Zhengde

Biodata

Background / History

Monk Zhengde is an upright, compassionate, and deeply devoted Zen monk. During his search for his master, he becomes entangled in a massive conspiracy involving the Esoteric Sect and corrupted underworld entities in Li Prefecture 155 181. Afflicted by three explosive blood curses due to a previous confrontation involving the Charnel Ground Couple and Red Tara's manifestation, he suffers severe bodily deterioration, exposing a half-skull face 153 155. Despite these agonizing injuries, he remains resilient, journeying through dangerous terrains and performing rebirth sutras for fallen allies like the Dao Cavalry of the Zhenxie Division 155 156.

Zhengde crosses paths with Zhou You, forming a close alliance based on mutual trust 178 179. He works alongside Zhou You to expose his corrupted Senior Brother, Liaochen, who betrayed their master to the Esoteric Sect 178. After Liaochen's self-destruction triggers a catastrophic sinfire, Zhengde opens an underworld passage using the Hell Path to save Zhou You and the escort agency 179.

He later discovers that his revered master, the Old Monk, has become the Dharma King of the Esoteric Sect and the mastermind behind the Dragon Flower Dharma Assembly 214 215. Devastated by this revelation, Zhengde assists in invoking Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva's Dharma Body using his master's flesh-and-blood Buddha statue to suppress Maitreya's descent 221 222. Following the resolution of the crisis, Zhengde loses all of his cultivation and magical power, carrying his master's ashes back to a Chan temple in the capital, where he spends his remaining years as an accomplished teacher of Buddhist doctrines 231.

Appearance

Zhengde possesses a starkly contrasting physical appearance due to the severe backlash of his blood curses.

• The left half of his face is that of a kind-eyed, merciful ordinary man 155.
• The right half of his face is stripped of flesh entirely, exposing a ghastly white skull with a bloodshot eye rolling restlessly in its socket 155.
• As his demonic corruption deepens throughout his trials, his physical age fluctuates, temporarily appearing as a gaunt youth before stabilizing 210 211.
• He typically wears a simple, shabby gray cassock 204.

Personality

• Upright and Compassionate: Zhengde is unfailingly polite, frequently bowing and reciting sutras to offer deliverance to the dead, regardless of their background 155 156 181.
• Resilient: He endures intense physical torment from his blood curses without showing fear or yielding to despair 155.
• Loyal and Dutiful: He maintains strict devotion to his master and his Buddhist vows, driven by an unwavering sense of karmic responsibility 181 215.

Abilities & Skills

Esoteric & Buddhist Arts

Zhengde possesses advanced esoteric Buddhist and Chan cultivation, utilizing powerful dharmic seals and mantras 156.

• Six Paths of Reincarnation Art: Employs paths such as the Deva Path and Hell Path to bind monsters, protect allies, and open underworld passages 153 179.
• Dharma Manifestation & Buddha's Light: Summons radiant golden light to dispel darkness, purify puppets, and erect protective barriers against miasma 156 180.
• Rebirth Sutras: Recites sacred texts to deliver restless souls and dead bodies 155 156.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Arhat Relic: A sacred relic carried in his robes that emits radiant glow to suppress demonic miasma and his body's corruption 204.
• Master's Flesh-and-Blood Buddha Statue: The deceased, complete physical body of his master retrieved from Bodhi Temple, used to anchor the descent of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva 221 222.

Relationships

• Zhou You — Ally and companion. Zhengde repeatedly aids him and receives life-saving assistance in return, building a relationship of deep mutual respect 178 179.
• The Old Monk (Master) — His revered master, who later becomes the Dharma King of the Esoteric Sect, plunging Zhengde into deep emotional turmoil 215.
• Liaochen (Senior Brother) — Traitorous fellow disciple who betrayed their master out of resentment and was ultimately consumed by his own malice 178.
• Zhenxie Division — Allies who sacrificed themselves to assist Zhengde in reaching his destination 157 181.

Notable Quotes

"Zhengde, seventeenth-generation monk of Compassionate Grace Temple, pays his respects to Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva." 222