Yu Kan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Yu Kan (于勘)
Alias(es)	Master Yu; Senior Apprentice Brother Yu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Iron Mountain Martial Hall
Occupation/Role	Martial artist; senior disciple of Zhou Jingfeng; instructor and caretaker for junior disciples
Status	Active; injured during the Five-Color Mountain rescue operation but bandaged afterward 81
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background / History

Yu Kan was one of Iron Mountain Martial Hall's leading disciples, initially described as a martial artist close to the Flesh Refining Realm. Ma Jun praised him as among Hepu County's better martial-hall disciples, a reputation Yu Kan accepted with visible pride. 8

When Chen Yue sought martial instruction despite being a Pearl Diver, Yu Kan was disdainful and wary of becoming entangled with the Sea Shark Gang. He nevertheless agreed to a paid, single-session arrangement and instructed Ma Jun to demonstrate Iron Mountain Fist, Roaming Mountains and Rivers, and Iron Mountain Saber clearly. 8 9 10

Chen Yue's rapid growth overturned Yu Kan's initial assessment. Yu Kan was astonished when Chen Yue passed the County Examination's strength test and later learned that the youth had developed the hall's three basic arts after seeing them only once. 23 25 26

After Chen Yue repelled He Chong and several Sea Shark Gang members, Yu Kan arrived to mediate the aftermath. Recognizing that Chen Yue's parents would be endangered by retaliation, he brought the family to Iron Mountain Hall and reported the situation to Zhou Jingfeng. Zhou later praised Yu Kan's compassion for bringing Chen Yue to the hall despite disobeying earlier instructions. 30 31 32

Following Chen Yue's formal apprenticeship, Yu Kan became his senior apprentice brother. He demonstrated Mountain Crushing Fist and Eight-Step Cicada Chase, handled medicinal-bath supplies, and was entrusted by Zhou Jingfeng with Chen Yue's care while the hall master attended Zhou family business. 36 40 42

Yu Kan joined Chen Yue and Ma Jun in the rescue of Zhou Jingfeng at Five-Color Mountain. He was injured while resisting Zhao Mang, but continued fighting, regrouped with Chen Yue, and helped clear bandits despite his wounded hand. 61 63 66 69 72

Personality

Yu Kan initially carried himself with arrogance and social caution. He viewed Chen Yue's Pearl Diver identity as a liability and refused to stand surety for him because of the danger of attracting the Sea Shark Gang's attention. 8 10

He is ultimately compassionate, dutiful, and protective of his fellow disciples. His decision to give Chen Yue limited guidance came from sympathy for the youth's determination and background, while his later actions consistently prioritize Chen Yue's family, his master's safety, and the hall's interests. 31 32 40 64

Chen Yue's talent leaves Yu Kan conflicted: he experiences envy and bitterness over being surpassed, but these feelings do not become resentment. He openly recognizes Chen Yue as an extraordinary genius, supports his training, and ultimately places trust in his junior brother's judgment during the Sea Tooth Rock campaign. 40 42 52 63 69 72

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Yu Kan was initially nearing the Flesh Refining Realm and was later stated to be at the peak of the Skin Refining Realm, still seeking a breakthrough. 8 52 53

• Zhou Jingfeng considers Yu Kan steady and diligent, though limited by his natural aptitude. 32
• He is considered stronger than Sea Shark Gang leader He Chong, though defeating He Chong would still take effort. 30
• Zhou Jingfeng instructed him to prioritize breaking through rather than accompanying him on complicated Zhou family business. 53

Iron Mountain Martial Arts

Yu Kan is proficient in Iron Mountain Fist and Roaming Mountains and Rivers, though Chen Yue's mastery eventually surpasses his own. 34

• Oversaw the one-session demonstration of Iron Mountain Hall's basic fist, footwork, and saber arts for Chen Yue. 9
• Demonstrated Mountain Crushing Fist while explaining its breathing coordination, force transitions, formulas, and taboos. 36
• His Mountain Crushing Fist can merge inner breath into his strikes, producing heavy, penetrating force. 36

Eight-Step Cicada Chase

Yu Kan taught Chen Yue the Eight-Step Cicada Chase movement technique before the Life-Death Arena. 39 40

• Demonstrates rapid, linked steps that leave afterimages and shift unpredictably rather than moving in a straight line. 40
• Used the technique at full force to escape Zhao Mang and regroup with Chen Yue. 66

Saber Combat

Yu Kan fights with a steel saber and remains capable in close combat despite injuries. 61 66

• Killed a fleeing bandit with a slash to the neck during the Five-Color Mountain ambush. 61
• Delayed Zhao Mang's attack on himself by combining Eight-Step Cicada Chase with a defensive saber deflection. 66
• Helped eliminate the remaining common bandits after Tie Hong's defeat. 72

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Steel saber — Yu Kan's primary weapon during the Five-Color Mountain rescue. 61 66
• Tendon-Strengthening and Bone-Forging Powder — Retrieved from Zhou Jingfeng's medicine case for Chen Yue's medicinal baths. 40
• Gold Coin Dart manual — Located in Iron Mountain Hall's stored books and provided to Chen Yue. 59
• Pearl Star Chain manual — Retrieved for Chen Yue after Yu Kan recalled Zhou Jingfeng's military-archery collection. 59 60

Relationships

• Zhou Jingfeng — Master. Yu Kan reports major incidents to him, obeys his instructions, and was praised for compassionately bringing Chen Yue to Iron Mountain Hall. 31 32 42
• Chen Yue — Junior apprentice brother. Yu Kan first treated him as a risky outsider, then became an instructor, supporter, and protector who trusted Chen Yue's ability in battle. 8 40 42 64 69
• Ma Jun — Junior apprentice brother and long-time fellow disciple. They jointly taught Chen Yue, accompanied the rescue of Zhou Jingfeng, and fought together despite their injuries. 9 32 61 72
• Sea Shark Gang — Hostile faction. Yu Kan attempted to mediate after Chen Yue's clash with He Chong, but the gang's escalating attacks drew him into direct conflict. 30 38 63
• Zhao Mang — Sea Shark Gang opponent who severely injured Yu Kan during the Five-Color Mountain ambush. 63 66

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Chen Yue's first visit to Iron Mountain Hall — Sets strict, transactional terms for Chen Yue's requested martial instruction and arranges the demonstrations. 8 9
• County Examination — Notices Chen Yue's unexpected strength and reports the origin of Chen Yue's techniques to Zhou Jingfeng. 23 25
• Sea Shark Gang retaliation — Arrives to mediate after Chen Yue defeats He Chong's group, then shelters Chen Yue's family at the martial hall. 30 31
• Chen Yue's apprenticeship and Life-Death Arena preparation — Assists in teaching, provides resources, and supports Chen Yue's intensive training. 32 36 40 42
• Five-Color Mountain rescue — Fights alongside Chen Yue and Ma Jun to rescue Zhou Jingfeng, survives Zhao Mang's ambush, and supports Chen Yue's subsequent guerrilla campaign at Sea Tooth Rock. 61 63 66 69 72
• Aftermath of the rescue — Receives orders to relocate Chen Yue's family and the Li family to Zhou Jingfeng's residence because Iron Mountain Hall is no longer considered safe. 81

Notable Quotes

“If you want to take someone, first ask if I, Yu Kan, will allow it!” 38

Trivia

• Yu Kan received 300 taels from Zhou Jingfeng for cultivation resources, the same amount allotted to Chen Yue and three times Ma Jun's share. 53
• He initially assumed Chen Yue's rapid mastery of hidden weapons and archery was impossible without years of practice, later describing his junior brother as someone whose talent “break[s] the rules.” 62 63