Su Derong

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Su Derong (苏德荣)
Alias(es)	Third Senior Brother; Young Master Su; Young Gang Leader
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xingyi Martial Arts Hall; Su Family Escort Agency
Occupation/Role	Li Chengyue's third disciple; Internal Strength escort guard; leader of the Su Family Escort Agency
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

Su Derong is the third disciple of Li Chengyue's Xingyi Martial Arts Hall and a member of the Su family, whose escort agency was saved by Li Chengyue during the family's flight from Yongchuan County. As a child, Su Derong admired Li Chengyue's ability to defeat the Blood Wolf Gang's second-in-command with three punches. 17

When Chen Jianghe joins the hall, Su Derong gives him a spare training tunic, explains the hall's rules, and personally introduces him to the Three-Body Stance. He stresses that the stance is the foundation of Xingyi Fist and corrects Chen's posture during training. 4 7

Su Derong begins supplying Chen with meat in exchange for cooked meals, recognizing that adequate blood and qi are necessary for cultivation. He continues the arrangement daily, helping sustain Chen's intensive stance practice. 6 7 He also provides information on Li Gouzi, reports Chen's breakthroughs to Li Chengyue, explains the martial realms, and arranges access to martial-hall resources. 8 9 11 14

As part of the Su family, he brings Chen into the Su Family Escort Agency, explains its hierarchy, and secures him an escort-guard placement. 16 18

Appearance

Su Derong usually presents himself as a well-dressed young master, though he later adopts an escort guard's indigo uniform after assuming responsibility for the agency. 7 30 54

• Frequently carries and idly waves a folding fan. 6 7
• Has appeared in an indigo satin robe with a jade belt, a moon-white silk robe, and formal escort attire. 7 30 46 54
• Keeps his hair neatly groomed when dressed as a wealthy young master. 7 30
• In battle, uses his folding fan as both a defensive weapon and a concealed weapon platform. 26

Personality

Su Derong initially appears languid, flirtatious, and pleasure-seeking. He routinely invites Chen Jianghe to brothels and entertainment venues, spars verbally with his master, and claims that indulging in worldly pleasures is a form of “tempering the heart.” 7 15 30 33

Beneath that carefree manner, he is observant and generous. He notices Chen's financial and nutritional difficulties, provides meat and cultivation materials, investigates threats at Chen's request, and uses his position to find Chen work at the escort agency. 6 8 16 25 30

The escort agency's collapse forces him to mature. Facing major losses, debt, and his uncle's illness, he accepts responsibility, issues practical orders, sells non-essential family assets, suspends dangerous routes, and vows to prioritize the agency's survival over appearances. 44 54 He later admits that he had relied too heavily on his family name and Li Chengyue's protection, resolving to cultivate seriously and become strong enough to carry the burden himself. 53

Abilities & Skills

Xingyi Fist and Dark Strength

Su Derong is an Internal Strength/Dark Strength practitioner of Xingyi Fist. He can project hidden force through contact, making an opponent's limbs numb and disrupting their blood and qi. 16

• Uses the Five Elements Fist: Splitting, Crushing, Drilling, Cannon, and Crossing. 26
• Defeated two Dark Strength challengers in succession during the Yilin Martial Arts Tournament. 63
• Uses precise Dark Strength strikes rather than relying solely on brute force. 16 63
• Was outmatched by Lei Xiao, whose cultivation was at the peak of Dark Strength, and suffered a fractured forearm. 64

Footwork

Su Derong employs Phantom Shadow Steps to evade attacks and create angles for counterattacks. 64

• Slipped away from Lei Xiao's opening Twin Thunder Break with a half-step displacement. 64
• Uses mobile positioning to exploit slower, power-focused opponents. 63

Folding Fan Techniques

His folding fan is both a personal affectation and a practical weapon. 6 26

• Uses the fan ribs to parry bladed weapons. 26
• Can wield the fan like a staff or thrusting weapon. 26
• Conceals poisoned silver needles within the fan, using them to blind and poison an ambushing Dark Strength expert. 26

Escort Command and Crisis Management

Su Derong is familiar with escort routes, road customs, personnel roles, and the dangers facing the Su Family Escort Agency. 16 21 22

• Teaches Chen the core escort rules: do not show wealth, make enemies, or seek trouble. 21
• Ordered the caravan's wagons burned during the Black Wind Ridge ambush, creating the opening that reversed the battle. 26
• Reorganized the agency after its financial crisis, including inventorying assets, arranging pensions and medical costs, and restructuring the remaining guards. 44
• Suspended long-distance assignments and personally assumed oversight of all agency affairs. 54

Equipment / Items

• Folding fan — His customary weapon and the housing for concealed poisoned needles. 26
• Poisoned silver needles — Fired from the fan during the Black Wind Ridge ambush. 26
• Bone Tempering Soup ingredients and instructions — Obtained three complete portions to help Chen Jianghe attempt a Dark Strength breakthrough. 30
• Bone-Corroding Powder — A dangerous self-defense poison given to Chen before his expedition to Black Wind Ridge. 39

Relationships

• Li Chengyue — Master. Li frequently chastises Su Derong's indolence, but entrusts him with the Su Family Escort Agency's future after being severely injured. 10 14 53
• Chen Jianghe — Junior apprentice brother and close ally. Su Derong teaches, feeds, employs, equips, and defends Chen; their bond develops into mutual trust and shared responsibility. 4 16 25 47 53
• Su Jingming — Uncle and senior figure in the Su family. Su Jingming discusses the family's past with Chen and works with Su Derong on the escort agency's affairs. 17 18
• He Shouzhuo — Fellow Xingyi disciple. Su Derong welcomes He Shouzhuo into the escort agency after his Dark Strength breakthrough and assigns him responsibility for its defense. 59
• Zhao Tieshan, Zhou Yong, and Wang Gui — Veteran Su Family Escort Agency guards who follow Su Derong's commands and support his leadership during the agency crisis. 26 44 54
• Zhao Mingyuan and Li Tian — Former fellow disciples and adversaries. Su Derong condemns them for abandoning the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall and later faces their public mockery and debt pressure. 34 45 46
• Lei Xiao — Zhenlei Martial Arts Hall opponent. Lei Xiao provokes and defeats Su Derong in the Yilin Martial Arts Tournament. 63 64

Story Role / Major Arcs

Chen Jianghe's Entry into Xingyi Martial Arts Hall

Su Derong acts as Chen Jianghe's first practical instructor at the hall. He teaches the Three-Body Stance, explains the hall's customs and cultivation stages, and supports Chen's training through food and advice. 4 6 7 11

Su Family Escort Agency Mission

He recruits Chen into the Su Family Escort Agency and leads an escort mission through Black Wind Ridge. During the Green Dragon Gang's ambush, Su Derong holds off two Dark Strength enemies, orders the wagons burned to create confusion, and kills one attacker with poisoned needles despite severe injuries. 16 21 25 26

Escort Agency Crisis

After the agency suffers major losses, Su Derong assumes leadership amid a four-hundred-tael-gold shortfall. He unsuccessfully seeks loans from former acquaintances, endures Zhao Mingyuan's humiliation, and attempts to negotiate against the Zhao family's debt collection. 44 45 46

When Zhao Mingyuan's men threaten Chen Jianghe, Su Derong places himself in front of his junior brother and declares that anyone who wishes to touch Chen must first step over his corpse. 47

Reformation and the Yilin Martial Arts Tournament

Following Li Chengyue's intervention, Su Derong publicly abandons his former frivolous lifestyle, sells assets to stabilize the agency, and commits himself to training and leadership. 53 54

At the Yilin Martial Arts Tournament, he defeats Wang Chong and Tie Shan before being defeated and injured by Lei Xiao. His performance nevertheless establishes that his martial arts have become steadier and more seasoned through hardship. 63 64

Stewardship During Chen Jianghe's Departure

When Chen Jianghe leaves Yilin County to seek treatment for Li Chengyue, Su Derong is entrusted with the martial arts hall and the escort agency, reflecting Chen's confidence in his reliability. 73

Trivia

• Su Derong's daily meat-for-cooking arrangement materially supports Chen Jianghe's early cultivation, since meat is costly and necessary for nourishing blood and qi. 6 7
• He calls Chen Jianghe's mother “Aunt Lin” and treats her respectfully. 21
• After pledging to abandon brothels and take responsibility, he tears apart the fan bearing poetry celebrating his former carefree lifestyle. 54