. Though aware of his limited talent and uncertain prospects beyond the Postnatal Realm, he continued risking himself on missions to obtain cultivation resources. 47 108 111

Abilities & Skills

Sword Piercing Fist

Chen Yong’s principal martial art is the basic Sword Piercing Fist. He advanced from Proficient to Great Accomplishment through persistence and guidance, though he lacked the exceptional comprehension needed to reach Perfection. 31 43

• Used the technique in sparring and on the Combat Ranking List. 31 43
• Reached Great Accomplishment before opening his ren meridian. 43
• Heavy crossbeam training left his zhongfu and tianzong acupoints sluggish, briefly slowing his movements and creating an exploitable weakness. 31
• Could not improve solely through diligence beyond Great Accomplishment; Perfection required exceptional comprehension. 43

Meridian Cultivation

Chen Yong opened the du and ren meridians, cultivated internal qi, and became a ranked martial artist. 39 43

• His progress was slowed by a lack of cultivation resources and inadequate qi-and-blood nourishment. 41
• As a menial disciple, he had no internal cultivation technique; private transmission of such techniques was forbidden by the Divine Sword Sect. 43
• Gaining inner-disciple status finally granted him access to genuine internal cultivation methods. 44

Combat Ranking Experience

Chen Yong used the Chore Hall’s Combat Ranking List as both a proving ground and route to advancement. 8 20

• Initially lost to senior menial disciples without lasting a single move. 8
• Later entered the list in last place. 35
• Became a surprise champion after defeating multiple strong opponents. 43
• Secured inner-disciple eligibility by holding first place for three consecutive years. 44

Relationships

• Li Gan — Close friend, benefactor, and cultivation mentor. Li Gan gave him technical guidance, meals, Blood Vitality Pills, and encouragement throughout his rise from menial disciple to inner disciple. 7 31 42 43
• Zhou Buping — Li Gan’s master also instructed Chen Yong in the Sword Piercing Fist, providing higher-level guidance than Chen Yong could otherwise afford. 41
• Chen Bingbing — His son. Chen Yong brought him to the Divine Sword Sect for recruitment; after Chen Yong’s death, Chen Bingbing notified Li Gan and remained connected to the sect. 145 186
• Unnamed wife — Chen Yong left the Divine Sword Sect after becoming involved with a female inner disciple; he later had five children with his wife. 145

Notable Quotes

“I just want to train more and strive to become a ranked martial artist before I leave the Divine Sword Sect. That way, I can help my family.” 7

“If it weren't for your cultivation, I wouldn't be where I am today. If there's anything you need me for in the future, just give the word.” 63

Trivia

• Chen Yong’s hometown was Hua County in Changping Prefecture, Jian Prefecture. 186
• He sent most or all of his monthly stipend home, leaving little money for treatment or cultivation resources. 31
• He had five children: two sons and three daughters. 145