Lu Qingshan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Lu Qingshan (陆青山)
Gender	Male 27
Affiliation	Azure Cloud Martial Hall 27
Occupation/Role	Former True Disciple; Servant Courtyard sweeper; Li Pingsheng's guide, scout, and ally 27 51
Status	Alive 66
First Appearance	Chapter 27

Background / History

Five years before meeting Li Pingsheng, Lu Qingshan was an Azure Cloud Martial Hall True Disciple regarded as a once-in-a-century prodigy, with the potential to reach the Grandmaster realm before thirty. His younger sister became critically ill, and he entered the Black Mist Forest alone to obtain Red Marrow Vine for her. 27 28

The Tier 2 Phantom Face Spider trapped him in an illusion of his sister calling for him. He emerged from the forest three days later with his cultivation destroyed by poisonous miasma; his sister had died while he was gone. The failure left him focused solely on revenge against the spider. 28

Reduced to sweeping the Servant Courtyard, Lu spent five years investigating the Black Mist Forest and developing a safer route to the Red Marrow Vine. When Li Pingsheng found his map, Lu initially attacked him, then recognized that Li was concealing formidable strength and offered his knowledge in exchange for help taking revenge. 27 28

Appearance

After losing his cultivation, Lu Qingshan is depicted as physically diminished and emotionally worn down, though traces of his former martial foundation remain. 27 42

• His hands are covered in calluses and tremble when memories of his sister surface. 28
• He initially moves sluggishly, with hollow eyes and little visible vitality while sweeping the Servant Courtyard. 27
• A deep purple bruise has remained on his chest for five years after his encounter with the Dragon Locking Well. 36

Personality

Lu Qingshan is driven by grief and revenge. His fixation on killing the Phantom Face Spider kept him alive after the loss of both his cultivation and sister, but it also makes him emotionally volatile when confronted with memories of the Black Mist Forest. 28 29

He is initially suspicious and aggressive toward Li Pingsheng, attacking him upon learning that his map was discovered. Once their alliance is established, however, Lu becomes highly dependable: he provides intelligence, follows Li's orders without hesitation, and repeatedly places himself in danger to protect Li's family. 27 39 42 51

Abilities & Skills

Black Mist Forest Expertise

Lu Qingshan spent five years studying the Black Mist Forest after his failed expedition.

• Maintains maps of both his original route and a newly discovered path that bypasses the Phantom Face Spider's nest and leads toward the Red Marrow Vine. 28
• Identifies terrain hazards, poisonous miasma, monster dens, and unsafe routes while guiding Li Pingsheng through the forest. 29 30
• Understands the Phantom Face Spider's ability to exploit a target's deepest attachments through illusions. 28
• Can prepare Poison-Avoiding Pills and uses dried herbs to resist stronger miasma. 29
• His knowledge does not remove the forest's danger; the Phantom Face Spider remains capable of overpowering him directly. 30 31

Residual Martial Foundation

Though his cultivation was destroyed, Lu retains external martial strength, technique, and instincts from his time as a True Disciple. 27 31

• Used a broom technique that split into three attacking shadows aimed at Li Pingsheng's vital points. 27
• Fired three Armor Piercing Nails into the Phantom Face Spider's compound eye while using corrosive medicinal powder to damage its carapace. 31
• Rescued Yunmei from Zhao Family guards during the Martial Hall Grand Exam. 42
• His remaining strength is limited; after attacking the Phantom Face Spider, he could not evade its counterattack and was sent flying into a stone wall. 31

Intelligence Gathering

Lu serves as Li Pingsheng's source of information within and beyond Azure Cloud Martial Hall.

• Uncovered the manipulated Grand Exam matchup between Li Pingsheng and Chen Tieshan. 39
• Investigated Zhou Heng's cultivation, his links to the Zhao Family and Black Water Gang, and Instructor Wu's involvement. 63 64
• Reported the Black Water Gang's activities under Tie Liu, including the scent associated with Phantom Face Spiders. 64 66

Equipment / Items

• Animal-hide maps — Two map halves documenting routes through the Black Mist Forest and the path toward Red Marrow Vine. 27 28
• Armor Piercing Nails — Projectiles used against the Phantom Face Spider. 31
• Corrosive medicinal powder — Used to erode the Phantom Face Spider's carapace. 31
• Poison-Avoiding Pills and dried herbs — Improvised protection against the Black Mist Forest's miasma. 29

Relationships

• Li Pingsheng — Initially a wary transactional ally; Lu guides him through the Black Mist Forest in return for help avenging his sister. He later becomes Li's loyal scout, assistant, and trusted protector of the Li family. 27 28 42 51 66
• Yunmei — Rescues her from Zhao Family guards during the Grand Exam and is entrusted with her safety when Li enters the Back Mountain alone. 42 44
• Unnamed younger sister — His deceased sister. Her illness prompted his expedition for Red Marrow Vine, and her death became the source of his five-year pursuit of revenge. 28
• Phantom Face Spider — The Tier 2 demonic beast responsible for luring him into an illusion, destroying his cultivation through miasma exposure, and indirectly causing his sister's death. 28 31

Story Role / Major Arcs

Black Mist Forest Expedition

Lu becomes Li Pingsheng's guide after presenting a safer route to the Red Marrow Vine. He leads Li through poisonous terrain, helps evade pursuers, and joins the confrontation with the Phantom Face Spider, severely injuring the beast before being badly wounded himself. Li later carries him to Shen Tong's clinic. 28 29 31 32

Martial Hall Grand Exam

Lu uncovers evidence that Li Pingsheng's match against Chen Tieshan was arranged to exploit Li's injuries. During Li's subsequent match with Zhao Ming, Lu infiltrates the Zhao Family viewing stand and rescues the kidnapped Yunmei, removing Zhao Ming's leverage. 39 42

Dragon Locking Well Crisis

When the Dragon Locking Well's miasma threatens Qingyun County, Lu accepts responsibility for Yunmei's safety while Li heads alone toward the Back Mountain. After the crisis, he assists Li in dealing with the Zhao Family's remaining assets and securing high-tier demonic beast meat. 44 49 50

Li Family's Move to the Inner City

Lu purchases a large Inner City residence overnight on Li Pingsheng's orders, enabling the Li family to leave the vulnerable Wealthy District. He remains in service to Li after the move, addressing him as Head Disciple. 51

Head Disciple Challenge

Following Li's injuries, Lu investigates Zhou Heng's challenge for the position of Head Disciple and warns Li about the Black Water Gang's renewed activity. He continues gathering intelligence on enemies connected to the Dragon Locking Well. 62 63 64 66