Fang Shuwen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Fang Shuwen (方书文)
Alias(es)	Little Fang; Brother Fang 22
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Age	16 at the beginning of the story 1
Affiliation	Zhao Estate; Xikou County Public Middle School's Elite Class 16 27
Occupation/Role	Student; martial artist; chess player and occasional street chess-stall operator 7 30
Status	Alive; has reached Great Perfection of Bright Force by Chapter 90 90
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
First Set of Body-Strengthening Fists — Entry	2	Activates the Martial Arts Panel using foreign energy from miscellaneous jade and spends a skill point; Attack and Defense rise from 2 to 3.
Two Bone Cracks	8	Absorbs a higher-quality Ghost Jade for five skill points and strengthens his physical attributes.
First Set of Body-Strengthening Fists — Proficient	12	Gains improved force generation, precision, and enough single-arm strength to lift a 300-jin stone lock easily.
Soaring Snake Fist / Snake Form	24	Fuses the Body-Strengthening Fists with the Soaring Snake Counter-Scale Copper Plate, acquiring the Soaring Snake Fist and the Snake Form special effect.
Soaring Snake Fist — Mastery	36	Spends ten skill points to upgrade the technique; Attack, Defense, and Vitality rise sharply, and he can lift 700 jin with one arm.
Bright Force	44	Uses 37 skill points to advance during his fight with Wang Jiu, then defeats the Investigation Division martial artist.
Soaring Snake Fist — Great Success	51	His fist technique reaches Great Success, leaving his Bright Force cultivation unable to advance further through it alone.
Mountain Crushing Force — Initiated	60	Records the manual on the Panel and spends five skill points; his striking strength rises by roughly 20%.
Mountain Crushing Force — Proficient	65	Further tempering notably changes his arms and improves the concentration of his force.
Snake Form Step — Great Success	70	Spends 31 skill points to raise the footwork directly from uninitiated to Great Success, greatly increasing speed and agility.
Late Bright Force	80	Advances Mountain Crushing Force to Mastery; Attack rises to 16, Defense to 12, and Vitality to 8.
Peak Bright Force	83	Defeats the wounded Dark Force master Wang Yue through superior mobility, power, and sustained pressure.
Great Perfection of Bright Force	90	Has a single-arm strength exceeding 2,500 jin, though he identifies defense as his principal weakness.

Background

Fang Shuwen is a transmigrator from the 21st century who awakens in the body of a poor Xikou County student. Before his arrival, the original Fang Shuwen was known as Guo Ziming's sycophantic lackey and had little martial talent despite attending a martial arts gym and receiving school training. 2 9

His circumstances change after he obtains a piece of miscellaneous jade while playing chess for money. The jade activates his Martial Arts Panel, allowing him to absorb foreign energy and convert it into skill points for martial advancement. 1 2

He lives with his father, Old Fang, in the servant quarters of the Zhao Estate. Old Fang works as the estate's gatekeeper and sacrifices heavily to support his son's education and future. 4 16

Appearance

Initially regarded as a scrawny student, Fang's body changes rapidly through cultivation. By the time he advances Mountain Crushing Force, his hands have grown larger, his knuckles thicker, and the movement of blood and qi beneath his skin is visibly pronounced. 10 65

• Initially slight enough for opponents to dismiss him as physically weak. 10
• Develops noticeably greater musculature after his first Panel upgrade. 2
• Possesses extraordinary flexibility after gaining Snake Form, allowing movements that exceed normal human limits. 43 51

Personality

Fang is adaptive, calculating, and strongly survival-oriented. He quickly accepts his transmigration, experiments with the Panel's rules, and consistently seeks resources—chess winnings, Ghost Jade, books, martial manuals, and demon-slaying bounties—to improve himself. 2 30 64

He is cautious about exposure. After killing opponents, he hides bodies, avoids claiming credit for saving Zheng Shulan, suppresses his true strength during school tests, and gives the National Martial Arts Hall a fabricated “family heritage” lineage rather than reveal the Panel. 35 45 58 79

Although capable of ruthless violence when threatened, Fang is filial and protective toward people he considers his own. He shares food and money with Old Fang, warns Cuicui about Li Tong before her betrayal, and repeatedly places himself between Zheng Shulan and danger. 11 37 82

He is also socially perceptive. He redirects Hu Da's drunken insult rather than escalating it, leaves Guo Ziming's hostile social gathering without forcing himself into it, and learns when to accept the guidance of stronger martial artists. 25 42 79

Abilities & Skills

Martial Arts Panel

Fang's primary advantage is a supernatural Panel that absorbs foreign or exotic energy and turns it into skill points.

• Absorbs energy from miscellaneous jade, Ghost Jade, strange books, demon corpses, and ancient artifacts. 2 35 78 85
• Records martial techniques after he learns their fundamentals, then upgrades them directly with skill points. 60 70 91
• Fused the First Set of Body-Strengthening Fists with the Soaring Snake Counter-Scale to create Soaring Snake Fist. 12 24
• His use of Ghost Jade is potentially dangerous; Zheng Yuanpei warns that it can cause harmful side effects. 31

Soaring Snake Fist

A fused snake-style fist art based on curved, unpredictable attacks and flexible body mechanics.

• Uses arcing strikes to attack from oblique angles rather than direct lines. 26
• Includes techniques such as Snake Tongue Strike, Snake Fang Thrust, and Soaring Serpent Stance. 34 44
• Allows every joint—fists, elbows, palms, knees, and legs—to be used as a weapon in flowing combinations. 26
• Destroyed an ironwood dummy with an estimated 1,500-jin punch force. 26
• Was identified by Zhao Wanqing as unusually cohesive and technically solid for an early Bright Force practitioner. 52

Snake Form

A special effect acquired through the Soaring Snake Counter-Scale fusion.

• Grants extreme spinal flexibility and allows Fang to slip through narrow gaps that stop ordinary pursuers. 24 43
• Sharpens his senses, helping him remain alert while escorting Zheng Shulan from Clear Water River Bend. 35
• Enhances the natural compatibility between his body movement and snake-style martial arts. 51

Mountain Crushing Force

A power-tempering martial art selected from the National Martial Arts Hall's Library Pavilion.

• Specializes in concentrated, explosive striking force. 59 60
• Considered slow and difficult to cultivate conventionally, requiring years for meaningful results without the Panel. 59
• Raises Fang's raw strength substantially and eventually carries him into late Bright Force. 80
• Its emphasis on offense leaves defense as a relative weakness compared with dedicated body-tempering arts. 90

Snake Form Step

A twelve-form footwork technique selected specifically for its synergy with Snake Form.

• Slides rather than steps, enabling quiet, rapid movement over short distances. 70
• Lets Fang change angles during combinations and move behind targets as he attacks. 70
• Was praised by Zhao Wanqing as better executed than the footwork of many dedicated Snake Fist disciples. 71
• Enables Fang to evade and pursue stronger opponents, including Wang Yue. 83

Chess

Fang is an exceptionally skilled chess player and uses street matches as both income and a way to obtain valuable jade.

• Defeats Zheng Yuanpei and wins a Ghost Jade. 7
• Operates a chess stall on East Street with paid matches. 7 30
• Develops a competitive relationship with Zheng Yuanpei, who later becomes a martial mentor. 40 42

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Soaring Snake Counter-Scale Copper Plate — Ancient copper fragment used to fuse and create Soaring Snake Fist; its possession draws the attention of the Folklore and Antiquities Investigation Division. 12 41
• Ghost Jade — Primary early source of skill points; Fang repeatedly buys and absorbs it for cultivation. 22 44
• Lime powder — A concealed combat tool Fang keeps after using it to blind and delay opponents. 22 44
• Parker fountain pen — Gifted by Steward Chen after the Zhao Estate recognizes Fang's martial ability. 16
• Martial courtyard key — Gives him access to the Zhao Estate's training yard, weapons, and equipment storeroom. 16
• Copper Pole Technique manual — Complete body-tempering manual recovered from Wang Yue; its first level, Copper Skin, is intended to improve Fang's poor defense. 83 90
• Firearm — Used against Ding Hongzhi and carried during his confrontation with Wang Yue. 77 83

Relationships

• Old Fang — Father. Old Fang is a Zhao Estate gatekeeper who supports Fang's schooling; Fang protects him, shares his earnings, and acts after discovering the Wild Wolf Gang targeted him. 16 39 66
• Zhao Wanqing — Elder daughter of the Zhao Family, Dark Force Grand Martial Master, sparring partner, and protector. She drives off Investigation Division officers, teaches Fang about force and New Martial Arts, and treats him as a younger brother outside class. 55 71
• Zheng Yuanpei — Chess rival, martial mentor, and Zheng Family patriarch. He corrects Fang's flaw in force unification, protects Old Fang, and acknowledges Fang after he kills Wang Yue. 42 67 83
• Zheng Shulan — Zheng Yuanpei's granddaughter, classmate, and recurring ally. Fang rescues her from Wild Wolf Gang kidnappers; their initially hostile relationship becomes one of concern and mutual trust. 34 52 78
• Guo Ziming — Former young master and employer of the original Fang Shuwen. Their relationship shifts from master-and-lackey to hostility, fear, rivalry, and emerging mutual respect. 22 53 73
• Hu Da — Zhao Estate cook who looks after Fang and Old Fang, leaves Fang meals, and defends him against gossip. 4 56
• Cuicui — Neighbor and Mother Wang's daughter. Fang warns her against Li Tong, but she later blames and hates him after Li Tong's crimes devastate her life. 37 59
• Lin Xiu — Section Chief of the Folklore and Antiquities Investigation Division. Lin suspects Fang's connection to the Soaring Snake Counter-Scale and repeatedly orders surveillance or attempts to bring him in. 41 55
• Shen Xinyi — Bookstore owner whose unusual knowledge of martial realms and artifacts makes Fang suspicious of her hidden background. 31 68

Story Role / Major Arcs

Awakening and Break from Guo Ziming

After winning money and jade through chess, Fang is hunted by men seeking his winnings. The jade activates his Panel and begins his martial path. 1 2

He discovers that Liu Mang arranged an attack against the original Fang Shuwen to remove a rival for Guo Ziming's favor. Fang confronts Liu Mang, kills him, disposes of the bodies, and accepts that survival in this world requires decisive violence. 9 10 11

Soaring Snake Counter-Scale

A copper shard recovered from Liu Mang reveals the possibility of fusing his basic fist art with the Alien Soaring Snake Reverse Scale. Fang saves skill points, completes the fusion, and gains Soaring Snake Fist and Snake Form. 12 24

The Counter-Scale makes him a target of the Folklore and Antiquities Investigation Division, which investigates Liu Mang's death and begins connecting Fang to the artifact. 26 41

Elite Class and Zheng Family Connection

Fang enters Xikou County Public Middle School's Elite Class despite weak academic results, attracting resentment from classmates. 27 30

He rescues Zheng Shulan and another captive from Wild Wolf Gang kidnappers at Clear Water River Bend, kills the kidnappers, and conceals his role. This act brings him into Zheng Yuanpei's orbit and ultimately earns the Zheng Family's protection. 34 35 67

Investigation Division Pursuit

After Lin Xiu's subordinate Wang Jiu tracks him, Fang uses Ghost Jade, lime powder, and a sudden breakthrough to Bright Force to kill Wang Jiu. He hides the corpse and keeps the Investigation Division from immediately connecting the death to him. 43 45

When Officer Liang later attempts to take Fang for questioning at the Zhao Estate, Zhao Wanqing intervenes and forces the officers to retreat. The department continues covert surveillance afterward. 55 56

Wild Wolf Gang Conflict

Fang earns formal Bright Force certification and begins taking National Martial Arts Hall missions, including the solo killing of the Dog Demon at Green Wolf Mountain. 58 64

The Wild Wolf Gang abducts Old Fang to pressure him. Zheng Yuanpei intervenes, shelters Old Fang at Zheng Mansion, and promises to settle the gang's threat. 66 67

Fang later discovers Wang Yue targeting Zheng Shulan, protects her, and kills the wounded Dark Force master after a prolonged fight. He recovers Wang Yue's complete Copper Pole Technique manual. 82 83

New Martial Arts Instruction

Zhao Wanqing returns to Xikou as the Elite Class's New Martial Arts instructor. Through sparring, Fang learns that New Martial Arts imprint the innate traits of exotic creatures onto human bodies rather than relying on Old Martial Arts' cultivation of qi, blood, tendons, bones, and force. 71

Fang suspects that his Panel's tendency to absorb alien energy may prevent him from cultivating New Martial Arts normally, but the issue remains unresolved. 91

Notable Quotes

“In this godforsaken world, only with Bright Force could one truly have the power to protect oneself.” 26

“You can't run.” 83