Old Man

Biodata

Background / History

Taking Hals from the Circus

The Old Man obtained Hals through a supposed circus that actually operated as a trafficking ring. The Ringmaster introduced him to the boy, who believed he was being adopted. He took Hals to a modest house with a small yard, describing it as a temporary residence rather than his permanent home 9.

After sharing dinner with Hals, he led the boy into a side room containing bloodstained restraints, whips, and branding irons. When Hals tried to flee, the Old Man seized him, shackled him to a wooden chair, and manifested small knives 9.

A Year of Abuse

For approximately a year, the Old Man tortured Hals daily with knives, branding irons, whips, and repeated bone-breaking. Hals’s unusually rapid recovery allowed the abuse to continue, turning an ability that should have helped him into a source of prolonged suffering 9.

When ordered to return for a mission, the Old Man announced one final “transformation.” He broke Hals’s arms and left the restraint keys beside him, forcing the starving boy to wait until his injuries healed enough to escape. Hals later entered Martial Soul Hall under Qian Xunji 9.

Reunion and Death

During Bibi Dong’s first mission, the Old Man emerged after reprimanding Yang Xingwei and threatened to make Bibi Dong his next “toy.” Hals confronted him in a state of furious excitement, removed his hood, and exposed his scarred face and flower brand. After studying these marks, the Old Man recognized him as his former captive 8.

Hals later confirmed that he had killed the person who branded the flower onto him. His encounter with the similarly marked Grass-Leaf Monster raised questions about the Old Man’s connections, but Hals did not know whether the two belonged to the same organization or were related 119.

Appearance

The Old Man had a tall, thin frame, a withered face, and a pale complexion. His manner and voice were repeatedly described as effeminate and sinister 8 9.

• Withered, claw-like hands with sharp nails 9.
• Delicate gestures, including holding his fingers in a dainty pose 8.
• A rasping, distinctive laugh 9.

Personality

The Old Man treated people as possessions and sources of amusement. He called Hals his “son” while subjecting him to daily torture, then expressed regret at having to leave such a rare captive behind. His threat toward Bibi Dong extended the same objectifying attitude to a new potential victim 8 9.

Despite his confidence, he sensed danger when Hals confronted him. He tightened his grip on his knives before recognizing the scarred boy he had once imprisoned 8.

Abilities & Skills

Seven-Ring Cultivation

• Possessed seven Soul Rings, establishing him as a Spirit Saint 8.
• His highest displayed ring was black; the remaining rings were two yellow and four purple 8.
• No named Soul Skills are provided in the supplied passages.

Knife Manifestation

• Materialized ten small knives between his fingers during his confrontation with Bibi Dong and Hals 8.
• Also manifested small knives when beginning Hals’s captivity 9.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Small knives — Manifested weapons associated with his Soul Master abilities 8 9.
• Bloodstained wooden chair — Used to restrain Hals 9.
• Cross, chains, and shackles — Restraints kept in the torture room 9.
• Whips soaked in wine and branding irons — Implements used during Hals’s captivity 9.

Relationships

• Hals — Adoptive captive and abuse victim; later confronted and killed him 8 9 119.
• Ringmaster — Arranged the Old Man’s acquisition of Hals through the trafficking circus 9.
• Yang Xingwei — Accepted his reprimand with reluctant deference; the Old Man ordered him to report to an elder for punishment 8.
• Bibi Dong — Threatened her as a potential “toy,” provoking Hals’s intervention 8.

Notable Quotes

“Oh, so that's who it is. My dear little pet son.” 8

“What a shame—a perfect ‘son’ like you is very hard to come by. Well then, let me give you one last transformation.” 9