Old Blind Man

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Old Blind Man (老瞎子); later identified as Hu Renfeng 107
Alias(es)	Sect Leader Hu; Grandmaster; Blind Brother 36 70 129
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Liansheng Sect — former leader who still commands its disciples 65 66 129
Occupation/Role	Fortune-teller, dealer in demon blood and Demon Pills, martial artist, healer, and Chen Zhuo's ally
Status	Active 160
First Appearance	Chapter 29

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Aperture Opening (Second Realm)	35	Chen Zhuo identifies Hu Renfeng as an Aperture Opening martial artist after witnessing him circulate white mist and True Essence. 35
Spirit-Nurturing	137	Explicitly described as a Spirit-Nurturing martial artist; the circumstances of his advancement are not shown. 137

Background / History

Hu Renfeng was once the leader of the Liansheng Sect, then Baiyun County's foremost sect. His confidence in the sect's strength led him to disregard the yamen after Liu Yingsheng arrived as county magistrate. 88

Liu Yingsheng used a birthday celebration to trap the Liansheng Sect. The sect's protectors, saintess, and many followers were killed. Hu Renfeng's son was spared to coerce him into surrendering the sect's secrets; Liu then had Hu Renfeng's eyes gouged out and spread the false claim that he had suffered qi deviation during cultivation. 88

By the time Chen Zhuo meets him, Hu Renfeng operates a fortune-telling stall in the Ghost Market, selling genuine demon blood and information. Yan Ming directs Chen Zhuo to him, establishing their first connection. 29

Appearance

Hu Renfeng is an elderly-looking, blind man with white hair, an aged face, and sightless eyes. He commonly travels in dark or black robes and relies on a blind cane. 29 65 107

• Keeps his eyes closed or turns his blind gaze toward those addressing him. 29 65
• Carries a blind cane that doubles as a lethal weapon. 85 107
• Often carries a wine gourd containing demon blood. 35
• Maintains a small black donkey at his Ghost Market stall. 29 30

Personality

Hu Renfeng is shrewd, irreverent, and relentlessly transactional. He repeatedly bargains with Chen Zhuo over martial arts manuals, demon blood, True Blood, and Demon Pills, often attempting to set terms favorable to himself. 35 36 66 68

Despite his greed and teasing manner, he becomes sincerely protective of Chen Zhuo. He guards Chen Zhuo during breakthroughs, advises him against confronting stronger powers carelessly, and repeatedly places himself in danger alongside him. 87 89 96

His past left him bitter toward Liu Yingsheng and regretful about his son's lack of martial talent. He nevertheless retains confidence in Chen Zhuo's judgment and potential, frequently supporting his plans even when others believe Chen Zhuo is acting recklessly. 86 88 114 118

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation and Blind Cane Combat

Hu Renfeng is a Spirit-Nurturing martial artist whose combat ability greatly exceeds ordinary soldiers and yamen runners. 107 137

• Uses his blind cane with extreme precision, piercing attackers through the center of the brow. 107
• Single-handedly kills dozens of yamen runners and City Defense Army soldiers while defending Chen Zhuo's cave. 107
• Can remain stable on Chen Zhuo's airborne Blood Cloud despite violent winds. 137
• Possesses sharp sensory perception despite blindness, allowing him to identify people, detect unusual vitality, and follow Chen Zhuo's demon-blood markings. 29 70 81

True Essence and Healing

Hu Renfeng can manipulate white mist-like True Essence for recovery and protection. 35 65

• Heals Fifth Master and Qi Afu's injuries almost immediately, restoring their strength and removing their exhaustion. 65
• Seals a cave entrance with ghostly light to prevent poisonous miasma from entering and damaging Chen Zhuo's soul during his breakthrough. 87
• Uses True Essence to inspect a demon beast hide and assess the quality of Chen Zhuo's dissection work. 67

Talisman Arts and Demon Pill Refinement

Hu Renfeng understands incomplete talismans and can use True Fire to refine Demon Pills from demon blood. 68 69 100 101

• Refines First-Tier demon beast True Blood into Demon Pills in roughly the time needed to brew tea. 69
• Demonstrates a talisman-based method for drawing Life Fire out of the body. 100 101
• Offers Chen Zhuo talisman knowledge and the Minor Heavenly Cycle Qi Circulation Method, though often for a price. 35 69
• Recognizes that Chen Zhuo reproduced the True Fire Talisman through photographic memory. 88

Cultivation Knowledge

Hu Renfeng serves as one of Chen Zhuo's main sources of martial and historical knowledge. 66 112

• Explains that a Great Demon is a Third-Rank demon beast equivalent to a third-realm martial artist. 29
• Teaches Chen Zhuo that Life Fire must be strengthened through blood and qi for further cultivation. 66
• Explains the realms beyond Spirit-Nurturing: Sha-Condensing, Qi-Refining, and Dharma Image. 112
• Warns Chen Zhuo about Demon-Slaying Valley's Sha-Condensing Grand Elders. 112

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Blind Cane — walking aid and primary weapon; used to kill attackers with precise strikes. 85 107
• Wine Gourd — carries demon blood, which Hu Renfeng drinks while cultivating. 35
• Demon Pills — refines, consumes, sells, and trades them to support cultivation. 67 69
• Life-Saving Peanuts — three energy-containing peanuts previously given to Chen Zhuo. 66
• Little Black Donkey — kept beside his Ghost Market stall and used with a donkey cart. 29 30

Relationships

• Chen Zhuo — Initially a customer and business partner; Hu Renfeng becomes his paid protector, mentor-like ally, and sworn “brother.” He guards Chen Zhuo's breakthroughs and supports his campaigns against Liu Yingsheng and Demon-Slaying Valley. 29 36 87 89 112
• Yan Ming — A longtime associate who sends Chen Zhuo to Hu Renfeng in the Ghost Market. 29 35
• Liansheng Sect — Hu Renfeng is its former leader and remains a figure of fear and authority among its disciples. 36 65 129
• Liu Yingsheng — His principal enemy; Liu destroyed much of the Liansheng Sect, coerced its secrets from him, and had his eyes gouged out. 88 112
• Fifth Master and Wu Tong — Protects them during the assault on Chen Zhuo's cave and later coordinates city defenses with Fifth Master. 107 129
• Zong Jiujiu — A fellow ally who calls him “Old Brother”; Hu Renfeng guides her in recognizing Chen Zhuo's tactics. 114 129
• Unnamed son — Hu Renfeng regrets that his son lacked Chen Zhuo's martial talent; the son survived Liu Yingsheng's destruction of the Liansheng Sect. 86 88

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ghost Market Dealings

Hu Renfeng introduces Chen Zhuo to genuine demon blood, the danger of Dangyun Mountain's Great Demon, and the wider hierarchy of martial realms. He sells Chen Zhuo the Minor Heavenly Cycle Qi Circulation Method and accepts payment to protect him during the Autumn Hunt. 29 35 36

Autumn Hunt Alliance

He trades Demon Pills and True Blood with Chen Zhuo, refines demon blood into pills, and wagers over the capture of Second-Tier demon beasts. During the hunt, he follows Chen Zhuo's trail, witnesses the extent of his hidden strength, and guards him during his Spirit-Nurturing breakthrough. 68 69 81 85 87

Revelations About Baiyun County

Hu Renfeng reveals Liu Yingsheng's role in the destruction of the Liansheng Sect and explains that Liu intends to transform Baiyun County into a massive True Fire Talisman to refine a Humanity Great Pill. He provides Chen Zhuo with two Third-Tier Demon Pills for the coming conflict. 88 89

Defense of Chen Zhuo's Allies

When Yao Xiong's forces besiege Chen Zhuo's cave, Hu Renfeng kills dozens of attackers and prevents them from interrupting Chen Zhuo's seclusion. 107

Demon-Slaying Valley Conflict and County Consolidation

He accompanies Chen Zhuo to Demon-Slaying Valley, identifies its higher-realm threats, and assists in securing demon beast resources. Later, he guards Chen Zhuo's seclusion, directs Fifth Master to garrison the city, and has Liansheng Sect disciples deliver the Blood Blade Gang's seized treasury. 112 120 129 153

Notable Quotes

“Who else wants to go in? You are welcome to trade blows with this old man.” 107

“Since you are so determined, this old brother will stake his life to accompany you.” 89

Trivia

• Although he appears elderly, Hu Renfeng claims that his actual age is not much greater than Chen Zhuo's. 87
• He openly resents being addressed as “Sect Leader Hu,” rejecting the title when Registrar Wang uses it. 70
• Chen Zhuo calls him an “encyclopedia” because of his extensive knowledge of martial realms, sect history, and cultivation. 112